Sports

Nationals beat Taylor in 1st arbitration decision this year

01 of February 2019

FILE - In this Aug. 9, 2018, file photo, Washington Nationals' Michael Taylor rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park in Washington. Taylor and the 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, Jan. 31, 2019, before arbitrators Mark Burstein, James Darby and Matt Goldberg. A decision is expected Friday. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File),FILE - In this Aug. 9, 2018, file photo, Washington Nationals' Michael Taylor rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park in Washington. Taylor and the 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, Jan. 31, 2019, before arbitrators Mark Burstein, James Darby and Matt Goldberg. A decision is expected Friday. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Washington defeated outfielder Michael A. Taylor in the first salary arbitration decision this year.

Taylor will receive the team’s offer of $3.25 million rather than his request of $3.5 million. Arbitrators Mark Burstein, James Darby and Matt Goldberg issued their decision Friday, a day after hearing arguments.

Taylor hit .227 with six homers and 28 RBIs last year, down from a .271 average with 19 homers and 53 RBIs in 2017. He had a $2.5 million salary last year.

Houston shortstop Carlos Correa also had a hearing Thursday and asked for a raise from $1 million to $5 million. The Astros argued for $4.25 million during the session before arbitrators Elizabeth Neumeier, James Oldham and Gary Kendellen.

Correa hit .239 with 15 homers and 65 RBIs last season, slowed by a bad back. He batted .315 with 24 homers and 84 RBIs in 2017, helping the Astros win their first World Series title.

Eleven players remain scheduled for hearings through Feb. 15, including Astros right-handers Gerrit Cole and Chris Devenski, and Washington reliever Kyle Barraclough.

Colorado third baseman Nolan Arenado avoided a hearing when he agreed Thursday at $26 million, the largest one-year contract for an arbitration-eligible player. He topped third baseman Josh Donaldson’s $23 million deal with Toronto last winter.

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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