Major League Baseball
Notebook: Eckstein, Wilson first to win cases in arbitration

By Seattle Times news services

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NEW YORK — Baseball players evened their record in salary arbitration when Anaheim shortstop David Eckstein and Pittsburgh shortstop Jack Wilson won their cases yesterday.

Eckstein received a raise from $425,000 to $2.15 million, and Wilson got an increase from $335,000 to $1.85 million.

Anaheim had proposed Eckstein be paid $1.6 million. He hit .252 last season with three homers, 31 runs batted in and 16 steals.

Pittsburgh had submitted a $1.4 million salary for Wilson, who hit .256 last year with nine homers and 62 RBI. He 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. Eight players remain scheduled for hearings through Feb. 20.

Outfielder Jay Gibbons and Baltimore split the difference, agreeing to a $2.6 million, one-year contract. Gibbons, who hit .277 with 23 homers and a career-best 100 RBI last year, had asked for $2.8 million and had been offered $2.4 million.

Unable to reach an agreement, Johan Santana and Minnesota argued their case. The left-hander, 12-3 with a 3.07 earned-run average last year, asked for a raise from $335,000 to $2.45 million. The Twins countered at $1.6 million.

Among free agents, former Mariners pitcher James Baldwin, 32, agreed to a minor-league contract with the New York Mets that would pay him $500,000 if he is added to the 40-man roster. The right-hander was 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA for Minnesota last season.

Notes
 

• The New York Yankees probably will wait until next week to announce their one-year agreement with first baseman Travis Lee from Olympia, which will be worth about $2.5 million. They don't have room for Lee, 28, on their 40-man roster, but they likely will next week after Aaron Boone undergoes knee surgery. Boone and the Yankees expect the operation to confirm that he tore the ACL in his left knee while playing basketball last month. Because Boone violated his contract by playing basketball, the Yankees can terminate it, creating a roster spot for Lee.

• Ken Griffey Sr. will join other members of the Big Red Machine in the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame on Aug. 29.Griffey, 54, was a right fielder on the team that won consecutive World Series in 1975 and 1976.

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