Chip and Stone's Prior comments today....

[SoxFan562004]

If you want some new Cub laughs just sit back and listen to the reaction about Prior. These MFers are still penning the Cubs in for the World Series and Prior hasn't thrown a pitch off a mound in about 5 months, and there's no timetable set for rehab!!

 

Steve "Stoned" on the Cubs game today said something along the lines of "The Cubs can absorb the loss of Mark Prior because the Cubs strength is in starting pitching. They would be more concerened if they lost Barrett at catcher or Lee at first base since there's not as much depth there." That's not an EXACT quote, but it is the gist of what he said.

 

Then he went on to say "forget the injury for a second, if he starts rehab tomorrow he'll be ready to pitch in 3-4 weeks." The whole thing was odd today, it seemed like Stoned and Chip were under some sort of Tribune gag order about the Prior injury. Chip must have repeated 8-10 times "This flare up is not as bad as the previous one".

 

Also, when the Cub's Trib reporter was up there and asked if Stoned or Chip heard anything on Prior there was a few seconds of uncomfortable silence then Chip said the above quote for the 3rd time and Stoned rambled on about how losing Billy Wagner really hurt the Astros.... It was one of the oddest conversations I've heard in awhile.

 

I also just went to Chicagosports.com and saw that Rogers wrote an article which says pretty much what Stone was preaching....hmmmm interesting

[SkokieSox]

This is totally expected. This only shows how worried they are about it. "It didn't flare up as bad this time." Wow! Someone should let them know it isn't good if it flares up, at all. I mean, I'm surprised they aren't taking the opportunity to say how great this is, so that Prior can stay rested and be fresh for October. These guys aren't that naive, they most likely are being told what to say. At least Stone, Chip is that dumb. This doesn't look to be a quit fix, and it leaves me to wonder, will this ever completely go away. Even if it does for a long stretch, this is something for them to be concerned about, not just for this season. They said it is caused from his dense muscle tissue in his calves which are straining his achilles. Well unless he loses muscle mass (which would obviously depress some of his speed), I don't see how the situation is going to be less of a problem for him in the future. Although, I doubt you will hear that perspective from the media.

[hammerhead johnson]

Well, Let's just hope that Prior comes back by the beginning of May. For the good of my fantasy team, you know?

 

Hey, what's wrong with Steve Stone? I like that guy.

[Flash Tizzle]

I could understand the Cubs trying to spin this idea they're fine without Prior for the first month when the schedule is relatively easy. But for Phil Rogers to even suggest his absense until Jun.,July is nothing to be worried about (because of a "deep rotation") is pure denial.

 

Tribune can tell Phil to write a piece to calm the fear of Cub fans, but Prior is your ace and every start without him you lose valuable opportunities to WIN. What do all of you suppose the odds are of one brave Tribune writer listing the downfalls of Prior stay on the DL? To them, there's nothing to worry about because the Messiahs disciple (Sergio Mitre) is set to take the place of the almighty

[NUKE_CLEVELAND]

Well, Let's just hope that Prior comes back by the beginning of May.  For the good of my fantasy team, you know?     

 

Hey, what's wrong with Steve Stone?  I like that guy.

I agree. Out of all the folks involved with that organization he's the most palatable of the bunch. At least he actually knows something about baseball and his bias isint that overt.

[mreye]

The Cubs could absorb this if they were in the AL Central, but the NL Central is just too tough. I believe they do have an easy schedule to start the season, though.

[SkokieSox]

I agree.  Out of all the folks involved with that organization he's the most palatable of the bunch.  At least he actually knows something about baseball and his bias isint that overt.

And he pitched for the Sox at one time.

[Chisoxfn]

If the rest of their pitchers stay healthy, then they have nothing to worry about. Although I still can't figure out why they gave up on Cruz, but this guy from the Braves system sounds like he's pretty good, and a lefty, something they need.

 

Prior, I'm assuming will be back in a month and a half and they have a solid team. I hate to say it, but with or without Prior they will be around this year...now if a few others go down, thats another story.

 

Still, with Prior they aren't a guarantee to win the division, and without them they aren't, but this is probably the best Cubs team...possibly ever. So I don't have a problem with them picking the Cubs in the series, it could easily happen.

 

Just like I thought the Sox could make the series last year...boy was I wrong.