Mark Prior Attempting Yet Another Comeback

Alright, stop me if you've heard this one before...Mark Prior is attempting yet another comeback.

That's right, the oft-injured pitcher has joined the Cincinnati Reds in an effort to, for the fourth time in as many years, make it back to the bigs. 

The 32-year-old righty last pitched in the Majors in 2006 for the Chicago Cubs who, coincidentally, were managed current Reds skipper Dusty Baker...the same dude who many say ruined Prior's career.

''He called me in the winter. We talk sometimes. He sends my wife updates on the kids,'' Baker told reporters Friday. ''He never asked me for anything. He said, 'Hey man, I'd like to try it one more time.' I told him, 'If I can help you, I'll make the opportunity.'''

Now, there's probably not a snowball's chance that Prior heads north with the Reds, but a spot somewhere in the Minors isn't out of the question.  Last season, the 2003 All-Star made 19 appearances for the Triple-A Pawtucket PawSox...racking up a 3.96 ERA while collecting 38 strikeouts in just 25 innings pitched.

In his brief Major League career, Prior was 42-29 with a 3.51 ERA.  In 2003, he finished third in Cy Young Award voting.

Yankees, Mark Prior Agree to Terms

After being publicly left at the alter by Cliff Lee, the New York Yankees have found their ace, ladies and gentlemen!

Mark Prior.

Not 2003's Mark Prior. The broken down shell of a pitcher Mark Prior.  You know...the one that hasn't toed a big league rubber in four years.

According to Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman...the Yankees inked the former number two overall pick to a minor league deal worth $750,000. He'll earn another $750,000 in incentives if he makes it back to the Majors.

The upside, obviously, is the bargain basement price.

The downside...Prior, who pitched all of an inning with the Texas Rangers' Triple-A club last season, hasn't thrown a pitch at the Major League level since August 2006.

Some history on the righty.

After being selected 43rd overall by the Yankees back in 1998, Prior could not come to terms with the Yankees on a deal. He would wind up being selected 2nd overall in the 2001 draft by the Chicago Cubs and would end up becoming one of the National League’s top pitchers.

His best season came in 2003 when he went 18-6 with a 2.43 ERA and 245 strikeouts.

Then came the shoulder problems.

The Yankees won’t be receiving a Cy Young candidate in Prior, but if he can get his act together down in the minors at the beginning of the season...dude could end up seeing some action as a back-of-the-rotation pitcher in 2011.

Your move, Boston...if only Dontrelle Willis hadn't already been signed.

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