Call it a case of peace through strength. The Orioles decided to go with a get-tough approach to their long list of potential salary arbitration disputes this winter and settled four of the most expensive possible disagreements Friday without even exchanging salary figures with the players.
The "file-and-trial" strategy is something of a soft ultimatum intended to speed up the process and avoid the distraction and other negative effects of an actual arbitration showdown. Manny Machado, Zach Britton, Chris Tillman and Jonathan Schoop all decided to accept the team's final pre-deadline offer, though it wasn't like the Orioles were squeezing them particularly hard.