| Conflict Resolution Professionals! Did you know there are over seven million privately owned companies in North America? Connect with the universe of family owned companies who need your services as a professional who speaks their language! Add your profile to our directory of professionals right now. |
|
Chicago Cubs Pitcher Mark Prior Re-signs
After many trips through the rumor mill, Mark Prior accepted the Chicago Cubs’ offer on January 27 to a one-year, $3.65 million contract. That is $900,000 more than the salary he would have earned under the contract he voided in November. Since Prior's definitive season in 2003 (18-6), he has cooled off somewhat, and has only managed to go 17-11 over the past two seasons. The Cubs were within five outs of reaching the World Series in 2003, due, in part, to Prior's performance. A sore elbow put him on the disabled list early last season, and when he entered the normal rotation again, he was hit on the same elbow by a scorching line drive. He finished the 2005 season going 11-7 with a 3.67 ERA over 27 games.
The Chicago Cubs’ pitcher, whose name has been mentioned as possible trade bait this off-season, said that he was not too upset at the rumors because he figured they were just that -- rumors. Rumor had it that he was going to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for outfielder Bobby Abreu, but that wasn't to be. During the holidays, he was supposed to be traded to Baltimore for shortstop Miguel Tejada. That also did not happen. "It's part of the game," Prior said. "Obviously, when somebody requests a trade, a team has to look into it. I don't really validate the rumors a whole lot unless I hear that '[general manager] Jim Hendry' says or '[team president] Andy MacPhail says' or '[manager] Dusty [Baker] says' -- otherwise, they're just rumors. It seems like there are a lot of MLB sources this year. Unless somebody calls me up and says, 'Hey, we're serious about doing this,' there's not a whole lot for me to think about because I don't have a whole lot to say."
If the fans had any say in it, Prior would never wear another uniform besides his Cubs No. 22 jersey. When the right-hander was introduced to the crowd jammed inside the Grand Ballroom at the Hilton Chicago during opening ceremonies for the 21st Cubs Convention, he was greeted with the chant, "No trade, no trade." Most Cubs fans remember that Prior's 10 strikeouts in his very first start was the most by any Cubs pitcher in over 30 years. "I've never been ticked or anything," Prior said. "I felt if anything was going to be done, somebody would've called me and said something. Otherwise, it was business as usual. I was obviously going to pitch for somebody this season, and I had to get ready."
There was also a rumor that Prior decided to void the last year of his contract
Our articles continue...
|
because he was angry at the Cubs. That also was not true. "That was something that was written in the contract," he said of his ability to be eligible for arbitration. "That was in the negotiations five years ago. We felt it was fair at the time. It was basically the last two years [of the contract] - if I'm eligible for arbitration, I have the privilege to go to arbitration." Prior will make more money in 2006 thanks to this foresight.
"I've been spending this off season trying to iron out some things and correct some habits that I fell into because of what happened with my elbow," Prior said. "One thing I did learn, and after I've been reflecting, is how fortunate and valuable the time is when you're healthy. At any moment, anything can happen. "The other day I was home watching [NFL quarterback] Drew Brees get hurt, and I see Carson Palmer go down two plays into the game. It's a very fragile existence from that standpoint." He's well aware of the business side of baseball, too. "As far as everything I've heard, they weren't dangling me out there and trying to get rid of me," Prior said. He'd like to stay with the Cubs. "I love playing here. I have no desire to leave," he said. "I love playing in the city of Chicago; I love this town. I don't think I could've been as fortunate as I was to fall here out of college. Not too many people get the luxury of coming to a city like Chicago. It's a great city, a great town and I love being here. It's a great town to play baseball in."
Prior had become arbitration eligible when he used his option to void the final year of his original contract signed in 2001. Under the original terms, he was to make $2.75 million this year. Prior had asked for $4 million, while the Cubs countered with an offer of $3.3 million. Arbitration arrived at the $3.65 million figure. "We're certainly glad to have it done," said Cubs’ general manager Jim Hendry. "Our stance is always to try to work with the representative, John Boggs, to a conclusion of fairness to avoid the process if we can. This was something we wanted to do, and hopefully Mark will have a great 2006."
Other current Cubs arbitration-eligible players include infielder Jerry Hairston, outfielder Juan Pierre, and pitchers Will Ohman and Carlos Zambrano. Cubs’ general manager Jim Hendry and team president Andy MacPhail have never gone to arbitration with a player. Hendry said he is continuing to negotiate with the players' representatives in hopes of reaching an agreement.
Players with at least three years seniority in the Major Leagues, plus the longest active 17 percent of those with between two and three years service, are eligible for salary arbitration. Mark Prior, for example, now has three years, 131 days of Major League service time.
How does arbitration work? Players and teams exchange figures, and if no agreement is reached between the two, the case is referred to an arbitrator. Pierre, 28, whom the Cubs acquired from the Florida Marlins for three Minor League pitchers, made $3.7 million in 2005. He is coming off a season in which he hit .276 with two homers, 47 RBIs and 57 stolen bases in 162 games. The center fielder asked for $6.5 million, while the Cubs offered $5 million.
Cubs’ pitcher Zambrano earned $3.76 million last season and led the Cubs in wins with 14. He established career highs in starts (33), innings pitched (223 1/3) and strikeouts (202). Zambrano asked for $7.2 million, while the Cubs countered with an offer of $6 million. In his first season with the Cubs, Hairston, 29, made $1.8 million last season. He batted .261, hit four homers, 25 doubles and had 30 RBI. Hairston requested $2.6 million in 2006, while the Cubs offered $1.95 million. Ohman, 28, is seeking $775,000, while the Cubs offered $500,000. Ohman, who has three years, 40 days of Major League service time, made $320,000 in 2005 in his return to the big leagues. The left-hander, who has spent much time on the disabled list because of three elbow surgeries, was 2-2 with a 2.91 ERA in 69 games.
About the author:
This article was written by F.R. Penn sponsored by http://www.stubhub.com. If you’re looking for online sports tickets for the next baseball game, look no further than Stubhub.com where fans buy and sell the hottest tickets. Reproductions of this article are encouraged but must include a link back to http://www.stubhub.com
Here are some more mediation articles...
Conflict: Don’t Fight It, Manage It
By Eric Garner
Conflict is an ever-present reality whenever people work together. It can manifest itself in differences of view, differences of opinion, differences of personality, and differences of interest. But Read more...
|
What Are Conflict Diamonds?
By GETi
First let us start with what diamonds are. Diamonds are crystals of pure carbon formed millions of years ago deep below the Earths crust and forced up to the surface in rivers of volcanic lava. The Read more...
|
Debt Help Services You Should Know
By Antonio Silver -
If you are in trouble and need help with your debt, there are various debt help services from which you can choose. Whether your debt is more than you can handle or you just want to find a way to Read more...
|
Five Smooth Tactics To Neutralize Conflicts & Enhance Communication
By Joseph Plazo
Using active listening through a spat is the first move you can take to mitigate the situation and crack whatever problems have surfaced. Realize, nonetheless, that when people feel strongly about an Read more...
|
| facilitator hospital hospital management michigan news: |
Xavier, Miami make Kiplinger?s ?Best Value? list
Miami University and Xavier University are among the 2009 “Best Values” for a postsecondary education, according to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance.
Beshear seeks public help with budget shortfall
Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear is asking for help from the public with his ongoing Innovation, Economy & Efficiency (IEE) efforts to help address the $456 million expected shortfall in the current fiscal year.
Delta traffic up in 2008
Delta Air Lines Inc.’s traffic rose 0.8 percent in 2008, boosted by a 13.7 percent increase in international routes. (DAL)
Health Council posts hospital treatment data
Updated information on how the area’s hospitals are performing has been posted online by the Greater Cincinnati Health Council.
Belden to head Hylant Group in Cincinnati
The Hylant Group said Wednesday that Todd Belden has been named president of its Cincinnati office.
Hamilton County allocates federal grant funds
Hamilton County Commissioners said Wednesday that they have allocated the county's federal Community Development Grant funds for 2009.
Cincinnati nonprofit plans housing for homeless in OTR
Over-the-Rhine Community Housing is moving forward with plans to build long-term, supportive housing for the chronically homeless.
GE venture to address jet engine stall problem
CFM International is working on a software modification for its CFM56-5B engines after a series of engine stalls on Airbus aircraft in 2008.
Most regional cities lost jobs over year
Greater Cincinnati lost 5,000 private-sector jobs between November 2007 and November 2008, according to employment figures released Tuesday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
First Financial to open Madeira branch in February
First Financial Bank will open a Madeira branch – its third in suburban Cincinnati – in late February. (FFBC)
|
