The Red Sox have released right-hander Mark Prior, according to Brendan McGair of the Pawtucket Times (via Twitter). The move was made in order to create space for the newly-acquired Pedro Beato.
Prior, 31, hooked on with the Red Sox in early May as he looked to attempt yet another comeback. During his time in Triple-A Pawtucket, Prior posted a 3.96 ERA with 13.7 K/9 and 8.3 BB/9 in a small sample size of 25 innings of work. The second-overall pick in 2001 was brilliant in the early portion of his career but has not pitched in the majors since 2006 thanks to a series of shoulder problems.
Ben_Cherington
13.7 K/9 SHEESH!
8.3 BB/9 SHEESH!!!
Last games headline:
“Prior struck out the side in the 7th and 8th while allowing 6 base runners due to walking every other batter”
BK
This just in: Beggers can indeed be choosers
Ben_Cherington
I was unaware Boston has been begging for washed up bulpen arms. Thanks for the heads up though!
BK
Ben, Ben, Ben. There is a wild card race going down, get off the message boards and do some work.
Ben_Cherington
Im actually scouting on here for a new manager. We *ahem* are having some issues with our current manager.
Please send all resumes to me at Fenway
ATTN:
MR Cherington
BK
The wrath of Boston seems to disapprove of my comments
Ben_Cherington
I am Ben Cherinton, and I disaprove of YOU!
User 4245925809
Epic fail to someone who clearly does not have the mental faculty for a simple google and see Boston has one of the finest BP’s in baseball..
richardb21
I had to do a double take on his walks per 9 innings,but I hope he makes it back.
NerdSurfer
Dodgers should take a look at him. Can’t be worse than Blanton.
Raymond Robert Koenig
Dusty Baker strikes again.
Nicolas Costanza
That joke totally isn’t 6 years old…
petrie000
and strangely never ceases to infuriate us Cubs fans….*melodramatic sigh*
notsureifsrs
not really. this was his original strike
Dan Mowery
I didn’t even know he was still playin
Namio
What a waste of such a great talent due to injuries. Prior was so good at a very young age, so promising, and a series of injuries take everything away. What a shame.
Jonny Dollar
Is a reunion with the Cubs out of the question? Wouldn’t be bad to have a low risk signing like Prior for possible relief work.
petrie000
can’t see much need for him in Chicago, honestly. The season’s all but literally over and nobody’s going to give Prior a multi-year deal as a reliever.
Adam D MGb
We already have Marmol putting up those numbers…
Shel K
considering all the barrel-bottom scraping the cubs have been doing for pitchers since last fall, I can’t imagine why they wouldn’t take a chance on Prior. yes we have Marmol putting up those numbers but marmol will likely be gone before spring training and Prior can do it for a fraction of the cost, or he could be a Lendy Castillo or Rafael Dolis with much more potential upside.
Dwayne Takeda
And that’s why the Nationals want to shut down Strausburg.
Lunchbox45
over simplistic and inaccurate comparison, seriously
start_wearing_purple
Over simplistic but not entirely inaccurate. Pitching prospects with ace abilities are treated like they are made of glass. Prior is one of the cautionary tales of overusing a young star.
notsureifsrs
in-game, yes. but the nationals haven’t overused him in games at all. he’s averaged 96 pitches per start this season and 89 for his career (97 is MLB average). he has never exceeded 120. depending on the year, prior averaged between 105 and 115 and exceeded 120 on a regular basis
prior was one of the most abused arms in the game from 2002-2005, but it didn’t have anything to do with his innings totals
start_wearing_purple
My point is it’s just an extension of worries. Mark Prior was badly overused by Baker to an extreme, however it’s lead to teams treating guys with Strasburg’s talent with kid gloves. The front office is calling the shots and thinking about not just the current season but the next 5 as well. They’re worried about any potential problem.
notsureifsrs
and you’re right, but the nationals would be wrong if they concluded from guys like prior that what is needed is an innings cap
start_wearing_purple
Probably but think of it like a formula: Cautionary tale about overused young stars plus player has already had a TJ surgery plus a chance to turn the Nationals into the premier team in the NL East for several years. In the end it’s understandable that they’re overreacting.
Draven_X_23
But Joba was under used by the Yankees and where is he now?
j6takish
Justin verlander threw 180 innings as a rookie, plus 21 more in the post season. He threw 201 in his second full year, only 10 fewer innings than Mark Priors infamous 2003 campaign. The point is, every pitcher is different. The Nats handled Strasburg cautiously and he blew out his arm. Verlander has been throwing 200 high intensity innings for 7 years and is perfectly fine. Mark Prior had awful mechanics, it was just a matter of time before he blew his arm out
notsureifsrs
no it isn’t
TheReturnOfMrBlanks
At least is wasn’t the shoulder this time…..which is a really really good thing. He needs some kind of magician pitching coach to help him with those walks….his K’s are great.
NathanIraFenstemaker
I still can’t believe I saw his last game in the majors, my only visit to Wrigley. It was June 18, 2006. Vance Wilson hit a bomb off of him and they pulled him in the 4th. The most vivid memory of that game was when Kenny Rogers hit a double in the 8th and they pulled the pitcher. It seemed like a home game because the “Let’s Go Tigers” chanting was so loud.