The arbitration season ended when Hunter Pence beat the Astros at Friday's hearing to give players a 2-1 advantage in the three cases that did go in front of a panel of arbitrators, as MLBTR's Arb Tracker shows
The Angels, who beat Jered Weaver and Scott Boras in arbitration, were the only team to win an arbitration hearing this year. The Pirates and Astros lost to Ross Ohlendorf and Pence, respectively and no other cases went to arbitration hearings. The three total cases matched a record low, as there have never been fewer than three hearings since 1974, when the process began, according to the AP.
The 21 extensions extensions that arbitration eligible players signed this winter helped teams avoid the arbitration process. Though some involved in the process prefer to avoid potentially disruptive hearings, this year's players appear to have enjoyed the process. Pence says his hearing was fascinating and Weaver, who remains open to a multiyear deal, says it was "kind of fun."
Last year, eight hearings took place, as three players (Corey Hart, Jeff Mathis and Cody Ross) won and five others (Ryan Theriot, Wandy Rodriguez, Sean Burnett, Brian Bruney and B.J. Upton) lost.
