Explain to me how Dotel has more value than Aardsma, he had about a strikeout per inning more and an ERA a quarter of a run lower, sure, but is MORE expensive, has blown MORE saves, and is MUCH older. If a team didn't want to pay Aardsma arbitration next year, they could simply choose to release him and be on the hook for nothing. Capps has a case for being better than Aardsma, sure, but certainly not Javier Lopez and Ramon Ramirez, I think most would agree they're both clearly less valuable than Brandon League, who reports claimed teams were more interested in than Aardsma. Gambling that Aardsma will have more value next year is a bit shaky, as he'll still be the same pitcher as he was this year, but more expensive. Certainly it would make sense. As for Figgins and Lopez, it seems like a take what you can get for Lopez opportunity for Lopez, as odds seem long that he would make it through waivers, or be tradeable during winter after picking up his option if nobody wanted him now. Figgins is the only one that makes much sense to hang on to and let his value improve, though the report is, from Baker, that the Braves were told he was unavailable. I suppose the call could have gone, "Would you move Figgins, while paying half his contract, for some AA fodder?", but I'd be surprised if the Braves wouldn't offer something of value, they have NO speed on the team, and Omar Infante is like Chone Figgins without the speed or patience, and has gotten lucky to post a .784 OPS this season with a .400 BABiP. Still,you might be right regarding Figgins, in that Jack said no, anticpating a low ball proposal would rather Figgins play without trade rumors hanging over his head to further interfere with his performance while he rebuilds value.