2/20 Theriot arrives after arb hearing

Ryan Theriot arrived at Fitch Park Saturday, eager to get in the batting cage, and said there were no hard feelings between him and the Cubs after losing his arbitration case. Theriot will still receive a significant bonus compared to what he made last year. In 2009, the shortstop was paid $500,000; this year, he’ll make $2.6 million.

“The process itself was very informative,” Theriot said. “It’s a different look at everything, kind of how the numbers go. [It was] long, boring. It’s over now and I’m glad it’s over and we can put that all behind us and get ready to win a pennant this year.”

Sometimes these sessions can be adversarial. After all, the team is trying to prove why the player isn’t worth the money.

“To be honest with you, it wasn’t bad,” Theriot said. “It was a lot of facts from both sides. My focus now is just to come in here and win. It was very interesting, for sure.”

The shortstop said the experience didn’t affect his friendship with GM Jim Hendry.

“It’s part of the game,” Theriot said. “I think Jim’s been fair to me for along time. Those friendships go farther than anything else.”

– Carrie Muskat