Chisoxfn

We meet again young southsider...

I can't imagine the Angels doing a Crede for Figgins move, but if the Sox could somehow sweeten the pot and make it happen I'd be all about it.

QUOTE (lostfan @ May 20, 2008 -> 01:15 PM) If you're saying net demand has gone up for the whole world the last few years, and Russia's been a part of that I agree. At the same time though Russia's always been a major industrialized nation so I'd say they've been less of a factor than India and China. Russia really took a long time to get things figured out after the fall of the communist party. They obviously aren't as large of a factor as China/India but they have had an impact on the net demand.

QUOTE (shipps @ May 20, 2008 -> 01:00 PM) Just got back from San Fran and for those that havent been there before it is a must go.Great ballpark,great downtown,Alcatraz=awesome,good food and alot of history with the unique architecture and trolley cars.I didnt realize how windy and cool that city is,Chicago has no right to call itself the Windy City.The Giant fans seemed like they were happy to have us visiting there ballpark even though our team were kicking there asses. They certainly didn't say anything to shut me up. Hell, they didn't even boo Zito when he took the field.

Sweet. I'll get my flight set up (I've been needing to make a trip out to Chitown).

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 20, 2008 -> 11:24 AM) Unless they are all taking delivery of those futures contracts. No. Every speculator has to eventually sell, or they have to figure out what to do with 1000 barrels of oil. Net effect is zero. That "speculators drive the market up" isn't true, no matter how many pundits repeat it. The additional speculators involved in the market has been one of the factors, but there are numerous other factors which have driven the price of oil up. I'd say speculators could be tied to about $10-20 of the increase over the past few years. In addition, Americans purchasing many more suv's (ie, low fuel efficiency) had an impact. However the largest impact, imo, can be tied to the increased useage of fuel by other countries (more specifically, China/Russia/India, who have all been going through some sort of industrial revolution).

I'm not the official person, SS2K is the man in charge, but the 19th of July seems to be the date.

I should actually get Saturday's game, woooo. Plus tonights game is on MLB Xtra Innings HD so I'll get tonights game in HD. I also plan on leaving work by 4:30 my time so I'll actually get to see most of the game live, as opposed to using the dvr.

I will continue to close it right back up Mike, haha.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ May 14, 2008 -> 10:54 PM) I noticed someone else that throws 89-92 tonight. Good movement on his fastball, nice snap on the curve, and he really worked in and out well. He got hit around a bit tonight, but he's had a pretty good career, and I've compared him to Floyd before. just sayin' Who are you talking about?

QUOTE (NorthSideSox15 @ May 14, 2008 -> 08:54 PM) I like CQ in the 3 spot. It obviously paid dividends thus far. I'm still sick of Thome. 0-4 with 2 Ks and 3 LOB. Preferably I'd bench Thome for a few days, put Dye-nosaur at DH, move Swish to RF and start Anderson at CF. Cabrera- SS Pierzynski- C Quentin- LF Dye-nosaur- DH Crede- 3B Konerko- 1B Anderson-CF Swisher- RF Uribe-2B I think this lineup does some damage. Thome gets some needed rest and maybe figures out how to hit again. We take Dye-nosaur out of the field and the defense improves with Anderson and he gets some regular at bats. You don't have to worry about Thome anyway, he's going to be on the bench for interleague play very soon and it couldn't come at a better time. We can only hope the time off allows him to refocus and get out there and start producing.

QUOTE (fathom @ May 14, 2008 -> 08:13 PM) Compared to not making any moves last season to try and shake things up, I would say doing it in mid-May is pretty proactive. I completely agree and I understand Ozzie hesitated for a while. Afterall, the lineup came out of the gates like gangbusters (something you couldn't say about last season). It was a gutsy move by Ozzie and proactive. I highly doubt we'll see AJ stay in the 2 spot all season but for the time being it was a good move. I also see Swisher slowly getting things figured out now that he's down in the order and that should be really really good for the offense. Thome still looks bloody awful. Paulie had some good ab's today (hit a missile to CF, but the ball died) plus a nice single. Thome's last AB he at least hit a rocket. Juan is taking pitches and looking semi serviceable out there (although I still badly want a new starting 2nd baseman).

QUOTE (fathom @ May 14, 2008 -> 08:49 PM) You have to do that there, as you need to set up the force at home. AJP is a great contact hitter, so it's not like you could count on striking him out. Also, I don't know what the stats say this year, but Shields is filthy against righties. I agree, that was the right call. AJ is a solid contact hitter and regardless the game became a one run game and the best chance at getting out of that inning unscaved is by putting AJ on and getting a force at all bases. Quentin came up and took two close fastballs and than took advantage of Shields having to come in. It was just textbook. I freaking love Quentin. I also want to point out that it looks as if Swisher is getting closer and closer to getting out of his funk and OC looked like his old self at the plate. I love AJ in the 2 spot. I would be fine with him leading off too, but two spot works fine. Nice job making the change Ozzie.

QUOTE (stretchstretch @ May 14, 2008 -> 02:37 PM) so how does a guy who grew up in Irvine become a rabid CHW fan of all teams? Since leaving the SouthSide, I've lived in four other states and the Sox are a team whose gear you only see outside Chgoland as an urban-esque fashion statement (most unfortunately). Half of my family is from Chicago and somehow I decided to spite my old man and root for the Sox instead of his team (Dodgers). It gives us something to give each other crap for (same with me liking the Bulls and him the Lakers). WGN and Frank Thomas were also very influential to the whole thing.

Wasn't the Kochman/Santana rumor even more of a possibility the year prior (before Kochman had really broken out). It wasn't like last off-season was the first time Konerko to the Angels rumors popped up. Of course the prior times Santana was the bigger chip while Kochman was a top prospect who hadn't proven he could put it together at the major league level. There were numerous possibilities out there and I just know that I have always been gaga over getting those type of players. I love Santana's stuff and Kochman has good all around tools and just a great approach at the plate. He'll never be a superstar, but he'll be a really really quality ball player for a long time.

Wasn't the Kochman/Santana rumor even more of a possibility the year prior (before Kochman had really broken out). It wasn't like last off-season was the first time Konerko to the Angels rumors popped up. Of course the prior times Santana was the bigger chip while Kochman was a top prospect who hadn't proven he could put it together at the major league level. There were numerous possibilities out there and I just know that I have always been gaga over getting those type of players. I love Santana's stuff and Kochman has good all around tools and just a great approach at the plate. He'll never be a superstar, but he'll be a really really quality ball player for a long time.

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ May 14, 2008 -> 03:04 PM) Or try and get Kotchman and Santana from the Halos. Wait, they suck though, right? Lets not forget Erik Aybar. I recall my hard on for all of those guys was at times where they weren't necessarily highly regarded in the Angels organization (Kochman's love was after he had failed once, Santana love started in the minors, and than continued even though he struggled in the bigs and I loved Aybar since watching him in spring training a year or two ago). I've been wrong many times, but I still completely disagree with the money-ball approach to building a lineup. There is a lot more to fielding a good offense than OPB/Slugging.

Its too bad Tracy's injuries seemed to get the best of him. He was a solid major leaguer who could have had some very good seasons. Hell, he had some more than solid major league seasons (His first 3 seasons were very solid). I remember getting a lot of flack for saying how much I liked Erik Aybar last year. He still has to work on improving his strike-zone judgement, but he looks to be a legitimate major league shortstop with the upside to one day be an above average leadoff hitter (who plays a premium position). And yes, I continue to be infatuated with many Angels players. They play a style of baseball I like (it also fits into my thoughts on how I'd design my roster) and have been a rock solid fundamental team for a number of years.

I would have no problem with a younger Randy Winn on the White Sox. I know that will make some people throw up, but I think the Sox could use a couple guys in the lineup that who can start innings off if they happen to lead-off an inning. Funny thing is, I've also always been a Randy Winn fan (back from his days in Seattle). I'd easily take him as a 2 hitter on this club.

I've never said he isn't statistically good. However, I don't expect him to hit .280 this year. If he did I'd be much more acceptable of him. I didn't have a major problem with him the past couple years. However, I'm not going to lie, I would prefer to use the DH as a spot to rest your everyday players (essentially having 9 to 10 guys on your roster that can play everyday and utilizing the DH to give guys rest or play the lefty/righty match-ups). Thome will probably hit .250 this year (+/- 10 points) and to me that is where when you have a team that already crushes home runs I'll take a pass and take a guy that would hit .50 points higher with 15 hr's who can go 1st to 3rd and play solid defense. In fact he's better than all of those DH's with the exception of Ortiz. I didn't consider Hideki Matsui in there because I consider Giambi a DH more so than Hideki.

The approach of a leadoff hitter is much different and I wouldn't want to mess with Quentin. Quentin has the mentality of a run producer and he has done an excellent job at that. He swings hard, but at the same time works the count and utilizes all fields (thus making him a very good all-around player). Putting at the top of the order may screw with his mentality and have him try to focus more on increasing his average and reducing his power (aka, being more hesitant to drive the ball) and that would negatively impact his production. Honestly, no one on this lineup is better suited for the top of the order than AJ. He is at his best when he IS trying to hit for an average and being in the top spot of the lineup would basically play to his strength (minus the speed of course). OC is in a major bind and he looked like he was coming out of it in Seattle but has looked horrid against the Angels. Still, I think he'll find his way out of things. He's too good not to, but I think he's putting way too much pressure on himself right now and that is probably the case with a lot of the hitters (when everyone is going bad, than everyone pushes too hard and no one gets out of the funks).

I expect him to be the future CF of the franchise (based on what is currently in-house).

QUOTE (Kalapse @ May 14, 2008 -> 02:17 PM) Except for the fact that he has a no trade clause and didn't want to be traded. I will also say that he is a very good value for a team looking for slugging. I don't anticipate him finishing the year with this bad of an average. I think he'll hit .240-.260 with 35hr's and quite a few RBI's and a near .400 OBP. Those are not numbers that I find acceptable but on a team that really lacks power he could be the perfect fit (note, I don't believe the Chicago White Sox is that team). Also, Kalapse brings up a key point. As much as I banter to move Thome, it is all a moot point unless he is willing to accept a deal and I've yet to see the papers even speculate or ask anyone internally whether they believe he would. I assume this is because the media figures Kenny will not move Thome/Konerko because Ozzie/Kenny both really like the two of them.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ May 14, 2008 -> 01:45 PM) except for the fact that he's a stud I'd disagree with that. He was once a stud, but we have differing opinions when it comes to sluggers. Heck, major league baseball has differing opinions, probably 50% feel the way you do, another 50% probably lean more towards me, which just shows the varying management styles (in terms of scouting/player personell/putting together a roster) that exist in todays game. I will say that Thome or Konerko for Roberts straight up would be a poor trade that accomplishes little. The key to moving Thome/Konerko is to free up salary and a roster spot (for Fields production) and to get one legit potential all star player for each (more is obviously better, but I'm not greedy). I, however, am more in the game plan of getting as much young talent as you can and letting it slowly mold while holding onto Swisher/Dye and letting them stick it out in the middle of the order (same with Quentin). I'll see what you can get for Crede on the open market, but it may be better to wait on him and opt/hope you can get at least type B compensation for him. If someone offers one good prospect, than I'd be willing to bite though. Than let those players slowly mold and hope that your rotation/bullpen keep you in games and that the offense finds way to pull in enough wins to get a shot at the wild card (those young guys should only get better, thus you will be talking about a team on the up-swing.

QUOTE (stretchstretch @ May 14, 2008 -> 01:10 PM) any chance you have kids that go to Westpark elementary, I used to see a guy there for school events wearing an early-era Sox hat, which is beyond rare in these parts? Nope, I'm only 25, so no kids yet. I went to school and spent pretty much my whole life in Irvine though. Springbrook (Elementary), Southlake (Middle School), and than Woodbridge (HS). I know in my time in Irvine I've almost never seen anyone sporting any Sox gear.