Russell Martin has agreed to a one-year, $3.9 million contract, a record for a catcher in his first year of arbitration eligibility (Joe Mauer, with 3 full years of service time, earned $3.75 million in 2007).
Jonathan Broxton has signed a one-year deal for $1.825 million plus incentives. Broxton will get $50,000 for each of 45, 50, 55, and 60 games finished. Broxton himself finished 32 games; not bad for a half season as closer (although some came in road losses too earlier in the season). Only four Dodgers have reached 60 games finished since 1987 (The Eck Era).
Jason Repko signed a $500,000 deal with the club yesterday, and he wants to be traded. I can't say I blame him, since he doesn't have much of a future here. He's useful because he has an option year two option years remaining (thanks El Lay Dave and Silverwidow for clarification on this!) so the Dodgers can stash him in Albuquerque as insurance. I doubt he gets traded this season; the Dodgers don't have much OF depth on the 40-man roster right now. Without options after 2009, he's a prime candidate to be non-tendered in December.
Andre Ethier and the club have exchanged arbitration figures, per Tony Jackson. Ethier is asking for $3.75 million, and the Dodgers are requesting $2.65 million. That seems like too high a number for Ethier to win, but most likely the two sides will settle before it goes to a hearing.
All of these signings are well under my projections, which adds to the payroll flexibility.
The payroll worksheet has been updated with these signings.