If a player does not accept arbitration, can he still sign with his former team?

Question

For example Pedro Feliz did not accept the arbitration offer. Can he still sign with the Giants or not, etc.

Answer 1

Yes he can, and actually they made it easier when they signed the new collective bargaining agreement. Before teams/players had to wait until mid may to sign with their former team if they declined arbitration. now even if they decline it they can sign at anytime. So yes Pedro Feliz can still be a Giant next season, great glove just wish he would occasionally take a walk.

Answer 2

If they don't accept arbitration and become a free agent, they can sign with the same team, but will not be eligible to play until May 1 of that year. Right now, teams should be offering non-arbitration deals. If those are refused, then both parties go to arbitration and a 3rd party decides what is fair for the player (the team's offer or the agent's offer or something in between).

Answer 3

It's kind of complicated, but pricehillsaints is essentially correct in that if a player refuses arbitration and then later decides that he wants to sign with that team, he cannot play with them until May 1st. Arbitration is usually offered to a player that a team doesn't want, but would like to get a draft pick in return when that player signs with another team. So if a player refuses arbitration with a team and really wants to sign with them, he ultimately is hurting himself.

Answer 4

Yes - it would be the same as any other free agent signing.

Answer 5

For the Red Sox Eric Gagne is a good one...Bronson Arroyo is another one that comes to mind.

Answer 6

i guess, it would be just like free agent signing