Associated Press
Move aside, Mariano Rivera. Andruw Jones now holds the record for getting the highest salary in arbitration.
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| Andruw Jones' $8.2 million tops the previous arbitration high of $7.25 million set last year by Yankees reliever Mariano Rivera.
Associated Press |
The Atlanta Braves outfielder received $8.2 million yesterday when an arbitration panel selected his salary request instead of the team’s $6.4 million offer.
"It’s probably a surprise to some people, but not to me," teammate Eddie Perez said. "He’s the best player we’ve got and the best center fielder I’ve ever seen."
Jones’ new salary eclipses the previous arbitration high of $7.25 million set last year by Rivera. The New York Yankees closer actually lost his case, requesting $9.25 million.
"We felt like we had a strong case," Braves general manager John Schuerholz said. "I’m surprised a little bit, but not entirely. That’s the nature of this process."
Someday, these numbers may be downright piddling for the 23-year-old Jones, who made $3.7 million last season.
Jones had his best year in 2000, hitting .303 with 36 homers, 104 RBIs and 21 steals. The center fielder also won his third straight Gold Glove.
Schuerholz said the Braves want to work out a long-term deal with Jones before he becomes eligible for free agency after the 2002 season.
Jones struggled in his first full season in Atlanta, batting just .231, but over the last three years he has averaged 31 homers and 93 RBIs while compiling a highlight reel of spectacular catches.
Losing the arbitration case may put a crimp in the Braves’ plans to keep their payroll below $90 million.
ORIOLES
 Belle hurting: His limp was more telling than the physical he passed hours earlier.
Albert Belle worked out with the team at Fort Lauderdale, Fla., yesterday, but his arthritic right hip hindered his ability to run and forced him to perform at less than full speed.
Belle is coming off arguably the worst season of his career. Forced to miss 20 games in September with an inflamed bursa sac in the right hip pointer, the outfielder finished with a .281 batting average and only 23 homers, the first time since 1991 he failed to hit at least 30.
He worked during the offseason to rehabilitate the degenerative hip, but at this point he is striving primarily to prevent it from getting any worse. Belle also put on 15 pounds in his upper body during the winter — some in his chest but a good portion in his belly.
After being examined by team physicians yesterday morning, Belle was hindered by a restrictive limp as he participated in his first practice this spring.
"Swinging the bat, he looked fine," manager Mike Hargrove said. "I thought he looked a little limited in his running, but it was only the first day."
DODGERS
White wants out, too: Devon White arrived in camp yesterday at Vero Beach, Fla., and became the second Los Angeles outfielder to request a trade.
All-Star left fielder Gary Sheffield already had asked to either go to a new team or be given a rich new contract extension. Sheffield has said he will not report to spring training with the team.
White, 38, apparently is unhappy with the Dodgers’ plan to use him as a fourth outfielder.
Tom Goodwin, acquired from Colorado last season for Todd Hollandsworth and two minor league players, probably will open the season as the starting center fielder and leadoff hitter.
YANKEES
Strawberry an advisor: Team owner George Steinbrenner is offering Darryl Strawberry a job advising minor league players how to avoid the pitfalls of drugs and alcohol.
"It’s not about baseball, it’s about real life," said Strawberry, who is under house arrest at a Tampa, Fla., drug treatment center.
The former Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers and Yankees slugger is undergoing chemotherapy for colon cancer and is serving out a sentence for violating his probation following a 1999 arrest for drug possession and soliciting prostitution.
OBITUARY
Rigney dies: Bill Rigney, the first manager of the Giants after they moved from New York to San Francisco, died yesterday. He was 83.
Rigney was hospitalized on Nov. 18 with pneumonia, one year after he was diagnosed with lymphoma.
He served as the Giants’ manager from 1956-60, leading the club in its first season after moving from New York to San Francisco.
"Baseball and the San Francisco Giants have lost one of their greatest treasures," Giants owner Peter Magowan said.
Rigney later managed the Los Angeles Angels and Minnesota.
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