Cubs Are Open to Signing or Trading Prior

The Cubs are open to the idea of trading or signing pitcher Mark Prior. The Cubs could keep him to solve everything. The Cubs have until December 12 to make a decision on what they want to do with the pitcher. Mark hasn't pitched in a MLB game since August 10, 2006 where he had a poor performance against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Cubs don't want Prior to regain his old form and go sign with another team next offseason. What the Cubs want to do is tack on an option for the 2009 season. The Cubs can only sign Prior to a minimum of 2.86 million dollars. The Cubs have the option of trading the pitcher while his new team can sort out Prior's contract situation. There's a little bit of upside and the San Diego Padres are reportedly interested in Mark. One last option is for the Cubs to non-tender Prior. The Padres are the only team known to be interested so far. The Cubs may want to sign the former 2003 standout and give Mark Prior one last shot with the Cubs.