Cole wins arbitration case vs. Astros

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- All-Star right-hander Gerrit Cole won his arbitration case against the Astros on Wednesday, meaning he will make $13.5 million this season. The team offerred $11.425 million, a difference of $2,075,000.
Cole will double his salary in '19. He made $6.75 million last year in his second year of arbitration. He will be a free agent following this season. In his first season in Houston last year, Cole finished fifth in the AL Cy Young Award race after going 15-5 with a 2.88 ERA, 276 strikeouts in 200 1/3 innings, a .198 opponents' average and a 1.03 WHIP.
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The Astros lost both of their arbitration cases that were heard before a panel this year. Shortstop Carlos Correa also won his case, and he will make $5 million after the team offered $4.25 million. Last year, the Astros also lost two arbitration cases (Collin McHugh and Ken Giles) and lost a case against McHugh in 2017. They haven't won an arbitration case since beating Jason Castro in 2016, losing their past five cases.