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TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Los Angeles Angels defeated Francisco Rodriguez in salary arbitration Friday, and the closer will receive $10 million rather than his request for $12.5 million.
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Despite the loss, Rodriguez tied the record for the highest salary in an arbitration decision, a mark he shares with Alfonso Soriano, who lost his case against Washington in 2006, and Ryan Howard, who beat Philadelphia on Thursday.
The decision on Rodriguez was made by arbitrators Stephen Goldberg, Elizabeth Neumeier and Steven Wolf, who heard arguments Thursday in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Rodriguez made $7.1 million last year, when he tied for second in the AL with 40 saves. He is eligible for free agency after this season.
Owners won six of eight cases that went to hearings this year.
Tony Reagins, who replaced the retiring Bill Stoneman as the Angels' general manager in October, said the arbitration hearing was "interesting."
"Obviously, we knew what our case was going in, and it was interesting to see the other side, their perceptions," Reagins said Friday morning before the outcome was announced.
"You hope that when the decision is made, you can resume work, understanding that this is a part of the business -- not a fun part of the business, but something you go through," he said. "At the end of the day, hopefully we can focus on baseball and put this behind us."
Rodriguez recently expressed dissatisfaction that the Angels have not signed him to a long-term contract, and indicated he might leave as a free agent after this season. Although the club has offered him a longer deal several times in the past, he has opted to sign for one year each time.
Its top offer was believed to be around $34 million for three years.
By his high standards, Rodriguez is coming off a so-so season. He had a 3.45 ERA in the second half to finish with a 2.81 ERA, his highest since 2003. His 40 saves came in 46 opportunities.
He also gave up a walk-off homer to Manny Ramirez in the second game of the AL Division Series, when the Angels were swept by Boston.
Rodriguez was an October hero for the Angels in 2002. A 20-year-old with just five major league appearances, he went 5-1 in the postseason to help the club win its first World Series title.
