The major league baseball free agency period is underway, and a key moment happens on Tuesday, with the deadline for clubs to offer free agents arbitration. The Dodgers and Angels have relatively few decisions to make by Tuesday night's deadline, as they have a total of three Type B free agents between them. Here is a look at the decisions awaiting both clubs on Tuesday.
↵Dodgers
↵Rod Barajas: The catcher and Los Angeles native hit like a madman after the Dodgers plucked him off waivers from the Mets in late August, hitting .297/.361/.578 with five home runs and 13 RBI in 25 games. The 35-year old hit .240/.284/.447 on the season with 17 home runs and 47 RBI in 99 games. The Dodgers want him back, and he only made $500,000 last season, plus incentives, so expect them to offer arbitration to Barajas.
↵Scott Podsednik: The Dodgers already tried to retain the light-hitting outfielder, exercising their half of his $2 million mutual option for 2011. Podsednik declined that option, but don't be surprised if the Dodgers still want him back, and offer Scotty Pods arbitration by Tuesday's deadline.
↵Angels
↵Hideki Matsui: Matsui didn't have a bad season, hitting .274/.361/.459 with 21 home runs and 84 RBI, but he also made $6 million and will be 37 years old in 2011. Expect the Angels not to offer Matsui arbitration.
↵All three are Type B free agents. Should they be offered arbitration, and decline and sign elsewhere, the former club will receive compensation in the form of a supplemental draft pick in between the first and second rounds next year.
↵For more MLB news and analysis, be sure to check the SB Nation blogs on the Dodgers (True Blue LA) and Angels (Halos Heaven).