Chisoxfn

I think that the Sox should play Rowand a few days in left field or play Daubach there. Lee is really struggling the past few games and his swing is getting very long again. Lee and Konerko should be two guys that are gone sometime before the start of next season (preferably now).

Also, while Koch shouldn't of been out there, once it gets to that situation, things need to be taken care of. I think anyone here has the right to go off on Koch because he hasn't produced and to top that Keith Foulke has. I don't think many of us doubted that Foulke would come through. Personally, I didn't think Manuel would ever use Foulke as a closer so I was in favor of the trade. I also realized the Sox would lose folk and we had Koch longer. In hindsight I don't know what I'd do. I am very happy we have Cotts though. I do like my ideas for trying to move Koch for Weaver. Urbina is definately better then Koch (Uriban was supposedly going for Weaver) but if we can play the BoSox card then George will definately get involved, plus Weaver makes money so the Sox would need him. Then I'd do the same with Colon and swing a deal for Ponson and Castillo. For Colon I'd try and get Nixon, Sanchez and then Fossum (The first two are musts, imo).

What sickens me about every game the Sox play in is that there are so many mistakes and failures. I've been hoping Maneul would get on his guys and tell them how failing to do the basics will get them in the doughouse and have them on the bench, but its still not working. I think some of this must stem from the fact that Manuel is so lax in the clubhouse and was for a long time (Pure Assumption by Me). These mistakes are one of the biggest reasons I think this team needs a shakeup (Trade Wise, as my mind has been busy the fast few days coming up with ways to rebuild this team quickly) as well as a managerial shakeup. I really want Backman up here. He seems like my kind of manager and he always has gotten the best out of his minor league teams. I really think he's an up and coming manager.

Sad, but so true!!! It seems as if EVERYTHING KW touches turns into stone. I guess the kharma surrounding KW is all bad!!! I'm beginning to see what HSC has been talking about all this time. :fyou KW!!! HSC doesn't know anything. Do not give into her frequent posts like it means she is knowledgeable. She isn't anymore than you. She is the most opinionated person I have seen on a message board. Check her stats out on here. She posts 50 times more than anyone else. It's amazing. Marte gives up two runs, both inherited runners, that by the way, don't count on his era, and you're pissed at Koch. Another who doesn't understand the game. That 's okay we will pray for you. You can say if Crede didn't make that error they win. Or if Carlos Lee could make any freaking contact (Minus a DP) they would of got a run in the ninth. I'd rip Jose too, but he did have a homer, evne though he looked awful in the at bats I saw (The latter ones).

Sox should deal Koch for Jeff Weaver The Giants could be interested in Koch too as could the Red Sox. If I'm KW, I just make it look like the BoSox are interested and you'll get the Yanks involved. I'd do the same in regards to Colon and try to bid the price up and then bam, land Sanchez, Nixon, and Fossum or another prospect.

Ya, my grandparents were right by it and I'm going to be out there on Friday (till Tuesday I think).

Here it is. Game starts in a few minutes.

Congrats and I'm assuming UNI is Northern Illinois Make sure you have a great summer and kick it with all your buddies as much as you can, cause a lot of people don't end up seeing their buds from highschool once they go away to college.

Damn, thats a hell of an idea.

Damn, thats a great pic Steff

I also forgot to add that this team would need a different manager to play that style of baseball. I could careless that Manuel says that the type of manager he is. He had six years to show me that and he hasn't. Backman is the guy I want running that team. To me that team has a few guys that can hit homers and speed all around them. Most of those guys are fundementally sound and having a coach that preaches the little things will force the others to be fundementally sound or get traded. Damn would I love to see those things happen and I don't really think any of those deals are far fethced. Yanks want a closer and can spend money. Red Sox could use a starter and good reliever.

Welcome aboard Farmio. Glover has been awful as of late. He's kind of went into the doghouse as White has came out of it. Two years ago Glover had great movement, now I never see it. I don't have a clue what happened to him.

I'm lost

Heck if the Sox are going to dump Konerko's salary on anyone, it would be the Yanks that could maybe take it. Weaver does make some money so you could deal Konerko and Koch for Weaver and a prospect (Juan Rivera or maybe an infield prospect). Sox cut payroll and find ways to afford to reup with Buehrle, etc.

Weaver is old school. I'd love having him on this team. He also has phenomenal stuff. If the Sox could add Weaver and Ponson for next year, then move Colon for our new shortstop (Sanchez) and Trot Nixon and maybe Fossum (If you throw in Colon I think you can do it). Then the Sox can move Jose for a good relief prospect (I'd think they could get that). Then you really have a great foundation for next years club and the payroll would be about the same if not a little less. It would be great if they could unload Konerko's contract though or even Carlos Lee. I wouldn't be against moving either of them once those other trades go down (If you have Nixon, Harris and Ordonez I won't complain; Borchard and Reed waiting in the wings; Webster and Co. a few years later). Then of course if there is the potential to do a DJ and something for Castillo swap go for it. Not saying that will happen. But think of this rotation and tell me it wouldn't be awesome and very young Buehrle Loaiza Weaver Ponson Garland Closer: Dan Wright/Damaso Marte Pen: Ring, Munoz, Fossum, Ginter, etc (Rather weak, but sign two vets for a mill a piece or so and its pretty good). I love Dan Wright, but like some say he'd make a great closer, even though I think he's a heck of a starter. Lineup Castillo or Jimenez Nixon Thomas Ordonez Daubach Crede Olivo Sanchez Harris Not as many poppers, but damn good speed and a much better mixture. This isn't even to say what the Sox could get for Carlos and Konerko. Don't think PK has much value, Carlos does have some value. Could land a good reliever (Mota, etc) or could grab another outfielder that fits in a different way (Better fundementals), could go for pitching prospects. Konerko will be for a high priced guy and maybe a prospect.

Well if you acquire Weaver, you could then ship Colon or prospects. I'd use Weaver as a plan for next year most likely. Build this team for next year and hope they could somehow come back this year.

If the Rangers deal Urbina for Weaver or if thats possible, what would people think of a Weaver for Koch trade? I think you can never have too many starters and for the pen you can move guys from the rotation there, etc. I really think all Weaver needs is out of the Yanks system.

s***, if that were to happen I'd be excited.

Mainly because those aren't worthy numbers of a 3 hole hitter (The .250 28 hr ones.)

I tend to agree with you. So many catchers get picked high and 99% of them fail. Catchers can look like the most talented guys in the world and they still fail. Of course the same is of position players and pitchers, but not quite as high of a rate. There is a lot of risk to drafting a catcher high. Thats why I would of liked taking Powell who fell and just paid the money and chanced it there.

If the Sox are going to trade Buehrle, trade him to the Padres. Padres have some excellent prospects and are going to want to add a few playerse for next year. They will be one team that could be buying at the break, when it comes to getting young talented players. I think a package of Konerko and Buehrle could get the Sox a lot in the way of Greene, Klesko, and one to two of their best pitchers (I'd love Jake Peavy but I doubt they do it). Still, I'm not a fan of dealing Buehrle. I'm a huge Buehrle fan and we have him a long time. Not many lefties have or will win 40 games by the time they are 23.

Lol I know, I have contacted all the minor leauge teams and gotten passes. They told me to call them when I'm going to get to games and they'll set me up. Only thing is I didn't call them to tell them about this for some reason. Sometimes I Get to slow with things and then a few days ago I was like aw crap, its this week and got on the phone. I promise to do better next year. This was my first time at a minor league game. Also on the roadtrip I'm gonna be getting tons of footage. I figure this is a great way for those that only read about guys to see them and put their face on them. In terms of closeness, it was really cool. I saw a few members of the media and I don't even know what they were doing, cause none of them were on the field. They were all standing back farther then me for some reason. Rancho Cucamunga had a very fan friendly stadium and it was an absolute blast. The bullpen was right down the line and it was by the bleachers. The nice thing was the bleachers were elevated and there was this little stair section that took you down to the field right next to the bullpen where you could stand there and watch the guy pitch without getting in anyones way. One of the nicest parks I've been to. It ranks there with quite a few of the spring training parks in Arizona. I also picked up all the autographs of the Carolina team. Usually I don't go for auto's but they had an hour set aside soley for that. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get the California teams as well. Two players that I wanted to see were missing from the game: Jeremy Reed and Grienke (Royals top prospect). I'm assuming Grienke was promoted as well. Either way it was an absolute blast and for those of you that haven't been to a minor league game, if you have a team in your area, I say check it out. Its a huge difference from major league baseball because you can sit real close without spending a ton of money. Kind of a great alternative if you have a huge family and can't afford to get good seats at a major league game. But I guess thats why minor league baseball is growing so much. I thought they would have more gimmicks at the game, but they didn't. The mascots they had were pretty funny though.

I was supposed to get media credentials, but I didn't call in in time, so I ended up being just there as a fan. I'm assuming what I did was legal. No one bothered me while filming. I tried telling Ruddy Yan about being in Birmingham and talking with him, but he didn't really understand what I was saying. Well I think he understood it, but didn't pick up on it. I'm assuming he isn't very comfortable talking to fans in English. Ryan Wing seemed like a really nice guy while Honel had a cocky type of image but he was real nice as well. When I told him I expect to see him in Chicago soon his face lit up and he said how excited he was to be up there and he seems to think he can make it there real quick. After seeing that knuckle curve and the movement on the fastball, I'm a believer.

Cubs have a good record, but I wouldn't say the Sox would get crushed in the first round. Just like with the Cubs, the Sox have very good pitching and if good pitching gets into the playoffs anything can happen. Not saying the Sox are a playoff team, cause until they prove they can do the small things they aren't in my mind. The same goes in my mind for the Cubs. Both teams have things to work on, but the Cubs are in better shape as of right now, mainly cause their pitching has been BETTER.

I like Pietrus. Like you say what JayWill did was wrong and stupid, but I hope he's alright. I do think he's a good guy and is very sorry about it. Of course thats in hindsight and I'm sure once his life is out of danger there will be a lot of angry fans. Reports were that the Bulls would of dealt Williams to the Sonics for two first round picks. Oh well, now I can only wish Jay Will the best, not only in his recover from the injuries, but hoping he can make it in the NBA as well.