Mattingly, Boggs to Get Highest Salaries Ever Awarded in Arbitration

Detroit Tiger pitcher Jack Morris and Toronto Blue Jay outfielders George Bell and Jesse Barfield are assured of becoming baseball’s newest millionaires, according to salary arbitration figures submitted Monday.

In addition, New York Yankee first baseman Don Mattingly and Boston Red Sox third baseman Wade Boggs are assured of receiving the highest salaries ever awarded in arbitration, breaking the record of $1.35 million received by Boggs last year.

Having won his third American League batting title in 1986, Boggs submitted an arbitration figure of $1.85 million Monday. The Red Sox countered with $1.6 million.

Mattingly, who made $1.375 million in 1986, is assured of $1.7 in 1987, which was the figure submitted by the Yankees Monday. Mattingly, seeking a $600,000 raise, filed at $1.975.

The arbitration hearings will be held between Feb. 5 and 20, with the arbitrator choosing either the figure submitted by the player or the figure submitted by the club. Any player with three or more years of major league service and whose contract has expired can file for arbitration. A total of 106 players filed before last Thursday’s deadline.

Salary figures had to be submitted Monday, but a player can continue to negotiate with his club until the arbitration begins.

Of the five Dodgers who filed for arbitration, three would seem to have a good chance of resolving their differences before a hearing.

They are:

--Mike Marshall, who filed at $695,000 after making $650,000 last year, which was the figure submitted by the Dodgers Monday. The Dodgers had initially sent Marshall a contract calling for a maximum 20% cut to $520,000.

--Matt Young, who made $205,000 with the Seattle Mariners last year and submitted a figure of $390,000 Monday. The Dodgers countered at $325,000.

--Dave Anderson, who filed at $250,000 Monday. The Dodgers countered at $200,000, which is what Anderson made last year.

Differences, however, with Orel Hershiser and Alejandro Pena are likely to require arbitration. Hershiser, who won a $1-million salary in arbitration last year, is seeking $1.1 million in the wake of a 14-14 season. The Dodgers filed at $800,000, a 20% cut. Pena, who made $350,000 last year, is seeking $367,500 in the wake of his 1-2 campaign. The Dodgers filed at $280,000, another 20% cut.

The Angels, likewise, may be unable to avoid arbitration with Gary Pettis and Dick Schofield, considering a) the improved season that each enjoyed and b) the comparatively low figures submitted by the club Monday.

Center fielder Pettis made $300,000 last year and submitted a figure of $550,000. The Angels countered at $400,000. Shortstop Schofield made $210,000 last year and submitted a figure of $475,000. The Angels filed at $305,000.

The new millionaires?

Morris, who made $850,000 last year, is guaranteed $1.35 million in ‘87, the figure submitted by the Tigers. Morris, however, is seeking a $1-million raise, having filed at $1.85 million, which would enable him to replace Fernando Valenzuela ($1.8 million in ‘87) as baseball’s highest-salaried pitcher.

Barfield and Bell were both paid $650,000 last year. Barfield, the American League home run king and a Gold Glove outfielder, filed at $1.35 million. The Blue Jays countered at $1.25.

Bell filed at $1.25 million. The Blue Jays submitted a figure of $1 million.

The New York Mets’ Ron Darling, who made $440,000 en route to a 15-6 record last year, could also become a millionaire. Darling filed at $1,050,000. The Mets countered at $800,0000.

Dwight Gooden is the only other player involved in an arbitration of $1 million or more. The Mets filed Monday at $1.32 million, which is what Gooden earned last year while going 17-6. Gooden, seeking almost a $500,0000 raise, submitted a figure of $1.8 million.