The Last Cubs' Player To Go Through Arbitration

February 9, 2006 by cubsnet

Everytime the Chicago Cubs are mentioned in the context of arbitration, it is incumbent upon the writer to mention that the Andy McPhail-led Cubs have never had a player's case proceed to the hearing. So who was the last Cubs' player to proceed through an arbitration hearing?

The answer is Mark Grace in 1993, according to SABR's Business of Baseball web site. In 1992, Grace had earned $2.6M while hitting .307/.380/.430. That was good for an OPS 13.5% above league average. His .380 OBA. was 10th in the National League. He also won the Gold Glove at first, his first of four.

Grace pushed for a big raise. Up to $4.1M. The Cubs countered at $3.1M and the team won.

Grace's $3.1M salary would be 6th on the team in 1993, behind Ryne SandbergRandy Myers, Jose Guzman, Shawon Dunston, and Mike Morgan. It was tied for 87th in the majors. The Mets' Bobby Bonilla led the league with a $6.2M salary.

17 other players went through an arbitration hearing in 1993. Only 6 of them won. The biggest winners were Jack McDowell ($4M, White Sox) and Bip Roberts

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