Prior finished with Cubs?

[StMarksCubs]

Bruce wrote today that with this surgery, and Prior probably done for '07, that he has thrown his last pitch for the Cubs. I know this is getting to be a sad, tired story, but isn't he still our property for a while longer? Given what we know he can do when he's healthy, doesn't it make sense to hang onto him maybe just a little longer?

[C.C.]

Bruce wrote today that with this surgery, and Prior probably done for '07, that he has thrown his last pitch for the Cubs. I know this is getting to be a sad, tired story, but isn't he still our property for a while longer? Given what we know he can do when he's healthy, doesn't it make sense to hang onto him maybe just a little longer?

 

What about next year? Isn't he a FA after next year?

[Ding Dong Johnson]

If he doesn't pitch this year, he's still under Cubs control in 2008.

[C.C.]

If he doesn't pitch this year, he's still under Cubs control in 2008.

 

I thought so...

[NCCubFan]

If he doesn't pitch this year, he's still under Cubs control in 2008.

He is even if he does pitch. Not pitching this year delays his free agency through 2009. He was called up too late in 2002 for that year to count, so the clock didn't start ticking until 2003.

[C.C.]

If he doesn't pitch this year, he's still under Cubs control in 2008.

He is even if he does pitch. Not pitching this year delays his free agency through 2009. He was called up too late in 2002 for that year to count, so the clock didn't start ticking until 2003.

 

That's even better...

[CubColtPacer]

The question becomes-if he is out all of 2007, is he worth 3-4 million dollars? At some point, you have to treat it as if you were signing a reclamation project as a FA-would you give Prior that much to sign him as a free agent? Before 2007, it was pretty clear-cut-there were enough reasons for optimism for the high reward to clearly be worth the risk. Has the chance for a reward gotten too low for it to be worth it though? That's an interesting question for the Cubs, and I think they will seriously think about non-tendering him this offseason.

[NCCubFan]

The real issue, and perhaps what Bruce was referring to, is whether the Cubs would WANT to re-sign Prior. If the pitching staff falls into place this year without Prior they may not want to pay what it would take to keep him (they couldn't cut his salary by more than 20%, I believe).

[rocket]

Bruce didn't write that Prior was done with the Cubs. He just said he could be, depending on the results of the surgery.

[C.C.]

The real issue, and perhaps what Bruce was referring to, is whether the Cubs would WANT to re-sign Prior. If the pitching staff falls into place this year without Prior they may not want to pay what it would take to keep him (they couldn't cut his salary by more than 20%, I believe).

 

Why not! You might as well...

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Bruce didn't write that Prior was done with the Cubs. He just said he could be, depending on the results of the surgery.

 

It's a very real possibility that he could never pitch effectively or at all, for the Cubs or anyone else.

[CubColtPacer]

The real issue, and perhaps what Bruce was referring to, is whether the Cubs would WANT to re-sign Prior. If the pitching staff falls into place this year without Prior they may not want to pay what it would take to keep him (they couldn't cut his salary by more than 20%, I believe).

 

Why not! You might as well...

 

Why not? Because they are likely to only have around 30-35 million to sign people next year. Z and Barrett have to be the two highest priorities, along with figuring out what to do about SS. Also, Floyd and Ward will need to be replaced (not big costs, but still).

That extra 3 million that the team is paying Prior could make a difference in that. I'm not saying that they necessarily have to not sign Prior-but they simply can't pencil him in on the salary books for another season either without considering if it's worth it, and depending on the surgery Prior might not be worth it at that point.

[Soriano12]

I think he will have a career year in 2008. Better than 2003.

[Twiggy]

It was nice knowing ya Mark for a few years atleast :(

[C.C.]

The real issue, and perhaps what Bruce was referring to, is whether the Cubs would WANT to re-sign Prior. If the pitching staff falls into place this year without Prior they may not want to pay what it would take to keep him (they couldn't cut his salary by more than 20%, I believe).

 

Why not! You might as well...

 

Why not? Because they are likely to only have around 30-35 million to sign people next year. Z and Barrett have to be the two highest priorities, along with figuring out what to do about SS. Also, Floyd and Ward will need to be replaced (not big costs, but still).

That extra 3 million that the team is paying Prior could make a difference in that. I'm not saying that they necessarily have to not sign Prior-but they simply can't pencil him in on the salary books for another season either without considering if it's worth it, and depending on the surgery Prior might not be worth it at that point.

 

Well let me tell you that Zambrano will not be a Cub next year. It doesn't like look they are going to get a deal done by season's end...

[Yestheydo]

I think he will have a career year in 2008. Better than 2003.

LOL

[sethuel1]

I think he will have a career year in 2008. Better than 2003.

I will bet you eleventy billion dollars that he does not.

[Derwood]

I think he will have a career year in 2008. Better than 2003.

 

for the New York Yankees

[Soriano12]

I think he will have a career year in 2008. Better than 2003.

I will bet you eleventy billion dollars that he does not.

 

That's not even a real number

[biittner77]

I was trying to think of pitchers that came back from shoulder surgery and am drawing a blank.

[CardsFanInChiTown]

I was trying to think of pitchers that came back from shoulder surgery and am drawing a blank.

 

 

Chris Carpenter

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I was trying to think of pitchers that came back from shoulder surgery and am drawing a blank.

 

Angel Guzman

[C.C.]

I was trying to think of pitchers that came back from shoulder surgery and am drawing a blank.

 

Angel Guzman

 

Wade Miller... :wink:

[B]

I was trying to think of pitchers that came back from shoulder surgery and am drawing a blank.

 

Matt Morris

[davearm]

The question becomes-if he is out all of 2007, is he worth 3-4 million dollars? At some point, you have to treat it as if you were signing a reclamation project as a FA-would you give Prior that much to sign him as a free agent? Before 2007, it was pretty clear-cut-there were enough reasons for optimism for the high reward to clearly be worth the risk. Has the chance for a reward gotten too low for it to be worth it though? That's an interesting question for the Cubs, and I think they will seriously think about non-tendering him this offseason.

This is the issue right here.

 

The Cubs control Prior through 2008 already, and very likely through 2009 (all that would take is him not reaching the bigleagues in 2007).

 

But how long will they want to pay him millions for the possibility that he rebounds?

 

At some point you have to cut your losses. The question is, when is that point reached? What Bruce is speculating is that it may be after 2007.