SoxAce

QUOTE (Ozzie Ball @ May 18, 2010 -> 01:33 PM) I'm expecting someone like Workman or Wimmers. At least this way I can't be disappointed... or I'll just be less disappointed. If it is Wimmers, I'll be a bit disappointed to be honest. And Texas pitchers scare me, so I'm shot on Workman.

Konerko's numbers are going down a bit. This is where other guys have to pick it up cause you knew guys like Konerko, Jones, Rios wouldn't stay hot forever.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ May 18, 2010 -> 12:27 PM) I dont know the numbers. Id just rather not give up on a young good goalie. If that means other pieces have to go, so be it (imo). But as long as the Hawks can keep their core group together and have a solid goalie, they have a chance to compete. That is why I suggested trading for one with enormous potential. If i'm trading guys like Versteeg/Sharp/Byfuglien/Bolland/etc.. I would want a young franchise goalie back (like a Bernier, Schneider, Price, etc..) or you keep Niemi and draft a goalie to groom for the long haul if the brass doesn't feel Niemi is the future/doesn't have that much upside. Montreal has to make a decision on Halak as well as he is playing out of his mind right now, and will also cost alot as a RFA and they still have Price. (though I would think they want to keep Halak) Other teams as well.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ May 18, 2010 -> 01:26 PM) Right, now i've pretty firmly set on wanting Austin Wilson to be our pick. That's predicated by the belief that Raunado will be taken before that. IF he isn't i'd like to bring him. After that we need to get a projectable LHP and some middle infield depth that can swing the bat. As I said in the catch-all thread, I still think we are taking a pitcher with our first pick. (and rightfully so) I don't think you'll be disappointed if it's the current M.O. we've been doing. (high upside guy) I got a few guys in mind, just hope we don't select a "safe" pick. Raunado scares me a bit, but you know I still love him.

This is the type of park Juan Pierre would thrive in.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ May 18, 2010 -> 01:24 PM) Ozzie is a pretty bad in game manager, pretty bad at match ups. His only good trait was that he seemingly worked well with the team and got them to play at a higher level than maybe they should have. The last few years he has not brought much to the table. I like Ozzie and hell always have 2005, but if you want change, it starts at the top. I agree with you 100% and I've talked about this before in the past.

I agree with Rock that the way he is playing, he will be out of the price range for the Hawks. Some team can offer him 3+ mil. We net draft picks back if we don't match. At this point, that will be a very tough decision especially when we still have to move Huet, Sopel, etc.. perhaps even 1 or 2 of Sharp/Versteeg/Byfuglien/Bolland.

DirtySox take a bow!

QUOTE (DirtySox @ May 18, 2010 -> 01:05 PM) Forum needs a dedicated draft thread imo. They usually have one for the actual draft itself (in fact 2 of them 1 for rounds 1-4 and the other for rounds 5-on), but that wouldn't be a bad idea.

How bout that. Detroit fans were saying Pierre sucks and is horrible and he gets his 2nd XBH of the year and DRIVES IN 2 runs. Perhaps sox fans should start doing that at the cell.

QUOTE (docsox24 @ May 18, 2010 -> 12:43 PM) i thought they gave up on him too fast. he only played 2 real seasons and had over .800 ops both years. then the next year he didnt even get an at bat! They did.. but that is another discussion for another day.

QUOTE (SoxFan1 @ May 18, 2010 -> 12:46 AM) Quick question: where do people stand with Niemi as far as the future of this team? Is he the guy for the future or do we still look to get a veteran goalie this offseason? I'm torn on him to be honest. I think the best case would still to be trade for a young goalie with great potential (Bernier, Schneider, Price, etc..) and build him with Kane/Toews, but Niemi is a solid fairly young player in his own right (and you know if he helps win the cup, people in Chicago want that goalie back). IF he doesn't cost you too much (remember we still have to re-sign him as a RFA and manage the cap) you do it and perhaps draft a goalie in the future to groom, unless the org. feels Niemi is the future for another 10+ years. No doubt it should be Niemi/Crawford next year.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ May 18, 2010 -> 12:32 PM) I like the enthusiasm and appreciate the information girlslikebaseball. Welcome aboard!!! ^^^^^^^^^^^^

Jones.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ May 17, 2010 -> 11:17 PM) Wilson > Brentz And I'm saying this right now and not after the fact. I'll be extremely disappointed if we don't take Wilson at #13 if he's on the board. I still think we are taking a pitcher with our first pick. (and rightfully so) I don't think you'll be disappointed if it's the current M.O. we've been doing. (high upside guy) I got a few guys in mind, just hope we don't select a "safe" pick.

QUOTE (Kenny Hates Prospects @ May 17, 2010 -> 11:55 PM) You ain't my f***in pimp you expletively expletivie expletive!!!!! I owe you money?!?! Put down the crack pipe. As far as OPS, I'll take whatever your bet is. Putting up that line in the Major Leagues isn't some walk in the park. By good I mean a good starting catcher. And IMO the odds are against Tyroid. BTW I don't know why you always think I'm wrong and you're right, you're always the one who is wrong. You're more wrong than Hawk in a thong and this is going to prove it. But you won't remember. After Flowers busts you'll be talking about how you were right a year from now. Haha, you do what you always do. b**** and moan, drop a few expletive bombs to a reply from another poster, then when (or IF) the poster is right you don't show up for a month or two, then show up again, b**** and moan, drop a few expletive bombs to a reply from another poster, and when (or IF) the poster is right, don't show up for another month or two. I honestly don't know if that is by accident or if that is planned, but it is really quite impressive. BTW, I am yo pimp yo.. whateva whateva, I do what i want!

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ May 17, 2010 -> 11:05 PM) REALLY glad that Viciedo for the most part has alleviated a lot of the concerns I had about him just a month ago. The BB% is very disturbing, though. There's no way to spin 4 BB in 37 games at the AAA level into a positive. And I'm really getting worried about Jordan Danks. The K pace he's on is beyond embarrassing. This guy is nowhere near ML ready. And I thought Viciedo had a one-two year stint down there in AAA that would help the kid. I like Jordan taking walks (and the XBH), but when you are K'ing more than a power hitting who is also 3 years younger, that is not gonna help your chances.

I think he's going to resurrect them as well. The guy is so good at evaluating young talent in drafts and trades. He won't have to sign any FA either since he does suck at doing that not to mention what FA would want to go to Florida? I believe his top sidekick joined him as well. I like Stan, but I still don't think we will as good at drafting (especially those diamond in the rough guys in the later rounds IE. Brouwer, Byfuglien, etc.. prove me wrong Bowman) as we used to be. I do think however we will be better at managing the cap.

I have more of a crush on Dexter Fowler (who has been struggling) but I like Gonzalez alot. As I've staed many times though, the Rockies are my second favorite team, so I think I will be watching more Cubs games this week than usual cause of the Rockies. If only our sox were half this young and talented. Tulo, Stewart, Gonzo, Fowler, Iannetta, Jimenez, Morales, Street, Smith, I can just go on and on.

QUOTE (Kenny Hates Prospects @ May 17, 2010 -> 11:13 PM) Look at what Flowers does well and look at what he doesn't do well. Then consider the odds, and consider how many great prospects fail all the time, especially at the catching position. You ask me to defend my claim, and I'm just making a prediction. You can look at our own track record if you like. If you think Flowers will end up a good MLB player then you are the one going out on a limb. We'll see in time, but personally I hope we trade him while his value is still high. I'll bet you a million dollars that Flowers can put up a better OBP and OPS than A.J. (minus batting average) Which shouldn't be hard since you owe me about 20 million anyways over the years. In fact.. in a brief stint last year Flowers in 16 ABs had 3 BBs (.350 OBP) A.J. only has 6 BBs in 110 ABs this season. A.J. is a solid player and his I.Q is next to none, but if Flowers can't put up a .284-.325-.424-.749 numbers in a season (which are A.J.'s career numbers), then he should be a bust.

Cleveland, then Chicago, then New Jersey as a dark horse if they get Wall.

QUOTE (fathom @ May 17, 2010 -> 04:12 PM) Well, a little birdie yesterday told me that changes are coming tomorrow night/Wednesday morning. Beckham being demoted looks like a possibility. I'm probably gonna need tickets to the Knights games if that is the case. They will be fielding a way more exciting team. Beckham is one of the few guys I still like watching on this boring team, and still think it would be a mistake demoting him. Hell prior to yesterday, he had a 3 game hit streak (only a hit a game, but it was progress on what he has been doing). He is a confident guy though, so I would think this won't affect his mentality like alot of young guys which tends to be the case of a demotion and they really take it pretty hard... and never come back.

QUOTE (IowaSoxFan @ May 17, 2010 -> 04:00 PM) He played 3B all through the minors until he reached the majors last year and is playing 3B in AAA again this season. He played 1B because Young had moved the third. If you bring him in to play 1B you are blocking Viciendo with a player that is just as bad as Fields at hitting the baseball. He has no value to this team at 1B. No. When he was drafted, he played LF and 1B sparingly, then got moved to 3B for the next two seasons cause of his power potential. Texas realized he was a butcher down there, so they moved him back to 1B. Then Smoak was drafted, and they loved him at 1B so they tried to move Davis back to 3B cause of Blalock's struggles and his power/bat, only to have that flop again, so now he is basically blocked. For the record I'm not a Davis fan (I prefer Salty over him if given the choice) but I would still take him out of spite. I would think though that the sox would do it for a pitcher at a lower level, and hopefully net a sleeper prospect like a Miguel Velazquez or if you get really lucky... Richie Alvarez.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ May 17, 2010 -> 03:45 PM) Raw, salted testicles, please. Would you like a taste of my salty chocolate balls?

You don't need an ISO guy like Johnson to pair with LeBron or Rose, or even just Rose. unless your getting Troy Murphy at PF or Lee, you need a sniper who can stretch the floor for a SG. I like Johnson, but I don't feel he is a good fit for us unless were getting a Dirk Nowitski-like shooter at PF.