NEW YORK — Seattle outfielder Brian Hunter ended the first week of salary arbitration by asking for a $700,000 raise, and Detroit shortstop Deivi Cruz and Mets pitcher Pat Mahomes got big increases in settlements.
Hunter, whose 44 steals were the fewest for an AL stolen-base champion since Baltimore's Luis Aparicio won with 40 in 1963, asked for a raise from $1.75 million to $2.45 million.
Seattle argued that the 28-year-old outfielder should be paid the same salary.
Twenty-six players remain in arbitration, with hearings scheduled through Feb. 18.
Cruz agreed on a one-year contract worth $1,975,000, more than four times his $430,000 salary last season.
Cruz, 24, is coming off his best season, hitting .284 with a career-high 13 homers and 58 RBIs. He also led the Tigers in doubles (35) and multihit games (41).
He had asked for $2.2 million and had been offered $1.75 million. The settlement was at the midpoint.
Mahomes and the Mets agreed at $750,000, more than double the $310,000 made last year by the 29-year-old right-hander, who went 8-0 with a 3.63 ERA in 39 relief appearances.
Several free agents agreed to minor league contracts: right-hander Tim Worrell and left-hander Rick Krivda with Baltimore; outfielder Scarborough Green with Texas; left-hander Paul Assenmacher with Atlanta; catcher Charlie O'Brien with Montreal and right-hander Dennis Springer with the New York Mets.