Chisoxfn

Bobby has barely pitched and he didn't get used yesterday, why not pitch him.

I really enjoyed the article, but I really think the Sox should move Thome/Konerko and make an adjustment with Fields replacing one of them and the Sox acquiring a legitimate leadoff hitter, shortstop prospect, top notch outfield prospect, and a legit pitching prospect. Basically put, I'm looking for 2 A prospects and 2 B prospects in total from moving Thome/Konerko. The Sox can than make additional tweaks and adjustments to the lineup once they have freed up all that cash and increased the team speed.

I don't even know what that means, but clearly this offense has cost the Sox a lot of games and it also is putting a ridiculous amount of pressure on the pitchers. This is looking more and more like last season, however, I believe this team has more talent than last season. I remember the pitching looking pretty good early last season before completely collapsing and I think a large part of that collapse had to do with the fact that the pitchers got an idea in there head that they had to throw a shutout to have a shot at winning a game. Changes need to be made. I'm not saying this offense with no changes can't do well, but I am saying that after a full season of sucking (plus another month), you have to take a look and realize that some of the key contributors (whether they are leaders or not) maybe need to go or be moved with the team taking a different approach (ie, the pure sluggers).

Anchorman is one of the worse pieces of s*** I've ever seen. I can guarantee there is no freaking way they'll ever doop me into seeing a 2nd version of that crap.

QUOTE (SoxFan1 @ May 7, 2008 -> 01:06 PM) You're not supposed to pull the ball on an off-speed pitch anyway. He says he was waiting for an off-speed pitch and stayed back to pull it. It doesn't make sense. If the pitch is middle in and off-speed, a good hitter will stay back on the ball and than explode on the ball and pull it. Now if it is on the outer half of the plate there is another approach. At least that is what I was always taught, but I was never that good of a hitter (luckily for most of my youth I was a damn good pitcher, pre injury of course).

I don't actually have protein shakes, but than again I'm not looking to gain muscle mass right now, more lose fat and get in better cardiovascular shape. Also, I'd like to put less on the old knees.

By the way, if you recall, TT was often compared to Amare and if you think about it, Amare has really strived in the Phoenix system so hopefully that up-tempo offense will really get the best out of Tyrus (and that Mike can get TT to run the court). Joakim runs the court well too and Drew Gooden is really the only regular contributor who may find himself in a tough spot in the system (but no matter how much you run, it still pays to have a legit back to the basket low post player, plus Gooden is still a pretty solid athlete). The bigger question is what types of adjustments are made to the current personell (does this system actually benefit a guy like Gordon or does he not fit into the system). Deng and his mid-range jumper should be a good fit, not sure with Gordon who tends to be a bit more ball-hog oriented (guys who move without the ball do well in Mike's system).

QUOTE (jackie hayes @ May 6, 2008 -> 08:39 AM) Rotoworld is saying that a Bulls D'Antoni hiring is "imminent", referring to an ESPN piece. I expected changes, but I was thinking more along the lines of personnel. I wasn't thinking they'd do a complete 180 in terms of the team philosophy. I have a hard time seeing how this will work with the Bulls roster, but it will be interesting, anyway. This really is the perfect personnel. I have my doubts on whether Hinrich can run the system, but aside from that the Bulls have the athletes in pace to successfully run an up-tempo style of offense. I also have to believe that the team when interviewing Mike would have asked him about whether the proper players are there and what he thought of Kirk and whomever and my guess is if the Bulls hire D'Antoni they either believe Kirk can be that guy or have someone in mind that they believe they can get. I'm freaking excited though if they hire him.

Gonna try to run today, hopefully my knee doesn't explode. Decided against going out on the basketball court this week (it will also be my first attempt ever running with any brace of some sort).

QUOTE (fathom @ May 5, 2008 -> 08:42 PM) I must be the only one who's not excited that Uribe is going to be released. If we had a suitable replacement, that would be fine. However, seeing Ozuna and Ramirez there for another month isn't exactly an upgrade. I think Ozuna and others would be better fits to be released than Juan. I hope to god Getz comes up and takes over as the starter. Personally I'm hoping for some bigger names to be moved.

If you guys get the date early enough and we know its going on, I'll book Friday off of work and make a vacation out of it (haven't been to Chicago in over two years now).

Invest into that 401K early and often at a young age. I know I contribute a crapload already and essentially if I keep up the current rate I'm putting away from my paycheck (and the entire economy doesn't completely just die), I will have zero concerns when I'm retired. Plus, you start doing it early and it is much easier to make a habit of it because technically if you start from your first paycheck you never get used to having the money in the first place (since it just goes straight from your paycheck into the 401K).

QUOTE (shipps @ May 5, 2008 -> 07:45 AM) The only problem with buying one of the cheaper cables is that you keep thinking if I had bought the one that was $10 more would my picture be even better. I've read all over the place that it has zero effect on your picture. The only time it matters is if you have longer cables.

QUOTE (danman31 @ May 4, 2008 -> 07:40 PM) I just noticed Texeira, the closer for W-S, didn't give up a HR all of last season at Kanny (53.2 IP) and hasn't given up one in 10.1 innings this year. He's had a K/9 over 9 and H/9 under 9 so he might be a respectable prospect (21 years old). He's got pretty good secondary stuff. Legitimate relief prospect, imo.

He had missed the previous two weeks with a hamstring injury. He has played in two games since coming back (not counting Sunday's game) and last night hit 3 HR's. The guy is our best position prospect who hasn't gotten any major league action yet (ie Josh Fields).

We aren't even .500 and baseball superstitions indicate that this thing is getting locked (my first superstition of the new season).

I like Getz. I don't know if he'll make it as a every day player but he has a lot of good baseball instincts that can make him end up reaching his ceiling (which is as a .280, .350 type of guy who plays above average defense at 2B and just smart baseball). In fact, I'd consider his upside to be similar to a Grudz type player. At worse I think he turns into a serviceable sub. I would love to have him up. I don't mind Pablo even though he's struggled with the bat early (cause he needs AB's to get the timing down but Getz could be a good guy to lean on to see what we have (and than after he gets a bit of a chance, if he fails, Richar should be back and ready to get a chance).

Woot woot. Despite my struggles with my knee, which are apparently not as serious as they initially thought, I've gotten down another 2 pounds. Went swimming yesterday and jesus is swimming hard to do.

QUOTE (Molto @ May 3, 2008 -> 11:16 AM) You still like Furcal, jas? I say that to the point that you'd want the Sox to sign him this off-season? Wouldn't that take 3-5 years and $15 mil a year? Probably and it is a lot but with no prospects it may be the best choice.

Quentin is so freaking good. His development is another reason why I wouldn't mind moving both guys (pushing Quentin up in the order and getting him more and more ready to be a franchise type player) while you get Fields up here to start playing (he showed he's ready, he is still raw and has holes, but he can be a solid big leaguer).

QUOTE (Soxpranos @ May 3, 2008 -> 11:08 AM) I mentioned that a week or so ago and was jumped on how we cant trade guys with such good OPS and on their past accomplishments. I suggested, trade one at at ime and when one goes, be it Thome or Konerko.. bring up Fields and have play 1st or DH. That is what I would do. Get Fields up and ready and slowly turn to getting the next player moved. I'd be keying in on a stud SS prospect, a stud young outfielder, and a stud pitching prospect (who you could pencil behind Floyd/Danks). Oh, I would still have interest working something with the Dodgers involving Billingsley (he's not had that great of a start to the season). If you don't get a SS, move Thome/Konerko and than Contreras in the off-season (or at the deadline if the club is out of it) and make a massive push at Furcal to jump into the offense (cause this team can still compete next year, hell I think even with moving Paulie/Thome, you can compete this year, but you'd have to be able to get enough teams to help you out and be willing to trade relatively early in the season which is a bit tough).

QUOTE (Molto @ May 3, 2008 -> 11:08 AM) I don't like to assume I know what KW and Ozzie are thinking or aren't seeing, but I honestly feel that they don't see Thome and Konerko as part of the problem. I really think they are chalking it up to guys being cold and giving them time to come around, because if that wasn't the case, one of these two should've been traded/not signed to a five-year deal a couple years ago. I'm OK with Dye ... I think the problem is this team has a decent amount of outfielders that I'd rather see play. You're right. Ideally Dye is moved to left or put in a DH role, because I think he's easily the smartest hitter of the three. That is what scares me, they seem to like Thome/Paulie. I understand both are good guys in the clubhouse but there is more to things and this is coming from one of Paulie's biggest fans (me).

I think Poreda will eventually be the next Billy Wagner (and I say that in a good way because Wagner when healthy was pretty dominate for a good long time).

QUOTE (Soxpranos @ May 3, 2008 -> 11:00 AM) If the Diamond backs were only that dumb. Its too bad the only worthwhile guy the Pads really have to offer position wise is Adrian Gonzalez because I could see them having interest in picking up Paulie (problem is he plays the same position as Gonzalez). However, if the Sox dealt Paulie to some random team, I would have a lot of interest in acquiring Adrian Gonzalez, who is rock solid and will only get better moving away from Petco.

QUOTE (Molto @ May 3, 2008 -> 10:57 AM) I came to this conclusion after the first three months he was with this team. He can say all the rights things to the media and be a nice guy, his approach and the way he goes about the game is poor, and like you said, not that of a winner. What's a shame is the problem with this offense revolves around the guys making the most money and are in the middle (Konerko, Thomas, Dye, although I have less issue with Dye). A healthy Dye has a very good approach. He gets cold but he's really the least of the squads worries. I'd make moves to try and get building blocks that are major league ready and consider moving Dye to LF or DH after dealing Paulie/Thome (with the idea you get two young potential stars out of the deal and 1-2 B prospects). Dye/Swisher/Quentin becomes your knew 3/4/5 and you find a leadoff hitter. AJ stays at 6, Crede at 7 and you slide Fields and other guys acquired into the lineup. Clearly it is all speculative, but Kenny could do far worse than moving those two guys becuase if you clear them the team gets a lot younger and should actually get more talented (long term, short term you take risks but again I say they haven't produced nor have we won recently anyway so try to build a more defensive base/speed lineup with younger guys who should continue to improve (which will fit since you are building a rotation around guys like Javy/Mark who still have a couple years left, plus Floyd/Danks who are getting better and better and maybe one other young prospect like Broadway or someone acquired via trade). The Sox rotation is rock solid, so why not try to retools the offense to something that can actually improve as opposed to an offense that is only getting worse.