Mattingly Makes a Record $1.975-Million Bid

First baseman Don Mattingly went after the largest salary arbitration award in the 13-year history of the procedure Monday, bidding for a $1.975-million contract from the New York Yankees, who were offering $1.7 million.

Outfielder Kevin McReynolds of the New York Mets and pitcher Danny Cox of the St. Louis Cardinals also had their arbitration hearings Monday, although with less money at stake.

Decisions on the three cases are expected late today or Wednesday.

Mattingly, a Gold Glove winner, batted .352 last season, second best in the American League behind Wade Boggs of the Boston Red Sox. Mattingly drove in 113 runs and set Yankee records with 238 hits and 53 doubles.

McReynolds, acquired by the Mets from the San Diego Padres in December, is looking for an $825,000 contract after hitting .288 with 26 home runs and 96 runs batted in for the Padres last year. The Mets countered at $625,000.

Cox, 12-13 with a 2.90 earned-run average for the Cardinals last year, asked for $875,000 while St. Louis came in at $600,000.

Meanwhile, pitchers Ken Schrom of Cleveland and Ted Power of Cincinnati lost their arbitration arguments, leaving management with 10 victories in the 16 cases decided thus far.

Arbitrator Richard Bloch, who on Friday awarded a record $1.85-million contract to Detroit Tiger pitcher Jack Morris, chose the figures submitted by the clubs in the cases of Power and Schrom.

Power sought $610,000 after a 10-6 season with a 3.70 ERA in 56 games. He will play instead for the Reds’ figure of $500,000. Schrom, who wanted $545,000 after going 14-7 with a 4.54 ERA in 34 games, was awarded the Indians’ offer of $450,000.

Cleveland infielder Pat Tabler, relief pitcher Bob James of the Chicago White Sox and pitcher Mike Smithson of the Minnesota Twins avoided arbitration by agreeing to contract terms.