Prior was in AA with Ben Christensen, so maybe he's there to finish off Dusty.

Prior was in AA with Ben Christensen, so maybe he's there to finish off Dusty.

word has it he has been practicing errant throws into the dugout with incredible speed and accuracy. Unfortunatly he estimates he only has 3 or 4 left before the arm explodes. it will be a delicate balance of practice and execution.

“It’s usually someone at the top.”

Someone should mention to Dusty that he's in the middle.

Will be weird to see him a Reds uniform. I'll always think of him as a Padre.

Since his last appearance as a Cub:

December 26, 2007: Signed as a Free Agent with the San Diego Padres.
October 31, 2008: Granted Free Agency.
January 13, 2009: Signed as a Free Agent with the San Diego Padres.
August 3, 2009: Released by the San Diego Padres.
September 4, 2010: Signed as a Free Agent with the Texas Rangers.
November 6, 2010: Granted Free Agency.
December 15, 2010: Signed as a Free Agent with the New York Yankees.
November 2, 2011: Granted Free Agency.
May 2, 2012: Signed as a Free Agent with the Boston Red Sox.
August 17, 2012: Released by the Boston Red Sox.

(zero major league appearances)

Prior actually seemed like he might have a shot to come back last year, aside from walking nearly a batter per inning in AAA. He almost made it to the September callups before being released.

Finally, Dusty Baker will finish him off once and for all!

He is/was still striking people out - AAA batters, at least - but his control has suddenly become absolute crap. No idea why that is...

He is/was still striking people out - AAA batters, at least - but his control has suddenly become absolute crap. No idea why that is...

I think when your arm is attached to your body with duct tape, it's not as easy to find repeatable mechanics.

He must have battered pitcher's syndrome to keep crawling back to his abuser like that. I bet if you asked him who ruined his arm, he'd tearfully defend Baker.

Since acquiring a dartboard I finally understand the struggles of pitchers with command problems. Every time you throw you have to get your elbow at the same angle, shoulder at the same angle, you have to generate the exact same pressure from the fingers, you have to have your body oriented in the right direction, you have to do the same motion with your legs...

It almost seems like the only way not to screw up is to do every pitch at exactly the same point in your heartbeat cycle.

When Prior last pitched in the major leagues, Barry Bonds was still 32 HR behind Hank Aaron.

When Prior last pitched in the major leagues, Barry Bonds was still 32 HR behind Hank Aaron.

Oscar Taveras was still in the larval stage at the Cardinals' top-secret Dominican baseball research facility.

In other news, Stockholm Syndrome proven beyond all doubt.

Dusty The Mutilator must be salivating at the prospect of managing Prior again.

I bet if you asked him who ruined his arm,

He tripped and fell down the stairs ... yeah, that's the ticket.

I bet if you asked him who ruined his arm,

He tripped and fell down the stairs ... yeah, that's the ticket.

...and he deserved to throw 281 pitches in that playoff game. It was his own fault for letting the bullpen be too shaky to ensure an 8 run lead would stand up over 3 innings.

Look, he's done. Everyone knows it, save Prior and his kinfolk. But on the off chance that he recaptures some magic and does it under Dusty, such that Cubbie Nation's head asplodes...

Well, this is truly a low-risk, high-reward kind of move. Well done, Walt.

##### better have Dusty's money!

Since acquiring a dartboard I finally understand the struggles of pitchers with command problems.

Have you never pitched... ?

They always want to blame somebody. It's usually someone who puts pitchers out there until their arms fall off.

Rany Jazayerli had a great, fun Tweet yesterday after the signing was announced:

"Rany Jazayerli ?@jazayerli
Wait a sec - Mark Prior signed with the Reds? THE CALL, MARK, IT'S COMING FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE. GET OUT."

Rany Jazayerli had a great, fun Tweet yesterday after the signing was announced:

"?Rany Jazayerli ?@jazayerli
Wait a sec - Mark Prior signed with the Reds? THE CALL, MARK, IT'S COMING FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE. GET OUT."