Astros, Jason Castro argue over $250K in arbitration case

Houston Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow hasn't had an salary arbitration case in his four years with the team. Jason Castro broke that streak Monday as Castro and the team argued their case in court on Monday in Phoenix.

The surprising fact is that the two sides are only $250,000 apart.

Castro presented his case to arbitrators Matt Goldberg, Gary Kendellen and James Oldham for a raise from $4 million to $5.25 million, and the Astros argued for $5 million.

Castro, an Astros first round pick in 2008 out of Stanford, batted .211 (71x337) with 38 runs scored, 19 doubles, 11 home runs, 31 RBIs, 115 strikeouts, 33 walks, .283 on-base percentage, and a .365 slugging percentage in 2015 -- his lowest batting average since his rookie season in 2010.

Castro was selected as a American League All-Star in 2013. He was also in consideration for the 2015 AL Gold Glove Award for catchers in 2015, .999 fielding percentage, throwing out 36 percent of runners, and showing a excelled level of framing pitches.

Players are 3-0 in arbitration this year, following wins by three pitchers: Toronto's Jesse Chavez ($4 million), Tampa Bay's Drew Smyly ($3.75 million) and Cincinnati's J.J. Hoover ($1.4 million).

Nine players remain scheduled for hearings through Feb. 19.

The results of the hearing is expected to announced Tuesday.