Chisoxfn

QUOTE(aboz56 @ Mar 15, 2006 -> 06:40 PM) So what's going on here heads? Are they just accepting their fate as a role players in Greece? BTW, happy 10K to me...

QUOTE(aboz56 @ Mar 15, 2006 -> 06:38 PM) Had MSU out to UNC. The other 4 I had. I saw Washington a lot this year, but I still think ILL is better simply because I think Dee Brown plays big in big games. And what games are bigger than the NCAA tourney? Overall I think the Pac-10 blows besides UCLA which I did put in the Final Four in one of my brackets. Yes, I do have Iowa past Texas then losing to Duke. My take is the winner of Iowa/Texas (if Iowa gets there) makes the final 4. As much as I love my boys, I picked Texas. That said I feel Iowa's capable, but they have a tough draw and will be playing two tougher teams early on (just to get to that point). I'm pumped though, this is the best Hawks team in a while. As far as Ill, they are definately battle tested, I jsut see Augestine getting into foul trouble against Washington's athletes and when he gets into foul trouble, Ill is going to have some trouble. However I realize I'm picking against the defensive team, I just happen to think Washington is a tough matchup for the Illini. I have UCLA out to Memphis (I think thats who it is) but I'm leaning hard to putting them in the final 4. I really like this UCLA squad.

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Mar 15, 2006 -> 06:37 PM) I think they want the second lefty to just a lefty or two out. This Logan guy seems more suited for a LOOGY role than eating up innings. Hermanson (or his future replacement, whomever that may be) should be the innings-eater. In the early part of the season Bmac or Hermy (whoever replaces him) will be the innings eaters. Sure Bmac could get thrown into the fire, but when the Sox are down early in the season I expect Bmac to get the call. He still needs to adjust to pitching out of the pen and coming up with a routine on how to warm up and keep his body in shape to pitch. Plus I think the Sox are going to do what they can to make sure he ocassionally throws a bit longer to keep his stamina up. That said I think one of the key's to this season will be Bmac because by seasons end I expect him to be our main righty set up man (with Cotts as the other main set up guy).

QUOTE(aboz56 @ Mar 15, 2006 -> 06:34 PM) Interesting, I actually put them in my Final Four. I had 4 Big 10 teams in the Elite 8. That means you have Iowa past Texas? Or is Iowa the one that doesn't go and IU/MSU/ILL/OSU are your 4. But I'd recommend taking Ill down from there, Washington will knock em out in the 2nd round. I like Ill a lot, but I actually like Washington. Than again I'm the lone person on this site who doesn't have Midwest or East Coast bias

QUOTE(aboz56 @ Mar 15, 2006 -> 06:28 PM) I've never seen either of these guys play or heard much about them (I guess that says something since I follow college really closely), are they even NBA 2nd rounders? I don't think so. If ISU had two legit 2nd rounders on there team I'd like to think they'd be in the tourney. That said ISU vastly underachieved all season. They had some talent, it just never came to fruition.

QUOTE(aboz56 @ Mar 15, 2006 -> 06:30 PM) Good stuff, hopefully I'll have a column ready by the time you get back from ST. Have a good time. BTW, how long do you have to keep up Dee Brown as your sig? Dee can come down any time, but he won't. He's my new hero. He's the anti Rally Crede for Illini fans.

QUOTE(aboz56 @ Mar 15, 2006 -> 06:30 PM) Good stuff, hopefully I'll have a column ready by the time you get back from ST. Have a good time. BTW, how long do you have to keep up Dee Brown as your sig? Sweet, looking forward to it

QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ Mar 15, 2006 -> 06:00 PM) He wasn't popping the mit, and he certainly wasn't throwing harder than 91MPH. Although this was the first time I've watched him pitch--and he was pretty damn impressive--it looks like he has a real sneaky fastball. He comes at a real nasty angle and the looks of his pitches reminded me a lot of 2005 Cotts when he was just making hitters look goofy with that sneaky fastball. I don't really know just yet. I don't think I'd feel comfortable sending him out there against Travis Hafner in the seventh inning in a night game at US Cellular Field. But, it was encouraging and I'm all for guys earning themselves a roster spot by winning an open competition in spring training, just like Pablo last year. It's gonna be fun to track over the next few weeks. Based on what I've heard, he has a delivery that allows the ball to get there quicker than a hitter expects it. This is simlar to what Cotts does. Albeit Cotts does it at a bit higher velocity. I'm pretty sure Logan has been clocked as high as 92, but that doesn't mean he consistently throws 92.

QUOTE(aboz56 @ Mar 15, 2006 -> 06:25 PM) Jason, is Josh Wolff your new alter ego? Logan is on here based on a few ST games this year. I'd say its a bit far fetched to take these performances and then put him on your all-prospect team. Other than that, good stuff. Wolff is a new writer, but he's spot on when it comes to Logan. Its more a knock on the system as it is a test to how good logan is. That said I've heard some good things of late when it comes to him. I've never seen him play though, but this team has zero lefty relievers candidates in the minors (he may just be the best we got).

Alex, after laughing uncontrollably for a minute or two, all I can say is I'm sorry. I guess you can enjoy when Iowa blows the tourney or goes deep only to lose Alford. Talk about rough.

QUOTE(maggsmaggs @ Mar 15, 2006 -> 04:57 PM) Think Kelly Wunsch with better stuff. Same pitches, delivery, size (6-5) and purpose as a situational lefty. I think Ozzie is going to give the kid every chance to make the team over guys like Almanza and Lopez. If he makes the team, that would be amazing a guy who has never pitched above A ball makes the major league team. I didn't think he dropped down that much? I thought his motion was just a little side-arm. That said I have not seen the man pitch. I'm sure I'll get to see him one of the next few days. Leave for AZ tomorrow after classes.

Wish I could make it. Got 2 midterms left for tomorrow. Finished up my last report just now though. Gotta do the school stuff. Ticks me off too, but leagues I'm in I miss the draft and I never miss drafts.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Mar 15, 2006 -> 04:27 PM) The same reaction I got when I said the Sox could have a $100 million payroll in 2006. Damn I was off by like $3.5 million I remember that, I was the one person who agreed. It was because I knew what a WS could do to attendance. I saw it happen a few years ago in Anaheim.

QUOTE(Gene Honda Civic @ Mar 14, 2006 -> 10:58 AM) Calling Logan an "A" ball player is like calling Pedro Lopez a major leaguer. He's never played full season ball. Let's start bringing up the best hitter in the game who full season of dominating A ball before he made the big club. the following year. Dontrelle don't fit either. He had nothing but success in the minors, and had 200 more innings above rookie ball than does Logan. I realize you said someone with the history of Logan but there have been players who have pretty much skipped the majors and shown success during there first seasons. I know Jim Abbot spent minimal time in the minor leagues and he was able to pitch sucessfully at the major leauge level (even early in his career). Ventura had limited ML time, but he opened his career with a horrific slide, but got rolling. That said I realize your talking about someone whose put up pedestrian numbers in A ball who wasn't a high draft pick.

FutureSox All Prospect Team: Pitchers By Josh Wolff With the acquisition of thumper Jim Thome, the Sox not only had to trade fan favorite Aaron Rowand, but also top pitching prospects Gio Gonzalez and Daniel Haigwood. The Sox still have 2005 first round pick Lance Broadway and Ray Liotta, but the pitching depth has been decimated. Bobby Jenks and Brandon McCarthy did not qualify as prospects for this team...MORE

QUOTE(YASNY @ Mar 15, 2006 -> 11:29 AM) Ya. Jason really went out on limb with that prediction. I said this in August/September and people laughed at me. It was in discussion for what would happen if the Sox won the world series and I talked about the drastic changes a playoff run would make for the Sox. I also mentioned just how much a World Series would change. People thought I was nuts when I put up those numbers. It wasn't like I did it over the off-season or anything.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Mar 15, 2006 -> 12:41 PM) Looks like he suddenly figured something out in 2005. His WHIP and KK/B numbers improved dramatically. So the Trib was wrong too. Guess I shouldn't be too surprised. Probably another Gonzalez excerpt. He made a change to his arm angle last season. His velocity didn't increase, but he was able to improve his command as well as movement. He opened up the Sox eyes late in the season, that said, he's only pitched 4 games in A ball. But if you look at his 05 numbers he only walked 4 guys in Great Falls (35.1 innings). That is a big improvement to his past numbers.

Whoever the writer is WRONG. Logan was drafted by this originization and he's spent his entire career (sans 4 games) in Great Falls. Had a career ERA of 6.10 before he made adjustments last season and posted a 3.31 ERA in 21 games at Great Falls (no point in showing his Warthog numbers since it was such a small sample).

QUOTE(SnB @ Mar 15, 2006 -> 12:03 PM) damnit!

Oh ya. I think I was the one who said this team would draw at least 2.7 million, possibly as much as 3 million. I'm feeling good about the prediction.

QUOTE(Palehosefan @ Mar 15, 2006 -> 11:22 AM) Don't worry Jason, Scout.com still has your option open to charge customers for content.

QUOTE(Athomeboy_2000 @ Mar 15, 2006 -> 09:40 AM) Ok, dumb question here... hoe do you guys pay for all this? Over the years its been out of my pocket. However the few ads you see on the site has given me enough funds to try and expand this thing. That said I'm still in the hole over the years, but its a hobby and I enjoy doing it.

QUOTE(ZoomSlowik @ Mar 14, 2006 -> 08:34 PM) I'd guess that Sweeney and Fields probably start the year in AA, but maybe they decide to bump them up since they are two of our better prospects and they're both having a decent spring. They'll be in Charlotte. Sweeney being healthy teamed up with the way he's hitting this spring has sealed that. Fields will be in Charlotte cause he stepped up big over the 2nd half, plus Micah Schnurstein will fit in nicely at Bham. Rogo will also be in Charlotte.

QUOTE(forrestg @ Mar 14, 2006 -> 09:58 PM) Last year El Duque told Contreras to pitch like a Cuban and encouraged Jose to change his arm angle and the results are forever history. Logan is now forever better. One major difference. Contreras throws in the mid 90's with the best splitter in the game.

QUOTE(OilCan @ Mar 14, 2006 -> 09:44 PM) Just joined......how 'bout a Blackhawks joint as well?!?!?? The domain is owned, but I think thats going to be one of our last ventures, simply because I think its going to take an established network to draw enough Blackhawk fans. That said if we think people want it, we'll do what we can to make it happen.