I'll believe that when he gets to the mound at Wrigley. You speak as if there's a ton of time before opening day to sort things out with Prior. There isn't. He who has his stuff together now is likely the guy who will have his stuff together 3 weeks from now. There's time to work out some issues, that's what spring training is for, but rebuild a pitcher from scratch? Nay. I think this is definitely the case. Prior has been out for so long for so many injuries, and he's having to basically relearn how to pitch. The talent is still there, but the practice and polish isn't. Unless he makes spectacular improvements over the next 3 weeks, he needs to start the season in AAA. Can they put him in AAA? It seems like a guy with his past major league success and service time can't just get stuck in the minors unless he approves it. Would he do that? I am not sure, but if I was a Cy Young candidate at one point and I was still young I would probably not.