Mark Prior, Rebound or Reject

In 2003, Bush stood in front of a banner declaring, “Mission Accomplished,” giving a speech announcing the end of major combat in Iraq. Also, in 2003, Mark Prior delivered a Cy Young-worthy season. From that point forward, Iraq and Prior’s casualty list rivals Nordberg from The Naked Gun movies. Now, in 2008, Mark Prior gets a fresh start for the Padres and there’s a presidential election. Reversal of fortunes, perhaps.

In 2003, Mark Prior, 22, won 18 games, had a 2.43 ERA and 245 strikeouts and started 30 games. Call up the Hall of Fame, we got ourselves a first-balloter! Since, he’s started a total of 57 games. But 2008 is a new year (literally, Happy New Year!), and Prior can get himself back to respectability. Respectability does not equal fantasy-worthy. He just had surgery in 2007 on his rotator cuff and repair was done to labral and capsular injuries. Arm injuries really aren’t good for pitchers. Prior has expressed he wants to be ready for Opening Day in 2008. Yeah, and I want play touch football over at the Kardashian’s house. Things don’t always work out. Then throw in the fact speculation is rampant that Prior should have been mentioned in the Mitchell Report, which makes conjecture say this:

Conjecture, “Prior was good in 2003 with steroids. Don’t draft him until he proves he can be good without steroids.”

That’s harsh, conjecture.

Conjecture, “But true.”

No, it’s conjecture. Dur.

Listen, I’d like to see Prior get back to what he once was, but I’m not drafting him praying he does. Let someone else take the gamble and REJECT.

Maybe draft him for your Razzball league. But then again, he probably won’t give you enough innings there, either.


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