Chisoxfn

QUOTE(EvilJester99 @ Mar 15, 2005 -> 02:17 PM) They had a post game follow up on ESPN News after the game with Stoney and Brentley...they talked mostly about the Cubs injuried pitchers and then steriods...I guess the Sox can't win no matter what eh? Oh no, they said so many nice things about the Sox today. They were all drooling over Bmac, in fact they brought him up into the booth and were really kind. I enjoyed the broadcast even though Brantley and SToney made some mistakes. Ie, stoney talking about how great Krod's curve is...when its his slider thats unhittable. However, finally someone picked up on the fact that the Sox still have some power as Brantley alluded to and then Kenny alluded to during his interview. All these speed crap and how much power they lose but they forget that Uribe has just as much power as Valentin (and no I'm not nuts). I still say 2 years from now Uribe is putting up Tejada like numbers and then make no mention of Dye comnig in and cancelling out Maggs partial season numbers and anyone elses. This means that the main power loss will be Carlos Lee and thats true. At the same time you figure you get Frank back for more of the year, a healthy Everett, Crede maybe a bit better, Konerko a few less HR's, Arow a few more maybe. I still say Sox hit 200 HR's.

QUOTE(JUGGERNAUT @ Mar 15, 2005 -> 02:19 PM) It seems fitting since there are Koney fans weighing in to post his complete R stats here: 02-04 R 263/323/440/763 99-01 R 284/340/465/805 He's not a bum on the road, but he's a far cry from the Koney that hits @ the Cell. Definitely better than Crede on the road. 01 R 266/333/461/794 00 R 305/367/500/867 99 R 264/323/429/752 04 R 239/301/407/708 03 R 223/286/384/670 02 R 318/374/516/890 01 R 266/333/461/794 00 R 305/367/500/867 99 R 264/323/429/752 98 R 203/260/319/579 - 138 AB One question..who gives a crap about these stats. What were his season stats...oh thats right, last year he was one of the best 1st baseman in baseball. Nuff said. And don't talk about the cell inflating his stats, maybe it did last year, but prior to that it was statistically (and I know you love statistics) not an extreme hitters park if anywhat a hitters park.

QUOTE(Kogs35 @ Mar 15, 2005 -> 02:16 PM) the game is not being replayed jason i just looked through my guides on directv That sucks big time. I know sometimes I watch ESPN around 12 and they do rebroadcasts of the sporting events, they must not do it for spring training games. In that case does anyone know if the Sox get another game on ESPN next week? I heard Stone say they were gonna be at TEP again next week, but I'm assuming its gonna be for a Dbacks game? If it is another Sox game that be cool. Plus there will be 2 on WGN (I think).

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Mar 15, 2005 -> 02:19 PM) What about Neal, Jas?? Of course I mean if Walker makes the team instead of him and they let Neal start down in charlotte. I love Neal and I've said all along I think neal has a chance to be special but he needs to obviously work on his control and develop another pitch. Well my guess is Neal is in the pen. If he isn't thats where it would get interesting for me because I think Neal is the next best guy the Sox have next to Bmac when it comes to starting prospects. However from all indications Neal isn't getting that shot yet, but in the future I think he will sooner or later. Neal is going to have a very good year though. His control got better last year (even though many don't notice it) but frankly it wasn't very good in the minors and everything comes with progress, not just immediately to perfect. He'll take some more steps forward and frankly his delivery makes his fastball damn near unhittable so all he has to do is improve the control of that pitch and get some control of his change and curve. Plus he's got that cutter now. Look for Neal to make big strides. It kills me that last year he didn't start the year in Charlotte, cause if he did I think the Sox 5th starters woes would of been semi solved last year.

QUOTE(quade36 @ Mar 15, 2005 -> 02:07 PM) Even Rooney and farmer were talking about a trade to make room for him. Actually, remember the Sox still have a few Minor league pitchers as a backup plan. Adkins could be solid, so could Diaz, and I am sure they haven't given up on Munoz, Honel, Stewart and Tracy. All these guys should be in AAA this year. Plus to add to that, knowing you have El Duque means a guarantee that Bmac will get his shot sooner or later. Its just a matter of time. Like I think some of us said when he was signed if he gives the Sox 20 starts at what he's capable of doing its a positive move. But I'm biased, I absolutely hated this move from day one. Although I like the idea of having a legit 5th starter. And I hope he proves me wrong in regards to his health. I also can't stand Contreras and I'd of dumped his ass this offseason in a trade and used that money on a guy like Odalis Perez, but the hell if I know. I do agree Contreras has the stuff but that can be said about so many more failures than it can be said about the greats. 100 players with great stuff fail for every 1 or 2 with great stuff that become stars.

QUOTE(quade36 @ Mar 15, 2005 -> 02:07 PM) Even Rooney and farmer were talking about a trade to make room for him. Actually, remember the Sox still have a few Minor league pitchers as a backup plan. Adkins could be solid, so could Diaz, and I am sure they haven't given up on Munoz, Honel, Stewart and Tracy. All these guys should be in AAA this year. Well I know one thing, I'll puke if I see Adkins, Stewart, Munoz or Diaz in the starting rotation at any point this year with the White Sox. None of them are starters. In Diaz case, back end reliever and in Adkins and Munoz case maybe a bit more. In Munoz case he could be a pretty damn good lefty reliever. As far as Honel goes, don't mention that name as a starting candidate until he pitches like he did a couple years back. Until then, he ain't a prospect. Same with Bobby Jenks.

QUOTE(JUGGERNAUT @ Mar 14, 2005 -> 07:47 PM) Playing for a contender usually is enough to change a player's mind. As I have done in this thread KW can easily sell Vazquez on the future potential of the White Sox. Koney fans are ignoring his road numbers. They are awful. He hit 239 on the road last year & his career #'s are not much better. Add to that the fact he is clearly a 1-dim player & it makes no sense to commit 8-9M/yr over 4 yrs to Koney. Based on the off-season deals it makes no sense for Koney to accept anything less than a 4-5yr deal. I agree out of loyalty to Koney the Sox should at least offer him a 3yr deal. Even if they overpay a little on it. http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb...t=.jsp&c_id=cws Comparisons to BMC as a RH Marky B or Greg Maddux with more zip. That kind of stuff makes you want to dream because control pitchers like these guys are often more durable than the power guys (Wood, Prior). Likewise they refer to Tracey & Honel as being not too far behind either. I'm really optimistic by what I'm hearing from Marte. I think he's poised to dominate RH's again (if he keeps from beaning them ) He's certainly taken Cooper's advice to heart. Honel = Garbage at this point. He is not a prospect until he proves himself 100% over the long haul. I've been saying this for a long time and I've seen the guy pitch on multiple ocassions. Until that happens I'll stick to my assesment. I don't mean to call him garbage because his knuckle curve is ridiculous, but he's not even one of there top prospects. And Trace, as much as I like the guy, still has a lot of things he has to work out. No one in the Sox system is anywhere close to Brandon McCarthy and I mean no one. And don't tell me road split this, etc. Konerko has put up good numbers every year with the Sox with exception to two years ago where he was awful. He's done it when the Cell (well it was Comiskey then) wasn't a hitters park. Last year he was fantastic and this year I expect the same and hope to get the same. Realistically I prefer him in the 5 hole but him and the Sox get along and he's one of the faces. Once again, YOU DON"T TRADE YOUR CENTERPIECES AT THE DEADLINE. Like it or not Konerko is the main run producer of this offense and will be until Frank PROVES he's the #1 guy. Until then its PK and you don't trade these type of guys at the deadline to IMPROVE your shots at the playoff. I don't care what you think, drill that or write it down because that type of stuff doesn't happen. Only way it does is if your name is Nomar and your an injury riddled cancer. Thats the 1 exception.

QUOTE(JUGGERNAUT @ Mar 14, 2005 -> 03:55 PM) Vazquez is predicated on the belief that AZ is not going to be in contention in the West & that the trade that was talked so much about with Koney as the centerpiece will resurface in Jun. Gimme a break, teams don't trade there centerpieces when they are in contention. And your nuts, AZ just spent how much money this offseason to better there club and you think they are gonna be giving it away at the deadline?? Its just like trading one of your starting pitchers at the deadline in order to give Bmac a shot. I probably like Bmac more then anyone on the board, but thats stupid. You don't trade pitching and you don't trade centerpieces at the deadline, especially when you'd be inserting a rookie and no matter how talented he is, he'd still be a rookie without any experience just coming into the majors near the trade deadline. I'd go ballistic if the Sox did any of these things. If you add at the deadline, you add pitching, NEVER EVER EVER TRADE IT, and you add these guys by trading prospects or players that aren't too important...ie Olivo last year. He wasn't that important to the Sox, not saying he's not talented. You don't trade your centerpiece like Konerko...no way no shape, no how. This isn't fantasy baseball.

QUOTE(JUGGERNAUT @ Mar 15, 2005 -> 01:57 PM) He's throwing a ton of strikes (so to speak). His ability to throw strikes vs say that of Garland is the difference betw night & day. That more than anything else convinces me that he should be in the rotation & makes either Garland or Contreras expendable. Neither Jon or Jose have consistently thrown strikes in their time up in the MLs. I expect either Jon or Jose to be traded before the break & BMC in the rotation. If he's pitching this well in ST he's going to be lights out for Charlotte & with Jon or Jose expected to have at least 4-5 poor starts by then BMC will be impossible to ignore. Its not even close...I'd take JG over JC any day of the week. But remember, this is a luxury. The Sox have 6 capable guys plus its a given that every team is gonna have an injury or two at one point or another in the rotation, so Brandon will get his shot.

QUOTE(Gene Honda Civic @ Mar 15, 2005 -> 02:01 PM) I really don't think you can fault Anderson there.. He was playing short and he still didn't get there. Meanwhile, whoever was at short could have walked and gotten right under that ball. Ya, I was going to point out. No way would any cf make that ball. Anderson made no error at all. He broke in from the get go and the ball landed right by where the shortstop was standing. Maybe had he not caught the grass funny he could of laid out and caught it, but that wouldn't be the thing to do with the runners on in a game the Sox were going to win. I say that because if the ball gets by you create the opportunity at a real big inning.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Mar 15, 2005 -> 01:56 PM) Why? 'Cause he made an error? He's probably in the top three as far as MIF prospects, I'll be interested in seeing what he, along with Andy Gonzalez, do this season at their respective clubs. Wasn't Ozuna playing ss? I know Lopez made an error but trust me when I say he's a very good defensive infielder or at least he projects that way? But on the one that Anderson couldn't get to (the shallow fly) the shortstop had given up on it way too early.

Anyone notice Vizcaino is fiddling with something. Looks to me as if he's throwing entirely slider/2seamer and is not using his better fastball.

Was going to comment on Iguchi hear. This was the first time I got to see him and I must say I was impressed. Really hit the ball with authority to the opposite field. Although he struck out on a horrible pitch. Seems to have a decent eye though. Pods did nothing today. Dye looks in good shape and had some good Ab's.

5 innings, 0 ER Runs (2 runs). Don't know the hits or k's. Someone can tell you. Good comparison in regards to Francis. Cause Francis is another guy that does it with control and not velocity. Still, I continue to believe and say that Bmac will develop some more velocity as he fills out. He's about 20 pounds heavier then he once was. I loved how when runner was on first you saw him just hammer the lower part of the zone and get the ground balls. He also overcame the error and calmed back down and got out of the inning. Fantastic outing.

First off, this maybe should go in the game thread, but the hell with that. And for anyone that has cable and hasn't seen a Sox game all year or hasn't been able to see Brandon and wasn't able to see this game, stay up late and watch the replay on ESPN 2 (I think it will be replayed late tonight) just so you can see him pitch and then catch his interview in the booth later on. The guy came in and flat out pitched fantastic. I can't speak enough for how far along his changeup has came. Talking to him this past summer down in Winston and the changeup still wasn't his best pitch and he was just starting to use it with confidence after developing the new grip for it that spring. Now its a plus changeup. Just watch some of the ab's where he got it over and how far out in front the opponent was. I also liked his fastball, varied from 93 to 89 but watch the movement on that and damn does he throw it for strikes something we've all known. But not only does he throw it for strikes, but he appears to be learning to waste a pitch or two and is doing a nice job throwing the fastball at the eye's and then going right back with his hook. Speaking of the hook, its a big sharp curveball. Damn was it looking good. Best of all his control of the curve isn't where it will be. One thing Brandon is is a perfectionist in a sense and I think almost all aces are because they want to be able to throw any and every pitch in there arsenal where they want it and when they want it. He's this type of guy and has no fear throwing a 3-2 changeup (in fact did it today) or even dropping in a 3-2 hook. Heck all you have to do on a 3-2 breaking ball is get it over and there is a good shot they'll be gone. Also one thing I noticed about Brandon was he seemed to go through hitters the first time and then changed things up the 2nd time and really started throwing the hook more, often times for 1st pitch strikes. I know this was one of the things some said he should work on, was just varying the way he attacked hitters. Folks...after today my mind has been changed. Start him in AAA. And if a Sox starter goes down he's instantly the 1st guy they look to. Zero doubt in my mind about that. There is only one exception to that and thats if the Sox are just calling up a guy for 1 start. In that case I may give the nod to Diaz or Hermy simply because I don't want to see the Sox bring Bmac up and then throw him down and just kind of bump him all around. On another note, I'm stoked cause I'll get to see him pitch later in spring because he'll be on the roster (as long as he stays healthy) until March 30th and will be starting every 5th day. Oh ya, Stoney and Brantley seem to like him a whole lot too.

QUOTE(shagar69 @ Mar 14, 2005 -> 02:59 PM) i too think that MSU can beat Duke now, but the problem is that they cant beat Cuse. which is why i got Cuse over them and Duke but losing to UNC. My tough pick was Duke over MSU but I went with it. I have OU going down to Iowa. But I'm biased.

Alex...I need some inside info...are you starting??? 20 bucks on the 8th graders if you are

Ya, I was going to mention somewhere that its nationally televised on ESPN. I'm looking forward to it. It will be the first Sox game I see all year.

St. Mary's is gonna beat them I think.

Ya, I realized that and was gonna post the question in this thread and then thought and figured the hell with it, they should be pinned

This will be unpinned when the games start on Thursday and then the top of the board won't look as clogged.

Gonna close it till the tourney is over. I will be pinning an official NIT thread though. I figure only one thread will be needed. Do you all think we should pin the 4 bracket threads as well?

Sounds good to me. Or maybe I'll leave this open for NIT discussion? Cuase I don't think we'd need a seperate thread for that?

Sweet, thanks Brian.

Sweet Cal State Fullerton made the NIT. Of course its total horses*** that they have to go to Oregon State. They should be the home team but alas, they have a minimal size arena and I'm sure its about the facilities in a sense. Plus OSU is from a big time conference I guess.