NEW YORK - Bruce Chen and the Cincinnati Reds argued the first salary arbitration case of the year Wednesday, with the pitcher asking for $830,000 and the team offering $700,000.

Chen, a 25-year-old left-hander, began last season with the New York Mets, then was traded to Montreal on April 5 and to Cincinnati on June 14. He finished 2-5 with a 5.56 ERA in six starts and 49 relief appearances, going 0-2 with a 4.31 ERA in 39 games with the Reds,

After making $300,000 last year, Chen was among the 72 players who filed for salary arbitration on Jan 15. His case was heard in St. Petersburg, Fla., by arbitrators Richard Bloch, Kenneth Perea and I.B. Helburn, who are expected to issue a decision Thursday or Friday.

Just 17 players remain in arbitration, with most of those who filed already agreeing to new deals with their teams. Hearings are scheduled through Feb. 20.

The biggest case involves four-time Cy Young Award winner Greg Maddux, who asked for $16 million. The Atlanta Braves, his team of the last 10 years, offered $13.5 million.

Just five cases went to hearings last year - matching 1997 for the fewest in 27 years of salary arbitration. Owners went 4-1, raising their record to 254-192.