Prior is "just an employee"

[A New Era]

You guys are right. Today's loss, coupled with a long day of not watching baseball at work put me in a crappy mood. An irrational crappy mood, that is. Anyways, you guys are right.

 

It's alright. We're all in crappy moods. First the Cubs get shelled and then we find out Z's contract talks are put on hold. Not that great a day for Cubs' fans (not many days are).

 

QFT

 

No, it's THIS PLACE that puts people in crappy moods. You see why I left for a month!?! Sheesh. :wink:

[Ding Dong Johnson]

You guys are right. Today's loss, coupled with a long day of not watching baseball at work put me in a crappy mood. An irrational crappy mood, that is. Anyways, you guys are right.

 

It's alright. We're all in crappy moods. First the Cubs get shelled and then we find out Z's contract talks are put on hold. Not that great a day for Cubs' fans (not many days are).

 

QFT

 

No, it's THIS PLACE that puts people in crappy moods. You see why I left for a month!?! Sheesh. :wink:

 

A month?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

You guys are right. Today's loss, coupled with a long day of not watching baseball at work put me in a crappy mood. An irrational crappy mood, that is. Anyways, you guys are right.

 

It's alright. We're all in crappy moods. First the Cubs get shelled and then we find out Z's contract talks are put on hold. Not that great a day for Cubs' fans (not many days are).

 

QFT

 

No, it's THIS PLACE that puts people in crappy moods. You see why I left for a month!?! Sheesh. :wink:

 

A month?

 

Hahahaha

[Sammy Sofa]

You guys are right. Today's loss, coupled with a long day of not watching baseball at work put me in a crappy mood. An irrational crappy mood, that is. Anyways, you guys are right.

 

It's alright. We're all in crappy moods. First the Cubs get shelled and then we find out Z's contract talks are put on hold. Not that great a day for Cubs' fans (not many days are).

 

QFT

 

No, it's THIS PLACE that puts people in crappy moods. You see why I left for a month!?! Sheesh. :wink:

 

A month?

 

Hahahaha

 

Hahahaha X eleventy billion.

[A New Era]

You guys are right. Today's loss, coupled with a long day of not watching baseball at work put me in a crappy mood. An irrational crappy mood, that is. Anyways, you guys are right.

 

It's alright. We're all in crappy moods. First the Cubs get shelled and then we find out Z's contract talks are put on hold. Not that great a day for Cubs' fans (not many days are).

 

QFT

 

No, it's THIS PLACE that puts people in crappy moods. You see why I left for a month!?! Sheesh. :wink:

 

A month?

 

Yeah you're right, it was more like a month and a half. But now we're just nit picking. :wink:

[Laura]

OMG, Z is "just an employee," too!!

 

Paul Sullivan / The Trib[/url]"]

Like Mark [Prior] said, I'm just an employee here," Zambrano said after his seventh consecutive April start without a victory. "I don't have to worry about if they want to sell the Cubs or not. Just keep pitching my game and doing my job here.

 

"Whatever happens with the business of the Chicago Cubs, I'm just here to play baseball."

 

heh.

[RichHillIsABeast]

OMG, Z is "just an employee," too!!

 

Paul Sullivan / The Trib[/url]"]

Like Mark [Prior] said, I'm just an employee here," Zambrano said after his seventh consecutive April start without a victory. "I don't have to worry about if they want to sell the Cubs or not. Just keep pitching my game and doing my job here.

 

"Whatever happens with the business of the Chicago Cubs, I'm just here to play baseball."

 

heh.

 

So can Prior be termed a clubhouse cancer if he's still in AZ? :lol:

[CaliforniaRaisin]

To avoid the weather? Man, I've about had it with Prior. How the hell do you lose a spot on the big league club, then delay your minor league assignment because it's too cold? Grow a pair, and go down there and show the Cubs that you belong in Chicago.

 

The Cubs made the decision. He needs to build up arm strength and wouldn't be of use to the Iowa Cubs throwing 4 innings each start. Routinely, pitchers stay in warm-weather climates when they're recovering from injury. He isn't delaying anything, it's the Cubs who are.

[papabear58]

To avoid the weather? Man, I've about had it with Prior. How the hell do you lose a spot on the big league club, then delay your minor league assignment because it's too cold? Grow a pair, and go down there and show the Cubs that you belong in Chicago.

 

The Cubs made the decision. He needs to build up arm strength and wouldn't be of use to the Iowa Cubs throwing 4 innings each start. Routinely, pitchers stay in warm-weather climates when they're recovering from injury. He isn't delaying anything, it's the Cubs who are.

 

I can understand the desire to keep him from re-injury, but you also have to reach a point where you say, "Hey kid, show me you've still got something." Some people want to say that his last start in spring ball showed that he was on the right track. I agree and disagree. Yes, he's headding in the right direction, but that doesn't mean that he's ready, or that he'll ever be ready fully again.

 

Let him chill in the minors, pitch, and recover his form without having to worry about big league hitters shelling him. It will allow him to work on mechanics and technique as well as putting together his psyche. I don't buy the tough guy act of, "There was never any doubt." I simply don't like the message that they are sending with the whole "You'll be back up soon". Tell him that he'll be back up when he's shown that he's back to where he needs to be to pitch at the major leage level.

[frostwyrm]

PRIOR DELAYED: Former pitching ace Mark Prior, who was optioned to Class AAA Iowa last week, is not on the team's opening roster because he has been held back in extended spring training in Arizona to get his pitch count high enough to allow him to start games for Iowa.

 

''I want to make sure he's up to at least five innings,'' said farm director Oneri Fleita, pointing out that Prior threw only three innings in his most recent start. ''We just want to make sure he's ready to go, 100 percent. If it's one start or two starts, it doesn't matter.''

 

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/324220,CST-SPT-cubnt03.article

 

He's not even ready for AAA yet. I don't see how he can bitch about being left off the big league roster. If he kicks ass in Iowa then he can bitch, til then he should keep his mouth shut.

[C.C.]

PRIOR DELAYED: Former pitching ace Mark Prior, who was optioned to Class AAA Iowa last week, is not on the team's opening roster because he has been held back in extended spring training in Arizona to get his pitch count high enough to allow him to start games for Iowa.

 

''I want to make sure he's up to at least five innings,'' said farm director Oneri Fleita, pointing out that Prior threw only three innings in his most recent start. ''We just want to make sure he's ready to go, 100 percent. If it's one start or two starts, it doesn't matter.''

 

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/324220,CST-SPT-cubnt03.article

 

He's not even ready for AAA yet. I don't see how he can bitch about being left off the big league roster. If he kicks ass in Iowa then he can bitch, til then he should keep his mouth shut.

 

=D>

[Sammy Sofa]

PRIOR DELAYED: Former pitching ace Mark Prior, who was optioned to Class AAA Iowa last week, is not on the team's opening roster because he has been held back in extended spring training in Arizona to get his pitch count high enough to allow him to start games for Iowa.

 

''I want to make sure he's up to at least five innings,'' said farm director Oneri Fleita, pointing out that Prior threw only three innings in his most recent start. ''We just want to make sure he's ready to go, 100 percent. If it's one start or two starts, it doesn't matter.''

 

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/324220,CST-SPT-cubnt03.article

 

He's not even ready for AAA yet. I don't see how he can bitch about being left off the big league roster. If he kicks ass in Iowa then he can bitch, til then he should keep his mouth shut.

 

Where did he "bitch about being left off the roster?"

[Sarcastic]

PRIOR DELAYED: Former pitching ace Mark Prior, who was optioned to Class AAA Iowa last week, is not on the team's opening roster because he has been held back in extended spring training in Arizona to get his pitch count high enough to allow him to start games for Iowa.

 

''I want to make sure he's up to at least five innings,'' said farm director Oneri Fleita, pointing out that Prior threw only three innings in his most recent start. ''We just want to make sure he's ready to go, 100 percent. If it's one start or two starts, it doesn't matter.''

 

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/324220,CST-SPT-cubnt03.article

 

He's not even ready for AAA yet. I don't see how he can bitch about being left off the big league roster. If he kicks ass in Iowa then he can bitch, til then he should keep his mouth shut.

 

I still don't think you can call what he said bitching. Bitching would be saying, I'm not just some random employee, I'm Mark Prior, and if these morons don't bring me up or trade me in 10 days, I quit.

 

This thing isn't really a delay either. As long as he's still pitching, building up arm strength, he is on his way back. A delay would be more along the lines of another reason he can't pitch at all for a month.

[Chocolate Milk]

Not really understanding the beef with Prior about what he said. Why wouldn't he be disappointed? He said he would play in triple A and help that team win. Tossed in a joke about making the futures game.

 

Why are people fired up about this again? Time to unclench those butt cheeks, people.

[papabear58]

Not really understanding the beef with Prior about what he said. Why wouldn't he be disappointed? He said he would play in triple A and help that team win. Tossed in a joke about making the futures game.

 

Why are people fired up about this again? Time to unclench those butt cheeks, people.

 

Well you can't blame people for having butt spasms after the team keeps ripping higher ticket prices out. At least this time then gave us a return for the money in the form of a spending spree (insert debate on how they spent it here). At least this time we aren't relying on him, and if he makes it back he makes it back. The rotation is not as good as any of us would like it, but at least we can build on it from here without having to make the rotation a parade of not ready kids who go out for their weekly shelling because Prior/Wood are injured again.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

PRIOR DELAYED: Former pitching ace Mark Prior, who was optioned to Class AAA Iowa last week, is not on the team's opening roster because he has been held back in extended spring training in Arizona to get his pitch count high enough to allow him to start games for Iowa.

 

''I want to make sure he's up to at least five innings,'' said farm director Oneri Fleita, pointing out that Prior threw only three innings in his most recent start. ''We just want to make sure he's ready to go, 100 percent. If it's one start or two starts, it doesn't matter.''

 

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/324220,CST-SPT-cubnt03.article

 

He's not even ready for AAA yet. I don't see how he can bitch about being left off the big league roster. If he kicks ass in Iowa then he can bitch, til then he should keep his mouth shut.

 

Where did he "bitch about being left off the roster?"

 

Did you miss the part where they didn't quote or paraphrase anything he said?

[Sammy Sofa]

PRIOR DELAYED: Former pitching ace Mark Prior, who was optioned to Class AAA Iowa last week, is not on the team's opening roster because he has been held back in extended spring training in Arizona to get his pitch count high enough to allow him to start games for Iowa.

 

''I want to make sure he's up to at least five innings,'' said farm director Oneri Fleita, pointing out that Prior threw only three innings in his most recent start. ''We just want to make sure he's ready to go, 100 percent. If it's one start or two starts, it doesn't matter.''

 

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/324220,CST-SPT-cubnt03.article

 

He's not even ready for AAA yet. I don't see how he can bitch about being left off the big league roster. If he kicks ass in Iowa then he can bitch, til then he should keep his mouth shut.

 

Where did he "bitch about being left off the roster?"

 

Did you miss the part where they didn't quote or paraphrase anything he said?

 

I must have missed where it came even remotely close to resembling him "bitching."

[Chocolate Milk]

PRIOR DELAYED: Former pitching ace Mark Prior, who was optioned to Class AAA Iowa last week, is not on the team's opening roster because he has been held back in extended spring training in Arizona to get his pitch count high enough to allow him to start games for Iowa.

 

''I want to make sure he's up to at least five innings,'' said farm director Oneri Fleita, pointing out that Prior threw only three innings in his most recent start. ''We just want to make sure he's ready to go, 100 percent. If it's one start or two starts, it doesn't matter.''

 

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/324220,CST-SPT-cubnt03.article

 

He's not even ready for AAA yet. I don't see how he can bitch about being left off the big league roster. If he kicks ass in Iowa then he can bitch, til then he should keep his mouth shut.

 

Where did he "bitch about being left off the roster?"

 

Did you miss the part where they didn't quote or paraphrase anything he said?

 

I must have missed where it came even remotely close to resembling him "bitching."

 

[oldman] Hell, he's PLAYING A GAME for a living and making millions doing it. So he has to go to triple A, big deal! You're playing a game for millions of dollars! Don't complain to me! I bust my hump every day for pennies and your complaining about going to the minors! Shut your face you stupid jerk![/oldman]

[davearm]

I can understand the desire to keep him from re-injury, but you also have to reach a point where you say, "Hey kid, show me you've still got something." Some people want to say that his last start in spring ball showed that he was on the right track. I agree and disagree. Yes, he's headding in the right direction, but that doesn't mean that he's ready, or that he'll ever be ready fully again.

And according to Oneri Fleita, that point will come when Prior can throw in the neighborhood of 5 innings/100 pitches. Makes perfect sense to me. No point in burning out the Iowa bullpen while Prior regains his armstrength and endurance.

[papabear58]

I can understand the desire to keep him from re-injury, but you also have to reach a point where you say, "Hey kid, show me you've still got something." Some people want to say that his last start in spring ball showed that he was on the right track. I agree and disagree. Yes, he's headding in the right direction, but that doesn't mean that he's ready, or that he'll ever be ready fully again.

And according to Oneri Fleita, that point will come when Prior can throw in the neighborhood of 5 innings/100 pitches. Makes perfect sense to me. No point in burning out the Iowa bullpen while Prior regains his armstrength and endurance.

 

Agreed with the bullpen, but if he threw 4 innings/75-80 pitches that shouldn't be too much for a bullpen to cover, and he was getting to that point when he left spring training. One start isn't too big of an issue, but I hope it doesn't turn into more.

[VVMattVV]

I can understand the desire to keep him from re-injury, but you also have to reach a point where you say, "Hey kid, show me you've still got something." Some people want to say that his last start in spring ball showed that he was on the right track. I agree and disagree. Yes, he's headding in the right direction, but that doesn't mean that he's ready, or that he'll ever be ready fully again.

And according to Oneri Fleita, that point will come when Prior can throw in the neighborhood of 5 innings/100 pitches. Makes perfect sense to me. No point in burning out the Iowa bullpen while Prior regains his armstrength and endurance.

 

Agreed with the bullpen, but if he threw 4 innings/75-80 pitches that shouldn't be too much for a bullpen to cover, and he was getting to that point when he left spring training. One start isn't too big of an issue, but I hope it doesn't turn into more.

 

4 innings? I'd want my starters being able to at least six for my pen. Thats still five innings to make up, and while you usually carry a long reliever, it still puts unnecessary stress on a bullpen. Prior doesn't need to face AAA competition, he's proved he can get ML batters out, he just needs to keep pitching.

[Soul]

I can understand the desire to keep him from re-injury, but you also have to reach a point where you say, "Hey kid, show me you've still got something." Some people want to say that his last start in spring ball showed that he was on the right track. I agree and disagree. Yes, he's headding in the right direction, but that doesn't mean that he's ready, or that he'll ever be ready fully again.

And according to Oneri Fleita, that point will come when Prior can throw in the neighborhood of 5 innings/100 pitches. Makes perfect sense to me. No point in burning out the Iowa bullpen while Prior regains his armstrength and endurance.

 

Agreed with the bullpen, but if he threw 4 innings/75-80 pitches that shouldn't be too much for a bullpen to cover, and he was getting to that point when he left spring training. One start isn't too big of an issue, but I hope it doesn't turn into more.

 

4 innings? I'd want my starters being able to at least six for my pen. Thats still five innings to make up, and while you usually carry a long reliever, it still puts unnecessary stress on a bullpen. Prior doesn't need to face AAA competition, he's proved he can get ML batters out, he just needs to keep pitching.

 

How do you know that? How do you know there isn't still an injury that's sucking some velocity? An undetected one, perhaps? How long did Borowski try to pitch while doctors said nothing was wrong, only to eventually find out there was a shoulder problem?

 

We don't really know what the deal with Prior is. He's at AAA because he's not up to the standards expected of him. I'd love to see him up too, but mostly I'd like to figure out why he never comes to ST ready to play.

[10man]

Now it looks like the Cubs have 2 "employees". Z is on the bandwagon too.

[papabear58]

I can understand the desire to keep him from re-injury, but you also have to reach a point where you say, "Hey kid, show me you've still got something." Some people want to say that his last start in spring ball showed that he was on the right track. I agree and disagree. Yes, he's headding in the right direction, but that doesn't mean that he's ready, or that he'll ever be ready fully again.

And according to Oneri Fleita, that point will come when Prior can throw in the neighborhood of 5 innings/100 pitches. Makes perfect sense to me. No point in burning out the Iowa bullpen while Prior regains his armstrength and endurance.

 

Agreed with the bullpen, but if he threw 4 innings/75-80 pitches that shouldn't be too much for a bullpen to cover, and he was getting to that point when he left spring training. One start isn't too big of an issue, but I hope it doesn't turn into more.

 

4 innings? I'd want my starters being able to at least six for my pen. Thats still five innings to make up, and while you usually carry a long reliever, it still puts unnecessary stress on a bullpen. Prior doesn't need to face AAA competition, he's proved he can get ML batters out, he just needs to keep pitching.

 

And I'd like for every pitcher to win 20 games and my closer to lead the league in saves with none blown. I'd also like for every batter to hit over .300 with a minimum of 20 homeruns. Oh and while I'm at it, I don't think that 160 k's per pitcher is too much to ask ethier.

 

The fact is that Prior needs to pitch and re-develop mechanics and release. He needs to learn to pitch not just to throw the ball. As for getting hitters out, he proved that he can get some outs in spring training, but that's different then serving up mid to high 80 mph fastballs and a breaking ball that may or may not hit the strike zone on any given day in the major leagues. Prior does need to face AAA hitters in order to get everything right without getting shelled in the process. I don't care if you're soft or not, getting consistantly shelled by hitters would be hard on anyone. If he tries to iron out these mistakes in the majors look out, then you just might have a battered psyche on your hands. Let him work down there and get ready where he can still be an effective pitcher and not just a guy who stands there and serves up hits.

[davearm]

I can understand the desire to keep him from re-injury, but you also have to reach a point where you say, "Hey kid, show me you've still got something." Some people want to say that his last start in spring ball showed that he was on the right track. I agree and disagree. Yes, he's headding in the right direction, but that doesn't mean that he's ready, or that he'll ever be ready fully again.

And according to Oneri Fleita, that point will come when Prior can throw in the neighborhood of 5 innings/100 pitches. Makes perfect sense to me. No point in burning out the Iowa bullpen while Prior regains his armstrength and endurance.

 

Agreed with the bullpen, but if he threw 4 innings/75-80 pitches that shouldn't be too much for a bullpen to cover, and he was getting to that point when he left spring training. One start isn't too big of an issue, but I hope it doesn't turn into more.

We could argue back and forth about what the proper endurance threshold ought to be, but the point remains: the Cubs will do just what you suggest ("Hey kid, show me you've still got something.") once Prior's conditioning allows for it.