Rampant Speculation re: Prior Thread (Legit info welcome)

[NCCubFan]

If Guzman continues to throw as he did today, Prior is irrelevant and expendable.

Less important, yes. Irrelevant and expendable, definitely not. Chances are somebody will be injured at some point in the season, and the Cubs would certainly want Prior healthy by then even if he isn't by the start of the season.

[C.C.]

A couple of things:

 

-The Cubs are aware that Guzman should be well ahead of Prior considering his time in winterball. And if Prior can start in the big league rotation, he will start in the big league rotation. Marquis will also have Angel blocked for at least a short while.

 

-Guzman's curve and change weren't there today. His fastball certainly was, though, and while the grounders were quite encouraging, Angel is ahead of most of the pitchers right now. And that means he's ahead of the hitters, as well. At this point in spring training, he has the advantage over hitters with a consistent 94-96 mph fastball. But in another week or two, they'll be used to that. The rotation won't be decided before then, so he'll have to keep it up.

 

Who isn't ahead of Prior? Winter ball or not all the starters at this point are pitching well.

[Roast]

A couple of things:

 

-The Cubs are aware that Guzman should be well ahead of Prior considering his time in winterball. And if Prior can start in the big league rotation, he will start in the big league rotation. Marquis will also have Angel blocked for at least a short while.

 

-Guzman's curve and change weren't there today. His fastball certainly was, though, and while the grounders were quite encouraging, Angel is ahead of most of the pitchers right now. And that means he's ahead of the hitters, as well. At this point in spring training, he has the advantage over hitters with a consistent 94-96 mph fastball. But in another week or two, they'll be used to that. The rotation won't be decided before then, so he'll have to keep it up.

 

Who isn't ahead of Prior? Winter ball or not all the starters at this point are pitching well.

 

Yes, but I believe Jon was getting at the fact that they are both players with an injury filled past, and that Guzman is a little farther along in his rehab. Guzman is ahead of prior in that he was able to pitch the end of last season, plus winter ball (though the pitch that used to be his best still isn't there), where as prior just started pitching games a week ago for the first time since august or whenever.

[Connor McConnor]

Prior has been ineffective for a few years. The times when he has been ok....he has been "ok" (not dominating like 03) ....but when he's bad.....he's gotten bar-b-qued (more often than not).

 

What on earth (other than wishful thinking and hope) makes you think he is going to become effective in 2 weeks?

 

It's a shame.....but he looks like he's in the pitcher death spiral of injuries...loss of control...and loss of velocity. When that happens.....you crash....and usually don't survive. It happens frequently to pitchers.

[Sarcastic]

Prior has been ineffective for a few years. The times when he has been ok....he has been "ok" (not dominating like 03) ....but when he's bad.....he's gotten bar-b-qued (more often than not).

 

What on earth (other than wishful thinking and hope) makes you think he is going to become effective in 2 weeks?

 

It's a shame.....but he looks like he's in the pitcher death spiral of injuries...loss of control...and loss of velocity. When that happens.....you crash....and usually don't survive. It happens frequently to pitchers.

 

No, that just not true. When he's pitched, with the exception of 2006, he's been at least pretty good. Before he was hit by that line drive in 2005 he was pitching almost as well as he had in 2003. There's no reason to think that it is impossible for him to get into regular season shape by the end of spring. He won't be in midseason 2003 form, but if he can pitch, I'd bet that he'll have a good season.

[Amazing_Grace]

If Lou really sticks to that date, March 20th, then he will probably end up going with Guzman. I don't see how Prior can improve enough to look like a ML caliber pitcher in just 1 or 2 appearances. As many have stated, including Piniella, you can't be effective with one pitch, and Prior doesn't have control of anything but his fastball at this point, and not great control at that. I just think Prior will have a longer road back, and may benefit from starting the season in AAA where there's no media pressure, no spotlight, and he can re-learn to pitch effectively.

[Danny82]

If Guzman continues to throw as he did today, Prior is irrelevant and expendable.

 

This quote makes it sound like Guzman was lights out dominant yesterday. Granted, I didn't see the game, but what is so spectacular about giving up five hits in three innings (with one K)?

[98navigator]

Today's Suntimes has a slightly different take, than the news yesterday, on Piniella's upcoming decision.

 

...Before the game, Piniella said he planned to cut the fifth-starter field from three to no more than two by March 20.

 

Considering he made this statement before the game, it could be that Guzman has clearly become the leader in Lou's mind. Piniella could very well be ready to make a definitive decison on the final spots by March 20th. He also said that Guzman will be getting a start in his next appearance.

[C.C.]

If Guzman continues to throw as he did today, Prior is irrelevant and expendable.

 

This quote makes it sound like Guzman was lights out dominant yesterday. Granted, I didn't see the game, but what is so spectacular about giving up five hits in three innings (with one K)?

 

He wasn't lights our dominant, but right now he's our best option.

[98navigator]

If Guzman continues to throw as he did today, Prior is irrelevant and expendable.

 

This quote makes it sound like Guzman was lights out dominant yesterday. Granted, I didn't see the game, but what is so spectacular about giving up five hits in three innings (with one K)?

 

The defense up the middle was horrible yesterday. Cedeno made an error, Pie misplayed some balls, and when Jake Fox came into the game he couldn't keep the ball in the infield. Plus, the hit that lead to the only run was a broken bat single. Guzman's performance was admirable (especially for someone looking to fillout the bottom of a rotation).

[98navigator]

If Guzman continues to throw as he did today, Prior is irrelevant and expendable.

 

This quote makes it sound like Guzman was lights out dominant yesterday. Granted, I didn't see the game, but what is so spectacular about giving up five hits in three innings (with one K)?

 

double post

Edited March 11, 2007 by 98navigator

[Guest]

Don't forget that the first one to throw it into the OF was Blanco, not Fox.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

If Guzman continues to throw as he did today, Prior is irrelevant and expendable.

 

This quote makes it sound like Guzman was lights out dominant yesterday. Granted, I didn't see the game, but what is so spectacular about giving up five hits in three innings (with one K)?

 

None of the hits were hard hit balls. One of them, I thought should have been ruled an error.

[98navigator]

Don't forget that the first one to throw it into the OF was Blanco, not Fox.

 

Yup, I forgot about that...

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Today's Suntimes has a slightly different take, than the news yesterday, on Piniella's upcoming decision.

 

...Before the game, Piniella said he planned to cut the fifth-starter field from three to no more than two by March 20.

 

Considering he made this statement before the game, it could be that Guzman has clearly become the leader in Lou's mind. Piniella could very well be ready to make a definitive decison on the final spots by March 20th. He also said that Guzman will be getting a start in his next appearance.

 

It's apparent he hasn't made a set deadline, he just feels like he'll have a good idea by the 20th (as we all will).

[98navigator]

It may not be a firm deadline but Guzman is clearly leading the pack right now. Prior will be making his next start in MiL camp (according to Lou).

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

It may not be a firm deadline but Guzman is clearly leading the pack right now. Prior will be making his next start in MiL camp (according to Lou).

 

Ouch! How the mighty have fallen.

[Sarcastic]

It may not be a firm deadline but Guzman is clearly leading the pack right now. Prior will be making his next start in MiL camp (according to Lou).

 

Link?

 

I don't think an unbiased interpretation of Lou's quotes shows anything except the obvious fact that Prior can't pitch in the regular season the way he has pitched in ST. I think Lou and Hendry probably expect him to be ready to take a spot in the rotation, even if he isn't 100% to start with. Not many pitchers start the season at 100% even if they have been healthy.

Edited March 11, 2007 by Sarcastic

[CubColtPacer]

It may not be a firm deadline but Guzman is clearly leading the pack right now. Prior will be making his next start in MiL camp (according to Lou).

 

Link?

 

I don't think an unbiased interpretation of Lou's quotes shows anything except the obvious fact that Prior can't pitch in the regular season the way he has pitched in ST.

 

He said in the game thread that Lou's quote was from the radio pre-game show today.

[98navigator]

It may not be a firm deadline but Guzman is clearly leading the pack right now. Prior will be making his next start in MiL camp (according to Lou).

 

Link?

 

I don't think an unbiased interpretation of Lou's quotes shows anything except the obvious fact that Prior can't pitch in the regular season the way he has pitched in ST.

 

He just said it on WGN radio's pregame show. If you have Gameday Audio you can hear the rebroadcast...

[Sarcastic]

It may not be a firm deadline but Guzman is clearly leading the pack right now. Prior will be making his next start in MiL camp (according to Lou).

 

Link?

 

I don't think an unbiased interpretation of Lou's quotes shows anything except the obvious fact that Prior can't pitch in the regular season the way he has pitched in ST.

 

He just said it on WGN radio's pregame show. If you have Gameday Audio you can hear the rebroadcast...

 

Unfortunately I don't have it. I'll wait to see it in the paper.

[98navigator]

I'm sure the papers will be all over it...

[mg420]

If Guzman continues to throw as he did today, Prior is irrelevant and expendable.

 

This quote makes it sound like Guzman was lights out dominant yesterday. Granted, I didn't see the game, but what is so spectacular about giving up five hits in three innings (with one K)?

 

He wasn't lights our dominant, but right now he's our best option.

 

i would have to say that miller is the front runner at this point. unless miller gets rocked his next few starts, i think he will be the #5 to start the season. if they give it to guzman right off the bat, hendry would trade miller and have to go to the minors (or cotts/prior) if guzman isnt able to handle the majors yet. with miller the #5, they always will have guzman at iowa in case miller tanks.

[98navigator]

It may not be a firm deadline but Guzman is clearly leading the pack right now. Prior will be making his next start in MiL camp (according to Lou).

 

Link?

 

I don't think an unbiased interpretation of Lou's quotes shows anything except the obvious fact that Prior can't pitch in the regular season the way he has pitched in ST.

 

He just said it on WGN radio's pregame show. If you have Gameday Audio you can hear the rebroadcast...

 

Unfortunately I don't have it. I'll wait to see it in the paper.

 

Here ya go: Link

 

...Lou Piniella met Sunday with Mark Prior to establish a game plan in hopes of getting the right-hander ready for the regular season... which will include a start this week in the Minor League camp

 

"His confidence is playing with him a little bit..." "I told him, 'Look, you have to relax.' I think this is the right approach... He can go down there and relax and just pitch. He doesn't have to answer to the media. Leave him alone, let him pitch."

[Soul]

One thing Mark has mastered is the ability to repeat the "everything is fine" mantra to the media even though clearly behind the scenes he's struggling.

 

Lou's doing what he needs to. Mark's so far away from being capable of starting a MLB game there's no point continuing the charade. It's Guzman's job, for now.