Chisoxfn

You ask...we deliver!

QUOTE (jeffro2525 @ May 18, 2010 -> 11:07 AM) Dude...I don't think there are many games this year where we have outhit the opposition. Given the fact that we have the lowest team avg in MLB (at least I think we do), I'd have to say that we probably haven't outhit many teams.

Above is a quote from a Bryce Harper chat. I don't know why, but this would just scare the hell out of me. This guy is bound to explode. We know he has baseball talent, but man you can't just live your life like that. Eventually there is a good chance you'll snap.

I like the enthusiasm and appreciate the information girlslikebaseball. Welcome aboard!!!

I think Walker will be fired.

QUOTE (DirtySox @ May 18, 2010 -> 08:37 AM) I'm kind of bullish on Brentz now. I'm not sure I would like him at 13. I would have liked to see similar numbers to what he did in 2009, especially considering the subpar competition he faces. It is safe to say that the ankle injury can be expected to hinder his performance though. I've read that he's been playing a decent chunk of the season at 75 to 80%. He won't be the player of the year but he'll be in consideration for college player of the year (not that that has any impact on being a great draft pick or not).

Brandon Workman is another guy who I wouldn't be surprised to hear the Sox interested in. RHP out of Texas with good movement on a low 90's fastball with a big spike curve.

A guy I happen to like, if we go the college pitcher route, is Matt Harvey. Another guy I like a lot and who could fit in nicely as a potential top of the order hitter for the Sox is Gary Brown. He's a phenomenal athlete (very fast, great defensively) and has a real nice short stroke. He won't hit for much, if any power though, but he's projected to go late 1st to the early 2nd. Broke his finger so who knows if that impacts his draft stock. He had been climbing up draft boards. Nice fit, imo. I still like Paxton if we opt for a lefty and than of course I like Ranaudo a lot. Big arm, nice build, and I'm willing to take the gamble.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ May 18, 2010 -> 07:29 AM) Brentz was actuallly a much bigger prospect a few years ago. He's fallen off a bit, but his upside is a lot bigger then his current numbers show. That being said, i'd still take Wilson over him. A year ago I believe, which was his sophmore season where he was a complete monster. He's had some injuries this year but he's a very talented kid.

QUOTE (DirtySox @ May 18, 2010 -> 07:19 AM) I'm well aware. Mayo wrote a piece about it yesterday in fact. http://minors.mlblogs.com/archives/2010/05...ng_on_with.html He could be a high risk high return guy at 13. Kind of similar to how Gibson fell to Minny with his injury concerns. Not sure how much he is seeking and if the Sox would be willing to work with Boras though. A lot of the college baseball people are really intrigued by how much LSU's rotation is falling apart because it was pretty hyped. They say Ranaudo's stuff is still there and a few people think it has to do with him mentally feeling a bit of the preseason pressure. That of course isn't a good thing, but as long as he learns from it I don't see it as being much different from a player feeling pressure because it is a contract year or because he's in trade rumors.

QUOTE (DirtySox @ May 18, 2010 -> 07:12 AM) I keep coming back to Wimmers as well. I'm not the biggest fan, but yes he has a nice 2 seam and a good curveball. I'm going to keep hoping that one of Ranaudo/McGuire fall to 13. Ranaudo's stock is falling.

QUOTE (BaseballNick @ May 18, 2010 -> 07:09 AM) If they go with a pitcher, then it sounds like Alex Wimmers is their guy. He's a very safe pick. Projects to go mid to late 1st round, with #3 starter kind of stuff (so he'll be on the board when the Sox pick). Low 90s fastball, nice curve, and decent change-up. He's pitched well for Ohio State this year. I have very little interest in Wimmers. If we draft a guy I want a big arm guy or someone with plus plus breaking stuff. We should be able to get that where we pick.

QUOTE (DirtySox @ May 18, 2010 -> 06:57 AM) FWIW, many people seem to believe that Wilson's demands won't be all that ridiculous and he's very inclined to sign. It seems like it depends on who you ask. A lot of people think he'll be a tough sign, others say he won't. It will be interesting to see what happens. A lot of teams though Trayce was going to be a tough sign, but it turned out the Sox had a good info that he would be willing to sign for a reasonable amount and were able to grab him. He's still incredibly raw, but we can't deny the talent.

QUOTE (hogan873 @ May 18, 2010 -> 06:25 AM) So yesterday in the game thread there were whisperings of changes coming today or tomorrow. Anyone know anything? I have a feeling Beckham might be sent down...I just hope that doesn't mean Vizquel gets more starts. But of course then the option is Nix. The Trib had an article saying Beckham wouldn't be send down. Personally I'd call Lucy up and let him start a few games, but thats just me.

QUOTE (fathom @ May 18, 2010 -> 05:19 AM) They had no intention of ever drafting Porcello. I remember telling Flash he was going to be very disappointed when he was saying there's no way the Sox won't take him if he continues to fall. Whether they had an intention of drafting him or not, doesn't mean that they did not scout him at some point. The Sox scout thousands upon thousands of guys for at least a one year period and in fact, it can even be a multiple year period (you might see a junior or even sophomore with talent while you are scouting a high school senior or college junior/senior). They don't really mess with the actual draft board until much later. The biggest part of the draft preparation is all of the scouting that goes on.

QUOTE (fathom @ May 18, 2010 -> 05:11 AM) Yes, I know for a fact they don't scout every potential 1st round player. They didn't scout Porcello a few years back. Not true, based upon my understanding, albeit limited, of the Sox draft process. But they are said to scout all of the top picks. Regardless of signability, etc. That stuff doesn't come into play until closer to draft day.

I don't think Calipari is some package deal. It doesn't make a whole lot of sense quite frankly. Lebron will have power wherever he goes, but I agree with Chris Broussard that this talk of a package deal is pretty ludicrous. I think it is the mutual agent working to gain as much leverage as possible to set Calipari up for a big deal.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ May 17, 2010 -> 08:10 PM) Pau Gasol is amazing. I honestly think he's one of the top 15 players in the game. Other than being "soft," he really doesn't have a legitimate weakness. You can say whatever you want about Kobe. But Kobe's ass wanted out when they were getting their asses kicked by the Suns a few years ago. It wasn't until the Lakers got Gasol for a used tampon that the Lakers went from .500 to title contender. He made my top 10 list I posted pages ago in this thread.

Fullerton ended up losing its 2nd best position player, Gary Brown on Sunday. Broken finger, out a couple weeks. Hopefully he's back in time for postseason play. Guy is hitting around .450. He actually profiles as someone the Sox might look at if he falls into the 2nd round (most mocks have him going late 1st or in the supplemental round though).

I don't blame the Sox if they don't draft Wilson. Brentz is a pretty good prospect in his own right, has a nice tool-set, etc. There is no reason to get upset with the selection of him. I am just surprised all of these mocks have the Sox taking an OFer when the Sox seem to be saying they'll be looking at pitcher. Raunado has continued to struggle a bit so its looking more likely that he'll be on the board at 13. Who knows how scared teams are of Ranaudo though. LSU's whole pitching staff has been struggling.

I would love hiring Phil. We'd be able to bring Brian Shaw potentially over and I think he'd be a great long-term replacement as head coach.

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ May 17, 2010 -> 01:48 PM) While going to Warwick castle would be ultra-cool (to me at least) since it was commissioned and built by William the Conqueror, I'd go on the first tour you listed. Canterbury Cathedral is one of the most famous churches in Christendom and is on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. Sounds like we got a winner. You recommend Canterbury, Jim talks about Dover being awesome and that is 2/3rd of the trip alone. Sweet. Thanks for the help!!! I'll be hammering out the details of my France segment tomorrow. The past couple months I've just been bulletting all the things I want to see as I read various articles. Now I'm trying to narrow everything down based upon area to try and segment into specific days and boy is it a pain in the ass. On top of that I'm reading all kinds of reviews and relying on you guys/gals to help narrow down the good vs the bad as well as weigh in what me and my fiance's particular interests are. I'm glad I budgeted a good amount for site seeing/food because It is my first time to Europe and I want to really enjoy everything and not be bummed that I didn't spend the extra 50 bucks to go see ______. Which I should point out is rare for me, since I'm a total cheap ass, haha.

If I was going to pick one of these 2 tours, which would you go with? Leeds Castle, Canterbury, and Dover or Oxford, Cotswolds, Stratford-on-Avon, and-Warwick-Castle We are for sure going to do a day tour of Bath, Stonehenge, and Windsor Castle already. Basically that would fill 2 days outside of England. And than we were going to spend 2 days in England. Within England one day was going to be set aside for a double decker bus tour, Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, and Wicked. The bus tour will allow us to see almost all of the key areas, plus it includes a river cruise. Not too bad for 30 bucks a person. The 4th day would be for the changing of the guard, pub crawling, etc.

Is Westminster Abbey a place that you tour or more that you look at for a bit? Want to get an idea of how much time to set aside for some of this stuff (I'm also reading around online) as I try to design my full itinerary. Also are there anythings that are recommended for at night or daytime (i.e., that are much better at night or during the day). Maybe a romantic place for a sunset or anything along those lines. I know we are going to do Bath and a few other places during one day trip. And than also do a tour of the city in a double-decker bus (plus a river tour). Outside of that I assume there is enough stuff to see within the city that I should stay there (we are there for 4 days). Basically 1 day trip, 3 days in the city. I was thinking of getting tickets to wicked (found some discounted ones) and I've never seen it and am not usually an artsy fartsy guy but I think it would be a fun thing to do.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ May 17, 2010 -> 08:45 AM) So lets ignore Peavy and Buehrle's career numbers and base all judgment off of a few months? Is that what you are saying is smart GM-ing? Yep. Peavy is a darn good pitcher, I don't care what league he pitches in.