Money Man

The Cub world seems to be all wound up about Mark Prior exercising his contract option and electing to go to arbitration this year. Did Jim Hendry piss Prior off by allowing Prior's name to be dragged around in Miguel Tejada trade rumors? Does Mark Prior want to head back to the West Coast when he becomes eligible for free agency and this is a way to express his displeasure?

Chill. Everyone.

Let's look at Prior's original contract.

Prior signed his original deal in late 2001 for the 2002 season. At that time, he signed a four year deal guaranteeing him about $10 million over the four years. While that seems to be expensive for a draft deal, note that it covers the first year of arbitration -- year 4.

Part of the deal was, that if Prior earned enough major league service time before the contract was concluded, he could void the contract and go to arbitration. In other words, just because the Cubs and Prior signed a long term deal, the Cubs were not going to prevent Prior from going to arbitration, and earning a big payday, as soon as he was eligible.

The contract was a great hedge for Prior. He was locked into $10 million even if his career was a failure. But, if he progressed through the minors rapidly, he wouldn't have to finish his rookie deal to get the big arbitration dollars.

This decision by Prior has nothing to do with any current events. Voiding the contract and going to arbitration now was something Prior planned to do the minute he signed in 2001.

While Prior may indeed be pissed, may want to go to the West Coast, may be fed up with the Cubs, etc., this decision is not indicative of his feeling in any way other than his desire to maximize his career earnings.

Smart man.