PEORIA, Ariz. -- Seattle Mariners right-hander Freddy Garcia won his arbitration case Wednesday when a panel in Florida awarded him a $6.875 million contract, up from the $3.8 million he earned last season.

	Garcia

The Mariners had offered Garcia $5.9 million.

"This wasn't an adversarial situation," general manager Pat Gillick said. "It's simply a difference of opinion over compensation. We are looking for big things from Freddy again this season and we know he feels the same way."

Since arbitration began in 1974, only two other players have received more -- Andruw Jones of Atlanta ($8.2 million) in 2001 and Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees ($7.25 million) in 2000. Rivera lost his case.

Players and owners have split the four arbitration cases decided thus far, with Florida left-hander Mark Redman also winning. Marlins right-hander Vladimir Nunez and Cincinnati left-hander Bruce Chen lost their cases.

Ten players remain scheduled for hearings through Feb. 20.

The 26-year-old Garcia made his second All-Star game appearance last season. He finished 16-10 with a 4.39 ERA in 34 starts, but his season was a tale of two halves: 11-5 with a 3.44 ERA before the All-Star break and 5-5, 5.66 after it.

In 2001, he was 18-6 with an American League-leading 3.05 ERA, by far the best of his four seasons in the big leagues.

Garcia was returning from the hearing in Florida and wasn't expected in Mariners camp until Thursday.