The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Houston, Tampa players win raises
Houston closer Ken Giles and Tampa Bay shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria have won their salary arbitration cases and Toronto closer Roberto Osuna lost his.
The decisions Saturday left players with a 5-2 record this year. There are 18 players scheduled for hearings in the next two weeks.
Giles got a raise from $555,100 to $4.6 million — $400,000 more than Houston’s offer. This was the first time he was eligible.
Giles went 34 for 38 on save chances last season and was 1-3 with a 2.30 ERA. He struggled as the Astros won their first championship, posting an 11.74 ERA in the postseason and 27.00 ERA in a pair of World Series appearances, when he allowed five runs in 1⅔ innings.
Hechavarria, who made $4.35 million last year, was awarded $5.9 million, instead of the $5.35 million offered by the Rays. He hit a combined .261 with eight homers and 30 RBIs last season, when he was traded from Miami to Tampa Bay in late June.
Osuna, also eligible for arbitration for the first time, will make $5.3 million after asking for $5.8 million. He made $552,400 last year when he was 3-4 with a 3.38 ERA and 39 saves while also leading the majors with 10 blown saves.
Late Friday, catcher J.T. Realmuto lost his salary arbitration case against Miami, getting a $2.9 million salary instead of his request for $3.5 million. Realmuto made $562,500 last year and was eligible for arbitration for the first time after hitting .278 with 17 homers and 65 RBIs.