how many more bad starts til mark prior "jumps the shar

[ltb]

another reason we won't shut prior down: we "owe" it to the other teams to run our best lineup out there.

 

who cares about seeing what we've got for next year, we better help out the dbacks by beating their rivals!

 

if he is injured, shut him down for the rest of the season. it's over. give him a chance to actually start game 2 of the season next year.

[illiniguy]

another reason we won't shut prior down: we "owe" it to the other teams to run our best lineup out there.

 

who cares about seeing what we've got for next year, we better help out the dbacks by beating their rivals!

 

if he is injured, shut him down for the rest of the season. it's over. give him a chance to actually start game 2 of the season next year.

Hopefully we add another quality sp so he starts game 3. Does anyone else feel sad that the great Mark Prior came and went so quickly? It's like we really didn't even get to know him.

[ltb]

Hopefully we add another quality sp so he starts game 3. Does anyone else feel sad that the great Mark Prior came and went so quickly? It's like we really didn't even get to know him.

 

it's ok, we got to the nlcs! that's all that matters dude.

 

thanks dusty!

[illiniguy]

Hopefully we add another quality sp so he starts game 3. Does anyone else feel sad that the great Mark Prior came and went so quickly? It's like we really didn't even get to know him.

 

it's ok, we got to the nlcs! that's all that matters dude.

 

thanks dusty!

and to think that one year only cost us two once in a generation arms.

[USSoccer]

Hopefully we add another quality sp so he starts game 3. Does anyone else feel sad that the great Mark Prior came and went so quickly? It's like we really didn't even get to know him.

 

it's ok, we got to the nlcs! that's all that matters dude.

 

thanks dusty!

 

http://www.worldwide-web.com/JeffreyBabad/Simpsons/Nick/nick.jpg

 

Don't forget to thank our training staff.

[RynoRules]

I think he's injured.

 

me, too

 

Me three.

 

Most frightening, IMO, is his inability to throw strikes.

[ToupeeOnFire]

My opinion of Mark Prior is just to let him pitch, make him understand that the Cubs are out of it and that there is no pressure, and tell him to approach the last couple of months of the season as if it were spring training in order to get back where he needs to be.

 

But now, talk of his shoulder? What the hell is going on here? Why is he pitching in the first place? I don't think it is possible to handle two young, injured pitchers any worse than the Cubs have handled Kerry Wood and Mark Prior. It's almost scandalous.

 

I'm just reminded about earlier in the year, prior to opening day, when the rumors of Prior having arm problems first appeared which the Cubs angrily and vociferously denied. I was one of those who doubted Will Carroll's credibility on the issue. Well, shame on me. It's unbelievable how ineptly the Cubs have handled this. This whole organization needs to be flushed.

[goonys evil twin]

My opinion of Mark Prior is just to let him pitch, make him understand that the Cubs are out of it and that there is no pressure, and tell him to approach the last couple of months of the season as if it were spring training in order to get back where he needs to be.

 

But now, talk of his shoulder? What the hell is going on here? Why is he pitching in the first place? I don't think it is possible to handle two young, injured pitchers any worse than the Cubs have handled Kerry Wood and Mark Prior. It's almost scandalous.

 

I'm just reminded about earlier in the year, prior to opening day, when the rumors of Prior having arm problems first appeared which the Cubs angrily and vociferously denied. I was one of those who doubted Will Carroll's credibility on the issue. Well, shame on me. It's unbelievable how ineptly the Cubs have handled this. This whole organization needs to be flushed.

 

I share your opinion. Nothing can be gained from a trip to Iowa. If he's healthy enough to pitch, let him pitch his way through this.

 

However, if there's a real injury issue, then shut him down. My opinion is that he has to get his feel back for pitching, at least, that's my hope.

[CheeseHead Cubs Fan]

Frankly, he is the most overrated pitcher in the whole game. He had one good year, that is it! He is soft and gets way to much love on this board for the numbers he has put up over the past two seasons.

 

Should have traded him for Tejada when we had a chance, this guy will be your average right-handed, oft injured pitcher the rest of his career.

[rocket]

Frankly, he is the most overrated pitcher in the whole game. He had one good year, that is it! He is soft and gets way to much love on this board for the numbers he has put up over the past two seasons.

 

Should have traded him for Tejada when we had a chance, this guy will be your average right-handed, oft injured pitcher the rest of his career.

 

Not true.

 

He was good in 2002. Amazing in 2003. Good in 2004. And good in 2005.

[Sammy Sofa]

Frankly, he is the most overrated pitcher in the whole game. He had one good year, that is it! He is soft and gets way to much love on this board for the numbers he has put up over the past two seasons.

 

Should have traded him for Tejada when we had a chance, this guy will be your average right-handed, oft injured pitcher the rest of his career.

 

As it's been pointed out, you were wrong on the "only good for one year part." While nobody can deny Wood and Prior have missed way too much time to injuries, it never ceases to amaze and frustrate me when people say either pitcher only had "one good year" when for both that's far, FAR understating their careers.

 

Secondly, the Tejada deal, if it was ever out there, wanted more than just Prior, probably Pie as well. Not worth it...not even close.

[CheeseHead Cubs Fan]

It's just tough to root for a guy who is 1-6 with a 7.00+ ERA, even if his last name is Prior. Are you kidding me? He lasted 3 inning yesterday and looked horrible!

 

He's done, nothing, over, move on!

[gflore34]

As a few have already stated I believe something is wrong, I'm not ready to give up on Mark Prior. In the off-season, should he get traded for the peanuts he's currently worth to a competent Organization; it'll go down like the Lou Brock trade. That Organization will find out what's wrong and take whatever time is necessary for a 100% Prior who, will perform as expected - book it.

[Sammy Sofa]

Nobody is expecting anyone to be happy with the product Prior is putting out on the field, but how do you propose to "get rid of him?" His value is about as low as it can go and the Cubs have him cheap through the end of next year. Dumping him now for nothing is moronic.

[gflore34]

Of course it's moronic but, Hendry did, amongst other moves, sign Perez and Rusch to multi-year contracts and, will probably do so with Pierre along counting again on Prior and Wood being healthy. You don't believe he's capable of such stupidity? Honestly, wouldn't Hendry salivate over an offer of Jeff Suppan and Aaron Miles for Prior? Or, Jason Marquis and Aaron Miles?

[badger1679666666]

It's just tough to root for a guy who is 1-6 with a 7.00+ ERA, even if his last name is Prior. Are you kidding me? He lasted 3 inning yesterday and looked horrible!

 

He's done, nothing, over, move on!

 

Hayyyy what did you win today? The award for

 

"Making a baseless statement, getting pwned by Rocket Sauce, then totally ignoring said pwning and continuing on with more intelligent analysis".

 

Awesome.

[baseball7897]

It's just tough to root for a guy who is 1-6 with a 7.00+ ERA, even if his last name is Prior. Are you kidding me? He lasted 3 inning yesterday and looked horrible!

 

He's done, nothing, over, move on!

 

I dont think Prior is done. He is just going through a hard time right now. If you ask me, he still has a shoulder issue. All of his pitches are not as sharp as they were last year, or in 03. His fastball seems to be cutting, not sure if he is throwing a cutter, but that could be a sign he still has a shoulder problem.

[Laura]

My thoughts about a minor league assignment (Iowa or West Tenn) were predicated on Prior being healthy and having clearance to continue pitching. Obviously, if there are any lingering doubts about that, shut him down and have him x-ray, MRI'd, dissected, whatever remains to be done. The focus is recovery and -- if that can be achieved -- preparation for next season.

 

The gist I get from the post-game press availability is that Prior doesn't want to be shut down. At this point, I just wonder how much good it does to have him take more lumps at the MLB level, since it seems evident that the problems aren't going to be worked through over the next couple of starts. I don't know how much good it's going to do him or the Cubs to get booed at Wrigley. Maybe it would help to get away from the semi-hysterical media coverage (I'm lumping radio shows and everything else under that umbrella).

 

Given that Rothschild has been present while a lot of things that we complain about and lament (including the '03 NCSL games) played out in front of him, I just don't have much faith in his abilities to assist Prior in working through this. Maybe that's unfair of me, but that's how it is.

 

I really don't know. Just some thoughts.

 

Bruce has the best coverage of the post-game media availability -- almost a transcript.

[gflore34]

Regardless of what Prior says or thinks what about the physical evidence? Keeps missing high, velocity is down, if he was as heallthy as Prior and Cubs claim, would this be as ongoing as it has? Haven't Baker or Rothschild noticed this?

[baseball7897]

Regardless of what Prior says or thinks what about the physical evidence? Keeps missing high, velocity is down, if he was as heallthy as Prior and Cubs claim, would this be as ongoing as it has? Haven't Baker or Rothschild noticed this?

 

His start at Wrigley against the Pirates I think it was, Prior hit 94mph on his fastball. I didnt watch yesterday's game, so I have no idea where his velocity was at.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

It's just tough to root for a guy who is 1-6 with a 7.00+ ERA, even if his last name is Prior. Are you kidding me? He lasted 3 inning yesterday and looked horrible!

 

He's done, nothing, over, move on!

 

Root for him to recover to his 2002-2005 form.

 

His 2005 was pretty good, if you're ready to give up on him 1 season later, you'd have a tough time filling the roster because many a player goes through major season-long slumps one year or another.

[Sammy Sofa]

It was definitely a case of Dr. Jeckyl/Mr. Prior yesterday...after those decent starts it might as well have been his first game this year. And I know I keep saying it, but he physically looked awful as well. Maybe he's injured, or maybe he's just sick. He was very pale and pasty, dark circles around his eyes...he just generally looked very unwell.

[Sammy Sofa]

From Bruce's article:

 

Here is how his postgame exchange with reporters went:

 

Question: Can you put your finger on anything as far as the inconsistency?

 

Prior: No. I have some ideas, but I’ll keep those private. I’m just not finding the plate, just not being aggressive.

 

Question: Health-wise, you’re OK, you think?

 

Prior: Yeah, I mean, it’s obviously been a long year. Things haven’t been as great as I would have liked them to be. I’ve just got to try to keep figuring things out and just try to get back to the way I know I can throw. Let’s try to keep evaluating and move forward.

 

Question: Five days from now, you expect to be out there?

 

Prior: Yeah, we’ll see what happens. Obviously, I haven’t pitched well. I didn’t pitch well today. But we’ll see where we’re at.

 

Question: Do you feel as confident on the mound as you used to?

 

Prior: Yeah, I feel fine on the mound. It’s not a matter of confidence. I know what I can do. It’s just things don’t match up upstairs with … I know what I want to do. I know how to get the guys out. I just haven’t been able to physically execute what I want to do.

 

Question: Do you think of shutting down for the rest of the year?

 

Prior: What do you think? You know the answer’s no.

[CheeseHead Cubs Fan]

It's just tough to root for a guy who is 1-6 with a 7.00+ ERA, even if his last name is Prior. Are you kidding me? He lasted 3 inning yesterday and looked horrible!

 

He's done, nothing, over, move on!

 

Hayyyy what did you win today? The award for

 

"Making a baseless statement, getting pwned by Rocket Sauce, then totally ignoring said pwning and continuing on with more intelligent analysis".

 

Awesome.

 

Thanks for the award, although I do not believe it is deserved.

 

Rocket pointed out his opinion on Prior's good seasons.. 02, 03 (yes he was awesome) and his 04, 05 numbers are respectable.

 

What I am simply saying is he is not the same pitcher and is at best an average pitcher throughout the league. He still sits at a record of 1-6 with an ERA pushing 8.00. Is he done? I hope not; however my gut feeling and I imagine others feel the same way is that he will never be the same pitcher he was in 2003.

 

I hope I am wrong and will root for Prior to return to the dominate status he once had. Then you can award me with the overreaction post of the year and I will humbly accept.

[fiver]

It's just tough to root for a guy who is 1-6 with a 7.00+ ERA, even if his last name is Prior. Are you kidding me? He lasted 3 inning yesterday and looked horrible!

 

He's done, nothing, over, move on!

 

Hayyyy what did you win today? The award for

 

"Making a baseless statement, getting pwned by Rocket Sauce, then totally ignoring said pwning and continuing on with more intelligent analysis".

 

Awesome.

 

while i agree with the sentiments...why would one use terminology such as "pwned" or 'pwning'? I'm 27, still fairly young, and I'm baffled. I would expect my niece or nephews to use such terminology if they were obnoxious. Thankfully, they aren't.

 

Again, I do agree with the sentiments outlined in your post.

 

Edit - actually, I just agree that it may not be wise to evaluate Prior as "done, nothing, etc".

Edited August 11, 2006 by fiver