The Critic

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That's a benefit???? ( deleted ms. ss2k from this cuz she's never mocked any of my posts, at least not as far as I know... )

My uninformed opinion is that since they already dealt Mota, they'd be reluctant to deal any of their other highly-regarded prospects, but I could absolutely be wrong. I'd take Izturis - we need a SS pretty badly, especially if the Sox brass feel that Willie is a flop so Uribe would be the regular 2B.

Jeez, can't believe they wouldn't sell that guy a rifle - he sure seems to be careful with weapons!

Truer words have never been spoken. The day I got HSI was a beautiful day!

Getting Damon and Mueller is too much to even dream about. I know some folks here don't like Damon too much, but I'd like VERY much to have him leading off. He's worth moving Aaron to RF for, IMO. And Mueller is WAY better than Crede, he's a true KW-style "grinder".

He hasn't been productive in the least for the Dodgers. He is all potential and no production as of yet. I wonder if LA would look to deal this winter, since the LoDuca deal was a bust. They're a pretty solid team, and they've been able to shuffle Shawn Green around from the OF to 1B when they need to.

Agreed. Or Sox Rookie Of The Year. But the MVP is Paulie, with Aaron running a close second and Uribe gaining some votes for his early-season explosion.

It's not horrible, it's mediocre, just as the Sox have been for the past 4 years.

Went last night to the Music Box Theatre ( I love that place ) to see "Bush's Brain", a documentary about Karl Rove based on the book of the same title. VERY interesting stuff. If HALF of what the book's authors claim is true, Rove is one dangerous dude. He takes names, holds grudges, and sinks to any level necessary to eliminate his political enemies. I'm sure he's nowhere near alone in that character trait, but it's scary nonetheless. I'd recommend the film, even only as a means to spark debate.

DL'd the song - not bad. Not really my favorite style, but not bad at all. I've beaten the drum for my favorite band for so long here, everyone's gotta be sick of it, but one more time won't hurt: http://www.thewildhearts.com They've been at it for over a decade now, and I LOVE this band. Part metal, part punk, part pop, very catchy melodies, kinda complex song structures, really good stuff.

Fingers are crossed for ya, Kap! Go GET IT!

I'm lucky in that I almost NEVER have to take the Ryan - just when I visit one of my relatives. Probably won't visit him much when they rip up the Ryan. Thank GOD for public transportation! I work downtown and for all its faults ( and it has PLENTY ) the CTA/RTA beats the hell out of trying to drive and park downtown!

I dunno, if Houston can take their DH with SF they have an easier road the rest of the way than SF does. The Giants get LA, SD and LA to finish up the year. Not easy. I think it would be almost miraculous for Houston to grab the Wild Card, the way they were left for dead just after the All-Star break. Gotta give Scrap Iron credit for waking that team up.

s***, you almost HAVE to go 85 on the Ryan just to keep in the flow of traffic. That is, when that f***er's moving at all....worst traffic jams I've ever seen on that "expressway".

If the Marlins don't sweep the doubleheader today they are done. Look out for Houston, though, they're right there and playing well.

Sad part is, I'd be willing to bet that a LOT of politicians who end up leaning to one side started out kind of in the middle, until they had to compromise their principles to gain favor with the political "machine".

Apparently DLH suffered a cut on his hand that required a bunch of stitches on Wednesday during training. He also had to take some sort of painkiller that Hopkins' people were complaining about. DLH also seems to have come in underweight, which gives Hopkins the option od refusing the bout, but he decided to fight. Ahhh, the controversy-free world of boxing.....

For what it's worth, I don't think The Sox would have gone after Pudge because at that time they were counting on Olivo to be their guy - young catcher, great arm, had made some improvement offensively - so if they DID spend money, it probably would have gone for pitching anyway, and maybe a CF since Rowand was seen as a question mark before the season. As you mentioned, catcher would be a possible position for an upgrade, among other positions, but who's going to be available as far as catchers go this offseason? I don't know. I completely agree that pitching is still a primary need, since they still seem to have 2 solid guys, 2 maybes and a hole in the rotation. I'm not envious of the GM's job in the next year or two. He's got to try to re-stock the minors while keeping a competitive major league team on the field. NOT going to be easy....

I'll try to keep that in mind, there, Carlos!! :finger

You can't get 4 years of trade school and 2 years experience AFTER trade school by "working with Pops", unless Pops runs a trade school. Fact is, the kid got the job becuse of who his Pops is ( influential union guy ), and not because he knows what the f*** he's doing. No paycheck jealousy here whatsoever, I'm just glad that this kind of bulls*** nepotism is being brought to light. A lot of QUALIFIED tradesmen were f***ed over so Pops' unqualified kid could get a plum job and that is simply WRONG.

Nahhhh, this team would SUCK at basketball.....

Anyone who's the least bit surprised that this kind of stuff happens either isn't from Chicago or hasn't paid any attention. This stuff has gone on ever since EVER. It's funny that the mayor is feuding with the Tribune when it's the Times that seems to be gleefully turning over rocks in all city departments.

The one with the stick-carrying tornado was hideous!

HA! Yeah, to hell with those HEALTHY orphans....