Arbitration hearing today for Rays' Niemann

2011, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Tampa Bay's Jeff Niemann, who made $903,000 last season, went 11-7 with a 4.06 ERA.

By ROGER MOONEY | The Tampa Tribune
Published: February 02, 2012

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ST. PETERSBURG --

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Jeff Niemann goes before a three-person panel today for a salary arbitration hearing.

Niemann, 11-7 with a 4.06 ERA in 2011, is seeking a one-year, $3.2 million contract. The Rays offered $2.75 million. Niemann made $903,000 last season.

The decision of the arbitrators will likely be rendered Friday.

The Rays are 4-0 in arbitration hearings under executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, winning two decisions against former catcher Josh Paul and one each against former catcher Dioner Navarro and center fielder B.J. Upton.

Niemann is the only player to take the Rays to arbitration this winter. The team reached deals and avoided arbitration with Upton and pitchers Joel Peralta, David Price, J.P. Howell and Burke Badenhop.