Chisoxfn

I'm a big fan of Singleton. Plus I think its hard to judge anyone next to Farmer. Stoney is a pro though and he'll kick ass anywhere.

QUOTE(BearSox @ Apr 4, 2008 -> 06:34 PM) Thome, he has put nothing but good swings on the ball, but the hits haven't really come yet... Swisher, while he has a great eye, has swung the bat pretty weak. I really have no gripe with Swisher as I do like him as a player, it's just the fact we gave up so much for him. I am thinking the move to leadoff has messed with Swish's mentality a bit, as he may be trying to swing for just contact instead of power. Swisher, IMO, is a guy who should be hitting for power, and be in the middle of the order. Who knows. Realistically the Sox didn't give up much at all for him. I know the guys were the Sox best prospects but given the contract he is signed to it was an absolute bargain. Thats not to say Gio/Sweeney/DSL won't have fine major league baseball careers its more that I don't think any of them will ever be the type of player that Swisher is and will become (as Swisher, imo, hasn't peaked yet) and the fact that they have him signed to a bargain of a deal is even better. Especially when I consider the alternative which is the funds that would have been tied to Hunter or Rowand (I do think Rowand's contract, given the market, was a good value).

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Apr 4, 2008 -> 06:10 PM) The 3 walks in 5 AB's for Swisher don't do anything for you? Yeah, they're a bit cold, but you could say that about our whole 1-4. I don't have a problem with Thome hitting .188 right now and you shouldn't have a problem with Swisher right now. Even if he's struggling with the bat, he's still going to get on base, which is a luxury we haven't had in recent years. Personally speaking I hope somehow Ozzie sees the light because Quentin should be playing a lot, a whole hell of a lot. I really want Swisher and OC to do well atop the order and Quentin to rock because if they do that early, maybe, just maybe, Ozzie will back off his obsession of Owens. I understand he isn't the only person in baseball obsessed with having speed at the top (after all, it has been done for the most part of the past 100 years of baseball) but it should be qualified with the fact that the player shoudln't be preventing a better player from getting ab's.

Big Series these weekend for the Titans...@ UCI (UCI and LB are both top 10 in the country, so Fullerton is currently the 3rd dog in the Big West).

Ya, I'm going to throw up a generic logo but I haven't had any internet at home. Plus I'm changing the template of the site anyway. It will probably be closed for the first couple weeks of the season though, unfortunately.

Nice. I finally have my internet back at home, so I can begin restoring futuresox

QUOTE(South Side Fireworks Man @ Apr 3, 2008 -> 12:45 PM) Add to those bright spots Dotel and Linebrink! Only downer was the continued bad defensive play of Dye. I'd like to see him pulled out for a defensive replacement about the seventh inning of every game. The Sox coaching staff also needs to go over outfield fundamentals with him and explain to him that the CF is captain out there. I can't comment on the play, but you have to remember the Sox don't exactly have an experienced guy playing center field so it could lead to some confusion out there. Still, I think it is assinine that Dye isn't in left.

QUOTE(SoxFan562004 @ Apr 3, 2008 -> 11:47 AM) If the Count and Danks can have solid seasons I think the Sox will suprise people this year. I know MB and Javy didn't light the world on fire in their 1st starts, but I think they'll have solid years and the bullpen hopefully is better, well scratch that, it basically has to be better... Hopefully the bullpen will be solid Javy had good stuff, he just didn't have his command and that was due to the cold. If Javy is healthy I wouldn't be shocked to see him win 20 games. Yep, I made that prediction and I'm sticking to it. He has a great arm, good command, and has really improved his mechanics/presence with runners on base (where he used to really struggle). I really believe the 3/4/5 will be the x-factors this year just as Contreras/Garland/El Duque were the X-Factors of 05.

QUOTE(Felix @ Apr 3, 2008 -> 11:45 AM) It'd be great to see Danks continue these types of performances throughout the year. Keep in mind, he was a top prospect not too long ago, and did just add another pitch. Hopefully he can stay consistent, a good third starter would be HUGE for this team. Danks will still have his struggles, but I still believe he will be at least a league average starter throughout his career and I can see him being as good as an average #2 starter (and that is pretty darn good, imo).

QUOTE(lostfan @ Apr 3, 2008 -> 12:05 PM) I guess that would depend on what your plans would be if Anderson hits .235 for the first half of the season and Quentin gets hurt again and/or stays hitting around his career average. I mean, yeah, ideally it'd be nice to see both of those guys performing to their full potential but what about when you don't have access to a crystal ball? Dye is better than every one of those players mentioned in the outfield (not your post, but the post you quoted). I absolutely don't get the idea where people just think cause a player is young that they are better than the veteran. Dye may not be an MVP type player (he was for one season though, even if he didn't win the award he was amazing that season) but he is an all star caliber player and last I looked besides Swisher the other two are far from being all stars. Brian Anderson would be lucky to put pu the numbers Dye has on a down year (see last years stats, which was a down JD year, yet the numbers were still pretty solid) and Swisher (who has a better OBP and whom I like a lot) can't hit for near the average JD can and JD has just as much power (of course given a straight up choice I'm taking Swisher over JD but that has more to do with age and upside as opposed to anything else). Say what you want about JD, but he's still an above average right fielder (offensively he's above average and defensively he's average, maybe slightly below).

QUOTE(lostfan @ Mar 29, 2008 -> 06:52 PM) Considering how long this board has been around you guys have probably had this discussion before, but I haven't been here long enough to know. What's the best one ever? I'd say Bull Durham, A League Of Their Own is pretty underrated. Major League gets knocked down because it has the Indians in it and the Sox are the bad guys. There are a few epics in my book that rank above all others: Sandlot Rookie of the Year A League of there Own Major League Eight Men Out Field of Dreams

QUOTE(SnB @ Mar 26, 2008 -> 07:27 AM) you don't understand my fascination with beards, ask jason. Your fascination is so crazy that I had to go into the beard protection program.

Starting Weight: 177 Week 1: 179 (+2) Week 2 (most current week): 172 (-7) Overall: -5 I have absolutely no idea how I lost 7 pounds this week (I was on vacation in Arizona for 4 of those days eating baseball food). I also had no idea how I put on 2 pounds during my 1st week (as I was doing an assload of cardio playing basketball). I know my body typically responds slowly and than all of a sudden my metalobism starts rocking, so if I keep up my current cardio plan (ie, playing bball 2 days a week, softball once a week, and football another day) I should be well on my way. Aside from cardio, I've been doing situps and pushups and as I indicated before I don't plan on beginning any major lifting until I get down into the 155-160 range. Note to self: Keep replying to my own post so I can keep track of this stuff.

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Mar 21, 2008 -> 07:59 PM) I read through hearsay that he asked for Votto and Bailey from the Reds. Beane is f***ing ridiculous sometimes. Yet he gave up Andre Ethier for Milton Bradley I hate Billy Beane

I just got back from AZ, but I'll wake up and watch a bit of the game for sure.

QUOTE(EvilJester99 @ Mar 24, 2008 -> 07:37 PM) This could bode well for the Sox maybe.... Giants Woes Get Worse The Giants first lost Omar Vizquel for an extended amount of time and turned to Kevin Frandsen and Brian Bocock to take over his duties. However, the Giants lost Kevin Frandsen today for the rest of the season, leaving someone who has never played about Single-A with the job. Frandsen, who ruptured his Achilles tendon today, was expected to be the Opening Day shortstop. He has potential to be a solid utility player, but doesn't pan out to be an everyday player. I think the Giants need to make a trade now. "Fire Sabean" websites are starting up everyday because restless fans are frustrated with Front Office decisions. If they want to move Aurilia to short, they could trade for Wes Helms. Or if they want a shortstop, they could trade for Felipe Lopez. Unfortunately, the Giants really do not much to offer in their minor league system. They have some solid young pitchers, so if they trade Matt Cain for a solid hitter they would be taking a step in the right direction. Field and Uribe for Linnecum. Or Crede & Uribe for some top notch prospects (well I realize they don't have any top 5 in baseball type of prospects, but I'd take some good prospects for those two). Hell, I'd totally hope to do a Cain for Uribe/Crede deal too (again, 1% chance the Giants would do it). Note: I doubt the Giants give it up for Crede/Uribe combo, but I wouldn't be shocked if the Sox could get quite the ransom for Fields & Uribe and I'd be more than willing to do it as long as the guys they got in the deal were young players (just like FIelds is) with high upside which fill a need.

I always liked Carlise. However, I would be a major fan of grabbing someone from the Mike D'Antoni style and let the Bulls athletes run run run. Move Ben Gordon, resign Deng, draft OJ Mayo and try and sign a quick point guard (also try to find another athlete for the post position). I'd consider moving Nocioni in such a set-up as well, however, in an uptempo game Noc can have a very good role being an enforcer/tough physical presence in the case you get stuck in a half court game. Let Noah/Gooden/Tyrus Thomas/Another guy be the running bigs (also don't be afraid of using Deng in the 4), Sefolosha/Hinrich/Mayo/Hughes/FA PG (or acquisition) running out on the PG/SG position (There will be plenty of minutes to go around). I truly think the Bulls are capable of such a thing (yes, they don't have Chris Paul or Steve Nash, but aside from that they have the athletes for this system, imo).

What a bunch of crap. I'll make sure to make some popcorn or something and just enjoy the last episdoe of one of my favorite shows ever on TV.

Fullerton with the weekend sweep.

I'd try to press and see if you could find a way to get Reggie Theus from the Kings (obviously he is under contract, but I think he'd be a tremendous hire). I could live with Van Gundy as I think he's a very good coach and I could even live with Larry Brown because as much as I hate Brown, I will admit he is a tremendous coach. I also wouldn't have a problem finding a good young coach somewhere and taking a chance.

I actually think the Sox have fixed Gavin, but we will see if that is the case. He has done nothing but improve since coming to the Sox. That doesn't mean he is as good as he was when he first came up in Philly (he was nasty than and than obviously had issues that got in his way, both mental and mechanical and he lost his stuff). Since coming to Chicago he has continued to make strides and has regained a lot of his stuff and definitely regained his confidence (I hate reading quotes and taking too much into them, but you can flat out see that this kid is confident for the first time in a long time and being confident on the mound goes a long long way). Gavin is clearly no sure thing and my problem with the Sox is that they have 3 mysteries in the rotation and didn't come up with any backup plans (although I am well aware of Broadway/Egbert as being other options, but I'm not sure that is the correct answer for a team that is considering themselves a playoff contender). However, I am thinking he'll have a solid season, but again, that is based on my optimism for his ability and the strides he made last year and projecting him to continue to make such strides again this year (and there is absolutely no guarantee that happens).

Another f***ing choke job by the Bulls down the stretch. Paul did have an incredible night though. Drew Gooden played fantastic for the Bulls. But good freaking grief, they pissed away yet another 4th quarter lead. I can't wait till Boyland gets fired. It isn't all his fault, but it is quite clear that he isn't helping things.

CSUF-Wiscy (for obvious reasons) USC-KSU (I love watching Beasley play and USC is an athletic fun team to watch as well (Plus Mayo when on is pretty amazing). Arizona - WVU (I think both of these teams could give Duke a run for there money and this match-up should be a good one).

QUOTE(Reddy @ Mar 17, 2008 -> 11:06 AM) only thing is, Jon pitched consistently, if not spectacularly, every single year from the time he was 20 years old with the big club. I'd say thats a pretty stark difference between the two. I'd agree. I could see the minor league comparisons, but Jon Garland had mild success in the major leagues for a good number of years. People would argue that he didn't live up to his hype and be dissapointed he didn't do better, but he was a league average pitcher at a very young age. Gavin Floyd had spent parts of 3 seasons in the majors and has yet to have a league average season or anything close to such. Prior to entering the majors, Floyd like Garland was a young prospect who was ranked amongst one of the very best prospects in the game though. If Floyd posts the type of seasons Garland had during his early 20's, I'd be exstatic but he has yet to show that he is capable of doing anything of the such (however, I believe he has the stuff to do it, but again, he's had 3 years with semi major league time and has only gotten worse). Jon was busy throwing 200 inning seasons posting above league average ERA's.

Not a productive first week. I exercised quite a bit, but apparently that wasn't enough to overcome my drunken shenangans over the weekend and I actually put on 2 pounds. BOOO.