SoxAce

QUOTE (scenario @ Apr 16, 2010 -> 02:06 PM) I don't get it. Does Viciedo have to get hits every day to avoid being criticized? He went 2-4 plus a walk on Tuesday, and 2-4 on Wednesday... But goes hitless on Thursday and gets called out by people? Ignore him bro. The real peeps here know whats going on. Hell just a couple days ago Danks 2 was K'ing more than he was now the tides switched. Still early people. Viciedo started off slow last year and picked it up later by adjusting.

About time. (and yes I realize it's only like 5 games into the season, but he should of been there when the season started IMO)

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 16, 2010 -> 12:22 PM) Threets looks like he could be the real deal too... He is still 28, not super old. I liked him more than Williams comming out in ST. Great arm/stuff (though for some reason his K numbers don't translate despite the stuff) but his problem is the same like Williams. He'll walk the world. (and Williams will or probably K more hitters, plus the MLB experience)

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Apr 16, 2010 -> 11:52 AM) I expect the pen to be solid all year long. I'm sure Linebrink will have a dip in production in the 2nd half per usual but besides him and Randy Williams everyone else in the pen should be real good all year imo. Pretty much sums it up. My only beef with KW is not getting a better LH to help Thornton in the pen. Williams is just awful. I believe he already has 7 walks in only 4.1 IP. In comparison, Garcia has 8 and has pitched 6 more innings. Just never liked him in the pen to begin with even as a LOOGY.

God Nashville is so boring. Oh well, lets take this series boys. Vancouver has a date with us in round 2 (barring Sharks collapse and yes, I'm already calling that series for VAN)

QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ Apr 16, 2010 -> 12:36 PM) If the Bulls want to land LeBron, it couldn't hurt to try and make this a good series. Not only him, but other guys (Bosh will be watching at home) I got Cavs in five (Rose will not have it be a sweep), though I think Noah will carry it to six.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Apr 16, 2010 -> 12:31 PM) We have the highest average fastball and slider velocity of any pen in the game. Now that is surprising. I thought Detroit would be far and away in that stat.

A.J.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 16, 2010 -> 01:53 AM) It's quite scary to think that a rehabbing Mitchell and Viciedo would be left as our only top prospects...and maybe a couple of DeLosSantos types emerge at the lower levels...someone like Thompson would have to light up the scouts' charts/reports. That's what J4L alluded too and I'll agree on him with. That won't be for long of course with the draft in the summer and the sox picking 14th this year I believe (and high in the rounds after) which will be nice to kinda "restock" the system. I don't want to morgage our cards (won't call the spects "future" that much anymore) in the deck for one guy who is either old or is signed for a season (and a half especially when another young stud could be available the next season) unless KW feels that is the ultimate piece to a W.S. title, and I mean REALLY feels it. QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Apr 16, 2010 -> 02:01 AM) The bold is why I'm about 75% certain Hudson will be traded. They did the same thing with Dexter Carter last year. No they didn't. Carter was drafted just last season and only stayed in low A cause the sox felt he needed work on his secondary pitches despite owning in low A. Hudson was much more advanced in his secondary stuff, hence why he moved up, and Carter stayed. Eventually the sox felt Carter might not ever figure it out or not harness it like they want and shipped him out (along with Poreda thank god, and Russell) for Peavy though I know wite would say that was more of a give-a-way for the Padres in his drunk rants. Hudson was long rumored to be what SD wanted.. the sox kept him (though you can debate he might had been in the first trade Peavy rejected, when Huddy was in W-S though those are rumors) Not arguing he might be traded cause he very well could, but I don't think the sox will nor should (especially with no depth after Hudson, with Freddy who I don't trust personally.. again.. hope he proves me wrong)

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Apr 16, 2010 -> 01:37 AM) Most people thought Gio would get traded a second time? I know I didn't. And KW has been saying since 2007 that at some point, if you want to have a sustained run of success, that you have to be able to "filter" in young talent from the minor leagues. I also remember him saying that he didn't want White Sox draftees to think they were only drafted to be developed and then eventually traded. Not those exact words. But he said something very similar. I bring those two instances up because KW was obviously talking out of his ass in that regard. I'd be shocked (I mean really shocked) if Hudson is here past the deadline. Yes sir. Go back to old futuresox threads. Some guys were half kidding about the odds of it (especially when KW told Gio to his face he won't be traded again) but after repeating AA in B-Ham to sexy up those numbers with that curve however, some here called it. doc, rock or ms can comment on this if they want, but supposedly the sox were already hesitant to trade Huddy this winter in a deal. (again.. not too sure on it, guys with inside knowledge can choose to comment or not) I wouldn't put it past them to do so, but I just don't see it happening unless it's for another stud young pitcher they like (ala B-Mac deal) when no pitcher (even the top prospects, though most have flopped anyway) have ever moved up 4 levels in one season, and pitched pretty well in the bigs. I can't see KW acquiring a young pitcher however in a division race (yes I think we will be in a race come the deadline) and say Freddy flops or gets injured. I think it will the usual unknown spect that most people here won't know about except spect freaks like myself (ozzie ball, dan, jas, thunder, msfan, jpn, scenario, daa, etc.. or guys that follow the minors and know some guys) in the lower levels that will explode to the scene (ala De Los Santos) that will be hyped alot to trade (hopefully not Nate Jones for example.. though I can see it) along with say.. Flowers, Viciedo etc.. This is KW your right, but I don't see it happening, and judging by your predictions in the past makes me even more confident in mine.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Apr 16, 2010 -> 12:39 AM) Our GM is Kenny Williams. That trumps all. Our Brass has liked a lot of guys. I think Hudson is gone by mid-season. The only player I've heard the sox really talk up and winded up trading was Chris Young. Even the great Gio, most people even here knew he wouldn't be here long. (didn't think it would be for Swisher however) I think knightni and fathom said it best in the game thread and I'll agree with their post since I've only said this to very few prospects in the past and have a decent percentage on guessing right (couple guys I flopped on were Reed [more or less my favorite spect ever, though I loved the trade for Freddy at the time], Honel, BA, Sweeney [jury still out]) sox will regret trading Hudson if they do. (don't get me wrong though if it's for a prime stud bat in a division race then by all means, but no Swisher type level guys) I'll stand by my opinion though so we'll see. QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 16, 2010 -> 01:04 AM) With the shift in the economic climate in the last two offseasons, I just think there's only about 5 teams in baseball that would dare to take a risk with Linebrink's contract at this latter stage in his career. I would think the Cubs are one of the 5. And I think they would love to have him back in the NL. Question is not only money.. will Linebrink waive his no-trade, but to stay in Chicago? He is a very good teammate in the clubhouse by all accounts. Like I said before, the first half Linebrink doesn't bother me. It's the second half where he goes Brandon Lyons on us.

In other upset news.. Capitals lost today to the Canadians. Vancouver unfortunately won against the Kings, though that was a great game. Buffalo also won. Miller was amazing as usual.

Nice star for my boy Nate Jones. Though Shoemaker is only hitting .174, he's got a .344 OBP with his discipline (5 BB's already) so that is nice to see from him. His bat will probably pick up as the season goes along here.

As I said in the predictions thread, and in another thread, I expect Huddy to have more of an impact this year than most people realize. Now I predicted he'll take over mid-season, but I'll let people here make up their own predicitons on what month and such. I hope to hell Freddy proves me wrong and is serviceable (and no, one good start and one bad start won't sway me either way) this season. I just have a strong feeling we'll be seeing more of Hudson (who the sox brass really likes) than people think.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Apr 15, 2010 -> 02:56 PM) I'm following on Gameday. But it does seem most of the Brewers hitters have no plate discipline whatsoever. They will be at the top of the league in strikeouts. Guaranteed. Acquiring Carlos Gomez doesn't help that cause either.

QUOTE (JPN366 @ Apr 15, 2010 -> 02:21 PM) I think "fun" has gotten in the way based on what I've heard. Man.. that's a shame. Would have been quite a story if he made it to the bigs, like his new rich brother Matt did after one season in another sport. ESPN would have had a field day with that segment.

QUOTE (knightni @ Apr 15, 2010 -> 01:34 PM) Konerko I've noticed a disturbing trend with you sir.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Apr 15, 2010 -> 07:16 AM) Anyone else watch Ugly Americans? The show is fantastic. QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Apr 15, 2010 -> 08:28 AM) Stop plugging your show. Oh that was outstanding. But yea I saw an episode of it.. Really funny show, and was pissed I'm not watching it more, though I've missed alot of South Park episodes since baseball season (and the Bulls recently) so ya... I'm actin up.

Keep up the good work guys. Bad news on me personally, did not workout all of last week cause I lost motivation for some reason after hanging with friends and all the compliments and such. Then when I wanted to go back to it, I had a severe hamstring strain on both legs working on the back-yard and still have it now, but trying to fight through it. I gotta say I feel bloated. Feels like I gained 10 pounds since I've been cheating alot. Dunno if I have it in me to continue.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Apr 15, 2010 -> 01:10 PM) I'm saying that Oden would be a game changer right now if he didn't keep getting injured. He was turning into one hell of a player before he got hurt once again this season. Would he be better than Durant? Hell no but he certainly would be one hell of a valuable asset and would have Portland as one heck of a dangerous team in the playoffs. Agreed though he "could had been." It's sad when people are already writing off Blake Griffin after one season of not playing., You just can't do that yet. And yes, Wall is a stud. I still have Turner as my #1 personally as I think he becomes the better pro, but Wall has the higher upside if he pans out. When coaches like Roy Williams call you the best PG prospect he's ever seen since Kidd 20 years ago, you are no slouch.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Apr 15, 2010 -> 02:55 PM) No team with Scott Baker and Jon Rauch as their #1 starter and closer is going to run and hide from anyone. I still think when it's all said and done, Liriano will jump in tha 1 spot as the season goes. Blackburn/Baker is their solid 2. Their offense and bullpen should be good enough to keep them in alot of games. The Tigers are the team that surprised me the most so far.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Apr 15, 2010 -> 01:57 PM) Would have. SQWERT!!!!

QUOTE (goblue5699 @ Apr 15, 2010 -> 01:45 PM) Pierre LF Beckham 2B Quentin DH Konerko 1B Jones RF Rios CF Ramirez SS Lucy C Nix 3B per the score Though I wanted Teahen to start again as he's got a hot bat this series. I don't think Ozzie likes walks though. QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Apr 15, 2010 -> 01:47 PM) Yay. Jones with the start instead of Kotsay. I want to see this more often than not. There's a lefty on the mound. He would of started anyways.

QUOTE (SouthsideDon48 @ Apr 15, 2010 -> 01:38 AM) Nick Masset was always someone I wished the Sox had kept. I'd actually go as far as to say that I'd prefer Masset over Linebrink at this point. I'm sure you won't be alone in that regard. Younger, cheaper, better arm/stuff etc.. hard to argue though he does pitch in the NL now, so some of his stats are a bit deceiving. Still though...

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Apr 15, 2010 -> 01:22 AM) C'mon, Ace. Ain't no human being on earth had Durant as one of the top 5 players in the game this time last year. Hell, he might not have been in the top 15. Well I meant top 5 in the game THIS year actually. He was more known as an up and comming superstar from last season, and some people did had him in their top 15 or top 20. There's no doubt now he's even higher on people's list.