Mark Prior Discussion

by Glacier on Dec 8, 2007 3:09 PM CST

This whole Mark Prior situation is getting me a little fired up. It seems like he has no respect for this organization. This organization ahs stuck with him for years and has helped him out. I used to love Prior, i used to like him more than Wood. Now, he is being ungratful and ready to bail on this organization. Completely ridiculous. what do you all think? Im curious though as to why the Cubs just dont go to arbitration with him. I know the Cubs have rarely gone to arbitration with a player, but i do not see how the Cubs could not win the arbitration. He didn't pitch last year, and has barely pitched since 2003. I just dont understand how its possible that he could ever win in arbitration. You can't jsut trade talent like this away now. Personally, I say if he wont accept an option for 2009 then forget his sorry ass. Its worth seeing what he can do when he comes back this year(wheather in June or even later). If he pitches well maybe the Cubs can talk contract with him then.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

Tweet Comment 41 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Please see

"Non Tendering Prior" Diary.

This has been discussed.

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Dec 8, 2007 2:58 PM CST reply actions

There are rules for arbitration...

...which may explain a lot of what you don't seem to understand.

The bigger point here is, Mark Prior was very correct when he refered to himself as an employee. For both the players and the clubs, baseball is a business. It's only for us fans that it's 100% personal.

The reality of the situation is, Mark Prior is an employee, and the Chicago Cubs are really media conglomerate TribCo. If the Tribune's, say, food columnist jumps ship to go to the New York Times, do we call him (or her) unloyal? Do we question their committment to the eaters of Chicago?

I'm not beyond understanding the emotional connection, good and bad, here -- I have a Mark Prior jersey hanging up in my closet that I break out whenever I go to Cubs games. But I understand that baseball is a business, and that the players have to do what's best for them and their families. What they owe me, as a fan, is their best performance possible on the field; that's it.

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Dec 8, 2007 3:33 PM CST reply actions

All of this is true.

And yet, some players seem to understand what being a fan is -- which is to say, in some ways an irrational attachment to a team, which you were given by way of birth in a certain city, and why that attachment occurs, and a bit of the history.

Kerry Wood gets that. Mark Prior doesn't. The difference couldn't be more stark.

I am well aware that this is a business. And yet, without the loyalty of all of us, that business would not exist. There's a big difference between a Tribune columnist and a Cubs baseball player.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Dec 8, 2007 3:53 PM CST up reply actions

Al

You base this on what? What's reported by a media who hates him?

What reason does Prior have to be loyal to a fanbase who questions his manhood and calls him a POS?

The whole reaction to the employee comment made in frustration 2 minutes after getting newws of another setback is ridiculous.

Whenever someone calls him a POS I say takes one to know one.

We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.

by puckishcubsfan on Dec 9, 2007 10:12 AM CST up reply actions

Here we go with the "hate" again.

Watch what you say here. I'm watching you.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Dec 9, 2007 11:51 AM CST up reply actions

Al

Al I really am having a problem with people calling him a POS or such. That's why I call it hate.

Critizing his performance is one thing. But calling him a POS for no reason is another.

And the ridiculous overreaction to the employee comment has gone beyond reason.

We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.

by puckishcubsfan on Dec 9, 2007 1:45 PM CST up reply actions

And

And do you not really see the difference between criticism and what goes on here from some posters towards him?

And it does come from the media who for the most part deserves to be spat on by Prior among many other players in this city.

We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.

by puckishcubsfan on Dec 9, 2007 1:46 PM CST up reply actions

The only one....

... who mentions the word "hate" or "POS", etc. is YOU.

If I were you, I'd stop right here.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Dec 9, 2007 2:05 PM CST up reply actions

Okay I will

I will Al but if you read all the posts in the 2 diaries people have used the term POS or POP.

Nobody has used the word hate but I read hate when I read the term POS.

Quick question I was going to email you but if we have some information or the like that's not diary worthy but maybe something you might want to put in your daily post should we email you?

An example might be Lee's appearance on ER which I made a diary about but people didn't see until afterwards. Maybe in that case I or someone else should send you an email reminder. I was surprised it wasn't in your daily post that day.

We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.

by puckishcubsfan on Dec 9, 2007 2:09 PM CST up reply actions

See, now your analogy is a little askew

How many Chicago Tribune food critics consistently missed work and were paid millions to do nothing.......just to go to the New York Times?

Not to say you aren't right about Mark being an employee (and a piece of sh!t ungrateful one at that) it's just your analogy doesn't completely translate.

Super Mario Galaxy! Get it NOW!

by TheBeerBaron on Dec 8, 2007 4:57 PM CST up reply actions

Okay...

just so this diary isn't completely redudant, I'm flip-flopping between Bull Durham on AMC, and Field of Dreams on Encore. 1988 Susan Sarandon? Man, I'd wear her garter too.

by Damen Jackson on Dec 8, 2007 3:35 PM CST reply actions

and my wife is watching...

THelma and Louise and TVland. Its a Susan Sarandon fest!

See the Cubs 2008 schedule at http://ignarski.tripod.com/sched2008.html

by kaseyi on Dec 8, 2007 3:59 PM CST up reply actions

Make that

ON TVLand. This place really needs an edit function for us with quick fingers.

See the Cubs 2008 schedule at http://ignarski.tripod.com/sched2008.html

by kaseyi on Dec 8, 2007 4:00 PM CST up reply actions

Hahaha...

n/t

by Damen Jackson on Dec 8, 2007 4:04 PM CST up reply actions

Never heard of this Mark Prior you speak of.

I'm watching FOD too but now that I know that BD is on.....

My viewing pleasure for today is tonights Bulls/Celtics game. It's on WGN so I get to see it. Should be a good game as the Bulls are playing much better and hopefully they can derail that Celtic machine a bit. Still can't believe how good the Celtics are. I thought that they had the potential to be this good, but not this early in the season.It's unbelievable.

"Thanks bro, see ya later" Tony Larussa to Jupiter cops after being informed he was asleep in the middle of an intersection.

by lemon20pie on Dec 8, 2007 4:02 PM CST up reply actions

Celtics are good, it's true.

Amazing, isn't it? Put some additional talent on the floor w/Kevin and you win games.

Wonder why the Wolves never thought of that...

by MN exile on Dec 8, 2007 6:11 PM CST up reply actions

so

no mayweather/hatton fight for anyone tonight??? i know ill be watching

WhErE's My CuBs?!?!

by tbizzle83 on Dec 8, 2007 7:53 PM CST up reply actions

mark prior

after all the years of the organization's loyalty towards him, he will most likely not take an option for 09. I am fed up with him. We don't need him. We won a division and he didn't pitch a single game.

Live is boring until March 31st strolls by..

by Chanman25 on Dec 8, 2007 4:45 PM CST reply actions

Organizational loyalty?

I'd call it fulfilling their contractual obligations. And, as far as I know, Prior has fulfilled his also.

We don't need Matsui Kaz he ain't Fuku.

by tharr on Dec 8, 2007 5:12 PM CST reply actions

Ronny Cedeno is doing well

Hit 2 HR's (3)today and for the season is hitting .333 with an OBP of .427. HE also has 11 Errors, which may explain why he played CF of late. In his defense, obviously the fields in Venezuala are no comparison to MLB fields.

Blanco is now hitting below .200.

For some perspective, Jody Gerut is leading the league in avg at 390 and Richard Hidalgo is in the top 5 in BA and is leading the league in HR's with 9.

I think it's time the Cubs find a backup Catcher. We all know that he's a good Defensive Catcher but at this point I'd be more than happy to settle for a Catcher somewhere in between.

The only value Blano has at this point, is to tutor Soto, which does have some credence but I don't know, maybe the Cubs can persuade him to retire and hire him as a coach to tutor Soto, instead of sucking up a roster spot.

"Thanks bro, see ya later" Tony Larussa to Jupiter cops after being informed he was asleep in the middle of an intersection.

by lemon20pie on Dec 8, 2007 5:23 PM CST reply actions

Got this nugget from another board

Apparently on ESPN radio this morning, Bruce Levine said that the Cubs payroll this year will be around $125 million dollars but said there is no reason why the Cubs couldn't push it to $135 million dollars.

He speculated that the push to $135 Million would be the addition of Roberts and Bedard and he thinks all it'd take is Hill, Pie, Veal and Cedeno.

If that is what the asking price for Roberts and Bedard, I think I'd do it.

Hill is nothing more than a #3 in reality, Cedeno is Cedeno, Veal took a step backwards but has potential and you all know how I feel about Pie. That'd be a great trade for the Cubs.

Then hopefully Fukudome doesn't say Fuku to the Cubs and then you see if Derosa can get you a another solid Starter and you pick up a serviceable Lefty and have him platoon with Murton. Bingo. Cubs would win the NL Central and would definitely contend for the NL Pennant and obviously would be better than last year's team and isn't that the goal?

Starting rotation:
Bedard
Zambrano
Lilly
Solid RH starter you get for Derosa
Marshall

Lineup:
Roberts
Fukudome
Soriano
Ramirez
Lee
LH RF
Soto
Theriot

Best team in NL right there.

This deserves it's own diary doesn't it.

"Thanks bro, see ya later" Tony Larussa to Jupiter cops after being informed he was asleep in the middle of an intersection.

by lemon20pie on Dec 8, 2007 6:27 PM CST reply actions

I should point out...

...that this "proposed" deal by Levine, was purely him speculating and based on any information he's heard.

"Thanks bro, see ya later" Tony Larussa to Jupiter cops after being informed he was asleep in the middle of an intersection.

by lemon20pie on Dec 8, 2007 6:59 PM CST up reply actions

Damn you no edit feature

THis bas Levine speculation and not on any information he's heard.

"Thanks bro, see ya later" Tony Larussa to Jupiter cops after being informed he was asleep in the middle of an intersection.

by lemon20pie on Dec 8, 2007 7:01 PM CST up reply actions

Maybe

That would be a pretty good deal.

I do challenge your assertion that Hill is only a #3. I think, at best, he's a #3, right now, but has the potential to be more.

I'm still not a Roberts fan. Sure, he's good, but he's essentially DeRosa with speed. I'm not sure it would make a huge difference, but I may be wrong.

I don't know how many right handed pitchers will be out there for a trade, and another trade after this one, were it to go through, would pretty well empty our minors, at least of position players. But I'm not completely against it.

Anyway, if we piack up Bedard, regardless of Roberts, I see it this way:

Z
Bedard
Demp/Marquis/ect.
Lilly
Marshall/Demp/Marquis/ect.

Oh, and we're only seeing this Prior thing from one side. We're speculating about how he feels. His comment about being a "employee" may have been taken out of context, or spoken in a moment of frustration. Let's just wait and see what developes.

by Snake Plissken on Dec 8, 2007 7:16 PM CST up reply actions

I like Dero too

But IMO, Roberts is definitely an upgrade.

Soriano absoltutely should not be in the Lead-Off spot. The Cubs need to address that. His OBP and solo HR's there, are not acceptable. Cubs need to admit that and move on.

Roberts had a respectable 377 OBP last year with 50 SB's. I am a huge fan of your lead off hitter with a good OBP and the ability to be a threat on the bases and give the pitcher something else to think about, other than just the hitter. Derosa can't do that. I personally think Roberts is hitting his prime, right now.

I agree that starting pitching just doesn't grow on trees and even harder to get a good one in return. But I think if the Cubs would approach the issue with the idea of focusing on a Pitcher who is in the last deal of his contract,then maybe a team would be more willing to part with a pitcher. Then you buy time for a season until maybe Gallagher can step in or another Pitcher from the system.

"Thanks bro, see ya later" Tony Larussa to Jupiter cops after being informed he was asleep in the middle of an intersection.

by lemon20pie on Dec 8, 2007 7:39 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah

I agree with you about Soriano.

He just needs to get his head around the idea of hitting in the 3-4-5 holes.

And I wouldn't mind Roberts, don't get me wrong. He'd be a welcome addition. But, I think Bedard is a bigger priority as we already have a bit of a logjam at 2B.

by Snake Plissken on Dec 8, 2007 9:27 PM CST up reply actions

Holes...

... you still need a center fielder, and maybe another starter.

This is who I think the Cubs #1 should be...

by initram on Dec 8, 2007 11:41 PM CST up reply actions

How you figure?

"Thanks bro, see ya later" Tony Larussa to Jupiter cops after being informed he was asleep in the middle of an intersection.

by lemon20pie on Dec 9, 2007 11:16 AM CST up reply actions

speaking of Prior...

I seem to remember that the O's had interest in him last year, and may have offered some guy named Bedard for him. Man, if only we could go back a year.

by thinskull on Dec 9, 2007 12:01 PM CST reply actions

The urban legend that won't die

Bedard and Tejada were never offered for Prior. In fact if anything, the trade may have died when the Cubs asked about Bedard. If you believe the stories, the O's then said ok but let's talk Zambrano.

There never was a trade that brought Tejada and Bedard to the Cubs.

by rlpete on Dec 9, 2007 4:32 PM CST up reply actions

I thnk

I think it was Zambrano not Prior from day 1.

I'd also be a little cautious about dealing minor leaguers to MacPhail since he was very familiar with our system.

Okay guys if a GM calls Hendry and has what we need and says

"Okay Jim I want Pie or Colvin"

who do you trade?

We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.

by puckishcubsfan on Dec 9, 2007 5:53 PM CST up reply actions

I would sat goodbye to

Colvin if that situation came up. Cubs need a centerfielder now, and Pie is more ready. Colvin has been preety impressive but I see Pie being a better player. Although, only time will tell.

by Glacier on Dec 9, 2007 7:02 PM CST reply actions

Prior

It always amazes me when I hear folks say things like Prior "owes" the Cubs something, or he's "ungrateful" or whatever.

If not for the injuries, right now Prior already has $10 or 15M more in the bank, but more importantly, he's closing in on a contract even bigger and longer than the one Zambrano just signed.

I'm sure in Prior's mind, those injuries are the fault of the Cubs. I realize this subject has been beaten to death already, but suffice it to say that it's not hard to think that he very well could be right.

So in Prior's head, the Cubs have cost him over $100M. $100,000,000.00.

I dunno. Might be enough to make a guy a little bitter and unhappy with an organization.

Ungrateful even.

by davearm on Dec 9, 2007 9:41 PM CST reply actions

And the Cubs have done nothing for him...

...other than what they were mandated to do by the CBA.

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Dec 10, 2007 1:56 AM CST up reply actions

Not sure I follow

your thought. What exactly do you mean?

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Dec 10, 2007 9:46 AM CST up reply actions

All the millions the Cubs have paid Prior...

...after his series of injuries were because they kept tendering him offers. Everyone talks about the loyalty there -- the Cubs offered him a contract when they drafted him, and they have abided by the terms of that contract and the Collective Bargaining Agreement. It's hard to figure that Prior "owes" them something for following through on their legally-mandated obligations once they drafted him.

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Dec 10, 2007 11:35 AM CST up reply actions

Ok, I gotcha

and I would agree it's not up to any of us to determine whether either party owes the other anything at this point.

Considering all the factors, both sides should make the best business decision they possibly can, and I believe they probably will.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Dec 10, 2007 1:04 PM CST up reply actions

If that is the way he feels

he should move on to an organization that won't continue to harm him.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Dec 10, 2007 9:48 AM CST up reply actions

Leaving...

And that certainly appears to be precisely what he's trying to achieve here.

by davearm on Dec 10, 2007 11:18 PM CST up reply actions

You guys know obviously I love Kerry

But it should be pointed out that Kerry Wood, while he stayed with the Cubs, did test the waters himself this offseason.

Perhaps Prior just wants to see what's out there and really feels the Cubs don't want him?

And on the flipside if you were another team with interest why not wait until you see if the Cubs offer arbitration making him a free agent?

Especially if you're the tampering Padres.

We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.

by puckishcubsfan on Dec 10, 2007 7:42 AM CST reply actions

Let him walk

I could careless if he goes. He hasn't been an active member of the team in a while. Let some other team waste money on him. The Cubs need to spend their money on players that aren't paper mache and will be in the line up for most of the season.

by massey1984 on Dec 10, 2007 5:10 PM CST reply actions