ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Right-hander Johan Oviedo lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday in the first salary arbitration decision of the year and will earn $850,000 instead of his request for $1.15 million. Oviedo, who turns 27 on March 2, was 9-14 with a 4.32 ERA in 32 starts last year. He earned $765,000.

Star. National League Rookie of the Year. Cy Young Award finalist. Cover model. One day after the Pittsburgh Pirates ace teased that he'd b

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Jovan Oviedo and the Pittsburgh Pirates argued the first salary arbitration case of the year. A right-hander who turns 27 on March 2, Oviedo asked for a raise from $765,000 to $1.15 million while the Pirates argued for $850,000.

Moniak hit .219 with 14 homers and a career-high 49 RBIs last year. He was eligible for arbitration for the first time after earning $770,000.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have two players scheduled for salary arbitration hearings. Neither hearing will be high-profile or create a ripple around baseball. Nevertheless, there are some interesting aspects to both cases.