In the Milwaukee Brewers’ first salary arbitration hearing in 12 years, Corey Hart has emerged victorious.

The outfielder was awarded $4.8 million by the panel of arbitrators Friday, a fairly significant raise from the $3.25 million he made last year.

Hart, who hit .260 with 12 home runs and 48 RBIs last season, was the first big league case to go to a hearing this year. Ten more players are scheduled to vie against their teams for more money throughout the week, but not all of them will be as fortunate as Hart.

In 2008, two of the three who went to arbitration won their hearing, marking the first winning record for players since going 7-3 in 1996. Owners hold the all-time margin at 280-208 since arbitration began in 1974.

The San Francisco Giants and ace Tim Lincecum avoided arbitration at the last minute Friday morning when the two sides agreed upon a $23 million, two-year contract.  The two-time Cy Young winner and all-around badass was going to win his hearing anyway, so it was a smart move on the club’s part to avoid the embarrassment of an arbitration loss and just sign the guy. He’s too awesome not to.

In other MLB news, the Seattle Mariners have decided to keep Mike Sweeney around by giving him a shot in the minor leagues with an invitation to their Spring Training.

The five-time All-Star and fan favorite fought for and made the Mariners’ roster last year the same way, and went on to hit .281 with eight home runs and 34 RBIs over 74 games. He missed 11 games mid-season due to back spasms (that tends to happen to 36-year-old ballplayers) but batted .381 down the stretch.

Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik called Sweeney “an integral part of the 2009 season,” and went on to say he’s happy to have him back.