National League batting champion Freddy Sanchez chose not to go to arbitration and agreed to a $2.75 million, one-year contract Saturday with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Sanchez, a reserve infielder when last season started but the Pirates’ 25th batting champion when it ended, gets a big raise over the $342,000 he made last season. He sought $3.1 million in salary arbitration while the Pirates offered $2.15 million.
Given that Sanchez hit .344 during a virtually slump-free season and drove in 85 runs despite hitting only six homers, he appeared to have a good chance of winning an arbitration case.
Despite saying he wasn’t worried the club would try to downplay his accomplishments during a hearing, the 29-year-old Sanchez chose to settle in advance. The Pirates’ only remaining arbitration- eligible player is second baseman Jose Castillo.
“You’ve got to have thick skin through this process and I don’t take anything personal,” said Sanchez, who led the NL with 53 doubles. “I understand what’s going to go on.”
