TAMPA, Fla. -- Kansas City outfielder Raul Ibanez and Colorado closer Jose Jimenez settled their arbitration cases Thursday, and Royals outfielder Carlos Beltran went to a hearing.

Beltran asked a panel of three arbitrators for a raise from $3.5 million to $6.95 million, which would be the third-highest award behind Atlanta's Andruw Jones, who received $8.2 million in 2001, and the New York Yankees' Mariano Rivera, who got $7.25 million when he lost in 2000. Kansas City countered at $6 million.

Beltran, 25, hit .273 last season and led the Royals with 29 homers, 105 RBI and 35 steals. Kansas City had tried to sign him to a three-year contract, but the sides couldn't agree on the money.

Arbitrators Richard Bloch, Elliot Shriftman and Roger Kaplan, who heard the case in St. Petersburg, were expected to issue a decision Friday or Saturday.

Ibanez, who had been scheduled for a hearing next week, agreed to a $3 million, one-year contract. He had asked for a raise from $800,000 to $3.4 million and had been offered $2.75 million. Ibanez, 30, hit .294 last year with 24 homers and 103 RBI.

Jimenez and the Rockies agreed to a $3.6 million, one-year contract. The 29-year-old right-hander was 2-10 with a 3.56 ERA and 41 saves in 74 relief appearances last season. After making $1,937,500 last year, he had asked for $3.9 million in arbitration and had been offered $3.2 million.

Players and owners have split the four cases already decided, and six players remain scheduled for hearings next week. The biggest case involves Atlanta pitcher Greg Maddux, who asked for $16 million and was offered $13.5 million.