Mark Prior

[bc2k]

For how long do the Cubs own Mark Prior's contract?

 

I had a couple friends over for the game today, and one seemed certain that Prior is only Cubs property through 2006. He said Prior signed a 5-year, major league contract out of USC, not the standard minor league contract that most players sign.

 

A different friend and I disagreed and said that a player needs 3 years of service time before he's arbitration eligible, and another 3 until he's granted free agency. Neither of us had ever heard of any player singing a major league contract out of college/high school. We assumed that the Cubs have a ownership of him through the 2008 season.

 

I'd really appreciate some concrete answers on this subject. If Prior really is going to be a free agent after 2006, Hendry needs to stop thinking about midseason trades and extend Prior's contract past '06. That's a much higher priority.

[nilodnayr]

For how long do the Cubs own Mark Prior's contract?

 

I had a couple friends over for the game today, and one seemed certain that Prior is only Cubs property through 2006. He said Prior signed a 5-year, major league contract out of USC, not the standard minor league contract that most players sign.

 

A different friend and I disagreed and said that a player needs 3 years of service time before he's arbitration eligible, and another 3 until he's granted free agency. Neither of us had ever heard of any player singing a major league contract out of college/high school. We assumed that the Cubs have a ownership of him through the 2008 season.

 

I'd really appreciate some concrete answers on this subject. If Prior really is going to be a free agent after 2006, Hendry needs to stop thinking about midseason trades and extend Prior's contract past '06. That's a much higher priority.

 

Mark Prior p

5 years/$10.5M (2002-06), plus incentives

 

$4M signing bonus

02:$0.25M, 03:$0.65M, 04:$1.6M, 05:$2M base (incentives to $2.75M), 06:$2M

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

additional $0.1M All Star incentive

Prior may void final 2 years (05-06) if he qualifies for arbitration after 2004 season

drafted 2001 (1-2), signed major-league contract 8/01

agent: John Boggs

ML service: 2.131

 

Cot's Baseball Contracts

[katway]

I disagreed and said that a player needs 3 years of service time before he's arbitration eligible, and another 3 until he's granted free agency. Neither of us had ever heard of any player singing a major league contract out of college/high school. We assumed that the Cubs have a ownership of him through the 2008 season.

 

My understanding is that Prior is subject to arbitration after 2006 since the arbitration rules are part of the collective bargaining agreement that cannot be waived by the individual contracts. In any event, the Cubs will not negotiate mid=season as that is their policy.

[nilodnayr]

I disagreed and said that a player needs 3 years of service time before he's arbitration eligible, and another 3 until he's granted free agency. Neither of us had ever heard of any player singing a major league contract out of college/high school. We assumed that the Cubs have a ownership of him through the 2008 season.

 

My understanding is that Prior is subject to arbitration after 2006 since the arbitration rules are part of the collective bargaining agreement that cannot be waived by the individual contracts. In any event, the Cubs will not negotiate mid=season as that is their policy.

 

players can be under contact during their arbitration years. Very few players actually ever reach arbitration. Players have 3 (sometimes 4, if they are super 2s) years of arbitration eligibility but that doesnt mean that they will actually be going to arbitration. It is the standard for teams to sign players to 1 yr contracts before going to arbitration , such as Z, and then giving them another 1 year contract the next year, or signing players to multiple year contacts, sometimes throughout their arbi eligible years and sometimes a year or two after they are eligible to become FAs.

[NorthsideAvenger]

To me it doesn't matter what Prior's contract and arbritration situation looks like, he should be ONE of the few no-brainers for the Cubs to look up long-term, excluding something immensly crazy.

[bc2k]

I disagreed and said that a player needs 3 years of service time before he's arbitration eligible, and another 3 until he's granted free agency. Neither of us had ever heard of any player singing a major league contract out of college/high school. We assumed that the Cubs have a ownership of him through the 2008 season.

 

My understanding is that Prior is subject to arbitration after 2006 since the arbitration rules are part of the collective bargaining agreement that cannot be waived by the individual contracts. In any event, the Cubs will not negotiate mid=season as that is their policy.

 

players can be under contact during their arbitration years. Very few players actually ever reach arbitration. Players have 3 (sometimes 4, if they are super 2s) years of arbitration eligibility but that doesnt mean that they will actually be going to arbitration. It is the standard for teams to sign players to 1 yr contracts before going to arbitration , such as Z, and then giving them another 1 year contract the next year, or signing players to multiple year contacts, sometimes throughout their arbi eligible years and sometimes a year or two after they are eligible to become FAs.

 

So when does Prior become a FA, assuming the Cubs take advantage of all his arbitration years?

[bc2k]

To me it doesn't matter what Prior's contract and arbritration situation looks like, he should be ONE of the few no-brainers for the Cubs to look up long-term, excluding something immensly crazy.

 

Ditto. I'm of the same opinion.

 

I'm just a little guarded on losing Prior. He is essential to winning the World Series. As long as he and Z are in the rotation, we have as good a shot as any other team at winning multiple playoff series. I don't want to see a Maddux deja vu all over again. I want all of Prior's Cy Youngs to be won in a Cubs uniform. :wink:

[Transmogrified Tiger]

So when does Prior become a FA, assuming the Cubs take advantage of all his arbitration years?

 

After the 2008 season.

[nilodnayr]

I disagreed and said that a player needs 3 years of service time before he's arbitration eligible, and another 3 until he's granted free agency. Neither of us had ever heard of any player singing a major league contract out of college/high school. We assumed that the Cubs have a ownership of him through the 2008 season.

 

My understanding is that Prior is subject to arbitration after 2006 since the arbitration rules are part of the collective bargaining agreement that cannot be waived by the individual contracts. In any event, the Cubs will not negotiate mid=season as that is their policy.

 

players can be under contact during their arbitration years. Very few players actually ever reach arbitration. Players have 3 (sometimes 4, if they are super 2s) years of arbitration eligibility but that doesnt mean that they will actually be going to arbitration. It is the standard for teams to sign players to 1 yr contracts before going to arbitration , such as Z, and then giving them another 1 year contract the next year, or signing players to multiple year contacts, sometimes throughout their arbi eligible years and sometimes a year or two after they are eligible to become FAs.

 

So when does Prior become a FA, assuming the Cubs take advantage of all his arbitration years?

 

No player becomes a FA before he reaches 6 years of ML service. Which would mean Prior becomes a FA after 2008. Most likely the next contract will be a 2 year extension, allowing the cubs will "buy out" the remaining arbitration years as Mark will want to at least have the option to test the market ASAP. Outside chance of a 3 year contract delaying his ability to test the market one year, but I feel regardless of his desire to stay with the cubs, prior will not handcuff himself and allow himself to have the negotiation leverage of the option to test the market.

[bc2k]

Thanks for the answer guys. 2008 is A LOT better than 2006.

[neely crenshaw]

this gives us a 3 year window to get something done. wood makes 12, prior may well be offered 18-20 if he is healthy for the next few years. if the yankees continue their pitching problems(with the guys the have signed for the next 2, they will) they will be all over prior. if the cubs do not start putting a team behind our pitchers..including a bullpen-they will walk! i mean how many games has prior lost victories in because of offense or blown saves...it can only go on so long. he and z may want to be the ones to help the cubs finally win but if they do not believe that management is doing all it can to win it-(see the last 2 years) i can not believe that they stay!