The Cubs Cactus League Rotation

[98navigator]

...the Cubs' Cactus League rotation will be Jason Marquis on Thursday against the Giants, followed by Carlos Zambrano on Friday vs. the Angels, then Wade Miller Saturday against the Athletics, and Rich Hill on Sunday against the White Sox. Former Notre Dame wide receiver turned pitcher Jeff Samardzija was on the list to pitch Saturday as well.

 

Ted Lilly, the other addition to the Cubs rotation, will start March 5 against Seattle.

 

Also, look for Prior to pitch March 7 or 8.

[UMFan83]

Why so late for Prior?

[98navigator]

From the same article:

 

...The Cubs know that because Prior isn't on Rothschild's list for the first five games, it could be interpreted that he's had a setback. That's not true.

 

"This is precaution, and nothing more and nothing else," Piniella said. "We want to keep it positive. We want to see some small but steady progress. You rush something and all of a sudden you have to stop it and set it back and you lose double the time."

[soccer10k]

Why so late for Prior?

 

His arm fell off the other day. They have to reattach it.

[b_wiggy_66]

From the same article:

 

...The Cubs know that because Prior isn't on Rothschild's list for the first five games, it could be interpreted that he's had a setback. That's not true.

 

"This is precaution, and nothing more and nothing else," Piniella said. "We want to keep it positive. We want to see some small but steady progress. You rush something and all of a sudden you have to stop it and set it back and you lose double the time."

 

I don't like seeing quotes like this :shock:

[98navigator]

From the same article:

 

...The Cubs know that because Prior isn't on Rothschild's list for the first five games, it could be interpreted that he's had a setback. That's not true.

 

"This is precaution, and nothing more and nothing else," Piniella said. "We want to keep it positive. We want to see some small but steady progress. You rush something and all of a sudden you have to stop it and set it back and you lose double the time."

 

I don't like seeing quotes like this :shock:

 

Why? It seems in line with how they said they would be handling him from the onset. I see this as progress. Did he pitch live BP at all last Spring? I can't remember for certain but I don't think so. Also, we were hearing a lot of chatter from Will Carroll about Prior's injuries and we've had no such negativity this year.

[Electron Blue]

I asked this in another thread and didn't get an answer. Does anyone know MLB.tv's upcoming spring training schedule? I know they will carry 150 games and I'm wondering if the CUbs get any coverage this first week. I'm not a member yet, but I'll subscribe early next week.

[A New Era]

I asked this in another thread and didn't get an answer. Does anyone know MLB.tv's upcoming spring training schedule? I know they will carry 150 games and I'm wondering if the CUbs get any coverage this first week. I'm not a member yet, but I'll subscribe early next week.

 

I don't know, but I'd deffinatly be interested if it carried atleast a handful of ST games from the OTHER team when they happen to play the cubs. As it is now we get mostly fri, sat, and sun. . However if you just add up the teams and show weekend games I'm sure you could reach the #150. So it's unlikely probably. .

[Amazing_Grace]

So once again the Cubs tell us that Prior is healthy and once again we find out shortly after that he's being "held out of starts to regain arm strength", which indicates the team still has concerns about whether he's actually healthy or not, and/or his arm strength is not "ahead of schedule", but rather "behind schedule".

 

Expect an announcement about Prior going throwing a simulated game rather than a ST game about 2 days before he's scheduled to start.

[RichHillIsABeast]

Hill against the White Sox? I hope he crams his AAA stuff down Ozzie's freaking throat.

[98navigator]

So once again the Cubs tell us that Prior is healthy and once again we find out shortly after that he's being "held out of starts to regain arm strength", which indicates the team still has concerns about whether he's actually healthy or not, and/or his arm strength is not "ahead of schedule", but rather "behind schedule".

 

Expect an announcement about Prior going throwing a simulated game rather than a ST game about 2 days before he's scheduled to start.

 

wow

[otis89]

Hill against the White Sox? I hope he crams his AAA stuff down Ozzie's freaking throat.

 

Hopefully the White Sox won't "run out of pitchers" again. That was pathetic last spring. IIRC, the White Sox only used 3 pitchers in that game.

[98navigator]

Hill against the White Sox? I hope he crams his AAA stuff down Ozzie's freaking throat.

 

Hopefully the White Sox won't "run out of pitchers" again. That was pathetic last spring. IIRC, the White Sox only used 3 pitchers in that game.

 

It was totally bogus because there were pitchers in the bullpen. I guess losing to the Cubs, even in ST, is a no go for Guillen.

 

I hope Rich mows them down.

[98navigator]

I asked this in another thread and didn't get an answer. Does anyone know MLB.tv's upcoming spring training schedule? I know they will carry 150 games and I'm wondering if the CUbs get any coverage this first week. I'm not a member yet, but I'll subscribe early next week.

 

I looked but no schedule is listed. The banner I saw said there would be over 150 games.

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/ad/Subscription/y2007/300x60_sub_spring_az_teams.gif

[Amazing_Grace]

So once again the Cubs tell us that Prior is healthy and once again we find out shortly after that he's being "held out of starts to regain arm strength", which indicates the team still has concerns about whether he's actually healthy or not, and/or his arm strength is not "ahead of schedule", but rather "behind schedule".

 

Expect an announcement about Prior going throwing a simulated game rather than a ST game about 2 days before he's scheduled to start.

 

wow

 

I'm sorry but you can't say "so and so is going to be healthy" one week and then say "we're going to hold so and so out of his regular starts" another week, and not expect to be questioned about it. I want to know why if so and so was healthy last week they need to miss starts this week. If it's precautionary, what are they worried about the guy reinjuring. If he is in danger of reinjury, why is he not rehabbing still and why aren't we being told that instead of "he'll be ready".

 

The way this organization handles these things is a pet peeve of mine. They either don't know what they're talking about when they make these announcements, they're not listening to their coaches as they should be, they're deliberately misleading the fans to boost ticket sales, or some combination of the above. My guess is that they say things like "Prior is ahead of schedule" when a reporter asks so they don't have to tell the truth, which is "we have no earthly idea when, if ever, Prior is going to pitch in another ballgame."

[David]

I don't find it remotely alarming that the Cubs, given Prior's history the past couple ST's, are using some precaution in handling him and Wood, both of whom are coming off offseasons in which they've been rehabbing their shoulders. It's not like they're talking about having him throw simulated starts instead of real ones.

 

People were freaking out this morning because he didn't throw BP yesterday with the rest of his group and instead elected to throw today. Guess what, he threw today, and threw well.

 

I understand that people are a little jumpy about the guys, but this is a little ridiculous. He's slated to start on March 7th or 8th and you're going to flip out because it's not March 3rd or 4th?

[98navigator]

So once again the Cubs tell us that Prior is healthy and once again we find out shortly after that he's being "held out of starts to regain arm strength", which indicates the team still has concerns about whether he's actually healthy or not, and/or his arm strength is not "ahead of schedule", but rather "behind schedule".

 

Expect an announcement about Prior going throwing a simulated game rather than a ST game about 2 days before he's scheduled to start.

 

wow

 

I'm sorry but you can't say "so and so is going to be healthy" one week and then say "we're going to hold so and so out of his regular starts" another week, and not expect to be questioned about it. I want to know why if so and so was healthy last week they need to miss starts this week. If it's precautionary, what are they worried about the guy reinjuring. If he is in danger of reinjury, why is he not rehabbing still and why aren't we being told that instead of "he'll be ready".

 

The way this organization handles these things is a pet peeve of mine. They either don't know what they're talking about when they make these announcements, they're not listening to their coaches as they should be, they're deliberately misleading the fans to boost ticket sales, or some combination of the above. My guess is that they say things like "Prior is ahead of schedule" when a reporter asks so they don't have to tell the truth, which is "we have no earthly idea when, if ever, Prior is going to pitch in another ballgame."

 

The only answer is that they said they were going to take it slow with him at the beginning. Also, its Prior that has assured everyone that he will be ready by Opening Day. Rothschild is merely echoing the sentiment based on what he knows/has seen. Only Prior knows for sure if he is healthy.

 

I think its a big leap from "their taking precautions" to "Expect an announcement about Prior going throwing a simulated game rather than a ST game about 2 days before he's scheduled to start."

[CaliforniaRaisin]

So once again the Cubs tell us that Prior is healthy and once again we find out shortly after that he's being "held out of starts to regain arm strength", which indicates the team still has concerns about whether he's actually healthy or not, and/or his arm strength is not "ahead of schedule", but rather "behind schedule".

 

Expect an announcement about Prior going throwing a simulated game rather than a ST game about 2 days before he's scheduled to start.

 

wow

 

I'm sorry but you can't say "so and so is going to be healthy" one week and then say "we're going to hold so and so out of his regular starts" another week, and not expect to be questioned about it. I want to know why if so and so was healthy last week they need to miss starts this week. If it's precautionary, what are they worried about the guy reinjuring. If he is in danger of reinjury, why is he not rehabbing still and why aren't we being told that instead of "he'll be ready".

 

The way this organization handles these things is a pet peeve of mine. They either don't know what they're talking about when they make these announcements, they're not listening to their coaches as they should be, they're deliberately misleading the fans to boost ticket sales, or some combination of the above. My guess is that they say things like "Prior is ahead of schedule" when a reporter asks so they don't have to tell the truth, which is "we have no earthly idea when, if ever, Prior is going to pitch in another ballgame."

 

They wouldn't be so optimistic early on ("ahead of schedule") if they didn't know what was up after they had been burned in previous years. Last year they were way more cautious about the optimistic news on Prior and Wood.

Edited February 26, 2007 by CaliforniaRaisin

[98navigator]

I asked this in another thread and didn't get an answer. Does anyone know MLB.tv's upcoming spring training schedule? I know they will carry 150 games and I'm wondering if the CUbs get any coverage this first week. I'm not a member yet, but I'll subscribe early next week.

 

I looked but no schedule is listed. The banner I saw said there would be over 150 games.

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/ad/Subscription/y2007/300x60_sub_spring_az_teams.gif

 

Just to clarify, I am a subscriber. No schedule has been released that I know about.

[Laura]

Don't they carry existing broadcasts, like XM does on the radio side? If so, there's a tv & radio broadcast schedule for the Cubs and teams playing the Cubs in the Game Threads Forum.

[Electron Blue]

I asked this in another thread and didn't get an answer. Does anyone know MLB.tv's upcoming spring training schedule? I know they will carry 150 games and I'm wondering if the CUbs get any coverage this first week. I'm not a member yet, but I'll subscribe early next week.

 

I looked but no schedule is listed. The banner I saw said there would be over 150 games.

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/ad/Subscription/y2007/300x60_sub_spring_az_teams.gif

 

Just to clarify, I am a subscriber. No schedule has been released that I know about.

 

thanks, 98'

[Amazing_Grace]

So once again the Cubs tell us that Prior is healthy and once again we find out shortly after that he's being "held out of starts to regain arm strength", which indicates the team still has concerns about whether he's actually healthy or not, and/or his arm strength is not "ahead of schedule", but rather "behind schedule".

 

Expect an announcement about Prior going throwing a simulated game rather than a ST game about 2 days before he's scheduled to start.

 

wow

 

I'm sorry but you can't say "so and so is going to be healthy" one week and then say "we're going to hold so and so out of his regular starts" another week, and not expect to be questioned about it. I want to know why if so and so was healthy last week they need to miss starts this week. If it's precautionary, what are they worried about the guy reinjuring. If he is in danger of reinjury, why is he not rehabbing still and why aren't we being told that instead of "he'll be ready".

 

The way this organization handles these things is a pet peeve of mine. They either don't know what they're talking about when they make these announcements, they're not listening to their coaches as they should be, they're deliberately misleading the fans to boost ticket sales, or some combination of the above. My guess is that they say things like "Prior is ahead of schedule" when a reporter asks so they don't have to tell the truth, which is "we have no earthly idea when, if ever, Prior is going to pitch in another ballgame."

 

The only answer is that they said they were going to take it slow with him at the beginning. Also, its Prior that has assured everyone that he will be ready by Opening Day. Rothschild is merely echoing the sentiment based on what he knows/has seen. Only Prior knows for sure if he is healthy.

 

I think its a big leap from "their taking precautions" to "Expect an announcement about Prior going throwing a simulated game rather than a ST game about 2 days before he's scheduled to start."

 

Well, that particular statement was hyperbole on my part, but things like that have happened before. Thanks for pointing out that it was Prior who is inisting he'll be ready by Opening Day. The player is probably the last guy the press should listen to when discussing returns from injury. I wish the organization had the courage to say "we just don't know yet, we'll have to wait and see", rather than making optimistic predictions, or, in this case, reinforcing Prior's optimistic predictions.

[98navigator]

So once again the Cubs tell us that Prior is healthy and once again we find out shortly after that he's being "held out of starts to regain arm strength", which indicates the team still has concerns about whether he's actually healthy or not, and/or his arm strength is not "ahead of schedule", but rather "behind schedule".

 

Expect an announcement about Prior going throwing a simulated game rather than a ST game about 2 days before he's scheduled to start.

 

wow

 

I'm sorry but you can't say "so and so is going to be healthy" one week and then say "we're going to hold so and so out of his regular starts" another week, and not expect to be questioned about it. I want to know why if so and so was healthy last week they need to miss starts this week. If it's precautionary, what are they worried about the guy reinjuring. If he is in danger of reinjury, why is he not rehabbing still and why aren't we being told that instead of "he'll be ready".

 

The way this organization handles these things is a pet peeve of mine. They either don't know what they're talking about when they make these announcements, they're not listening to their coaches as they should be, they're deliberately misleading the fans to boost ticket sales, or some combination of the above. My guess is that they say things like "Prior is ahead of schedule" when a reporter asks so they don't have to tell the truth, which is "we have no earthly idea when, if ever, Prior is going to pitch in another ballgame."

 

The only answer is that they said they were going to take it slow with him at the beginning. Also, its Prior that has assured everyone that he will be ready by Opening Day. Rothschild is merely echoing the sentiment based on what he knows/has seen. Only Prior knows for sure if he is healthy.

 

I think its a big leap from "their taking precautions" to "Expect an announcement about Prior going throwing a simulated game rather than a ST game about 2 days before he's scheduled to start."

 

Well, that particular statement was hyperbole on my part, but things like that have happened before. Thanks for pointing out that it was Prior who is inisting he'll be ready by Opening Day. The player is probably the last guy the press should listen to when discussing returns from injury. I wish the organization had the courage to say "we just don't know yet, we'll have to wait and see", rather than making optimistic predictions, or, in this case, reinforcing Prior's optimistic predictions.

 

To be fair, Rothschild has been saying just that for the last two offseasons (including this one). At the Cubs Convention I believe Larry said that "you never know about Prior until the grass turns green." He's also said in the past the Cubs shouldn't rely on he and Wood to be healthy...

 

The truth is, until Mark Prior pitches a complete season injury free he will have doubters. Afterwards, some people will still say "show me again that you can stay healthy for 30+ starts." He definitely has something to prove.

 

Call me crazy but I believe he and the Cubs are being honest. He's already accomplished more this offseason than in recent memory. I expect he'll pitch March 7th or 8th.

[98navigator]

Don't they carry existing broadcasts, like XM does on the radio side? If so, there's a tv & radio broadcast schedule for the Cubs and teams playing the Cubs in the Game Threads Forum.

 

I'm not familiar with how XM does their programming but MLB does have archived games. For instance, current MLB.TV members can view past games from 2005 & 2006 (and Gameday Audio subscribers can listen). Available games are Spring Training, Regular Season, and Postseason (listen only).

 

MLB also allows you to listen and view BaseballChannel.tv, MLBradio, and Podcasts. These features are free BTW.

[Laura]

Don't they carry existing broadcasts, like XM does on the radio side? If so, there's a tv & radio broadcast schedule for the Cubs and teams playing the Cubs in the Game Threads Forum.

 

I'm not familiar with how XM does their programming but MLB does have archived games. For instance, current MLB.TV members can view past games from 2005 & 2006 (and Gameday Audio subscribers can listen). Available games are Spring Training, Regular Season, and Postseason (listen only).

 

MLB also allows you to listen and view BaseballChannel.tv, MLBradio, and Podcasts. These features are free BTW.

 

I wasn't very clear in my question. MLB.tv doesn't independently do broadcasts, correct? I thought the broadcasts they carry are the WGNtv or Comcast or whatever game broadcasts.

 

If that's the case, the schedule in the game thread forum has all the tv & radio broadcasts of the Cubs spring training games that I could find (still missing AZ DBacks broadcast info).