ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Devil Rays won their salary arbitration case Thursday against backup catcher Josh Paul, who will get $475,000 rather than his request for $750,000.
Paul hit .189 in 34 games last season for the Los Angeles Angels and made $450,000. His best-known play came in Game 2 of the AL Championship Series, when he rolled the ball back to the mound as
the eventual winning run reached base for the Chicago White Sox.
Umpire Doug Eddings ruled Paul trapped the pitch and the batter,
A.J. Pierzynski, did not strike out.
Tampa Bay acquired Paul in December for minor league infielder Travis Schlichting.
Paul's case was heard Wednesday by arbitrators Dan Brent, Margaret Brogan, Elliott Shriftman.
Owners have won four of the six cases decided this year, ensuring a winning record for the 10th straight year. Overall, they lead players 269-200 since arbitration began in 1974.
The only player still scheduled for a hearing is Tampa Bay first
baseman/designated hitter Travis Lee and his case is expected to
settle at $2.45 million, midway between the $2.9 million he asked
for and the $2 million the team offered. He batted .272 with 12
homers and 49 RBI for the Devil Rays last season and made $1.35
million.