Sierra Hits the Arbitration Jackpot : Baseball: Texas outfielder awarded a record $5 million.

Texas outfielder Ruben Sierra won a record $5 million in arbitration Wednesday when an arbitrator chose his salary request over the Rangers’ offer of $3.8 million.

Sierra, who made $2.65 million last season, broke the arbitration record set Tuesday, when New York Met pitcher David Cone was awarded $4.25 million.

Negotiations on a long-term deal between Sierra and the Rangers fell apart last week. On Wednesday, Chuck Berry, Sierra’s agent, said he feels this will be Sierra’s last season in a Ranger uniform.

Sierra becomes the third-highest paid player this season behind Met outfielder Bobby Bonilla ($6.1 million) and New York Yankee outfielder Danny Tartabull ($5.3 million). Sierra’s teammate Nolan Ryan will get $4.4 million.

Before Tuesday’s hearing, Texas attempted to settled the case at $4.1 million, but it was rejected by Sierra’s agents.

Sierra’s side argued that his production was better than that of Bonilla, signed by the Mets for $29 million over five years, and Tartabull, signed with the New York Yankees for $25.5 million over five years.

Sierra, eligible for free agency after this season, hit .307 last year with 25 homers and 116 runs batted in. Bonilla hit .302 for Pittsburgh with 18 homers and 100 RBIs, and Tartabull hit .316 for Kansas City with 31 homers and 100 RBIs.

Arbitrator William Rentfro, who on Feb. 5 awarded San Diego catcher Benito Santiago $3.3 million, is 4-0 lifetime in favor of players. Owners have a 10-7 lead in cases decided thus far this winter.

Berry, who represents Sierra along with Tom Reich, on Friday withdrew his $27.5-million, five-year proposal and said taking Sierra to arbitration was all but the fatal blow to attempts to keep him in Texas.

“Even before the arbitration, I had stated that if we go to arbitration, win or lose, I think it’s very unlikely that we would be able to reach any agreement on a long-term contract,” Berry said Wednesday from his office in Pittsburgh. “Yes, I think it will be his last year.”

Houston Astro outfielder Steve Finley (.285, eight homers, 54 RBIs) agreed to a one-year contract worth $1.12 million, more than triple his 1991 salary of $300,000.

Big Winners

Top salaries awarded in arbitration since the process began in 1974; all figures in millions:

Year Player, Team Salary ’92 Ruben Sierra, Texas $5.0 ’92 David Cone, N.Y. Mets $4.25 ’91 Doug Drabek, Pittsburgh $3.35 ’92 Benito Santiago, San Diego $3.3 ’91 x-Bobby Bonilla, Pittsburgh $2.4 ’91 x-Barry Bonds, Pittsburgh $2.3 ’91 Wally Joyner, Angels $2.1

x-lost case