Re: Sullivan: Cubs working on two year deal for Prior

[Sarcastic]

People are letting their emotions about Prior cloud their judgment. I know a lot of people are tired of seeing a pitcher we had such high expectations for go injured season after season, and the temptation to just wash our hands of it is strong, but it isn't accurate to call Prior a sinking ship. He pitched well and made a decent number of starts up until 2006. He finally had surgery in 2007. He is not a lost cause. He isn't worth a huge contract, but giving him a reasonable two year incentive leaden contract, especially if the second year is a team option, would not be a bad deal. As much as we have struggled to watch him fail the last two years, he is still young, still has a lot of upside, and has only had one surgery. Considering the market for pitching right now, it would be stupid to let him go unless his demands are quite high.

[CuseCubFan69]

People are letting their emotions about Prior cloud their judgment. I know a lot of people are tired of seeing a pitcher we had such high expectations for go injured season after season, and the temptation to just wash our hands of it is strong, but it isn't accurate to call Prior a sinking ship. He pitched well and made a decent number of starts up until 2006. He finally had surgery in 2007. He is not a lost cause. He isn't worth a huge contract, but giving him a reasonable two year incentive leaden contract, especially if the second year is a team option, would not be a bad deal. As much as we have struggled to watch him fail the last two years, he is still young, still has a lot of upside, and has only had one surgery. Considering the market for pitching right now, it would be stupid to let him go unless his demands are quite high.

 

It's a business move for me. He has had problems staying healthy along with imo, a steroid user. I just don't see him being better than an average pitcher from here on, if that. Hey, I may be wrong but that's my opinion.

[David]

Aside from all that, could you imagine what a boost it would be for our hopeless looking future if Prior rebounds after he FINALLY had his injury diagnosed/repaired?

 

Even Prior in 2005 form would be a very solid addition to this staff.

[Sarcastic]

People are letting their emotions about Prior cloud their judgment. I know a lot of people are tired of seeing a pitcher we had such high expectations for go injured season after season, and the temptation to just wash our hands of it is strong, but it isn't accurate to call Prior a sinking ship. He pitched well and made a decent number of starts up until 2006. He finally had surgery in 2007. He is not a lost cause. He isn't worth a huge contract, but giving him a reasonable two year incentive leaden contract, especially if the second year is a team option, would not be a bad deal. As much as we have struggled to watch him fail the last two years, he is still young, still has a lot of upside, and has only had one surgery. Considering the market for pitching right now, it would be stupid to let him go unless his demands are quite high.

 

It's a business move for me. He has had problems staying healthy along with imo, a steroid user. I just don't see him being better than an average pitcher from here on, if that. Hey, I may be wrong but that's my opinion.

 

He's had problems staying healthy because he has been pitching hurt for the last couple years. The problem has finally been addressed with surgery. You have absolutley no basis for singling out Prior as a steroid user. This follows the pattern I mentioned before. I can't judge what is in your mind, but to me it seems that you are fed up with seeing him unable to pitch and because of it are coming to baseless conclusions (for example, he's on steroids).

[YearofDaCubs]

People are letting their emotions about Prior cloud their judgment. I know a lot of people are tired of seeing a pitcher we had such high expectations for go injured season after season, and the temptation to just wash our hands of it is strong, but it isn't accurate to call Prior a sinking ship. He pitched well and made a decent number of starts up until 2006. He finally had surgery in 2007. He is not a lost cause. He isn't worth a huge contract, but giving him a reasonable two year incentive leaden contract, especially if the second year is a team option, would not be a bad deal. As much as we have struggled to watch him fail the last two years, he is still young, still has a lot of upside, and has only had one surgery. Considering the market for pitching right now, it would be stupid to let him go unless his demands are quite high.

 

It's a business move for me. He has had problems staying healthy along with imo, a steroid user. I just don't see him being better than an average pitcher from here on, if that. Hey, I may be wrong but that's my opinion.

I know you're entitled to you opinion but come on a steroid user? I think his issues stem from being overused by Baker. It also didn't help his cause that he collided with Giles hurt his shoulder, and still stayed in the game to pitch. That's a no no and heads rolled because of that.

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

Interesting developments. I always got the vibe that Prior wanted out of Chicago ASAP. Maybe he was impressed with Piniella's handling of the the staff this season?

[Sarcastic]

Interesting developments. I always got the vibe that Prior wanted out of Chicago ASAP. Maybe he was impressed with Piniella's handling of the the staff this season?

 

I think the vibe that he wanted out was mostly created by the media as part of their "Prior ios a wuss" storyline. I don't think any of us have any idea what Prior wants, except that he seems to want to pitch.

[David]

People are letting their emotions about Prior cloud their judgment. I know a lot of people are tired of seeing a pitcher we had such high expectations for go injured season after season, and the temptation to just wash our hands of it is strong, but it isn't accurate to call Prior a sinking ship. He pitched well and made a decent number of starts up until 2006. He finally had surgery in 2007. He is not a lost cause. He isn't worth a huge contract, but giving him a reasonable two year incentive leaden contract, especially if the second year is a team option, would not be a bad deal. As much as we have struggled to watch him fail the last two years, he is still young, still has a lot of upside, and has only had one surgery. Considering the market for pitching right now, it would be stupid to let him go unless his demands are quite high.

 

It's a business move for me. He has had problems staying healthy along with imo, a steroid user. I just don't see him being better than an average pitcher from here on, if that. Hey, I may be wrong but that's my opinion.

 

He's had problems staying healthy because he has been pitching hurt for the last couple years. The problem has finally been addressed with surgery. You have absolutley no basis for singling out Prior as a steroid user. This follows the pattern I mentioned before. I can't judge what is in your mind, but to me it seems that you are fed up with seeing him unable to pitch and because of it are coming to baseless conclusions (for example, he's on steroids).

 

 

I'm sure he has tons of anecdotal evidence to nail Prior as a steroid user. Lost velocity, for one (not like that could be attributed to his injury). Or maybe the ever popular, "His calves shrunk," argument. Not to mention his involvement with Tom House.

 

I'm not even being sarcastic. Of course, there's tons of players you can say stuff like this about. It's a witch hunt and it's getting a bit ridiculous.

[CardsFanInChiTown]

He should deny their request and then seek Mulder money +.

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

He should deny their request and then seek Mulder money.

Mulder is much closer to pitching again vs. Prior.

[CubColtPacer]

Just to throw this link in talking about possibly trading Prior:

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3129805

 

Of course you would have rather traded Prior at a higher value. At the same time, trading him might be the best move even now. The bigger the contract he wants the more the risk, and trading him would at least get some value back for him and is a much more preferable option to simply non-tendering him.

[Have a seat, Neifi]

There's a blurb linked on the front page of ESPN.com discussing how Hendry is apparently open to trading Prior (per rival executives). Here's an excerpt:

 

Officials with other teams say that the Cubs have made it known in recent weeks that they are willing to trade Prior, which could be an alternative to working through a difficult contract decision.

 

The Cubs have to tender a 2008 contract to Prior by Dec. 12, and their preference has been to sign the right-hander to a one-year deal with an option for 2009, rather than go through arbitration with him this winter. But Prior, who made $3.65 million, may prefer to sign a contract of longer terms.

 

So the Cubs, who already have multiyear deals with Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly and Jason Marquis, could choose to deal Prior rather than settling on a new deal.

 

[David]

He should deny their request and then seek Mulder money.

Mulder is much closer to pitching again vs. Prior.

 

I'm not so sure of that.

 

From varying reports, Prior could be pitching in the early half of next year (certainly not opening day, though), while Mulder, according to that link, isn't expected to pitch until AT LEAST midseason 2008. At worst it looks like their current timetables are similar, with Prior's being slightly ahead.

[CubColtPacer]

He should deny their request and then seek Mulder money.

Mulder is much closer to pitching again vs. Prior.

 

I'm not so sure of that.

 

From varying reports, Prior could be pitching in the early half of next year (certainly not opening day, though), while Mulder, according to that link, isn't expected to pitch until AT LEAST midseason 2008.

At worst it looks like their current timetables are similar, with Prior's being slightly ahead.

 

That Mulder link was from January of last year talking about how he wouldn't pitch until midseason 2007, not midseason 2008.

[CardsFanInChiTown]

He should deny their request and then seek Mulder money.

Mulder is much closer to pitching again vs. Prior.

 

I'm not so sure of that.

 

From varying reports, Prior could be pitching in the early half of next year (certainly not opening day, though), while Mulder, according to that link, isn't expected to pitch until AT LEAST midseason 2008.

At worst it looks like their current timetables are similar, with Prior's being slightly ahead.

 

That Mulder link was from January of last year talking about how he wouldn't pitch until midseason 2007, not midseason 2008.

 

 

You're right. I didn't realize Prior was that far off.

[Guest]

People are letting their emotions about Prior cloud their judgment. I know a lot of people are tired of seeing a pitcher we had such high expectations for go injured season after season, and the temptation to just wash our hands of it is strong, but it isn't accurate to call Prior a sinking ship. He pitched well and made a decent number of starts up until 2006. He finally had surgery in 2007. He is not a lost cause. He isn't worth a huge contract, but giving him a reasonable two year incentive leaden contract, especially if the second year is a team option, would not be a bad deal. As much as we have struggled to watch him fail the last two years, he is still young, still has a lot of upside, and has only had one surgery. Considering the market for pitching right now, it would be stupid to let him go unless his demands are quite high.

 

It's a business move for me. He has had problems staying healthy along with imo, a steroid user. I just don't see him being better than an average pitcher from here on, if that. Hey, I may be wrong but that's my opinion.

 

Come on Cuse. First you're assuming hypothetical incentive-laden salary figures as guaranteed and then you definitively say he was on steroids?

[David]

He should deny their request and then seek Mulder money.

Mulder is much closer to pitching again vs. Prior.

 

I'm not so sure of that.

 

From varying reports, Prior could be pitching in the early half of next year (certainly not opening day, though), while Mulder, according to that link, isn't expected to pitch until AT LEAST midseason 2008.

At worst it looks like their current timetables are similar, with Prior's being slightly ahead.

 

That Mulder link was from January of last year talking about how he wouldn't pitch until midseason 2007, not midseason 2008.

 

Heh, my bad. I didn't even realize Mulder pitched this year (what little he did).

[nilodnayr]

People are letting their emotions about Prior cloud their judgment. I know a lot of people are tired of seeing a pitcher we had such high expectations for go injured season after season, and the temptation to just wash our hands of it is strong, but it isn't accurate to call Prior a sinking ship. He pitched well and made a decent number of starts up until 2006. He finally had surgery in 2007. He is not a lost cause. He isn't worth a huge contract, but giving him a reasonable two year incentive leaden contract, especially if the second year is a team option, would not be a bad deal. As much as we have struggled to watch him fail the last two years, he is still young, still has a lot of upside, and has only had one surgery. Considering the market for pitching right now, it would be stupid to let him go unless his demands are quite high.

 

It's a business move for me. He has had problems staying healthy along with imo, a steroid user. I just don't see him being better than an average pitcher from here on, if that. Hey, I may be wrong but that's my opinion.

 

He's had problems staying healthy because he has been pitching hurt for the last couple years. The problem has finally been addressed with surgery. You have absolutley no basis for singling out Prior as a steroid user. This follows the pattern I mentioned before. I can't judge what is in your mind, but to me it seems that you are fed up with seeing him unable to pitch and because of it are coming to baseless conclusions (for example, he's on steroids).

 

No basis for steroid acqusation? Have you see his calves? :D

[CuseCubFan69]

People are letting their emotions about Prior cloud their judgment. I know a lot of people are tired of seeing a pitcher we had such high expectations for go injured season after season, and the temptation to just wash our hands of it is strong, but it isn't accurate to call Prior a sinking ship. He pitched well and made a decent number of starts up until 2006. He finally had surgery in 2007. He is not a lost cause. He isn't worth a huge contract, but giving him a reasonable two year incentive leaden contract, especially if the second year is a team option, would not be a bad deal. As much as we have struggled to watch him fail the last two years, he is still young, still has a lot of upside, and has only had one surgery. Considering the market for pitching right now, it would be stupid to let him go unless his demands are quite high.

 

It's a business move for me. He has had problems staying healthy along with imo, a steroid user. I just don't see him being better than an average pitcher from here on, if that. Hey, I may be wrong but that's my opinion.

 

He's had problems staying healthy because he has been pitching hurt for the last couple years. The problem has finally been addressed with surgery. You have absolutley no basis for singling out Prior as a steroid user. This follows the pattern I mentioned before. I can't judge what is in your mind, but to me it seems that you are fed up with seeing him unable to pitch and because of it are coming to baseless conclusions (for example, he's on steroids).

 

 

I'm sure he has tons of anecdotal evidence to nail Prior as a steroid user. Lost velocity, for one (not like that could be attributed to his injury). Or maybe the ever popular, "His calves shrunk," argument. Not to mention his involvement with Tom House.

 

I'm not even being sarcastic. Of course, there's tons of players you can say stuff like this about. It's a witch hunt and it's getting a bit ridiculous.

 

Hey again, you have your opinion, I have mine.

[Sammy Sofa]

Trade the guy now before they lose even more money. If he comes back in 2 years and does well for someone else fine but why pay this guy a lot of money to be on the DL. I don't care if he "haunts" the Cubs by having a 1.4 WHIP for some other team.

 

 

Great idea. Selling as low as possible is always smart.

 

Almost as smart as spending 14 for a guy on the DL.

 

Who, aside from a poster here, said anything about $14M? There's not a chance in hell he gets that much.

 

Wait, wait, wait...I said it, and only as the high end estimate of a deal where he likely met all of the incentives in the deal offered. Please don't toss that out there like I said the Cubs or anyone should just pay him $14 million per, because nobody said that.

 

You still listed a guarantee (6-7m per year) that is obscenely high, given the circumstances. That's $12-14m guaranteed. They could just offer arbitration and probably pay him $3.5m or lower this year and worry about next year much later.

 

I wasn't sure how that would work. I didn't think they could get away with paying him a lower base than what he's already making in terms of what Prior's side would accept. I figured it came down to negotiations and Prior's side would have wanted to see some kind of significant return if the deal is for two years. If the Cubs can get away with lowballing him, then I hope they do.

[Soul]

I think we're still short on details with this thing, so I'm just going to wait to see how it shakes out. I'd like Prior back for reasonable money for many of the same reasons others have listed, but I'm likewise torn between not wanting to pay him tons of cash to sit on the DL and not wanting to watch him return to form with another club.

[CuseCubFan69]

I think we're still short on details with this thing, so I'm just going to wait to see how it shakes out. I'd like Prior back for reasonable money for many of the same reasons others have listed, but I'm likewise torn between not wanting to pay him tons of cash to sit on the DL and not wanting to watch him return to form with another club.

 

This is going to be a tough decision for Hendry and it'll make him look like a fool if he lets him go and he does pitch well. These are the hard decisions a GM has to make and imo this decision may be the "thing" many Cub fans will remember Hendry doing.

[Magnetic Curses]

I say keep him. Its kinda like being "pot committed" in poker. We simply have too much invested at this point to let him go IMO.

 

a good player is never pot committed.

 

however, the cubs appear to be chasing a flush here on the river.

[CuseCubFan69]

I say keep him. Its kinda like being "pot committed" in poker. We simply have too much invested at this point to let him go IMO.

 

a good player is never pot committed.

 

however, the cubs appear to be chasing a flush here on the river.

 

Except for Rickie Williams.

[Bruno7481]

Buster Olney reporting that "rival executives" say Prior is available for trade...

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3129805