Prior on the difference between the Cubs and Cards...

[dalgreen]

Regarding Prior's original comments about staying healthy, the same could apply to the Cards too.

 

The Cardinals' injuries were a problem and I think everyone would say that. But there is a difference between the Cardinals' and Cubs' injuries. Turn the clock back to March 31st and give me the Cards top three players who must remain healthy. I'd bet you would've said Carpenter, Izzy (maybe Mulder) and Pujols. Well, Izzy spent 15 days on the disabled list and Carpenter and Pujols weren't on the disabled list. Ask a Cub fan and we would've said Wood, Prior and Zambrano (of fill in the blank on the third player). Depending on our third player all three could've been on the disabled list --- missing many more than 15 days. The Cardinals have done an outstanding job considering the players they missed at times this season. But as I said, sometimes it's not the number of players but which ones that make a difference.

[dalgreen]

OK, what would happen to Patterson? Would you trade him while his value is this low?

 

I think Patterson's tenure with the Cubs is over. I'm not sure where he'll be traded to, but I have no doubt he'll be traded.

 

As a former Patterson defender/supporter, I can finally say I wouldn't shed a tear if he were traded. Last night was the final straw for me. Matt Murton homers on a first pitch fastball right down the middle, and Corey then comes up and for some stupid reason thinks he would get a first pitch fastball and swings and misses at an off-speed pitch. Sorry... I digress. There is no way, we should project Patterson to be the starting CF next year. To me, he really just needs to start over. If Perez is on the team next year, then I don't want to see Hairston on the team, either. I could live with one, but couldn't live with both Hairston and Perez.

[indifferent]

Regarding Prior's original comments about staying healthy, the same could apply to the Cards too.

 

The Cardinals' injuries were a problem and I think everyone would say that. But there is a difference between the Cardinals' and Cubs' injuries. Turn the clock back to March 31st and give me the Cards top three players who must remain healthy. I'd bet you would've said Carpenter, Izzy (maybe Mulder) and Pujols. Well, Izzy spent 15 days on the disabled list and Carpenter and Pujols weren't on the disabled list. Ask a Cub fan and we would've said Wood, Prior and Zambrano (of fill in the blank on the third player). Depending on our third player all three could've been on the disabled list --- missing many more than 15 days. The Cardinals have done an outstanding job considering the players they missed at times this season. But as I said, sometimes it's not the number of players but which ones that make a difference.

 

Then at some point durability has to be factored in to the value of a pitcher. I'd say the reason the Cards were able to manage the injuries of so many position players at the same time was because of their bench depth which Prior probably needs to add to his list of differences.

[UK1679666180]

Assuming Baker is back, I'd rather see Hairston over Perez. Give a pyro a match and gasoline and he'll burn down a house. I really would want to see Cedeno start over Perez, Dusty wouldn't start someone like Woodward or Gomez over Cedeno, but he could start Perez over Cedeno.

[dalgreen]

Regarding Prior's original comments about staying healthy, the same could apply to the Cards too.

 

The Cardinals' injuries were a problem and I think everyone would say that. But there is a difference between the Cardinals' and Cubs' injuries. Turn the clock back to March 31st and give me the Cards top three players who must remain healthy. I'd bet you would've said Carpenter, Izzy (maybe Mulder) and Pujols. Well, Izzy spent 15 days on the disabled list and Carpenter and Pujols weren't on the disabled list. Ask a Cub fan and we would've said Wood, Prior and Zambrano (of fill in the blank on the third player). Depending on our third player all three could've been on the disabled list --- missing many more than 15 days. The Cardinals have done an outstanding job considering the players they missed at times this season. But as I said, sometimes it's not the number of players but which ones that make a difference.

 

Then at some point durability has to be factored in to the value of a pitcher. I'd say the reason the Cards were able to manage the injuries of so many position players at the same time was because of their bench depth which Prior probably needs to add to his list of differences.

 

And because Eckstein is having a good season getting on base, Pujols is being Pujols, Molina's bat has been better than expected. Yes, bench depth is something Prior needs to add. But if you were on here at the beginning of the season (maybe you were) many of us didn't like our bench. I would love to know how many teams(not named Atlanta) could miss their #1 starter for pretty much the entire season, and lose their #2 guy for about three months and still make the playoffs?

[indifferent]

Regarding Prior's original comments about staying healthy, the same could apply to the Cards too.

 

The Cardinals' injuries were a problem and I think everyone would say that. But there is a difference between the Cardinals' and Cubs' injuries. Turn the clock back to March 31st and give me the Cards top three players who must remain healthy. I'd bet you would've said Carpenter, Izzy (maybe Mulder) and Pujols. Well, Izzy spent 15 days on the disabled list and Carpenter and Pujols weren't on the disabled list. Ask a Cub fan and we would've said Wood, Prior and Zambrano (of fill in the blank on the third player). Depending on our third player all three could've been on the disabled list --- missing many more than 15 days. The Cardinals have done an outstanding job considering the players they missed at times this season. But as I said, sometimes it's not the number of players but which ones that make a difference.

 

Then at some point durability has to be factored in to the value of a pitcher. I'd say the reason the Cards were able to manage the injuries of so many position players at the same time was because of their bench depth which Prior probably needs to add to his list of differences.

 

And because Eckstein is having a good season getting on base, Pujols is being Pujols, Molina's bat has been better than expected. Yes, bench depth is something Prior needs to add. But if you were on here at the beginning of the season (maybe you were) many of us didn't like our bench. I would love to know how many teams(not named Atlanta) could miss their #1 starter for pretty much the entire season, and lose their #2 guy for about three months and still make the playoffs?

 

Molina was one of the guys missing for months.

 

You named Atlanta, but also Red Sox and Yankees. Most likely teams that aren't heavily weighted toward starting pitching and teams that were legit contenders to start with.

[1908]

Mark seems to have figured it out. The only difference between the 2 clubs was that the Cardinals caught the ball, hit the ball and pitched the ball better. Other than that they were pretty much the same...

The Cubs' 10 and 6 record against the Cards this year could be coloring Prior's judgement.

[vaball]

Prior: "They don't have anything that's too bad, but they got middle-of-the-road, average ERAs."

 

That kinda describes Mark himself over that past two seasons doesn't it?

 

He's saying that all the Cubs need to do is overhaul 3/4 of their team and get lucky in the things they can't control like injuries. No problem.

 

I guarantee you Wood will go on the DL at least once next year. It is written in stone.

 

Not to mention that they will still have Dusty next season. It seems like a lot of people here are basically hoping that Hendry will Dusty-proof the team next year. That ain't gonna happen. They are part of the same problem.

[ManEatingTarp]

Mark seems to have figured it out. The only difference between the 2 clubs was that the Cardinals caught the ball, hit the ball and pitched the ball better. Other than that they were pretty much the same...

The Cubs' 10 and 6 record against the Cards this year could be coloring Prior's judgement.

 

Very true. And the Cubs played some of their better baseball against the Cards as well.

The team that most everyone has seen the last 3 or so months shouldn't be the one we see in the playoffs. I can't think of many games where the Cards have started what will be the playoff team so far. Knowing Tony, we'll only see it a few times anyway because he'll find matchups he likes and start some of the bench guys.

[genghiskhan]

Prior: "They don't have anything that's too bad, but they got middle-of-the-road, average ERAs."

 

That kinda describes Mark himself over that past two seasons doesn't it?

 

Describes the whole Cub rotation, except for Zambrano, really. Carlos has had another excellent year, but Wood was a non-factor, Prior wasn't exactly dominant, and Rusch and Maddux have thrown up a 4.59 and 4.31, respectively.

[CubinNY]

Prior: "They don't have anything that's too bad, but they got middle-of-the-road, average ERAs."

 

That kinda describes Mark himself over that past two seasons doesn't it?

 

He's saying that all the Cubs need to do is overhaul 3/4 of their team and get lucky in the things they can't control like injuries. No problem.

 

I guarantee you Wood will go on the DL at least once next year. It is written in stone.

 

Not to mention that they will still have Dusty next season. It seems like a lot of people here are basically hoping that Hendry will Dusty-proof the team next year. That ain't gonna happen. They are part of the same problem.

 

I hate you,because you are correct.

 

I thake that back, I hate myself.

 

No, I take that back, I hate the Cubs

 

No, I hate the Cubs management.

 

Ah, anybody got any Zanex?

[Magnetic Curses]

there's nothing a general manager can do to imrpove hitting w/risp, absolutely nothing. good hitters hit will hit better in every situation. a guy who hits a career .275 will not hit .400 w/ risp for his career.