SoxAce

QUOTE (kitekrazy @ Sep 14, 2010 -> 11:20 PM) It gets expensive when you have to get it outside the organization. Plus Freddy and Peavy are big ? for next season. I would think Freddy is gone, unless the sox plan on trading one of the other guys. (Peavy-Buehrle-Danks-Floyd-Jackson) But I would like to see the sox sign a veteran FA pitcher next season (or a MLC to one) in case Peavy has problems again, so we won't have the same problem as we did this year running out guys like Harrell, Torres, Pena as a starter, etc.. etc..

QUOTE (Real @ Sep 14, 2010 -> 11:07 PM) Does $$$ make enough sense for you? Because the Sox will not have a lot of it next year. You basically can't bring Konerko back unless you trim significant salary elsewhere. Lots of empty seats for the rest of this season, and definitely for next year. I would hope our FO values pitching much more than a hitter. If a 34 year old Konerko wants 3+ years for 12+ mil... thanks for the memories Pauly, do whats best for your family. IMO, I think Buehrle leaving would be much worse for a PR hit (though I could be wrong) than Konerko and if not.. thats the FO's fault for making such poor choices for signings/trades/extensions to have this mess. I hope the FO finds a way to extend Danks (who we still have what 2 years of arb with?), Jackson for a couple more years. Thats how we SHOULD be building this team pitching/bullpen should be priority #1. QUOTE (Real @ Sep 14, 2010 -> 11:14 PM) There's your dilemma, Jackson is gonna be hard to move due to that contract, he might not be tradeable til the trade deadline. I disagree. One year left on his deal, not to mention an arm like his, he won't be hard to move at all if the sox go that route.

QUOTE (daggins @ Sep 14, 2010 -> 09:59 PM) Trust me, you don't want the Sox to win 60 games next year. It's sad to think some of us would prefer we got that route though. Twins are not going to go anywhere, and they will have a healthy Morneau back and a healthy Nathan. (remember he's having surgery on him elbow, not his shoulder) Seems to work with Minnesota because they draft and develop well. Guys like Morel though is a typical Twins-like prospect and I still like Flowers. I'm more interested to see these guys (Morel, Viciedo, Flowers) play out the rest of this season like I said in the game if/when the Twins puts the finishing touches on this series not to mention a guy like Infante in the pen. Hell play Brent Lillibridge too. Just get Juan Pierre out of my sight.

I'd still rather at all cost keep the 25 year old lefty in Danks. Buehrle won't leave, but I'd rather move him than Danks. Thats how much I like Danks. Also I hope if/when the Twins finish us off in this series, I hope Ozzie plays the kids the rest of the way, instead of the whole "pride" crap.

QUOTE (scenario @ Sep 14, 2010 -> 10:47 PM) On the other hand, KW Jr. is 4-8 with 2 doubles so far in the series. So, the decision to put him at leadoff may seem curious, but it's hard to argue with the results. Not to mention he was leading off when Short went down with injury. He hit pretty well during his absence around late August/September and like you said, during the playoffs. I'm sure the manager did not want to fix what wasn't broke.

QUOTE (Chet Kincaid @ Sep 14, 2010 -> 09:34 PM) Depends on what you mean by large and small. If by large you mean a new catcher, DH, 3b, Rf, bullpen arm and closer, then I'll vote large changes. Pretty much sums up my feelings as well.

Hopefully for KW and our sake, he can extend Jackson for a couple more years at least (at a decent salary). Still young in his own right. Probably the only way alot of us here can actually stomach the deal if Jackson is locked up for more than one season next year. Good luck doing that with Boras, Kenny.

Hell of a season boys. Sox can still take 2/3, but all in all, the fat lady is pretty much about to step on the stage to sing. KW, you got alot of work to do this off-season.

Manny.

QUOTE (nitetrain8601 @ Sep 14, 2010 -> 02:16 PM) Sanders is way too overrated and too injury prone to be counted on. He's more injury prone than Tracy McGrady. He makes Mike Brown look like Brett Favre and his games streak. QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 14, 2010 -> 12:43 PM) Something interesting I came accross for the stat heads of Soxtalk talk... Lovie Smith was right to go for it on the 4th down play from the 1 yard line... http://www.advancednflstats.com/2010/09/lovies-blunders.html Me and nite had no problem with the call, especially given Lovie was given the "no balls title" long ago, but Stafford out didn't help his decision at all. Next time though.. you do it with Chester Taylor at the goal line (especially in 3rd down) who is one of the best short yardage backs in the league. Just terrible evaluating, almost as bad as playing man to man on Calvin Johnson late in the game.

Lets get this one win down so we all can look forward to the next 2 games boys!

QUOTE (11and1 @ Sep 14, 2010 -> 12:53 PM) So that me makes me lazy as well. Perhaps. But considering that I was unaware of the exisitence of much of the data you are citing, that may indeed be a bit harsh. And where in my post do I ask anyone to do anything for me? You disagree with my theory, you choose to spend your time and utilize your familiarity with databases unknown to me, more power to you. And I certainly appreciate the info. But I certainly wasn't taunting you or anybody else, just posting a theory that seemed logical to my statistically challenged mind. Lesson learned. If your going to make a point, make sure you have the facts to back it up, instead of just spilling out what you think is the case (or rephrase it differently, saying "IMO" or "it seems" helps), so other posters like Balta won't call you out (own you) on it. Hey, happens to even the most knowledgeable of posters so don't feel too bad (ego won't be too shot) about it.

It's pretty much sweep or bust at this point. If the Twins sweep us or take 2/3, I would come at peace with the season being over. If the sox sweep, I would come at peace with us being back in this thing. Taking 2/3 would still have us at 5 games back, which puts it at a (pretty much over, but just not quite) stage, giving me false hope all in all.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Sep 14, 2010 -> 12:48 AM) You don't consider the fact that KW was willing to deal Tyler for two months of Adam Dunn alarming? Like I said... if your getting a bat next season (upgrading at DH or 1B if PK leaves, 3B, etc..) you do it without hesitation and bring back A.J. who won't kill you. I'm sure any of us would have done the same thing. (especially netting 2 draft picks out of it) I mean come on.. it's Adam Dunn. But for a franchise who has been crying poor, despite actually spending, I would assume they would be playing more guys at the minimum, especially having a 50+ million dollar rotation locked up.

That is the thing that kills me and it seems it happens alot when regular posters try to "evaluate" prospects. A prospect has one bad year after mashing every level he was at, only to have his swing changed in the off-season and his mind mentally f***ed because of mechanics and now he's horrid? Tyler Flowers put up a .220/.334/.434/.768 line in his worst year in the minors at AAA (which was his first full year after putting up .286/.364/.438/.803 in 105 ABs last year). Now I'm not saying he'll pan out (since that does happen as well.. prospects are hit or miss) but a guy who will be making the minimum next season and will probably put up a better OBP than A.J. without even trying (and has more offensive "potential", though I hate that word) I would like to at least see what he can do next season, and hope Greg Walker doesn't try to continue to fix what ain't broke. (or.. maybe wasn't broke prior) A.J. is hitting .268/.300/.383/.682, 82 OPS+ this year. Flowers will never match A.J. in average, but I'm sure he can put up a .300 OBP (and a higher OPS) at the major league level making peanuts, especially if the sox can address the other areas that are much more important (a hitting DH/RF/1B [whatever happens to Konerko and/or Quentin, 3B if they don't like what they see in Morel, bullpen, LF [ya thats just me talking since I do not like Pierre] etc..) Now if the sox have something else planned in the off-season (FA signing/trade lined up for a solid catcher) fine, but I'm one of the few that prefers we go in a different direction as far as the catchers position (unless we might have another DH-like situation, then you bring A.J. back or if we've upgraded at DH/possibly 1B if PK is gone, 3B, possibly LF/RF substantially, than sure, A.J. wouldn't kill you)

QUOTE (flippedoutpunk @ Sep 13, 2010 -> 10:52 PM) I am no one to judge whether a soldiers actions deserve a certain medal or not.. but when i hear medal of honor i think of a soldier clearing out almost an entire company of enemy soldiers to the last clip of his m4, then taking out the rest with his beretta before finally having no way to fight back all while providing security long enough for reinforcements to arrive.. from what i gather from the story is he saved two(?) of his mates while taking out one taliban and chasing off the other with help from his other mates. This is most definitely an amazing act of bravery on his part, but ive seen even my chain of command award just a silver star for things a bit similar to what this brave SGT(?) did. But if the big boss wants to award him with the MOH then thats flippin fantastic, that has to be the most amazing honor one can achieve in life, especially to be a LIVING moh recipient. Very well said man.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Sep 13, 2010 -> 05:31 PM) Bulls named Michael Reinsdorf President and COO. This actually may be a sign of things to come with the Sox. I know JR has stated he hope his children wouldn't want to follow in his footsteps, but Michael always has, and it appears JR is grooming him to take his spot eventually. I figured something had to be up with him when I saw him as part of the "team" try to recruit LeBron. I'm kind of "meh" about Jerry overall (does things I like, things I don't like) but I hope his son kinda follows the Rocky Wirtz-like footsteps on right decisions. It definitely seems he will be the next guy in line in the future.

I know it's only week one.. but way to make a big impression on the world Jets. And on the flip side, I really, really like the Ravens team. Good to see Ray Lewis shut them up for a week.

Sauer showing he's got big stones. I find it ironic the two star players of the game were Kenny Williams' son and a guy whose first name is Ozzie.

QUOTE (chw42 @ Sep 13, 2010 -> 02:25 PM) Wow, good to see Quade actually uses some sort of numbers... That is actually very impressive. Could be a nice hidden gem for a team in the future. Hell thats the type of guy Ozzie needs as a bench coach instead of Cora.

I just hope for sox fans sanity that Big Jim does not deliver a big hit late this comming series.. Though I'm sure some will forget (or don't see it) cause he is not clutch or ever was or anything.

QUOTE (Vance Law @ Sep 13, 2010 -> 12:24 AM) Have you looked at Andruw Jones' numbers? Quentin and Jones have identical .333 OBPs Quentin's OPS .810 Jones' OPS .824 Jones' 2nd half OPS .902 Quentin's 2nd half OPS .711 Jones 2nd half HR 6 (in a little more than half the PAs) Quentin 2nd half HR 5 And oh yeah, Jones is insanely better in right field. He should have become the full time right fielder weeks ago. I had no idea one year (especially for a guy who is putting up the highest WAR he's had in three years) defines being a better hitter. Thats like me breaking it down from when Q got the starting gig till now with Jones. Quentin 2008-2010 .256/.354/.507/.861 123 OPS+ 4.5 WAR Jones 2008-2010 .202/.308/.407/.715 87 OPS+ 1.6 WAR One year should not define them as hitters. Obviously one is going to go to Cooperstown when his career is over (IF he didn't use PEDs which has been questionable in itself mind you) Defensively.. no doubt. Wasn't too long ago people here wanted him DFA'd when he was much worse than Q, despite the D (I wasn't one of them especially only making 500K). Quentin has just been a mystery all in all this year. Dude was once one of the better defensive RFs in the minors since college (and was pretty good in his short stint as a D-Back) and all of a sudden goes back to his natural position and goes Jermaine Dye on us. (actually much worse) Could it be a bad year? Sure. But he is what he is at this point, and that is a guy who has not been the same defensively since f***ing up his shoulder and having surgery on it. He doesn't dive anymore busting it, he is taking bad routes, and actually forgot how to judge a fly ball off an angle from one year of being away from that position. All in all, looks very timid. It's like I'm watching two different people from the guy I saw at Stanford. (though he is also bulkier now than he was then, though he's always been solid in size) QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Sep 13, 2010 -> 12:26 AM) Vance Law just went Kalapse on Ace. And typical you on raggin someone without giving him the benefit of backing himself up before you declare the ownage. Keep those fingers off the keyboard for a sec. next time okay essay?

QUOTE (chw42 @ Sep 12, 2010 -> 11:30 PM) Take 3 of those turnovers away and they score at least 29 points instead of 19. Hell Aromashodu cost the Bears 9 points himself.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Sep 12, 2010 -> 08:08 PM) And how about those f***ing Rockies. The anti-Sox when it comes to second-half performance. That's 10 wins in a row for them and they're now only 1 1/2 games out of first. They are making it look easy when September rolls around. Unbelievable. Tracy will get more credit than he deserves, but since he took over, it's like that team becomes insane later on in the year (the last month especially) when it counts. Like I said a couple weeks ago.. hold off those Bud Black for manager of the year awards (though he is still deserving from SD's season overall).

Could be a double sour taste for the Lions. You lose the game in controversy and rumors are speculating Stafford is possibly done for the year.