MESA, Ariz. -- Shortstop Ryan Theriot lost his arbitration hearing with the Cubs on Saturday and will be paid $2.6 million in 2010.
Theriot filed for $3.4 million, an $800,000 difference that the Cubs felt was too high to negotiate a settlement. It was the first time the Cubs had gone to arbitration with a player since Mark Grace lost in 1993.
"The process itself was very informative," Theriot said. "It's a different look at everything -- kind of how the numbers go. Long, boring ... but it's over now. I'm glad it's over, we can put it all behind us and get ready to win a pennant this year."
Theriot reported to camp on Saturday morning and immediately went to the batting cage to get some work in.
Photo: Theriot at the batting cages on Saturday. (Paul Sullivan / Tribune)
Both Theriot and general manager Jim Hendry said there were no hard feelings between the two parties.
"There wasn't an adversarial attitude to it," Hendry said. "It was more like a philosophical-type case for that type of player- a first-time eligible (player). So really it was just a matter of how you wanted to look at the different type of players that were at the north or south of the midpoint ($3 million)."
Theriot said he's "fine" with Hendry and it wont affect their relationship.
"I think Jim has been fair to me for a long time," he said. "Those friendships go a little bit farther than anything else."
Theriot still gets a $2.1 million raise from his 2009 salary of $500,000, and will be the starting shortstop and probable lead-off hitter.
"I never felt like I was 'owed' anything," he said. "This is a privilege to be able to come in here and do this every day. There are millions of people who would love to do it. From that point of view, whatever you get is great."
The four-hour hearing was held in St. Petersburg, Fla. on Friday, with Theriot's agents and the players union arguing their case, while the Cubs hired a representative to make theirs. The arbitrators made their decision Saturday.
Overall, the clubs wound up beating the players 5-3 in arbitration hearings this year, and the Cubs are now 4-2 lifetime against players in arbitration. Bruce Sutter beat the Cubs in 1980 and Shawon Dunston won in 1990. The players who lost to the Cubs, aside from Theriot and Grace, were Leon Durham in 1985 and Andre Dawson in 1988.
"It's just part of the process," Hendry said. "I'm sure every other club has (gone through it) the last decade. There were only eight cases this year. We happened to be the last one. We'll move forward, put it behind us and hopefully we don't have to do the process again in my regime."
The Cubs had eight arbitration-eligible players this year, and settled on seven of them. Hendry credited Scott Nelson, the team's Director of Baseball Administration, for handling the background on the cases, comparing other players with similar service time and stats to the Cubs arbitration-eligible players.
"I'm not mad at Ryan for wanting to go (to a hearing)," Hendry said. "He has every right to put himself on the other side of the philosophical midpoint, so to speak. We had a chat before it started (Friday). I've known him a long time -- 10 years -- and he's still being compensated what I thought was a fair number to begin with.
"It's not like there's any big loss here. He'll be fine."
Hendry wasn't worried that his relationship with Theriot would suffer. He said it was purely a business decision and had nothing to do with how he feels about Theriot.
"We stand on our track record," Hendry said. "I don't think anybody in that clubhouse would tell you we have not been fair to that player in the arbitration process... It was just a different type of situation."
Theriot has already been told that he will eventually be moved to second base to make way for star prospect Starlin Castro. He has no qualms about the move, and said he'd help Castro any way he can.
"If I remember, my first action was in right field," he said with a laugh. "That was an adventure. I don't (have any qualms). But as of now I am the shortstop, and I've been for three years and I feel like I've done a good job. He's going to have to come get it."
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Who cares about arbitration, this guy is HOT! :)
Who cares Cubs still suck 102 years no WS nuff said LOL
2.1 million? 3.4 million?? Whats the difference? $800,000? For playing an effing game? That is just so WRONG on so many levels!! $85,000 is a pretty good salary around here for a computer worker or nurse; both require a 4 yr college degree at least... Lawyers & doctors go to more school & make more, but all 4 of these professions contribute something useful to society (well, lawyers contribute something all right...) What the HELL does a game-player contribute to society that they can demand 2.1 or 3.4 MILLION / year and then get their panties in a wad about note getting an $800,000 raise? No sympathy for these whiny troglodytes.
ONLY $2.6 million? Poor baby! My heart goes out to him. Perhaps he should start selling Streetwise.
Stratmaster on February 20, 2010 3:57 PM
Yeah Bill J. And some of us think that OPS and Slugging pct. are tell all stats, and actually have something to do with a SS who is in the lineup for his ability to get on base, handle the bat when others are on base, and provide the only base stealing threat on the entire roster.
Could you have picked any more lame stats for the type of player he is?
----------------------
Yes, I could have. But since you chose to, there is no need for me to.
"ability to get on base" His .343 obp in '09 shows that he has the ability to get on base once in a while.
"handle the bat when others are on base" What does that even mean? To make outs on purpose to 'get the guy over'? Making outs on purpose is a bad idea somewhere around 98% of the time. But he does do it well.
"provide the only base stealing threat on the entire roster" He has gotten thrown out 35% of time he has attempted to steal the past two seasons. He would do much more good for the team if he would just stay put instead of finding ways to make even more outs.
His value to the team is that he is somewhat inexpensive. Once his price goes up, his value drops fast. Real fast.
Of course, Ryan would be gracious. He is a class act; besides being a fantastic ballplayer.
I'll say it for him: He Deserved what he asked for!! (A lot of these big multimillion players have NOT earned their keep!!)
Just like Grace, we will end up losing another "ballplayer" just to boost the ego of some stuffed shirt like Hendry! (Talk about not earning his salary!! His screw ups far outweigh his "successes"!!)
I'll take a team full of Theriots, and Lees, before even one Soriano!!! These guys play ball every day, don't whine, and don't have to sit on their butts everytime they have a little "owie"!
RD1953
kdog...do you have a TV? I don't recall ever seeing a memo that said a luxury should be easily obtainable. Baseball games are entertainment. Some of us take campers to the Dells while others saild around the world in first class cabins. Stop pretending that you are owed the right to see the Cubs play at Wrigley. These men make millions of dollars doing something that many of us would pay to do. Take the Wrigley Field tour, if you can afford it. It gives most people goose bumps just to be on the grass where Ernie, Billy, Ryne and Ron made us cheer.
The Ricketts paid a lot for a team they love. You can always get a seat at 35th and Shields if you want. People who cheer for that team like to stay home and watch.
You finally seeing a guy say, "Hey, I'm lucky to be here and the money I'm being paid is pretty nice." Still, a few wannabes toss insults at the guy because he's living the dream. That is really funny. If your boss offered you 2 million dollars to be an average employee you'd take it. If a judge agreed, you'd be dancing. Shut up already.
What im pissed about is ticket prices, i am a die hard cubbie fan, but with ticket prices going up after a horrible year i dont know if ill be able to go to any live games..way to look out for the blue collar Mr. Ricketts
Alright idiots; Theroit is a decent player, not Ruthian as many on here seem to believe. His bat, glove and arm are better suited as a 2nd basemen. He does seem to try hard and is a good clubhouse guy. He is adequate and will get us by until Castro is ready. His RISP Avg is only .266 the last two years combined. Not numbers i'd right home about or want as my most "solid" player.
Yeah Bill J. And some of us think that OPS and Slugging pct. are tell all stats, and actually have something to do with a SS who is in the lineup for his ability to get on base, handle the bat when others are on base, and provide the only base stealing threat on the entire roster.
Could you have picked any more lame stats for the type of player he is?
Dan on February 20, 2010 3:08 PM
Is anyone even remotely excited about another Cubs season?
I am so sick of this team I won't watch more than 4 games all year.
.........................................................
Better yet do us all the real cub fans a favor and don't watch the 4 games at all....we don't need you backstabbing wanna be Cub fans.
The Cubs won't do well anyway. Get rid of the coach and maybe, they just might make the playoffs.
I really thought that the arbitrator would be sold on the siginficance of scrappyness.
But, like trying to go from first to third on a single to left, I was wrong.
If a guy with a career .726 ops, including a .369 slugging pct., while being a mediocre fielder, is "indeed the most consistent solid player on the team" this team is in deep trouble.
Like '62 Mets trouble.
Then again, maybe he is just consistently mediocre.
I often make the mistake of assuming that consistent also means good.
I am
Is anyone even remotely excited about another Cubs season?
I am so sick of this team I won't watch more than 4 games all year.
The little guy isn't worth a million!!! I don't blame the Cubs! Then again, Theriot looks around the clubhouse and see's millions shelled out to pathetic players who can't play, don't try. Too bad for him abritration is based on the effort and stats of your own team only. If so, he would make $20 million. Wait til next year Cub fans. GO CARDINALS!!!
Geesh, some of you act like Theriot has been dogging pop-ups (Soriano) admitting he didn't take his career seriously (Zambrano), came to camp out of shape due to too many munchies (Soto), played like crap and blamed it on everyone being racist (Bradley). I didn't hear him complain once in the media before hand, and when he lost the case he said so be it and it is time for baseball.
Now compare that to most major leaguers who would have said something to the effect of "no comment" and gone and sulked for a few weeks; and then when the season started would start putting out the word they want to be traded.
Of course, most of those posts aren't really from Cub fans. You know who you are silly little minor league baseball fans.
Yes, Theriot is more suited for 2nd base, no, he doesn't have the strongest arm and yes he gets caught stealing a bit. But he is indeed the most consistent solid player on the team the last few years.
Cubs are a lifetime 4-2 in arbitration cases.
This Cubs team may not be a winner on the field but boy they make it count off the field! ROFL!!!!!
The agent works for the player Steve.
Sometimes I hate being a cubs fan because of the morons who associate themselves with thinking they know baseball.
Like the ones who equate stolen bases with good baserunning. While coneviently forgetting the 23 times he has been thrown out stealing the past 2 seasons, or his awful 65% success rate, or the numerous other times he gets thrownout on the basepaths.
But he runs real hard, with his arms moving fast when he pops up to short RF, therefore, he is good.
Even though it's only arbitration, for the first time in 2010, it's still great to say:
CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN!
Steve Goodman once wrote: "Do they still play the blues in Chicago when the baseball season rolls around. When the snow melts away, do the Cubbies still play in their ivy-covered burial ground? When I was a boy they were my pride and joy, but now they only bring fatigue to the home of the brave, the land of the free, and the doormat of the National League."
all you guys need to stop with the putting down of a good baseball player. If you did your research theriot wanted to meet half way between his demands and the cubs, and the cubs didn't want to move. Besides it wasn't theriot making the demands it was his agent. Also, how can he be a bad baserunner when he has led the team in stolen bases the last couple years, he may not be a great baserunner but he is above-average.
I hate being a cubs fan because of the morons who associate themselves with thinking they know baseball.
Wow...I hope 2.6 mil is enough for him if not he might have to get a part time job to help pay the bills.
"Long, boring... but it's over now. I'm glad it's over we can put it all behind us and get ready to win a pennant this year."
. . . . . Quite the comedian, the Riot is !
From some of the comments here, it seems that some don't know the difference between arbitration and free agency. Look it up. Get informed.
And who's to say the Cubs didn't want to meet in the middle and Theriot said no?
All things considered, 2.6 mil is more than fair for a SS with a weak arm, is terrible baserunner, and whose obp dropped by more than 40 points last season (did somebody actually call him "consistent"?). If you throw in his sub-.700 ops vs rhp in his career, saying 2.6 is too much wouldn't be a stretch.
My heart goes out to him. I hope he and his family can survive on $2.6 million.
The Cubs 2nd inning implosion against the Dodgers two years ago started with Theriot's inability to even knock down a routine double-play ball to short. (Theriot was fooled by the run and hit and simply wasn't quick enough to recover, even though the ball was not hit sharply.) At the plate, Theriot shows signs of competence and, on a better team, would make an excellent no.8 hitter. He runs fairly well but gets thrown out too often to risk sending except situationally. In other words, take your $2m, Ryan, and sing hallelujah every day. What other profession rewards competent to good so handsomely?
Wouldn't it have been easiest to just meet in the middle at 3 mil. Whats 400k to the Cubs anyways. I mean the guy did play for 500k for a few years, and played well.
We don't need to pay anyone that type of money. Castro will be ready by 2011, and theriot will slide over to second base, which is a more natural position for him. It will help hide his lack of arm power and range.
Seriously though how can anyone badmouth theriot, he is an all around good baseball player who plays the game as it should be.
Theriot is a good SS. Not spectacular. Good. And as Steve said, he has been the most consistent hitter the last 2 years...
So, until we get a $10MM man to play SS, he's good enough.
Wow. I hope he can live on only $2.6 mil. Maybe the Cubs can have a bobblehead day for him to help with the bills. Poor athletes. How can he even get up in the morning, being so underpaid.
That's the problem with Cub fans! Ryan Theriot is good enough? Theriot is a terrible shortstop! He's not going to the HOF or even the All-Star game. His range is bad, his glove is bad and he's not even a shortstop. The doubleplay combination outta really good, with who's at second and Theriot. Centerfield has Byrd. Catcher, who? The cubs are really strong up the middle, aren't they?
Dan,
You shut up and keep your mouth shut. This process is part of baseball, so deal with it. To be honest he has been one of the cubs most consistent hitters since he became an everyday shortstop. Until you know baseball Dan, don't say your thoughts.
Good. Now tell him to keep his mouth shut and play.