Cubs Avoid Arbitration With Koyie Hill

[Burtonbell]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

 

In a big WTF moment...

 

Cubs Avoid Arbitration With Koyie Hill

 

The Cubs avoided arbitration with Koyie Hill, according to MLB.com's Carrie Muskat (on Twitter). The catcher earned $700K last year as a first-time arbitraiton eligible player.

 

Hill, 32 in March, hit .214/.254/.298 in 231 plate appearances as Geovany Soto's backup last year. He threw out 18% of would-be base stealers, down from his career average of 28%. Welington Castillo and recent pickup Max Ramirez could also compete for a 25-man roster spot this spring.

 

As MLBTR's Arbitration Tracker shows, the Cubs have four arbitration eligible players who aren't yet under contract for 2011: Soto, Sean Marshall, Carlos Marmol and Tom Gorzelanny.

 

Edited to change misleading title.

[Irrelevant Dude]

I know it is only $800,000, but this is still a glaring example of the Cubs' financial mismanagement. They choose to spend $400,000 more than they would have to for another younger, and better, player. I would sure rather have the extra $400,000 available to spend somewhere else.

[SouthSideRyan]

[expletive] you

[JoshiQ]

This is ridiculous. :lol:

 

Typical Cubs mentality. There are numerous choices for backup catcher that could be had for $400,000. And they'd probably better at defense than our "gold glover" Koyie Hill.

[cheapseats]

Last year, Koyie had the lowest WAR for any catcher with at least 200 plate appearances.

[davell]

That's a solid Int FA signing or a nice overslot in the draft down the damn drain.

[nick23]

It's almost hard to fathom someone that bad getting 231 plate appearances.

[Wheelimus]

Please tell me it's the kind of contract where The Cubs can release him in spring training and not owe him much money.

[Guest]

Please tell me it's the kind of contract where The Cubs can release him in spring training and not owe him much money.

I'm pretty sure this is the case.

[Wheelimus]

Please tell me it's the kind of contract where The Cubs can release him in spring training and not owe him much money.

I'm pretty sure this is the case.

 

Cool. Now please tell me we have people in place who will make that correct decision.

 

**crickets**

[SouthSideRyan]

Please tell me it's the kind of contract where The Cubs can release him in spring training and not owe him much money.

I'm pretty sure this is the case.

 

That still makes it a waste of $133,000. There is no good reason for this. None.

[jersey cubs fan]

Please tell me it's the kind of contract where The Cubs can release him in spring training and not owe him much money.

I'm pretty sure this is the case.

 

Really? If you agree to terms with an arb eligible player without going to arbitration how can you just void that? Probably doesn't matter either way as this organization clearly values the guy.

[davell]

I get the feeling that if Welington Castillo doesn't bat 1.000 during ST, he won't make the team. And if he does, I'd still give it 50/50.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Anyone else have the feeling Max Ramirez starts the season with another team?

[davell]

"In the bottom of my heart, I would probably scrape together every penny I have to pay for a chance to do this." Koyie Hill, ladies and gentlemen. He's willing to pay us to let him play.

[Rob]

Dear god why?

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Dear god why?

Why not?

[Little Slide Rooter]

I get the feeling that if Welington Castillo doesn't bat 1.000 during ST, he won't make the team. And if he does, I'd still give it 50/50.

 

Of course theres always the chance that Koyie saws off another finger.

[Sammy Sofa]

Glad you're taking this better than the Punto signing. Stay strong.

[wvcbxl]

The Cubs have two better options available (Castillo and Ramirez), so this seems like an extremely cautious insurance move against ST mishaps.

[Wheelimus]

The Cubs have two better options available (Castillo and Ramirez), so this seems like an extremely cautious insurance move against ST mishaps.

 

If I had a nickle for everytime I've said this before spring training...well, I'd have a whole lot of slaggin nickles.

[jersey cubs fan]

The Cubs have two better options available (Castillo and Ramirez), so this seems like an extremely cautious insurance move against ST mishaps.

 

This doesn't look anything like that. They just signed their preferred backup catcher.

[Guest]

NO!!!

[CubColtPacer]

The Cubs have two better options available (Castillo and Ramirez), so this seems like an extremely cautious insurance move against ST mishaps.

 

This doesn't look anything like that. They just signed their preferred backup catcher.

 

Agreed. I don't think the backup catcher is set in stone yet, but Hill seems to have the edge headed into spring training. One of the others will have to tear the cover off of the ball during ST to have a decent shot.

[Derwood]

I was hoping that "avoided arbitration" meant "avoided even having arbitration because they released him"