CWSGuy406

Matt, you're right. Zambrano isn't that great. But those are his numbers, pitching in the (for the most part) AL East, and being the staff ace. On the Mets, he's the number four. Those are damn good numbers for a number four...

Alright, let's us (I know, doesn't make sense) Bears/football fans play general manager(s) here. (Post your thoughts on each of the four top picks). With the first pick in the draft, the San Fran 49ers select...... Hmm... are they content with Rattay/Dorsey? I doubt they go RB, Barlow is solid. They're alright at WR with Lloyd/Wilson, but they can use improvement. They seem like a team that needs a LOT of improvement, thus, I can definitely see them trading down. Then again, Antrelle Rolle or Corey Webster would probably be good picks for their defense, too. My bold prediction: They trade their pick down to one of the other 31 teams in the NFL... With the second pick in the draft, the Miami Dolphins select..... Cedrick Benson, and there's my bold prediction. Their defense is kick ass, and their QB's would be a lot better if they had an NFL running back behind them. Then again, Steel and Rowand could comment better on this situation. With the third pick in the draft, the Cleveland Browns select...... I have no idea on this one. I assume they go defense, with them taking Winslow JR last year, as well as Garcia and Green at QB and RB respectively. As long as they don't take Mike Williams, I'll be happy. With the fourth pick in the draft, the Chicago Bears select...... Mike Williams. If he's on the board at four, I cannot see any way in hell how the Bears can pass him up. This team hasn't had an offensive weapon as good as Williams can be since (can I say since Payton) him. Thoughts on the first four picks, ladies and gentlemen? Your predictions?

QUOTE(WHarris1 @ Jan 2, 2005 -> 11:58 PM) An Arizona win and an easier SOS then TB, I believe. Wait -- they don't go by head-to-head record to decide draft picks? Grr...

Well, we're in a good position. I still contend that when our defense is healthy, it will be damn good -- and it will have yet another year of experience, so that's always good. The kid from Texas, that linebacker, is really good. Awesome. He, Briggs, and Urlacher would form the best linebacking core in the NFL, no questions asked. Mike Williams would be a good pick too. I ranted a couple of weeks ago on how much of a weapon a really good wide receiver is, and Williams is just that. If there's a stud LT -- Gallery like, someone that emerges as the best tackle in the draft -- then I'd definitely grab that person. Unfortunately, my knowledge of the college ranks isn't so great this season. BTW -- one more thing, and I know this will probably be a very unpopular opinion on this board, but here goes. I'd be happy if this team kept David Terrell around. I realize that there are up-and-comers in Berrian and possibly Gage, but Terrell, at least this year, seemed like the only WR who could make the big play. Once he got used to Hutchinson, too, he seemed capable of being a damn good possesion receiver. If they take Williams, I won't mind if they cut DT loose. But I don't see anyone ready to step in and take that starters' job from Terrell -- Gage is nowhere near ready (hell, how a team cannot get a guy who can jump that high is beyond me), and while Berrian is close (should be the #3 next season), he's not ready. Wade is a nice guy to have around, too, but he's not your number one. He's the possession guy, good hands, doesn't run extremely fast/jump very high, but he's a very nice number two/number three. I went to the game today. Don't really want to talk about it, but the Bears didn't give us refunds. Six hours (Houston and GB) of freezing my ass off and watching that garbage. I need to puke...

QUOTE (hammerhead johnson @ Jan 1, 2005 -> 09:25 PM) Here ya go: Road Home See, that's why Contreras is such a total f***ing anomaly. Only Jose Contreras could post an ERA that was better at US Cellular than on the road. Contreras can be awesome. Then again, he can be terrible, too. If Contreras can keep his mentality strong, I'm tellin ya -- we have a sub-3.50 ERA pitcher on our hand. No one can hit him when he's got his splitter complimenting that fastball...

Still... If Prior and Wood are healthy the whole season last year, they make the playoffs. If they have one guy -- one guy -- worth a damn in that bullpen last year (coupled with a healthy Prior and Wood), they might make the Series last season. Latroy Hawkins... Just remembering that CLee shot off of Hawkins in the ninth, a knife in the heart of every Cub fan. What a great moment (only to be offset by Marte walking in the winning run the following inning).

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Jan 1, 2005 -> 08:25 PM) <!--QuoteBegin-CWSGuy406+Jan 1, 2005 -> 02:17 PM--> QUOTE (CWSGuy406 @ Jan 1, 2005 -> 02:17 PM) <!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-Jeckle2000+Jan 1, 2005 -> 07:33 AM--> QUOTE (Jeckle2000 @ Jan 1, 2005 -> 07:33 AM) <!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-CaliSoxFanViaSWside+Jan 1, 2005 -> 07:19 AM--> QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Jan 1, 2005 -> 07:19 AM) <!--QuoteEBegin--> It's amusing to me that Sox management decides that a power filled lineup doesnt work and we need a new direction , when clearly, if we had a better pitching staff all along we would've competed. Saying the power lineup got us nowhere is just managements attempt to redirect the blame away from themselves for not getting the Sox better pitching. I don't agree with that at all. The chubbies (who supposedly have the best rotation in baseball) lost because they have a lineup that was too full of power and less able to create runs. Yes the 5th starter was a problem but it was by no means the only problem. This team wasn't going anywhere scoring 7 runs one game and then 2 the next three. The Cubs lost because they had s*** in their bullpen, not because of their lineup... They lost because of both. Their lineup pulled the same s*** that the sox has for the last couple of seasons. The cubs lineup last year was very simliar to the lineup the sox have had for the past couple of seasons. I dunno, I think the whole 'inconsistency' thing is a little bit overblown, but that's just me. I think Jackie hayes did a research thing on it (didn't know what else to call it), and really, our offense wasn't as consistent as people said it was. You cannot tell me, that had the Sox not had a capable fifth starter in 2003, that they would not have made the playoffs. Same goes for last year, but to a lesser extent -- obviously, even with an El Duque at the back of the rotation last season, it still would have been tough without Magglio and Big Hurt. Ahh.... 2003. The year that could have/should have been...

QUOTE (Jeckle2000 @ Jan 1, 2005 -> 07:33 AM) <!--QuoteBegin-CaliSoxFanViaSWside+Jan 1, 2005 -> 07:19 AM--> QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Jan 1, 2005 -> 07:19 AM) <!--QuoteEBegin--> It's amusing to me that Sox management decides that a power filled lineup doesnt work and we need a new direction , when clearly, if we had a better pitching staff all along we would've competed. Saying the power lineup got us nowhere is just managements attempt to redirect the blame away from themselves for not getting the Sox better pitching. I don't agree with that at all. The chubbies (who supposedly have the best rotation in baseball) lost because they have a lineup that was too full of power and less able to create runs. Yes the 5th starter was a problem but it was by no means the only problem. This team wasn't going anywhere scoring 7 runs one game and then 2 the next three. The Cubs lost because they had s*** in their bullpen, not because of their lineup...

ChicagoBears.com Link Definitely a good move. Brad should have been the lone Bear voted to the Pro-Bowl this year, as he's definitely had an awesome year. As much as the defense has impressed, part of their success is due to the position that Maynard gives them, consistently, too. Definitely this years' MVP of the Bears, no question in my mind. Congrats, Brad!

<!--QuoteBegin-danman31+Jan 1, 2005 -> 06:41 AM--> QUOTE (danman31 @ Jan 1, 2005 -> 06:41 AM) <!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-knightni+Jan 1, 2005 -> 12:39 AM--> QUOTE (knightni @ Jan 1, 2005 -> 12:39 AM) <!--QuoteEBegin--> But, Z would probably cost the Sox Garland, Marte AND McCarthy. I'd make that deal. I wouldn't. You know better about McCarthy than I do, so I won't comment on that. But I really think that Zito wouldn't pitch very well here. I think he really benefites from playing at the Colesseum, and would get bombed here. That being said, I wouldn't do that deal (Garland, Mac, Marte), but if it was cheaper -- or if he was a FA option, I'd look definitely be for it. EDIT: Wow, what the hell is up with my quote...

Jeckle... you're telling me, that if you had a choice between Prior/Wood/Zambrano/Maddux/Rusch and Buehrle/Garcia/Hernandez/Contreras/Garland, you'd take the latter? I'm a Sox fan 100%, and I like our pitching staff as a whole (meaning, including bullpen) over the Cubs -- but no way would I take our rotation over theirs. I don't care if Wood has only won 14 games, he's got nasty stuff. Zambrano is a friggin stud, and Prior is solid too, provided he comes back from his injury OK. Plus, Maddux is a rock too, and he's their number four. Rusch is meh, but when you have those three studs at the top...

I'm not gonna get totally s***-faced, but a buzz will work for me tonight. WOOT!

I hope to see you posting more, Bob. You're one of the better posters over at WSI, not critical of every Kenny Williams' move, but you tell it like you see it. Like I said, I hope to see you postin' here more often. Welcome to Soxtalk!

No... We know what we'll get from Garland. A sub-five ERA, with the potential to get it right around 4.25, if he shows more consistency. We know he'll eat up a lot of innings, and overall, he'll be one of the best fifth starters in all of baseball. Yeah, with any pitch with El Duque, it could be his last. But can't the same be said for Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, and Mark Prior? There's risk everywhere with pitchers, but -- everyone from Joe Torre to Kenny Williams have commented on how Orlando keeps himself in very good shape, even at the age of 35, or 39, whichever it is. You're right -- all of your question marks are valid concerns, but I only see ONE glaring hole in this team, at catcher. You may think I'm crazy thinking Harris or Crede aren't glaring holes, but that's just my opinion. We know the worst we'll get from Crede -- yet, if he's been working hard this offseason, you gotta believe he'll improve. Also, if Harris doesn't improve at all, he'll still help this team out hitting ninth -- he gets on at a pretty good pace. I'd also like to mention that if we get Pierz, we'll have the most complete team since '94 (as BlackBetty aluded to).

Maybe it's just me, but I'd rather steer clear of this whole situation. If Arizona's starting point for their asking price is Konerko + Contreras/Garland, than that right there is already too much to be giving up. Losing Konerko would be bad. I know Ozzie/Kenny have been talking about speed and defense over power -- well, the reason we haven't won anything the past couple seasons isn't because we had too much power. Rather, it's because all the power was coming from solo shots, rather than homers with men on base. If JR is willing to budge just a wee bit more (payroll wise), I'd go after Miguel Cairo and AJ Pierz -- lock up those two to two year deals, maybe a three year for Pierz (he's still fairly young, younger than Ben Davis IIRC), and you have yourself a damn good team heading to Tuscon. Pods (The Harris/Cairo platoon could leadoff, too, if Podsednik were to struggle) Rowand Thomas/Everett Konerko Dye Pierz Uribe Crede Harris/Cairo The bullpen is awesome, and the starting rotation is light years ahead of what we went into 2004 with... I really think we'd see a lot of consistency from that lineup, and with our pitching staff, that's a really good thing to have.

My fault, Kittle. I interpreted your first post wrong, don't go off on qwerty. My bad -- and I agree completely that pressure is higher in September than in April.

Well, whatever -- you believe what you want, but a game is worth just as much in September and August as it is in April -- one. When we needed a big game out of Buehrle against the Twinkies, Buehrle stepped up and pitched well. Like I said, you believe what you want -- I'll take Buehrle over any other starting LHP not named Santana or Johnson.

Mark Buehrle's numbers in 'big' games this year: April 10th, @ NY - 8 IP, 2 R (0 ER) April 20th, NY - 2 IP, 8 R (8 ER) May 16th, MIN - 6.2 IP, 0 R May 21st, @ MIN - 7 IP 2 R (2 ER) June 2nd, @ OAK - 6 IP, 1 R (1 ER) June 29th, @ MIN - 8 IP. 2 R (2 ER) July 4th, @ CHI - 7 IP, 1 R (1 ER) July 16th, @ OAK - 6 IP, 4 R (4 ER) July 26th, MIN - 6.1 IP, 4 R (4 ER) August 15th, @ BOS - 7 IP, 2 R (2 ER) August 20th, BOS - 6 IP, 9 R (7 ER) I didn't put in the September starts, because at that point, we were out of it and everybody knew it, but for those who do care, he pitched twice against Minny, one game he pitched pretty well (2 ER), and another start he pitched poorly (but still pitched eight innings). My point being -- don't tell me that Buehrle isn't a big-game pitcher, because Buehlre stepped up everytime we needed him. It seems to me the only time that Buehrle got hit hard was when he was being seen the second time in less than a week (as shown against Boston and New York). Otherwise, he dominated, or -- at the very least -- kept us in the game.

Just a hunch, but I bet Crede hits over .250 next year. FWIW, a good sign with Joe is that he is learning to take a walk. His walk totals have risen each of the years in his MLB career -- nonetheless, nothing dramatic -- but still a good sign. I'm thinking about .260/.315 for Joe next year, with close to 25 dingers and 80 RBI's. I'm fairly confident that he'll put up these numbers next season, provided his offseason work has been good with Walker.

No, it just seems as if Gagne was undecided at the point when he was drafted, and finally in '95, chose baseball. I assume a 30th round pick wouldn't command the big bucks that would be considered 'low-balling'. I've never heard of 'low-balling' a 30th rounder...

Good point, W&O. I screamed at my TV when Guillen would trot Politte out there for a second inning. He was brutal, after sitting on the bench for a half inning, then coming back out. Marte, Politte, and Takatsu, IMHO, are most effective when used for one inning or less. Hermanson, Cotts, and Adkins/Diaz should be your guys who go multiple innings. Vizcaino, I don't know yet, didn't watch too many Brewer games last season. Anyone who watches a lot of Brewer games able to comment on this? Is Vizcaino best suited for one inning, or can he go two-three?

I'm hoping the Reds throw a lot of money at Perez. It's always good to have quality pitchers in the NL Central -- especially when they're not on that 'other' Chicago team... :fthecubs

Good point, Addy. I'd rather have Cairo/Iguchi/Pierz than Cora (just too much like Harris), but I wouldn't be mad if they got Cora. I'd probably be happiest with Pierz, and I'd bow down to Kenny if he got us AJ and Cairo, but I doubt that happens.

Good point. The arm isn't great, but he can block those pitches. That is huge, especially for Contreras and his splitter...