Prior and Wood updates

[erik316wttn]

Is it too early to say "Wait till next year?"

[Gunned]

I'd be outraged any other year that Prior isn't going to be back until June.

 

But I'm so used to the way this goes, it doesn't faze me. But still ... the progression we have followed with Prior is absolutely ridiculous. The delayed throwing in spring training due to the "flu" back in December, the behind-closed-doors throwing sessions, not throwing off a mound for weeks, his "shoulder strain" that was supposed to delay him just a few weeks, and now, all of the sudden, he's not due back until June?

 

The whole thing is just silly and insulting.

[NCCubFan]

Is it too early to say "Wait till next year?"

Yes.

[erik316wttn]

Is it too early to say "Wait till next year?"

Yes.

 

I hope I'm wrong, my friend, but I don't think I am.

[NCCubFan]

Is it too early to say "Wait till next year?"

Yes.

 

I hope I'm wrong, my friend, but I don't think I am.

We'll certainly find out. I wasn't seriously trying to tell you what you should think, even if it came off that way. I just think that things are as hopeless as some people seem to think. But discussions would be boring if we didn't have both optimists and pessimists.

[Andy]

I've probably posted this before, but only the Cubs would get 3 of the most talented pitchers of the generation, and watch two injure their careers away while the other one is a headcase. :(

[Jon]

Tried to tell you all---don't get your hopes up. Not with Prior either.

 

Honestly, if you want to be an uber-pessimist, that's fine. But you don't have to preach it like the gospel. We can all see what is going on, and don't need people exacerbating our existing frustration.

 

If you want to vent, that's fine. But the "I told you so" BS is really annoying.

 

Sorry to have annoyed you. I will cut the "I told you so" B.S. immediately.

 

It *definitely* seems like some people on this board won't accept any criticism of the Cubs whatsoever no matter what happens. Not singling anyone out----just seems that way. And that's fine too. But there needs to be some balance to the discussion when catastrophies like Wood & Prior or Lee happen. These are crushing blows. CRUSHING. Some like to ignore them and move on. I don't. And I don't see how either view should be attacked. Seems like people who try to say "things are not good" around here get attacked and labeled. I think that's completely unfair, especially in our current situation.

It's a shame that Wood is going to join the long list of pitchers who had their careers cut short by being delayed a week with tightness below the armpit.

[Sarcastic]

It may be worth noting, for those who haven't seen it, that "Prior not expected back until June" segment in the Tribune indicates that Paul Sullivan doesn't expect him back until June. I have no idea where he got the June date from. It could have been someone with the Cubs, but you'd think he would have cited at least an anonymous source if that were the case.

 

On the other hand, even if he were guessing, considering the Cubs' track record there may be a 50/50 chance he's right anyway.

[Soul]

Tried to tell you all---don't get your hopes up. Not with Prior either.

 

Honestly, if you want to be an uber-pessimist, that's fine. But you don't have to preach it like the gospel. We can all see what is going on, and don't need people exacerbating our existing frustration.

 

If you want to vent, that's fine. But the "I told you so" BS is really annoying.

 

Sorry to have annoyed you. I will cut the "I told you so" B.S. immediately.

 

It *definitely* seems like some people on this board won't accept any criticism of the Cubs whatsoever no matter what happens. Not singling anyone out----just seems that way. And that's fine too. But there needs to be some balance to the discussion when catastrophies like Wood & Prior or Lee happen. These are crushing blows. CRUSHING. Some like to ignore them and move on. I don't. And I don't see how either view should be attacked. Seems like people who try to say "things are not good" around here get attacked and labeled. I think that's completely unfair, especially in our current situation.

It's a shame that Wood is going to join the long list of pitchers who had their careers cut short by being delayed a week with tightness below the armpit.

 

I was more referring to Lee, and Wood & Prior being unable to be healthy in general.

 

But it does bring up a good point that I find myslef wondering about.

 

Is Wood really unable to continue his training regimen? Or are the Cubs just treating him with too much sensitivity? If he's really that fragile that he can't get through a simple ramp-up to regular season strength, then maybe his career is just about over. But I wonder if they are just being too careful. Everyone has aches and pains. At some point don't you have to play through them?

 

If I decided to skip work every time I woke up feeling less than my best, I'd use up my sick days in no time. I hope the Cubs aren't denying Wood a chance at getting his career back on track just because they can't distinguish between a normal body ache and something more serious.

[Blueheart05]

It may be worth noting, for those who haven't seen it, that "Prior not expected back until June" segment in the Tribune indicates that Paul Sullivan doesn't expect him back until June. I have no idea where he got the June date from. It could have been someone with the Cubs, but you'd think he would have cited at least an anonymous source if that were the case.

 

On the other hand, even if he were guessing, considering the Cubs' track record there may be a 50/50 chance he's right anyway.

 

That's true. I don't know why Sullivan's word is being so readily accepted. I heard on the radio (B&B) that sources said Prior and Wood were expected in May. Add to that, Jim Hendry just said in the pregame that his "pitching reinforcements" would return in May. I also read in a Cubs.com article that Miller is expected around June 1st. He''s suppose to be the furthest away from return.

[cubfan1955]

Sullivan is probably just using the formula:

 

Take the Cubs best guess and add 2 to 4 weeks.

[Soul]

I think we should bring Prior back in a couple weeks.

 

Enough babying with these guys. He can throw. So throw.

[Jehrico]

It may be worth noting, for those who haven't seen it, that "Prior not expected back until June" segment in the Tribune indicates that Paul Sullivan doesn't expect him back until June. I have no idea where he got the June date from. It could have been someone with the Cubs, but you'd think he would have cited at least an anonymous source if that were the case.

 

On the other hand, even if he were guessing, considering the Cubs' track record there may be a 50/50 chance he's right anyway.

 

That's true. I don't know why Sullivan's word is being so readily accepted. I heard on the radio (B&B) that sources said Prior and Wood were expected in May. Add to that, Jim Hendry just said in the pregame that his "pitching reinforcements" would return in May. I also read in a Cubs.com article that Miller is expected around June 1st. He''s suppose to be the furthest away from return.

 

What happened to Miller being right behind Wood, as they kept saying in ST?

[hawkeyecub]

I think we should bring Prior back in a couple weeks.

 

Enough babying with these guys. He can throw. So throw.

 

Yeah that makes sense.

 

Even if they did that, you'd complain when he came back and got injured because he hadn't thrown that many pitches. Or complain when he wasn't effective. Or complain that he was on a pitch count.

[Jon]

I was more referring to Lee, and Wood & Prior being unable to be healthy in general.

 

But it does bring up a good point that I find myslef wondering about.

 

Is Wood really unable to continue his training regimen? Or are the Cubs just treating him with too much sensitivity? If he's really that fragile that he can't get through a simple ramp-up to regular season strength, then maybe his career is just about over. But I wonder if they are just being too careful. Everyone has aches and pains. At some point don't you have to play through them?

 

If I decided to skip work every time I woke up feeling less than my best, I'd use up my sick days in no time. I hope the Cubs aren't denying Wood a chance at getting his career back on track just because they can't distinguish between a normal body ache and something more serious.

The Cubs are being pretty careful, but I don't think this is a case of holding him back too much. I slightly pulled something in the same area that Wood reported tightness and I can certainly see how that might hurt his mechanics. And if he hurts that muscle because he tried to pitch through it, that could really set him back since he wouldn't be able to throw at all while it was healing up.

 

Jehrico- They've been saying recently that Miller was about two weeks behind Wood. Since they needed to make a move on the 40-man roster and since Miller looked like he could be ready in late May, they probably felt it was the best move. Worst-case scenario is that Miller will be ready a week before he can be activated. If that's the case, he can just get in another rehab start.

[Soul]

I think we should bring Prior back in a couple weeks.

 

Enough babying with these guys. He can throw. So throw.

 

Yeah that makes sense.

 

Even if they did that, you'd complain when he came back and got injured because he hadn't thrown that many pitches. Or complain when he wasn't effective. Or complain that he was on a pitch count.

 

Yes, because everything's wonderful. Nothing to complain about here! Keep drinking that koolade man.

[Soul]

I was more referring to Lee, and Wood & Prior being unable to be healthy in general.

 

But it does bring up a good point that I find myslef wondering about.

 

Is Wood really unable to continue his training regimen? Or are the Cubs just treating him with too much sensitivity? If he's really that fragile that he can't get through a simple ramp-up to regular season strength, then maybe his career is just about over. But I wonder if they are just being too careful. Everyone has aches and pains. At some point don't you have to play through them?

 

If I decided to skip work every time I woke up feeling less than my best, I'd use up my sick days in no time. I hope the Cubs aren't denying Wood a chance at getting his career back on track just because they can't distinguish between a normal body ache and something more serious.

The Cubs are being pretty careful, but I don't think this is a case of holding him back too much. I slightly pulled something in the same area that Wood reported tightness and I can certainly see how that might hurt his mechanics. And if he hurts that muscle because he tried to pitch through it, that could really set him back since he wouldn't be able to throw at all while it was healing up.

 

Yes, but if it's a pull then that's different...

 

If that's really the case then I hold very little hope Wood will ever be back.

 

At any rate, if he's really this fragile then I don't see how he's going to be able to ever start on a regular basis.

[XZero771679666304]

Tried to tell you all---don't get your hopes up. Not with Prior either.

 

Honestly, if you want to be an uber-pessimist, that's fine. But you don't have to preach it like the gospel. We can all see what is going on, and don't need people exacerbating our existing frustration.

 

If you want to vent, that's fine. But the "I told you so" BS is really annoying.

 

Sorry to have annoyed you. I will cut the "I told you so" B.S. immediately.

 

It *definitely* seems like some people on this board won't accept any criticism of the Cubs whatsoever no matter what happens. Not singling anyone out----just seems that way. And that's fine too. But there needs to be some balance to the discussion when catastrophies like Wood & Prior or Lee happen. These are crushing blows. CRUSHING. Some like to ignore them and move on. I don't. And I don't see how either view should be attacked. Seems like people who try to say "things are not good" around here get attacked and labeled. I think that's completely unfair, especially in our current situation.

 

Just because everyone isn't dwelling on the problems doesn't mean we aren't all acutely aware of ther severity of the situation. Hand wringing, Chicken Littling and moaning isn't going to help matters anymore than being too optimistic. If you want to be pessimistic (and the reality probably lies between where you are and where the kool-aid drinkers are), that's fine. But you seem to be on a crusade to put everyone in the same mindset you are. The situation is really bad, and nearly all of us realize it fully.

 

You aren't a voice of reason enlightening the blissfully ignorant, you are behaving like child running around saying "nah-nah, told you so!", and it's incredibly lame. We all see the same stuff you do, but not everyone chooses to let it effect them the same way you do. I'd bet that 95% of the people here aren't in denial, but just choose not to allow the circumstances to make them completely miserable. At least not outwardly.

 

If the fact that not everyone here isn't pissing and moaning like you are bothers you so much, you have bigger problems than the Cubs. Maybe it's a misery loves company thing, I don't know.

 

If you want to moan, then moan. That's fine. But don't label people ignorant just because they don't behave like you.

[Soul]

Tried to tell you all---don't get your hopes up. Not with Prior either.

 

Honestly, if you want to be an uber-pessimist, that's fine. But you don't have to preach it like the gospel. We can all see what is going on, and don't need people exacerbating our existing frustration.

 

If you want to vent, that's fine. But the "I told you so" BS is really annoying.

 

Sorry to have annoyed you. I will cut the "I told you so" B.S. immediately.

 

It *definitely* seems like some people on this board won't accept any criticism of the Cubs whatsoever no matter what happens. Not singling anyone out----just seems that way. And that's fine too. But there needs to be some balance to the discussion when catastrophies like Wood & Prior or Lee happen. These are crushing blows. CRUSHING. Some like to ignore them and move on. I don't. And I don't see how either view should be attacked. Seems like people who try to say "things are not good" around here get attacked and labeled. I think that's completely unfair, especially in our current situation.

 

Just because everyone isn't dwelling on the problems doesn't mean we aren't all acutely aware of ther severity of the situation. Hand wringing, Chicken Littling and moaning isn't going to help matters anymore than being too optimistic. If you want to be pessimistic (and the reality probably lies between where you are and where the kool-aid drinkers are), that's fine. But you seem to be on a crusade to put everyone in the same mindset you are. The situation is really bad, and nearly all of us realize it fully.

 

You aren't a voice of reason enlightening the blissfully ignorant, you are behaving like child running around saying "nah-nah, told you so!", and it's incredibly lame. We all see the same stuff you do, but not everyone chooses to let it effect them the same way you do. I'd bet that 95% of the people here aren't in denial, but just choose not to allow the circumstances to make them completely miserable. At least not outwardly.

 

If the fact that not everyone here isn't pissing and moaning like you are bothers you so much, you have bigger problems than the Cubs. Maybe it's a misery loves company thing, I don't know.

 

If you want to moan, then moan. That's fine. But don't label people ignorant just because they don't behave like you.

 

My big problem in life is that I'm addicted to a ballclub that never wins. Of that, I plead guilty. I don't feel like I'm whining. I'm just telling it like it is. It's bad.

 

By the way----remaining optimistic isn't going to help either. Unless you have found a way to influence the outcome of games from your lazy-boy. If so, please share.

 

Nobody was a bigger optimist in 2003 than me. And nobody was more optimistic heading into the 2004 season that me. If it's good, I say it's good. It just so happens that right now, it isn't. And it hasn't been for awhile. That doesn't make me a pessimist. It's just reality.

 

I will try to be sensitive to making it sound like others are ignorant. I certainly don't believe that-----in fact, I consider myself far less knowledgeable about the intricacies of the game than many on this board. But I will not stop telling it like it is--as I see it.

[Jon]

Yes, but if it's a pull then that's different...

 

If that's really the case then I hold very little hope Wood will ever be back.

 

At any rate, if he's really this fragile then I don't see how he's going to be able to ever start on a regular basis.

The point was that it's in an area that may hurt his pitching and could get further aggrevated.

 

I don't see what this has to do with Wood's pain endurance or ability to stay healthy. Let's not forget that this isn't even an arm issue.

 

 

I assume he threw today. According to Cubs.com, he'll throw to hitters on Monday or Tuesday.

[Brian]

I assume he threw today.

 

that's a dangerous thing to do with our pitchers :(

[Soul]

Yes, but if it's a pull then that's different...

 

If that's really the case then I hold very little hope Wood will ever be back.

 

At any rate, if he's really this fragile then I don't see how he's going to be able to ever start on a regular basis.

The point was that it's in an area that may hurt his pitching and could get further aggrevated.

 

I don't see what this has to do with Wood's pain endurance or ability to stay healthy. Let's not forget that this isn't even an arm issue.

 

 

I assume he threw today. According to Cubs.com, he'll throw to hitters on Monday or Tuesday.

 

Something's just not right with this whole situation. This just doesn't happen. Seriously. It's the equivalent of a person not being able to ride a bicycle for 7 straight days without pulling a calf muscle---even going at a leisurely pace.

 

Especially for guys as well-built as Woody & Prior. These continued injuries, pulls, and twinges even just throwing simulated games for a couple weeks? That doesn't happen. There are pieces of this puzzle still missing. It's not adding up.

 

As someone was fond of saying: "Something ain't stirring the Kool-ade, Ace."

[hawkeyecub]

I think we should bring Prior back in a couple weeks.

 

Enough babying with these guys. He can throw. So throw.

 

Yeah that makes sense.

 

Even if they did that, you'd complain when he came back and got injured because he hadn't thrown that many pitches. Or complain when he wasn't effective. Or complain that he was on a pitch count.

 

Yes, because everything's wonderful. Nothing to complain about here! Keep drinking that koolade man.

 

What in the world are you talking about? When did I once say anything was wonderful or there was nothing to complain about?

Secondly, did you come up with that kool-aid line on your own? I've never heard that one before. Nice orignality. By the way if you want to use it, you may want to learn how to actually spell the word.

 

Finally don't accuse me of "drinking the kool-aid" simply because I don't agree with your insane idea that doesn't have the slightest bit of logic. "He can throw a ball, so obviously he should be able to start a major league game already."

Brilliant!

[gflore34]

At what point do we give up and accept the fact that Prior and Wood are never going to pitch as Cubs?

[Blueheart05]

At what point do we give up and accept the fact that Prior and Wood are never going to pitch as Cubs?

 

Certainly not in 2006. However, there's a chance Wood won't be pitching for the Cubs next year. :wink: