Prior is "just an employee"

[CubinNY]

Everyone always criticizes the Cubs for being too soft with veteran players. But once they get tougher and demand a level of performance, suddenly everyone's all over them for that, too. I guess they can't win either way.

I don't think anyone is criticizing the Cubs for sending down Prior. I think people are trying to introduce a little sanity into the discussion.

 

Prior is a wuss and Prior lost his confidence are pretty weak arguments. Prior lost mph on his fast ball and Prior hasn't located his pitches are much better arguments IMO.

 

I'm glad the Cubs didn't give Prior a spot if he's not ready.

 

I think here's the quote that Soul is referring to

 

I've stated that Prior isn't 100%. But all things being equal I'd bet he'd out produce Miller.

 

He's being given the raw end of the deal by his "employers" again.

 

That definitely is criticism for sending down Prior.

 

Also-yes, Prior lost mph on his fast ball and an inability to locate his pitches are the direct reasons why he hasn't pitched well. The thing is-what are the causes of those two things? Is it just because of the loss of arm strength due to the injuries? Is it the time off? Is it due to a lack of confidence that is causing him not to air his arm all the way out for fear of getting hurt again?

I think it's a combination of all 3, and I understand why that is-I have a knee injury, and the hardest thing in coming back from it is trusting that my knee was healthy and allowing myself to go at full speed without risk of injury. With all the setbacks that Prior has had over the last year, it is likely that a similar thing is happening to him, and that is at least part of the cause for his lack of speed and command is this mental fear (the other part being that he is still rehabbing from his injuries physically as well and building arm strength).

 

For about the 1 millionth time

 

Confidence is result NEVER a cause.

 

I think it's better for the ameture psychologists to keep their diagnosis to themselves.

 

The diagnoses are completely full of nonsense, as is most of this thread.

[CubColtPacer]

 

Also-yes, Prior lost mph on his fast ball and an inability to locate his pitches are the direct reasons why he hasn't pitched well. The thing is-what are the causes of those two things? Is it just because of the loss of arm strength due to the injuries? Is it the time off? Is it due to a lack of confidence that is causing him not to air his arm all the way out for fear of getting hurt again?

I think it's a combination of all 3, and I understand why that is-I have a knee injury, and the hardest thing in coming back from it is trusting that my knee was healthy and allowing myself to go at full speed without risk of injury. With all the setbacks that Prior has had over the last year, it is likely that a similar thing is happening to him, and that is at least part of the cause for his lack of speed and command is this mental fear (the other part being that he is still rehabbing from his injuries physically as well and building arm strength).

 

For about the 1 millionth time

 

Confidence is result NEVER a cause.

 

I think it's better for the ameture psychologists to keep their diagnosis to themselves.

 

The diagnoses are completely full of nonsense, as is most of this thread.

 

Ok, if you say that a player's level of confidence does not affect performance at all, then that's fine. I don't think it has as much effect as cliche would seem to indicate (the whole if you believe you can, you can-if you don't believe, you can't-that's way, way overstating it). I think that a person can only perform to the level that their talent and training allows them to, but I also believe that a lack of confidence can cause a person to think too much and not let their natural abilities take over.

That is supported by both the stunning dropoff in some players at times (mental blocks in the inability to do certain things-the Chuck Knoublauch example from a few years about is a great example of what a few physical mistakes that resulted in a lack of confidence, and the lack of confidence caused him to make the same simple physical mistake over and over again). Also look at a case like Mark Wohlers, which is somewhat common for closers-never had too much of a problem with walking people at an exceptional rate for years, and then without injury just simply lost it-how do you explain that?

There are also plenty of athletes who said they have broken through when they simply trusted their abilities and stopped thinking all the time and doubting themselves all the time-are they mistaken?

 

I don't think that is nearly all that is wrong with Prior, and neither do I agree with in the slightest those who are calling him soft or that his mental issues are the only reason he's not dominant. The mental part of the game has to play a part though-a person's mindset does affect in some way how they perform.

[Soul]

Everyone always criticizes the Cubs for being too soft with veteran players. But once they get tougher and demand a level of performance, suddenly everyone's all over them for that, too. I guess they can't win either way.

I don't think anyone is criticizing the Cubs for sending down Prior. I think people are trying to introduce a little sanity into the discussion.

 

Prior is a wuss and Prior lost his confidence are pretty weak arguments. Prior lost mph on his fast ball and Prior hasn't located his pitches are much better arguments IMO.

 

I'm glad the Cubs didn't give Prior a spot if he's not ready.

 

I think here's the quote that Soul is referring to

 

I've stated that Prior isn't 100%. But all things being equal I'd bet he'd out produce Miller.

 

He's being given the raw end of the deal by his "employers" again.

 

That definitely is criticism for sending down Prior.

 

Also-yes, Prior lost mph on his fast ball and an inability to locate his pitches are the direct reasons why he hasn't pitched well. The thing is-what are the causes of those two things? Is it just because of the loss of arm strength due to the injuries? Is it the time off? Is it due to a lack of confidence that is causing him not to air his arm all the way out for fear of getting hurt again?

I think it's a combination of all 3, and I understand why that is-I have a knee injury, and the hardest thing in coming back from it is trusting that my knee was healthy and allowing myself to go at full speed without risk of injury. With all the setbacks that Prior has had over the last year, it is likely that a similar thing is happening to him, and that is at least part of the cause for his lack of speed and command is this mental fear (the other part being that he is still rehabbing from his injuries physically as well and building arm strength).

 

For about the 1 millionth time

 

Confidence is result NEVER a cause.

 

I think it's better for the ameture psychologists to keep their diagnosis to themselves.

 

The diagnoses are completely full of nonsense, as is most of this thread.

 

I don't care about the diagnoses or whatever. Prior was clearly not up to his standards or the organizations' standards for him, so he's getting the opportunity to improve at Iowa.

 

And that sounds like a sane, reasonable approach to me. I really don't care if anyone agrees with me.

[NCCubFan]

My point is that Prior believes the Cubs have mishandled, mistreated or otherwise set his career back. He's gone at the earliest possible juncture, the Cubs know it, and would love to delay that possibility.

Not necessarily true at all. Even if Prior does feel like he's been mistreated that could easily be water under the bridge when he becomes a free agent. Dusty is gone; Hendry could well be gone by then too. Whether Prior decides to remain with the Cubs will be based on his feelings about the Cubs' organization in the present and future, not past.

[CubColtPacer]

My point is that Prior believes the Cubs have mishandled, mistreated or otherwise set his career back. He's gone at the earliest possible juncture, the Cubs know it, and would love to delay that possibility.

Not necessarily true at all. Even if Prior does feel like he's been mistreated that could easily be water under the bridge when he becomes a free agent. Dusty is gone; Hendry could well be gone by then too. Whether Prior decides to remain with the Cubs will be based on his feelings about the Cubs' organization in the present and future, not past.

 

That's true-he's still 2 years away. In baseball terms, that's still a long, long time for an organization-even if Prior is very upset at the organization right now, he still has time to change his mind, and money has a way of changing minds as well.

[Omar]

When is Priors next MiL start?

[98navigator]

When is Priors next MiL start?

 

I don't know but you might want to monitor the Iowa Cubs site

[CaliforniaRaisin]

When is Priors next MiL start?

 

I have Saturday April 7th will be his first AAA start.

 

Tomorrow he should pitch somewhere in Arizona.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Prior won't report immediately to Iowa, apparently. He'll stay in Mesa to avoid the colder April weather in Des Moines: http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070402/SPORTS1402/70402012/1003/SPORTS

[Mizzou]

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.

[imb]

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.

 

Hahahaha, was it even his decision, or did the Cubs tell him to stay in Mesa?

 

Edit:

The article makes it look like Prior had zero say in the decision making process. It also says that the decision hasn't even been made yet, so in other words, shut it up.

Edited April 2, 2007 by Bunts Lick Butts

[Mizzou]

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.

 

Hahahaha, was it even his decision, or did the Cubs tell him to stay in Mesa?

Hahahaha, I don't know. If you were a betting man, what would you put your money on?

[imb]

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.

 

Hahahaha, was it even his decision, or did the Cubs tell him to stay in Mesa?

Hahahaha, I don't know. If you were a betting man, what would you put your money on?

 

Hahahaha, did you even read the article? I am a betting man, and I'm betting no.

[VVMattVV]

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.

 

Hahahaha, was it even his decision, or did the Cubs tell him to stay in Mesa?

Hahahaha, I don't know. If you were a betting man, what would you put your money on?

 

Its been pretty common in the past to keep pitchers on minor league rehab assignments with the warmer climate teams. I really doubt that this was Prior's call, or that he could decide where he goes anyway.

[imb]

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.

 

Hahahaha, was it even his decision, or did the Cubs tell him to stay in Mesa?

Hahahaha, I don't know. If you were a betting man, what would you put your money on?

 

Its been pretty common in the past to keep pitchers on minor league rehab assignments with the warmer climate teams. I really doubt that this was Prior's call, or that he could decide where he goes anyway.

 

If I were a big, rich wuss that could dictate where I got to pitch...send me to Daytona baby.

[Mizzou]

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.

 

Hahahaha, was it even his decision, or did the Cubs tell him to stay in Mesa?

Hahahaha, I don't know. If you were a betting man, what would you put your money on?

 

Hahahaha, did you even read the article? I am a betting man, and I'm betting no.

Hahahaha, yes I read the article. It doesn't say who's decision it was, but if you can honestly tell me that you wouldn't be surprised if Prior said it, then you haven't been paying much attention the last few years.

[Drew Doughty]

Hahahaha.

[SouthSideRyan]

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.

 

Hahahaha, was it even his decision, or did the Cubs tell him to stay in Mesa?

Hahahaha, I don't know. If you were a betting man, what would you put your money on?

 

Hahahaha, did you even read the article? I am a betting man, and I'm betting no.

Hahahaha, yes I read the article. It doesn't say who's decision it was, but if you can honestly tell me that you wouldn't be surprised if Prior said it, then you haven't been paying much attention the last few years.

 

You haven't ever been paying attention to minor league stints where guys go to gain arm strength if you think this is unique to Prior.

[E.J.]

Come on. Do we really think that Prior somehow told the Cubs he didn't want to go to Iowa because of the cold weather, so they decided to let him stay in Arizona? This was a decision made by the Cubs. They obviously felt that Prior would benefit from staying in Arizona for a while, so that's where he'll be. Just like the title of this thread, Prior is just an employee. He's not going to dictate where he ends up.

[imb]

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.

 

Hahahaha, was it even his decision, or did the Cubs tell him to stay in Mesa?

Hahahaha, I don't know. If you were a betting man, what would you put your money on?

 

Hahahaha, did you even read the article? I am a betting man, and I'm betting no.

Hahahaha, yes I read the article. It doesn't say who's decision it was, but if you can honestly tell me that you wouldn't be surprised if Prior said it, then you haven't been paying much attention the last few years.

 

Surprised if he said it? No, I wouldn't be. I've seen Prior speak before and I trust that he has mastered the English language enough to form a sentence together.

 

Surprised if it was his call as to where he goes to pitch? Yes. I wouldn't be shocked if he was in on the process somewhat, but I highly doubt it was entirely up to him without the Cubs front office being involved at all. The article didn't make it sound like that, at all, so I'm not sure where this is coming from, though.

[Mizzou]

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.

[E.J.]

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).

[Ding Dong Johnson]

As a franchise, I'd much rather have Mark Prior throwing in 90 degree weather than the low 40's that are in the forecast for this week in Iowa.

[RichHillIsABeast]

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

[A New Era]

Hahahaha.

 

Hahahaha.