Cubs Win Arbitration with Theriot

Not much of a surprise here, but the Cubs have won their arbitration hearing with shortstop Ryan Theriot. 

Theriot was trying to bump his salary from $500,000 last year to $3.4 million.  Instead, the arbitration panel sided with the Cubs.  This isn't that bad of news for Theriot who will still get a substantial pay increase up to $2.6 million.

Last year, Theriot, whose best trait is probably the effort he puts into his play, batted .284 with 7 homeruns, 54 RBIs and 21 stolen bases.

This was the first arbitration the Cubs have had to have since the arbitration with Mark Grace seventeen years ago.

Cubs and Theriot Arbitration Hearing Friday?

According to a source on ESPN, the Cubs' first arbitration hearing in 17 years tomorrow.  Word has it that the hearing between the Cubs and shortstop Ryan Theriot will happen tomorrow in St. Petersburg, Florida. 

At that hearing, representatives of the Cubs and Theriot will make their cases for their respective proposed salaries for Theriot.  The three person independent panel of arbitrators will either have to award Theriot's number of $3.4 million or the Cubs' number of $2.6 million.

The arbitration panel have 24 hours to reach their final, non appealable decision.

Cubs avoid arbitration with Marmol

The Cubs and Carlos Marmol have avoided arbitration.  In his first arbitration eligible year, Marmol was seeking $2.5 million while the Cubs were offering $1.75 million.  The two sides reached an agreement Thursday morning at $2.125 million.

Marmol ended the year as the Cubs' closer and will resume that role this season.  Carlos was 2 and 4 last year, with a 3.41 ERA and 15 saves out of 19 save opportunities.  Marmol logged 74.0 innings last year in 79 games. 

Marmol's signing leaves Ryan Theriot as the only arbitration eligible Cub who has not yet signed.  By all accounts, it looks like the Cubs will not be able to reach a deal with Theriot, which will prompt an arbitration hearing later this month.

Former Cub Kevin Gregg a Blue Jay?

Reports are that Kevin Gregg has signed a one year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays.  Gregg started off last year as the Cubs' closer, only to lose the job to Carlos Marmol before season end.  Gregg was 5-6 with a 4.72 ERA and 23 saves in 72 appearances with the Cubs last season

Gregg is reportedly receiving a guaranteed salary of $2.75 million but could net more than $8 million over 2 years or $12 million over 3 years. 

If Gregg can command money like that, Carlos Marmol's chances of getting more via arbitration had of just went up. 

Theriot may be first to go through with arbitration with Cubs in 17 years

Seventeen years ago, Mark Grace and the Cubs were not able to reach an agreement on Grace's contract, which led to an arbitration hearing that the Cubs won.  Since then, no Cubs player has had to go to arbitration.

At least until now.  It looks like Theriot may break the 17 year streak as, to date, he and the Cubs have not been able to reach an agreement.

The Cubs shortstop has asked for $3.4 million while the Cubs have offered $2.6 million.  The rumor is that the Cubs have offered more unofficially while Theriot is still stuck on $3.4 million.

Major League Baseball will assign hearing dates for teams and players who have not resolved their arbitration disputes before February 20. In these cases, an independent arbitrator presides over a hearing where both sides present their cases and explain why the arbitrator should side with them. The arbitrator must choose either the team's number or the player's figure. He's not allowed to award anything in between the two numbers.


Last season, Theriot batted .284 with 7 homers, 54 RBIs, 20 doubles, 5 triples and 21 stolen bases.  He has walked 51 times and stuck out 93 times.