The Associated Press

NEW YORK - Baseball players evened their record in salary arbitration when Anaheim shortstop David Eckstein and Pittsburgh shortstop Jack Wilson won their cases Thursday.

Eckstein received a raise from $425,000 to $2.15 million, and Wilson got an increase from $335,000 to $1.85 million.

Anaheim had proposed Eckstein be paid $1.6 million, but arbitrators ruled for the player, a day after hearing the case in Phoenix. Eckstein hit .252 last season with three homers, 31 RBI and 16 steals.

Pittsburgh had submitted a $1.4 million salary for Wilson, but that was rejected by arbitrators. Wilson, who hit .256 last year with nine homers and 62 RBI, was the first Pirate to go to a hearing since third baseman Jeff King lost in 1993.

Players and owners have split the four cases decided thus far, with Montreal first baseman Nick Johnson and Reds pitcher Chris Reitsma losing last week. Eight players remain scheduled for hearings through Feb. 20.

ORIOLES: Outfielder Jay Gibbons and Baltimore split the difference in their arbitration figures, agreeing to a $2.6 million one-year contract. Gibbons, who hit .277 with 23 homers and a career-best 100 RBI last year, had asked for $2.8 million and had been offered $2.4 million.

TWINS: Unable to reach an agreement, Johan Santana and Minnesota argued their arbitration case. A decision is expected today.

YANKEES: Bernie Williams, trying to keep his job as the New York Yankees center fielder, is getting an early start on spring training.

Williams joined workouts Thursday at the team's minor-league complex, five days before pitchers and catchers are to open the major-league camp across the street.

Williams, 35, could be shifted to designated hitter to make room in center for 36-year-old Kenny Lofton, signed to a $6.2 million, two-year contract during the offseason.

Following a left knee operation last May, Williams had limited range. While he has been the Yankees starting center fielder since August 1992 and has won four Gold Gloves, Williams' throwing arm has been weakened by shoulder problems.

Williams batted .263 with 15 homers and 64 RBI in 445 at-bats last season. Lofton hit .296 for Pittsburgh and the Chicago Cubs with 12 homers, 46 RBI and 30 steals.

SHORT HOPS: Pitcher James Baldwin, 32, agreed Thursday to a minor-league contract with the New York Mets and was invited to spring training. ...

Utility player Joe Vitiello agreed Thursday to a minor-league contract with the Montreal Expos. ...

A Chicago City Council ordinance passed Wednesday lets the Cubs play up to 30 night games each season over the next three years, more than a third of their home schedule. The number is still low compared to other teams, but it's a big jump for a park known as the bastion of daytime baseball. ...

The highly leveraged $430 million sale of the Los Angeles Dodgers to Boston real estate developer Frank McCourt will probably close today.