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MLB players, teams start rush to settle in arbitration

Major League Baseball players and teams started rushing to settle arbitration cases Monday, a day before the sides were to swap proposed salaries.

Eleven players agreed to contracts, leaving 126 set to exchange figures after 142 filed for arbitration last week. About 100 more were expected to reach agreements before the sides submit proposals this afternoon for one-year, non-guaranteed contracts.

San Francisco Giants ace Tim Lincecum was expected to set records for the highest salaries asked for and received in arbitration. The two-time N.L. Cy Young winner made $13.1 million last season, completing a two-year deal worth $23.2 million.

The highest figure ever requested was $22 million by Houston pitcher Roger Clemens in 2005 while San Francisco figures to top the $14.25 million the Yankees submitted for Derek Jeter in 2001.Others set to swap include N.L. Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw and Los Angeles Dodgers teammate Andre Ethier, Philadelphia pitcher Cole Hamels and teammate Hunter Pence, World Series star Mike Napoli of Texas and Chicago Cubs pitcher Matt Garza.

Washington pitcher Gio Gonzalez, acquired from Oakland last month, has the big deal thus far, a $42 million, five-year contract that includes both a club option and a vesting player option. It could be worth $65.5 million over seven seasons.

Settlements are happening more slowly than in recent years: The 142 players who filed were the most since 150 in 1992.

Among one-year contracts announced Monday were deals for San Francisco outfielder Angel Pagan ($4.85 million), Pittsburgh All-Star closer Joel Hanrahan ($4.1 million) and right-hander Charlie Morton ($2,445,000), Detroit right-hander Rick Porcello ($3.1 million) and left-hander Phil Coke ($1.1 million), Kansas City second baseman Chris Getz ($937,500) and catcher Brayan Pena ($835,000), New York Yankees pitcher Phil Hughes ($3.2 million), Los Angeles Angels third baseman Alberto Callaspo ($3.15 million), Milwaukee outfielder Nyjer Morgan ($2.35 million) and Washington catcher Jesus Flores ($815,000).