Ex-Cubs Pitcher News: Mark Prior And Rich Harden

by Al Yellon on Dec 14, 2010 5:19 PM CST in Chicago Cubs News

Here are tweets from Rockies beat writer Troy Renck (not sure why he's doing this, since it doesn't involve the Rox), and national baseball writer Jerry Crasnick, on the status of former Cubs Mark Prior and Rich Harden:

I am hearing that Rich Harden is signing with Oakland, acc to sources. Will check it out furtherless than a minute ago via TweetDeckTroy Renck, Rockies
TroyRenck

Mark Prior has reached agreement on a minor league deal with New York Yankees, source saysless than a minute ago via webJerry Crasnick
jcrasnick

Interesting. It's clear that Billy Beane has always had a soft spot for Harden, and we can assume that Larry Rothschild put in a word for Prior.

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Prior starts game 7...

…and Wood closes out the WS, as the Yankees win another championship.

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Dec 14, 2010 5:23 PM CST reply actions

How will Wood do that after he signs with the Cubs?

Better: the Cubs beat Prior in game seven of the WS and Wood saves the game after Marmol can’t pitch for some reason.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Dec 14, 2010 5:26 PM CST up reply actions

Can it be game four with the Cubs sweeping?

My heart wouldn’t be able to take it going to game seven.

We're out of glue.

by katie casey on Dec 14, 2010 5:31 PM CST up reply actions

When the Cubs get to and win a WS, then I want as much WS as possible.

I can always check into a loony bin later and get my nerves fixed.

If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.

by eths on Dec 15, 2010 2:27 AM CST up reply actions

That's right.

I’m the one that said the Cubs would announce Wood at the Cubs Convention.

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Dec 14, 2010 5:43 PM CST up reply actions

If Wood can be signed for 3-4M...

IMHO, we’d be silly not to do it.

I didn't understand the "white-collar Cub fans", "blue-collar Sox fans" until much later in life. Harry Smith~ "For Cubs Fans Only".

by jeffstorm2 on Dec 14, 2010 6:05 PM CST up reply actions

Well, that's the issue.

If it’s more than that, I wouldn’t do it. But for around that amount, it’s a no-brainer.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Dec 14, 2010 6:22 PM CST up reply actions

12 years $37M NTC

Chronologically inept since 2060
"I could be writing this crap!" -- Crow T. Robot
Me: Q: I can run but not walk. Wherever I go, thought follows close behind. What am I?
Wrigster A: Theriot

by Cubbie-Tim on Dec 14, 2010 6:54 PM CST up reply actions

Has Hendry...

…said ANYTHING about possibly signing Wood?

I just have a feeling that regardless of Wood’s condition, etc… Hendry won’t want him back.

by TheHawkRules on Dec 14, 2010 7:12 PM CST up reply actions

Hawk- why?

I didn't understand the "white-collar Cub fans", "blue-collar Sox fans" until much later in life. Harry Smith~ "For Cubs Fans Only".

by jeffstorm2 on Dec 14, 2010 7:14 PM CST up reply actions

Well...

When Wood left… things were just weird/uncomfortable. If I remember correctly, there were two different stories as to why Wood left.

Today, it seems obvious that Kerry would like to come back. Yet there has been nothing but fan speculation on that happening. It just seems like if Hendry was interested at all… something, someWHERE would be said about the fact.

Its just been us fans dreaming…so far.

by TheHawkRules on Dec 14, 2010 7:18 PM CST up reply actions

true enough, but

from my memory, it was the “shock” of Kerry leaving… seemed unthinkable back then… there was also the full page SunTimes “Thank You” to cubs fans from Wood. IMHO, it all depends on the $$$s involved. Over 4.5M, I’d be out.

I didn't understand the "white-collar Cub fans", "blue-collar Sox fans" until much later in life. Harry Smith~ "For Cubs Fans Only".

by jeffstorm2 on Dec 14, 2010 7:21 PM CST up reply actions

also, I think it's important he insists,

insists on raising his wife n kids here. He’s stated more than once, he will not don the black n white… that leaves a lot of travel, or cubbie blue, no? No offence intended BTW

I didn't understand the "white-collar Cub fans", "blue-collar Sox fans" until much later in life. Harry Smith~ "For Cubs Fans Only".

by jeffstorm2 on Dec 14, 2010 7:25 PM CST up reply actions

None Taken...

Its all good.

For whatever reason, I will be surprised if Hendry brings him back. I hope he does. I can already just picture Al saying something along the lines of “For how much Kerry signed for with ****, there was no reason to NOT bring him back.”

Haha. Maybe I’ve been following BCB for too long! Al is in my head. lol

Anyway, I just wish Hendry will bring him back.

by TheHawkRules on Dec 14, 2010 7:45 PM CST up reply actions

me too! IF

it doesnn’t involve 65million, 8yrs, NTC and players option for additional yr @ 15million! Haha!Nice chat, gotta go, happy holidays (or Merry Christmas), to you n urs Hawk!

I didn't understand the "white-collar Cub fans", "blue-collar Sox fans" until much later in life. Harry Smith~ "For Cubs Fans Only".

by jeffstorm2 on Dec 14, 2010 7:54 PM CST up reply actions

Likewise Jstorm2!

by TheHawkRules on Dec 14, 2010 8:02 PM CST up reply actions

How exactly does one "raise" a wife? ;-)

Forget baseball, Wood should write a book on this subject – he’ll earn far more than he ever could as a pitcher.

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Dec 14, 2010 9:17 PM CST up reply actions

hawk- caught my inept word-smithing, didya? :]

(ps-there IS no answer to your question…thusly, still single! :])

I didn't understand the "white-collar Cub fans", "blue-collar Sox fans" until much later in life. Harry Smith~ "For Cubs Fans Only".

by jeffstorm2 on Dec 15, 2010 5:26 AM CST up reply actions

Kerry seems "welcome enough"

Benefit he sponsers, press, fans… what’s your take?

I didn't understand the "white-collar Cub fans", "blue-collar Sox fans" until much later in life. Harry Smith~ "For Cubs Fans Only".

by jeffstorm2 on Dec 14, 2010 7:15 PM CST up reply actions

CT- have you gotten into

TJ11s kool-aid??? :]

I didn't understand the "white-collar Cub fans", "blue-collar Sox fans" until much later in life. Harry Smith~ "For Cubs Fans Only".

by jeffstorm2 on Dec 14, 2010 7:27 PM CST up reply actions

thankfully.........no

Chronologically inept since 2060
"I could be writing this crap!" -- Crow T. Robot
Me: Q: I can run but not walk. Wherever I go, thought follows close behind. What am I?
Wrigster A: Theriot

by Cubbie-Tim on Dec 14, 2010 8:13 PM CST up reply actions

'sides... what cub fan doesn't

love Woody? Great press move.

I didn't understand the "white-collar Cub fans", "blue-collar Sox fans" until much later in life. Harry Smith~ "For Cubs Fans Only".

by jeffstorm2 on Dec 14, 2010 7:12 PM CST up reply actions

It probably would improve relations between Hendry and Cubs fans

FWIW

It's time, guys. Let's win it for Ronnie...

by mikegncb34 on Dec 14, 2010 8:22 PM CST up reply actions

According to Levine...

that’s all the money Hendry has to spend. That would mean no Webb

"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
"My favorite food is Macaroni and Cheese, from the blue box." Geovany Soto
"They played like son of a guns......lord have mercy." Mike Quade

by Cubbiegoon on Dec 14, 2010 8:52 PM CST up reply actions

Unless Webb's contract is heavily incentive laden and backloaded.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Dec 14, 2010 8:55 PM CST up reply actions

I'd like to think Ricketts would add a tiny bit more to the payroll, if need be

by Cubbiegoon on Dec 14, 2010 9:03 PM CST up reply actions

Prior

Will have more media on him….and his attempted comeback. I dont know if that is a good or a bad thing.

I guess we will see. I wouldnt mind to see him comeback.

by TheHawkRules on Dec 14, 2010 5:28 PM CST reply actions

Well, if you can't get Cliff Lee...

by Tangled Up In Blue on Dec 14, 2010 5:29 PM CST reply actions

Just hope the Cubs sign

Webb. Good luck to Prior.

by Grockcubs on Dec 14, 2010 5:39 PM CST reply actions

Harden

Wonder if he’s be better off relieving. Perhaps he’d respond similar to Wood as someone who just didn’t have the arm to throw 200 innings/season or appearances of 100+ pitches.

by dmlichte on Dec 14, 2010 5:42 PM CST reply actions

interesting thought...

I had wondered myself while Harden was still here… he can be “lights out” but not for long… thusly, RP material.

I didn't understand the "white-collar Cub fans", "blue-collar Sox fans" until much later in life. Harry Smith~ "For Cubs Fans Only".

by jeffstorm2 on Dec 14, 2010 6:03 PM CST up reply actions

Lights out

like 5-1 with a 1.77 ERA and a 0.972 WHIP plus 11.3 K/9 and 2.7 WAR in just 71 innings pitched? Still incredibly rattled by his playoff outing that year.

"We love them, We mourn for them, Unlucky boys of Red" - Morrissey
"Giggs gets past Viera, past Dixon, who comes back at him, it's a wonderful run from GIGGS!!!" - Martin Tyler
Nucks Misconduct's Prodigal Son, Chief Curmudgeon, Chief Hunk, Chief Charmer and Chief Drama Queen.

by Section 312 on Dec 14, 2010 6:45 PM CST up reply actions

didn't check stats

I was going on guts n memory alone.

I didn't understand the "white-collar Cub fans", "blue-collar Sox fans" until much later in life. Harry Smith~ "For Cubs Fans Only".

by jeffstorm2 on Dec 14, 2010 7:13 PM CST up reply actions

apparently

it takes him too long to warm up to be useable out of the pen

by hansman1982 on Dec 14, 2010 7:31 PM CST up reply actions

thats a changeable trait

isn’t it? Or, do you mean waaaay too long?

I didn't understand the "white-collar Cub fans", "blue-collar Sox fans" until much later in life. Harry Smith~ "For Cubs Fans Only".

by jeffstorm2 on Dec 14, 2010 7:51 PM CST up reply actions

Hans- as I think back...

I do seem to recall something unusual about HHardens warm-up routine…

I didn't understand the "white-collar Cub fans", "blue-collar Sox fans" until much later in life. Harry Smith~ "For Cubs Fans Only".

by jeffstorm2 on Dec 14, 2010 7:59 PM CST up reply actions

Kevin Gregg is reportedly near deal with O's

for 2 years between 8 and 10 million ( I posted this in another thread).

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either

by Doggie Stalker on Dec 14, 2010 6:04 PM CST reply actions

Good! That way

Jim H will have a hard time re-re-signing him! Crazy $$$ for that d-o-g!

I didn't understand the "white-collar Cub fans", "blue-collar Sox fans" until much later in life. Harry Smith~ "For Cubs Fans Only".

by jeffstorm2 on Dec 14, 2010 6:07 PM CST up reply actions

He had a solid year with Toronto last year I believe

Correct me if I’m wrong.

But that guy belongs with a smaller-market team. He did well in Florida and Toronto and probably will do well with the Orioles. The one year he goes to a big-market team in ’09 with the Cubs? —-yikes

It's time, guys. Let's win it for Ronnie...

by mikegncb34 on Dec 14, 2010 8:24 PM CST up reply actions

same with Miles

generally good with the Cards and then decides to sabotage the Cubs

by hansman1982 on Dec 15, 2010 8:01 AM CST up reply actions

Yes, Gregg pitched rather well in the Big Smoke, although we Jays fans also got our share of cardiac moments, and it took a while before Cito figured out that Gregg couldn’t pitch back-to-back games effectively.

by TakeoutArtist on Dec 15, 2010 12:41 PM CST up reply actions

But he loves dealing with the Orioles...

Shut up Joe Morgan.

by fsuapollo on Dec 14, 2010 9:35 PM CST up reply actions

Comcast has just announced

a minor league deal with Prior n Yanks… no further info given

I didn't understand the "white-collar Cub fans", "blue-collar Sox fans" until much later in life. Harry Smith~ "For Cubs Fans Only".

by jeffstorm2 on Dec 14, 2010 6:20 PM CST reply actions

Prior and Wood (when re-signed)BOTH...

…re-united with Larry, the towel guy? How ‘bout shippin’ Z there, too? I’m sure the Yankees signing Prior helped ease the pain of losing Cliff Lee.

"I don't care who the manager is OR who they sign in the off-season...I just want a frickin' World Series winner" - Easy Ed

by Easy Ed on Dec 14, 2010 6:35 PM CST reply actions

hahaha! Big loss to Yanks

major shift of power out east!

I didn't understand the "white-collar Cub fans", "blue-collar Sox fans" until much later in life. Harry Smith~ "For Cubs Fans Only".

by jeffstorm2 on Dec 14, 2010 7:28 PM CST up reply actions

Prior has it made.

Big dollars to not pitch. Again.

This is quite the racket he has going.

Props.

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Dec 14, 2010 7:53 PM CST reply actions

SDSJM- You have financial details?

if so, please share with the class? :]

I didn't understand the "white-collar Cub fans", "blue-collar Sox fans" until much later in life. Harry Smith~ "For Cubs Fans Only".

by jeffstorm2 on Dec 14, 2010 7:57 PM CST up reply actions

I hear the towels tend to travel farther in the new Yankee Stadium...

It's 106 miles to Chicago...

by BDR529 on Dec 14, 2010 8:06 PM CST up reply actions

Now that's FUNNY! :]

I didn't understand the "white-collar Cub fans", "blue-collar Sox fans" until much later in life. Harry Smith~ "For Cubs Fans Only".

by jeffstorm2 on Dec 15, 2010 5:28 AM CST up reply actions

reminds me of the old movie

how to succeed in business without really trying

Chronologically inept since 2060
"I could be writing this crap!" -- Crow T. Robot
Me: Q: I can run but not walk. Wherever I go, thought follows close behind. What am I?
Wrigster A: Theriot

by Cubbie-Tim on Dec 14, 2010 8:14 PM CST up reply actions

What evidence do you have

that Prior was a slacker? When not injured, he was a dominant pitcher. Like many others, I believe he and Wood both were overused by Baker in his quest for a WS.

If a quality pitching start is 3 runs and 6 innings, then a quality hitting day is 1 for 4.

by tharr on Dec 14, 2010 9:08 PM CST up reply actions

That guy

has made a lot of dough to not pitch. I wonder what the record is for dollars earned without pitching.

DEJESUS!!!

by tomas21 on Dec 14, 2010 8:22 PM CST up reply actions

Here are the financial details of Prior's deal

via tweet from Jon Heyman of SI.com:

mark prior gets a minor-league deal w/big-league invite from #yankees. will make 750 grand in bigs, plus 750 in incentives.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Dec 14, 2010 8:58 PM CST up reply actions

thanks Mr. Yellon

I didn't understand the "white-collar Cub fans", "blue-collar Sox fans" until much later in life. Harry Smith~ "For Cubs Fans Only".

by jeffstorm2 on Dec 15, 2010 5:29 AM CST up reply actions

deal seems very, very reasonable...

I didn't understand the "white-collar Cub fans", "blue-collar Sox fans" until much later in life. Harry Smith~ "For Cubs Fans Only".

by jeffstorm2 on Dec 15, 2010 5:31 AM CST up reply actions

I sure wish I could...

get paid a ridiculous amount of money for continuing to fail at something, year after year after year.

by kanderber on Dec 15, 2010 7:20 AM CST up reply actions

Adjusted for inflation, I'd say Wayne Garland would be up there.

along with Mike Hampton.

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Dec 14, 2010 9:21 PM CST up reply actions

So as it stands now...

Yankees fifth starter is a battle between Mark Prior and Sergio Mitre? And their payroll is how many millions?

"I'd rather hit home runs you don't have to run as hard." -- Dave Kingman

by BucknerKongCardenal on Dec 14, 2010 8:32 PM CST reply actions

How does signing

a minor league contract equate with being a possible 5th starter?

If a quality pitching start is 3 runs and 6 innings, then a quality hitting day is 1 for 4.

by tharr on Dec 14, 2010 8:52 PM CST up reply actions

Pretty sure Prior is strictly a reliever these days.

by Dcr18 on Dec 14, 2010 9:30 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Holy hell, there is literally nothing going on in regards to Cubs baseball.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Dec 14, 2010 10:42 PM CST reply actions

SWLL- words well spoken indeed...

I didn't understand the "white-collar Cub fans", "blue-collar Sox fans" until much later in life. Harry Smith~ "For Cubs Fans Only".

by jeffstorm2 on Dec 15, 2010 5:30 AM CST up reply actions

Good luck to Prior. I just got a signed, personalized baseball from him.

He’s a great guy.

"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.

by zevkalman on Dec 14, 2010 10:56 PM CST reply actions

Good luck to Mark

For a little while, he gave me reason to believe the Cubs could win a World Series on his back, and that he could be a real #1 (unlike all the #2’s we’ve used as #1’s) for years to come.

The collision with Giles, and the line drive off the arm were freak things that destroyed his career. I’m pulling for him.

Scott Bora$ is satan.

by Canadian Cubs Fan on Dec 15, 2010 5:48 AM CST reply actions

Would be great to see him work his way back to the Bigs

I know that Prior has gotten a hard time from some Cubs fans but he has never given up getting back into baseball. For that, I wish him nothing but good luck and hope to see him on the mound again, even if its in a Yankee’s uniform, he’ll have earned it.

"It's been my policy to view the Internet not as an 'information highway,' but as an electronic asylum filled with babbling loonies." - Mike Royko

by DTJchris on Dec 15, 2010 7:12 AM CST reply actions

OT-Just got an email

saying limited Convention passes and hotel rooms are available. That is just sad. It also mentions those holiday game packs. That pushes it to pathetic in my mind.

We're out of glue.

by katie casey on Dec 15, 2010 8:17 AM CST reply actions

Those have been available for a while.

I got the same email. Clearly, they are worried about this.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Dec 15, 2010 9:07 AM CST up reply actions

Maybe a little worrying would be a good thing.

We're out of glue.

by katie casey on Dec 15, 2010 9:35 AM CST up reply actions

Al, FYI

Troy Renck is actually the Denver Post’s “National Baseball Writer”. (They have another guy to cover the Rockies beat.) He covers the entire scene, sometimes including prospects and colleges.

Troy is also indefatigable, and usually much more correct than national guys like Heyman.

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Dec 15, 2010 10:40 AM CST reply actions