LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — When reliever Ryan Thompson found out Saturday he had lost his arbitration case to the Rays, he said he was “absolutely” disappointed with the result. He was somewhat philosophical about the process. He was even a bit flip, saying he was thrilled to still make $1 million and suggesting the Rays spend the difference between their offer and his $1.2 million request on exercise equipment.
But Thompson had more — much more — to say, and Wednesday night posted a 28-tweet, nearly 1,100-word thread.
He questioned the baseball knowledge of the three arbitrators in what he called a “flawed” but fascinating process. He said he had “no ill will” toward the Rays but did address their tactics, including their “brilliant” use of “buzzwords” and data points that he said “swayed” the panel. And he singled out other relievers, such as the Dodgers’ Brusdar Graterol, who he doesn’t think deserve to be paid more than him.
