Bonifacio wins arbitration case

MIAMI — A three-person arbitration panel on Wednesday ruled in favor of Emilio Bonifacio, who will make $2.2 million this year, instead of the Marlins’ counter offer of $1.95 million.

Either way, the Miami’s center fielder comes away well compensated. In 2011, he made $425,000 in his final year of being under club control.

Bonifacio had his arbitration hearing on Tuesday in St. Petersburg, Fla.

The Marlins opted to go to a hearing with Bonifacio because, per team policy, they let an arbitration panel decide an arbitration-eligible players salary if an agreement isn’t reached by the salary exchange deadline. Jan. 17 was the deadline, and the Marlins were unable to come to terms with Bonifacio and Anibal Sanchez.

For the second time in three days, the Marlins came up on the short end of an arbitration ruling.

The arbitration panel on Monday sided with Anibal Sanchez, who will receive $8 million in his final year of arbitration.

– Joe Frisaro