Prior to DL

[NCCubFan]

Funny, in January we were supposed to have six veterans for five spots.

 

Z

Prior

Wood

Maddux

Williams/Rusch

With one more (Miller) joining the mix in May.

[RynoRules]

Olney:

 

Mark Prior is done for the year, it appears, but as Cubs trainer Mark O'Neal says, the larger question now for Prior is this: What is causing the tendinitis in his shoulder?

 

 

Tendinitis is a symptom, the way a runny nose is a symptom of a cold. Prior has a problem in his shoulder, and right now, he wants no part of surgery. It may be that the Cubs will ascertain what the problem is, through trial and error of nonsurgical procedures. It may be that they'll never know.

 

 

 

No matter what the core problem is, the Cubs have to go into next season planning around Prior. They have to treat him as a wild card; if he comes back and regains his dominance, that can all be a plus, a bonus. But his medical history is such that the Cubs should never again plan on him being a pillar of the organization.

 

ESPN

[J.R.]

The thought occurred to me as I walked out of Wrigley on 10/3/03 - "what if this is as good as it will get with Prior?"

 

I shrugged it off as typical Cub fan fatalism, and never took it seriously until now. This sucks.

[neely crenshaw]

everyone that pitches for any length of time gets tendonitis. it usually does not diminsh your velocity long term. perhaps a start or two.

prior has something wrong with him and once again the cubs are not being honest about it. perhaps it's the same tear that he supposedly didn't have in the spring.

the problem with arm injuries that unless you have a measurable problem like a torn cuff there is absolutely no way to know how bad it is. we will never know if prior is soft for not pitching more or really tough for pitching as much as he has. i hope it works out. i really like him but just as i said with wood if they can deal him for anything and not pay any of his salary, they need to do it. as long as they spend the money (and wood-maddux') on pitchers to take their place.

if we are going to go you, then why not see what happens with him. we won't win for years with that movement so ride it out.

[Laura]

This reminds me of the Wood saga. He was shut down with bursitus and shoulder inflammation and, at one point, triceps problems. My completely amateur guess would be that Prior has some underlying shoulder issue (torn rotator cuff muscle like Wood?); he suspects this as well; and he's probably rather adament -- at least so far -- against going for a surgical fix.

 

It's hard for me to believe that the Cubs weren't operating under the premise that Prior had some sort of high-injury-risk condition lurking for the past couple of spring trainings.

 

And no, Prior shouldn't be counted on to fill a rotation spot next year unless it's in the minor leagues. Much as it saddens me to say that.

 

But his medical history is such that the Cubs should never again plan on him being a pillar of the organization.

 

The Cubs' history of addressing medical problems is such that the Cubs should never again plan on him being a pillar of the organization.

[Laura]

Cubs.com[/url]"]

"Even if I don't make it back to throwing in games, I want to get back to throwing, so I can throw in October and November and start to prepare in the offseason," [Prior] said. "You want to go into the offseason healthy and in the right frame of mind with no lingering question marks."

 

If Prior isn't able to pitch before the season ends Oct. 1, he said he'd consider pitching in the Cubs' instructional league in Mesa, Ariz., or in the Arizona Fall League if possible. Ending this year at 1-6 with a 7.21 ERA in nine starts is tough to stomach.

 

"I've tried to stay positive," Prior said. "Obviously, this year was a horrible year for me and a bad year for the team. You just stay positive and look forward.

 

"My goal is to go in and be ready to throw off the mound in September sometime," he said. "From a practical sense, it doesn't look too good, but there still is that hope."

[CuseCubFan69]

Cubs.com[/url]"]

"Even if I don't make it back to throwing in games, I want to get back to throwing, so I can throw in October and November and start to prepare in the offseason," [Prior] said. "You want to go into the offseason healthy and in the right frame of mind with no lingering question marks."

 

If Prior isn't able to pitch before the season ends Oct. 1, he said he'd consider pitching in the Cubs' instructional league in Mesa, Ariz., or in the Arizona Fall League if possible. Ending this year at 1-6 with a 7.21 ERA in nine starts is tough to stomach.

 

"I've tried to stay positive," Prior said. "Obviously, this year was a horrible year for me and a bad year for the team. You just stay positive and look forward.

 

"My goal is to go in and be ready to throw off the mound in September sometime," he said. "From a practical sense, it doesn't look too good, but there still is that hope."

 

It's nice to read he is willing to do the work to get ready and I hope it works out for him and the team. I just hope the best possible people are looking at him and not Dr. Nick.

[USSoccer]

Cubs.com[/url]"]

"Even if I don't make it back to throwing in games, I want to get back to throwing, so I can throw in October and November and start to prepare in the offseason," [Prior] said. "You want to go into the offseason healthy and in the right frame of mind with no lingering question marks."

 

If Prior isn't able to pitch before the season ends Oct. 1, he said he'd consider pitching in the Cubs' instructional league in Mesa, Ariz., or in the Arizona Fall League if possible. Ending this year at 1-6 with a 7.21 ERA in nine starts is tough to stomach.

 

"I've tried to stay positive," Prior said. "Obviously, this year was a horrible year for me and a bad year for the team. You just stay positive and look forward.

 

"My goal is to go in and be ready to throw off the mound in September sometime," he said. "From a practical sense, it doesn't look too good, but there still is that hope."

 

It's nice to read he is willing to do the work to get ready and I hope it works out for him and the team. I just hope the best possible people are looking at him and not Dr. Nick.

 

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

 

"Maybe if I cut this red...oops! That was your UCL!"

[Banedon]

Maybe I'm reading too much into this....

 

''It wasn't one pitch,'' he said. ''I kind of had a bad feeling going into it. I didn't feel comfortable in between starts, but I didn't feel uncomfortable, if that makes any sense. Just during warmups something wasn't clicking.''

 

That sounds more mental than physical to me. I wonder if he's having trouble mentally getting ready to face batters. I hesitate to say this, because I'm don't really believe this, but is this maybe the less wild version of Ankiel?

 

Again maybe I'm reading too much into this, and he's talking about how his shoulder felt, but he never really says that...

[CuseCubFan69]

Maybe I'm reading too much into this....

 

''It wasn't one pitch,'' he said. ''I kind of had a bad feeling going into it. I didn't feel comfortable in between starts, but I didn't feel uncomfortable, if that makes any sense. Just during warmups something wasn't clicking.''

 

That sounds more mental than physical to me. I wonder if he's having trouble mentally getting ready to face batters. I hesitate to say this, because I'm don't really believe this, but is this maybe the less wild version of Ankiel?

 

Again maybe I'm reading too much into this, and he's talking about how his shoulder felt, but he never really says that...

 

It could be he has no mental toughness. It's like somebody got some kryptinite(sp) and put it in his head.

[CubinNY]

(If Prior is 100% healthy)

 

I am probably living in fantasy land here, but if I were Hendry I'd explore an A-Rod for Prior deal. Take on all of the salary the Yankees are paying. No prospects.

 

I'd put A-Rod back at SS and move Neifi, Jr. for whatever I could get.

 

Then I'd keep Murton in LF. Everyone wants the Cubs to get a big bat in LF. Is Carlos Lee that player? I don't think so. In addition, he will be fabuously over-paid for the remainder of his time in the bigs.

 

Murton

A-Rod

Lee

Aramis

Barrett

Jones

Cedeno

Slappy (I'd like the Cubs to explore other options in CF but I don't know who is available)

 

That is a batting order that will compete for the WS, not just the division.

[Sammy Sofa]

(If Prior is 100% healthy)

 

I am probably living in fantasy land here, but if I were Hendry I'd explore an A-Rod for Prior deal. Take on all of the salary the Yankees are paying. No prospects.

 

I'd put A-Rod back at SS and move Neifi, Jr. for whatever I could get.

 

Then I'd keep Murton in LF. Everyone wants the Cubs to get a big bat in LF. Is Carlos Lee that player? I don't think so. In addition, he will be fabuously over-paid for the remainder of his time in the bigs.

 

Murton

A-Rod

Lee

Aramis

Barrett

Jones

Cedeno

Slappy (I'd like the Cubs to explore other options in CF but I don't know who is available)

 

That is a batting order that will compete for the WS, not just the division.

 

There's no way the Yankees give up A-Rod's offense for just pitching, especially damaged goods like Prior. He couldn't just come back healthy next year for this to work...he'd need to at least be back at his 2003 level.

[CubinNY]

(If Prior is 100% healthy)

 

I am probably living in fantasy land here, but if I were Hendry I'd explore an A-Rod for Prior deal. Take on all of the salary the Yankees are paying. No prospects.

 

I'd put A-Rod back at SS and move Neifi, Jr. for whatever I could get.

 

Then I'd keep Murton in LF. Everyone wants the Cubs to get a big bat in LF. Is Carlos Lee that player? I don't think so. In addition, he will be fabuously over-paid for the remainder of his time in the bigs.

 

Murton

A-Rod

Lee

Aramis

Barrett

Jones

Cedeno

Slappy (I'd like the Cubs to explore other options in CF but I don't know who is available)

 

That is a batting order that will compete for the WS, not just the division.

 

There's no way the Yankees give up A-Rod's offense for just pitching, especially damaged goods like Prior. He couldn't just come back healthy next year for this to work...he'd need to at least be back at his 2003 level.

 

The Yankees need pitching and they need it badly. They already have the best offense in baseball, and with the addition of Abreu they can afford to sacrifice some offense.

 

The Yankees are a smart, well-run organization. I think they would need to see if Prior was healthy b/f they would consider the deal.

[Sammy Sofa]

(If Prior is 100% healthy)

 

I am probably living in fantasy land here, but if I were Hendry I'd explore an A-Rod for Prior deal. Take on all of the salary the Yankees are paying. No prospects.

 

I'd put A-Rod back at SS and move Neifi, Jr. for whatever I could get.

 

Then I'd keep Murton in LF. Everyone wants the Cubs to get a big bat in LF. Is Carlos Lee that player? I don't think so. In addition, he will be fabuously over-paid for the remainder of his time in the bigs.

 

Murton

A-Rod

Lee

Aramis

Barrett

Jones

Cedeno

Slappy (I'd like the Cubs to explore other options in CF but I don't know who is available)

 

That is a batting order that will compete for the WS, not just the division.

 

There's no way the Yankees give up A-Rod's offense for just pitching, especially damaged goods like Prior. He couldn't just come back healthy next year for this to work...he'd need to at least be back at his 2003 level.

 

The Yankees need pitching and they need it badly. They already have the best offense in baseball, and with the addition of Abreu they can afford to sacrifice some offense.

 

The Yankees are a smart, well-run organization. I think they would need to see if Prior was healthy b/f they would consider the deal.

 

As they're showing right now, they don't need it THAT badly.

 

Again, I'm not saying it's impossible, I just very much doubt they do Prior for A-Rod straight up unless Prior magically regains his 2003 form. The Cubs would have to probably add on a couple players at the very least.

[neely crenshaw]

we have to at least consider that prior will never ever be a major league pitcher again. or at least a good one.

if we can deal him for anything this offseason we can use his salary for a known quantity of a pitcher. i said this with wood last off season.

prior doesn't have the huge deal wood had but it's still up there. with what we have already dropped in wood and maddux we could probably sign schmidt, zito and a 2nd tier guy like lilly, meche or padilla. if we are looking too do that we certainly would have the prospects to package with prior to get something of value...prior, hill and guzman for arod? i'm sending anyone but pie and marshall...your pick george! we don't need six guys(pitchers) if we sign 3 FA's. heck if sent 3 we would still have 3 more to deal! plus theriot,cedeno and izturis(we should only keep 2 at the most)

[wilk]

we could probably sign schmidt, zito and a 2nd tier guy like lilly, meche or padilla.

 

Ha. Schmidt AND Zito AND the next best guy? Are Soriano and Lee also in your plans? The chances that we get either one of those guys (Schmidt OR Zito) are extremely slim, yet you see it as plausible that we get both and keep shopping. These seasons really do funny things to people's expectations.

[cheapseats]

Bad news in today's Under the Knife:

 

The Cubs are also talking about an opinion they received about Mark Prior’s shoulder. Two words have them wondering about Prior next season: Kerry Wood. A source tells me that the Cubs were told that Prior’s shoulder injury in 2006 is virtually identical to the one that Wood had at the end of 2005, we all know how that story ends.

[forbez18]

who is the team doctor and does he get paid bassed on how many injuries the Cubs have. This guy has to be one of the richest men on the earth by now.