Los Angeles Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez lost his salary arbitration case Friday, while New York Mets starter Oliver Perez won his.
By splitting the final two decisions, teams went 6-2 against players in arbitration this year.
Though Rodriguez was denied the $12.5 million US he requested, he'll still make $10 million this season, matching the record for the highest salary in an arbitration decision. Sharing the mark is Alfonso Soriano, who lost his case against Washington in 2006, and Ryan Howard, who beat Philadelphia on Thursday.
Prior to that, pitchers Chien-Ming Wang (Yankees), Jose Valverde (Astros) and Brian Fuentes (Rockies), and infielders Mark Loretta (Astros) and Felipe Lopez (Reds) were defeated as clubs started 5-0 in this year's cases.
The decision on Rodriguez was made by arbitrators Stephen Goldberg, Elizabeth Neumeier and Steven Wolf, who heard arguments Thursday in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Rodriguez made $7.1 million last year, when he tied for second in the American League with 40 saves in 46 chances. He is eligible for free agency after this season.
By his high standards, the flame throwing "K-Rod" is coming off a so-so campaign. He had a 3.45 ERA in the second half to finish with a 2.81 ERA, his highest since 2003.
Tony Reagins, who replaced the retiring Bill Stoneman as the Angels' general manager in October, said the arbitration hearing was "interesting."
"Obviously, we knew what our case was going in, and it was interesting to see the other side, their perceptions," Reagins said Friday morning before the outcome was announced.
"You hope that when the decision is made, you can resume work, understanding that this is a part of the business — not a fun part of the business, but something you go through," he said. "At the end of the day, hopefully we can focus on baseball and put this behind us."
Rodriguez recently expressed dissatisfaction that the Angels have not signed him to a long-term contract, and indicated he might leave as a free agent after this season. Although the club has offered him a longer deal several times in the past, he has opted to sign for one year each time.
The Angels' top offer was believed to be around $34 million for three years.
Perez will be paid $6.5 million this year, rather than the Mets' offer of $4.725 million.
The left-hander went 15-10 with a 3.56 ERA last year, when he made $2,425,000. The decision was made by Wolf, Neumeier and Robert Bailey.
"I feel good and I've just got to keep working," said Perez, who added he had no hard feelings toward the Mets.
Perez's win raised the Mets' payroll to $135.2 million for 24 signed players. For luxury tax purposes, which includes average annual values of contracts and about $10 million for benefits, the Mets' payroll is at approximately $146 million — under the $155 million tax threshold
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