Gordon Wittenmyer Tweets that the Cubs won the arbitration hearing with Ryan Theriot, leaving the shortstop to make "just" $2.6 million.

In the end, the Cubs saved $800,000 by taking Theriot to arbitration. This was the right move, as we argued nearly three weeks ago:

Why? Very soon, the Cubs won't need Theriot - or at least not at shortstop, if virtually every scout and prospect ranking service is to believed. Starlin Castro is the shortstop of the future.

Yes, Theriot could be moved over to second, as he has offered to do in a fit of self-preservation. Or he could be traded, undoubtedly for a reliever. They could non-tender him.

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Whatever happens, the Cubs should not believe he is a vital piece in the coming years - especially when they have a cost-controlled soon-to-be 20-year-old blue-chip prospect waiting in the wings.

That leaves the Cubs in a position of not having to give in to his demands and let this go to arbitration.

And that's just what happened. Even we can get one right every now and then.

Update: MB21 suggests that we are wrong in our logic around Theriot and Castro:

I think it's a terrible mistake for people to be counting on any prospect to take over a key position like SS at Castro's age. There is simply a MUCH, MUCH greater chance Theriot is the team's shortstop in 2016 than there is that Starlin Castro or Hak-Ju Lee is. As much I don't want Theriot on the Cubs, I'd bet a lot of money that Theriot is a much better shortstop than the two of those guys combined. 

Last year we were talking about the possibility of Castillo moving Soto to 1st base. Now we're talking about the possibility of Soto being Rick Wilkins and Robinson Chirinos being the best catcher in the Cubs minor leagues. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if we're sitting here in one year talking about how Darwin Barney is the best Cubs shortstop in the minor leagues. I'd be even less surprised if the Cubs are talking a 2 or 3 year deal with Theriot at some point late in the 2010 season. 

Prospects fail. It's what they're good at. It's what they're best at.

Fair enough. But even if Castro and and Hak-Ju Lee fail, there is absolutely no way Ryan Theriot will be the starting shortstop for the Chicago Cubs in 2016. Or 2014. 2013? Feh.

Theriot is already 30 years old. His absolute best season at the plate was below average. He is serviceable in the field, at best. He was asking for $3.4 million.

That's the longterm solution for the Cubs at short? Really? That can't be replaced or at least come very close to being replaced - cheaply?

Castro and Hak-Ju Lee could be hit by a bus this afternoon (I hope not), and the Cubs still shouldn't have willy-nilly just given a player who should not be in their long-term plans an extra $800,000 (or $400,000) just because he asked for it.