Andre Ethier's arbitration hearing is today, a semi-secretive process both sides seem to relish as much as traffic on the 405 during a rainy rush hour.  While the Dodger have settled most of their arbitration cases, it has been some time since a young player has signed a multi-year deal, and none of the current crop.

Andre Ethier is entering his age 27 season; his birthday is in late April.  He's shown decent progression and is at a point in his career where the downside risk seems low.  Yeah, he's probably not a 130+ OPS+ hitter every year, but he is very likely a solid corner OF entering his peak years and could be had for what seems to be a fairly reasonable price.

Meanwhile reports are that Nate McLouth just signed for 3yrs/$15.75M. The numbers exchanged for arb were 3.8 and 2.75.

Compare to Ethier:

McLouth - 436 G, 1484 PA, .261 .338 .461 109 OPS+, 51 HR
Ethier - 420 G, 1542 A, .299 .364 .482 116 OPS+, 44 HR

McLouth is primarily a CF, Ethier is not. Both entering their age 27 season, McLouth about six months older. Ethier's arb exchange is 3.75 and 2.65.

I still find it curious that the Dodgers have not signed a single younger player to a multi-year deal.  A similar contract for Ethier doesn't seem unreasonable to me.

On a related note, from Tony Jackson's blog: "This is unconfirmed, but I'm pretty sure it's true: when the three-person arbitration panel makes its decision after Ethier's arbitration hearing this morning, that decision, which usually is made public the following day, will be sealed for a few days. Not even Andre or the club will know what it is. It won't be made public until after ALL of the pending arbitration hearings have taken place."

http://www.insidesocal.com/dodgers/2009/02/if-youre-waitin.html