For the second straight spring, Jerome Walton expressed bitterness over having his contract renewed by the Cubs Monday.
”Everything they ask me to do, I do,” Walton said. ”It`s sad. You see what other two-year players are making, and they`re getting $80,000 more than me.”
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The Cubs also renewed the contract of Lance Dickson, last year`s No. 1 draft pick, and announced the signing of seven others, including Joe Girardi, Mike Harkey and Dwight Smith. The renewals affect players with fewer than three years` experience, who cannot file for salary arbitration.
Walton reportedly was renewed at about $215,000. The club had offered $225,000, plus $75,000 in incentives linked to playing time; Walton, who has missed one-third of the games in the past two years, reportedly asked for a guarantee of $350,000.
Walton became bitter last year after the Cubs renewed his contract at $185,000; he earlier turned down a $200,000 offer.
”Everybody has their own definition of what`s reasonable,” club President Don Grenesko said. ”Some signings (on other teams) have come in in the last two days that have shown our offers to be very reasonable.”
Maddux leads off: Manager Don Zimmer has picked Greg Maddux to start Friday`s exhibition opener against San Francisco in HoHoKam Park. Zimmer hasn`t announced his Opening Day starter.
Walton sore II: Walton worked out Monday despite a throat infection. ”He`s just real weak,” head trainer John Fiero said. ”It`s hard for him to eat.”