Anibal Wins Arbitration

Anibal Sanchez got his arbitration hearing Monday, and he won big. The arbiter ruled in favor of Sanchez, awarding him with the $8 million he was demanding (the Marlins had offered $6.9 million). It is the largest award ever given to a pitcher in arbitration. Sanchez will be a free agent after the 2012 season, meaning unless he lays an egg this year, he could demand upwards of $10 million a year for his next contract.

No word on whether Anibal was carried out of court after the arbitration ruling

Sanchez has averaged roughly 4 WAR a season over the past two seasons. He made $5 million total during that time, which is a bargain for 8 WAR. If he can keep up his WAR pace in 2011, then the $8 million will be surely worth it.