The New York Yankees could not avoid arbitration with left fielder Brett Gardner and catcher Russell Martin.
Gardner filed for $3.2 million while the Yankees offered $2.4 million (via Jon Heyman's Twitter). Martin filed for $8.2 million while the Yankees offered $7 million (via Jon Heyman's Twitter).
Martin's departure from the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2010, the team he had played for from 2006-2010, was over salary. Martin thought he was worth more than the Dodgers' offer of $4.2 million. Rather than face arbitration, the Dodgers let Martin become a free agent (via LA Times) and he signed with the Yankees. This is Gardner's first arbitration opportunity.
Gardner hit .259 last season with 7 home runs, 36 RBI. He had a career-high 49 stolen bases. Martin hit .237 for Yankees last year with 18 home runs and 65 RBI and made his third All-Star game.
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