Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Mark Prior joins the Padres


While obviously not Dodger-related, this does have a potentially big impact on the NL West. Mark Prior has signed a 1-year/$1 million deal to pitch for the San Diego Padres. Incentives can push the deal to over $3 million if all goes right.

MLB Trade Rumors is saying that he may be targeting a mid-May start time. He jumps into a rotation that includes studs like Jake Peavy and Chris Young, and the capable Greg Maddux and Randy Wolf. That's a pretty loaded rotation is everything stays on track.

Much like old friend Kerry Wood, injuries have absolutely crippled Prior into sidetracking him practically every season. He missed all of the 2007 season after having surgery in April for his right shoulder. In 2006, he only appeared in 9 games, going a horrendous 1-6 with a 7.21 ERA and 1.69 WHIP. Yikes! That's a far cry from the 2004 season where he went 18-6 with a 2.43 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 245 K's. Health-wise, he hasn't been the same since.

Since it's a pretty small deal, it's probably worth the risk for the Pads. If miracles do actually happen and Prior can stay even somewhat healthy, that can be a pretty sick rotation. Now the question is, can they hit the ball? I still have serious doubts that even if they do make the playoffs, their offense just isn't enough to win games.

By the way, I just had to use that picture above. He looks like someone just stole his pail from the sandbox and refused to give it back.

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