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Chicagoist can be lazy sometimes. We feel like we just keep writing, and writing, and writing about injury woes and the Cubs. So we recently decided that it'd be well worth our while to write a fill-in-the-blank post we can simply re-use each time somebody else goes down. How fitting that Mark Prior gives us the first opportunity to utilize our new time saving bit of prefab journalism:
Cubs former pitching phenom Mark Prior, who exited his first minor league extended spring training start after two innings, will be out for the rest of the season, following arthroscopic surgery on Tuesday to "clean up" his rotator cuff and labrum.
While the form works for the basic details, we found it more difficult to write off-the-shelf analysis.
So, with Mark Prior officially lost for the season before he even set foot in Wrigley Field, is this the end for his tenure with the Cubs? The end of his major league career all together?
Thus far, Cubs GM Jim Hendry has been coy about the franchise's plans for Prior. While the surgeon who performed the procedure and said that it wasn't career threatening, Hendry would commit to Prior in the media, "Obviously, we think a lot of Mark. … Like always, you do everything in the best interests of the club. You make the decisions we have to make down the road." Of course the coming change in ownership only complicates the situation.
The Trib's Paul Sullivan is confident that Prior's days with the team are over. Despite the injury, Prior would still likely receive a salary similar to this year's $3.575 million were he to return. Considering the Cubs have paid him about $1 million a start over the past couple years, why would they continue doing that? Ironically, because the injury occured while assigned to their minor league affiliate, Prior receives no Major League service time for the 2007 season and thus wouldn't be eligible for free agency for an additional year now.
Meanwhile in the Sun-Times, Jay Mariotti is blaming the Cubs for Prior's breakdown. He questions, legitimately, why it took so long for surgery to clean up "loose junk in his pitching shoulder than a pawn-shop owner at a flea market." Is Prior's body itself, or his mechanics to blame for his inability to stay healthy? Did the Cubs' repeated denial that something was wrong cause him to break down beyond the point of return? Or is the latest in the Mark Prior saga more proof of the rumor we mentioned a couple weeks ago?
We want to know what you think--is Prior's career with the Cubs over? Will he ever pitch in the Majors again?
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Wait, I thought the Sun-Times and Mariottti were blaming corporate ownership for the Cubs' perpetual demise. Now they're telling us that injuries to key players play a role in the team's performance, too? Crazy talk!
fire mariotti and see how the cubs do. there might be no relationship whatsoever there, but it couldn't hurt.
People still read Mariotti?
As a Sox fan, but a baseball fan first, you can't help but feel for Prior. Mariotti is right about once a year and I have to admit he's 100% on the mark here. Those pitch counts are pretty absurd. The science on this has been in for a long time now: the human arm has an allowable stress limit. While old school mentaility managers like Ozzie who don't feel exact pitch counts are the bible, he would never put that much work load on any of his guys. Even during the Sox's 05 run when our starters threw 4 consecutive complete games, their pitch counts were 99, 116, 118, 114. Even more criminal is the long overdue diagnosis...perhaps delayed in part by Prior's own stubborness and desire to play no matter what. Sadly, Dusty recklessly took advantage of Prior's competetiveness and in the process cut short what was likely to be a Cooperstown-worthy career.
Dusty really did run Wood and Prior into the ground but in 2003 he probably wanted that World Series appearance just as bad as anyone else. I kind of feel like Dusty ran relievers Scott Eyre and Bob Howry into the ground last year and it's now showing this year, but I can't prove it. I hope the Cubs give Prior one more chance after the surgery. I think he owes it to the Cubs and Cubs fans to come back at a heavily discounted price and give it one more chance.
My all time favorite article of Mariotti's was him arguing before the 2005 season that if the White Sox didn't go after every big name free agent (i.e.- Carlos Beltran) that offseason in a way to gain market share against the Cubs, they should just pack up and leave for Vegas or Portland.
That worked out well...
Anyway, godspeed to Prior. I'm not agreeing with Mariotti when I say this, but maybe they do just need a change of scenery.
How can we feel for a guy that made several million bucks for sitting at home with a bum arm, shunning kids at signings and hiding from the media? Feed him to the lions, I say!
My guess is all the money in the world isn't going to make up for losing on out on hope that the great career you always wanted, played for since you were 5 or 6, and trained for night and day will never really arrive.
And even if I don't like the Cubs, I like watching sports played at the highest possible level. It was great to watch Jordan in his prime. It's great to watch Tiger. It's great to pay attention to Roger Federer, Sidney Crosby, Micheal Phelps, etc., etc. This guy had a shot, with his ideal build and mechanics, to be pitching's answer to all those guys and everyone is gonna miss out watching it happen.
Sox fan here. I too feel bad for Prior. Along with Wood, he's had the worst luck ever. I don't necessarily blame the Cubs organization. Then again, with all of these players getting hurt, you have to wonder about the medical staff. Are they any good? Or is it just a curse? Or is it pressure?
I hope they both leave the Cubs next year and go on, out of the spotlight, and turn around their crummy careers.
How can we feel for a guy that made several million bucks for sitting at home with a bum arm, shunning kids at signings and hiding from the media? Feed him to the lions, I say!
He also finished school and got his business degree from USC, making him one of only 40 or so in the ENTIRE MLB to have a degree.
He may still have made all that money, but at least he has something to fall back on if he is toast. I think some of the less-hyped, less-paid players should take note. All it takes is one bad day running the bases and you could blow out your knee and be done for good.
I think Benjy's posts killed Mark Prior
Or is the latest in the Mark Prior saga more proof of the rumor we mentioned a couple weeks ago?
More proof? Don't you have to have some proof before you can theoretically have more? Sorry, I don't believe you or your "sources". The idea that Prior was on steroids is unfounded, unsupported and irresponsible to pass around. Are you claiming that Prior's been on steroids since his sophomore season in college? Are you claiming that steroids are the reason for Prior's past velocity, overall stuff, command and success? Are you ignoring that Prior was one of the only player reps who called for tougher steroids testing procedures and penalties? Are you aware that Prior has not physically changed the past few years? Lastly, is this website intended for serious discussion or just a carrier of tabloid journalism?
More proof? Don't you have to have some proof before you can theoretically have more? Sorry, I don't believe you or your "sources". The idea that Prior was on steroids is unfounded, unsupported and irresponsible to pass around.
agreed. totally irresponsible, stupid and shameful.