The Chicago Cubs released Mark Prior today. Prior, who was eligible for arbitration, now becomes a free agent. Talks with the Cubs have been stalled lately mostly over the option for a second year.
I’ll be honest, I’ve never been a huge Mark Prior fan. Throughout his five and half years (and 42 wins) here, the Cubs have marketed him to us as someone for us to rely on. When I look at him, I see a pitcher who came into this league with tremendous potential but only had one solid (maybe two, if you want to call 27 starts and 11 wins solid) season.
So I’m not crying too many tears for Prior though I wish him the best of luck. In hindsight, I wish the Cubs would have taken advantage of his market value… when he had market value.
I think the same can pretty much be said about Kerry Wood.