Hershiser, Canseco Head Arbitration Eligibles

Orel Hershiser, the Dodgers’ playoff and World Series most valuable player, and the Oakland Athletics’ Jose Canseco, the American League’s MVP, are among 177 players eligible to file for salary arbitration.

Roger Clemens of the Boston Red Sox, the 1986 and 1987 AL Cy Young Award winner, and outfielder Kirby Puckett of the Minnesota Twins are also eligible for arbitration, as are Angel first baseman Wally Joyner and Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Ted Higuera.

Pitchers Tom Browning of the Cincinnati Reds and Dwight Gooden and Ron Darling of the New York Mets and first baseman Will Clark of the San Francisco Giants are also among the top National League players eligible.

Players with more than 3 years of major league service who were not eligible for free agency can file for arbitration from Jan. 5 to Jan. 16. Hearings will be held from Feb. 1 to Feb. 20. Most players who file for arbitration settle their cases before hearings.

Last year, 104 players filed but only 18 cases were decided by arbitrators. Owners won 11 hearings and players won 7.