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Garcia wins arbitration case

PEORIA, Ariz., Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Righthander Freddy Garcia will receive a $3 million raise this season after winning his arbitration case with the Seattle Mariners Wednesday.

A panel of three arbitrators ruled that Garcia will receive $6.875 million after making his second All-Star appearance last season. The 26-year-old Garcia made $3.8 million in 2002 and went 16-10 with a 4.39 ERA.

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The Mariners had offered him $5.9 million.

"The arbitration process is never very comfortable for either side," said Mariners General Manager Pat Gillick. "As I said before, this wasn't an adversarial situation, it's simply a difference of opinion over compensation. We are looking for big things from Freddy again this season, and we know he feels the same way."

Garcia had his best season in 2001, when he was 18-6 with an American League-leading 3.05 ERA.

Players and owners have split four hearings decided thus far.

Florida lefthander Mark Redman also won his case while Florida Marlins righthander Vladimir Nunez and Cincinnati lefthander Bruce Chen lost.

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