SoxAce

QUOTE (raBBit @ Dec 17, 2013 -> 03:21 PM) Not sure of your angle here but PED suspensions didn't stop our front office from acquiring Flowers or Nieto. Not to mention Quintana. (young kid being foolish/had no idea or not, still looms) Don't think any of us wanna run him out of town. (Rienzo as well for that matter) You might as well bring in the one with the highest ceiling (also second youngest on that list) and an OBP machine. As was said earlier though... price is obviously pending of it as it makes no sense to trade someone like Erik Johnson for example. Or unless sox feel they really think Nieto can actually overachieve and maybe get by with his defense/arm throwing out baserunners. I was high on Phegley's bat comming out of IU, but he's just not comparable to a talent like Grandal. Josh has only had 121 less PAs than Grandal (who walks a hell of alot more) and his numbers were much better at the cell (.255/.274/.353/.627) than on the road. Grandals (to combine his '12 numbers as well to average the same amount of PA as Phegley as he was injured) are better on the road than at home. (.288/.399/.460/.859) He would be a tremendous addition for his bat/eye alone. Now, if the sox can find someone to fill that role if LF instead (from De Aza/Viciedo) then by all means I'll live with a Phegley/Flowers/Nieto type. I'm not the type who looks a sour eye on a player who took PEDs like others. I'm one of the few here who will still defend Bonds as a HOF and wanted him on our team a few years ago for example.

Really Balta... really?

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Dec 17, 2013 -> 02:16 PM) Then we will agree to disagree. I just find absolutely no meaning in W-L. -ERA tells me how many earned runs a pitcher gives up on average -WHIP tells me how many base runners a pitcher allows on average -IP tells me, generally, how durable and/or efficient a pitcher is (though it tells a lot, though not all is incredibly telling of talent) -GS also tells me about durability; thus, IP/GS is important to me as well -FIP tells me approximate talent level of the pitcher this year -xFIP tells me what he should probably be putting up, given his peripherals -K/9 tells me a little about his stuff and how efficient he is about getting outs (which improves consistency) -BB/9 tells me how good a guys control is and whether it will ever typically get him in trouble -HR/9 tells me how many homers a guy gives up -HR/FB tells me how unlucky the pitcher has been about giving up home runs (typically 10% in all circumstances) -GO/AO tells me how good a guy is about producing ground balls which, while more likely to become hits, are very unlikely to be anything more than singles I could go on. On the other hand, W-L tells me how good the pitcher's team was, or how the team performed when he was on the mound. A pitcher has very, very little control over that. He can pitch to his defense and in NL parks, he can help try and score runs when up at the plate. Otherwise, all he can do is pitch as well as he can and then hope the team wins the game. Theoretically, Chris Sale gives up a lead off homer every game he pitches, but then retires the next 27 by striking them all out. His opposing pitcher loads the bases every inning but gets double plays and keeps the team off the board. At the end of the year, Chris Sale is 0-32 while opposing pitchers are 32-0. Did Chris Sale really deserve to lose 32 games, or should he be upset at his team for allowing him to lose 32 games? Ah... now this is the Blake I know and love. Fantastic post.

Just started to be more active on the board again, but good god Blake what the hell has happened to you? Don't understand the obsession? Advocating for John Buck? What is this crap..

Padres are currently looking for a good set-up man according to their beat writers. They were discussing it on MLB Network if they're willing to "pay the price" to get one. (trade/FA) Oh, and too bad the Pirates weren't looking to take on salary. (I don't believe) They are trying to get a 1B and Dunn might be perfect for them. (If Hahn can convince them Dunn is an NL player, which he might be)

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 17, 2013 -> 01:19 PM) He stopped doing it because B-R started doing it for everyone. Whoa.. didn't know that. Thanks Balta.

This is where I miss Kalapse's payroll chart.

Meh.. this story is even better. Antti Raanta recounts nearly blowing up his squad in the Army Quite the character in the room and the media loves his personality supposedly.

I'll be battling third place with every possible great matchup in my favor. (starting with McCoy vs the Bears D) I should be able to get my $50 back (although being in the championship with the possibility of winning $400 would have been even sweeter)

So since 2005, MLB teams have gotten an impact player once every two years.. (Longoria, Hosmer, Machado, and we'll see on Zunino)... I like our odds.

QUOTE (professa @ Dec 16, 2013 -> 08:28 PM) 7. Alex Jackson, C (Taken with 3rd pick this year) Highly doubtful Jackson stays at catcher for the foreseeable future. And I still think Hahn should do everything he can to get Yasmani Grandal out of SD. PED's be damned, his pitch recognition + OBP would be an outstanding fit here as a catcher (use him as a #2, #6/7 hitter). Another patient Cuban (if Abreu is as advertised).. just what the doctor ordered. One of the biggest team weaknesses the sox had going into the offseason (OBP) can be seriously addressed. Or.. see if Seattle's GM is still "all in" this year and if he's lost his marbles enough to give us Mike Zunino.

Wow.. thank god I don't have to try and defend Middlebrooks ever again! Thank you Hahn.

God Middlebrooks is such a f***ing enigma (to me.. not as a player). I want to like him as a player, I really do, and in fact, I'm going to try and like him now to say "sure go for it" but I don't like him very much... but I will try to "somewhat" defend getting him.. At times I believe he is another product of an overrated Boston farm system. He's a better version of J.P. Arencibia (and that is not a good thing, hmmm.. ok that might be alittle too harsh.. maybe a Mark Trumbo comparable) he strikes out too much for a team that has K issues, not a guy who gets on base often, and his first couple of injuries were to his ribs and back (it was minor, but it is never good with 3B and who knows.. could prolong the rest of his career for all we know ala Sweeney, or.. could be nothing). Pretty much what is said here, everyone either knows from seeing him play or can see his numbers even in the minors so I kept the "cons" so to speak brief. Now with all that said the "pros".... As bad as he was this past season (and I mean he was bad) still had a better OPS+ then Gallaspie. (88 to 86) His power is very real, and for a 3B, that is very valuable. IMO, his negative rating from last season defensively was just an off year for him as historically (I mean as a prospect and even his 2012 debut) he's always been rated solid (not a gold glover by any means, even though he does have the athleticism and instincts to become one) and has a great arm as well for the hot corner. When he came back from his demotion, he hit .276/.329/.476 and even improved his K and BB% rate (still bad.. 24 to 7% but damn did he figure something out? is he improving with experience? 7% walk rate, but with his power?...) He has decreased his K rate the last three years in the minors as well. He is a pretty smart base runner (not good speed, but has good base running instincts also not prone to dumb base running) In just over a year of play, in 615 ABs he's put up a .254/.294/.462/.756 line (32 HRs 103 RBIs, 75 R). Here is the list of 3Bs who have achieved a .250+ average, 25+ HR, 90+ RBI, and 70+ runs the last 3 years: Miguel Cabrera (yes I'll still count Miggy even though he's only been there two years), Evan Longoria, Adrian Beltre, Chase Headley, Aramis Ramirez, Ryan Zimmerman. That’s it. Seems some of his projections favor him a too and is usually regarded as a hard worker/coachable. He fits to what Hahn is looking for. A young, cost controlled player who has had some taste of the big leagues (in fact.. has 160 more PAs than Gallaspie for example AND still has the same arb years AND even some playoff PAs) with very good potential. His power at the hot corner is essential as well in value. He is solid defensively at 3B, usually hits for decent enough average, and is only 25 (was Boston's former #1 prospect, no matter how overrated I think their system is sans a couple prospects ). I wouldn't hate the idea of seeing what his asking price is and see what he can do. But if Hahn even considers it, Viciedo has to go. Love Dayan's youth, but you can't have two guys, who in some instances are basically the same player, hitting in this lineup. (sans a bit better average or a bit better power potential or a bit better BB/SO numbers, whatever) I value Middlebrooks more as a 3B with the power he's shown already and his better defense. (again, we'll see if this past season was the norm or the exception, I'd bet on the latter) Well... I tried.

QUOTE (IlliniKrush @ Dec 16, 2013 -> 12:02 AM) Blame the Broncos for sucking! Killed so many people this week. I stick by it. If Lacy doesn't play, you said you had zero other options. If I would've known Kendall Wright would be awesome for one week on my bench, I would've been fine.. but who would've ever thought that one.

Thanks Krush.. really screwed me up! I should have just waited on Lacy. Instead Bell goes nuts on my bench. Thank god Bailey decided to be my MVP today. Lacy's clutch TD also helped as well as Brees not sucking after halftime. I'm up by 7.35 and this bastard has Reggie Bush going tomorrow................ yea not looking good. I should be in the championship.

Floyd will probably be much worse this year anyway when he comes back. 2014-15 season however will be the time he is his usual self. BTW: Anyone else look at Jester's avatar first before reading the post?

I was better off waiting out on Lacy and playing Le'Veon Bell as my flex. f*** might of cost me the matchup and the date to a championship and the potential to win $500. I have to seriously hope MDJ, AP (looking good so far with their injuries) Gerhart and Bush don't play/bomb. There's not much else in FA my opponent can turn to other than the Vikings 3rd string RB or Trent Richardson.

QUOTE (IlliniKrush @ Dec 12, 2013 -> 10:54 AM) I would try to wait it out to play Lacy, maybe pick up Starks if available. I don't see a huge difference in potential between Bell and Ball, and actually think Ball has a better chance to score. I'd probably roll the dice with Ball, then Sunday place Lacy if he's active, and if not, you have Bell to go to. If you sit Ball, you roll the dice that Lacy plays, and if he doesn't come Sunday, you better have Starks or someone off the waiver wire ready to go. The asshole I'm playing against picked up Starks and Gerhart. That's one s***ty thing about working a night shift job, you miss stuff like updates and such in the morning. (speaking of which, I should get some sleep now) Can't believe I'm gonna play Ball. If he does well for me Krush, I'll owe you big time.. maybe put whatever you want on my sig or something or fed-ex you a beer.. It's risky considering I'm also playing Decker and Julius Thomas. I know Peyton likes to feed people, but I might have a turd in the punchbowl somewhere in there...

Asking people's opinion on Montee Ball. Just picked him up. It's a huge gamble, but his snaps have increased lately and Moreno is a bit banged up. (I'm facing Moreno tonight btw) Should I start Ball or wait out and see if Lacy plays (hopefully) and/or Le'Veon Bell as a flex? This is NON PPR. My Rb's.. McCoy (must start) Lacy, Bell, Ball. Pick 3 from that list.

He was a better hitter than Jesus Flores (who ironically enough, the Nats took with their rule 5 pick a few years ago when he was in high A) in the minors and Flores has/had carved out a decent backup career. Not saying that's going to happen with Nieto, but you never know. I mean if Albert Pujols can only have 81 ABs in high A (14 ABs in AAA) then jump to the bigs and become one of the league's best hitters of the past decade, then anyone can do it.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 12, 2013 -> 08:29 AM) Bruce Levine ‏@MLBBruceLevine 56s Wh Sox take second catcher , Omar Narbaze from Tampa . Talk about a guy with virtually no power. He does have a good eye though. His arm is where he makes his living though, great percentage of CS.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Dec 12, 2013 -> 07:48 AM) So because catchers in the past had their careers ruined by home plate collisions, it would ruin the integrity of the game if present day catchers weren't allowed to face the same fate? I'm saying it doesn't matter in either case. Injuries can happen on any play or even in practice shagging fly balls. Should baseball ban head first sliding? I've seen more injuries there then in home plate collisions. Why take out something that's been a part of baseball (that anyone whose played baseball growing up) for centuries because of two freak accidents to young catchers as you said. Maybe I don't understand it.. (your talking to a guy whose still not a fan of instant replay though so I'm bias, and before any of the noobs jump on me, I'm not an old timer like Walsh, Yasny, Jim, Tex etc. here.)

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Dec 11, 2013 -> 07:32 PM) Such an obvious decision. Two of the best young catchers in the game missed a lot of games because of home plate collisions, really no need for them. I firmly believe baseball is one of the rare sports that most of the rules are best left alone. Your citing two catchers in today's game whereas many catchers in the past have had their careers altered one way or another due to a number of instances. (funny seeing the Rose quote, although I agree with him, where Ray Fosse was never the same after his collision with Pistol Pete) Injuries happen, it's part of the game. Any number of freak accidents can screw up a player's career anyways. That's what makes this game so great and why guys like Ripkin Jr. and guys before him do amazing things in that regard.

Wow.. couldn't touch this guy two years ago and now we got him. I'm generally a fan of most of the prospects in Arizona's farm system. They know how to really develop their prospects well for the most part (more-so hitters.. ironic I know). Hope he has a Carlos Quentin-like impact with us.