Chisoxfn

QUOTE (southsideirish71 @ Jul 26, 2008 -> 03:33 PM) Good to see that our minor league instruction allows these large flaws in the swing to get through without any change. I should point out that he's only been playing for about 10 days since coming back from the DL so it could very well be something that he developed while sitting out (ie, something he'll just have to slowly work his way out of). This wasn't near as noticeable last season. Last year I'd have told you he had the ability to hit .270 as long as he could just improve his plate discipline and learn to swing at more good pitches (which is a pretty reasonable assumption to think he could make that adjustment). Now I'd say he has to make some minor altercations to his swing, although in just 5 AB's he seems to have a bit better eye at the plate. Again, its a very very small sample size so its hard to necessarily point blame at the minor leaguers. I know in Anderson case its pretty hard to really tear apart a guys swing or really make a major adjustment when all that guy does is rake (and thats what Brian Anderson did throughout his development). But watch AJ bring his hands back as his trigger and compare it with Fields. Fields goes slightly forward before bringing them back and that split second difference in timing is HUGE, imo.

I will say this, aside from that timing mechanism to start the swing, his swing looks good and he does a great job with weight shift and everything along those lines. I've seen many hitters have there timing mechanisms altered with a lot of success so hopefully Walk and Baines can work with Josh and get something figured out. Remember what Jeff Pentland did to Sammy Sosa.

Fields has no chance. Just look at his swing. He's bringing his hands forward and than back. There is no f***ing way he's going to consistently hit with that start to a swing. It makes it completely impossible for him to get a good fastball without completely cheating.

QUOTE (nitetrain8601 @ Jul 26, 2008 -> 02:38 PM) What's so bad about banking? Not saying I'm going into that field, but I am studying accounting. Oye Vey

Cool uni's. Man, I don't get how people can hit Verlander. He has such sick stuff. There aren't many pitchers in all of baseball that I'd take over Justin.

QUOTE (Heads22 @ Jul 26, 2008 -> 03:33 PM) Yea, I would. Especially after I saw Fields at the plate yesterday. I remember just how terrible his swing is. He just doesn't have the quickness to hit good fastballs and that generally spells trouble. Fields may fall into the same boat as Anderson, ie, a player that has a breaking ball speed bat and not a fastball speed bat and those type of players generally don't have long term major league success.

Are you guys forgetting the Damaso Marte that was absolutely shutdown for the Sox for all but one season. The guy has had one down season since initially joining the White Sox. He has a plus slider and fastball and throws from the left side. Xavier Nady would be the Sox 3rd best offensive player (well now that Thome is hitting, 4th best, behind Dye/CQ/Thome). The Yanks gave up very little of actual value to themselves (aside from Tabata who could turn into a star, but again, this would be the equivalent of the Sox dealing an extremely raw player whose yet to prove much of anything, ie a Faustino De Los Santos). Albeit Tabata was a pitcher and is farther along than where Del Los Santos was. This is a freaking steal for the Yanks, especially given there needs.

I thought the suit was pulled when the city and ownership agree on a settlement which essentially kept the name and history of the franchise with the city of Seattle. Now Seattle is going to hope for an expansion team or to lure another franchise over.

Thats a good deal for the Tribe. The A ball catcher has good offensive upside while Meloan has a tremendous arm but is obviously still raw.

I would glady take Roy Halladay in that package. Sox would have to give up more though or at least I figure they would. Duscherer is not worth Floyd straight up, let alone him and Fields (I think Floyd's long term career with Sox better than what Dusch's would be). However, to get Halladay, you are talking about an ace for another couple years whose under contract and gives the Sox an even better top 4 of the rotation (one which you could easily afford to ease another rookie into the 5th spot to replace Contreras).

I'm a big Nady fan. Isn't Oldenhoff supposed to be decent. I know he struggled in the majors this season and I'm not saying he's a top prospect nor am I saying the Pirates got good value (Tabata has high upside but a lot of risk too). I'm really surprised considering just how good Nady has been, plus Marte has a very good arm and has done well with the Pirates. This deal makes the Yanks much better, imo. Again, I can't comment on the other guys too much cause I'm not super familiar with the Yanks system. I figure the Pirates could have gotten more in terms of big name minor leaguers.

QUOTE (bmags @ Jul 25, 2008 -> 07:41 PM) Dave Matthews is not the greatest guitarist of our generation in any way shape or form. He's not even top ... he's not mentioned. Will you at least agree that Tim Reynolds is currently one of the best guitarist out there? I'd put Reynolds above John Mayer who is also a very talented guitarist.

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Jul 25, 2008 -> 08:28 PM) I really want O-Dog for 2-3 years. Sox should/will have the money for it. The Sox should have ample money to do something like that. I'd easily offer O-Dog 3yrs 24M and that would make him one of the higher paid 2Bmen in baseball. You could plug him into the 2 spot without any problems and know you'd get gold glove defense to go along with Ramirez at SS. Man I would be happy with that. On top of that, I'd honestly have no issues with the Sox moving Konerko and finding a way to get Figgins (if they legitimately could) and either play him in CF (I think he'd be perfectly fine out there with Swisher moving to 1B) or have him at 3B (with Fields being sent wherever else and in this instance you wouldn't have to move Paulie). I say that because I truly believe the Sox have enough power already that if they got a guy like Figgins they'd be totally set (not to mention a 9-1-2 of Ramirez/Figgins/ODog would be very nice. Financially the Sox would be able to afford such a lineup with ease as well (and still have money to throw at Danks/Floyd a year or two from now on some extensions plus pay Jenks).

QUOTE (BlackBetsy @ Jul 25, 2008 -> 08:23 PM) Ummm....so the Cardinals' drafts are sucky as well? How about the Twins' first round picks since 1999: 1999 - BJ Garbe (bust) 2000 - Aaron Heilman (solid swing man) 2000s - Adam Johnson (bust) 2001 - Joe Mauer - HOF potential 2002 - Denard Span - solid production thus far this season. 2003 - Matthew Moses - (bust) 2004s - Jay Rainville (HS pitcher, still an OK prospect) 2004s - Matthew Fox (bust) 2004s - Kyle Waldrop (HS pitcher, marginal prospect) 2004 - Glen Perkins - solid mid/back-end rotation starter 2004 - Trevor Plouffe - marginal prospect / bust 2005 - Matt Garza - great prospect, flipped for 1/1 pick Delmon Young. 2005s - Henry Sanchez - bust 2006 - Chris Parmalee - solid prospect / OBP star 2007 - Ben Revere - hitting .400 as 20 year old in Midwest league...33 SB Four major league regulars + two stud prospects...pretty solid in comparison. Look at how high the Twins picks were compared to where the Sox/Cards were picking. Really aside from Mauer and Garza (still unproven), you are talking about a pretty mediorce job as well. In fact, given how good the Twins farm system has been, I think this goes to show that its not necessraily the first round that you have to hit but the overall draft.

I want to tip my cap to Floyd. He had piss poor defense behind him and didn't have much command of his curve ball and still battled through 6 innings giving up just 4 runs (3 earned). And you could honestly say at least one other should have not scored. This team defense is a serious issue though, Sox can't just continue to give away outs and runs.

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Jul 25, 2008 -> 08:47 PM) Aside from the MRI, is there any indication this is career or even season ending???? Nope. He's been able to throw, but some stiffness has been there and I think its been preventing him. My guess is it won't be anything which needs surgery (or at least not in-season) and we'll see him take two to three weeks off and be back okay. Obviously its just a guess since no MRI results are in.

QUOTE (bmags @ Jul 25, 2008 -> 02:18 PM) Yeah, no come on man. There's a reason every bro with his shirt off is playing #41 or whatever. People can play parts of some Guns and Roses songs, doesn't take away anything from Slash who is another stellar guitarist.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jul 25, 2008 -> 12:39 PM) If people are willing to trade for Uribe now, even if it's not for much...then holding him around for $5 million isn't a bad move. 5M is a significant amount to play anyone who isn't going to be starting. Therefor there is absolutely no way the Sox would take any chance that they would be stuck paying that next year. Which is why they'd only offer arb if they fully expected him to take another offer.

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Jul 25, 2008 -> 12:17 PM) You're s***tin me? We might get a pick if Uribe walks? Hahaha The one question is whether the Sox would risk offering Uribe arbitration. If they do he's going to get probably something like 4-6 million and obviously has no starting spot. If the Sox don't think he'd come back to play on the bench than its a good move, but if Uribe doesn't get a multi year or starting offer the Sox could get screwed. On a side-note, anyone think Crede's injury has something to do with the Uribe to Boston talks falling apart. With Crede down with injury, Uribe's ability to handle 3B becomes much more important.

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Jul 25, 2008 -> 12:42 PM) I doubt it. This is not good... although I guess in the big picture it doesn't matter a whole lot, eh? Will it diminish his "sandwich pick" value? It shouldn't impact it. The reality is Crede will likely garner type B compensation (not A as many people indicate). Although he's clearly going to be one of the two best 3rd baseman available in FA (Troy Glaus being the other). Glaus is the superior offensive player, Crede the superior defensive player.

QUOTE (Cowch @ Jul 25, 2008 -> 12:41 PM) So is it going to be more Uribe at 3rd? Or do you think Fields will get a shot? They won't be calling Fields up to sit him on the bench. He'll be playing.

Except Dave Matthews is one of the best guitarist of our generation. You can knock his music all you want, but he's a very very good guitarist.

Good Luck Alex!!!

QUOTE (Brian @ Jul 25, 2008 -> 06:58 AM) So you're agreeing with me? lol Hester is the one with the ridiculous skill-set, so nope, I'm not agreeing with ya.

Hester's makes that strong quote, Angelo yesterday indicated they would take care of Devin, and now all of a sudden he's back in camp today.