CWSGuy406

QUOTE(qwerty @ Jul 15, 2005 -> 01:15 AM) Am i the only one that loves how belliard positions himself? I do, too. Gives himself more range by playing deeper. And, I didn't see the first couple innings, so forgive me if I missed something, but Contreras is not getting the same strikezone as Millwood. Millwood is getting the calls off the plate, and up in the zone. Contreras isn't even getting the knee high strike called. IMO.

QUOTE(qwerty @ Jul 15, 2005 -> 01:12 AM) No but the response of mine you quoted was asking soxnbears how that play anything to do with chemistry. No chemistry was involved... it was just a smart heads up play by one of the best ''fielding'' center fielders in the game. Agreed.

QUOTE(qwerty @ Jul 15, 2005 -> 01:09 AM) So how is that chemistry? Didn't say it was, did I? But you don't see a CF'er ever back-up the LF'er in straight-away left field...

QUOTE(qwerty @ Jul 15, 2005 -> 01:05 AM) Backing up a player when they cannot see a ball? If you say so... Did you see how far he ran? You never see a CF'er run into LF to back up the LFer. Left-center is one thing, but that ball was in straight-away left...

I heart Juan Uribe.

If the Sox offered Konerko arbitration, and he refused/declined it, would we get one or two draft picks? Can someone with knowledge of arbitration chime in on this?

QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Jul 14, 2005 -> 07:43 PM) You make a claim that Dunn is one of the top 15 offensive players in the game and you bash batting average (no coincidence it doesn't favor Dunn). I simply asked you if think Dunn is a better offensive player than Ichiro. You simply can't use a couple of stats to compare EVERY hitter in the MLB. As for the payroll issues, look at how they spent their money. When Texas had a huge payroll, most of it was to Park and A-Rod, who cashed in back in 2000, a market that will not likely be seen like that for a few more years. Boston spent big money on Lowe, Schilling, Pedro along with great hitters like Ortiz (who became a much better player by hitting opposite field doubles off the monster, not try to draw a walk,) and Manny Ramirez. The Dodgers had a good starting staff and excellent bullpen last season. It also didn't hurt to have Adrian Beltre slug like a monster during a contract year. Well, what am I supposed to use to judge how good or important a hitter is? I like OPS+, but you don't like park adjusted stats. And yes, I do think Dunn is a top 20 hitter -- 152 OPS+ last year, looks like he's on pace to do the same this year. Not many offensive players can do that. And I realize OPS+ isn't the be-all, end-all, but there's a pretty sizable difference in the two's -- last year's, and it looks like this year's as well (as Dunn is basically repeating his numbers of last year's, or, last time I checked). What's your point about the Red Sox? Other teams could have made moves for these same players, and they didn't. I'm not 100% what you're trying to prove... I think Epstein and Beane are good GM's, and am not ready to judge DePo's and Ricciard's teams. DePo's team last year was hardly composed of his players, other than his deadline moves -- and along with what you said, was very lucky to get a superstar-like season out of Beltre, and it seems like Ricciardi is starting to get the players he drafted onto the field, along with a cash infusion from management. Sorry if my post seems rushed, I'm heading out, but didn't want you to think I bailed.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Jul 14, 2005 -> 03:21 PM) Ironically they stayed alive in the playoffs because of a stolen base. FWIW, I think I've read that James has said that so long as he's good at stealing bases, than it's worth it -- I believe that number is in the range of 70-75%. Oh, and if money is all that matters, where are the Mets every year? Texas always has a good sized payroll, where are they at? As for Dunn vs. Ichiro, depends on what I needed. Leadoff man, I'll go with Ichiro. If I already got a leadoff man, I'll go with Dunn. EDIT: And Santo, I don't know what you expect out of me anymore. You want me to argue something by posing a question, even though you damn well know the stats I'm going to show you, you really don't give a damn about. And, if you don't believe in the stats I show you, only the stats that fit your argument, what the hell do you want?

Note: Baj pitching NOW! ESPN 2. One out. Gets a groundout to the secondbaseman. Showing a nice fastball with a real, real nice biting slider. Two outs. K's Green, the second hitter. Whoever said he doesn't have good stuff wasn't watching. Real good slider, and can spot his 91-93 MPH fastball where he wants it. Getting a bit wild. Walks Jackson, gives up a single to the next guy. Come on, Baj. Third out on a strikeout. Nice slider (though it was slower -- 78 as opposed to 80-81, maybe it was a curve?) on Watson, kid from Oakland's (IIRC) system. Looked good.

Scratch it, I'm not gonna merge it with the Payton/Bradford thread. Stupid idea. I wouldn't be surprised to see Oakland flip both Kennedy and Payton to different teams.

I'm gonna combine this with the Jay Payton/Chad Bradford trade. So, three trades to talk about... Trade 1: Boston gets Chad Bradford. Oakland gets Jay Payton. Trade 2: Washington gets Preston Wilson + $$$. Colorado gets Day and PTBNL. Trade 3: Oakland gets Witasick, Kennedy. Colorado gets Byrnes and Quintanilla.

QUOTE(IlliniKrush @ Jul 13, 2005 -> 04:08 PM) It's a legend that will never die. All i can hope is that the "Security" bit is remembered more than other things that night/entire next day (steff better also...) Yeah, yeah, just laugh it up... Don't even stop for a moment to think about the people hurt in the 'Security' ordeal...

QUOTE(JimH @ Jul 14, 2005 -> 01:15 AM) BTW thanks for the Al's Beef today, you were right about the giardiniera, awful. However I definitely like the beef better than you, I found it a suitably average beef sandwich, although not in Stan's Drive In class. And I sent you something on Cobblestone's today. Now, on to the trades, things are opening up. Payton, Bradford, and supposedly this Preston Wilson deal. As soon as you leave, the floodgates will open, right when you have no internet access, you will definitely need to take it easy on yourself. Over/under on number of days Willie Harris is still on the team? You were at Al's Beef today? My dad and I stopped by on the way home from Rush. Good beef sammich's, messy, but good.

QUOTE(JimH @ Jul 14, 2005 -> 12:53 AM) Yes, assuming something bigger is on the horizon for the White Sox. Interesting the Florida article mentions the Marlins are asking about Aaron Harang of the Reds. He is another guy who'd fit well on the south side. There would have been a lot of happy people on this board if Williams would have landed Day. It's the small move that Williams seems to do real well at. The Marte-for-Guerrier. The Loaiza pickup. The Politte pickup. Uribe for Miles. Day would've been a nice swingman who could be molded into a fifth starter for next season. Ah, well...

QUOTE(SoxFan1 @ Jul 14, 2005 -> 12:32 AM) Steal for the BoSox IMO. We could have traded Timo or Willie for Bradford....uhh. Except that, you know, Payton plays exceptional OF defense and can actually hit a little bit... But, just keep rambling. BTW -- I'm pretty sure that one of Byrnes or Payton will be traded. Probably to New York.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jul 13, 2005 -> 06:44 PM) They give the Cardinals credit for being 3rd in bullpen ERA while we're 5th, but then don't note that we're in the AL and have to face the DH and stronger hitters around them? Ditto the starters...the Cards starters have an ERA of 3.58, good for 2nd in the NL, while our guys have an ERA of 3.75, making us 1st in the AL. FWIW, I believe scoring is higher in the NL this year.

Zoom, I agree with your first post. It gets annoying when you have player after player getting suspended, and big-name players, too. I could take it if you maybe got one or two a year, but last year, I remember getting at least five guys suspended for one or more games. Nice idea with the whole suspension thing, but bad execution implementing it. They should have a system (or do they this year?) where the player has a personality rating, and you could see it when you recruit him -- just, so you can sort of expect it with some players (it being him getting in trouble), and with others, you should rarely have problems with.

Some news regarding the draft (found at BHZ): -Draft on July 30th. Lottery on the 21st. -Each team will start with 3 lottery balls. Based on the past five (could be wrong on that number, don't quote me) seasons, each time your team made the playoffs, you lose a ball. So, it looks like every team is going to have a decent shot. As for the Hawks, they made the playoffs what, two-three years ago ('02?), so I think they'll have two balls. What great news... This is awesome. DROP THE PUCK!

Alright, I just read through this thread, for the first time. What an awesome thread. Anyways -- I beat solitaire for the first time yesterday. My mom was having surgery at Rush, and my dad, my grandparents and I all basically sat in the 'waiting room' for about five hours. I was so happy when I beat it. And, my mom is doing Ok, she should be home from the hospital on Friday (fingers crossed). My dad and I both were real nervous the whole time, just 'cause he's had some bad experiences there (not saying other people haven't), and I'm overall just a nervous person. So, it was a big weight off our shoulders when we heard the news that the surgery went well.

When they compare him to Mike Cameron, does that apply to his outfield range as well? I know you guys touched on his arm, but how well does he get reads off the ball, and his routes to the ball?

QUOTE(Steve9347 @ Jul 13, 2005 -> 06:10 AM) and the ncaa cover just makes no damn sense I personally think it's pretty funny. You do know who it is, yes? Oh, and dream aquisition? Neifi Perez.

As far as the El Duque signing this past offseason, I think everyone here knows I was a fan of it. Looking in hindsight, it's good that Kenny had his sights set on two of the better pitchers (as far as bang for your buck) in El Duque and Matt Clement. I wish he would have made a better attempt at grabbing Wade Miller as a swingman type, but there's not too much to complain about this offseason. Anyways -- Hernandez still can pitch (or pitch well, I should say). Just, he's not gonna be an innings eater, and I hope that Ozzie realizes that. If he's at 95 pitches, and it's a tie game -- at this point, it really doesn't matter if he's not in line for the win -- we gotta protect that arm. 136 ERA+ in 2004 (84 2/3 IP), 120 ERA+ in 2002 (146 IP). I don't think he's that good anymore -- but I still think he can be a real big help down the stretch. And if we don't acquire a starter, I want El Duque out there for Game 4 -- unless it's an elimination game. Over Contreras, of course.

QUOTE(rangercal @ Jul 12, 2005 -> 08:13 PM) To be honest, I didn't think The Todd Ritchie deal was that bad at the time. I thought he had upside. He would have had close to 20 wins in 2001 imo if he were playing with anyone but the pirates. He was near the bottom of the league in run support and still had double digit wins. I know a lot of sox fans were tired of wells too at the time. It was not that bad of a trade. Todd Ritchie 2001 = 98 ERA+ (100 being average). He was a below average pitcher. 15 wins for a slightly below average pitcher seems pretty lucky to me. And, why is the Wells trade a bad one? I realize he was sort of an ass (and a hypocrit) on the radio to Thomas, but I also remember Buehrle somewhere saying that Wells taught him a lot with regards to pitching as a lefty. I don't think it was a great trade, but I don't think it can be characterized as *bad*. JMO.

Steve, I might (emphasis on might) be able to get you and Brian the rosters for PS2 like last year, since I didn't sell my PS2 when I bought X-Box. I think my brother bought a Sharkport, so I can you guys the rosters once they come out. Wait a second -- I'm sort of remembering you getting one. Well, if you have one, then, scratch my first paragraph, but if you don't, let me know.

Fotop, I know you got it for X-Box -- could you tell me how to celebrate? I've had it for PS2 all the time, this is the first time I've got it on X-Box.