Chisoxfn

What are the conditions supposed to be tomorrow, still cold I assume, but no chance of snow or rain?

Not going to lie, Contreras being where he is right now is impressive and I tip my cap to him.

Bottom line Wasserman isn't very good. He might pop up somewhere and have a good year or two but it will be on a bad team where he'll get every opportunity to get hot for a season or two. I wish him the best but he isn't a good fit here, especially with guys like Link, Long and Omogrosso who have such better stuff and project to be pretty good relievers as well as a guy like Derek Rodriguez who has a really nice arm. In fact, keep an eye on a game named Jones down in the minors, plus plus curve and an interesting FB (clocked between 88 and 99MPH). Yes, I said 99MPH. This spring he was unhittable one game and pedestrian another (although his curve was filthy) and scouts were puzzled at the fact that he looked like an all world major leaguer and than a minor leaguer. Either way, Buddy Bell is aware of him and the Sox are watching to see if they can figure out a way to get him to consistently throw in the upper 90's. Location is another issue with him (his delivery is not what I'd call pretty nor did he have any consistency with it, hence the command issues). In addition to the names above, there is Adam Russel, Jack Egbert (both with the ability to go a batter or 3 innings) and obviously Aaron Poreda (who I ultimately peg as a plus reliever as opposed to a good starting pitcher). I think Poreda could excel as a setup man in the bigs or closer where as a starter I don't see him being more than a 4th or 5th which is why I ultimately see him settling in the pen. Now if something changes in regards to his secondary stuff we might be talking about a guy that quickly moves up (plus good sinkerballers can end not needing too much in the way of additional pitches to actually excel as a major league starter).

QUOTE (Reddy @ Apr 6, 2009 -> 11:50 AM) i actually think you're wrong. The A's have the potential to be a very solid team - and VAfan is right about the weak LAA rotation, and their lineup is weaker than in the past. Tell me how you think they're going to play at a 100 win pace this season. Oh and even without Lackey and Santana to start the season (although both are expected back and do not have a history of extended health problems) they still have Saunders and Weaver whom are both solid starters and a guy like Escobar coming back, prospects like Adenhart and the ability to acquire players (and additional payroll). The Angels also have the best manager in the game (and its not even close) and play above average defense. If the Angels were in the Al East or Central I wouldn't call them locks, but in the West they are a sure thing.

QUOTE (Reddy @ Apr 6, 2009 -> 11:50 AM) i actually think you're wrong. The A's have the potential to be a very solid team - and VAfan is right about the weak LAA rotation, and their lineup is weaker than in the past. Tell me how you think they're going to play at a 100 win pace this season. How is the Angels lineup weaker than in the past. Tex was there after the Angels were already dead locks to make the playoffs and now they have added Abreu for a full season and have primarily there entire offense heatlhy. They will need to see who steps up at closer but regardless Shields and Arrondondo both have a ton of talent. The A's did add Holiday, but they also have an atrocious starting rotation as evidenced by there consistent attempts to try and figure out who the heck is going to be pitching for them. I don't buy the A's one b it. Texas is the 2nd best team in that division.

I initially thought immigration as well in regards to Francisco. I know the org has really soured him too though.

QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ Apr 6, 2009 -> 10:24 AM) I vote boom. As long as he's healthy and out of jail, he's proven to be an above average NFL WR so I'd say boom.

I think Floyd is the best pitcher in our rotation. I love Floyd.

Your freaking nuts if you don't think the Angels have the best chance of any team in the majors to repeat as divisional champs. The rest of the AL West is a joke. The Sox have serious questions at the top of the order (easily the worse leadoff hitter in baseball) and in the back of the rotation, plus potential health risks from 2 of there 4 relievers (Dotel/Linebrink) and two pitchers who have only one good season under there belts (Danks/Floyd). I'm not writing the Sox off, but they have a lot to prove. All of there competition also has holes too, but there is no way with a straight face I could say the Sox are favorites to take the division (I'd say them and Minnesota are the front-runners though).

Phenomenal.

I'd go Link but the Sox might go with Russell or Wasserman since they are more familiar.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 4, 2009 -> 01:22 AM) Are you sure Allen should be so low? From the times I saw him in ST, I liked him a LOT more than Flowers in terms of his approach, and that's not even taking into consideration Flowers' defensive deficiencies currently as a catcher. Plus, Brandon's left-handed, and we don't have any other significant power-hitting prospects other than him on the horizon. I think Jordan Danks really is going to need to prove a lot more b4 you can put him at #4, same thing with Flowers, who has had one really good "A" season followed up by an impressive AFL performance. To me, it looks like he needs to get on a strength and conditioning program and gain another 10-15 pounds of muscle. Then again, Alexei, you could say the same thing about him...and yet the ball just jumps off his bat even if he only weighs 155-165 pounds. Poreda is undervalued unless his highest upside is as a reliever. Danks has great tools across the board with the only questionable one being power potential and I've heard some scouts and read some articles talking about how he's turning on inside pitches now and driving the ball with much more authority. I believe his power will come (20hr type pop). I believe I said that I see Poreda has nothing more than a reliever and give him a very small chance at making it as an upper end starter which is why I believe his best value is as a premiere reliever as opposed to a back of the rotation starter. I like Allen a lot but Flowers is at a position that is hard to fill and because of that he gets bumped up a bit. Allen is at first so he'll have to rake and rake and rake (he's done it to an extent and has the tools but he has a lot more to prove cause it isn't easy to be able to hit like a 1st baseman, imo).

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Apr 3, 2009 -> 07:09 PM) Marquez doesn't register? Nope, I'm not impressed with Marquez at all. His upside is as a fifth starter, other guys on that list have higher upside.

No, I happen to know the Sox think highly of Egbert. Not in the sense that they have him penciled into the rotation but in the sense that they like him as a prospect.

Also, just an FYI, but the resident capologist at TalkBears.com (probably the best Bears capologist not being employed by the Bears) has indicated that the Bears still have over 20M in available cap room for this season. Pretty tremendous news given that the team has already acquired Pace, Omilaye, and Shaffer. Oh and if anyone needed the nflshops.com coupon, its below (15% off your order, including jerseys): Coupon Code: NFLcBQG

QUOTE (iamshack @ Apr 3, 2009 -> 06:29 PM) To me, a franchise quarterback is one who you slot in at quarterback, as long as he is healthy, with no concerns for the position, or bringing in anyone else, for as long as he is signed. He is the leader of the offense and the face of the franchise. He is, above anything else, any other statistic, a winner. Think Peyton Manning. Ben Rothlisberger. Brett Favre. Philip Rivers. Drew Brees. Tom Brady. Whether or not Jay Cutler will ever become that, I'm not sure, but he certainly is at the front of the line of those knocking on the door... IF you say Phillip Rivers you must include Cutler. RIght now, if you are starting an NFL franchise I believe the three guys people start with at the QB position are Jay Cutler, Phillip Rivers, Big Ben, Eli Manning, and Matt Ryan. I'd say that its probably in that exact order as well but that could be debated (i might flip flop Manning and Ryan). The next group of people would be Aaron Rodgers, Cassel, and Flacco). I didn't put Big Ben as high up because I don't think he's that good of a pure passer, although he has super bowl rings so you got to give him credit for that. Either way, Cutler is clearly in that group of potential franchise building guys.

Anyone have any deals, I found a 15% coupon code for NFL shops for anyone who wants to buy a Cutler jersey. I just want to get a white one cause i"ve never had a white Bears jersey (I currently own navy version of Grossman/McNown/Urlacher).

QUOTE (JPN366 @ Apr 3, 2009 -> 05:51 PM) He is a top 25 for the White Sox though, but I know what you mean. I've been a fan of his since he was at Kentucky, so I was psyched when the White Sox drafted him. Can't wait to see him play for the Barons. He's far more than top 25 on the Sox. I have him just below Danks and that is because I love Danks tools more than practically anyone in the organization. I'm not as high on Poreda as most are, however, I think Poreda projects very nicely in the pen and his upside is as a closer, not a starter. However, if his sinker is truly dominant he might be able to make it as a starter. Right now I have the Sox top five as: Gordon Beckham Dayan Viciedo Tyler Flowers Jordan Danks Aaron Poreda I did not include Clayton Richard or Chris Getz since they are opening the season on the major league roster. Next on my list would be John Shelby followed by Brandon Allen and Hudson. I actually think the Sox need to focus heavily on improving there pitching prospects as there are very few starting prospects I like. I saw Hudson pitch though and I f***ing love him.

1920 x 1200 please Knight?

Can someone recap us. Jay Cutler is on NFL Network right now.

Angelo was just on there and said that the Bears next phase will be the wide-out and than defense. But he also has kept talking about oline so you might not right that off in the draft just yet, imo. Angelo is soundling like a confident GM. He also talked about how he had to come in and make a strong offer, otherwise he felt he would get blown off, and as a whole the whole deal took about 30 minutes to be completed.

I also just realized that Cushing was the guy that had the ugly girlfriend I kept commenting on. He was just this hillbilly looking white guy, how the f*** was I supposed to know he was a potential 1st round pick, LOL. He didn't look built like a LB, more like a safety. But he's the type of athlete that would fit in nice with the Bears (given how much they love speed) or in a 3-4 system.

QUOTE (nitetrain8601 @ Apr 3, 2009 -> 03:45 PM) I would rather have Briggs or Jamar move to the inside to replace Brian if I were a Bears fan. If you could trade Urlacher for Boldin than I make the deal. Or even Urlacher and one of our Cb's for Boldin I'd do it. Why, the Bears could sign Lucas and than slide Briggs into the MLB spot with Jamar sliding outside or decide to use there 2nd round pick on a LB and there should be a quality LB available in rd 2.

Sweet. Should be a great game for those not familiar with college baseball. Fullerton is going up against one of there big rivals and a top 10 team in UCI.

Good stuff Santo, but you do have to give the Tigers credit for drafting Porcello and Verlander.