INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Free agent RHP Jose Valverde has declined the Houston Astros salary arbitration offer, General Manager Ed Wade announced early this morning.
The deadline for free agents to accept arbitration was midnight on Monday (EST).
The Astros offered arbitration to Valverde, who is classified as a Type A free agent, on December 1st. "It would have been nice for the certainty aspect if Jose had accepted," Wade said. "That being said, we still have the ability to see if we can get something done. We’re not closing the door on that opportunity."
Valverde was 4-2 in 52 appearances in 2009 with a 2.33 ERA and 25 saves. Since he is classified as a Type A free agent, the Astros will receive draft picks if he signs with another club. The Astros will receive a first-round draft pick and a compensation pick between the first and second rounds if Valverde signs with a team selecting 16 through 30 in the draft. Houston will receive a compensation pick between the first and second rounds of the draft along with a second-round pick if Valverde signs with a team selecting in the first 15 rounds of the draft.
Wade was asked to address the possibility of not resigning Valverde. "There are alternatives in the market," he said. "We’ll pursue them if we have to. We will also continue our dialogue with LaTroy Hawkins."
