Miller, Wood Expected to Re-Sign with Cubs

[Balsa]

I'm in the "like hell I beleive LeDuca camp".

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Releasing Prior to avoid paying his salary is the worst idea I have heard in quite some time.

[Sarcastic]

Releasing Prior to avoid paying his salary is the worst idea I have heard in quite some time.

 

Absolutely. He's been injured. That sucks. But just letting a guy with that much potential walk away for nothing, when all you'd be able to buy with his salary is a crappy stopgap? That is absurd. I'd much rather take a risk and see if he can recover. As I've said before, I doubt Le Duca or any of the commentators know anything more about his situation than we do.

[A New Era]

Releasing Prior to avoid paying his salary is the worst idea I have heard in quite some time.

 

Absolutely. He's been injured. That sucks. But just letting a guy with that much potential walk away for nothing, when all you'd be able to buy with his salary is a crappy stopgap? That is absurd. I'd much rather take a risk and see if he can recover. As I've said before, I doubt Le Duca or any of the commentators know anything more about his situation than we do.

 

If his $4 mil is the last $4 mil that goes into a guy like Matsuzaka? Then I'd prefer to cut ties with Prior. I honestly don't think he's going to pitch much, even effectively in the next few years. He's had these reaccuring problems for the past couple of years. All the while we've been paying him $3-$4 mil. If he was still making league minimum, sure. But he's a costly "wait and see" guy.

 

I didn't even know you could do that. Knowing that, I'd rather honestly try to trade him for decent prospects, or just cut ties. I'd honestly rather pay Miller $4 mil than Prior. Because he actually looks like he'd beable to pitch next year. Prior does not. I have no faith he will pitch at all next year. .

[David]

To reiterate...

 

Releasing Mark Prior to avoid paying his salary is quite possibly one of the worst ideas anyone has ever come up with.

[A New Era]

To reiterate...

 

Releasing Mark Prior to avoid paying his salary is quite possibly one of the worst ideas anyone has ever come up with.

 

Trade him for prospects then. .

[Drew Doughty]

To reiterate...

 

Releasing Mark Prior to avoid paying his salary is quite possibly one of the worst ideas anyone has ever come up with.

 

Trade him for prospects then. .

 

Trade him when his value is at an all-time low...right. Fancy idea. Even if he has a bad year this year, he's of more value to this team than a mediocre prospect would be. If the goal is to not rely on him, label him the 5th starter with Marshall, Guzman, etc, ready to go. Get a big name and a smaller name (I was for Suppan before the playoffs...not so sure now) to fill in between Hill and Zambrano. If you think Miller is going to start the season healthy, go after him.

 

There's not much use in getting rid of Prior at this point unless he's tied on to a bigger deal -- like acquiring A-Rod.

[UMFan83]

What is Prior even injured with... I've honestly forgot

 

The latest thing is looseness in his shoulder, whatever that means. Its more of a condition than an injury. There is no clear explanation of what the problem is or what the timetable for him is, except for some speculation. I think I heard he was supposed to shut down for 4-6 weeks after the end of the season and then start a program to strengthen his shoulder, but I can't remember where I heard that.

 

That's really messed up. Releasing Prior would be stupid I guess, but what is more dumb, taking the 10% chance of him pitching and throwing 4 million at him, or trading him away. I honestly don't think there is much chance that he will ever be an effective pitcher for the Cubs anymore. His value can and will get much lower, so we might as well as as much as we can for him. Last year it might have gotten us Tejada, this year it might be B level prospects, the year after a PTBNL...

[A New Era]

To reiterate...

 

Releasing Mark Prior to avoid paying his salary is quite possibly one of the worst ideas anyone has ever come up with.

 

Trade him for prospects then. .

 

Trade him when his value is at an all-time low...right. Fancy idea. Even if he has a bad year this year, he's of more value to this team than a mediocre prospect would be. If the goal is to not rely on him, label him the 5th starter with Marshall, Guzman, etc, ready to go. Get a big name and a smaller name (I was for Suppan before the playoffs...not so sure now) to fill in between Hill and Zambrano. If you think Miller is going to start the season healthy, go after him.

 

There's not much use in getting rid of Prior at this point unless he's tied on to a bigger deal -- like acquiring A-Rod.

 

Who are you to say he's ever going to BE a value again. He's being paid $4-$5 mil to a possible 5th starter. When he's not healthy, you're wasting $4 mil. How many years do you want to keep wasting $4 mil?

[Schwarber Fan]

ummm shouldn't Wade be 100%???

 

 

Wasn't there a chance he could've come back during last season? Ridiculous.

 

He did... he started like 5 games at the end of last season... it's just that they way it looks in Vance's post... it makes it seem he's injured again or something.

[CuseCubFan69]

I say keep Prior, no doubt about that unless someone makes the Cubs an offer they can't refuse. Sign Wood and Miller for 2 plus incentives. Then, keep spending money on Matsusaka from Japan and get Schmidt or Zito. The young guys can fill in if needed and if one of the 3 DL brothers are healthy it's a bonus. That would fill my pitching needs.

 

Now, if Hendry has a somewhat limited 105 or 110 budget this move reeks of getting vets and this win now is making me a little nervous, unless Hendry can do what I wrote above and fix the hitting woes.

 

Thinking about this a little, maybe Hendry has a plan to trade some of those young pitchers and is getting Miller for insurance. He can't trade Miller since he's a free agent but he certainly can move a Marshall or the like.

[C.C.]

Link

 

Also, the article implies the Cubs do not expect Prior to be ready by spring training.

 

Mark Prior isn't expected to be ready by spring training, so he's out of the picture. Kerry Wood is expected to return, but his days as a starter are over -- and his shoulder isn't expected to stand up to the rigors of closing.

 

Put Wade Miller, who is expected to re-sign with the Cubs but is also a question mark, in the same category as Wood and Prior: Anything they provide in 2007 will be a bonus.

 

This is just silly...Wood can't start, and his shoulder isn't strong enough to close? What exactly is he going to do? Stain-stick the other guy's jerseys? If this is true, there is absolutely no reason to waste a roster spot and cash on him. And I say this even though Kerry Wood is my favorite player sine Ryno.

 

Wood will be a setup guy, which means that Eyre or Howry could be dealt in a trade.

[soapy]

I say keep Prior, no doubt about that unless someone makes the Cubs an offer they can't refuse. Sign Wood and Miller for 2 plus incentives. Then, keep spending money on Matsusaka from Japan and get Schmidt or Zito. The young guys can fill in if needed and if one of the 3 DL brothers are healthy it's a bonus. That would fill my pitching needs.

 

Now, if Hendry has a somewhat limited 105 or 110 budget this move reeks of getting vets and this win now is making me a little nervous, unless Hendry can do what I wrote above and fix the hitting woes.

 

Thinking about this a little, maybe Hendry has a plan to trade some of those young pitchers and is getting Miller for insurance. He can't trade Miller since he's a free agent but he certainly can move a Marshall or the like.

The bolded has me worried as well. I don't know how much to get worked up about this article, it sounds like speculation. If there is some truth to it, this reaks of Hendry's past seasons. Sign some SP's who they hope will be ready by May, then June, then the all-star break, etc (and it's the same three guys from last year, no less).

 

You're talking $6-$10 million being wrapped up in three guys who may not bring much value to the team at all. As we know, Hendry hasn't hesitated to over-pay guys with little or no value in the past.

 

My own personal opinion is keep Prior. I simply don't think you can get anything of value by trading him right now. If that means you have to cut ties with Wood and Miller, so be it. If Wood doesn't have a chance to start, or become an effective closer, I think it's a waste of resources to re-sign him (unless some of the current bullpen arms can be traded). I don't mind Miller as a #5 starter, but if there really are concerns about his health still, I'll pass.

 

I think, Cuse, Hendry wanting to trade some of the young pitchers (Marshall, Marmol, Guzman, etc.) and bringing in Miller as insurance is very possible

[Sammy Sofa]

Can someone please point out any kind of legitimate information about Wood, Prior or Miller in the linked article? Because all I can see is speculation.

[Wheelimus]

The Cubs are in a no win situation with Prior. If they count on him being in the rotation on opening day, and he isn't, they'll be called idiots later. If they say "we're not counting on anything" and that anything they get will be extra, they get called idiots now.

 

Honestly, if it costs $5 million to be able to (potentially) have Mark freaking Prior in your rotation, you find the money. Sure, we lose out on a Neifi and a Glendon, but it's worth it.

 

Wood, of course, should work his way into relief. I guess that's another damned if you do thing too. If they toss him into closing and he blows his arm out going back to back or something, they'll take heat. If they ease him in slowly, they take heat.

 

Miller showed me enough at the end of the season to bring him back. He's exactly the type of pitcher we'd let go, the Cards would clean him back up, and he'll be beating us within a year.

 

For $115 million dollars, you can have some high risk/high upside risks on your roster. So long as you hedge your bets. One of Zito/Schmidt/Daisuke please, plus another middle/end of the rotation starters, possibly one of the other Japanese guys.

[goonys evil twin]

The Cubs are in a no win situation with Prior. If they count on him being in the rotation on opening day, and he isn't, they'll be called idiots later. If they say "we're not counting on anything" and that anything they get will be extra, they get called idiots now.

 

Honestly, if it costs $5 million to be able to (potentially) have Mark freaking Prior in your rotation, you find the money. Sure, we lose out on a Neifi and a Glendon, but it's worth it.

 

Wood, of course, should work his way into relief. I guess that's another damned if you do thing too. If they toss him into closing and he blows his arm out going back to back or something, they'll take heat. If they ease him in slowly, they take heat.

 

Miller showed me enough at the end of the season to bring him back. He's exactly the type of pitcher we'd let go, the Cards would clean him back up, and he'll be beating us within a year.

 

For $115 million dollars, you can have some high risk/high upside risks on your roster. So long as you hedge your bets. One of Zito/Schmidt/Daisuke please, plus another middle/end of the rotation starters, possibly one of the other Japanese guys.

 

I won't give them any heat if they resign all 3 for decent contracts and try to get the most out of them next year.

[Soriano12]

WHY CANT HE BE BACK UNTIL FEBRUARY?

 

Because he is a sally.

[Banedon]

WHY CANT HE BE BACK UNTIL FEBRUARY?

 

Because he is a sally.

 

Thanks for the medical report.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Releasing Prior to avoid paying his salary is the worst idea I have heard in quite some time.

 

Seconded.

[Sammy Sofa]

Releasing Prior to avoid paying his salary is the worst idea I have heard in quite some time.

 

Seconded.

 

Bajillioned.

[USSoccer]

Releasing Prior to avoid paying his salary is the worst idea I have heard in quite some time.

 

Seconded.

 

Bajillioned.

 

Gild it.

[davearm]

Fearless prediction:

 

Prior, Howry, and Marshall for ARod. Maybe Gallagher or Veal needs to be added instead of Marshall, and maybe another reliever (perhaps Ohman) goes too. Regardless, Prior and Howry are the centerpieces, and Hendry gets his man ARod.

 

Miller re-signed to be the #5.

 

Wood re-signed to quasi-replace Howry.

 

2 new starting pitchers brought in via trade, free agency, international signing. One big name, one lesser name.

 

Guzman, Marmol, Mateo, etc. serve as emergency starters/swingmen.

 

One mid-tier hitter added to play 2B or CF (Izturis, Theriot, or Pie gets the remaining spot), and some depth is added to the bench (ideally a RH OF to platoon with Jones).

 

IMO this is what Hendry and co. will roll out for 2007.

[Andy]

Fearless prediction:

 

Prior, Howry, and Marshall for ARod. Maybe Gallagher or Veal needs to be added instead of Marshall, and maybe another reliever (perhaps Ohman) goes too. Regardless, Prior and Howry are the centerpieces, and Hendry gets his man ARod.

 

Miller re-signed to be the #5.

 

Wood re-signed to quasi-replace Howry.

 

2 new starting pitchers brought in via trade, free agency, international signing. One big name, one lesser name.

 

Guzman, Marmol, Mateo, etc. serve as emergency starters/swingmen.

 

One mid-tier hitter added to play 2B or CF (Izturis, Theriot, or Pie gets the remaining spot), and some depth is added to the bench (ideally a RH OF to platoon with Jones).

 

IMO this is what Hendry and co. will roll out for 2007.

I like your team.

[Yestheydo]

Fearless prediction:

 

Prior, Howry, and Marshall for ARod. Maybe Gallagher or Veal needs to be added instead of Marshall, and maybe another reliever (perhaps Ohman) goes too. Regardless, Prior and Howry are the centerpieces, and Hendry gets his man ARod.

 

Miller re-signed to be the #5.

 

Wood re-signed to quasi-replace Howry.

 

2 new starting pitchers brought in via trade, free agency, international signing. One big name, one lesser name.

 

Guzman, Marmol, Mateo, etc. serve as emergency starters/swingmen.

 

One mid-tier hitter added to play 2B or CF (Izturis, Theriot, or Pie gets the remaining spot), and some depth is added to the bench (ideally a RH OF to platoon with Jones).

 

IMO this is what Hendry and co. will roll out for 2007.

I like your team.

 

Me too. Makes so much sense it'll never happen. Does anyone know if Theriot could play center? If he's as much like Ryan Freel as he acted last year, I'd like to see him split CF with Pie, and Durham or Loretta at 2nd.

[VanceJergins]

Jesus. Talk about crushing all hope before it even had a chance to build.

 

Where did De Luca get this info from? He doesn't even imply that he got it from any kind of source outside of just totally guessing on his part.

 

OK, re-reading that article, I have determined it's a officially a load of crap.

 

I'm pretty sure he linked his source to the cubs.com message board, more specifically the post entitled "JIM HENRY IS AN IDOT!!1!"