MONDESI FILES FOR ARBITRATION.

Byline: Daily News Wire Services

Dodgers outfielder Raul Mondesi asked for a raise from $2.7 million to $6.5 million in salary arbitration Monday.

The Dodgers offered $5.3 million.

Bernie Williams, entering perhaps his final season with the New York Yankees, asked for a record $9 million. The Yankees countered at $7.5 million, the highest figure ever offered by a team and a raise of $2.2 million.

Williams' request topped the $7.65 million Dodgers catcher Mike Piazza submitted last year. Piazza's figure became moot later that day when he agreed to a $15 million, two-year contract.

Boston second baseman John Valentin submitted the second-highest figure, $7 million.

Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte, eligible for arbitration for the first time, asked for a six-fold increase from $700,000 to $4.39 million and was offered $3.25 million.

Atlanta catcher Javy Lopez asked for a raise from $2.05 million to $4.3 million and was offered $3.5 million. New York Mets pitcher Bobby Jones asked for a raise from $1,925,000 to $4.15 million and was offered $3.1 million.