Chisoxfn

How crazy would it be if USC lost tonight? I'm assuming PSU would get into the national championship game against Texas but just think about how out of whack the whole picture would be. All of a sudden the Pac 10 gets two teams (or I'd assume two of USC, UCLA, and Oregon would get in) while the Big 10 or ND would get hosed out of one game and there would be at least a few teams that could make claims of being worthy to play in the national championship game (I'm biased though cause I have my belief that there are at least a few teams better than PSU).

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Dec 3, 2005 -> 11:45 AM) Didn't you predict UCLA to finish outside the top 25 a few weeks ago? Twas the same person I like making ridiculious predictions. Damn Texas is freaking romping CU. I wonder if this would have been more fun for Heads than the prior week. Damn Texas looks good. I'm starting to think they will win it all. Still USC has an amazing offense. If USC wins tonight I think we will be in store for the best national championship game since the OSU/Miami game (where everyone in the world wrote off OSU only to see them beat the so called greatest team in college FB history).

Prediction: Long of the Year...take the points and UCLA (21 point underdogs). Final Score: UCLA 49 USC 46 I expect a total shootout and a close game. I'm picking UCLA because I'm biased. UCLA has a dynomite offense, USC has no defense. UCLA has no defense and will not be able to stop USC's offense. Turnovers will be the difference and if UCLA wins it will be because USC lost the football (uncharacteristic of them). In all honesty I think USC will win (but I'll make my prediction of UCLA anyway) but its going to be close and it will be a fun game to watch (total shootout).

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Dec 3, 2005 -> 11:19 AM) Yes, the Dodgers were ravaged with injuries, but I don't know how you could have expected any less out of the Dodgers with the people they grabbed. Look at their pickups last offseason...JD Drew, Jose Valentin, Jeff Kent, Choi, etc. You don't sign Drew without expecting him to get hurt. You don't sign guys like Valentin and Kent at their ages without taking a big chance on them getting hurt. They basically asked for Gagne to get hurt when they traded away his setup guy in the bullpen last year and were forced to ride his arm on the way to the division. No, I realize that. They were idiots to put themselves in the position they did. I've long said you can't say oh Jd Drew was hurt. He's always hurt. Now Valentin, he's never been what I'd call injury prone and Jeff Kent was pretty much healthy, sans a couple minor injuries, IIRC. My point is the mistake was made when they signed Drew over Beltre (that was McCourt, not Depodesta). Depodesta wanted Beltre but when he missed out they worked out a deal for the other Boras rep in Drew. If they have Beltre at 3rd, they don't need Valentin. They have Izzy at SS (who knew he'd get hurt) and Kent at 2B. They would still need a 1st baseman and an outfielder but those are much easier to find. How was he supposed to know Jayson Werth (who looked like a really good up and comer the prior year) was going to get hurt and not be able to come back (they all expected him ready pretty early). Izzy had shown no problems with injuries, Valentin really hadn't (although they shouldn't have had him), Odalis Perez (ya that was a bad signing, cause he's prone to injuries) but Penny, Weaver, and company held up alright. Point is, look at Pauls moves: Jd Drew - awful, but I blame it on McCourt and knowing what I do about the situation (Beltre/Drew), I know it was McCourt's fault Jayson Werth - damn good acquisition, they gave up nothing for him and he's a guy with 20-30 HR potential and he's already done that at the major league level) Jeff Kent - look at the numbers, can't knock the signing Milton Bradley - not a bad deal, Bradley got hurt, but the guy is a good hitter; Now you can knock his talent and I think if Colletti is smart he'll unload him for whatever he can get. Brady Penny - most slammed deal in LA, but it was a good deal. Penny is/was the best part of that deal and he's still right here in LA. LoDuca will be gone and Mota bellied up in FLA. When you look at it Encarnacion was the best Fla got out of the deal. The Dodgers also got Steve Finley and Choi out of the deal. Shawn Green - cleared up a bad contract and got themselves a pretty damn good Catching prospect (still a wait to be seen). Point is, Depodesta wasn't near as bad as everyone made him out to be. I look at all those moves and I only see one being terrible, the rest weren't bad at all, in fact most were pretty good moves. Now I look at the Angels: Vladdy signing - great signing, I don't think it takes much talent and Stoneman wasn't very involved. It has long been talked about that Alfredo Griffin was the big part of that deal (I guess he coached or somehow knew Vladdy). Plus Vladdy didn't want to play in NY and hates the Dodger organization (although many in the org swear that they had him signed or thought they did). Colon signing - at 1st it looked like a little too much money. He pitched great in his 2nd year but is on the mend now. Still considering the current market a good move. Cabrerra - Money would have been spent better somewhere else. Cabrera is a good defensive SS (make that a great one) but he's a mediocre hitter and was asked to be the Angels 2 hole hitter (for at least part of the year). Eckstein (while I wasn't a big fan) was solid and if they were going to upgrade, Cabrerra wasn't an upgrade (overall). Finley - Terrible signing. The money spent on Finely Cabrerra could have been bettter spent. They could have had Beltran (now I'm not saying that would have been a great move either, but Beltran/Eckstein >>> Finley/Cabrerra Jose Guillen - I didn't like this move, but I understand why it was done. Byrd signing - worked out pretty well, good low-key move Not resigning Glaus - looks like a bad move (not one I will knock though, Glaus is overpaid). Not adding bullpen help - Big mistake Not finding a bat to replace Jose Guillen - Big mistake Giving Anderson that fat long term deal - Mistake (not too much blame though because no one knew Anderson's back would flair up like it did). Stoneman isn't great, he's not as horrid as I make him out to be, but he lacks guts and the willingness to put his rear end out there. Because of that I think he's too conservative of a GM. He's the type where his teams will win, but they won't win it all (I'm sorry, the World Champion Angels were Bavasi's team).

Did they get Benson? The O's are fools. They constantly blow money on a good offense while watching there pitching staff continue to fail. They have some good young pitchers, surround them with 1 or two good veterans and see what the team can do. I guarantee you they will at least play good baseball and win 50 percent of there games. If everyone clicks with a good offense and a good pitching staff theyd' have a shot (although the Yanks and Sox would have to take a step or two back).

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Dec 3, 2005 -> 11:07 AM) I guess whether or not that turns out to be a good deal would depend a lot on which Beltre shows up. You find the Beltre from 2004 and its an instantly great deal no matter who they give up. That leaves the question though...where is the Beltre from 2004? Did he only get himself in shape to sign a contract? Did he do something different or stupid last year? Did the change of scenery hurt that much? Did he take some special pills to help him in 2004? Beats the hell out of me, but that was a huge dropoff in performance by him this year. I am of the believe that he struggled the 1st half of the season due to being in a new league. He's not exactly the type of hitter that will adjust himself quickly to an unfamiliar environment/league. In the 2nd half he put up pretty good numbers (well solid numbers) and showed off more of his game. I think he was amongst the league leaders in RBI's in the 2nd half of the season. There is no doubting that park factor was another reason (not much of one though cause the Beltre of 05 wasn't the Beltre of 04). The Dodgers were idiots not to sign him in the 1st place. They were so close financially and didn't need to offer but 5 mill more and it would have been done. Not to mention right after they miss out on Beltre they go out and offer a stupider contract to JD Drew. Beltre has had his injury problems but he plays through him and plays gold glove defense at 3rd (I think he's about as good of a 3rd baseman in all of baseball). It would be a big move to get him back. I don't know if Beltre will ever replicate those 04 numbers (ones I have long dubbed as the greatest single season ever for a 3rd baseman...although I think you could look at Arod as well) but I think he will be a consistent .280, 30-50, 100 RBI guy while putting up gold glove defense. He is more fragile than the typical superstar and will respond well coming back home. Regardless, I think he puts up good numbers (if healthy) wherever he is next year. As fars as I'm concerned neither the Dodgers or Angels have been doing things right the past two years. The Angels made some really foolish moves (got away with them because they had a strong nucleus) and the Dodgers made some (McCourt's fault) and than they were hammered with injuries. Hell, aside from the JD Drew fiasco, I could say that the Dodgers moves were smarter than the Angels the past year and a half or two, the only problem was the Dodgers were absolutely ravaged with injuries in 05.

QUOTE(kyyle23 @ Nov 30, 2005 -> 06:39 AM) I think coming up with a trade that the Sox could have made for Abreu is pretty much a trick proposition. I dont think the Phils would be entertaining this offer at all without getting Jim Thome moved first. The Sox could get Abreu...it would cost Brian Anderson or Chris Young, Jon Garland or Jose Contreras, and a pitching prospect or two. Of course the Phils (with that offer) would be sending cash back. No I'm not suggesting doing it either, just saying what I think it would cost (ie a lot). I don't know if the Sox could work the deal without giving the Phils a starting pitcher. The only way I could see that happening is if the Sox took Abreu's entire contract and gave up Bmac and Chris Young and sold the Phils on using the cash from Abreu's contract (which they don't have to pick up any portion of) to sign a FA starter like AJ Burnett. Once again, not a trade I'd make if I were the Sox, but I think it would be a smart deal for the Phils. The Sox aren't going to get Abreu, they are done offensively (unless they find a good option for the 2 hole and CF) but if I were the Phils I'd look at a team that was willing to offer some damn good prospects and take on Abreu's contract. Hell, maybe the Dodgers or Angels become sleepers in this whole situation. Both could take on the contract and offer some damn good (near major league ready prospects), which allows the Phils to nab a starter via FA or elsewhere (I don't know if the Phils will risk doing that since there is no guarantee they will get there player via FA).

I think long term...Valido will be the better of the two defensively. I still question whether Valido will hit at higher levels, but he has the abilities. The thing that I like most about him are his smarts. The guy just knows what to do with the baseball on the field. He looks more like a guy the Twins would bring up in years past in the sense that he knows what to do with the ball, is heady on the basepaths and seems to be able to use all fields. He still needs to produce in AA before we start annoiting him a great SS. I think upside wise, he would be a slappy SS with 10-15 HR pop and 30-50 stolen bases (probably closer to 30). I don't know if he'll win a gold glove, but he has the tools to be an above average defensive SS and I don't think he'll ever win the batting title. I could see him producing a .280-310 AVG, 10-15 HR, 30-50 SB with a .360ish OBP. Ie, I could see him turning into a pretty darn good leadoff or 2 hole hitter. That said these are really ridiculous estimates right now because he's simply played in A ball. If he produces like he did this past season in Bham, than I'll stand by those projetcions.

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Dec 3, 2005 -> 10:50 AM) Missing out on Konerko didn't hurt too much because they still have Casey Kotchman and Kendry Morales. But they could lose both Paul Byrd and Jarrod Washburn and may be replacing one of them with Hector Carrasco? Brutal. Unless they plan on picking up another starter, than thats the plan (and its an awful one, imo). Carrasco would be a great addition if they just let him relieve. He could come in and spell Donelly, Shields, and Krod. Problem is they have pulled there offer for Paul Bryd (meaning the odds of him going to Cleveland are greater) and they are not going to offer Washburn a contract. They seem content on improving there offense and relying on there rotation. If Escobar and Colon are 100% all season, there is nothing wrong with that, but I don't know if they will be. Colon, Escobar Lackey (when healthy) is not a bad top 3 but than you have Santana (a solid 5th, but the Angels will be asking him to develop into a 4th this year and he has the stuff for it). Than you rely on Weaver, Saunders or Carassco for your 5th spot. That just doesn't seem wise, especially considernig the payroll. The Angels are spending too much money on there hitters (guys like Erstad, Finley and Anderson...all 3 of whom are drastically overpaid). I think Anderson is the worse of all 3 (considering he's signed to a long term deal) and if I could unload him in the Manny Ramirez deal, I'd do it (I don't know if the Red Sox would do that straight up, but I sure as hell would if I were the Angels). As of right now I stick to what I've said for a long time. Bill Stoneman is an idiot of a GM who has no idea what he's doing. He continually gives out bad contracts (Cabrera, Anderson, and Steve Finley) and he is slowly turning the bullpen (which was the big reason they won the series) into something thats mediocre (they need some good arms there and he's done nothing to fix that). I will give him a defense on the Anderson contract because no one knew that he would end up having that arthiritic back problem.

Like I said, I expect 2.7 million fans next year and I could see them getting close to 3 million (if this were to happen, they would have to be playing great baseball from start to finish though). I also think the smaller stadium size hurts them in this quest.

Angels signed Carrasco to a 2 year deal worth 6.1 million. The Angels plan on having him compete for the 5th starters spot. He pitched very well for the Nationals last season. I don't think this would be a bad contract (if the Angels planned on leaving him in the pen) but there is no way in hell this guy is going to be any kind of a starter. They better hope Jared Weaver pitches his butt off in spring training and earns the 5th spot. The Angels also signed Tim Salmon to a minor league contract.

According to some reports out here, the Dodgers initially had offered Furcal a 4 year deal at a little less annually but had talked with his agent and felt that a 3 yr deal with more money annually would be enough to get him. The Agent and Furcal both liked the idea of hitting FA again when he's 31. That said a 5 year deal at 12 mill a year would probably land him. I'll take Paulie myself. One other interesting tidbit is that in addition to Furcal the Dodgers are in talks with Seattle to acquire Adrian Beltre. Its preliminary at this stage but contrary to some reports Beltre is believed to be on the market. The Dodgers would want the Mariners to pick up some of his contract. Now this would be a move I'd fully endorse as a Dodger fan. Hell, I'd endorse picking him up as a Sox fan (but that ain't going to happen and the money could be spent in better areas).

Cripes...I'd think he'd still look at a longer deal, but this is a hell of an offer by the Dodgers and a ridiculous one at that. I like Furcal but thats about 4-5 mill a year too much for him.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Dec 2, 2005 -> 10:41 PM) I do. Dave Duncan can probably get him pitching a bit better, plus Morris's ERA this season was 4.11 and it was 4.72 in 2004. Will be interesting to see how Burnett pitches away from Pro Player though. He is an upgrade, imo.

In terms of the Pads, they are quietly putting together a pretty good off-season. I think Loretta is a solid ballplayer and he'll fit in well with the Pads but Wells is a solid pitcher and he's better than that in San Diego, imo (pitching at Petco). I should mention that Loretta for Wells isn't going to happen. The Pads won't deal him. He'll help the staff, but more importantly they are right now rumored to be one of the front-runners for Bengie Molina (surprising considering they have the guy they got in the Kotsay trade..Hernandez). Plus, there is no doubt Mike Cameron upgarded the team defense in CF and they have Giles back. They still need to find a taker for Ryan Klesko and my guess is they will be looking for one more bat. The only move I didn't like was the one where Vinny Castilla became there 3rd baseman.

My dad opened the trash can yesterday (in our kitchen) and I saw 5 bucks sitting in there. I looked at him and said man what a fool you are, you just threw out 5 bucks on accident so I'm going to have to take it. After poking fun at him for being senile (which he isn't) I than realized it was me who had just thrown 5 bucks out and well he had the last laugh.

QUOTE(LDF @ Dec 3, 2005 -> 05:12 AM) r u thinking of doing something like that here? Theres a possibility.

They always find a way to make it interesting, but I'll take a W.

I see no reason to think that the Bears will totally destroy the Packers. I hope they do and talent wise they are a better team (the Bears and by a lot) but this is a rivalry game and you can throw the records out. The Packers have found a way to play halfway decent lately and while I don't see them winning I still think they got to play the game. This is the 1st time in a long time the Bears are better than the Pack (aside from our fluke year) and I'd love to see us take this one today and then get the sweep in Lambeau on Xmas.

QUOTE(SoxFan1 @ Dec 2, 2005 -> 04:04 PM) Dude, that movie was f***ing badass. Why is it the funniest movie ever? It was so so so so so horrid that I and my friends were in tears from laughing so hard at different parts. Truly one of the best comedies of our generation as far as I'm concerned. I mean when he takes a jet ski, jumps it onto the road and lands it perfectly onto a taxi to have it fall onto the road and slide right up to the bus (the one he wants to get on) to where he stands up and just non-chalantly walks right onto the bus (as if it weren't moving). That wasn't even close to the best scene (I don't want to blow it for those that have missed out on this comedy).

Is that much different than a tuna casserole? I have never made a tuna casserole before but it sounds similar (i've eaten plenty of them) and they are tasty. Than again I could pretty much live off of Peanut Butter Sandwiches and the ocassional Tuna Sandwich (of course I'd probably have high levels of mercury in me, lol).

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Dec 2, 2005 -> 03:43 PM) Kenny is the type of gm to think outside the box but I highly doubt you see Erstad here. It does sound like the Angels were planning on moving him back to cf if they signed paul, do you think he can handle cf right now or do you think he'll be back on the dl every two weeks if he's moved back there? Honestly, I think he's going to get hurt. However, if he didn't get hurt, there is no one else I'd rather have (considering all the options) than Darin Erstad. The guy is a total gamer. He's great on the field (my god can the guy play defense) and he has that rugged, grinder style that Chicago fans endear. Realistically I think he'd be an oustanding fit, I just don't know if his hammies and knees would be able to handle the day to day of it. On the plus side Ozzie gives his guys extra rest so if they took care of him and he stayed healthy. I could see him playing around 140 games (Anderson is going to get starts as the 4th OF) and hitting .285 with a .340-.350 OBP. On top of that 15-20 steals and gold glove caliber defense. The weird part about Darin is that his walk numbers have actually regressed with age and I actually think thats partly because Mickey Hatcher (Angels hitting coach) is a fan of agressive hacks . I say all this because I think the Sox could get Erstad for Marte probably straight up (well maybe Sean Tracey or someone else included). The Angels would love to get Marte and the Sox would have there needs filled in CF. If anything happens to Erstie (I think he's a FA finally at the end of the year, but not positive) than you have Anderson waiting in the wings. Hell Steve Finley is yet another possibility. If the Sox were willing to take in half of his contract they could probably get him for Arnie Munoz (I think the Angels want to move him badly and I still think he ends up in Beantown as a part of a Ramirez deal). Basically the Sox take the risk that he busts up again this year and owe around 4-5 million. If he does pan out than they have themselves a solid 2 hole hitter with some power. I know he strikes out a lot, but at the same time he's one of the best bunters in the league and he's a hard nosed gritty player. He doesn't want to leave the West Coast. Once again if he belly's up than the Sox have Brian Anderson to turn to. These are two different guys on the Angels that I could see fitting. Namely because they could come here at a lower cost (in terms of players given up) and potentially pan out in a big way. If they don't, they are gone at the end of the year and Anderson can step in mid-season or whenever and be the starter the rest of the way (if he isn't, than obviously the Sox would have to try something near the deadline). Personally I wouldn't complain with either move. Both are classy guys and would be very good on the clubhouse. They can both handle the bat and play defense.

Well if the Yanks make that deal, its a very good one from there perspective. Proctor is a loser and I will never understand why there hyped up prospects get so much love. In perspective, I don't think Proctor is any better than Arnie Munoz. I can't speak much of the other prospect, but I'm sure he's not better than Sean Tracey as a prospect. If someone told me Sean Tracey and Arnie Munoz would have gotten Juan Pierre, I probably would have been pretty willing to pull the trigger. All that said, I really am not at a loss and considering I was thinking one of our young Of's was gonna be gone for Pierre, I'm kind of happy that we'll be focusing on another CF. I just hope its a good one we find. Here's a question, does anyone think the Sox will be crazy enough to try to put Erstad back in CF. When he's there is a stud defensively and while he's overpaid, I don't think you'd have to give up much in terms of talent. I know his numbers aren't the greatest, but he's a good all around player that would definately fit in the 2 hole.

QUOTE(Gene Honda Civic @ Dec 1, 2005 -> 09:12 PM) I want to punch that website in the face right now.... I can hear it now.. "But Young strikes out a lot"... "But Cotts walks too many people" The only thing that makes me angrier is this 30-something page thread. I think we will be getting Pierre, but I would yack if they gave up Cotts or Young in the deal. That said I think Marte and Sweeney is a possibility. In fact, I could see Marte and Anderson. I think we'd be over-paying, but if Pierre plays like he did two years ago it fills a need so to speak.

QUOTE(sox4lifeinPA @ Dec 1, 2005 -> 10:32 PM) haha...at first glance, I thought that said "FULL HOUSE" ...yet somehow it made sense that Jason would have that #1 on his list You know whats sad. I have the 2nd girls autograph. I won it in 6th grade in this competition at school. At the time me and my buddies all had a huge crush on her. Jodie something is what I think her name was. Hell its probably in some box to this day. Sad, but true. Whats even more sad, is that If I ever saw Duck Tales on TV, I can safely say I would drop whatever I was doing and watch it for a few hr's. I'd do the same if I ever saw the original Inspector Gadget on. Now those were shows.