Major League Baseball

Josh Donaldson and David Phelps lose in salary arbitration

Published Feb. 13, 2015 8:53 p.m. ET

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) Toronto All-Star third baseman Josh Donaldson and Miami pitcher David Phelps lost in salary arbitration, and closers Aroldis Chapman, Greg Holland and Addison Reed all reached agreements before the scheduled start of their hearings Friday.

Donaldson was awarded $4.3 million by Steven Wolf, Robert Herzog and Gary Kendellen rather than his $5.75 million request.

The 29-year-old hit .255 with 29 home runs and 98 RBIs in 158 games last season for Oakland and was traded to Toronto in December for third baseman Brett Lawrie, left-hander Sean Nolin, right-hander Kendall Graveman and minor league shortstop Franklin Barreto.

Phelps was given a $1.4 million salary by Mark Burstein, Dennis Archer and Sylvia Skratek rather than his request of $1,875,000. Phelps was 5-5 with a 3.82 ERA in 17 starts and 15 relief appearances for the New York Yankees last year. The 28-year-old right-hander was traded to Miami in December along with versatile Martin Prado for right-hander Nathan Eovaldi, outfielder Garrett Jones and a minor leaguer.

Teams lead players 5-3, and the remaining seven cases are scheduled for next week. The eight hearings are the most since clubs went 5-3 in 2010. There have not been more since teams were 8-6 in 2001.

Chapman and Cincinnati agreed at $8.05 million, while Holland struck an $8.25 million deal with AL champion Kansas City. Reed and Arizona settled at $4,875,000.

Chapman, who turns 27 on Feb. 28, was 0-3 with a 2.00 ERA and 36 saves in 38 chances last year in his fifth season with the Reds. He struck out 106 in 54 innings and led the majors with an average of 17.67 strikeouts per nine innings. According to fangraphs.com, he was first in average fastball speed at 100.2 mph.

Holland would receive a $100,000 assignment bonus if he is traded - a possibility given the number of pricy power arms in the back of the Royals bullpen. The 29-year-old right-hander had 46 saves and a 1.44 ERA for the AL champions, striking out 90 and walking 20 in 62 1-3 innings. Holland had seven saves and a 0.82 ERA in the postseason, helping the Royals reach Game 7 of the World Series before losing to San Francisco.

Reed, 26, had 32 saves in 38 chances last year with a 4.25 ERA with 69 strikeouts in 59 1-3 innings.

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