Aloha Ka Punahou 2005.04
Six players lose arbitration hearings
West to receive $1.6m; McCullough denied $2.2m
Rory West will receive $1.6m instead of the $2m that he wanted. West was claimed off
waivers from Omaha in mid-June and appeared in 37 games for Hawai'i, going 5-0 with
an ERA of 2.84. The figure is $11,000 higher than West won in arbitration a year ago with the
Barnstormers.
Carlos Talavera (3-2, 2.94) was 5th in the league in games (75) and 2nd in holds (19).
He received $450K. He had asked for $750K.
"Outrageous," Talavera's agent said.
Steven McCullough was "the biggest loser." The 33-year-old on his second tour in Hawai'i,
asked for $2.2m and was awarded $450K. McCullough was 3-12, 5.76 in 2004 after signing
in June. He was discharged from the Tropics after the 2001 season, when he demanded too
much money for a contract extension. He did not see ML experience in 2002 or 2003.
Also receiving $450K are Matt Davis (4.01 in 63 games), who had asked for $750K; Coleman
Starke (3-7, 6.96); and 2B Robert Cullison (.238-9-45), who had asked for $715K.
"We're pleased with the salaried awarded each of these players," said team Ambassador-at
Large Nicole Kidman, who represented Hawai'i at the hearings.
