Wood and Prior to Cincy?!?!

[Howling Mad]

Wood And Prior Could Join Dusty In Cincy?
26th October, 2007 - 11:25 am

Whether it's simply to catch up on the past or plot for the future, new Cincinnati Reds' manager Dusty Baker has been chatting with his former Cubs' co-aces, Mark Prior and Kerry Wood.

"I talked to Mark Prior [Wednesday], and I've heard from Woody and some other guys," said Baker, who will turn his focus to managing the Reds once his current gig as an ESPN analyst ends after the World Series.

Both pitchers could become free agents this offseason, and the Reds are starved for pitching.

Wood, 30, is eligible for free agency after completing a one-year, $1.75 million deal with the Cubs this season. He came off the disabled list Aug. 3 and went 1-1 with a 3.33 ERA in 22 outings as a middle reliever. If the right-hander wants to return to a starting role, he likely would have to do that elsewhere.

Prior, who missed the entire 2007 season after undergoing shoulder surgery, is eligible for salary arbitration. Prior, 27, made $3.575 million this season and couldn't be paid less than $2.86 million next season because major-league rules forbid cutting a controlled player's salary more than 20 percent.

[GYBE]

Why would Prior want to play for Dusty again? He wants to make his comeback with the cause of his downfall in a huge hitters park? Yeah, I don't think so. But, I wouldn't be surprised if he's in a different uniform next season.

And I really don't think Woody would leave if the Cubs offer fair money.

[Howling Mad]

Prior's thoughts: "Why in the hell would I go back to the manager that ruined my career!"

Wood's thoughts: "I know everybody loves me in Chicago, they have a soft spot in their Cubbie heart... even if I failed. If I go somewhere else I'll be booed for being unproductive no matter how I pitch."

[cold5]

We need Kerry. He was a staple in the bullpen this year. Whenever he got in a jam, he usually got a double play. And he struck out a ton of guys. Prior however is useless. If the Reds want to start a crap pitcher who was ruined by the guy managing them, let them.

[Howling Mad]

I wouldn't say he was a staple in the bullpen, and he wasn't successful all the time. There were outings early in his return that I thought he might not have "it" anymore. Good thing I was wrong. As the innings added up for him he seemed to get stronger and stronger.

Not only that, but his control was never in question. Where as, in his previous injury returns he would toss a couple wildly out of control that would end up hitting the bricks.

I think he really tried to focus on location and mechanics, and knew the velocity would come. I'm glad.

[The Sheik]

Well Prior said back in august that he wanted to pitch here and that he feels he owes the Cubs. I think the only way he ends up somewhere other then here is if the Cubs are finally convinced that he is finished. Remember he is only 27, as for Wood, I think it is the exact same scenario as Prior.