SoxAce

QUOTE (Reddy @ Mar 1, 2014 -> 11:03 PM) Oh, and Avi also has a career .734 OPS in the minors compared to Eaton's .951 But were going to disregard what league(s) Avi was playing in compared to Eaton at a much younger age to boot. **Noone has to know this.**

Versteeg, first player to score at United Center, Wrigley Field and Soldier Field. Pretty cool for him.

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Dec 23, 2013 -> 02:23 AM) Wouldn't mind J.R. at all. Just 22, has improved his defense year after year (the same as Davidson has improved his) and he had one of the higher pitch count rates for a catcher in the minors (decent walk rate, doesn't strikeout too much either and surprised a few people with his power surge). He fits the sox mold as being a guy who is young, cost controlled, and borderline MLB ready (he already got a taste of PAs this past season) He might benefit from a half year in AAA, but he's nearly ready. He won't be a star, but the sox don't need him to be with the "potential" of the other guys they have. Some of the guys mentioned before him haven't even seen (or seen enough) AA/AAA pitching, yet alone sniff the bigs so how can you know they won't flame out? Would like the move quite a bit. What I said about Murphy back when he was discussed in December in the "Hahn's next move" thread.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Feb 25, 2014 -> 04:34 PM) Bernie Pleskoff ‏@BerniePleskoff 32m In Fort Myers today, Johann Santana threw in the high 70's and touched 81 in front of scouts from 7 clubs. Also threw his changeup. He's going to Jaime Moyer all these fools!

Keith and Seabrook made guest appearances on the show Chicago Fire yesterday.

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Feb 24, 2014 -> 09:50 AM) Idea stolen from the favorite ex-Sox player thread. Who is your favorite currently active player who has never played for the Sox or been in their minor league system? Yea that's tough. Cause currently mine is Gio... has been for years. (other than Reed of course)

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Feb 22, 2014 -> 11:02 AM) This result isn't that surprising. Not at all. Especially when you had guys like Orpik, Brown, Faulk and Wheeler picked from the start. Just terrible.

I'll gladly take Toussaint if he's still there. I might be insanely high on him and bias, and he can easily flame out I.E. Nevin Griffith, but those are the type of upside talents you have to take and hope they pan out.

Congrats to the Switzerland woman's ice hockey team. First Olympic medal ever for woman and first medal from Switzerland hockey since 1948!

QUOTE (DirtySox @ Feb 17, 2014 -> 09:45 PM) Short BA piece on Trea Turner's debut as well. Video too. http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/gam...ss-trea-turner/ He is going to be very special, where ever he goes. He's probably my favorite prospect to watch and keep tabs on other than maybe Toussaint. (and a few others, albeit some of the keeping tabs on variety) Don't think I've been this pumped (this early) about the draft ever.. (2008 was the closest and even that doesn't compare)

QUOTE (Leonard Zelig @ Feb 11, 2014 -> 05:44 AM) Shirley Temple Damn. I remember my mother telling me she use to always love getting her hairstyle (locks) for events back in the day.

Just turned 24, RH, cost controlled until 2019, tremendous change up, throws strikes, but a straight low 90's sometimes mid 90's fastball (leads to the homeruns) not a great upside (although sox don't need that with him, just a solid #4 which is what I see him becomming). Decent write up today about finding the next Clay Buchholz from Eno Sarris of fangraphs though.. http://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/finding-t...-clay-buchholz/

Pretty much sums it up..

Good god your just as ugly as I remember.

QUOTE (thxfrthmmrs @ Feb 9, 2014 -> 09:26 PM) This is a rather flawed argument. Your premise was McGrady should get some slack for not playing for the "best" defensive coach, but then you went on to discredit Van Gundy in his early days as a head coach. From 2004 to 2007, the Rockets were perennial ranked in the top 10 or top 5 in defensive efficiency. He wasn't the best defensive coach, but it doesn't take the best defensive coach to coach the best defensive player. And you can even say McGrady was a below average defender in certain years prior to 2008. I've watched most of the Magic/Rockets games from 2002 to 2008, and in certain games, T-Mac looked brilliant defensively when he tried. The defensive work in 2005 playoffs against Dirk was brilliant. But he was never counted on to defend the other team's best players otherwise, even at the end of games. The superstars we have today, Lebron, Durant, George, and Kobe in years past, all guarded the other team's alpha dog in late stretches or even throughout the game. Your going in complete circles with yourself here, and in a way arguing with yourself. I already said he used alot of Riley's philosophy in his coaching tactics as well as his motivating of players, but if I "discredit" him of being a poor in-game adjuster with lacking certain X's and O's, then yes. I already said enough about T-Mac's defensive game, so I won't reiterate it again. And I wonder why he wasn't put on certain player's in stretches late. Could it be the player himself, could it be Van Gundy not trusting him, or could it be not burning him out on the defensive side of the ball late in the game.. hmm.. Even Durant wasn't great defensively his first year or two comming out of Texas and was seriously influenced by Ron Adams, helping his development in that area. Your one of the few posters I agree with quite a bit in years past when I posted more in this thread (along with Nite, Zoom, Felix and 2012-mid '13 version of J4L ) but at times like this no.. not even close.

QUOTE (Willard Decker @ Feb 9, 2014 -> 08:42 PM) Don't agree with this at all. Jeff Van Gundy's Knicks teams were regularly among the top five teams in opponent's field-goal percentage and points-per-game despite having no stand-out individual defensive players. Larry Johnson was Van Gundy's most effective on-the-ball defender, a player whom Scottie Pippen cited as one of the league's worst defensive players. Van Gundy's Rockets teams were similarly effective with an uninterested McGrady on the roster. He had an opportunity to learn how to play defense effectively but never took advantage of it. --Captain Decker I think anyone with a brain knows that was Pat Riley's work in those early Knicks years when he took over and implemented the 1-3-1 trap. (which was brilliant and he was also the first coach to watch video during halftime to break down adjustments) Guys like Oakley, Ewing (although he was already a stud), Starks, etc. were already all defensive players before Van Gundy took over. Now, he used alot of Pat's philosophy in his coaching and it helped hide...er..."made non defensive players better" such as LJ as you alluded to (same with Thibodeau on certain guys currently), but his in-game adjustments/creativity (which is part of what he was criticized for) was indeed poor.

QUOTE (ZoomSlowik @ Feb 9, 2014 -> 07:26 PM) Orlando-era T-Mac was a stud though, and he was still very good his first year in Houston. He was my favorite player in the late 90s-early 00s, even though he snubbed Chicago when he signed in Orlando. He was never as lazy about the game nor lack the heart as his cousin Vince (as I've stated repeatedly could of been/should of been one of the greatest ever) did and actually made the most out of what he had offensively during that time/prime/peak. Now with that said.. with his athleticism, length, quickness, movement without the ball, etc. he should of had much more impact on the game defensively. (most of that is on him, but he was always the man since high school and he never had the best defensive coaches either strategically, same as Carmelo currently) A shame what injuries did to him later on. Also a shame he didn't pay attention to detail as much on the court during stretches.

Nice water.

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Feb 4, 2014 -> 08:56 AM) OK, but the people I know are in their late 20s to mid 30s. I know guys 40+ doing it, thanks to my profession. (even myself doing it every one in a while) Hard labor man.. for the druggies and alcoholics.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Feb 4, 2014 -> 10:17 AM) What if the #3 pick becomes a star? What if Danish becomes an ace out of nowhere? What if Laumann and the rest of the staff find a gem (or two) after the #3 pick in the '14 draft? What Q and myself are saying is, you just never know what will happen that can derail the FO's plans good (as in that, other or under the radar prospects shining, young players in the bigs living up to potential) or bad (serious injuries, prospects busting, young players taking years to develop, or struggle/never get it)

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Feb 3, 2014 -> 04:44 PM) Jason Parks just said he's got the Sox as the #19 system in baseball. They will probably be middle of the pack (#15th or so, maybe better) when they add up the #3 pick, plus the other draft selections the sox brass makes by the end of the year. A HUGE step from where this organization was just two years ago.

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Feb 4, 2014 -> 07:21 AM) I know people who smoke 10+ times/week. Not that much, but that was pretty much me in high school....

QUOTE (Chilihead90 @ Feb 4, 2014 -> 02:39 AM) How many more dead grandpas do we need to get some life out of this team? Kane just lost it in the post game interview. Haven't seen him cry like that since Savard was fired. Kudos to him for even seeing the media after the game. He had an amazing game all around.