ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- First baseman Nathaniel Lowe lost to Washington on Saturday in the final salary arbitration case this year and will get the Nationals' $10.3 million offer rather than his $11.1 million request, leaving teams with a winning record at 5-4.
Arbitrators John Woods, Walt De Treux and Janice Johnston made the decision one day after hearing arguments.
Lowe hit .265 with 16 homers and 69 RBIs last season for the Texas Rangers, who traded him to the Nationals on Dec. 22 for left-hander Robert Garcia.
Lowe had a $7.5 million salary last year and is eligible for arbitration again next offseason and for free agency after the 2026 World Series.
The nine decisions matched the fewest since teams went 5-4 in 2021. Players went 9-6 last year.
Teams have a 358-270 advantage since arbitration started in 1974.
Among 169 players eligible for arbitration after the tender deadline on Nov. 22, only 17 were headed to hearings following the Jan. 9 exchange of figures.
Clubs also defeated Cardinals outfielder/infielder Brendan Donovan ($2.85 million instead of $3.3 million), Yankees reliever Mark Leiter Jr. ($2.05 million instead of $2.5 million) and Pirates pitchers Dennis Santana ($1.4 million instead of $2.1 million) and Johan Oviedo ($850,000 instead of $1.15 million).
Winners were Angels infielder Luis Rengifo ($5.95 million instead of $5.8 million), Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar ($2.95 million instead of $2.45 million), Cardinals pitcher Andre Pallante ($2.1 million instead of $1.925 million) and Angels outfielder Mickey Moniak ($2 million instead of $1.5 million).