Beginning in 1986 there was a sharp dropoff in the percentage of money spent on salaries for free agents and arbitration-eligible players, the study concluded.

Four Reach Agreement Four other arbitration-eligible players reached agreement on contracts.

Since Breslow was the last arbitration-eligible player for Arizona to be under contract, he avoided arbitration and a deal was made at $1.795 million.

Yesterday was the deadline for teams to tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players, who would have otherwise become free agents.

The contracts given to arbitration-eligible players continued the change of direction the clubs took beginning with free agents this off season.

And you don't see teams trade for arbitration-eligible players to be a fourth outfielder.

Next Thursday, arbitration-eligible players like Jeter will exchange figures with their teams, numbers that could affect the current negotiation parameters.

We would have received no compensation when he walked after the season, and we have a budget that fits only so many arbitration-eligible players.

There would also be more center fielders to choose from on the free-agent market after Tuesday's deadline for teams to tender contracts to their arbitration-eligible players.

Only 35 players exchanged figures with their clubs for salary arbitration, demonstrating the high number of arbitration-eligible players who had already agreed to 2003 salaries.