Bonifacio Wins Arb Case Over Marlins, Awarded $2.2M

Emilio Bonifacio was awarded a $2.2 million salary for the 2012 season by winning his arbitration case against the Miami Marlins, according to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald.

The Marlins had countered his request by offering $1.95 million, but in losing the case lost an extra $250 thousand. Not bad for a player coming off a two-and-a-half WAR season -- especially a 23 year old that can play every position on the field (other than pitcher and catcher).

Bonaifacio, 26, is coming off his best season as a pro, hitting .296 / .360 / .393 with 40 stolen bases versus just 11 caught stealing. 2011 was his third season as a Marlin and fifth as a pro. Juan Rodriguez of the Sun-Sentinel suggests the Marlins will use Bonifacio as their starting center fielder.

The Marlins also lost their case against Anibal Sanchez, which was reported Monday.

• Twitter / @clarkspencer -"Emilio Bonifacio won his arb case against #marlins, awarded $2.2 million"
• Miami Marlins lose arbitration case to Emilio Bonifacio - Juan C. Rodriguez | Sun-Sentinel
  "Coming off a breakout season, Bonifacio's camp successfully argued he deserved a $2.2 million salary this season instead of the $1.95 million the Marlins wanted to pay him. The speedy Bonifacio, who in 2011 made $425,000, likely will open the campaign as the club's starting center fielder."
• Anibal Sanchez Wins Arbitration Case - MLB Daily Dish
  Earlier this morning, pitcher Anibal Sanchez's agent tweeted that he had won his arbitration case. His agent, Gene Mato, called it a historic win for players going forward in arbitration.