Ohman signs contract? Jim exchanges numbers with Z and Prior.

Thanks to cubs.com-

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070116&content_id=1780177&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

CHICAGO -- The Cubs avoided arbitration with Will Ohman, signing the left-hander to a two-year, $2.5 million deal on Tuesday, and exchanged figures with Carlos Zambrano and Mark Prior, who are seeking raises.
Zambrano and Prior are the only arbitration-eligible players remaining for the Cubs, and they and the team submitted salary figures on Tuesday.
Zambrano, who was paid $6.5 million in 2006, is asking for $15.5 million in 2007. The Cubs countered with an offer of $11.025 million. The right-hander was 16-7 with a 3.41 ERA in 33 starts last season, matching his career high in wins. Zambrano, 25, will be eligible for free agency after the 2007 season, and the Cubs may try to reach an agreement on a long-term deal before Opening Day.
Prior, who is coming off an injury-shortened season in which he was 1-6 in nine starts, is asking for $3.875 million. The Cubs have countered with an offer of $3.4 million. Prior made $3.65 million in 2006.
If the two sides cannot reach an agreement, there will be a hearing in front of an independent arbitrator. The hearings usually take place in February.
The Cubs have not gone to arbitration with a player in the 12 years Andy MacPhail was team president, and the last player to do so with the team was Mark Grace in 1993.
Ohman, 29, set career-highs in 2006 in games (78), innings (65 1/3) and strikeouts (74). He led the team by stranding 80.5 percent of inherited runners and limiting hitters to a .208 batting average. Ohman held opponents scoreless in 63 of his 78 appearances, and he struck out at least one batter in 51 of his 78 outings.

Im glad we got Ohman out of the way, his deal seems fair and he will definitly better this team. As far as Prior goes, he should thank the cubs for making such a great offer, you havent started hardly any games in the past two years, what makes you think you deserve a raise?? Prior shut up and take the cubs offer! Now that i have that off my chest, the two sides are not far apart and should come to an agreement soon.
Now on to Big Z, I do think Z's offer is very reasonable, if Schmidt makes that much then he should.. Yes the cubs are low balling him just to protect themselves. No need to worry cub fans. They will have this done and wont have to meet with an arbitrator, then by or during spring training you will hear that the cubs signed Z to a multi year deal.. Nothing to be worried about.