Mark Prior wanted a raise. He wanted 3.5 mill plus to sit on his butt until July at least. No, he wanted it as part of a deal where he'd ideally be pitching the 2nd half of the year and onwards. Do you REALLY think his goal is to get paid to not pitch? Stop for a second, think about that, and then answer. He's not negotiating for the first few months of 2008. He's negotiating for the next step of his baseball career. I don't think that is his goal, but thats definitely part of his problem. Hes not willin to budge on this, and he doesen't care about it. If he REALLY thought that he'd be able to come back and pitch games, then he would have accepted the contract. But he didn't because he knows theres more then a good chance that he won't pitch in the majors in 2008. BTW, hes not negotiating for the next step of his career, because he has the prove himself healthy first in order to get a long term deal. Teams won't give him alot of money or years, to be on the DL. Either way, Mark Prior has to prove himself a healthy baseball player, which is why this entire contract situation stinks of money and his unwillingness to work with the Chicago Cubs. Judging from the article, he wanted at LEAST 3.5 mill. He prolly would have settle for 5 mill. Which in my opinion is total crap. For one year of rehab? No thanks.