Angry Prior returns or Iowa awaits

[mordecaibrown]

I hope today we see angry Prior, the pitcher with a huge mean streak, we have not seen him since the line drive game. So here to Lou getting under Marky Marks skin and waving the triple A bus ticket in his face.

 

Prior would be the best pitcher in baseball if he just started hanging out with Big Z. Angry, crazy Prior would dominate, like Clemens( the secret is ICEY HOT on the privates, no lie). I 100% believe that all Prior problems right now are mental and a little motivation or pressure from the manager might change things.

[RichHillIsABeast]

It's pretty hard to be mean with a below 90 mph fastball.

[mordecaibrown]

Maddux is mean and he tops out at 85 mph, 90 is plenty fast is you know how to locate it. Prior has the stuff to dominate without throwing 95, he has just lacked control, watch any start he has thrown this spring. I will be at todays game in the beautiful wind blown desert, expect 20 to 30 mph winds today. Lots of runs!!!!!!!!!! Edited March 28, 2007 by mordecaibrown

[98navigator]

It doesn't matter if "angry" Prior shows up today. Wade Miller has already been named the 5th starter. The only thing left to decide is if Prior goes on the DL or straight to AAA.

[Bote McBoteface]

Miller could get moved up to third in the rotation with Marquis's lame ass getting shipped out if Prior dominates...

[Sarcastic]

I just want Prior to show progress today. I think the biggest reason Prior was dropped as a 5th starter candidate is that his stamina isn't where it needs to be for him to pitch a regular season game. He just doesn't have the innings yet due to his ST troubles. If he shows a little progress and gets his pitches in every time out, he'll be back when he is ready. My only hope is that they don't hold him back in AAA after he's ready stamina wise because of a couple of poor outings in ST.

[rocket]

i didn't know that prior's only problem was that he wasn't mean enough.

[mordecaibrown]

Lou is the master at using the media so just be aware that things aren't as they appear to be.

[98navigator]

Miller could get moved up to third in the rotation with Marquis's lame ass getting shipped out if Prior dominates...

 

That's wishful thinking (especially with respect to today's outing). A few days ago we thought Prior had a small chance to win a spot in the rotation but that isn't reality right now.

 

Marquis can't be traded before June 15, as such, he isn't going anywhere. In fact, an argument can be made that he won't be moved period (regardless of performance). If Marquis pitches poorly, no team will want to be saddled with his three year contract. If he pitches well, Hendry won't consider trading him--because he's "only" making $7M a year.

 

If Prior is able to regain a spot in the rotation, in the future, it will most likely be at the expense of Wade Miller.

[98navigator]

Lou is the master at using the media so just be aware that things aren't as they appear to be.

 

So you're saying that Lou didn't really mean that Wade Miller was going to be his 5th starter?

 

Seriously, I love Mark Prior but he hasn't earned the spot. I hope he gets himself together to help the team later in the year. Lou can't manage on hopes.

[mordecaibrown]

Most likely even if Prior does dominate, Prior will be headed to extended spring training and a 15 day DL stint, and will return April 16 or 17 to replace Angel Guzman or Wade Miller.

 

Lou likes to play mental games with his players to get the most out of them. it worked in Cinnci for little while, until Dibs confronted him. I just was saying that you can't always rely on what Lou says to the media, because there is more to story then we know, like Wade Miller is the 5th starter............He may be for the rest of the week but it could change quickly if Prior responds to Lou's bait.

Edited March 28, 2007 by mordecaibrown

[biittner77]

With Wood out the Cubs could bring Cherry north with Prior used in long relief and Guzman sent to AAA. With Miller and Marquis in the rotation the long man will get plenty of work early on.

[woodchip2153]

Patches O'houlihan: You've gotta get mad! You've gotta get angry!

 

Gordon: I'm not really the angry type.

 

 

Patches: You angry now!?

[Omar]

Hey, maybe Lou mentioned Miller as the 5th starter to motivate Prior? You never know.

[Sarcastic]

Lou is the master at using the media so just be aware that things aren't as they appear to be.

 

So you're saying that Lou didn't really mean that Wade Miller was going to be his 5th starter?

 

Seriously, I love Mark Prior but he hasn't earned the spot. I hope he gets himself together to help the team later in the year. Lou can't manage on hopes.

 

He's still coming back. He's showing progress. I think it is reasonable to expect him to get a spot in the rotation once he has thrown his pitches and gotten his arm strength up, assuming he doesn't revent to his early ST state. Hopefully he doesn't get injured before he can get his arm strength back up.

[98navigator]

They can't put him on the DL if he insists he's healthy (which he's been saying repeatedly all ST). Unless he comes up with some last minute injury, he's going to AAA.

 

He's not going to pitch in the bullpen so I don't see how he could take Guzman's spot (assuming he makes the team).

 

AAA is not a bad thing. When he's right, he'll be completely dominating that league and the Cubs will be forced to bring him back.

[Sammy Sofa]

Miller could get moved up to third in the rotation with Marquis's lame ass getting shipped out if Prior dominates...

 

That's wishful thinking (especially with respect to today's outing). A few days ago we thought Prior had a small chance to win a spot in the rotation but that isn't reality right now.

 

Marquis can't be traded before June 15, as such, he isn't going anywhere. In fact, an argument can be made that he won't be moved period (regardless of performance). If Marquis pitches poorly, no team will want to be saddled with his three year contract. If he pitches well, Hendry won't consider trading him--because he's "only" making $7M a year.

 

If Prior is able to regain a spot in the rotation, in the future, it will most likely be at the expense of Wade Miller.

 

If, IF, Miller pitches along the lines of his last outing and Prior improves, I don't give a flying crap how much Marquis cost. If Marquis sucks, and he likely will, and Miller and Prior are MUCH better, Marquis better become the expensive swing man. Yeah, it's bad he costs so much, but I'd prefer to go with talent as opposed to being led around by the pocketbook.

[98navigator]

Miller could get moved up to third in the rotation with Marquis's lame ass getting shipped out if Prior dominates...

 

That's wishful thinking (especially with respect to today's outing). A few days ago we thought Prior had a small chance to win a spot in the rotation but that isn't reality right now.

 

Marquis can't be traded before June 15, as such, he isn't going anywhere. In fact, an argument can be made that he won't be moved period (regardless of performance). If Marquis pitches poorly, no team will want to be saddled with his three year contract. If he pitches well, Hendry won't consider trading him--because he's "only" making $7M a year.

 

If Prior is able to regain a spot in the rotation, in the future, it will most likely be at the expense of Wade Miller.

 

If, IF, Miller pitches along the lines of his last outing and Prior improves, I don't give a flying crap how much Marquis cost. If Marquis sucks, and he likely will, and Miller and Prior are MUCH better, Marquis better become the expensive swing man. Yeah, it's bad he costs so much, but I'd prefer to go with talent as opposed to being led around by the pocketbook.

 

Swing man is a possibility. I was responding to the idea that Marquis would be shipped out.

[RichHillIsABeast]

Maddux is mean and he tops out at 85 mph, 90 is plenty fast is you know how to locate it. Prior has the stuff to dominate without throwing 95, he has just lacked control, watch any start he has thrown this spring. I will be at todays game in the beautiful wind blown desert, expect 20 to 30 mph winds today. Lots of runs!!!!!!!!!!

 

Maddux is the smartest pitcher of his generation and still has ridiculous movement and location on his pitches.

 

Prior has no control at this point and little velocity. So I'll say it again - how is he supposed to be mean?

 

* I think Prior is on his way back, but it will take time.

[mordecaibrown]

Marquis is a sinkerballer and Hendry loves him some sinkerballers.

[Sammy Sofa]

Miller could get moved up to third in the rotation with Marquis's lame ass getting shipped out if Prior dominates...

 

That's wishful thinking (especially with respect to today's outing). A few days ago we thought Prior had a small chance to win a spot in the rotation but that isn't reality right now.

 

Marquis can't be traded before June 15, as such, he isn't going anywhere. In fact, an argument can be made that he won't be moved period (regardless of performance). If Marquis pitches poorly, no team will want to be saddled with his three year contract. If he pitches well, Hendry won't consider trading him--because he's "only" making $7M a year.

 

If Prior is able to regain a spot in the rotation, in the future, it will most likely be at the expense of Wade Miller.

 

If, IF, Miller pitches along the lines of his last outing and Prior improves, I don't give a flying crap how much Marquis cost. If Marquis sucks, and he likely will, and Miller and Prior are MUCH better, Marquis better become the expensive swing man. Yeah, it's bad he costs so much, but I'd prefer to go with talent as opposed to being led around by the pocketbook.

 

Swing man is a possibility. I was responding to the idea that Marquis would be shipped out.

 

I agree with that part of it. The only way the Cubs move him is if they pick up a chunk of the tab.

[98navigator]

...I will be at todays game in the beautiful wind blown desert, expect 20 to 30 mph winds today. Lots of runs!!!!!!!!!!

 

That doesn't bode well for Prior's numbers.

[mordecaibrown]

Prior problem is that he has no confidence in his stuff. He has no mean streak, he timid on the mound. He is thinking to much and not the same pitcher he was at USC or in 03. Being angry is what dominate pitchers do. Intimidation and supreme confidence in your abilities to dominate any hitter is the key capitalizing on God given talents(Rocket Arm, Crazy movement), Randy Johnson figured this out(took him 5 plus years), Curt Schilling(took him just as long), even someone as weak as Kenny Rogers. Prior has the stuff and the ability it just comes down to if he wants it.

[Balsa]

Prior problem is that he has no confidence in his stuff. He has no mean streak, he timid on the mound. He is thinking to much and not the same pitcher he was at USC or in 03. Being angry is what dominate pitchers do. Intimidation and supreme confidence in your abilities to dominate any hitter is the key capitalizing on God given talents(Rocket Arm, Crazy movement), Randy Johnson figured this out(took him 5 plus years), Curt Schilling(took him just as long), even someone as weak as Kenny Rogers. Prior has the stuff and the ability is just comes down to if he wants it.

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[mordecaibrown]

Just a quick update on the weather, the wind has died down so it should not be a problem. We had huge dust storms yesterday so there still a chance today but things seem calm. If you guys saw yesterdays score from Arizona every game had at least double digit scores, the Padres put up a 24 spot on the Rangers