SI Article:Prior hopes injuries are behind him

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Link.

 

"Is it fair for me to tell you whether you're hurting or not?'' Prior said. "Who's to say? I've never judged somebody based on whether I feel they're hurt or not. You can't tell. Everybody's different. And trust me: You don't get to this level unless you want to play. You get weeded out in a hurry if you really don't want to play the game.''

 

But most interesting was the quotes about the final spots in the rotation.

 

Now, he's competing with Rich Hill and Wade Miller for the final two spots in the rotation, with Sean Marshall possibly in the mix once his sore rotator cuff heals.

 

Manager Lou Piniella said Hill has a "leg up,'' which leaves Prior and Miller jockeying for the fifth spot. And that raises some questions. Where does the other go? Would Prior be used in relief if Hill and Miller beat him?

 

"Oh, gosh, let's not get into that,'' Piniella said. "One thing we have to find here in camp is a long reliever. ... I don't know who that's going to be.''

 

He was asked again about Prior.

 

"We are going to have to find (a long reliever); I didn't say it's going to be Prior or anybody else,'' Piniella said.

 

Once again, it looks like Marquis is guaranteed a spot. Hill isn't. I don't like that one bit.

[KingCubsFan]

Now, he's competing with Rich Hill and Wade Miller for the final two spots in the rotation, with Sean Marshall possibly in the mix once his sore rotator cuff heals.

When did this happen?

[Mephistopheles]

What a dysfunctional organization.

[RichHillIsABeast]

How in bleeps name does Marquis get locked into a rotation spot after throwing up a 6.02 ERA?

 

The only 2 guys that should have locked rotation spots are Z and Lilly. Then it should go Hill, Prior, Marquis, Marshall, Miller, and Guzman (in order of deservedness) fighting it out for the other 3 spots.

 

Muskat says he rotation is Z/Lilly/Marquis and Prior, Miller, and Hill fighting it out for the last two spots. Freaking ridiculous.

 

I find it hard to believe that Prior can be kept from the rotation if he's healthy. He's one of the most talented pitchers in his generation.

 

Miller vs. Hill, Round 1.

[Mephistopheles]

I find it hard to believe that an orginzation can even think about not giving a spot in the rotation after having a September and August like Rich had.

[Chris]

Prior has had me concerned since he talked like he believed in curses

[Jon]

How in bleeps name does Marquis get locked into a rotation spot after throwing up a 6.02 ERA?

 

The only 2 guys that should have locked rotation spots are Z and Lilly. Then it should go Hill, Prior, Marquis, Marshall, Miller, and Guzman (in order of deservedness) fighting it out for the other 3 spots.

 

Muskat says he rotation is Z/Lilly/Marquis and Prior, Miller, and Hill fighting it out for the last two spots. Freaking ridiculous.

 

I find it hard to believe that Prior can be kept from the rotation if he's healthy. He's one of the most talented pitchers in his generation.

 

Miller vs. Hill, Round 1.

$$$. There's no way Hendry is going to admit a mistake before the season even starts. Maybe a few months down the road, but not so soon.

 

With that said, it hasn't happened yet. But it will. Prior won't be the one left out if he's healthy, though. There's still a chance that honor goes to Hill, although Guzman most likely be a very happy camper come late March.

[Roast]

My I-Like-Lou-Piniella O-Meter just took a huge hit after that idiotic comment. How is Marquis guarenteed a roster spot but hill and prior will have to fight?

[Amazing_Grace]

Link.

 

"Is it fair for me to tell you whether you're hurting or not?'' Prior said. "Who's to say? I've never judged somebody based on whether I feel they're hurt or not. You can't tell. Everybody's different. And trust me: You don't get to this level unless you want to play. You get weeded out in a hurry if you really don't want to play the game.''

 

But most interesting was the quotes about the final spots in the rotation.

 

Now, he's competing with Rich Hill and Wade Miller for the final two spots in the rotation, with Sean Marshall possibly in the mix once his sore rotator cuff heals.

 

Manager Lou Piniella said Hill has a "leg up,'' which leaves Prior and Miller jockeying for the fifth spot. And that raises some questions. Where does the other go? Would Prior be used in relief if Hill and Miller beat him?

 

"Oh, gosh, let's not get into that,'' Piniella said. "One thing we have to find here in camp is a long reliever. ... I don't know who that's going to be.''

 

He was asked again about Prior.

 

"We are going to have to find (a long reliever); I didn't say it's going to be Prior or anybody else,'' Piniella said.

 

Once again, it looks like Marquis is guaranteed a spot. Hill isn't. I don't like that one bit.

 

Prior hopes his injuries are behind him. I hope a million dollars falls through the roof of my house.

 

I think Piniella is wise not to stir up this hornet's nest unless it turns out to be necessary. He didn't say anyone was guaranteed a spot, just that Hill has a "leg up" on Prior and Miller. To me, that means Hill has to totally stink in ST and Prior and Miller both have to be completely healthy and lights out to edge him out of the rotation. What are the odds of that, and if it happens, I can't really be too upset about Hill getting sent to AAA. You can't have too much pitching.

 

On the other hand, yeah, it still looks like they're guaranteeing Marquis a spot. They are paying him 21M and he's only worth it if he becomes a decent starter. I'm not opposed to giving him up to half a season or so to prove he's worth that contract and make Hendry look really smart. After all, our one chance to trade him and get out from under his already stupid looking contract is for him to pitch well as a starter. Now, if we're in the heat of a pennant race in July, and we're still watching Marquis put up a 5+ ERA while Hill is stuck in Iowa, THEN, I'll be pissed, very pissed.

[RichHillIsABeast]

How in bleeps name does Marquis get locked into a rotation spot after throwing up a 6.02 ERA?

 

The only 2 guys that should have locked rotation spots are Z and Lilly. Then it should go Hill, Prior, Marquis, Marshall, Miller, and Guzman (in order of deservedness) fighting it out for the other 3 spots.

 

Muskat says he rotation is Z/Lilly/Marquis and Prior, Miller, and Hill fighting it out for the last two spots. Freaking ridiculous.

 

I find it hard to believe that Prior can be kept from the rotation if he's healthy. He's one of the most talented pitchers in his generation.

 

Miller vs. Hill, Round 1.

$$$. There's no way Hendry is going to admit a mistake before the season even starts. Maybe a few months down the road, but not so soon.

 

With that said, it hasn't happened yet. But it will. Prior won't be the one left out if he's healthy, though. There's still a chance that honor goes to Hill, although Guzman most likely be a very happy camper come late March.

 

I wasn't too mad about the Marquis contract at the time, but if Hill gets left off the opening day roster, I'm going to reverse field.

 

Hendry said the best 11/12 pitchers would make the team. We'll see if he was full of it or not.

[UMFan83]

Are you serious? Geez, goto hell you clueless organization

[JC]

JC TIMES article: JC hopes Prior's injuries are behind him, too.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Just to clarify, Lou doesn't say anything about Marquis in that article. I'm not willing to get upset about what was probably a poorly worded question/assumption by that writer.

[RichHillIsABeast]

Just to clarify, Lou doesn't say anything about Marquis in that article. I'm not willing to get upset about what was probably a poorly worded question/assumption by that writer.

 

Muskat said the rotation was Z/Lilly/Marquis with everyone else competing for the other 2 spots.

 

The Cubs were counting on Prior last season, and it didn't work. This season, the rotation is Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly, Jason Marquis and a lot of question marks. Is Wade Miller recovered from his arthroscopic shoulder surgery? Can Rich Hill pitch the way he did in September consistently? Is Prior healthy?

 

link

[David]

Just to clarify, Lou doesn't say anything about Marquis in that article. I'm not willing to get upset about what was probably a poorly worded question/assumption by that writer.

 

Muskat said the rotation was Z/Lilly/Marquis with everyone else competing for the other 2 spots.

 

The Cubs were counting on Prior last season, and it didn't work. This season, the rotation is Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly, Jason Marquis and a lot of question marks. Is Wade Miller recovered from his arthroscopic shoulder surgery? Can Rich Hill pitch the way he did in September consistently? Is Prior healthy?

 

link

 

"Muskat said" and a quote from Piniella are two very different pieces of information.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Just to clarify, Lou doesn't say anything about Marquis in that article. I'm not willing to get upset about what was probably a poorly worded question/assumption by that writer.

 

Muskat said the rotation was Z/Lilly/Marquis with everyone else competing for the other 2 spots.

 

The Cubs were counting on Prior last season, and it didn't work. This season, the rotation is Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly, Jason Marquis and a lot of question marks. Is Wade Miller recovered from his arthroscopic shoulder surgery? Can Rich Hill pitch the way he did in September consistently? Is Prior healthy?

 

link

 

Yes, and that's Muskat, who's probably the worst possible source. Wait til we actually hear from Piniella or Hendry about it, otherwise it's very hard to distinguish between what reporters may have heard and what their best(read: terrible) guess is as to who is a "rotation lock".

[RichHillIsABeast]

Just to clarify, Lou doesn't say anything about Marquis in that article. I'm not willing to get upset about what was probably a poorly worded question/assumption by that writer.

 

Muskat said the rotation was Z/Lilly/Marquis with everyone else competing for the other 2 spots.

 

The Cubs were counting on Prior last season, and it didn't work. This season, the rotation is Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly, Jason Marquis and a lot of question marks. Is Wade Miller recovered from his arthroscopic shoulder surgery? Can Rich Hill pitch the way he did in September consistently? Is Prior healthy?

 

link

 

Yes, and that's Muskat, who's probably the worst possible source. Wait til we actually hear from Piniella or Hendry about it, otherwise it's very hard to distinguish between what reporters may have heard and what their best(read: terrible) guess is as to who is a "rotation lock".

 

I hope you're right.

 

Muskat's said Hill was a near lock for the rotation a couple weeks ago and now a question mark. I can't believe Hill peed in someone's Cheerios this early, so her inconsistency might just be b/c of opinion instead of actual reporting.

[BigbadB]

What was Marquis in St. Louis? The #5 starter?

 

So, he throws up a 6.02 and gets a guaranteed contract for more than double what he's made for his entire career AND he moves up 2 spots in the rotation.

 

Okay, I'm not going to overreact. Breathe deep. Exhale. Breathe deep. Exhale.

[JC]

What was Marquis in St. Louis? The #5 starter?

 

So, he throws up a 6.02 and gets a guaranteed contract for more than double what he's made for his entire career AND he moves up 2 spots in the rotation.

 

Okay, I'm not going to overreact. Breathe deep. Exhale. Breathe deep. Exhale.

 

Marquis is more than a name...its an attitude.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Or not.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

There are 21 million reasons that Marquis is penciled in the rotation (or is it 20 million?).

 

And Gooz is going to be in on this competition between Hill, Miller and Prior (and Marshall won't be). You just watch.

[JC]

There are 21 million reasons that Marquis is penciled in the rotation (or is it 20 million?).

 

And Gooz is going to be in on this competition between Hill, Miller and Prior (and Marshall won't be). You just watch.

 

Weren't you pimping Marshall for the past couple of years? Don't worry--my boy was Brownlie. :dumb:

[Chocolate Milk]

I feel like the rotation will shake out: Lilly, Z, Hill, Marquis, Prior with Miller in a long relief mode. The whole Cotts thing is weird, though. I've read a lot of articles saying he has a shot at the starting rotation or he will be in a long relief role. Seems like we have an odd man out and it should be, yet is unlikely to be, Marquis.

[SouthSideRyan]

I'm not sure if I'm misreading some people, but you're sorely mistaken if you think there's a chance Marquis isn't in the starting rotation. Hope he pitches great, but man this is the worst FA signing in Cubs history, past, present, and future. Edited February 17, 2007 by SouthSideRyan

[CaliforniaRaisin]

There are 21 million reasons that Marquis is penciled in the rotation (or is it 20 million?).

 

And Gooz is going to be in on this competition between Hill, Miller and Prior (and Marshall won't be). You just watch.

 

Weren't you pimping Marshall for the past couple of years? Don't worry--my boy was Brownlie. :dumb:

 

Yes, I like Marshall but right now both Hill and the Guzman who was pitching in Venezuela this winter are ahead of him.

[JC]

Cotts is Glendon Rusch with prior success. I think he is the guy to go to for the spot start. We don't need two on-a-good-day-mediocre-lefties in the rotation.