Pence, Astros set for arbitration on Feb. 18

All-Star right fielder Hunter Pence and the Houston Astros were unable to reach a contract agreement by the club's Jan. 25 deadline in order to avoid an arbitration hearing in February after the 27-year-old slugger asked for $6.9 million, while the Astros offered $5.15 million for the 2011 season.

According to a source close to the situation, a hearing has been scheduled between both parties for Friday, Feb. 18, and will take place in Phoenix in front of a three-person panel of independent arbitrators that will choose one salary figure.

Pence plans to arrive in Kissimmee, Fla., on Feb. 14 to get a head start on meeting some of the younger ballplayers and early birds, especially those in big league camp for the first time, before leaving for his arbitration case, only to return to Florida in time for the Astros' full squad reporting date (Feb. 20).

He hit .282 with 25 homers and 91 RBI in 158 games last season for Houston while tying a career high in home runs and establishing career-bests in RBI, at-bats (614), runs scored (93), hits (173) and stolen bases (18) en route to being named the club's MVP.

In recent years, the Astros have defeated left-hander Wandy Rodriguez (2010), closer Jose Valverde (2008) and infielder Mark Loretta (2008) in arbitration, but Pence and his representatives at Beverly Hills Sports Council are prepared to present a strong case and prove he's worthy of the $6.9 million asking price.

Pence, a Super Two player, avoided arbitration with the Astros in his first year of eligibility and earned $3.5 million last season.

He'll be arbitration-eligible over the next two years after this season, unless both parties can work out a multiyear deal that buys out Pence's final two years of arbitration and some free-agent years.

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