Washington Nationals: Brian Bruney Loses Arbitration Battle To Nats.

• Happy Birthday, Brian Bruney.

• According to an AP report out of St. Petersburgh, Florida, which is posted at ESPN.com under the title, "Brian Bruney loses in arbitration", the Washington Nationals prevailed in the first of two arbitration battles they have this winter, winning their case against reliever Brian Bruney, who was awarded a $1.5 million dollar deal for 2010, which is a $250,000 dollar raise over the $1.25 million the Yankees paid the 28-year-old pitcher last year, but $350,000 less than Bruney was asking for from the Nationals. 

• The Nationals have one more case to resolve this winter, with reliever Sean Burnett, 27, who was acquired along with DC CF Nyjer Morgan from the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 6/30/10 trade that sent right-handed pitcher Joel Hanrahan and outfielder Lastings Milledge to the Bucs. In 33 games and 25.1 IP, after arriving in DC (and surrendering a HR to the first batter he faced) Burnett was (1-1) with a 3.20 ERA (131 ERA+), and a 1.07 WHIP with Washington. On the year in 2009, Burnett walked 28 (4.4 BB/9) and struck out 43 (6.7 K/9) with a 1.11 WHIP in 71 games and 57.2 IP. Burnett is asking for a raise to $925,000 this year, with the Nationals offering the late-inning-left-hander a raise to $775,000 from the 1-year/$408,500 dollar deal he signed with Pittsburgh last March.

• (ed. note - "VOTE for the 2010 Starting Rotation Below and Read The Choose Your Own Rotation post HERE!")