Major League Baseball players evened their record in salary arbitration when Anaheim shortstop David Eckstein and Pittsburgh shortstop Jack Wilson won their cases on Thursday.
Eckstein received a raise from US$425,000 to US$2.15 million, and Wilson got an increase from US$335,000 to US$1.85 million.
Anaheim had proposed Eckstein be paid US$1.6 million, but arbitrators Roger Kaplan, Stephen Goldberg and Jack Clarke ruled for the player, a day after hearing the case in Phoenix. Eckstein hit .252 last season with three homers, 31 RBIs and 16 steals.
Pittsburgh had submitted a US$1.4 million salary for Wilson, but that was rejected by arbitrators Dan Brent, Elisabeth Neumeier and I.B. Helburn. Wilson, who hit .256 last year with nine homers and 62 RBIs, was the first Pittsburgh player to go to a hearing since third baseman Jeff King lost in 1993.
Players and owners have split the four cases decided thus far, with Montreal first baseman Nick Johnson and Cincinnati pitcher Chris Reitsma losing last week. Eight players remain scheduled for hearings through Feb. 20.
Outfielder Jay Gibbons and Baltimore split the difference, agreeing to a US$2.6 million one-year contract. Gibbons, who hit .277 with 23 homers and a career-best 100 RBIs last year, had asked for US$2.8 million and had been offered US$2.4 million.
Unable to reach an agreement, Johan Santana and Minnesota argued their case. The left-hander, 12-3 with a 3.07 ERA last year, asked for a raise from US$335,000 to US$2.45 million. The Twins countered at $1.6 million.
Clarke, Brent and Elliot Shriftman heard the case and are expected to rule Friday.
Among free agents, former All-Star James Baldwin agreed to a minor league contract with the New York Mets that would pay him US$500,000 if he is added to the 40-man roster. The 32-year-old right-hander was 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in 10 relief appearances for Minnesota last season.
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