JUPITER, Fla., Feb. 19 (UPI) -- The Florida Marlins Wednesday won their arbitration case with righthander A.J. Burnett, who will receive $575,000 less than he was seeking.
A panel of arbitrators ruled that Burnett, the Marlins' leader in wins last season, will get $2.5 million instead of the $3.075 million he submitted in Tuesday's hearing.
Burnett earned $375,000 last season when he finished 12-9 with a 3.30 ERA in 31 games. He worked 204 1/3 innings, struck out 203 and led the major leagues with five shutouts.
"This is his first time through this process, and there may have been some anxiety prior to the hearing," said Marlins General Manager Larry Beinfest, "but I'm fully confident A.J. is going to move through and be ready for Opening Day."
The Marlins were the only team in baseball to have more than one player go through with an arbitration hearing. They have a policy of not negotiating after the deadline to exchange numbers, but won also won their case against reliever Vladimir Nunez. They lost a decision to starter Mark Redman.
The Burnett case was the last scheduled for this year in baseball. Owners won five of the seven cases.
