maggsmaggs

That was so intense, i was going crazy after the Tech tip in, I am so pissed.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Dec 4, 2005 -> 05:50 PM) http://www.soxtalk.com/forums/index.php?showuser=1521 ?? What does Minnysox have to do with this?

QUOTE(Felix @ Dec 4, 2005 -> 04:25 PM) Two words: Brian Urlacher. He's been great, but hardly dominant. He's got 80 tackles, 6 sacks, 1 FF and 0 int. His presence is great, too, but you can't call him dominant this year like Strahan and Lewis were a couple of years ago. this was dominant (Lewis): in 2003, 163 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 FF, 6 ints, 1 TD or this (Strahan): in 2001, 73 tackles, 23 sacks, 6 FF.

Look at the numbers: last year Ed Reed won the award with numbers of 78 tackles, 2 sacks, 9 int, 1 TD, 3 FF Vasher this year (with 4 games left): 35 tackles, 0 sacks, 7 int, 2 TD, 2 FF He doesn't have the sacks or tackles, but has one more TD, possibly will tie with Int and may get one more FF. What do you think? There is no dominant player this year like Ray Lewis was a couple years ago or Strahan.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Dec 4, 2005 -> 03:27 PM) The market for pitchers is totally f***ed now. What was Shapiro thinking? Millwood now is $11-12 million dollar pitcher and Burnett is a $12-13 million pitcher. Shapiro needed a vet pitcher to keep up with the Sox, it was a desperation move.

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ Dec 4, 2005 -> 03:22 PM) f***. I'm pissed, even though 62.25 million is a lot per year. Anyway they overpaid for him, but he should be successful for the two years and he kicks ass versus us.

QUOTE(nitetrain8601 @ Dec 4, 2005 -> 02:31 PM) I'd agree with RB and WR, don't know about QB. QB is definately up for grabs, but I give Leinart the edge because of the big-game experience, his football IQ is through the roof, he's got better receivers and he's played in the National Championship game before.

USC has the best overall QB, RB and WR. A solid D and the better O-line. Reggie Bush is too hard to stop.

QUOTE(greasywheels121 @ Dec 4, 2005 -> 12:25 PM) Does anyone own television rights to this yet? ESPN would, they own all baseball and Fox wouldn't have time to show it, so my guess ESPN would show the games.

Freddy is a big, strong guy, so the injury concern doesn't worry me, but I hope he doesn't have more arm fatigue than usual. Basically, the tournament is his spring training starts, so it shouldn't be that much of an issue.

FACADE

MACERATED

DEFEASANCE

That is cool that google.com is here and doing whatever it does, shows this site is prime-time.

QUOTE(beck72 @ Dec 3, 2005 -> 04:41 PM) Don't get me wrong, I like what Mueller could give the sox, with his avg, OBP, and switch hitting. But I don't see him getting that many AB's--unless Crede is close to having surgery or something. I don't see him taking AB's from Thome or PK, from either 1b [which he hasn't ever played] or DH. One thing is for sure, if the Sox do get Mueller it would mean Crede is bound to miss a lot of time in 2006. He will likely get 2-3 starts per week and can pinch-hit. IMO, if he gets that, he's going to have 350-400 at-bats.

yeah, just look at last year the Sox traded Alex Escobar for Jerry Owens of the Nationals. We won that trade, but it was minor leaguer for minor leaguer.

QUOTE(HoosierSox @ Dec 3, 2005 -> 09:28 AM) And then he will be gone with Boras as his agent. The Boras factor is huge, but I think Crede has more of a mind of his own than some Boras clients. I feel that he can be a Sox as long as he performs well.

5. rogation

AUSTRALIA C—Dave Nilsson 1B—Justin Huber (Royals) 2B—Trent Durrington (Brewers) 3B—Adam Morrissey (Athletics) SS—Glenn Williams (Twins) LF—Chris Snelling (Mariners) CF—Trent Oeltjen (Twins) RF—Brett Roneberg DH—Ben Risinger (Padres) SP—Chris Oxspring (Padres) SP—Grant Balfour (Twins) SP—Travis Blackley (Mariners) SP—Craig Anderson (Mariners) RP—Jeff Williams Manager: John Diebel (Phillies) Skinny: Baseball has grown significantly in Australia in the last 20 years, with a boost coming from the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. A major push to win a medal at home, following a gold medal in the 1999 Intercontinental Cup, resulted in a disappointing seventh-place finish, but the Aussies came back in Athens to win silver after upsetting Japan in the semifinals behind Chris Oxspring and Jeff Williams. They'll struggle to get out of this pool, however. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC C—Miguel Olivo (Mariners) 1B—Albert Pujols (Cardinals) 2B—Alfonso Soriano (Rangers) 3B—Aramis Ramirez (Cubs) SS— Miguel Tejada (Orioles) LF—Manny Ramirez (Red Sox) CF—Jose Guillen (Nationals) RF—Vladimir Guerrero (Angels) DH—David Ortiz (Red Sox) SP—Pedro Martinez (Mets) SP—Bartolo Colon (Angels) SP—Odalis Perez (Dodgers) SP—Daniel Cabrera (Orioles) RP—Francisco Cordero (Rangers) Manager: Felipe Alou (Giants) Skinny: Though they're thin at catcher, the Dominicans match up with Team USA as well as anyone. Like Puerto Rico and Venezuela, the Dominican has never made a splash on the international scene before now because of disorganized national baseball federations. That all changes with this tournament, where the talent comes out. Anyone want to bet against Pedro in one game for all the marbles? NETHERLANDS C—Chairon Isenia 1B—Randall Simon (Devil Rays) 2B—Evert Jan t'Hoen 3B—Vince Rooi (Nationals) SS—Raily Legito LF—Eugene Kingsale CF—Andruw Jones (Braves) RF—Rikkert Faneyte DH—Sharnol Adriana SP—Sydney Ponson (Orioles) SP—Calvin Maduro SP—Alexander Smit (Twins) SP—Rob Cordemans RP—Ferenc Jongejan Manager: Robert Eenhoorn Skinny: The national team usually has a complement of players from Holland’s protectorates in the West Indies. Braves outfielder Andruw Jones (of Curacao) and former Orioles hurler Calvin Maduro (of Aruba) would certainly help the Dutch squad. But baseball's preeminent European power will find the going tough in this competition, with a win against Australia serving as a major victory. VENEZUELA C—Ramon Hernandez (Padres) 1B—Edgardo Alfonzo (Giants) 2B—Cesar Izturis (Dodgers) 3B—Carlos Guillen (Tigers) SS—Omar Vizquel (Giants) LF—Melvin Mora (Orioles) CF—Bob Abreu (Phillies) RF—Miguel Cabrera (Marlins) DH—Magglio Ordonez (Tigers) SP—Johan Santana (Twins) SP—Carlos Zambrano (Cubs) SP—Freddy Garcia (White Sox) SP—Kelvim Escobar (Angels) RP—Francisco Rodriguez (Angels) Manager: Ozzie Guillen, White Sox Skinny: If you're looking for a darkhorse pick to win it all, check out this lineup, which is strong at almost every position, and a pitching staff that will have few rivals. Yet another nation with virtually no international baseball resume--zero Olympic appearances with this kind of talent?--Venezuela will set off national fervor in this tournament. Will Ozzie Guillen pitch Johan Santana in the finals or semifinals? And will he make up with Magglio Ordonez before the tournament?

CANADA C—Pete LaForest (Devil Rays) 1B—Justin Morneau (Twins) 2B—Pete Orr (Braves) 3B—Cory Koskie (Blue Jays) SS—Danny Klassen (Astros) LF—Jason Bay (Pirates) CF—Aaron Guiel (Royals) RF—Larry Walker (Cardinals) DH—Matt Stairs (Royals) SP—Rich Harden (Athletics) SP—Erik Bedard (Orioles) SP—Jeff Francis (Rockies) SP—Ryan Dempster (Cubs) RP—Eric Gagne (Dodgers) Manager: Ernie Whitt (Blue Jays) Skinny: While the United States will be a clear favorite in this pool, Canada and Mexico should battle toe-to-toe for the second bid. Team Canada made its first Olympic appearance in 2004 and was disappointed to finish fourth, but the infusion of major league talent makes this team significantly better than the ’04 model. Depth might be a problem, but the starting lineup stacks up against most of the other teams in the tournament. MEXICO C—Miguel Ojeda (Padres) 1B—Guillermo Velasquez 2B—Jorge Cantu (Devil Rays) 3B—Vinny Castilla (Nationals) SS—Alfredo Amezaga (Pirates) LF—Mario Valenzuela CF—Luis Garcia RF—Karim Garcia DH—Erubiel Durazo (Athletics) SP—Esteban Loiaza (Nationals) SP—Oliver Perez (Pirates) SP—Rodrigo Lopez (Orioles) SP—Elmer Dessens (Dodgers) RP—Luis Ayala (Nationals) Manager: Fernando Valenzuela Skinny: Mexico has several options for its team, which likely will be a mélange of Mexican Leaguers, big leaguers and minor leaguers. The team has some upside on the mound, especially if Pirates lefthander Oliver Perez shows his 2004 form. Mexico has had little success on the international stage and is best known for Rigo Beltran’s victory against Team USA in the 2003 Olympic qualifier that eliminated the Americans from the 2004 Olympics. SOUTH AFRICA C—Willem Kemp 1B—Nick Dempsey 2B—Paul Bell 3B—Jonathan Phillips SS—Brett Willemberg LF—Jason Jonathan CF—Jason Cook RF—Ian Holness DH—Adrian Langeveldt SP—Barry Armitage (Royals) SP—Bruce McCleland (Royals) SP—Tyrone Lamont (Mariners) SP—Carl Michaels RP—Darryn Smith Manager: Raymond Tew Skinny: South Africa’s greatest moment in international history was its 3-2 victory against the Netherlands in the 2000 Olympics, which kept the Dutch from making the medal round. It was South Africa’s first (and only) win in Olympic history, and the team was barely competitive in February 2004 in a qualifying tournament against Australia. They'll absorb three poundings before bowing from the international stage this time around. Their standout will be Royals minor leaguer Barry Armitage, who is at Double-A Wichita. UNITED STATES C—Jason Varitek (Red Sox) 1B—Todd Helton (Rockies) 2B—Jeff Kent (Dodgers) 3B—Scott Rolen (Cardinals) SS—Alex Rodriguez (Yankees) LF—Lance Berkman (Astros) CF—Jim Edmonds (Cardinals) RF—Gary Sheffield (Yankees) DH—Barry Bonds (Giants) SP—Roger Clemens (Astros) SP—Mark Prior (Cubs) SP—Ben Sheets (Brewers) SP—Mark Mulder (Cardinals) RP—Billy Wagner (Phillies) Manager: Bobby Cox (Braves) Skinny: USA Baseball has been one of the major players on the international scene in the last 40 years, as it should be, and is the only nation other than Cuba to win an Olympic gold medal. The United States will be the favorite at the World Baseball Classic, though its biggest advantage--depth--might not be a major factor in this tournament. A team of U.S. reserves would have a good chance at the gold, but it won't be a cakewalk. Players with previous Team USA experience, such as Mulder, Prior and Sheets, could get priority.

PUERTO RICO C—Ivan Rodriguez (Tigers) 1B—Carlos Delgado (Marlins) 2B—Jose Vidro (Nationals) 3B—Mike Lowell (Marlins) SS—Alex Cora (Indians) LF—Alexis Rios (Blue Jays) CF—Carlos Beltran (Mets) RF—Jose Cruz Jr. (Diamondbacks) DH—Javy Lopez (Orioles) SP—Javier Vazquez (Diamondbacks) SP—Joel Pineiro (Mariners) SP—J.C. Romero (Twins) SP—Kiko Calero (Athletics) RP—Roberto Hernandez (Mets) Manager: Jose Cruz Sr. (Astros) Skinny: Puerto Rico is the epitome of a team with little international baseball history that suddenly becomes a major power. If the Puerto Ricans could trade their catching depth (Javy Lopez, Jorge Posada, the Molina brothers) for more starting pitching, they would be a legitimate title contender, though they'll certainly get out of the first round. They'll be formidable when Vazquez and Pineiro are on the mound and will have to outslug opponents in the other games. CUBA C—Ariel Pestano 1B—Danny Miranda 2B—Yulieski Gourriel 3B—Michel Enriquez SS—Eduardo Paret LF—Frederich Cepeda CF—Carlos Tabares RF—Alexei Ramirez DH—Eriel Sanchez SP—Norge Vera SP—Vicyohandri Odelin SP—Adiel Palma SP—Danny Betancourt RP—Pedro Luis Lazo Manager: Higinio Velez Skinny: Assuming organizers can make it through all the necessary diplomatic hurdles, Cuba could be the most intriguing team in the tournament. People thought the Cubans would take a step back when professionals joined international baseball, but it hasn't really happened—only Ben Sheets has beaten Cuba when it counts. So underestimate this team at your peril, especially if Cuba gets to the win-or-go home stage of competition. Obviously the team would look different if Cuban defectors playing in the U.S.—such as Jose Contreras, Livan Hernandez and Orlando Hernandez—were available, not to mention Cuban-Americans such as Rafael Palmeiro. ITALY C—Carlos A. Patrone 1B—Claudio Liverziani 2B—Francesco Imperiali 3B—Igor Schiavetti SS—Seth la Fera LF—Daniel di Pace CF—Daniele Frignani RF—Jim Buccheri DH—Jairo Ramos Gizzi SP—Jason Simontacchi SP—David Rollandini SP---Silvio Censale SP—Ilo Bartolucci RP—Juan Carlos Vigna Manager: Giampiero Faraone Skinny: Italian teams often include oriundos, players who were not born or raised in Italy but who are eligible for Italian citizenship through their ancestry. The most notable player in recent years has been former Cardinals pitcher Jason Simontacchi. There tends to be a high turnover of oriundos, making it difficult to predict what the team will look like next spring. A few of the players who were born and raised in Italy have minor league experience, like Claudio Liverziani, who played in the Mariners system. PANAMA C—Einar Diaz (Cardinals) 1B—Olmedo Saenz (Dodgers) 2B—Jose Macias (Cubs) 3B—Damaso Espino (Royals) SS—Vicente Garabaldo LF—Carlos Lee (Brewers) CF—Ruben Rivera RF—Fernando Seguignol DH—Julio Zuleta SP—Bruce Chen (Orioles) SP—Roger Deago (Padres) SP—Ramiro Mendoza (Yankees) SP—Len Pecota RP—Mariano Rivera (Yankees) Manager: Omar Moreno Skinny: Just getting into this tournament is a victory for Panama, which has few milestones in its international baseball history. The highlights have been hosting the Americas Olympic qualifier in 2003 (when Team USA was upset) and winning a silver medal at the 2003 World Cup tournament in Cuba. There's enough talent here to beat Italy, but wins over Puerto Rico or Cuba would be big upsets.

Here are the best players possible for each team list (From Baseball America last March): JAPAN C—Kenji Jojima 1B—Nobuhiko Matsunaka 2B—Tadahito Iguchi (White Sox) 3B—Michihiro Ogasawara SS—Kazuo Matsui (Mets) LF—Kosuke Fukudome CF—Hideki Matsui (Yankees) RF—Ichiro Suzuki (Mariners) DH—Norihiro Nakamura SP—Daisuke Matsuzaka SP—Koji Uehara SP—Hideo Nomo (Devil Rays) SP—Tomo Ohka (Nationals) RP—Shingo Takatsu Manager: Sadaharu Oh Skinny: Players like Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Matsui have shown everyone the talent in Japan, and Japanese teams have generally played well in international competition, playing in all four Olympic baseball competitions and winning medal three times. They also won gold in 1984, when baseball was a demonstration sport. They'll be the favorite in this pool and a legitimate threat to make it to the final. KOREA C—Seung-heun Hong 1B—Seung-yeop Lee 2B—Kyung-hwan Ahn 3B—Dong-soo Kim SS—Sae-wan Hong LF—Joon-hyuk Yang CF—Jeong-bum Lee RF—Jong-soo Shim DH—Hee-seop Choi (Dodgers) SP—Jae-weong Seo (Mets) SP—Chan-ho Park (Rangers) SP—Myung-hwan Park SP—Min-tae Chong RP—Byung-yung Kim (Rockies) Manager: Jae-park Kim Skinny: Team Korea will be not be as well known to Westerners but could be a threat to Japan—their biggest rival--in this pool, though their talent is probably a notch below the Japanese. Korea has been made great strides internationally in the last 20 years, highlighted by a bronze-medal victory against Japan in the 2000 Olympics. TAIWAN C—Chun-chang Ye 1B—Chia-hsien Hsieh 2B—Chung-yi Huang 3B—Tai-shan Chang SS—Ching-lung Hu (Dodgers) LF—Chin-feng Chen (Dodgers) CF—Chih-yuan Chen RF—Kan-lin Huang DH—Cheng-min Peng SP—Chien-ming Wang (Yankees) SP—Chi-Hung Cheng (Blue Jays) SP—Chih-chia Chang SP—Ming-chieh Hsu RP— Chin-hui Tsao (Rockies) Manager: Sheng-ming Hsu Skinny: Taiwan would come to a standstill to watch its team, and interest would easily eclipse the fever pitch from when Taiwan played host to the 2001 World Cup. Still, most fans would recognize their squad will be overmatched because of the relatively small pool of talent to draw from. The goal would be to score a win or two against its big brother, China. CHINA C—Wang Wei 1B—Chen Qi 2B—Feng Fei 3B—Zhang Wei SS—Zheng Yu Feng LF—Lin Xiao Fan CF—Sun Ling-feng RF—Yang Guo Gang DH—Liu Guang Biao SP—Wang Chao SP—Wang Nan SP—Zhang Jian Wang SP—Su Chang-long RP—Li Wei Liang Manager: Li Bin Skinny: China is making a major push in baseball in advance of playing in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, and Major League Baseball can't ignore the marketing potential of a nation of more than 1.3 billion people. So even though its team isn’t ready for a competition of this stature, China will send a team of the best players from the China Professional Baseball League and hope it spurs further growth in the game.

QUOTE(OilCan @ Nov 30, 2005 -> 07:01 PM) For the experts: Please chart the White Sox's C prospects, in terms of defense only, from top to bottom. I'm interested to find out where Stewart would rank with the Lucy's, Hernandez's, etal. Thanks. I am not an expert, but I subscribe to Baseball America and follow the minor's closely. I would say Lucy is the best defensive catcher, followed by Gustavo Molina (no relation to the trio,) then Stewart and finally Hernandez. I put Hernandez last only because he is raw and working on calling the game and his technique. He will be in time a pretty good defensive catcher, but now because of his youthfulness, he is last. The Sox's catcher in the minor's are pretty solid defensively, they just need to hit better.

QUOTE(3E8 @ Nov 30, 2005 -> 05:31 PM) ::running downstairs to try it out:: Did it work?

Wilkerson would be an ok pick-up. But, he wouldn't bat two like some people have said. He strikes out way too much.