Prior to have surgery out for season

[cpomeroy]

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h_j-Rm94kXiyI0ABLFizagzk8WGgD911H77G0

Anyone else see this coming? I would like to feel soory for the guy, but I just can't.

[wrigleybum]

I do feel somewhat sorry, I mean the guy was ridiculously talented but never got to have a healthy season after his rookie year. That being said, I always liked Wood a lot better because I felt he was a trooper through all his injuries, while I felt Prior was more of a whiner.

Still, some of the injuries in Prior's career were so unlucky. Collisions on the basepaths, line drives to the arm.

It was good we got rid of him.

[nathanKent]

Poor guy. Such a waste.

[cpomeroy]

I do feel somewhat sorry, I mean the guy was ridiculously talented but never got to have a healthy season after his rookie year. That being said, I always liked Wood a lot better because I felt he was a trooper through all his injuries, while I felt Prior was more of a whiner.

Still, some of the injuries in Prior's career were so unlucky. Collisions on the basepaths, line drives to the arm.

It was good we got rid of him.

The difference between Wood and Prior, was Woody is a Cub. A team player and wanted to be a Cub. He appreciated the Cubs paying him millions to rehab, while Prior only cared about himself. Case in point, he wasn't willing to sign a deal with the Cubs this year for a team option next. He was too worried about making uber money next year in the free agent market.

I feel no sorrow for Prior. He got what was coming to him.

[Whitesoxnut]

The difference between Wood and Prior, was Woody is a Cub. A team player and wanted to be a Cub. He appreciated the Cubs paying him millions to rehab, while Prior only cared about himself. Case in point, he wasn't willing to sign a deal with the Cubs this year for a team option next. He was too worried about making uber money next year in the free agent market.

I feel no sorrow for Prior. He got what was coming to him.

The difference between Wood and Prior is that Wood made about 50m in salary during his years in the injury wilderness. Prior made far, far less then Wood.

And thats just salary. Wood made so much money from his hospital room he didnt flinch from taking his paltry, ghetto-like, 4 something million this year. Plus he has property here and is situated. Kerry Wood did nobody favors but himself when he stayed here.

He is not a saint and Prior is not the devil. They are both motivated by money just like any other pro-athlete.

http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2005/01/chicago-cubs_112114177768677294.html

Kerry Wood rhp
1 year/$4.2M (2008)

re-signed as a free agent 11/28/07
no-trade protection

$3.45M in performance bonuses: $0.2M for 20 GF, $0.25M for 25 GF, $0.3M for 30 GF, $0.35M for 35 GF, $0.4M for 40 GF, $0.45M for 45 GF, $0.5M each for 50, 55 GF, $0.2M for 50 games, $0.3M for 60 games

award bonuses: $0.5M for Comeback POY, $0.25M for WS MVP, $0.25M for Rolaids ($0.15M for 2nd, $0.1M for 3rd), $0.15M for LCS MVP, $0.1M for Rolaids team leader, $75,000 for All Star, Gold Glove

1 year/$1.75M (2007)

re-signed as a free agent 11/06
performance bonuses:
$2M based on games: $0.3M for 40 g, $0.35M for 45 g, $0.4M for 50 g, $0.45M for 55 g, $0.5M for 60 g
$2M based on games finished: $0.2M for 25 GF, $0.25M for 30 GF, $0.3M for 35 GF, $0.35M for 40 GF, $0.4M for 45 GF, $0.5M for 50 GF

$0.75M based on days on active roster: $0.25M each for 90, 120 & 150 days on active roster
award bonuses: $0.25M for Comeback Player of Year, $0.25M for Rolaids award ($0.15M for 2nd or 3rd), $0.1M for club leader in Rolaids, $0.25M for WS MVP, $0.15M for LCS MVP, $75,000 each for Gold Glove, All Star

3 years/$32.5M (2004-06), plus $13.75M 2007 option

$3M signing bonus (paid $1M annually, 2004-06)
04:$7M, 05:$8.5M, 06:$11M, 07:$13.5M mutual option
($3M buyout) (Cubs declined 2007 option 10/06)

escalator increased 2007 option to $13.75M

2007 option vests with 400 IP 05-06, but Wood may opt for FA
no-trade clause 2004-06
$75,000 for All Star selection
signed extension 1 /04, replacing 1 year/$9.75M contract signed earlier 1/04 to avoid arbitration
1 year/$6.19M (2003), avoided arbitration 1/03
1 year/$3.695M (2002), avoided arbitration 1/02
1 year/$1.94M (2001)
drafted 1995 (1-4), $1.265M signing bonus
agents: Pat Rooney, Greg Landry
ML service: 9.169

Mark Prior rhp
1 year/$1M (2008)

signed as a free agent 12/26/07
$4.5M in performance bonuses

1 year/$3.575M (2007)
re-signed 1/07 (avoided arbitration, $3.875M-$3.4M)
non-tendered (by Chicago Cubs) 12/12/07

performance bonuses: $0.15M each for 27 & 30 GS

1 year/$3.65M (2006)
re-signed 1/06, avoided arbitration ($4M-$3.3M)
award bonuses for MVP, Cy Young, Gold Glove, Silver Slugger & All Star selection

5 years/$10.5M (2002-06)

$4M signing bonus
02:$0.25M, 03:$0.65M, 04:$1.6M, 05:$2M, 06:$2M
may earn additional $0.75M in bonuses in 2005

2003 All Star selection increased 2004-06 salaries by $0.5M/season
additional $0.1M All Star bonus

Prior may void either of final 2 years (05-06) if he qualifies for arbitration after 2004 or 2005 seasons (exercised right to void final season (2006) of original contract 11/05 after qualifying for arbitration)

drafted 2001 (1-2), signed Major League contract 8/01
agent: John Boggs
ML service: 5.131

[nathanKent]

I think it's less about the money and more about how they spin it when someone puts a mic in their face. Wood might have collected more money, but he sure as hell knows what to say in an interview. He just strokes that manly beard and says he wants to do whatever it takes to help the team, and we all flash back to memories of 95 mph fastballs, 20 strikeout games, NLCS home runs, and live footage of his insanely hot wife.

[wrigleybum]

Wood took less money to stay with the Cubs because he felt he owed it to them after they gave him chance after chance to come back. Sure, he is motivated somewhat by the money, the Cubs couldn't give him nothing, but he took a hometown discount instead of testing free agency because of loyalty. That and, as Nathan said, he never complained or whined, just kept plugging away.