Prior out for season, Theriot to stay at SS, and other notes

Thanks to MLB RUMORS-

It does not surprise many, but Mark Prior had successful arthroscopic surgery and is done for the season. The team expects him to be ready to pitch next spring. For those of us who know Prior however, it is unlikely we will see him until May or June of 2008. "It's not career-ending," Hendry said Wednesday. "[Andrews] felt optimistic that he would be able to pitch next year. A couple hours after surgery, [Andrews] wasn't going to give you a time frame. He didn't think there was anything significant to stop Mark from pursuing his career, and at his age, should not have a problem responding and coming back after probably a strenuous rehab." Prior, 26, has been on the disabled list every year since 2002, and it goes on this year and most likely next year as well

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Today after the Cubs game Lou said " Yeah, Theriot is our SS. He is hitting well, played a good shortstop, we need to have him in there everyday."

Lou also seems displeased with Cedeno and Izzy's D and offense. Who can blame him. Theriot for now is the starting SS and I am for one glad. Look for a deal to send Izzy somewhere else or in a package to get a "better SS" than Ryan. I don't see it happening for a while since where only a month into the season.

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Other Notes-
1. Miller to DL for back spasms. If you believe that your crazy, they need to make room on the roster for Soriano and Cherry. He will be traded or released and Guzman will get the next shot at the 5th spot.

2.Alfonso Soriano was not in Wednesday's starting lineup as a precautionary measure because of the wet grass from the overnight rain. He looked a little tentative when he was running the bases Tuesday after hitting a double.

3.Left-hander Sean Marshall was scheduled to start Wednesday night for Class A Daytona. Marshall has been in extended Spring Training to strengthen his shoulder. ... Baserunning instructor Bobby Dernier's work is done. He left the Cubs' big-league team on Wednesday and was headed to Class A Peoria for a few days.

Soriano to LF, Tigers intrested in Ohman, Z deal about to get tabled, and other tidbits

Lots of news and rumors have been pouring in so here they are-

"We're going to put him in left field," Piniella said. "He's got that strain, and it'll be less running and much better for him."

I honestly think this is best. Now that he is in LF you will definitely see his bat to heat up. Now does that mean Pie will be sent to AAA and Jones take CF? will Jones or Murton be dealt to make room for Pie in CF? OR could it be that Pie will be sent down and Theriot play center? All these are possibilities for the cubs and only time will tell what will happen. I will make one prediction if Jones is not in the starting lineup today against Wainwright then you gotta think there in the process of trading him somewhere. So keep you eyes open.

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Ohman has been linked to the Tigers, here is the story from MLBtraderumors.com-

Look, it's a real live trade rumor in April. Phil Rogers reports that the Tigers might make a move for a left-handed reliever, and the Cubs' Will Ohman is on their radar.
Oddly, the Cubs are carrying three lefties right now in the pen - Ohman, Scott Eyre, and Neal Cotts. Last year, the 29 year-old Ohman put up 65 innings of 4.13 ERA ball, which included a K/9 over 10. He was excellent against lefties, but for some reason faced righties over half the time.
Ohman has done poorly in six appearances for the Cubs this year. Manager Lou Piniella recently commented on his 30 and 40-foot curveballs. If the Cubs don't trade him, they'll probably demote him soon enough. Ohman's contract calls for $2.5MM over 2007-08, plus incentives.

If the Tigers want him, the cubs should see what they want from him. But wouldn't it make sense to package Jones, Ohman, and Isturiz and shop them that way for a better offensive shortstop who plays average defense? Because as of right now Cedeno is getting more playing time because Izzy is not doing well at SS and not doing anything with the bat. We need a full time shortstop with a a good bat a decent glove and I think that package right there could get us one like Felipe Lopez from Washington, or like an Omar Visquel from San Fran. I just don't think this combo of Cedeno, Izzy, Theriot at SS will work. But that is just me.

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Here is another interesting thing from MLBtraderumors-

Just saw Ken Rosenthal on TV, and he had his usual collection of inside information.
Rosenthal says that contract talks with the Cubs' Carlos Zambrano are "about a week away from being tabled." All along we've been hearing how he'd likely remain a Cub, even with the impending sale of the team. Zambrano's only had one good start in four tries this year; perhaps the Cubs want to see that ace again before committing. It seems silly that such a huge contract could be affected by four starts, but you never know. If Zambrano reaches the open market, the Cubs will likely be outbid.
Rosenthal also mentioned that instead of extending setup man Scott Linebrink's contract, he might become their best trading chip. They could look to upgrade at third base or left field, or even try to acquire their center fielder of the future. Most folks feel that Kevin Towers would find a way to replace him on the cheap.

The cubs need to get him signed regardless. I think this contract thing is effecting his pitching and putting to much pressure on him to pitch perfect. So do one of two things. Either sign him to a deal before may or wait until the offseason( which the cubs shouldn't do because they will lose him).

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OTHER NOTES-

1. Wood has tendonitis and doesnt know when he will pitch again.

2. Prior still is not showing improvement and hasent started a game in Iowa.