Prior requests arbitration raise (was What??)

[CubinNY]

That's not the point. I don't have a clue as to what is wrong with him, may be nothing. But it doesn't matter. People are fussing about Prior asking for a raise when all he's done is try to come back and pitch.

 

I think people are fussing because they don't know what is wrong with Prior (I honest to god haven't heard anything about his condition in a long time) and aren't confident he'll be ready for spring training. I think his injury history warrants extreme caution and skepticism from fans.

 

That's fine. I am cautious too.

 

But IMO people are complaining about Prior asking for a raise becuase he hasn't pitched in that many games.

 

Let me try this one:

 

An electrician is very good at his job. Much better than most with his experience and qualifications. He finishes jobs on time and with high quality. Then one day he is on a ladder and someone hits the ladder he loses ballance and falls breaking both his arms and fracturing his skull and he is out of work for a long time. Should he get a raise based on his performance or should his employer say, "well you've missed six months of work and when you came back with the splints on your work suffered, so I'm not giving you a raise?"

[SouthSideRyan]

I really don't get the Prior hate.

 

In 2003, he was just 22 years old, and he finished the season 4th in pitcher abuse points. He was left in to throw more than 121 pitches four times.

 

Yes, it's impossible to prove that the inexcusable overuse in 2003 caused his subsequent problems, but it's more than likely.

 

Thanks, Dusty.

I don't hate him, but if you did your job as often and with the success he did last year, would you ask for a raise?

 

If I was in a system that encouraged it due to the fact that I was grossly underpaid the previous 3 seasons??(As designed by the system) Yes, yes I would.

[A New Era]

In a way though, I agree with the topic starter. I mean, I am by no means, dis-respecting Mark Prior. However, what I want to point out is that the way things work around here, the way it should go is "What have you done for me, lately?"

 

Prior have done us a wonderful thing in 2003, but that was in 2003. This is 2007 right now, and Prior hasn't lived up to his contract value IMHO, regardless of age/potentional-wise. I understand that not all injuries is entirely Mark's fault, but to get a raise for hardly practically contribute to anything is absurd.

 

If I worked at a job for 3 years, and about 1/2 of the time, I'm either laid up or injured, and if went to my boss, and I demand a raise per market value, more than likely my boss will chew my rear end out.

 

I hope we fire Lee or at least dock him his pay.

 

That lazy bum.

 

your argument doesn't fit with what he said. lee was hurt for four months last year and played in 158 and 161 games the previous two years as a cub. prior hasn't pitched in 30 starts since '03 (21 starts in '04, 27 starts in '05, 9 starts in '06). derrek lee has been much healthier than mark prior over the course of three seasons.

 

None of these arguments make sense.

 

This is baseball, not ACME Widget Manufacturing, School District 62 or Goldman Sachs. There is a system in place, agreed upon by the owners and players, that severely underpays players in comparison to the open market early in their careers, but then rewards the guys who last with great riches. I guarantee Prior would make more in the open market than he'll make via arbitration this year. All this nonsense about "how could he ask for a raise" is just completely naive.

 

That still doesn't mean it's right. And it makes me cringe thinking about it. I hope mark does great and plays for the cubs for many years. I just get the feeling he doesn't like being a cub, and that makes it worse.

[SouthSideRyan]

 

I just get the feeling he doesn't like being a cub.

 

What on God's earth gave you that idea? The fact that he's been hurt?

[cheapseats]

I really don't get the Prior hate.

 

In 2003, he was just 22 years old, and he finished the season 4th in pitcher abuse points. He was left in to throw more than 121 pitches four times.

 

Yes, it's impossible to prove that the inexcusable overuse in 2003 caused his subsequent problems, but it's more than likely.

 

Thanks, Dusty.

I don't hate him, but if you did your job as often and with the success he did last year, would you ask for a raise?

 

If I was injured by my employer's negligence, I'd be looking for more than a raise.

[Yestheydo]

That's not the point. I don't have a clue as to what is wrong with him, may be nothing. But it doesn't matter. People are fussing about Prior asking for a raise when all he's done is try to come back and pitch.

 

I think people are fussing because they don't know what is wrong with Prior (I honest to god haven't heard anything about his condition in a long time) and aren't confident he'll be ready for spring training. I think his injury history warrants extreme caution and skepticism from fans.

 

That's fine. I am cautious too.

 

But IMO people are complaining about Prior asking for a raise becuase he hasn't pitched in that many games.

 

Let me try this one:

 

An electrician is very good at his job. Much better than most with his experience and qualifications. He finishes jobs on time and with high quality. Then one day he is on a ladder and someone hits the ladder he loses ballance and falls breaking both his arms and fracturing his skull and he is out of work for a long time. Should he get a raise based on his performance or should his employer say, "well you've missed six months of work and when you came back with the splints on your work suffered, so I'm not giving you a raise?"

 

His pay should mostly be based on what they believe his performance will be, and what other employers would pay him. Past performance is usually the best indicator of future performance. Prior has firmly established himself as an unreliable performer but he brings such a high ceiling to the table the risk is well worth the price.

[Sammy Sofa]

That's not the point. I don't have a clue as to what is wrong with him, may be nothing. But it doesn't matter. People are fussing about Prior asking for a raise when all he's done is try to come back and pitch.

 

I think people are fussing because they don't know what is wrong with Prior (I honest to god haven't heard anything about his condition in a long time) and aren't confident he'll be ready for spring training. I think his injury history warrants extreme caution and skepticism from fans.

 

Nobody said people can't be skeptical or frustrated over Prior. But there's a huge difference between that and repeated posts and threads by a decent number of posters here bemoaning how he isn't traded or released or how it's outrageous he's paid almost 4 million and generally acting like he's some great plague on this team and seemingly responsible for its woes since 2003.

[Soriano12]

Why in god's name is prior asking for a raise, what has he done to deserve a raise? Hey mark little advice... Try making more than 5 starts, THEN ask for more money. I am sick of these greedy jerk athletes nowadays. This disgusts me.

 

I agree.

[imb]

Why in god's name is prior asking for a raise, what has he done to deserve a raise? Hey mark little advice... Try making more than 5 starts, THEN ask for more money. I am sick of these greedy jerk athletes nowadays. This disgusts me.

 

I agree.

 

You really don't understand how the system works, do you?

 

You're mad at him for asking for a raise, but guess what? The number the Cubs offered is still higher than what he made last season.

[Soriano12]

Why in god's name is prior asking for a raise, what has he done to deserve a raise? Hey mark little advice... Try making more than 5 starts, THEN ask for more money. I am sick of these greedy jerk athletes nowadays. This disgusts me.

 

I agree.

 

You really don't understand how the system works, do you?

 

I know how the system works, was my response not detailed enough for you? I'll make a note on that and work harder to impress you.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

This is a hollow argument. No one was complaining when Prior was making only 3 mil in '03 when he put up amazing numbers. No one said anything when Zambrano was awesome in his pre arbitration years. This is how it works, it has nothing to do with greedy athletes or Prior "earning it" or whatever.

[imb]

Why in god's name is prior asking for a raise, what has he done to deserve a raise? Hey mark little advice... Try making more than 5 starts, THEN ask for more money. I am sick of these greedy jerk athletes nowadays. This disgusts me.

 

I agree.

 

You really don't understand how the system works, do you?

 

I know how the system works, was my response not detailed enough for you? I'll make a note on that and work harder to impress you.

 

No, please, you're wholly unimpressive.

I'll say it again, you're mad at Prior for asking for a raise, are you mad at the Cubs for offering him one?

[Soriano12]

Why in god's name is prior asking for a raise, what has he done to deserve a raise? Hey mark little advice... Try making more than 5 starts, THEN ask for more money. I am sick of these greedy jerk athletes nowadays. This disgusts me.

 

I agree.

 

You really don't understand how the system works, do you?

 

I know how the system works, was my response not detailed enough for you? I'll make a note on that and work harder to impress you.

 

No, please, you're wholly unimpressive.

I'll say it again, you're mad at Prior for asking for a raise, are you mad at the Cubs for offering him one?

 

Why don't you take the question up with the poster who created the thread, I simply echoes some of his frustrations with Prior not being able to stay healthy. I realize you have obession with stalking me in various forums, but seriously, let it go man.

[imb]

Why in god's name is prior asking for a raise, what has he done to deserve a raise? Hey mark little advice... Try making more than 5 starts, THEN ask for more money. I am sick of these greedy jerk athletes nowadays. This disgusts me.

 

I agree.

 

You really don't understand how the system works, do you?

 

I know how the system works, was my response not detailed enough for you? I'll make a note on that and work harder to impress you.

 

No, please, you're wholly unimpressive.

I'll say it again, you're mad at Prior for asking for a raise, are you mad at the Cubs for offering him one?

 

Why don't you take the question up with the poster who created the thread, I simply echoes some of his frustrations with Prior not being able to stay healthy. I realize you have obession with stalking me in various forums, but seriously, let it go man.

 

What the hell are you talking about you crazy coot? It's a legitimate question.

[SouthSideRyan]

When's the last time Prior made less than 5 starts in a season by the way? When he was 5?

[A New Era]

 

I just get the feeling he doesn't like being a cub.

 

What on God's earth gave you that idea? The fact that he's been hurt?

 

No, the fact that his tone of voice when he talks to media. The look in his eyes as he talks about the cubs or being a cub. The fact he's got a slight frown in most interviews. That's why I said I got the "feeling", IE sense of it. I'm not saying I'm right so please don't argue about how I feel.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I guess we can officially say that Prior has replaced Patterson now, as far as ridiculous guesses to their personal character go.

[rocket]

 

I just get the feeling he doesn't like being a cub.

 

What on God's earth gave you that idea? The fact that he's been hurt?

 

No, the fact that his tone of voice when he talks to media. The look in his eyes as he talks about the cubs or being a cub. The fact he's got a slight frown in most interviews. That's why I said I got the "feeling", IE sense of it. I'm not saying I'm right so please don't argue about how I feel.

 

in other words he has the opposite look of david eckstein when he's asked about being a cardinal

[A New Era]

I guess we can officially say that Prior has replaced Patterson now, as far as ridiculous guesses to their personal character go.

 

I wasn't around when Corey left so please don't automatically assume I thought the same about Corey.

 

However Corey had every reason not to like it here his last year. I wouldn't like it there, and I'm a diehard cubs fan. I'll tell you what though. I'm going to continue to feel that way about Prior until I see him in a post game interview with a smile on his face. If you're not smiling, your not happy.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I guess we can officially say that Prior has replaced Patterson now, as far as ridiculous guesses to their personal character go.

 

I wasn't around when Corey left so please don't automatically assume I thought the same about Corey.

 

I never said anything about your opinions on Corey. However, the ridiculous guesses about the player's personality, right down to the "I can see it in his eyes", is the exact same that some people said about Patterson.

[Amazing_Grace]

Well since the Cubs offered arbritration we can't really complain too much. The way arbi works is that the team and player each make an offer and the arbriter (whoever that is) decides which number is the more reasonable and accepts it. In practice, it usually doesn't ever come down to the arbriter actually deciding because one side or the other or both figure they might lose and decide to cut their losses and settle.

 

That said, Prior has no business asking for a raise based on his performance from 3 years ago. If I were the Cubs, I'd make my arbritration offer equal to what he made last season (about 3-4M?). If Prior wants to settle early, I'd offer a 5% raise or let it go to the arbriter.

 

Why did the Cubs actually offer him arbritration anyway? Does Prior really think he can get more than what he's making in FA. He's not much more than a reclamation project at this point.

[sethuel1]

According to this article, the Cubs did not offer him a raise.

[imb]

According to this article, the Cubs did not offer him a raise.

 

well mama mia, i remembered Prior as making 3.3 last season.

[Laura]

I guess we can officially say that Prior has replaced Patterson now, as far as ridiculous guesses to their personal character go.

 

I wasn't around when Corey left so please don't automatically assume I thought the same about Corey.

 

However Corey had every reason not to like it here his last year. I wouldn't like it there, and I'm a diehard cubs fan. I'll tell you what though. I'm going to continue to feel that way about Prior until I see him in a post game interview with a smile on his face. If you're not smiling, your not happy.

 

I can only imagine how angry people would be if he smiled after a game this past season. "He's happy, he doesn't care."

[Backtobanks]

4 pages so far on something as straight forward as Prior asking for a raise. As someone stated, arbitration means each side submits a number and the arbitrator picks one. Prior would have to be crazy not to submit a raise as his number. What's he going to do, submit that he get's a cut in pay? Actually, what I think is that the length of this topic just shows how starved for baseball news all of us Cub fans are.