Prior: "I love playing here...I have no desire to leav

[Laura]

Just a thought - I am surprised that more people are not posting their reactions to this news. I realized after I posted it that it has been briefly discussed in the Lugo thread, but I think its a big deal.

 

This was also posted in the Prior Peeved? thread in discussions, so people commented there as well.

[WrigleyField 22]

I am just glad he did not say he was mad about the trade rumors. However, his words about wanting to stay didn't put a lot of faith in me. I read the trib article, and he basically said he liked the city a lot. He didn't really mention the Cubs organization. I can't blame him.

 

Another guy who could leav, Dusty, also didn't seem like he had much interest in stayng with the organization. He said he didn't lik moving. Didn't say he wants to win with the Cubs.

 

Now, I don't want Dusty to return, but when are we gonna hear someone say how much they wanna play for the Cubs and this organization. I mean, apparently Prior could pitch on the south side and be just as happy, becuase he really just seems like the city.

[A New Era]

 

Now, I don't want Dusty to return, but when are we gonna hear someone say how much they wanna play for the Cubs and this organization. I mean, apparently Prior could pitch on the south side and be just as happy, becuase he really just seems like the city.

 

Juan Pierre. .

 

"I'm really happy to be a Cub". .

 

"When I found out I called him and said, YES SIR! We're back together again" (to Derrick Lee)

 

"I have to admit I have a Ryne Samburg Throwback jersey, and when I found out I tried it on, to see how I looked as a Cub. I looked pretty good, so. ."

 

"If you walk in my house, there is a big picture of the Ivy, blowed up, with me there. ."

 

I beleive alot of the players enjoy playing here and have said they do. Ryan Dempster said he loves playing here. Lee says there's nothing like the energy in Wrigely Feild. And some of them do and just never say it to the media.

[WrigleyField 22]

 

Now, I don't want Dusty to return, but when are we gonna hear someone say how much they wanna play for the Cubs and this organization. I mean, apparently Prior could pitch on the south side and be just as happy, becuase he really just seems like the city.

 

Juan Pierre. .

 

"I'm really happy to be a Cub". .

 

"When I found out I called him and said, YES SIR! We're back together again" (to Derrick Lee)

 

"I have to admit I have a Ryne Samburg Throwback jersey, and when I found out I tried it on, to see how I looked as a Cub. I looked pretty good, so. ."

 

"If you walk in my house, there is a big picture of the Ivy, blowed up, with me there. ."

 

I beleive alot of the players enjoy playing here and have said they do. Ryan Dempster said he loves playing here. Lee says there's nothing like the energy in Wrigely Feild. And some of them do and just never say it to the media.

 

Okay, well you proved me wrong, but I'd still spcifically like to hear Prior say it.

[A New Era]

 

Now, I don't want Dusty to return, but when are we gonna hear someone say how much they wanna play for the Cubs and this organization. I mean, apparently Prior could pitch on the south side and be just as happy, becuase he really just seems like the city.

 

Juan Pierre. .

 

"I'm really happy to be a Cub". .

 

"When I found out I called him and said, YES SIR! We're back together again" (to Derrick Lee)

 

"I have to admit I have a Ryne Samburg Throwback jersey, and when I found out I tried it on, to see how I looked as a Cub. I looked pretty good, so. ."

 

"If you walk in my house, there is a big picture of the Ivy, blowed up, with me there. ."

 

I beleive alot of the players enjoy playing here and have said they do. Ryan Dempster said he loves playing here. Lee says there's nothing like the energy in Wrigely Feild. And some of them do and just never say it to the media.

 

Okay, well you proved me wrong, but I'd still spcifically like to hear Prior say it.

 

 

Yes you did you just weren't listening. . :wink:

[ManCrushOnNomar]

I personally think this is really great news. It's good to hear that Hendry (and Baker) aren't seriously considering the rumors flying around this site and others. It looks like Hendry actually has a plan for this team and isn't in panic mode.

[baseball7897]

I cannot believe Jim was considering to trading Prior. Although it was for one of the top players in the game, you do not win with hitting. You win with pitching, speed, and defense. I think Jim wants to model the Texas Rangers. All hitting no pitching and look were that has gotten them.

[E.J.]

Prior might have wound up on the South Side if traded to Baltimore?

 

Daily Southtown

 

Mark Prior?

 

On the South Side?

 

It won't happen anytime soon, but there was a scenario laid out in which it could have happened.

 

The Boston Globe reported Sunday the White Sox were in on the Miguel Tejada talks with Baltimore. If the Cubs would have traded Prior to the Orioles for the star shortstop, the Sox would have been interested in making a deal with Baltimore for Prior.

 

Could you imagine the ramifications if Prior landed on the South Side? Hendry would have been killed.

[Magnetic Curses]

I cannot believe Jim was considering to trading Prior. Although it was for one of the top players in the game, you do not win with hitting. You win with pitching, speed, and defense. I think Jim wants to model the Texas Rangers. All hitting no pitching and look were that has gotten them.

 

there are several ways to win. pitching is probably the #1 factor. but putting speed and defense on the same plane is just innaccurate. getting on base is much more important than speed or defense. you can't simply win by being fast, nor can you win by having a good defense.

 

defense and speed are nice compliments to the 2 most important factors: pitching and the ability to make fewer outs than anyone else, but they're more peripheral.

 

speed and defense are important in basketball and football, but don't confuse baseball with either of those two sports.

[baseball7897]

Last time I checked the Florida Marlins won the 2003 world series, with pitching SPEED and defense. I believe, and i might be wrong but the Florida Marlins had like 5 to 6 guys who stole more than 15 bases and Pierre and Castilla finsihed in the top 5. If you have guys that steal a base, it changes the whole pitchers mind set, plus it means more RBI situations for your power hitters.

[Magnetic Curses]

Last time I checked the Florida Marlins won the 2003 world series, with pitching SPEED and defense. I believe, and i might be wrong but the Florida Marlins had like 5 to 6 guys who stole more than 15 bases and Pierre and Castilla finsihed in the top 5. If you have guys that steal a base, it changes the whole pitchers mind set, plus it means more RBI situations for your power hitters.

 

the marlins were terrible base stealers in 2003, dead last in stolen base efficiency in the NL with .67%. they were arguably the worst baserunners in the majors that season. did they have speed? yes. did they waste it by running into so many outs? yes.

 

no, they won in the regular season with very good starting pitching. they won in the playoffs because their bats got hot and beckett pitched out of his mind.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Could you imagine the ramifications if Prior landed on the South Side? Hendry would have been killed.

 

Until he died from it.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

You know what just hit me reading this thread...the rotation after Prior and Z.

 

Maddux is a good 4 or 5 at this point, but he's getting more hittable and his HR problem is pretty worrisome. He's gonna be 40 too...

 

Williams has some ugly, ugly periphs. He's really young, but everything is just bleh to me. He's not good at keeping the ball in the park, he doesn't K guys at a league average rate, he doesn't have good control...and I'm not in love with his stuff or conditioning either.

 

And I've already stated my position on Hill.

 

Sadly the next best guy in our rotation may turn out to be Rusch, and he may not even get the shot.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

You know what just hit me reading this thread...the rotation after Prior and Z.

 

Maddux is a good 4 or 5 at this point, but he's getting more hittable and his HR problem is pretty worrisome. He's gonna be 40 too...

 

Williams has some ugly, ugly periphs. He's really young, but everything is just bleh to me. He's not good at keeping the ball in the park, he doesn't K guys at a league average rate, he doesn't have good control...and I'm not in love with his stuff or conditioning either.

 

And I've already stated my position on Hill.

 

Sadly the next best guy in our rotation may turn out to be Rusch, and he may not even get the shot.

 

Aren't you the one who just suggested signing Marc Kroon? And Williams is bleh to you?

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

Besides age and prospect status from like...3 years ago...what's so great about Williams?

 

His stuff isn't even that good for a former top prospect.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

You know what just hit me reading this thread...the rotation after Prior and Z.

 

Maddux is a good 4 or 5 at this point, but he's getting more hittable and his HR problem is pretty worrisome. He's gonna be 40 too...

 

Williams has some ugly, ugly periphs. He's really young, but everything is just bleh to me. He's not good at keeping the ball in the park, he doesn't K guys at a league average rate, he doesn't have good control...and I'm not in love with his stuff or conditioning either.

 

And I've already stated my position on Hill.

 

Sadly the next best guy in our rotation may turn out to be Rusch, and he may not even get the shot.

 

Williams had an ERA, WHIP, K/BB, and OPS against that puts him in the top 30 starters in the NL. That's 2 or 3 starter material.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

Williams had an ERA, WHIP, K/BB, and OPS against that puts him in the top 30 starters in the NL. That's 2 or 3 starter material.

 

His K:BB was a horrible 1.32. So I really doubt that, as league average was around 2.something.

 

His 4.26 ERA would put him 37th right behind Maddux, if he pitched more innings. And his ERA with the Cubs is pretty good, unfortunately I really doubt a guy with a K'ing 59 guys in 106 IP while walking as much as 45 guys would NOT be able to hold that up much longer, especially since he's not very good at keeping the ball in the park.

 

I'm extremely nonplussed by the guy. He's fat, his stuff has regressed since his day as a prospect, and the results are meh at best.

 

Hopefully he comes to camp in better shape and stuff, I'd certainly like to see more from him, and hopefully there IS more to see from him.