Mark Prior
Dan Bernstein of WSCR radio interviewed (now) former Cub pitcher Mark Prior yesterday as he signed a one-year contract with the San Diego Padres. When asked what were the primary factors he considered in signing with the Padres, he cited their excellent team medical staff as one of his reasons. No joke.
I think the Cubs really had no choice in letting him go. It just didn’t make good business sense to pay for another year of rehab just to risk losing him to free agency after the 2008 season. Here are some of the circumstances contributing to Jim Hendry’s decision to let him go:
- The MLB union agreement prevents a player from taking a pay cut of more than 20%. Prior made almost $4mil in 2007 and did not throw a major league pitch.
- Prior had to be offered arbitration by Dec 12 07 or be released as a free agent.
- He was in the final year (if arbitration was offered and accepted) of his Cubs contract, so he would become a free agent following the 2008 season anyway.
- Current projection is, barring a setback, Prior may not pitch until June or July.
So, that combination of circumstances basically left the Cubs no choice but to try and trade his rights and $3+mil one (partial) year contract, or “non-tender” him and let him be a free agent now. So he signed with the Padres for $1 million to finish his rehab and try to make a comeback. Best of luck to him - maybe he will get to realize some degree of the promise he showed his first few years in the majors. …For some other team.