Hart was awarded a raise from $3.25 million to $4.8 million by a panel of arbitrators on Friday instead of the Brewers' offer of $4.15 million.
Milwaukee Brewers
2009 STATS
GM115HR12RBI48R64OBP.335AVG.260In the first case in the major leagues to go to a hearing this year, arbitrators Elizabeth Neumeier, John Sands and Sylvia Skratek issued their decision one day after hearing arguments. Ten additional players are scheduled for hearings through next week.
Hart hit .260 with 12 homers and 48 RBIs last season.
The previous Milwaukee player to go to a hearing had been Jose Mercedes, awarded $1.05 million in 1998 by Roger Abrams, Jerome Ross and Gil Vernon rather than the team's offer of $615,000. Mercedes had gone 7-10 with a 3.79 ERA in 23 starts and six relief appearances the previous season.
Players won two of three hearings last year, their first winning record since going 7-3 in 1996. Last year tied the record for fewest hearings in a year, set in 2005.
Owners hold a 280-208 margin in cases that have gone to hearings since arbitration began in 1974.
Still scheduled for hearings are: Los Angeles Angels shortstop Erick Aybar, Washington right-hander Brian Bruney, Nationals left-hander Sean Burnett, Baltimore right-hander Jeremy Guthrie, Arizona right-hander Edwin Jackson, Angels catcher Jeff Mathis, Houston left-hander Wandy Rodriguez, Florida outfielder Cody Ross, Chicago Cubs shortstop Ryan Theriot and Tampa Bay outfielder B.J. Upton.
Tim Lincecum, a two-time NL Cy Young Award winner, reached a preliminary agreement on a $23 million, two-year contract ahead of the scheduled start of his hearing Friday.
New York Mets, Jeff Francoeur agree to $5M contract for 2010Premier duo eye young keeper
