It seems like teams and players are finding their way to a deal rather than duke it out in arbitration this off-season. If you check the list of those eligible for arbitration, the majority of players already have negotiated agreements, with many others still awaiting their arbitration dates.
Perhaps the realization has set in that often in arbitration, everybody loses. Even if one side wins the financial argument, bad feelings fill the air as management makes their case against paying the player top dollar. Even if they get a contract signed, the attitude of that player is often shot, and a trade or eventual departure via free agency results. Far better to use that date as a meaningful negotiation deadline, and let both sides focus on the upcoming season.
Perhaps the realization has set in that often in arbitration, everybody loses. Even if one side wins the financial argument, bad feelings fill the air as management makes their case against paying the player top dollar. Even if they get a contract signed, the attitude of that player is often shot, and a trade or eventual departure via free agency results. Far better to use that date as a meaningful negotiation deadline, and let both sides focus on the upcoming season.