Prior finished with Cubs?

[Lefty]

Bruce wrote today that with this surgery, and Prior probably done for '07, that he has thrown his last pitch for the Cubs. I know this is getting to be a sad, tired story, but isn't he still our property for a while longer? Given what we know he can do when he's healthy, doesn't it make sense to hang onto him maybe just a little longer?

 

He may be non-tendered. I think you can't submit an offer more than 20% below the previous salary. That puts the Cubs on the hook for at least $2.8 million in 2008. With no guarantee that he'll pitch. What I am more unclear about is whether his service time is stopped when he is on the DL but on the 40-man. But I don't think he'd be eligible for free-agency until after 2009.

[Soul]

I think we need to move on completely from Wood & Prior at this point. No more of this, please. Make it stop.

[ltb]

Bruce wrote today that with this surgery, and Prior probably done for '07, that he has thrown his last pitch for the Cubs. I know this is getting to be a sad, tired story, but isn't he still our property for a while longer? Given what we know he can do when he's healthy, doesn't it make sense to hang onto him maybe just a little longer?

 

He may be non-tendered. I think you can't submit an offer more than 20% below the previous salary. That puts the Cubs on the hook for at least $2.8 million in 2008. With no guarantee that he'll pitch. What I am more unclear about is whether his service time is stopped when he is on the DL but on the 40-man. But I don't think he'd be eligible for free-agency until after 2009.

 

he's in AAA, so he's not accumulating service time. he'll be under the cubs' control until 2009 now instead of 2008.

[ltb]

I think we need to move on completely from Wood & Prior at this point. No more of this, please. Make it stop.

 

they pretty much did so this year by not counting on them for anything. i find it a bit ridiculous to just want nothing to do with them - if they can pitch, they'll be good at it.

[jersey cubs fan]

Bruce wrote today that with this surgery, and Prior probably done for '07, that he has thrown his last pitch for the Cubs. I know this is getting to be a sad, tired story, but isn't he still our property for a while longer? Given what we know he can do when he's healthy, doesn't it make sense to hang onto him maybe just a little longer?

 

He may be non-tendered. I think you can't submit an offer more than 20% below the previous salary. That puts the Cubs on the hook for at least $2.8 million in 2008. With no guarantee that he'll pitch. What I am more unclear about is whether his service time is stopped when he is on the DL but on the 40-man. But I don't think he'd be eligible for free-agency until after 2009.

 

he's in AAA, so he's not accumulating service time. he'll be under the cubs' control until 2009 now instead of 2008.

 

I'm not sure about this, but:

 

If they want to maintain control over him, they have to tender him a pretty significant contract. If they don't tender, he will then be a free agent. They can negotiate a contract prior to non-tendering him. The problem would be if Prior feels the Cubs are at fault for his injuries. He could call their bluff and force his way out. But assuming he doesn't hold a grudge against the team, Prior might for for an incentive laden contract that keeps the Cubs happy (and in control of him) with minimal guaranteed money, but high incentives for starts made. Something like $500k, with up to $10m in incentives if he starts 32 games.

[jaydee]

congrats to dusty baker on ruining prior's career. nothing like a dumb old man ruining a young person's livelyhood!

[Omar]

THANK YOU YOU. They did the right thing this time and shut him down...

 

 

Better luck next season.

[NCCubFan]

I'm not sure about this, but:

 

If they want to maintain control over him, they have to tender him a pretty significant contract. If they don't tender, he will then be a free agent.

They can cut his salary up to 20% from this year, but no more if they want to keep his rights. And I'm fairly sure he'd still be eligible to file for arbitration if he doesn't like what the Cubs are offering.

[TruffleShuffle]

before TJ surgery, injuries used to be worse as you moved down the arm - an elbow injury was basically the death knell of a pitcher's career. With TJ surgery now commonplace, pitchers are probably least likely to return from shoulder surgery. I know Trevor Hoffman and Bret Saberhagen are two guys who were able to return to form. Unfortunately, it's very hard for pitchers to come back from labrum surgery, because the labrum cannot be rebuilt.

[PackLandVA]

I'm not sure about this, but:

 

If they want to maintain control over him, they have to tender him a pretty significant contract. If they don't tender, he will then be a free agent.

They can cut his salary up to 20% from this year, but no more if they want to keep his rights. And I'm fairly sure he'd still be eligible to file for arbitration if he doesn't like what the Cubs are offering.

 

 

What are the odds of him actually winning an arby hearing if he's been hurt not just this entire season, but basically for the past 3 years. As long as the Cubs wouldn't lowball him too much, I don't think they would have a shot in hell of losing in arbitration.

[sethuel1]

I think he will have a career year in 2008. Better than 2003.

I will bet you eleventy billion dollars that he does not.

 

That's not even a real number

yet

[NCCubFan]

What are the odds of him actually winning an arby hearing if he's been hurt not just this entire season, but basically for the past 3 years. As long as the Cubs wouldn't lowball him too much, I don't think they would have a shot in hell of losing in arbitration.

Agreed.

[biittner77]

If the Cubs were willing to pay Wade Miller 2 mil to rehab why would they balk at paying Prior 2.8 million?

[C.C.]

If the Cubs were willing to pay Wade Miller 2 mil to rehab why would they balk at paying Prior 2.8 million?

 

I have no idea? I would think Prior would have more upside then a Wade Miller?

[CubColtPacer]

If the Cubs were willing to pay Wade Miller 2 mil to rehab why would they balk at paying Prior 2.8 million?

 

They only paid Miller 1 million to rehab last year.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

If the Cubs were willing to pay Wade Miller 2 mil to rehab why would they balk at paying Prior 2.8 million?

 

They only paid Miller 1 million to rehab last year.

 

And another 1.5 this year.

[biittner77]

Since they're already paying him to rehab this year, whatever they'd be paying him would be to pitch the 2nd half of next season. Maybe Prior can become the 1984 version of Rick Rueschel.

[CubColtPacer]

If the Cubs were willing to pay Wade Miller 2 mil to rehab why would they balk at paying Prior 2.8 million?

 

They only paid Miller 1 million to rehab last year.

 

And another 1.5 this year.

 

Well, this year they weren't paying him to rehab-at least they didn't think they were.

[biittner77]

I think it really comes down to 3 factors:

 

1. Does Zambrano re sign and for how much? If the Cubs decided to trade him at the deadline or he gets hurt and they don't have to pay his salary then there's little reason not to take the chance on Prior. Conversely, If Zambrano gets the big contract they may choose to save the 2.8 million for Prior.

 

2. The emergence of Angel Guzman etal. If Guzman shines and Marshall Gallagher, Marmol or Mateo show enough to get 5th starter consideration Prior is likely gone.

 

3. Are the Cubs, to use a poker term, "pot committed" on Prior? Having spent so much money on him so far, what's another couple million? Are they risking more by not bringing him back?

[RynoRules]

I would absolutely bring Prior back cheaply to see if he can take a couple of years to regain form.

[hardcorecubfan]

Did the Cubs take a insurance poilicy out on Prior and wood this year?