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"I don't take it personally," Prior said. "I don't have a problem with Stone. I don't think he has a problem with me. I'm sure he's just doing his job."Prior was then asked if Stone, a former Cubs broadcaster who left amid controversy after the 2004 season, was respected in the Cubs' clubhouse.
"I'm not going to comment on that," Prior replied. "Obviously he's made some enemies in this clubhouse, for good or for bad. Whether it was his fault or it wasn't his fault, that's something we've tried to put to bed.
"That happened a couple of years ago. What I've learned in four years is I don't take anything personally anymore. I guess it's just part of the game. I respect the attention I get. I understand the scrutiny I'm under."
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"My feeling is that if Mark Prior was 100 percent, they wouldn't be handling him like they're handling him," Stone said on WSCR-AM 670. "Now I'm not saying he's hurt, I just think that it's kind of strange.
"And although I know there would never be anyone around the Chicago Cubs who would mislead anybody about Mark Prior, I have a feeling that if he were 100 percent he would be doing what [Carlos] Zambrano's doing."
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"Who's that?" Wood said. "Oh, is he still around?"
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Lee extension talks gain steam
March 9, 2006
BY MIKE KILEY Staff Reporter
MESA, Ariz. -- Cubs general manager Jim Hendry has had two negotiating sessions within the last week with first baseman Derrek Lee's agent, Casey Close, to lay the foundation for a contract extension. It's possible a deal could be finalized before the season opens April 3 at Cincinnati.
Close is in Arizona to watch Lee play in the World Baseball Classic. A couple of weeks ago, Lee said he had a figure in mind that he would agree to. There has been speculation it could be close to the five-year, $60 million contract Paul Konerko signed over the winter with the White Sox.
Lee's preference is that any extension be finished before the season begins.
DOWN AND DUSTY: The Cubs might need right-handed reliever Scott Williamson too much to use him as trade bait. Not only did Williamson pitch well his last time out, but right-hander Roberto Novoa is out for at least several days with a respiratory infection and fluid in his lungs. He was quarantined for a day.
A number of Cubs are hacking, coughing and laid low by allergies because the Phoenix area hasn't seen rain in more than 140 days.
In addition to Novoa's illness, right-hander Michael Wuertz boosted Williamson's value by giving up a grand slam to the San Diego Padres' Josh Barfield in the eighth inning Wednesday. Wuertz and Novoa are competing with Williamson for bullpen roles.
"I asked [Wuertz] if anything was wrong, and he said, 'No, just had a bad day,''' manager Dusty Baker said. "He had Barfield 1-2 and got a [slider] up over the plate.''
ANTICIPATION: Pitching coach Larry Rothschild reiterated Wednesday that he expects Mark Prior will be ready to start the second game of the season April 5 at Cincinnati.
"It's a distinct possibility,'' Rothschild said. "I anticipate it.''
Prior faces hitters today in batting practice for the first time this spring. Rothschild hasn't picked out a date for Prior's Cactus League debut but said it could come next week.
"We are right on schedule as long as we can keep pushing forward and have no setbacks,'' Rothschild said.
QUICK TURNAROUND: Rothschild added that Kerry Wood, who had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Tuesday, already was throwing a ball Wednesday -- and he wasn't sitting in a chair, either.
"He stood up and threw without putting a lot of pressure on the knee,'' Rothschild said. "Just basically tossing 90 balls to keep the motion and looseness through the shoulder.''
ROUGH GOING: Utility player John Mabry started at third base against the Padres and made two errors.
"He's a backup everything -- first, third, left and right,'' Baker said. "It's one day. He made some good plays. He's been battling the bad back. So he's playing third again [today against Colorado] to get him acclimated.''
