Cubs will allow Prior to walk

[Sammy Sofa]

As I said a day or so ago in another thread, I think the Cubs should have tendered him. There's a chance (not a guarantee) he'll pitch effectively this year, and there's a chance (not a guarantee) that, with a new regime in place by the end of the season, he might have reconsidered his willingness to return. I think it was a chance worth gambling on. However, given that the Cubs decided not to bring him back, I'm moving on. This isn't going to ruin the excitement of signing Fukudome for me. I was a Cub fan long before Prior joined them, and I will be long after he left. I'm a fan of the team more than of individual players. I really do think that ultimately there was blame to be placed on both parties, and both parties decided that a fresh start was needed.

 

My feelings also, pretty much. It sucks, but what can you do?

 

Hey, anyone want my Prior road jersey?

 

What size is it?

 

How funky is it?

 

Alright, I see I'm creating a windstorm. I'll send it to Laura to use as a future prize on NSBB. It's an XL and probably only worn 3 times.

 

Windstorm?

 

IT'S JUST ME!!!

 

Dammit.

[CubbieSouthpaw II]

Also of note, Mark Prior had more innings pitched in 2003, 2005 and 2006 than everyone's golden boy Kerry Wood. Not to mention the fact that he was better than Wood two of those years and was paid less (I think. Cot's is blocked here at work).

 

 

Are you including the $10M signing bonus or not?

Plus the fact he was just coming into the league and being paid as all other players have been paid in the past.

[CubsInNC]

 

 

Are you including the $10M signing bonus or not?

Plus the fact he was just coming into the league and being paid as all other players have been paid in the past.

 

 

There was no $10mil signing bonus. It was $4mil.

Mark Prior rhp

# 5 years/$10.5M (2002-06)

* $4M signing bonus

* 02:$0.25M, 03:$0.65M, 04:$1.6M, 05:$2M, 06:$2M

* may earn additional $0.75M in bonuses in 2005

* 2003 All Star selection increased 2004-06 salaries by $0.5M/season

* additional $0.1M All Star bonus

* Prior may void either of final 2 years (05-06) if he qualifies for arbitration after 2004 or 2005 seasons (exercised right to void final season (2006) of original contract 11/05 after qualifying for arbitration)

[UK1679666180]

Without Prior, they don't come close to making the post-season in '03. The Cubs made enough profit from the '03 season to jusify what they have paid Prior. I think people are more disappointed of what could've been given the glimpses of '03 and frustrated based upon that. Edited December 14, 2007 by UK

[jiml60]

I read about 11 pages through and had enough of the whining over what Prior made while rehabbing.

 

Get over it, that's the system that the players union and the owners worked out. If you don't like the players making all that money, stop supporting the game. I respect a strong union like the MLBPA, I only wish unions for working class people were like that but then nobody's paying big money to see people assemble automobiles.

 

Plus ask yourself, do you really think Prior was content with the $3M or so he was making rehabbing instead of being out on the mound preparing for the monstrous payday he would receive when he was eligible? I guess most of you guys complaining would give the money back out of love of the game. Hypocrites.

 

The Cubs/Tribune Co, in their infinite stupidity, made a dumb move cutting Prior before finding out if he could actually pitch again. Until he gets on the mound and starts throwing, no one knows if he will ever return to form. The Cubs organization wasted time and money in this situation, isn't that more of a sin to those of us working hard for a living than a player "loafing"?

[Post Count Padder]

General manager Ed Wade said Thursday that the Astros have contacted Mark Prior.

 

Prior was non-tendered by the Cubs earlier this week and likely won't be ready to pitch until several months into the season following shoulder surgery. "We talked to his [agent] to see what the lay of the land was," Wade said. "I don't know where it's going to lead. There's a lot of teams that have contacted them, and there was some discussions on the medical stats and that type of thing. I don't know where it's headed."

Source: Houston Chronicle

[RedIvyCub]

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that I highly doubt any quality pitcher in this league would do what Prior's doing. Big market team drafts you, sticks with you, pays you, rehabs you, and then opting out of this situation for a marginal contract upgrade.

 

 

Yes I'm bitter, but then again, I'm a Cubs fan

 

Exactly...Look at Kerry Wood..Loyal, Dedicated guy...Mark Prior...Bottle and bib..

 

Yeah, heaven forbid a guy doesn't have loyalty for as team that fanned rumors of his "wussiness" which ended up delaying a surgery he needed for two years.

 

 

The guy wants more money..for doing what?...Kerry Wood needed the surgery and time too..Came back like a man and said "I love this team and I owe them something" and took way less money..If Prior wants to sabotage the team,The big market team that drafted him, paid his dollars and has been loyal to him,through thick and thin,and then called himself " just an "employee" ..He can take freakin hike..Bottom line, he has hard personal feelings towards the Cubs and does not want to be here..Not anyone in the Cubs orginizations fault.

 

You do realize Kerry Wood took the best contract offered to him this offseason? Neither of them owed the Cubs a thing. And I don't see how Prior wants to sabotage the team.

No he didn't. Kerry had two year deals on the table from other clubs. He showed loyalty to the organization that paid him to do nothing. Prior on the other hand, didn't. Which is fine, not everyone is as great a person as Wood and wants to be a Cub. If Prior doesn't want to be here, screw him.

 

If you spent three years with an injury that needed surgery to repair and the "boss" told you that you were a head case and weren't hurt, would you be very loyal? Cubs spent three years telling this guy there was nothing wrong with him when he knew he was hurt and was willing to have surgery if need be. They called him a head case and mentally weak (where do you think the media got this).

 

Man, that is impressive insider information you got there. Just curious, do you work for the Organization in some kind of capacity?

 

I can honestly and with a clear conscious say...no, don't work for the organization. [-(

 

But our boy Bruce will vouch for me. And I see the Cubs have jobs posted in Marketing...not that you have to sell anything since the Cubs sell themselves.

[C.C.]

The Cubs/Tribune Co, in their infinite stupidity, made a dumb move cutting Prior before finding out if he could actually pitch again.

 

Did the Cubs not offer him a fair contract? How is that stupid or a dumb move? I think it was pretty clear Prior didn't want to stay here.

[Andy]

General manager Ed Wade said Thursday that the Astros have contacted Mark Prior.

 

Prior was non-tendered by the Cubs earlier this week and likely won't be ready to pitch until several months into the season following shoulder surgery. "We talked to his [agent] to see what the lay of the land was," Wade said. "I don't know where it's going to lead. There's a lot of teams that have contacted them, and there was some discussions on the medical stats and that type of thing. I don't know where it's headed."

Source: Houston Chronicle

Oh, no.

[E.J.]

General manager Ed Wade said Thursday that the Astros have contacted Mark Prior.

 

Prior was non-tendered by the Cubs earlier this week and likely won't be ready to pitch until several months into the season following shoulder surgery. "We talked to his [agent] to see what the lay of the land was," Wade said. "I don't know where it's going to lead. There's a lot of teams that have contacted them, and there was some discussions on the medical stats and that type of thing. I don't know where it's headed."

Source: Houston Chronicle

Oh, no.

 

I don't see Prior being interested in playing in Houston unless they're willing to outbid other teams for his services. The NLC teams I'm worried about is the Cardinals or Brewers.

[katway]

Simple call for the Cubs. Prior wanted to be paid for 2008 without giving the Cubs an club option for 2009. Seems pretty simple that if the guy has little chance of pitching in 2008, the club shouldn't sign him without assurances that they will have the first option for his services in the following year. Otherwise, the club is just paying for his rehab and doesn't lock in his services when (and if) he's healthy.

[Bull]

Simple call for the Cubs. Prior wanted to be paid for 2008 without giving the Cubs an club option for 2009. Seems pretty simple that if the guy has little chance of pitching in 2008, the club shouldn't sign him without assurances that they will have the first option for his services in the following year. Otherwise, the club is just paying for his rehab and doesn't lock in his services when (and if) he's healthy.

 

which prior understood, thus its a simple call for prior

[Guest]

I'd still be negotiating with him, personally. Just because we non-tendered him doesn't mean we can't re-sign him.

 

Won't happen, of course, but it is what I'd do.

[Sweet Swinging Billy]

Tim wrote: "I'd still be negotiating with him, personally. Just because we non-tendered him doesn't mean we can't re-sign him'.

 

-- I wouldn't be the least suprised that Hendry is doing that exact same thing. Jimbo has already said on more than one occasion that he wouldn't hesitate in bringing Prior back to the Cubs. The Cubs have appeared to leave the door open to that possibility. It is quite possible that Prior will not receive the kind of money that he is hoping for, become somewhat disgruntled and will eventually (after testing the waters and guaging interest) be willing to come back to the Northside with his contract restructured. I'm not going to hold my breath but it is possible.

[LeftCoastCubFan]

No team offered even a mid-level quality prospect for Prior (or he would have been traded). With the demand for pitching, it pretty much says that no one expects him to pitch effectively in 2008 (even just for September), and is not worth taking the financial risk of the 3 to 4 million he would command in arbitration. Even the Padres supposedly backed off after seeing his medical records. Wouldn’t the Mets jump if they thought he could start effectively even for the last few weeks of the season?

 

Hendry was rebuffed immediately when he wanted to discuss an option. No negotiations occurred. His agent is of course Scott Boras who wants the world to be all free agents.

 

So there was really no option for Hendry but to not offer arbitration; as there were no negotiating or trade options out there.

 

What doesn’t make sense to me is how Prior feels things will be better. He will not get a major league contract, which will mean he won’t get 6 years service time in before the end of 2008 (though his release could be negotiated). So he’ll find a team that will pay him under a million for the year to rehab and pitch a few games. Then sign a one year incentive laden deal in 2009 to prove he is healthy. I just don’t see how that was any different then negotiating with the Cubs and what they are offering.

 

I agree with Tim that Hendry will continue to talk, and work something out should he not find what he’s looking for (whatever that is).

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

No team offered even a mid-level quality prospect for Prior (or he would have been traded). With the demand for pitching, it pretty much says that no one expects him to pitch effectively in 2008 (even just for September), and is not worth taking the financial risk of the 3 to 4 million he would command in arbitration. Even the Padres supposedly backed off after seeing his medical records. Wouldn’t the Mets jump if they thought he could start effectively even for the last few weeks of the season?

 

Hendry was rebuffed immediately when he wanted to discuss an option. No negotiations occurred. His agent is of course Scott Boras who wants the world to be all free agents.

 

So there was really no option for Hendry but to not offer arbitration; as there were no negotiating or trade options out there.

 

What doesn’t make sense to me is how Prior feels things will be better. He will not get a major league contract, which will mean he won’t get 6 years service time in before the end of 2008 (though his release could be negotiated). So he’ll find a team that will pay him under a million for the year to rehab and pitch a few games. Then sign a one year incentive laden deal in 2009 to prove he is healthy. I just don’t see how that was any different then negotiating with the Cubs and what they are offering.

 

I agree with Tim that Hendry will continue to talk, and work something out should he not find what he’s looking for (whatever that is).

 

Prior isn't represented by Boras. His agent is John Boggs, I think.

[Bruce Miles]

No team offered even a mid-level quality prospect for Prior (or he would have been traded). With the demand for pitching, it pretty much says that no one expects him to pitch effectively in 2008 (even just for September), and is not worth taking the financial risk of the 3 to 4 million he would command in arbitration. Even the Padres supposedly backed off after seeing his medical records. Wouldn’t the Mets jump if they thought he could start effectively even for the last few weeks of the season?

 

Hendry was rebuffed immediately when he wanted to discuss an option. No negotiations occurred. His agent is of course Scott Boras who wants the world to be all free agents.

 

So there was really no option for Hendry but to not offer arbitration; as there were no negotiating or trade options out there.

 

What doesn’t make sense to me is how Prior feels things will be better. He will not get a major league contract, which will mean he won’t get 6 years service time in before the end of 2008 (though his release could be negotiated). So he’ll find a team that will pay him under a million for the year to rehab and pitch a few games. Then sign a one year incentive laden deal in 2009 to prove he is healthy. I just don’t see how that was any different then negotiating with the Cubs and what they are offering.

 

I agree with Tim that Hendry will continue to talk, and work something out should he not find what he’s looking for (whatever that is).

 

Prior isn't represented by Boras. His agent is John Boggs, I think.

 

 

Boggs is indeed the agent. And if the world were all free agents, the owners would jump for joy because you'd have a flooded marketplace instead of the constricted one you have now because players "have to" wait six years to be free agents. Charlie Finley had this one right years ago when he said, "Make them all free agents!"

[OleMissCub]

Charlie Finley had this one right years ago when he said, "Make them all free agents!"

 

Not only that, but free agents EVERY YEAR if I remember correctly.

[Bruce Miles]

Charlie Finley had this one right years ago when he said, "Make them all free agents!"

 

Not only that, but free agents EVERY YEAR if I remember correctly.

 

Yes. There is another thread about books, but the one I always recommend is "The Lords of the Realm" by John Helyar. It's a fascinating, readable and sometimes hilarious tale of labor relations over the years. The owners have been dumb, dumb, dumb over the years. Marvin Miller had his prayers answered when the owners went for free agency after six years. Nothing like placing a premium on free agents and driving up the price.

[OleMissCub]

Charlie Finley had this one right years ago when he said, "Make them all free agents!"

 

Not only that, but free agents EVERY YEAR if I remember correctly.

 

Yes. There is another thread about books, but the one I always recommend is "The Lords of the Realm" by John Helyar. It's a fascinating, readable and sometimes hilarious tale of labor relations over the years. The owners have been dumb, dumb, dumb over the years. Marvin Miller had his prayers answered when the owners went for free agency after six years. Nothing like placing a premium on free agents and driving up the price.

 

Well, even when players got free agency, didn't the owners collude for several years to not hire free agents, in effect colluding to keep their teams from improving.

 

Owners suck.

[Bruce Miles]

Charlie Finley had this one right years ago when he said, "Make them all free agents!"

 

Not only that, but free agents EVERY YEAR if I remember correctly.

 

Yes. There is another thread about books, but the one I always recommend is "The Lords of the Realm" by John Helyar. It's a fascinating, readable and sometimes hilarious tale of labor relations over the years. The owners have been dumb, dumb, dumb over the years. Marvin Miller had his prayers answered when the owners went for free agency after six years. Nothing like placing a premium on free agents and driving up the price.

 

Well, even when players got free agency, didn't the owners collude for several years to not hire free agents, in effect colluding to keep their teams from improving.

 

Owners suck.

 

Yes, they did collude. They couldn't get anything right, making them the gang that couldn't shoot straight. On top of that, Marvin Miller and Don Fehr have been so intellectually superior to whomever the owners had negotiating to make the collective-bargaining talks seem like a game between this year's New England Patriots and a high school team. The problem with the players was that they always had the moral high ground, but they had no p.r. sense, so they didn't know how to use that moral high ground. Fehr came off as arrogant, so people didn't like him. And the public complained about athletes making "all this money for playing a game we'd play for free" (never mind that ballplayers did play it for free in their formative years and forgetting the salaries of people like TV news anchors and forgetting that baseball is a multibillion dollar industry with an antitrust exemption to boot. But don't get me started). :wink:

[OleMissCub]

How is Marvin Miller not in the BBHOF? That seems like a travesty given that buttholes like Comiskey and Ban Johnson are in.

[Bruce Miles]

How is Marvin Miller not in the BBHOF? That seems like a travesty given that buttholes like Comiskey and Ban Johnson are in.

 

 

It's an absolute travesty and an injustice. It shows how petty and vindictive some baseball people can be. Bowie Kuhn? Give me a break. Buck O'Neil also got shafted. Marvin Miller did more to change the game in the second half of the 20th Century than anybody. And ever since the changes Miller championed were put into place, the owners' revenues' skyrocketed.

[frostwyrm]

I actually agree with Hendry on this one. Without a 2009 option I would have let Prior go, and really I think Prior just wanted to leave. Otherwise he would have agreed to the option.

[OleMissCub]

How is Marvin Miller not in the BBHOF? That seems like a travesty given that buttholes like Comiskey and Ban Johnson are in.

 

 

It's an absolute travesty and an injustice. It shows how petty and vindictive some baseball people can be. Bowie Kuhn? Give me a break. Buck O'Neil also got shafted. Marvin Miller did more to change the game in the second half of the 20th Century than anybody. And ever since the changes Miller championed were put into place, the owners' revenues' skyrocketed.

 

Right, so baseball people from all sorts benefited from Miller yet they won't put him in.

 

Bruce, have you written or are you going to write a piece about your take on the whole steroid bit. I'd be interested to know your opinion. Also, do you have a HOF vote?