McHugh makes his plea for $1-million-plus raise
PHOENIX — Collin McHugh became the second pitcher on the World Series champion Houston Astros to go to salary arbitration, asking for a raise from US$3.85 million to $5 million.
Houston argued for a $4.55-million salary in Tuesday’s hearing before arbitrators Mark Burstein, Jeanne Wood and Allen Ponak.
Players lead 7-6 with decisions pending for McHugh and pitchers Marcus Stroman of the Blue Jays, Tampa Bay’s Jake Odorizzi and Cleveland’s Trevor Bauer. Six more hearings are scheduled and 22 decisions would be the most since players won 14 of 24 cases in 1990.
Baltimore and pitcher Kevin Gausman agreed Tuesday to a $5.6-million, oneyear deal, avoiding a hearing scheduled for Wednesday.
McHugh heads to spring training projected as a sixth starter behind a rotation with Justin Verlander, Dallas Keuchel, Gerrit Cole, Lance McCullers Jr. and Charlie Morton. The Astros could decide to trade McHugh.
The 30-year-old right-hander was 5-2 with a 3.55 ERA in 12 starts last season. He was on the disabled list with tendinitis in his pitching shoulder until July 22.
Astros closer Ken Giles won his case Feb. 3 and will earn $4.6 million.
Gausman had asked for $6.225 million and the Orioles had submitted $5.3 million when
proposed salaries were swapped last month, making the settlement $162,500 below the midpoint. He earned $3.45 million last year in his first of four arbitration-eligible seasons.
His deal includes bonuses of $50,000 each for 25, 30 and 33 starts; $50,000 if he makes the all-star team; and $50,000 if he earns a Gold Glove.
Gausman went 11-12 with a 4.68 ERA last season, making a career-high 34 starts with a personal-best 179 strikeouts. The righthander was 3-7 on June 21 before rebounding. The 27-year-old is 34-43 with a 4.18 ERA in five major-league seasons, all with the O’s.