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New York Mets infielder Wilmer Flores win arbitration hearing

By The Sports Xchange
New York Mets' Wilmer Flores throws to first base in the 2nd inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citi Field in New York City on June 15, 2016. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
1 of 3 | New York Mets' Wilmer Flores throws to first base in the 2nd inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citi Field in New York City on June 15, 2016. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Infielder Wilmer Flores won his salary arbitration hearing with the New York Mets and was awarded $2.2 million Saturday.

Flores was eligible for arbitration for the first time and the Mets contended he should make $1.8 million next season. The Mets lost the hearing when arbitrators Mark Irvings, Sylvia Skratek and Robert Herzog ruled in favor of Flores.

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Last year Flores played all four infield positions at various points due to injuries to David Wright, Lucas Duda, Asdbrual Cabrera and Neil Walker. He batted .267 matched a career high with 16 home runs and had 49 RBI before his season ended with a broken hand following a collision at the plate with A.J. Pierzynski Sept. 10 in Atlanta.

Flores came up as a shortstop in 2013 and in four seasons he has a .257 average with 39 home runs and 150 RBI in 345 games. His most notable moment occurred July 31, 2015, when he hit a walk-off home run in extra innings to beat the Washington Nationals.

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The home run occurred after he was nearly traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for Carlos Gomez a few days earlier. Flores endeared himself to fans by crying when he heard about the proposed deal but the Mets did not make the trade and obtained Yoenis Cespedes instead

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