As sad as it is to see Mark Prior not doing well in Spring Training, it is important the Cubs really get the "Prior/Wood" monkey off their backs. Prior is in need of extended work to hopefully regain his form and confidence. He should (and likely will) be sent to the minor leagues. Lou Piniella is thankfully not burdened by the franchise's all too common tendency to deny reality. He would be doing less than his job not to give Mark Prior a chance to get better, which can best occur out of the limelight.

The Hardball Times' David Gassko looks at the best hitting pitchers in baseball. Last season, Carlos Zambrano was the third best hitter, effectively reducing his ERA by a quarter of a run. Number 4 on the list was Jason Marquis. As Gassko writes, "Maybe that might start to explain Jason Marquis’ contract."

Dave Studeman at The Hardball Times ranks the top 40 pitchers of all time, according to Win Shares Above Bench since 1900.

Three Cubs show up on the list (only including those who played at least a significant portion of their career with the Cubs): Greg Maddux (#8); Mordecai Brown (#13); and Ferguson Jenkins (#23).

Walter Johnson is, of course, number 1, which reminds me of the wonderful biography of Johnson written by his grandson Henry Thomas, Walter Johnson: Baseball's Big Train.

Our local ESPN affiliate reported that the Cubs offered Jason Schmidt a hefty contract today, but I can't find any corraborating information online. Can anyone lend any credence to this rumor (or shoot it down?)