Chisoxfn

The sale will not go through. Eli Broad will buy the team and Peter O'Malley will become the teams new president. Broad has the money and is a multi-billionarie. When you add the fact that O'Malley would be one of the minority investors and there is no chance the McCourt deal goes down.

Plus, you have to remember, if this team is in competition come June, there is nothing to say that they won't go out and add a few million in payroll then. I know its not JR's style, but if he feels the team could go far and he smells playoff revenue, then I'm sure its a possibility. Afterall, the only player I really blame the Sox for losing is Bartolo Colon, but when you look at it they made a very very fair offer. Would it of been nice to get Ponson yes, but JR obviously wasn't comfortable adding his payroll unless he felt very confident that he was getting a stud pitcher. I don't necessarily agree with that, but I am thinking in some way shape or form that was his approach.

The players this team will miss are Bartolo Colon and Tom Gordon. Essentially those are the two players the Sox lost that were with the team all season. I still don't believe that Roberto Alomar was anything special during his tenure with the Sox. Statistically he put up worse numbers then D'Angelo Jimenez. I do realize he added a so called spark to the team, but I don't really believe he was the reason the Sox improved. Now Carl Everett, was definately a big step up, while he will be a loss, the team can survive without him. Rowand/Reed may not put up as good of numbers as he did (Well not out of the gate at least) but remember, before the trades the Sox were still a team that was vastly under-achieving yet still right in the thick of the race. While Sully will be missed and Everett will definately be missed, they can live without that production. The big key will be getting Konerko back in gear and getting production from Willie Harris. Think of it this way, no one really had a career year on the Sox last season (offensively speaking) and Konerko has to get better while Crede and Olivo should improve. This offense is still good enough if they get the production from Willie Harris and Jeremy Reed/Rowand or whoever is in center won't be that bad. Heck, Graffy will be missed, but hopefully Uribe can step up. On the plus side to losing Gordon, Koch can't be any worse then he was last year and if he rejuvanates he is a big step up. If the Sox can get something from Politte (he had been solid up until last season) then chalk that up as another plus. Colon is the one piece that can't be replaced, but Elo stepped up as an ace and if he can keep that ace status they will have a very good one two in Elo and Buehrle, which is the same 1-2 type combo we were all raving about last year this time (Colon-Buehrle). Remember that Garland is the 3rd but the 4th and 5th are pretty weak right now. Last year the Sox had Dan Wright slotted as the 4th and most of us were excited. This year its Scott Scho and well, realistically he couldn't do worse then Wright did last year. They also have the big if with the 5th spot, but that was an if last year and thats where Elo came in. If the Sox get a few pitchers to step up, Buehrle and Garland to improve (I think both are more then capable of it) then I think this team could be in pretty damn good shape (considering they are playing in the AL Central). The hard thing is, we see all these pieces leaving and think wait, how could the team compete, but honestly, its still more then good enough to compete as long as it doesn't underachieve like it has the past couple years. Willie Harris Aaron Rowand/Jeremy Reed Frank Thomas Magglio Ordonez Carlos Lee Paul Konerko Jose Valentin Joe Crede Miguel Olivo OR Willie Harris Carlos Lee Frank Thomas Magglio Ordonez Paul Konerko Jose Valentin Joe Crede Aaron Rowand/Jeremy Reed Miguel Olivo The one thing I'd really like to see the Sox pickup is a nice left handed bat, because this order is way to right handed oriented, but thats the same problem the Sox had in 2000 and that didn't stop them. Ya, its not the best they have had, but still, you could count on an avg of 100 RBI between Lee, Thomas, Maggs, and Paulie which would be pretty damn good run support. And then Jose and Crede should have solid production (Jose's average will probably be crappy, but he does hit the homers and knock in runs).

Wouldn't have a clue. I haven't ever heard Michigan State being synomous with baseball, so I'm assuming its like most cold whether schools, not that good. Don't worry though, Fullerton sucks at everythign else

Thats right...go Titans They have a lot of good players and although they lost their top starter and reliever, they are a very young and talented team. Can't wait for the season to start so I can watch baseball for free again

Where did Deshaun Foster go to highschool...thats right Tustin High, which whooped up on my school that year . Foster ran for about 300 yards and I think 4 tds

They could lose a 3rd straight NFC Championship game. Mushin Muhammed just scored a touchdown and the Panthers are up 7-0. Panthers offense is looking pretty good thus far and Stephen Davis actually looks semi healthy.

If the injury is serious, I'd assume his playing career with the Sox would be over with.

I think it would be whichever of the two (Rivera/Burke) is playing better in Charlotte. But if you follow the way the Sox have handled it, Burke did get some playing time last season with the Sox and I don't think Rivera did (At least I don't remember him receiving a call up).

Pretty much I consider all of those stats meaningless. I don't pay much attention to winterball stats. When I was writing that I even thought about how few innings Pacheco pitched. Only reason I put it as dissapointing, was because the numbers weren't all that good and I'm sure the Sox had higher expectations for him, although I don't really know why he was playing winterball since he had a full workload with the Barons. The only stats I really heavily noticed was that Munoz had a very impressive strikeout ratio and that Jon Adkins was absolutely lit up. I'll also give Ross Gload, Felix Diaz, Campos and Aaron Rowand some credit for what they did. The other reason I don't think those stats are overly important is becasue quite often the players over there are working on one aspect of their game specifically and it could really effect their stats, but in the long run make them better.

No specific source on him being a scout, although I have heard rumblings that he has recommneded a few players to the White Sox and other teams. I also noticed him doing a lot of "scout" type work when he was in Winston Salem, but for all I know thats something most of the pitchers do. I could be completely wrong. Thanks for informing me about him being in Charlotte As far as a 3rd catcher, are you referring to something I said? The only thing I remember writing was mentioning how either Burke or Rivera could replace Sandy Alomar if he was injured, otherwise I assume both will be handling the duties in Charlotte while ocassionally dh'ing and playing first base.

I dunno, Brady can really read and breakdown defenses. He's nowhere near as talented as Peyton, but its tough to compare them cause they are two entirely different quarterbacks.

The Colts didn't stand a chance. The game was such a whooping and I'm happy for the Pats. For whateve reason I've been pulling for them all season and am glad to see them get their shot in the superbowl.

On the bright side, lets just remember how many of us were excited when the Sox signed Elo last year.

Ty Law and the rest of the Pats secondary is playing fantastic. And crap are they bringing the wood.

Doubt it, but I do think they will make at least one move, I'd rather see the Bulls get a young cheaper player, but I really don't know who the heck is on the trade block.

I refuse to call him "choke" yet. This game is far from over with, too many times this year the Colts have came back and they still have essentially the entire 4th quarter and they are down by 2 touchdowns, plus they have the ball.

My guess would be Antwan Jamisson. I think the move would make sense if they could swing some type of 3 way deal with the Mavs. My guess is that Erob would go but I'd rather see Jerome Williams dealt along with Crawford and Fizer could go as well.

EJ ran the ball with authority on that drive, but as I type this Antwain Smith just broke out like a 30 yard run and the Pats are once again deep in Colts territory. Hopefully this time the Pats can pick up a TD

That was such a sweet pick by Ty Law. Marvin Harrison just fumbled and now it should be 15-0 at the end of the 1st half.

Brady just makes a completion to Troy Brown and the Pats are inside the 20

One of Jason Grilli/Felix Diaz/Robert Person

Just got to quickly say, I love watching games where it is snowing and all that. Brady looked good out of the gate and the Pats jumpd to a 7-0 lead. The Colts marched right back down the field, but Peyton was picked in the endzone and now the Pats have the ball. I got a feeling this is going to be an exciting, explosive game. I'm rooting for the Pats, but this is gonna be a good game.

Grilli already busted with teh Marlins organization due to injuries. Now he's getting healthy and could turn into a very productive player. I'd compare him to a guy that could put together a season similar to Carl Pavano, an oft injured top prospect that the Marlins picked up that ended up turning into a pretty solid pitcher this past season. Pavano was the key prospect in the Pedro trade. He's better then Grilli, but Grilli was a key prospect the Giants sent to the Marlins for Rob Nen (Or at least I think it was Nen).

My belief is a prospect should be given the time to trot out there and pitch and take their licks at least a few times, knowing that htey will be allowed to go right back out there. Minor leaguers have to adjust when they are promoted to a new level (From A to AA, etc) and they still have to adjust when they make the jump to the majors. Now with Ginter, he has been given time in the majors, but I've never seen him consistently used for a few week to a month period where even if he struggles a game or two, they bring him back out and let him make his adjustments and get used to the game at the major league level. I feel less about Ginter in this fashion, cause he does have a little more experience in the majors then Willie Harris, who almost never has been given like 2 consecutive weeks where he's playing essentially everyday getting at bats. I find it very hard to judge a prospect in the majors based on a few at bats every week. To me consistent playing time is sometimes what it takes. Of course we could all argue whether the Sox have had the time or situations to develop guys in this fashion and for the most part they haven't because they've had high expectations. I still look back to two years ago, 2001, when the Sox were raveled by injuries yet Jerry Manuel continued to play veterans like Jose Valentin rather then giving guys like Joe Crede, Aaron Rowand and others extended playing time. That always upset me. My thought is, once your out of competition, then the select players you have that could help the club in the next year or so and that are ready (You don't want to bring up a guy if you don't think the time in the majors would help them) you bring them up and let them take their licks then, plus you can get a little better idea on your prospects as well, but at least they get some of the learning done during a time where your already out of it.