The Angels avoided arbitration with two more players Friday by reaching one-year agreements with infielders Maicer Izturis and Casey Kotchman. But an expensive showdown looms with their final arbitration-eligible player — closer Francisco Rodriguez.
Rodriguez submitted a salary request of $12.5 million when figures were exchanged Friday, the highest request by any of the 48 arbitration-eligible players this winter. The Angels have countered with $10 million. That represents a $3 million raise from Rodriguez's 2007 salary.
The $2.5 million gap this year is the second-largest of any submitted. The Philadelphia Phillies and first baseman Ryan Howard are $3 million apart.
If Rodriguez goes to arbitration and wins the $12.5 million salary, it would be the highest awarded in arbitration. If he loses and receives a $10 million salary, it would match the record high received by Alfonso Soriano when he lost his case before the 2006 season. Arbitration hearings will be scheduled for February.
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