Mark Prior (1 Viewer)

[Steelers4Life]

Does anyone think he has anything left to offer a team?

I've gotta believe that he's still young enough to have a chance, but what do you think the chances are that he ever becomes even remotely reliable as a starting pitcher?

Or maybe as a closer a la Kerry Wood?

 

[Oh Yes!]

Does anyone think he has anything left to offer a team?I've gotta believe that he's still young enough to have a chance, but what do you think the chances are that he ever becomes even remotely reliable as a starting pitcher?Or maybe as a closer a la Kerry Wood?

1 in 6 chance.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Sad, but this is the most exciting move we've made all winter. From Depodesta's blog:

Mark Prior, RHP: A San Diego native, we signed Mark last year to a Major League contract after the Cubs declined to tender him a contract. After progressing well early in the spring, Mark had a setback that required another surgery and cost him the rest of the season. Mark has now lost the entirety of the last two seasons to injury, but when he pitches he can be dominant. In his first four seasons in Chicago (2002-2005) Mark used he power fastball/curveball combo to pitch 613 innings with a 3.24 ERA. Mark has been working out all winter here in Petco, and we're encouraged by his progress. If we can get him back and healthy for us in 2009 we believe he could make a significant difference.

 

[David Yudkin]

In the last 6 years, he's made 87 starts out of a possible 210. He's worth a flyer by but he certainly hasn't shown much durability.

 

[Steelers4Life]

I'd say there are worse guys out there to take chances on. A couple years ago, or even early last year, Rich Harden was viewed very similarly. Harden isn't out of the woods yet, but I wonder if a 28 year old Prior can rebound in a similar to way that Harden did.

Padres general manager Kevin Towers said Prior threw off a mound on Friday for the first time since surgery, and the report from team trainer Todd Hutcheson was good. "The last surgery benefited him a great deal," Towers said. "It looks like his mechanics are back in line again and he has good carries on his throws when he's doing long tosses. I hate to put any timelines on it, but we hope he's pitching competitively at the start of the season. If it's not in the big leagues, then maybe a few starts in the minor leagues."

I find it interesting that he actually hopes to be pitching competitively by the start of the season and he's already pitching off a mound.

 

[Eephus]

In other Padres news, they signed former Astro & D-back Chris Burke. His career numbers are terrible but he's always struck me as one of those guys who could be productive in the right situation. Petco won't help him much though.

He'll be 29 before opening day so he's not a prospect any more. But he could be a fantasy deep sleeper in SB if he can hold down the 2B job in SD. Matt Antonelli looks like a bust, Tad Iguchi is supposedly headed back to Japan, and Edgar Martinez is nothing special. This could be Burke's best and last chance for an every day MLB job.

 

[Steelers4Life]

Is there any word out there on where Prior is pitching, how he's looking, what progress he's made, or what the Padres MIGHT expect from him this year? That rotation surely needs some help, so he could he actually have an impact in the 2nd half?

I'm holding him in a bench spot in a very deep dynasty league, just wondering if I'm wasting the spot.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Is there any word out there on where Prior is pitching, how he's looking, what progress he's made, or what the Padres MIGHT expect from him this year? That rotation surely needs some help, so he could he actually have an impact in the 2nd half?I'm holding him in a bench spot in a very deep dynasty league, just wondering if I'm wasting the spot.

He's had no setbacks to my knowledge, but he's still nowhere close. I'm also holding him in a deep dynasty league, b/c if he's healthy he has a rotation spot. I think Towers and Co. think he's going to be a factor in the 2nd half, but who knows if it's just wishful thinking.