SoxAce

QUOTE (beck72 @ Dec 23, 2013 -> 10:57 PM) Except in the bigs. He's got to get major league hitters out one way or another in 2014. The most likely open spot is from the pen. He can always be stretched out if need be, ala Santiago. Seeing how he's coming off TJ surgery, throwing less innings from the pen makes sense. Yea, to me he has some similarities to Neal Cotts. And I'm not talking about as far as stuff.

OT: But this couldn't have happened to a "nicer guy".

As I said before, big time hype from Giants fans when he was comming up. His curve is pretty sick, great change as well. I actually think having him in the bullpen is a great idea. Might add 2-3 MPH on his fastball, (already has the frame) and he will probably have some pretty good strikeout numbers. Young, cost controlled (lefty) entering his prime.. the theme for Hahn this off-season.

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. QUOTE (StRoostifer @ Dec 23, 2013 -> 12:58 AM) Never heard of Greg Bird but I love his numbers, all be it at A ball. Would assume he'll start at AA in 14 so at the earliest late 15 or 16 season for his MLB debute if he stayed on track? Good looking prospect no doubt. He would be an amazing get, but I doubt Yanks will look to trade him right now.

QUOTE (Swingandalongonetoleft @ Dec 22, 2013 -> 10:43 PM) If this is indeed the case, and that's the kind of QB who will make it work, there has to be someone the Bears can acquire who fits the mould and is better at football than McCown. Well Cutler is that guy. Question is, can people live with him forcing the issue which can lead to bigger plays, but more turnovers. He has proven to know how to run a West coast offense with Shanahan. Trestman might have a different terminology, but it's still the same philosophy. He is the best QB the Bears have had since Luckman, but that isn't that impressive in our history. Should the Bears stay with him or Josh in a short window to win, or are they better off drafting and grooming a QB, surrounding him with more talent as the Marshalls, Fortes of the world start to age a bit, and then see what you got (with a right side, young OL and Jeffrey's potential as a #1).

QUOTE (chw42 @ Dec 22, 2013 -> 10:42 PM) Jay was so hesitant in the pocket tonight. Any sort of pressure caused him to hesitate, which led a good amount of his sacks tonight. I think that one hit he took where he was limping around out there got to him. He wasn't the same after that as far as moving his feet.

Although McCown's numbers are a bit skewed cause of the INT drops that DBs/LBs should have made on him (as well as him facing bottom team defenses) this offense still looked much better going through him. He fits Trestman's West coast style much more than the gun slinger Cutler (his short passes, intelligence to read defenses and when to roll out and avoid pressure are much better). But.. I still would like to see Cutler in the same system for more than one year as well.

Yea I forgot about Lacy f***ing up his ankle again. Starks is still very dangerous in his own right. (well.. any RB is facing our defense)

QUOTE (chw42 @ Dec 22, 2013 -> 10:17 PM) Marinelli isn't calling the shots in Dallas. He is the DL coach and they have the third worst pass rush in the NFL. That is on him.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Dec 22, 2013 -> 10:16 PM) We could stack all 11 in the box against and not stop the run. Simply increasing his attempts will undoubtedly produce more yards from scrimmage than any defensive considerations we might have. What I'm saying is Lacy's YPC was greater with Rodgers in the lineup in either case. Obviously with him back he might/will get less carries, but thats probably a good thing for GB as he'll be fresh for the playoffs if they win. I can see him easily getting 15-20 carries for 150+ instead of the 28-30 for 170+ he was getting after the Rodgers injury. Maybe add in a few more yards regarding the Bears D or maybe GB takes things slow with Rodgers working his way back leading to more carries anyway.

People here are saying fire Tucker, like the great Marinelli is doing so "amazing" with the Cowboys defense. Emery needs to draft DLs that can actually rush the QB (half of the problem right there) and a few other things regarding this defense.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Dec 22, 2013 -> 10:09 PM) stacking 8 in the box doesn't help with this defense. With Rodgers they will throw it some, with Flynn, run run run. He will still have even bigger run potential however. Lacy was averaging way more YPC when Rodgers was in. He's getting in the end zone more nowadays cause they have to run the ball more with Aaron out.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Dec 22, 2013 -> 10:03 PM) Over/under on Eddie Lacy rushing yards next week? I say 185 if Flynn starts, 130 if Rodgers starts Flip the QBs around. Rodgers defintely helps spread the defense enough to not stack 8 in the box for Lacy. QUOTE (chw42 @ Dec 22, 2013 -> 10:06 PM) I hope you're being sarcastic. I thought it was obvious.

Just awful. Today I got 170+ points from my team (almost breaking the fantasy record in my league, Shady is still going though) and would've demolished both guys who are in the finals had I won last week. (which I should have... thanks Krush ) Instead I have to settle for third place for a second year in a row. I guess on the bright side, I get my $100 back.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Dec 22, 2013 -> 11:04 AM) Not sure if this was already posted but it's pretty funny. Matt Davidson was doing an interview with Chris Rose and Kevin Millar and Reed happened to be in the background working out. Pretty funny stuff. Yea I saw that earlier. Great stuff. Here is the full interview. http://wapc.mlb.com/play/?topic_id=1739651...ent_id=31274425

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Dec 20, 2013 -> 11:01 AM) Do you consider Downs and Surkamp an upgrade over Heath and Morel? At least those two have a purpose within the system, which is more than you can say about Morel and Heath. Surkamp isn't a groundball pitcher though Blake. I remember Giants fans hyping this kid up to be the next Zito. (A's version) His curve is nice though.

Hey I'm posting to myself, boosting up my post count and going crazy with lack of sleep in the process...

Giggity!

f*** that...

Pretty cool I heard about this yesterday morning before the news broke. (was told to keep it under wraps until..) If anyone doesn't know, I use to work with Down's cousin a couple years back and he gave me a heads up text as he is back down in Louisville. Very cool.

Looks like he won't be after all. Peter Gammons reporting it too.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 18, 2013 -> 01:32 PM) The guy throws 95 and has what many call the best splitter in the world. He can get it up to 95 from what I heard. I believe he usually sits at 90-93. He's also had a declining K rate in Japan. Also has much more mileage on his arm than Darvish (who is built like a horse and increased his innings) had comming out. (Tanaka threw 186+ innings as an 18 year old)

If Tanaka had Yu Darvish's stuff, I think many might be more inclined to take on the risk. I like him as a pitcher, but I don't think the sox will take that route.

De Aza - Lefty, speed, better defense, better eye, surprising power, better war Viciedo - Youth, better power potential, better base runner, surprisingly lower K%, better iso There's more to both than that obviously. (more-so just a quick summary before I go to bed) Personally I prefer neither, but in a rebuild, Viciedo obviously is the more attractive piece. Depending on what kind of hitter/player they get at catcher, I would hope sox get (or develop) a player who has a combination of both of those guys attributes. Too bad Shin Soo Choo is older and more expensive. He would be beyond perfect for this team.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 18, 2013 -> 10:21 AM) Is he any relation to Dave Valle, he of the ridiculous hair plugs? I also think Dave Valle was playing for the Mariners when Bo Jackson hit a home run which clinched the division for the Sox in 1993. None. That Valle is an American.