Brewers, Chris Narveson, Avoid Arbitration

Remember how in November, one of the best parts of the beginning of Hot Stove season is looking at the arbitration eligible players for your team, and wondering how much money the Milwaukee Brewers would spend or save on young stars?

Then remember how you forget about it around December? Don’t feel bad, it happens to everyone. The arbitration process in Major League Baseball is kept under pretty tight wraps, so no matter what the Milwaukee Brewers have planned for their players has to wait until the arbitration meetings are in swing.

Yesterday, the first of those arbitration-eligible players crossed the line. Chris Narveson, the Brewers fifth starter and left-hander avoided an arbitration hearing with Milwaukee.

Chris Narveson is going back to the mound for Milwaukee in 2013. And at a bargain price. (Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports)

Narveson signed a one-year deal with the Milwaukee Brewers valued at $840,000. It was the first year Chris Narveson was eligible for the arbitration process, and it came during a rather opportune time for the 32 year-old.

Narveson was injured during the second start of his 2012 season, after going 1-1 with a 7.00 ERA and five strikeouts in nine innings pitched. He tore his rotator cuff in late April and was lost for the season. If ever an injury can prove to be a silver lining, it may have proved to benefit both parties – this one is the closest you can get.

With Narveson’s injury, it was easy for the Brewers to be able save some money on a deal. It gave them a chance for a one-off, low cost deal that allows Milwaukee to keep a veteran fifth man in the rotation. For Narveson, it’s a sign of trust in his abilities and a chance to bounce back from injury in a place he feels comfortable for another season.

I won’t go as far as saying that this is a win-win for everybody involved. Even at his best, Narveson had points of concern. But it doesn’t matter at the moment, he has a one year deal with the Milwaukee Brewers to get a rotation spot that is all but his to lose. He will have to prove that he can overcome this injury and continue performing at a high level. With Wily Peralta, Tyler Thornburg, and even the possibility of Tom Gorzelanny spot starting in that role, there s expected to be a lot of competition when it comes to the starting rotation.

So congratulations on getting your contract, Chris. Now you have to earn it.