Chisoxfn

QUOTE(knightni @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 04:08 PM) I need to make a new banner for the place. That would be sweet

QUOTE(HoosierSox @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 04:05 PM) From your description of Haigwood Chisoxfn he sounds a lot like Buerhle. Unknown lefty soft tosser who works fast and gets the job done. I hope we didnt just give up another Buerhle. He is a good one. He was probably the best starter in our system. That said our system is pretty thin right now when it comes to pitching (especially with Gio and Haig on the way out). Of course if Lummy can get healthy (he has the best pure stuff, imo) and Braodway can continue to develop (along with Tracey making some strides with his control) we could have some viable replacements (plus Liotta). I do expect the Sox to go heavy on pitching this up-coming draft.

QUOTE(JimH @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 10:31 AM) I read some stories on the Phillies site where it said he only experienced pain while throwing, not hitting. Although that .207 average he was sporting might suggest otherwise. I'd have to think that injury had an effect on his swing. Without being able to extend your elbows, you definately can't extend your hands and your going to have a lot of trouble. Thome is the type of guy that makes zero excuses, but there is no doubt in my mind it had an effect (hell I hope it did, otherwise we just made a mistake, lol).

QUOTE(JimH @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 03:56 PM) By the way .... Levine was right that the Sox were sniffing around Thome and so were the two guys on the Score, Boers and Bernstein. Just an aside. I'm giving myself a pat on the back too. I said the deal would be done by the winter meetings a week or two ago Makes up for promising Randy Johnson last year, lol.

QUOTE(JimH @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 03:53 PM) As you young guys like to say, ding ding ding, we have a winner. Agree 100%, there is somethng else in the works. Guillen wants to drop Iguchi down, he wants more speed and contact at the top, and now there's a vacancy in CF. I am connecting the dots and it leads me to Juan Pierre. But Jason brings up a good point, they could have their eye on someone else. Its got to be a speed guy. Hell, I know a lot of people hate this name and I highly doubt the Sox want to spend the money. However, Johnny Damon is now a candidate and would have a place to play. I can't possibly see the Sox doing this, but you never know. My guess is Ozzie has already told him who he wants and him and Kenny have a plan. They were willing to trade Aaron for a reason and I don't think that reason is Brian Anderson (it may be the long term reason) but I don't think its the whole reason. Ozzie wants another speed guy at the top of the order which will move Guchi down in the lineup. This is going to give the Sox a really balanced lineup (when they find that CF). Also, an alternative if the Sox lose Konerko is to get Giles and put him in CF or LF. I don't think Giles would come here, but thats another potential option. I'm trying to think of other speedy outfielders that would fit, but Pierre is the name that makes the most amount of sense. Plus the Fish want to move him (Dodgers are really interested though supposedly). Could the DRays have Carl Crawford on the block? Just throwing out a name.

QUOTE(daa84 @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 03:30 PM) Here are my feelings... Haigwood was a relative unknown entering the season...a long shot prospect. he put up good numbers at high A earned a promotion to AA where he was hot hot hot. left handed, medium build, soft thrower 89-91, good breaking pitches, decent change up, good feel for pitching. He definintely needs to prove he can do it again at AAA before i would call him a top prospect. Gonzalez - alot of scouts say hes one of the most underrated prospects in the game. one of the best curveballs from the 04 draft. was projected as a 1st round pick out of high school but he fell to the supplemental round because he sat out most of his senior year after a fight with his coach about his brothers playing time. Hes skinny, but young (20) so some feel he'll get bigger. he doesnt blow hitters away but can run his fastball to 93, with his big tight overhand curve, and a developing change. Make up is an issue as is health, as he hasnt had the best record of staying healthy. he has had great K:IP ratios, is still very young, and is lefthanded, so a good prospect. Two nice lefties to slide behind cole hammels in the philly organization. At best for the two, Gonzalez if he stays healthy will be be an above average big league starter IMO and haigwood still has to prove that the second half of 05 was no mirage, and then id project him as a #3-5 starter I just want to point out Haigwood was one of the better young arms in the Sox system prior to missing the entire 03 or 04 season with an injury. He also was a steal in the draft because many people thought he was going to play college ball (I think Michigan). Very good feel for pitching.

QUOTE(Hey_Look_Its_Chase_Utley! @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 03:17 PM) Phillies fan here. Congrats on the World Series victory, and getting on the classiest guys in baseball. I really think Thome was a great pickup for you guys, and is much better of where he can DH instead of playing 1B every day. What can you tell me about the prospects the Phillies reportedly received. You got yourself two good prospects. Despit what BA and other sources will say, my personal take is that Haigwood is the better of the two. Gio has better stuff, but has a frail makeup and I have questions about his long term durability. That said, if he stays healthy he's a very polished young lefty who has one of the better curves in the minors. He also mixes in an improving changeup (which will need to get better) and a 4 seam and 2seam/cut fastball. Not a lot of juice but he knows how to pitch and mixes his spots well. I think he also throws a slider, but his bread and butter is the curve mixed with locating his spots. I'd say his upside would be that of Barry Zito (think big hook). Problem is he puts a lot of pressure on his narrow frame and has had some durability issues already (no serious arm issues though). He along with Haigwood are top 5 prospects in our organization though. Haigwood is a little more ready. He dominated AA late last season and last year was him at 100%. The prior year he was still recovering from a knee/leg injury that kept him out for the entire 2003 season. Haigwood is a good pitcher with not the greatest stuff but he has a very good change-up, works fast, knows how to mix his pitches in (uses the plate well) and flat out gets the job done. I really like what Haigwood can do and I think you got yourself a major leaguer. He'll never be an ace, but I could see him being at best a good #2 and at worse a serviceable 4th or 5th guy (barring injury).

QUOTE(JimH @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 03:48 PM) Interesting. They'd still be missing the new #2 hitter, with speed, that Ozzie wants. I heard earlier today he said Pierre would be next.

QUOTE(hi8is @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 03:49 PM) jason, whats your take on this trade and the doors it opens? Its interesting. It could be a time where Anderson can come in and put similar numbers up. Personally I think he's still a year away from doing that, but Anderson has the tools to be a similar player. The player I'd hate giving up the most (long term) is Daniel Haigwood. However, Kenny has just filled this clubs major hole for the past couple years (left handed pop) and a healthy Jim Thome makes this a fantastic trade. If Thome is hurt and never comes back to his career norms, this would be a poor deal. I have faith in Kenny and the staff and I think they believe Thome will be back at 100%. Its been shown recently that players can put up good numbers into there late 30's. That said, 2-3 years from now we may have some concerns. Its definately going to be interesting to see what happens in CF. I'd like to bring in another guy and working Anderson in as a 4th outfielder (getting a ton of Ab's though). I'm guessing we'll see a speed guy brought in.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 03:42 PM) The report is that it is Haigwood and a player to be named. There has been some speculation that the player to be named is Gio Gonzalez, but neither of those names have been confirmed at all. This affects neither Konerko nor Thomas...but makes it such that 1 of those 2 will not be back next year. This ends it for Thomas, imo. Thome is not being acquired to play 1st. In a pinch he could, but I think the Sox plans are to use him as a full time DH. Paulie could be playing 1st or Dye could be playing 1st, but Frank Thomas days with the Sox ended the second Thome was on his way to Chicago.

It will definately be interesting to see who the prospects are. Haigwood is a guy I really like, while Gio I'd give up. Of course if Thome is healthy this is a great trade for the Sox. They get one of the premiere run producers in the game. Its definately a little risk, but the Phils are putting a lot of cash into the pot and as much as I love Rowand I understand trading from a strenght of the organization (both LHP prospects and CFers). I love this site too. I was on the golf course when I got a call from Boz telling me Rowand was dealt. Than 2 minutes later Molto and Heads text me with the details. Even from afar I had a clue of what was going on. Now the question is who exactly is the prospect and what will Juan Pierre cost. Or do the Sox have another person in mind or are they planning on Brian Anderson.

QUOTE(southsideirish @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 09:34 AM) I bet the Broncos will try to sign him next year if he is available. This year I can't see it. I don't understand the Seahawks either. They are loaded at WR with Darrell Jackson coming back this week or next. Jurevicious, Engram, Darrell Jackson. That is very nice and I don't think T.O. fits. Umm...Seahawks weakness has long been WR. They always have drops. This year they have been better, but they don't have a receiver even close to TO. TO would make them a legit super bowl contender. Thats if TO shuts up and plays.

QUOTE(WHarris1 @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 09:23 AM) ^^^^^ I'm a closet TO fan. Obviously the guy is a jackass but IMO he's the best WR in the league. I just love how he gives it his all on the field.

I got to be honest, I got zero problem with TO the player. In fact, I'd sign him to a 1 year deal and take my chances. I'd tell him if he played well and kept his mouth shut (don't talk to anyone) that we'd think about offering him a long term deal. But I don't hate TO.

I actually see the Tribe regressing next year because I think they are going to lose out on most of there in-house guys and are not going to be able to find equally talented replacements.

I still say I'd give up any of our prospects for Manny.

QUOTE(WHarris1 @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 09:18 AM) Falcons perhaps? Touche. Heck, the Bears have caproom, although I can't see them doing it. I think he would kill Orton or Grossman for the lack of agressiveness and of course the missed passes.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 05:32 AM) How exactly is it irresponsible to not give Las Vegas a team? Ya, I think it would be irrisponsible to give a team to Las Vegas. Far too many pressures there, plus I really don't see them having a consistent fan base. They would sell out because all the casino's would buy up season tix so they could comp there customers (ie gamblers). Vegas is a growing down but I don't think its worth risking and we all know Selig will do everything in his power to make sure a team isn't in Vegas. Think of the pressures on gambling.

Its going to be really interesting to see who goes after him. My guess is either the Bronco's or Seahawks and I'm leaning towards the Seahawks.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Nov 22, 2005 -> 04:54 PM) Would that actually be scarier than Ramirez and Ortiz back to back? I dunno. Imo, yes.

QUOTE(WilliamTell @ Nov 22, 2005 -> 08:37 PM) I'd rather have Duncan over Garnett, but Garnett's not going anywhere. He's realized that they don't have a chance at winning anything outside the division with their roster as of now. I always thought the Marbury trade was stupid, why would you want to leave an up and coming team? To be closer to home I guess, but still. Marbury is a freaking loser. Tell me one player he's ever made better. The guy has never won anywhere he went and if you notice teams tend to do better after he leaves.

Looks like Texas is going to get this one. Ticks me off because Iowa was totally off shooting tonight and was winning for a good amount of the game. Fouls trouble had an effect and I've never seen Horner miss that many open shots in a 2 game stretch (between yesterday and today). Still even if/when they lose tonight, I'm really impressed with this squad. They aren't playing good yet were totally in this game. f*** it, they are going to get hot late and come back and win this baby.

QUOTE(Gene Honda Civic @ Nov 22, 2005 -> 03:35 PM) Who knows... Right location and B-Day, though. So it's either him, or an extremely obsessed fan. It is him.

QUOTE(Soxy @ Nov 22, 2005 -> 07:44 AM) Just wondering. And, if you picked food--make sure to tell us which one is your fave! Definately the food, with football and seeing my friends and family a close second (if it weren't for some of my family it may rank 1st, lol). Most important food groups of thanksgiving...Turkey, mashed potatoes, yams with brown sugar and marshmellows, scalloped corn, pumpkin pie....LEFTOVERS.

QUOTE(Iwritecode @ Nov 22, 2005 -> 02:31 PM) The value of my house has gone up a whopping 35% in the last 5 years... Still not bad at all. Like I said, certain areas you will almost see zero appreciation. A lot depends on the types of companies in the area and how the economy is doing in the local area. I mean a lot of states real estate markets have been down for 10-15 years. However, sometimes one states market creates an impact on a few states. For example, the California real estate market has went insane. People in the LA/Orange County areas that don't own homes have pushed out towards the Riverside county which has driven up the price of homes there. Many people in the Socal area have also decided to cash out and move out of the state. A lot of those people have moved East to Arizona, whose real estate market was incredibly low as opposed to the price of homes in Southern California. Yet these homes were still located in a major city (the Phoenix area) and are very nice. The cash being brought in from California homesellers has sent the prices up in Arizona. I know of a few areas where really nice homes were going for 500,000 about 2 years ago and now they just finished off and have put the models up for sale right around the 1.8 million range (they will not sell at that price, but they will go for 1.5 minimum). With all the increase in prices in Arizona, many Arizona homeowners (long time homeowners) have decided to cash out since there homes have really increased the past couple years. These people have moved to Texas and now the same effect that just happened in Texas could happen in there area. I'm not all that familiar with real estate in Texas, but I know it had been down for a long time, but I'm guessing that the money going into Texas from Arizona, California (and other places mixed with the oil industry doing well) is going to have an impact on the Texas real estate market (how much, I don't know), but they'll probably see prices go up a bit since people are coming in and putting there money into homes that they see as very affordable (based on where they are coming from). Thats just one example that I know have and have first hand looked at. What happens in Texas, I'm not sure, but I guess we'll see if it will end up being similar to Arizona where the price of homes in Texas increase due to this shift of new homeowners. That said Texas is a lot larger than Arizona and there are more places to live in Texas which means the net effect could/will be a whole lot less than the effect in the Phoenix area.