ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Outfielder Michael A. Taylor and the Washington Nationals have argued baseball's first salary arbitration hearing this year.
Taylor asked for a raise from $2.5 million to $3.5 million, and the Nationals countered with $3.25 million Thursday before arbitrators Mark Burstein, James Darby and Matt Goldberg. A decision is expected Friday.
Taylor hit .227 with six homers and 28 RBIs last year, down from a .271 average with 19 homers and 53 RBIs in 2017.
Thirteen players remain scheduled for hearings through Feb. 15, including Washington reliever Kyle Barraclough. He has asked for a raise from $556,500 to $2 million and has been offered $1.7 million.
Players won 12 of 22 hearings last year, their second winning record in three years but just their fourth since 1996. The 22 decisions were the most since players went 14-10 in 1990.
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