Gunned

I'm sure people would take me more seriously if I had 7,829 posts. My apologies.

That's not really how it works. Well, he doesn't physically sell them, they get homeless people to do that, but newspapers are a business. The more inflammatory and sensationalized, the more people are going to want to buy it. A very small fraction of a newspaper's income actually comes from newspaper sales. It's all about the advertising now -- something I sadly am forced to deal with every day (I'm a newspaper editor). While circulation certainly affects ad revenues, the Trib's funds won't be determined by whether Phil Rogers writes ludicrous trade proposals or not. With a few exceptions, the job of a writer is to report the news and, in some instances, comment on it. It's an insult to say that reporters are there to inflame and sensationalize every aspect of the news just to nab a few extra subscribers. I guess it's true of a one certain windbag in this city, but for the most part, it's an awfully harmful and dangerous misconception. newspapers with circulations of 5 copies don't routinely sell ads for $50,000 a page. the more newspapers you sell, the more your ads are worth. edited to remove sarcasm I'm aware of that, and that's what I said. Ads are affected by circulation. But Phil's editor doesn't say to him, "Hey, our numbers are slipping, why don't you cook up some absurd article today and get more subscribers!"

That's not really how it works. Well, he doesn't physically sell them, they get homeless people to do that, but newspapers are a business. The more inflammatory and sensationalized, the more people are going to want to buy it. A very small fraction of a newspaper's income actually comes from newspaper sales. It's all about the advertising now -- something I sadly am forced to deal with every day (I'm a newspaper editor). While circulation certainly affects ad revenues, the Trib's funds won't be determined by whether Phil Rogers writes ludicrous trade proposals or not. With a few exceptions, the job of a writer is to report the news and, in some instances, comment on it. It's an insult to say that reporters are there to inflame and sensationalize every aspect of the news just to nab a few extra subscribers. I guess it's true of a one certain windbag in this city, but for the most part, it's an awfully harmful and dangerous misconception.

That's not really how it works.

If the Orioles valued Prior as much as the people on this board, they would have accepted the trade as soon as Hendry offered it.

In saying that you would not trade Mark Prior for ANYONE, you're saying that he's the most valuable player in all of baseball. I think that's a little over-the-top.

And this why everyone says Cubs fans are yuppy, kool-aid drinking, bracelet-wearing pretty boys who don't know anything about baseball.

To me, the difference between Tejada and Neifi is far greater than the difference between Bedard and Prior.

God what a scalping. We lose out horribly in that deal. Oh come on, we'd get rid of Patterson. Anything is worth that.

And what makes you think Prior won't bolt the second he hits free agency? And what makes you think he will? Besides, the Cubs have Prior under control through 2008. Tejada can demand a trade one year after being traded. Because I've heard that Prior doesn't like the way that Dusty handles his pitchers. Is is that unrealistic to think he might want to go to a team that ... you know, wins? I would if I were him. Are you saying you think Dusty will be Cubs manager in 2008? Doubtful, unless he wins. I consider it doubtful Hendry will be here either, unless he......you know, wins. 8) Well, whatever happens, we're probably screwed. Trade Prior and we're giving away Walter Johnson. Keep him and we still can't score any runs.

And what makes you think Prior won't bolt the second he hits free agency? And what makes you think he will? Besides, the Cubs have Prior under control through 2008. Tejada can demand a trade one year after being traded. Because I've heard that Prior doesn't like the way that Dusty handles his pitchers. Is is that unrealistic to think he might want to go to a team that ... you know, wins? I would if I were him.

And what makes you think Prior won't bolt the second he hits free agency?

I HIGHLY doubt that the only additional player it's going to take to get Hendry to throw in Pie is Jorge Julio. Hendry simply will not send Prior, Hill and Pie while only getting Tejada, Bedard and Julio in return. He's way too high on Hill and Pie to accept that. If Hendry trades Pie, Hill AND Prior....it's bye bye time. They won't make that trade. I'm thinking that everyone is going to continue freaking out about this possible trade for the next few weeks until it comes out that Prior will not be traded. Then everyone will breathe a big sigh of relief. Then we'll quickly realize that the Cubs still suck.

Looks like Prior is indeed on the table. http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/features/rumors I'm curious about these elbow troubles....has this been proved? He had issues with the ulnar nerve in 2004. So it's more than just the line drive off his elbow -- there have been structural concerns.

This is terribly unhealthy.

A-Rod?

Never said Zito was better. Just explaining why a lot of baseball people may prefer Zito. I'd take Prior, too. But it's probably closer than most people here want to admit.

As silly as this seems to us, it's possible that the Orioles value Zito higher than Prior. Imagine the silliness of valuing a Cy Young winner over a guy who's never pitched a full season. Would you value Tom Glavine over Mark Prior? Would you value Gagne over Mark Prior? I think it is silly to define players the way you did and not put forth and accurate assessment of the two. OK. Fine. Imagine the silliness of valuing a pitcher just entering his prime, one who has pitched 213+ innings five years in a row and posted ERAs of 3.86 or lower in four of them over a guy who has never pitched a full season.

As silly as this seems to us, it's possible that the Orioles value Zito higher than Prior. Imagine the silliness of valuing a Cy Young winner over a guy who's never pitched a full season. The audacity! The unmitigated gall! Hehe.

As silly as this seems to us, it's possible that the Orioles value Zito higher than Prior. Imagine the silliness of valuing a Cy Young winner over a guy who's never pitched a full season.

This thread is hysterical.

Or maybe the Cubs are trying to trade Prior because they heard he wants out as soon as possible. After all, a level-headed guy like that may not want to keep performing for a circus.

I don't think Hendry is going to trade Prior straight up for Tejada. Our tubby lil GM loves pitches, and he'd make sure that he got something back in return. I understand how wonderful Mark Prior is and that he's full of promise mixed with some past success -- but it IS possible to trade him and make this team better. In my mind a Prior/Pie for Tejada/Bedard trade makes the Cubs much improved for 2005. With the way Hendry has hamstrung himself with the outfield, Pie is now nothing more than a valuable trading chip. And I've said for a while that Pie might have the most value to the Cubs in a trade; he's impossibly overhyped and other teams actually believe in it for once. It'd be very difficult for him to live up to everything that has been said. I love Prior, but the people who are saying that we'd have to get Tejada/Bedard/Mora/a prospect in return for him are just insane. Other teams view him as a talented pitcher who has had one good (almost) full season. That's because they don't come equipped with blue-tinted glasses and Cubbie Kool-Aid mix. I don't want to just send the Franchise off for nothing, but if we get a Tejada and another good pitcher in return, it's worth it. Heck, even if it was Prior for Tejada, there's no doubt the Cubs would be better four out of five days.

My point wasn't about Tejada. Z for Tejada straight up is a bad deal. But I'd trade Z straight up for: Pujols Miguel Cabrera Johan Santana A-Rod Vlad Peavy I think you'd also have to consider Bay, Utley and Wright. Obviously some guys don't fit our needs, but if we're talking about pure talent/upside, they probably surpass Z. It's not a big list, but it does exist.

And people say Cubs fans overrate their own players ...