So, do I now burn my Prior jersey I got when he signed or just stuff it in the closet like I did Maddux's jersey?

I think Prior made the best decision for himself. When it comes down to it, that's the best thing one can do.

I respect Prior for doing what he feels is best for his own success/happiness/whatever.

Good luck, Mark Prior, against any team you'll ever face; except the Cubs!

I really think Prior will be on the Mitchell Report.

agustin: where can I buy my JLO Cubs jersey? I'd never take it off.

Gene: Agreed. 1.5 mill isn't bad considering he WASN't PLAYING.

How many of you would take offense at being an employee for 1.5 mil?

I dont want to say, I am a Prior-basher but...

If the guy doesnt want to be here, and he has made it clear he doesnt..So be it.

But since youre no longer tossing a blue pin striped towel...

I hope your arm never recovers, and I your name is mud to me...

I don't really think that JH was talking about replacing guys in the batting order when speaking on Fuk. I took it to mean the guy is versatile and can fill a number of batting order positions. I think that he will probably bat 2nd assuming our current lineup stays the same.

As far as De Rossa goes. I think JH had every intention of him being the everyday 2b for 3 years. However, I don't think that as a GM you can just sit on last year and not sign a guy like Roberts because you feel bad about Mark DeRossa. If we keep DeRossa we can still give up Cedeno and Fontenot plus a pitching prospect or two.

Anybody know Roberts contract situation? I just read that Tejada can opt out after 08, which makes the Astros move even more perplexing.

As for Prior, given his medical history, I have no idea why the guy wouldn't come back for 1.5 million. Does he really think he's going to get more on the free agent market after having not thrown at all in a year, and barely at all in two years? If thats how the guy feels then so be it.

Hubert,

For $3.5 mil, JH let go of Prior for 2008 ... Prior would have left anyway after the end of the 2008 season as a free agent. If he comes back to haunt us after 2008, it would have happened anyway.

JH followed up a great move in Fuku, and for a measely 3.5mil decided to let go someone who could possible bite the Cubs in the ass for years to come.

Two, DeRosa possibly being traded would be an impossibly stupid move on JH's part as he would get rid of one of our few OBP guys. It isn't worth it if we get the minor upgrade because we lose a very good player and a good prospect. I would rather him sell a hell of a lot of prospects and get rid of Theriot than see DeRo go. It isn't that hard to place DeRo in short and tell Theriot to get on the bench.

And the Sun Times reports, DeRosa said. "I saw the whole Matsui thing. Then I saw the Brian Roberts thing. I’m kind of torn on it. I think it’s a double-edged sword for me."

Remember what I pointed out about Hendry speaking of Fuk replacing 2/3/5 of the lineup? What would Derrek Lee and A-Ram think about that comment?

By the way, if trading DeRosa +one more prospect will get us Roberts, I'm all for it. Roberts' OPS and Walk-Strikeout ratio had improved throughout his career better than DeRosa. It might be a minor upgrade, but the Cubs needs all help to get on-base.

Wow! A lot of anti-Prior angst. Let's not forget that a strategy pervasive throughout the Cubs' organization brought Prior up to the bigs too early without enough minor league innings and pitched him way too much in his first full season, exploiting his talent in order to make the playoffs. He certainly reaped the benefits of this situation, but it's ridiculous to fault him for calling himself an "employee," since the Cubs never treated him as anything else. I for one, even though it is my wildest dream that the Cubs demolish all competition next season, hope that Maddux and Prior for San Diego shame the Cubs into submission. Perhaps this will teach our next owners to value young pitching talent. But for all of the history this organization has, no owner, president, general manager, or manager ever learns a lesson from it.

have you guys seen this article in the Sun-Times about DeRosa?

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/694652,derosa121207.article

its depressing. i REALLY don't want to see him traded. I'm a little partial to DeRosa not only because he always gave a good at-bat and played stellar defense at 2B (or wherever else Lou put him) but also because he often did interviews and wrote a playoff blog!! DeRosa was huge for the Cubs last year and this team needs him around. Another interesting point is that apparently being the first Japanese player on the team was a PLUS for Fukudome. Imagine how that would've felt if we'd signed Matsui and it made Fuk sign somewhere else. Shudder to think. Anyway I obviously think Roberts can help the Cubs but if they do trade for him, I really really really hope we see DeRosa as the starting, consistent SS. He has played over 100 games there in his career and you can tell he wants to be in the infield. He signed on to play 2B and it looks bad if Hendry is telling players what they want to hear just to get them to sign and then go back on what he says. That said, I think SS would be a good place for DeRosa if Roberts comes over. Roberts is a MUCH better player than Matsui or Infante so that move is much easier to understand. I just hope the Cubs dont fuck over DeRo. I'm stoked about Fukudome AND Prior so i hope the good vibes continue.

It saddens me to see him go, but the fact is we gave him an opportunity and he closed the door on US. We really dont have room for him and instead of paying him an undeserved 3.5 million +, he walked. I doubt he will amass to anything in the future. Good luck pretty boy, go back to California, don't break a nail, Mark.

Gonna be some lonely towels in Rothschild's rehab locker this year...

I don't expect Prior to do anything this year...even if healthy, the control takes a bit to get back.

I remember Wood had control issues in 2000 and 2001 (after missing all of 1999), before he really started getting his act together again.

Much like Wood, Prior can have a comeback...the typical "prime" years for a pitcher are still ahead of Prior, as he is only 27.

San Diego is a pitcher-friendly park, and he lives there...should be a natural fit. He will be surrounded by talented pitchers, such as Peavy and Maddux.

I really hope he doesn't throw a 10k 2-hit shutout against us in 18 months...but what can you do...it was time to move on!

Agustin...THANK YOU for the laugh. That was priceless.

ESPN'S 1000 Levine reports that JLO has agreed to a 6 million plus incentives 1 year deal and an option for 2009 with the Cubs! She said in a recent interview "that she likes the batting cage"...but she has yet to figure out what she will wear to night games. She did mention that she expects not to have a problem adjusting to day play. When asked what finally made her choose the Cubs, she replied that she felt attracted to the fact that she could find a Riot in short, a Dominican Pie in center and a Fuk in right! Jim Hendry hopes that the Mitchell report does not suggests her back has anything to do with steroids...Jim from Tinley, however, would not mind marking her with an asterisk or taking her to the Hall of Fame. {That Fuku dooo maay thing has got to me, I could go on a little longer]

Adam in Iowa:

I kind of agree with you, he's not one of us anymore.

Agustin:

Yeah, there are sux fans out here but also a lot of Cub Nation. I have no problem representing what so ever. Oh, by the way, there is nothing sexier than a Latina wearing Cubbie Blue.

This saddens me a little....

Not that he's leaving, but the fact that he was offered a chance to stay, and he chose not to do it.

My appreciation level for Kerry Wood just went thru the roof. The type of loyalty he has shown to this team, and most importantly to us, the fans, is not very common anymore. I feel that Kerry is everything that is RIGHT with sports today, and Prior is everything that is WRONG.

Go rot in hell Mark. You still could have been a hero to us, but you chose to walk away. Good bye, and good riddance...