According to a report from Bruce Levine, the Cubs and Ryan Theriot have cut off negotiations … and appear to be headed for an arbitration hearing.
The hearing will likely be held in St. Petersburg, between February 8 and February 20. Ryan Theriot made $500,000 in 2009. He submitted a $3.4 million figure in his first year of arbitration eligibility. The Cubs offered $2.6 million.
Major League Baseball and the players union usually refuse to give out dates to the media in advance of arbitration hearings. The reason is both sides want the independent arbitrator to not have any knowledge or be able to research the cases they will hear. Arbitrators are given cases randomly on the day the case is heard.
Theriot’s agents are asking for $3.4 million. The Cubs’ offer was $2.6 million. Only the two sides can settle for a different salary amount.
Once the case begins, the arbitrator must pick either figure, with no exception.
Stay Tuned …