Chisoxfn

For those that can't remember, we could do something where we make like a mini keeper draft for those people since I made a mistake. Where they can chose the available players. Sorry I didn't get back to any PM's, was away from a computer over the weekend and last night was too lazy to respond to anything, lol. But ya, we still have time so get on over to yahoo and register

Dane Cook = AWESOME

This is such a BS report. Ya my ass, Gordon seems content as does Deng. I'm sure they'd like more minutes (Gordon especially) but part of the NBA is getting good enough on both ends of the court to get starters minutes. Right now I think Skiles does a good job of keeping everyone in the rotation happy.

QUOTE(aboz56 @ Feb 21, 2005 -> 07:39 PM) And you are then mine on X-Box live. You wish Boz, you wish

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Feb 21, 2005 -> 07:35 PM) I just wonder with Ozzie around if he's ever going to get that chance to start, because I think Ozzie has pretty much made his mind up that he's going to be pitching out of the pen as a lefty. In a perfect world, I'd like to see him back down at Charlotte starting, working on developing his other pitches, but that probably ain't going to happen. I think last year was tough and one of the problems with having a team thats always in contention is developing players. You can't let a guy like Cotts run out every 5th day and take a shot on him getting shelled because your in it for the playoffs (which is a good thing). I know a lot of teams have in the past (playoff contenders) let guys build confidence for a year or two in the pen. This may be a good plan for Cotts, especially because I think we'll see him put up good numbers this season. Then the Sox could shift him to the rotation in a year or two when another guy is available. Its definately not bad to have depth and I think the Sox have that since I do anticipate at least a few starts missed (you have to).

Funny as it is, its been pouring down here and Fullerton has been getting rained out left and right. They got only part of one game in this weekend against USC (Southern Cal) and were losing in the 8th and for some reason instead of it being a win, the rest of the game will be finished at a later date. Evansville, like I mentioned before, is a quality baseball school.

I'm gonna pick this baby up tomorrow.

Just want to see Boz, badass idea. We need to make an easy place to see all these predictions so at the end of the year we can all look back and see whose close.

Blogs are pretty cool. I have read yours (you've had some good minor league stuff on it) as well as cheats. I haven't been to cheat's lately but I think his, like mine (SoxNet) has been pretty empty for a while since there really hasn't been much to talk about (and in my case I'm lazy). Also read blackbetsy's. I think they are pretty cool, especially the ones that have the statistical details that my non-statistic self can actually understand, haha.

Bmac's fastball has just been getting better ever season (velocity wise) and he has great control of all three of his pitches. I think Rex says it best (because he's seen him pitch the most) in regards to Brandon learning to waste a pitch or two and I think he's even made reference to that. I think the big reason the Sox previous guys failed was because they got themselves into trouble control wise and when your a rookie making your first few starts your gonna be in deep s*** when your constantly behind in the count. Bmcc isn't going to find himself in that case and his changeup should be even better. This past season was the year his changeup really took off and is at least an average pitch already and when mixed with his heater and curve its a real nice thing to have. As far as who is ahead of him, Diaz and Cotts would obviously but same with Hermanson. I don't think Adkins can start nor can Munoz (at the major league level that is). However, later on in the season I think Bmac moves to the top because quite frankly if he's pitching like he can the Sox are better off putting Bmac in the rotation and allowing the Sox to keep Hermy in the bullpen simply because then you don't mess as much with chemistry. Thats soley because I think the Sox are going to have a STELLAR bullpen and I love that fact. The only thing I worry about is if somehow Shingo takes a dump because then the Sox are left without a good closer.

The biggest mistake the Sox are making is not giving Cotts starts in spring training. Neal Cotts has all the ability to be a good starting pitcher and It sucks that he's kind of stuck in a rut. I think he'll be a good reliever, but no doubt in my mind that he'd be a good starting pitcher if given the chance.

Fact or Fiction: A White Sox starting pitcher will win 20 games this season. Fact....I think Buehrle will be a 20 game winner with Garcia coming right behind him and getting quite close Fact or Fiction: Willie Harris will be on the White Sox opening day roster. Fact....Regardless of Iguchi's potential, he's still unproven and because of that the Sox are going to keep Willie as a backup plan. I also am a firm believer that if dealt, Willie will have a good major league career. Fact or Fiction: Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez will toss more than 140 innings this season. Fiction. No chance in hell. Fact or Fiction: Shingo Takatsu will record more than 30 saves this season. Fact. This team has a good bullpen and he's gonna get plenty of save opportunities. He's got a nasty changeup to go with his fastball and since he doesn't depend on his velocity I tend to think he's one of those guys that can be sucessful even as he continues to get older. Fact or Fiction: Scott Podsednik will set a career high in both batting average and OBP this season. Fiction...I think he will have a good season, but he's not going to put up the rookie numbers in hitting. Fact or Fiction: Frank Thomas will play in more than 120 games this season. Fiction...unless we are adding playoff games into the mix. Fact or Fiction: Carl Everett will get more than 350 at-bats this season. Fact. Most definately. Carl is going to be a bigtime contributor and you'll see him have a very good season in a type of 10th man role. Fact or Fiction: A White Sox starter other than Mark Buehrle or Freddy Garcia will throw a complete game shutout this season. Fact. Jon Garland will as will Contreras. El Duque will not throw a complete game and the Sox would be nuts if they let him considering how fragile he is. And finally....Fact or Fiction: The White Sox will win the American League Central in 2005. Fact...they have the bullpen and lineup to do it, assuming the rotation stays healthy and Contreras and Garland can improve and pitch close to there potential, this team has staying power.

QUOTE(TheBigHurt35 @ Feb 18, 2005 -> 01:45 PM) If I were Merck, I'd be looking to bring in a new CEO. Gilmartin was a moron for pulling the drug off of the market in the first place. They could've easily kept it on the market and alerted the doctors and patients of these side effects (which were in only in a very small percentage of patients). And it's not like pulling the drug would've kept them safe from class-action lawsuits. All that could possibly accomplish was a hit to their bottom line and eventual layoffs. Merck handled the whole situation like assholes. They knew of the sideeffects and instead of informing the public they did nothing. They actually deserve the lawsuit, even though I freaking hate 99% of all attorneys because they are freaking bastards (notice I'm leaving it open because I do know a few nice ones).

Plus he's had flu-like symptons. To be honest the dunk contest and the all star game mean nothing when compared to what a few days off could do for you.

Trust me, thats Cotts with a beard. I wonder what Steff thinks of this development

QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Feb 19, 2005 -> 12:57 PM) We have a fifth starter this year troll boy. Care to explain why all these rookies from last year won't undergo a sophmore slump like Jody last year? Not if El Duque does his usual and falls apart after 100 innings.

QUOTE(YoungstownIndians @ Feb 19, 2005 -> 12:54 PM) HAHA. The Twins Rotation is probably the best in the A.L. There is a reason they have held you off the past 3 years. Well the year the Sox had Elo, Colon, Buehrle and Garland the Sox had the superior rotation. They also played vastly worse then there potential and couldn't do the little things it took to win the game. They also had Billy Botch in the pen. I do agree, the Twins have won the division the past 3 years for a reason. I'd say its a solid rotation mixed with a super strong bullpen and the fact that there defense makes as few mistakes as possible and there offense does a good job capitilizing on other teams mistakes.

Dude, no way. Radke is better then Garcia (Garcia has superior stuff) and Santana is light-years better then Buehrle and thats no knock on Buehrle, its just how good Santana is. Its not even close, the Twins front two is better then the Sox. That could change with injuries or Garcia pitching like he's capable of, but until then its not the case. And all I'm saying is the Sox back 3 isn't proven and its not, no other way of putting it. I think both Garland and Contreras have loads of potential, but potential doesn't = production and El Duque has to be healthy and he's done nothing to prove that over his career and its why I never liked the signing and thought it was stupid. If he ends up being healthy then I agree, Sox rotation would be better, but I don't put faith in guys that over the long haul prove they are fragile.

Gimme a freaking break. More of this democrats care, republicans don't crap. Please.

QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Feb 19, 2005 -> 12:50 PM) Oh come on. It's still best rotation in the AL Central. Contreras career as a starter: 19-10, 228 IP, 4.70 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 8.17 K/9, .236 BAA Garland will be fine as the #5 starter. Santana, Radke >>>>> Buehrle/Garcia Twins have the better rotation until Garland/Contreras prove that they can pitch at a better level and that El Duque can actually stay healthy. I think the Sox have the better lineup and as good of a bullpen. If Shingo pitches like he did last year, then the Sox pen will be better.

QUOTE(YoungstownIndians @ Feb 19, 2005 -> 12:42 PM) To say the White Sox offense is better than the Indians is FALSE. Simple. The Indians may indeed have the best OFFENSE In the league. And ask any analyst and they'd agree. No, they wouldn't. And are you forgetting the fact that the White Sox had the 3rd best offense in the league without Maggs and Thomas for a good chunk of the year. Dye's production over a full season is better then the production the Sox got out of Maggs for part of the season and then the turds Borchard/Timo Perez the other part of the season (thats statistically PROVEN). Then you have Everett and Thomas who together will be better then Thomas for part of last year. Then you have Iguchi replacing Willie Harris who was below average last year, which should also be an upgrade. You have Uribe who could put up similar numbers to last year (could also decline). Crede can't do anyworse then he did last year and is a guy with loads of potential plus he's gonna be the freaking 8 hole hitter. AJ Pyrzinski is a proven all star and a GOOD hitter. The guy will hit around .300 and is an INSANE upgrade over Ben Davis/Jamie Burke/Miguel Olivo. Then you have Scott Posednik leading off who will be a solid leadoff hitter, something the Sox lacked last year. And of course Rowand and Konerko who should both put up good numbers. Hmmmm, the Sox offense actually should be as good as last year if not better. The Indians lose Omar Vizquel, will not get the season they got from Belliard last year and then are depending on guys like Peralta (and its proven that rookies and first/2nd year players are going to have ups and downs). YOu may get one to show up and just be a stud from the get-go (Pujols) but thats few and far between. So please inform me how the Tribe offense has gotten better because Peralta and whoever else they run out is gonna be a major downgrade at SS. Then you have Aaron Boone which will be solid, Casey Blake (solid), Coco Crisp (solid), Haffner (good), Martinez (good) and Belliard (will be worse). So I'd say the Indians offense should perform similarly if you see some marked improvement out of some of there guys that have been in the league a few years, mixed with the fact that they will have loss production with Belliard (last year was a CAREER year) and same can be said for losing Vizquel (who had a great season last year and was a big ass piece to that lineup). Do I need to mention the loss of Matt Lawton as well????? The Sox offense is still POTENT and the Indians is good, but the Sox offense is and will do better.

QUOTE(YoungstownIndians @ Feb 19, 2005 -> 12:09 PM) Okay you say I should be banned since I DONT BACK UP WHAT I SAY? Okay sure... I got ya there Now to say you only lost Lee is pathetic. Maggs, despite playing only a third of the year, and Valentin who helped you win games, 3 Game Winners against my team on homeruns; they are all big losses. I say my rotation is not as good as year, I say my bullpen is about the same as you. {And Trust Me It Is! We loaded it up!} I say my offense is better than you. Okay I admit your rotation from top to bottom is a bit better than the Indians. You guys have more experience so Kudos to you on that. Now What hits me is you think the Indians don't have a good offense. To say Victor Martinez and Travis Hafner had Break Out years is lame. They had an average .300 average from A-MLB. Now this lineup is loaded whether you like it or not. Crisp, Belliard, Broussard, Martinez, Hafner, Blake, Gonzalez, Boone, and Peralta {AAA MVP} Now I am always shaky with out 6-9 hitters. Blake has proven he can stay at .290 for a whole year. Gonzalez, if healthly, could really give us the insurance in the back. Our 8-9 will be average. I admit it. The Indians offense is not better then the White Sox offense. The faith you have in your youngsters will soon resound. Players make progressions on there way up. Victor Martinez and Haffner both appear to be studs in the making, but I don't want to hear about Broussard, and Peralta and Belliard (can I say one year wonder) and even Coco Crisp. None of these guys are ready to just explode onto the scene. I do like Boone and Casey Blake and feel the Indians have a solid offense, but not a great one. At times it will be very explosive, just like the Sox offense has been for the past few years. But Paul Konerko, Frank Thomas, Jermaine Dye, and Aaron Rowand are all very capable run producers. Then the Sox have Spod and Iguchi at the top of the lineup and Pyrzinski who is a proven average hitter and then Crede and Uribe (both have loads of talent). Don't tell me the tribe has a better offense then the SOx because the loss of Maggs wasn't that big of a deal since the Sox offense ranked 3rd even without him and Frank and they will have Frank back. Oh ya, did I mention an inshape Carl Everett. Please, I will debate starting pitching because I think the Sox rotation could be really good, but at the same time it could be pretty AWFUL. The bullpen will be very strong though.

We can talk about pitching all we want, but I'm not going to say the Sox have a good starting rotation. El Duque is as fragile as china and Garland and Contreras have proven absolutely nothing in the majors thus far. So the Sox have Buehrle, Garcia, and the rest questionmarks in my book. We shall see, we shall see. I do love the Sox bullpen though and I'm not saying the Sox won't have a good rotation, but by all means I could see some experts thinking we have a rather crappy rotation. Just look at the career numbers of Garland and Contreras, nuff said.

Heads, don't drink yourself to death over this victory. I'm sure you'll be in shock for the next week. Hell of a win for the Cyclones.

Yep.