Chisoxfn

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Jul 28, 2006 -> 01:41 PM) Milwaukee radio is speculating that Cordero, Mench and/or Brady Clark may be spun off in another deal for pitching. Do you think Doug Melvin may be looking at something in Charlotte? The Sox have a good rapport with Melvin so I wouldn't be shocked. Clark would be a good fit and if we got him we could also add Cordero while spinning Pods somewhere else and giving the Brew-crew a few prospects. I really can't see the Brewers holding onto Francisco so it may not be bad to go after him. Than again, I can't see the Sox taking on that 5 mill option either (not when we have at least one reliever thats better than him, possibly a couple more). Of course I like Cordero a heck of a lot and I think those two would be major boosts to this seasons club.

Ya, I didn't realize it was a translation at first. I was about to head to Cuba where I could be the Minister Of Grammar

New Slogan under the banner will be the difference. Get ready for some offense (6 runs or more) and a win.

QUOTE(iamshack @ Jul 28, 2006 -> 12:34 PM) Don't Fret! Jon is pitching again tomorrow! I don't want to get it to that point again. I think it would be huge for Freddy to go out and have another quality start and get this team its first non Garland win since the Break, than let Jon give us our first winning streak of the break

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Jul 28, 2006 -> 12:29 PM) He doesn't take trade rumors very seriously, he jokes around about them now. Doesn't believe any of the rumors. It was his dream growing up to play for the Sox and there's no way he wants to leave. The clubhouse has basically been the same all year but he feels it's picked up a bit since getting to Baltimore, they're feeling a bit more positive. Getting used to the relief role took him awhile at first but he's finally setteled into it. he doesn't think jumping back into the rotation would be a problem He also had a good quote, they normally have him on every few weeks to talk about the team, "would you guys still be opposed to doing the show if I'm pitching for the Nationals?" Brandon is such a great interview. Good stuff and thanks for the recap. Mac is definatley a good interview. He knows what he wants to do, is mature for a guy his age, and really has an understanding for the game and a strong work ethic. I'll be really happy when the deadline passes and he's still on our roster.

QUOTE(SoxFan76 @ Jul 27, 2006 -> 07:05 AM) Sort of off topic, but not. I don't know who the minor league experts are around here, but I'm going to thow this one out there? My buddy threw 87-89 in high school, went to college and actually LOST 3 or 4 miles off his fastball. This is with increased physical training, higher competition, and better coaching. Does this happen a lot? Ya, at times guys throw harder in high school because they aren't throwing as many innings and have shorter seasons. Another thing that could happen is you have a coach that changes your mechanics to help out some other stuff and it results in a loss of velocity. Its really a crapshoot, some guys really gain velocity, others drop. Another thing that happens is guys from college can have the same thing since they at times only start once every 7 days as opposed to every 5 which means they are always stronger and when you switch to once every 5 days guys don't always maintain velocity so they turn into guys that don't throw near as hard.

Technically he's right. I've wondered for a long time why they sit around and wait. Obviously they don't want to start the time table, but for cripe sakes at one point get the guys up and let them get there licks in. Sure it can blow up in your face, but were talking about talented guys that have put up some good numbers in the minors.

QUOTE(LVSoxFan @ Jul 28, 2006 -> 12:13 PM) Ahh, Steff.. Ye of little faith! You've read me long enough by now to know I know better! I shall arrive at the Sox offices wearing a Haz-Mat suit and carrying a placard which states: "WHAT STINKS MORE THAN YOUR TEAM IN JULY? YOUR &^%!$%! SPECIAL EVENTS!" And I will be barking through a bullhorn, saying things like "Do I LOOK LIKE LANCE BASS? So WHY YOU TRYING TO BEND ME OVER?" I'm sure that will get me an audience with Jerry.

We shouldn't even be there. Its great to have talent, but when you can't win more than a game every turn in the rotation you don't deserve to be in the top 10.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Jul 28, 2006 -> 10:48 AM) Wait, am I missing something? If Minny made it to the playoffs, they'd send Liriano and Santana for three out of the five Division Series games, and four out of seven games in the Championship Series and World Series. Nobody in baseball comes close to matching that. I hate to say it, but the Twinkies have as good a shot as anybody to win in the playoffs. I think no team would want to face the Twins because of that looming combination. However, Liriano is going to have a lot of innings under his belt and while the Twins have been incredibly careful with him, who knows if he'll be his same dominant self at that point.

Don't really care...I care more about what the Sox do cause this is all meaningless if we can't take care of business. If the Sox can get back to playing good baseball, everything will work itself out, imo.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Jul 28, 2006 -> 11:03 AM) 7, 8, 9 has just been somewhat locked down. Cordero is better than Turnbow IMO. I think the Rangers paid a pretty steep price for a CLEE rental. Nix doesn't play for them and won't play for them. Lee >>>> Mench (who he replaces) Cordero (darn good reliever, but one that probably isn't worth 5 mill and I am surprised the Brewers are gonna pay that so my guess is the Brewers trade him eventually). The question is Lee that much better than Cordero and Mench and my answer is an unequivacal yes as long as Lee is signed long term. Lee will be the righty that lineup needs between Tex and Blalock (to go with Young and Sarge Jr. at the top) while Cordero probably would have been gone in a short time. Not to mention the Rangers still have all there pitching prospects in tact, which is what they are going to need to reach the next level (whether they trade them for proven arms or develop em).

QUOTE(JimH @ Jul 26, 2006 -> 08:33 AM) Interesting topic, because I can see KW wanting to upgrade the leadoff spot with an impact guy. Crawford and Soriano fit the bill. I think they have the bullets to get Soriano, but not Crawford. Hasn't Roberts played some outfield or was Hairston the only guy to play outfield. Long term I could see the SOx having interest in a guy like Roberts. I do think Pods is gone at the end of the year (via trade) and we will acquire a new top of the order guy. Ozzie loves Brian Roberts. QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Jul 26, 2006 -> 08:37 AM) The flip side of that is did the DRays learn their lesson from asking too much for Aubry Huff? Ya, but they don't have to trade Crawford. He's signed to an affordable deal, the problem is they don't think they'll be ready to compete during the time of his contract so they will trade him if they get the right offer, but they aren't about to drop there demands. Crawford is probably as underrated of a player as there is in the game. You look at his career numbers at this point and compare them to some of the games top players (Bonds, Rickey Henderson) and you'll see his are right on par to what they did. QUOTE(ZoomSlowik @ Jul 26, 2006 -> 12:07 PM) Changing managers isn't going to improve a guy's batting average. He just can't consistently find the holes like he used too, and if he's not hitting at least .310 he as a fairly low OBP. He's basically the same player as Pods, if not worse at this point. One season means he can't consistently find holes. Wasn't the guy a career .300 hitter. He's obviously had some rough patches and Wrigley isn't the best place for a slap hitter, but the guy is much better than a lot of people on this site seem to think. If Ozzie wants speed, Pierre is better than Pods. I realize Pods has the better OBP and aside from speed and defense Pods has actually been solid (he works counts really well) but Ozzie wants guys that put pressure on the defense, Pierre can bunt, is a darn good contact hitter and can still steal bases (a key need in a leadoff hitter for Ozzie). Whether we agree with what Ozzie wants is up for debate, but hte fact is he likes (scratch that, LOVES) speed at the top of the order and Scotty isn't providing it while at the same time he isn't providing any defense.

A lot of scouts think as Sweeney grows more comfortable he will learn to better pull the ball. He had some wrist problems that really limited his power and he's definately developing a bit more power. However, other scouts are beginning to have doubts about whether he will really develop much power. I think 20 HR's would be real nice out of him and I don't project him being more than a 30 HR guy. More like 15-25 if all goes right while he hits for a pretty high average and plays darn good defense. Of course in the early years it may be even less power. I've long compared his offensive production to that of Garret Anderson (took a long time for him to develop HR power).

QUOTE(PA32R @ Jul 27, 2006 -> 08:53 PM) I just joined this board the other day, been reading it extensively. This is the first time I've actually laughed out loud. Welcome

QUOTE(iamshack @ Jul 28, 2006 -> 09:48 AM) Does this Lee trade set the bar a little as to what teams will offer for Soriano? I hope so, they gave up a reliever due a big contract next year, a prospect thats a little older (Nix) who has yet to find a way to be there everyday centerfielder despite being handed the job a couple times, and a guy who is a streaky hitter that had one big HR haven when he changed his shoe size earlier this season who is thought of as a shady clubhouse guy.

Right now Vazquez is the least of this clubs worries. At least he gives the Sox a chance to mount a decent size lead in the first 5 innings. Buehrle gives the Sox no chance at that and gives it right back up anytime the team helps him out. Hate to rip on Buehrle, but fact of the matter is (and maybe this explains a whole lot to why we are the team we are right now) that Vazquez is arguably the 3rd best starter on this staff (and I'd easily say that if it weren't for Garcia actually having a good game his last start).

QUOTE(RME JICO @ Jul 28, 2006 -> 10:11 AM) The Brewers did really good. They unloaded CLee and got some very reasonable contracts. Contract Situation: Mench - signed 1 yr deal for 2.8M, can become a FA in 2008 Cordero - signed thru 06, with 07 option ($5mil or 500k buyout) Nix - Minor Leagues The best player they got (Cordero) is going to get 5 million next year if they want him. Thats a lot of money for the Brewers to pay for a reliever. Turnbow had a funk but he's still pretty solid and they have a nice 8/9 inning combo there but I think they could have done much better.

The Rangers wanted to dump Mench, had little use for Nix and gave up one hell of an arm for a guy who can hit the heck out of the ball (Lee) and a decent OF prospect. Pretty good move since the Rangers had the ability to fork those players up without losing a beat (although Coredero will hurt a bit) but if they lock him up long term, great move. On the other end the Brewers can make this move and still stay relatively competitive and my guess is Brady Clark will be the next guy on the move with Nix replacing him in CF. Mench may be a better NL hitter than AL one too. Cordero will be nice for the pen, but they should have got top prospects back instead of Mench and Nix. Apparently they didn't want prospects though and think this is less of a sign of giving up than it would have been had they got spects in return. Or maybe they now plan on swinging Mench to another team.

C Lee threads will be closed now that he's been moved to the Rangers

Hell next year we may be talking about Verlander in the same tone as Prior since the Tigers are going to have him go a ridiculous ass increase in innings pitch and I don't think anyone at his age is ready to make that type of innings jump. Its sad too cause this guy has the stuff to be one of the dominant forces in baseball for the next 10-15 years (his FB change combo is really sick right now and he can ocassionally flash other plus secondary stuff).

QUOTE(aboz56 @ Jul 27, 2006 -> 11:58 AM) I wouldn't trade Lackey, Weaver or Santana for Soriano straight up. Why Bowden thinks they could also get Wood is beyond me. Ya I was laughign when I saw it but I think its the times/angels spinning a bunch of BS excuses as to why you won't see them make a move. Really it has to deal with there GM being a sissy ninny who will never ever ever trade a prospect. I'm sure the first phone call the two teams had Bowden had some ridiculous demand just like the Angels made some ridiculous offer (like Adam Kennedy for Soriano). The Angels probably just leaked it so it sounded like it was ridiculous (which it was) but the business part of the game tells me thats a bunch of phony baloney (Bowden actually sticking to those demands).

I don't get it, Broadway is a pretty well though of pitching prospect and while I was one of the people panning for Carillo, I remember a lot of people having concerns about him and not many people really called him a pure "stuff" guy. The most risky pick of the bunch was Bogusevic because he was a pretty good overall athlete (good hitter and pitcher IIRC) but was much more of a work in progress and I am not sure how he's been doing with Houston. Broadway has a good FB and some damn good secondary pitches. He throws in the low 90's....that is no the definition of a soft tosser. There are TONS of good pitchers that throw in the low 90's. Now if we were talking about the 80's that would be one thing. I love guys like Verlander, but you aren't going to get that type of arm not picking really high on the most part. There are exceptions but those are Boras guys that JR/KW don't deal with on the draft. And obviously there are guys that are hard throwing and insanely wild that some teams will take later on and you can get international guys or always find a guy who projects well and really adds velocity as he grows/matures.

QUOTE(Stocking @ Jul 27, 2006 -> 11:49 AM) Not very insightful, but that kid has the biggest F'in feet ever. looks like he wears clown shoes on the rubber Yes, someone else who agrees with me. I call him the clown and It has nothing to do with the way he pitches, he just looks like a clown on the rubber.

The LA Times today had a little story talking about Soriano and the Angels. The Angels are planning on using Howie Kendrick as a super utility guy so they can get his bat in the lineup. It seems like they have already written off any chance of getting Soriano. Bowden has asked for one of Lackey, Weaver, or Santana along with highly touted prospect Brandon Wood. Are you kidding me. I know initial proposals are one thing, but wow. Later on Bowden was quoted as I don't have to trade Soriano, the price I ask now will be the same price I ask at the deadline.