Mickey Moniak has emerged victorious in salary arbitration, receiving a pay increase to $2 million instead of the proposed $1.5 million from the Los Angeles Angels. This decision was reached by the panel of Melinda Gordon, Samantha Tower, and John Woods, who deliberated a day after hearing arguments from both sides.

Last season, Moniak posted a batting average of .219, alongside hitting 14 home runs and achieving a personal best with 49 runs batted in. This marks his inaugural experience with arbitration after previously earning $770,000.

In a contrasting development, right-handed pitcher Jovan Oviedo was not as fortunate in his arbitration case, losing out to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Oviedo will now receive $850,000 instead of the $1.15 million he had requested.

A decision is still awaited for Dennis Santana of the Pirates, who has sought a salary of $2.1 million while the team has counter-offered $1.4 million.

In total, eight additional players are set to undergo arbitration hearings, which will continue until February 14. Among them is Angels infielder Luis Rengifo, who requested $5.95 million, facing an offer of $5.8 million from the team.