E.J.

hey questionmarkgrace....see above I don't think we should trade Hill for Bedard, but I also don't think it's fair to compare these numbers. Bedard pitched in the much tougher AL East.

From Bruce: http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=94433&src=152

Perhaps he didn't want to stick around? I think it's pretty obvious from everything we've heard that he didn't want to stick around. Otherwise, he would have taken the 1-year deal with the team option for a 2nd year. From everything we've heard in the past couple of weeks, it sounded like both sides wanted to move on. Too many of you are letting your emotions get in the way here. Yes, it sucks that Prior won't pitch for the Cubs and that there's a chance he could return to dominance for another team, but this was a business decision. It's difficult to come back from shoulder surgery. The success rate is much lower than that of tommy john surgery. Plus, it usually takes longer to come back from. The Cubs wanted some assurance that Prior would be around after this year since he's probably not going to be ready to pitch until halfway through the season. Prior wouldn't give it to them. The Cubs made the decision to move on. We have to move on as well. if there's anyone letting their emotions get in the way, it's the "screw him, he's a pansy and a traitor, i hope he stays hurt and never pitches again" crowd. I agree. But the other side is doing the same thing by saying the Cubs are idiots for letting him go when they don't have all the facts. Maybe the Cubs didn't like his medical records and thought he might not be ready until the end of next season. Maybe Prior just didn't want to be here anymore. It's just so hard to judge without know what really happened. All we know at this point is that Prior wouldn't sign a contract for a 1-year deal with a team option for 2009 and that the Cubs didn't want to take him to arbitration. That's all we know.

Perhaps he didn't want to stick around? I think it's pretty obvious from everything we've heard that he didn't want to stick around. Otherwise, he would have taken the 1-year deal with the team option for a 2nd year. From everything we've heard in the past couple of weeks, it sounded like both sides wanted to move on. Too many of you are letting your emotions get in the way here. Yes, it sucks that Prior won't pitch for the Cubs and that there's a chance he could return to dominance for another team, but this was a business decision. It's difficult to come back from shoulder surgery. The success rate is much lower than that of tommy john surgery. Plus, it usually takes longer to come back from. The Cubs wanted some assurance that Prior would be around after this year since he's probably not going to be ready to pitch until halfway through the season. Prior wouldn't give it to them. The Cubs made the decision to move on. We have to move on as well.

The orioles insider who broke the tejada trade is really hinting towards another orioles trade maybe going down tonight. Hendry better not trade Pie for Roberts.

Like I said before... FukuPower

Anyone have Hendry's phone number. He's going too far. #-o

I read something earlier today that said the Padres had soured on trading for Prior after they had seen his medical records. I just think he's got a long road ahead before he gets back to the Prior of old (that's even if he can come back), and if he wasn't willing to take a team option for 2009 then we needed to move on.

Troll How is that being a troll? Teams are going to be interested in picking up Prior. I don't understand who him showing interest in having his team sign Prior can be considered trolling. He's kidding. I was kidding, however as a Cubs poster on this board, I don't like the feeling of an NL Central rival openly root for a player that causes such an emotional response for Cubs fans. Sorry. Thought you were being serious. I don't have a problem with the Reds picking him up. Dusty will just finish off what he started. I don't want to see him end up on the Cards or Brewers.

It's interesting to see such a wide range of emotions following the news. I think this move is probably for the best. Hope he pitches well out on the west coast.

Troll How is that being a troll? Teams are going to be interested in picking up Prior. I don't understand how him showing interest in having his team sign Prior can be considered trolling.

If he comes back this year and pitches well, then I'll be upset, but as of right now I think the Cubs had all the medical information in front of them and probably made the right decision.

How reliable is this insider? He's been pretty reliable. He's actually got a contact inside the Cubs organization.

Thanks for 2003. Don't come back and be good for the Cardinals or something. See ya later.

Our latest offer for Roberts according to one of the insiders over at orioleshangout:

I'm not that sad about Prior leaving. Sure, he could get healthy and be the Prior of old, but that is hardly a given. Prior didn't want to be here anymore. It's time to move on.

Hendry will talk about Fukudome and when asked about Brian Roberts will say something like "we'll make a move if we feel like it will make the team better."

Lots of rumors on various Michigan boards that UM's coaching search has turned it's attention to Jim Grobe from Wake Forest. I have to say, I would be extremely happy with Grobe as the new HC. He's done amazing things with that Wake program. Of course, he'll probably turn us down too.

I think more likely the wrench comes from the Orioles side. On one hand, it's been said that Andy needed to trade other guys before he could trade Roberts. On the other hand, once Angelos gives the OK for trading Tejada and Bedard, he can probably justify saying, okay, that's enough, we have to keep Roberts for PR reasons. Is Roberts that popular in Baltimore? Yes. He is a hit with the ladies and he also does a ton of work in the community. They love him in Baltimore. Has Angelos ever actually cared about PR? Angelos also is known to love the guy. Most of the orioles fans over at orioleshangout are worried Angelos will nix the trade because he likes Roberts so much.

I think more likely the wrench comes from the Orioles side. On one hand, it's been said that Andy needed to trade other guys before he could trade Roberts. On the other hand, once Angelos gives the OK for trading Tejada and Bedard, he can probably justify saying, okay, that's enough, we have to keep Roberts for PR reasons. Is Roberts that popular in Baltimore? Yes. He is a hit with the ladies and he also does a ton of work in the community. They love him in Baltimore.

I just tried it and didn't have any problem loading the page.

They broke it over at orioleshangout a while ago, but here's the first media confirmation: Baltimore Sun

The Orioles board just blew up because one of their insiders said Tejada was traded to the Astros for Luke Scott, Albers, Patton, Costanza and another minor league pitcher. I don't see any media outlet picking it up yet, but the orioleshangout board is going crazy.

Didn't she just get married to a Card fan too? Or at least engaged?

Yeah, I need pictures in order to make a decision.