Chisoxfn

I think we both know that KochThis knows nothing, he is a homer that won't stop crying and look at the facts. Notre Dame beat Marquette, Maryland and Texas in the same week. They could take Illinois. Well part of college sports is being an absolute homer, well if you have school spirit. Then you could be like me who doesn't give a damn about its schools teams, other then the baseball one. But I THINK the Hawkeyes are going to win the NIT. I think the Illini are a very talented team and can go far, but I look at the other seeds, and they may be smaller names, but they all earned there slot. If Illinois is going to win it all, then they'll do it no matter who they are playing, otherwise, they just aren't the best, but they are pretty good, but they've also been quite the dissapointment, imo.

Thanks Clujer. I'd fill in but I'm at work just ocassionally updating this thread while doing some "work" stuff. If I had speakers I'd probably turn the game on, heck its on AM 710 where I am. Too bad I'm not driving around today.

I think Uconn Syracuse and Pitt would all beat the Illini. The one exception could be Syracuse. I think Illinois would have a good shot in the game. I'd say Notre Dame would have a shot too, but its tough considering they are slumping. They did prove they could beat a lot of good teams though.

Talent wise, Harris has lots of it. Defensively is supposed to be his strong suit at least when he's playing second, but offensively he's been weak. He typically hits a lot of fly balls, but when I watched him in spring he was hitting a lot more grounders, none of them were getting through, but still an improved sign. He has tons of speed too, but he strikes out way too much and doesn't draw enough walks to utilize that speed. He'll probably become a bench player with some team. I'd think there is a shot he gets dealt when the Sox look to add a player in July.

I'd go with Randy Johnson. Maybe we could use a centerfielder, but one more front pitcher and wow. If were being semi-realistic, I'd say Carlos Beltran.

Davannon would either be playing outfield or dh'ing. Lol, I think they are far off with Flash. I didn't think about it, and he was a starter a while ago, but I don't think they would take any chance with that. Good to see Stewart doing well.

Personally I think the Midwest is the toughest. The names aren't as big, but those schools are exceptionally talented.

Cirillo? Didn't the Mariners give him that money though?

The thing is, we know we have Burke, we don't know whether they have Paul, since someone like the Padres would claim him in a heart-beat. The Sox don't really know what Burke will do at the major league level and for those that rip Paul defensively, you definately won't like Burke. The key is, use Paul early, see what he can do. He's always been solid back their as a backup, and you know if needed he can hold up over time if Olivo and Alomar really suck. I'm not saying Paul is great, as I'm waiting for Olivo and hoping Alomar stays healthy, but you can't cut Paul hoping Burke keeps it up at the major league level. Plus, Burke has to adjust to the staff, while Paul is rather familiar with it. And if Alomar goes down and Olivo just isn't ready, do you really want Burke as your full time catcher, knowing you don't have any alternative if he fails. If you keep Paul then you know if he fails and Alomar is hurt and Olivo fails, you still have Burke, meaning more options. Just my 2 cents.

When I saw Sandy down in spring, he was pretty chizled and was roping the ball. Looking like the Alomar of 5 years ago or so.

Trust me there is a harder bracket. Those schools definately got the name recognition and I think Kansas and Arizona are top notch, but Duke is weak this year.

Go to http://ps2.ign.com they really go in depth about every game. World Series is the one that I was originally going to get, cause its got so many features. I'm just gonna rent and then decide.

LMAO

Right now I haven't made a pick, but I think there are going to be a lot of upsets this year with some sleeper teams like the Illinois, Uconn, and Maryland so far back.

You can also apply that to actors. The fact is if people are going to go and support them, then they deserve some of the money. Are salaries ridiculous, your damn right they are. Still if the owners are going to offer them then the players should accept them. I do hope that 02-03 was just the start. NO longer should owners be absolute idiots signing 4th or 5th starters to 6 mill a year type deals or giving guys like Sterling Hitchock 5 mill a year or Royce Clayton 4 mill per.

It will be Paul and Alomar to start the season unless Olivo gets his swing figured out. He's looking lost at the plate, but he's showing that laser in the field. A couple months won't hurt him and I believe Alomar and Paul can hold up till then. Alomar is in real good shape and I'm not going to say he's going to go injury free, but it looks more and more like he's only going to catch for Buehrle and Colon and maybe one of the other guys, thats pretty much it. They are going to really limit his action.

Sirotka won't amount to anything and I dont' think Parque will either. Both had some solid seasons on the southside. When I heard the Wells deal I was very excited. It didn't pay off, but thats the type of chance that was worth taking.

Two other things i must add. Matt, I gotta disagree with you throwing Konerko as one of the players thats a defensive liability. He's one of the better defensive first baseman in the majors. He's great at turning the double play and he's good at picking balls and makes most the plays. Yes, he lacks range, but so does every first baseman in baseball, except Scott Spiezo and maybe JT Snow. Also, as far as the bullpen goes, I think its one of the strongest areas of the team. Glover - Fantastic Reliever, imo - this guy will prove a lot this season - great fastball, curve, change and uses the cutter a bit as well. We know he can't start, but we've seen this guy excell in the pen. Flash - Lights out when healthy, nuff said. If he goes down, Ginter/Almonte are options or we could go with one of the two lefties Sanders/Munoz or even a longer guy like Stewart or Rauch. As far as Ginter he isn't slated to be a member of the pen and he may even go back to the rotation in AAA, where he excelled a couple years ago. I think Ginter may have his coming out party this year at the major league level. White - Can't judge this guy on his spring stats. He's got better life on his fastball then I ever thought, and the curve's just don't break in Arizona, its why curve ball pitchers, and pitchers in general struggle in spring training. Get him back to Comiskey and he'll be fine. He's proven himself over the long haul with the exception to Coors, which no one has proven themselves at. Koch - This guy is developing some offspeed stuff as you could see on Saturdays game where he wasn't really using his fastball at all. Control seems to be improving and last year he was lights out without control. This guy is still very young and should only get better. Could be best closer in majors by the end of the season. I think he has Percy potential, but hopefully not Percy's medical record. Marte - Love this guy from the left side. He can get lefties or righties and flat out throws strikes Wunsch - Very Very impressive this spring and he's proven he can get lefties out, which is what his job is. Look at 2000 and I don't really think it was a out of nowhere year. Last year he did the job when he finally got healthy and he should only be better a year removed from the injury. To me I'm very confident in all of them, especially if they are all healthy. Can anyone name other teams with a pen this deep. Plus you have Munoz, Sanders, and Almonte all considered very good relief prospect down in the minors.

Happy BDay Buddy. This weekend, we'll go out somewhere. Hope ya have a kickass Bday

Well, someone would of gave him 20 million per over 6 yrs or so (I think the Braves offered something like this) and then Texas offered 25 per over 10.

I'm very comfortable with Flash as long as he's healthy. I think the only thing you have to worry about with him is that. When this guy is healthy, he's awesome. Overall though, nice article Matt

Chisoxfn, Where abouts in CA are you? I'm down in Orange County, Irvine to be exact. I go to school in Fullerton though. If ya don't know where Irvine is, I'm a little less then 15 minutes South of Anaheim Stadium.

He had the shot to make good money if he made the roster, but pretty much all of the contract was incentives. I think they will lose like 50 k or so. I wish him the best as he was nothing but good and classy while here, but I really have believed he is done. Its sad he had to have such a severe arm injury and he just hasn't ever been able to come back from it, and I don't really think he ever will. Its already been like 2 years, maybe 3 since his operation.

Commentary: Ten Things to Talk About By Matt Michel March 17, 2003

I read where Olivo's problems were due to him taking a while to learn english. Now he's improved a whole lot and he may not be perfect but its not longer much of a concern.