Mark Prior

[soccer10k]

 

Why is it hard to think that Carl Crawford, at 25, can't raise his OBP? It would seem that he's more obtainable than Cabrera, since the Marlins haven't even mentioned that he's available, so getting him is a pipe dream. You'd probably have to give up much more for him than for Crawford, and with Crawford's speed and defense, getting his OBP higher would make him more valuable.

 

Yes, Carl Crawford could get better and it's not hard to think that. I never said he has reached his ceiling yet. But as long as we're using age as a factor here, Cabrera is just 23 so he could, and probably will, get even better than he is right now.

 

The discussion wasn't about which player was more available and which could be obtained for less. It was about which player is better right now and who will be better in the future. Cabrera is far better than Crawford is now and it's likely to stay that way.

[d_money]

 

Why is it hard to think that Carl Crawford, at 25, can't raise his OBP? It would seem that he's more obtainable than Cabrera, since the Marlins haven't even mentioned that he's available, so getting him is a pipe dream. You'd probably have to give up much more for him than for Crawford, and with Crawford's speed and defense, getting his OBP higher would make him more valuable.

 

Yes, Carl Crawford could get better and it's not hard to think that. I never said he has reached his ceiling yet. But as long as we're using age as a factor here, Cabrera is just 23 so he could, and probably will, get even better than he is right now.

 

The discussion wasn't about which player was more available and which could be obtained for less. It was about which player is better right now and who will be better in the future. Cabrera is far better than Crawford is now and it's likely to stay that way.

 

 

I believe the discussion is actually about Mark Prior - see post. Start a new thread.

[soccer10k]

 

Why is it hard to think that Carl Crawford, at 25, can't raise his OBP? It would seem that he's more obtainable than Cabrera, since the Marlins haven't even mentioned that he's available, so getting him is a pipe dream. You'd probably have to give up much more for him than for Crawford, and with Crawford's speed and defense, getting his OBP higher would make him more valuable.

 

Yes, Carl Crawford could get better and it's not hard to think that. I never said he has reached his ceiling yet. But as long as we're using age as a factor here, Cabrera is just 23 so he could, and probably will, get even better than he is right now.

 

The discussion wasn't about which player was more available and which could be obtained for less. It was about which player is better right now and who will be better in the future. Cabrera is far better than Crawford is now and it's likely to stay that way.

 

 

I believe the discussion is actually about Mark Prior - see post. Start a new thread.

 

Did you read the thread? I realize that the thread title is "Mark Prior" but a majority of the discussion has been regarding Crawford/Cabrera and not Mark Prior.

[SouthSideRyan]

or one about prior being a wuss. I'm sure he didn't feel any aches or pains all of 2003. honestly, why is it so hard to accept that Prior has actually been hurt?

 

Case in point, he gets runs into Marcus Giles injuring his shoulder. Comes back and pitches the next inning(stupidly)

[MPrior]

I apologize for hijacking the thread. I actually meant the whole Cabrera/Crawford thing as a side note, and intended the discussion to continue on Mark Prior (although I should have realized that it wouldn't), who is far more pertinent to the Cubs' organization.

 

SO: has anyone heard anything about Prior's status/outlook for next season? And, just for fun, any speculations about Prior's status/outlook for next season/his career?

[jacey]

Would anyone here be willing to make Prior the key man in a deal to land ARod? Prior and another young arm or Eyre for ARod I'd do in a heartbeat. Pencil ARod in at SS and bust your tail to sign Ramirez and you have a big part of your offensive woes addressed. But then you would need to work on adding another SP to the mix. As much as I love Prior and think he will bounce back, I am at the most counting him as one of a cast of several to compete for the 4th or 5th spot in the 07 rotation. He has value still and if we are going to be bold, ARod is someone you go for. Remember, you have to give up talent to get talent in return. My guess is ARod will be more useful than Prior over the next few years.

[Brian]

What's the outlook for Mark Prior, as it relates to 2007? Will he be able to pitch?

-- Gregg P., Aurora, Ill.

 

Prior says he finished the season healthy and planned on throwing more this offseason in hopes of being ready for 2007. He ran out of time at the end of the season before he could get in a game. Will he be able to pitch? The Cubs thought he would be in the mix this year, and he made nine starts.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Who was that answering the question?

[USSoccer]

Would anyone here be willing to make Prior the key man in a deal to land ARod? Prior and another young arm or Eyre for ARod I'd do in a heartbeat. Pencil ARod in at SS and bust your tail to sign Ramirez and you have a big part of your offensive woes addressed. But then you would need to work on adding another SP to the mix. As much as I love Prior and think he will bounce back, I am at the most counting him as one of a cast of several to compete for the 4th or 5th spot in the 07 rotation. He has value still and if we are going to be bold, ARod is someone you go for. Remember, you have to give up talent to get talent in return. My guess is ARod will be more useful than Prior over the next few years.

 

It's an interesting question. Prior is still very young, and has top 5 pitcher upside. ARod still probably has at least 3 seasons of very high productivity.

 

I guess it comes down to whether or not you think Prior is going to be the Prior of 2003 again. If not, you probably make that deal, although I wonder if the PR-conscious Yankees would make that trade. They'd probably have a tough time trading for someone with the injury-prone rep after Pavano, Johnson and Wright.

[Brian]

Who was that answering the question?

 

da muskat, I forgot to put the disclaimer. (Another awesome input from here from the mailbag when someone asked her why Murton didn't get an extended look at the 2 hole... she said he could work there but she prefers someone with more speed and the ability to bunt...)

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Who was that answering the question?

 

da muskat, I forgot to put the disclaimer. (Another awesome input from here from the mailbag when someone asked her why Murton didn't get an extended look at the 2 hole... she said he could work there but she prefers someone with more speed and the ability to bunt...)

 

Holy Freaking Len! If the Cubs would learn that bunting with the number two hitter is a freaking waste, I'd be a happy man.

 

Unfortunately it isn't going to happen.

[frostwyrm]

Who was that answering the question?

 

da muskat, I forgot to put the disclaimer. (Another awesome input from here from the mailbag when someone asked her why Murton didn't get an extended look at the 2 hole... she said he could work there but she prefers someone with more speed and the ability to bunt...)

 

Holy Freaking Len! If the Cubs would learn that bunting with the number two hitter is a freaking waste, I'd be a happy man.

 

Unfortunately it isn't going to happen.

When Neifi was batting #2 bunting wasn't such a bad idea, but of course that was just symptomatic of Neifi not belonging at #2.

[Pinktermite]

Any trade involving Prior to land ARod I would do in a heartbeat. He is turning into the Danny Jackson of the 21st century...send him a way if you can get ARod...why would there be any doubt about something like that?

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

I want to see Prior one more year. The Cubs are a franchise that is disgustingly and patethically run.

 

There is no plan. There is no direction.

 

Still a healthy Prior would be a step in the right direction and I'm not willing to give that up just yet.

 

Still I bet if we traded Prior to the A's or Twins or some other smart orginization he would turn his career right around.

 

There is no orginization in the Cubs and I hate it. The team literally has no direction, no true leadership, shitty owners, and I think all that leads to so much crap. There is no doubt in my mind if this orginization was smart we would not be saying stuff like "Prior is a wuss" or whatever. We would have the games best pitcher.

 

Instead at age 22 he dominates, opens the Cubs window and the Cubs jump right through it. We had a GREAT foundation 3 years ago with 3 ace type pitchers all in their 20's....and we went and rode them as hard as we possibly could. For one year. When we could have had 5-10.

 

I thought it then and I think it now. I would trade 2003 for a healthy Prior and Wood these past 3.