Jordan4life_2007

QUOTE(VAfan @ Aug 24, 2006 -> 05:25 PM) As I posted around the trade deadline, the one trade I feared most was Bobby Abreu to the Yankees. What really pissed me off was that they got him for ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. And it is pretty clear now that Abreu has been the difference in the Yankees coming from behind Boston to crushing the BoSox and having the second best record in the AL. Now, I don't think it is too late for the Sox to make the playoffs as the wild card (don't think we're going to catch the Tigers) and beat the hated Yanks starting in their house. But Bobby Abreu is going to make it a lot more difficult. This was the one guy that all the major contenders could have used. We could have used him to replace Pods as our lead off hitter, and put some threat both at the top of the order and to shore up our hitting weaknesses at the bottom of the lineup. Boston could have used him as a replacement for Coco Crisp or Willy Mo. The Tigers could have used him instead of Craig Monroe or Marcus Thames. He could even have helped Oakland's offense. I'm just pissed that he's made the Yankees lineup formidable and dangerous again. Break a leg, Bobby! Sure, many teams could've used Abreu. But not many teams could absorb that ridiculous contract. I, for one, wanted no part of it. Their lineup is really good. No doubt about it. But is it that much better than last year? They were second in the AL in runs scored last year. It's doubtful that Sheffield and Matsui are gonna come back anywhere near the same. So you're basically adding Damon and Abreu while subtracting Sheffield and Matsui.

QUOTE(Cuck the Fubs @ Aug 24, 2006 -> 11:54 PM) They are going to be scary when Sheffield and Matsui return. 1. Damon CF 2. Jeter SS 3. Abreu RF 4. A-Rod 3B 5. HGH DH 6. Godzilla LF 7. Sheffield 1B 8. Cano 2B 9. Posada C AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You're assuming they're gonna be the same once they get back. It could take them a while until they get back to their pre-injury levels. Look at D.Lee.

QUOTE(DABearSoX @ Aug 24, 2006 -> 11:49 PM) If pods was hitting like last year Thome would have an extra 10 RBIs at least ^^^ I'm thinkin' 15-20.

QUOTE(MHizzle85 @ Aug 24, 2006 -> 06:59 PM) I really believe we're taking 2 outta 3 this series, with that being said...I dont feel confident about tommorow's game at all, I honestly think we'll beat Johan...I don't know why, i just do. And hopefully we can take advantage of Silva's inflated ERA and dominate like we know how. With that said... So you don't feel good about tomorrow's game, but you think will beat Santana on Saturday?

QUOTE(Heads22 @ Aug 24, 2006 -> 10:18 PM) So who thought when Brian was hitting roughly .150 in May his average would rise 80 points in 3 months. I did. You could see him slowly but surely putting together much better at-bats as the season went on. For a while there he was hitting line-drives left and right, just right at guys. It was just a matter of time before those line-outs turned into hits. I really don't think .250 is out of the question. That would be remarkable considering how he started the season.

QUOTE(VAfan @ Aug 24, 2006 -> 05:29 PM) I know I've been harping on this since before the season began. I just hope Ozzie realizes after today's game that our lineup is going to be better with Jermaine #3, PK #4, and Thome, when he returns, #5, with Crede #6 and AJ #7. It's a better alignment against lefties and righties. We went 16-1 with JD hitting 3rd last year. We could use a little tear like that to put the Twins in our rear view mirror and put some heat back on the Tigers. Our pitching had a little something to do with that. I'm all for Dye hitting third if that is what's best for the team.

QUOTE(cgaudin @ Aug 24, 2006 -> 05:26 PM) Dude, after this series there are still 32 games to play. If they get swept they're only half a game back. It would be big if they got swept, but the season is not over, not by a long shot We're 1-5 in our last 6 against the Twins. We need to step up and show something against these guys. I think another ass whoopin' by them would be psychologically damaging. Don't forget we've got 3 games up in their place to finish the year. If we can't beat the Twins, we're not goin' to the playoffs.

QUOTE(SoxFan101 @ Aug 24, 2006 -> 03:55 PM) I dont expect him to be a stud but he is a better prospect than most people (Flash) seem to admit. Fixed.

QUOTE(greg775 @ Aug 24, 2006 -> 04:13 PM) I know the Twins are good, but it has grown way old getting killed by them. I wouldn't mind seeing our Game One starter plunk a Twin in the first inning. That way our pitcher won't get tossed; the Twin will when he retaliates and might instill some fire. Then again ... maybe we just need to pitch and play defense and the wins will start to take care of themselves without beanings. I guess what I'm trying to say is ... whatever it takes, sweep the Twins. They have OWNED us and it's growin' old cause they do not have a better team than the Sox. It was easier to accept in '01, '02 and '04 (I still think we had the better team in '03). It's unacceptable now. We've got a better team on paper in every area ('pens are about even). We've got to step up and show these guys that we're not their little b****es.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Aug 24, 2006 -> 10:44 AM) That will be more because of Vazquez than because of Chris Young, IMO. Well, Kenny said this right after the trade was made. So either way, he knew he was giving up a pretty special talent.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Aug 24, 2006 -> 03:39 PM) I know some people said this series was a statement or that the series finale was a statement. Yes, we played well these final two games (although only one was well pitched). However, we've had games where we play well, the problem is we can't string anything together because our rotation is a bunch of holes and Jon Garland. A real statement would be coming back home and sweeping the Twins thanks in large part to 3 quality starts from our guys. I realize it won't be easy to do, but until we get consistent quality starts this team is still the same team its been all season, a team with an awful rotation and a tremendous offense that will lose when it goes up against a good pitcher unless Jon Garland is pitching or Jose actually decides to show up. I hate to be the Debbie Downer of the bunch but its the facts of life and when your pitching sucks you have a hell of a time ever distancing yourself from the pack and being able to go on a serious streak. I'm going to be the optimist and hope we can come out and start really rolling out some starts. Prior to the twins series this weekend it looked as if we were on our way to that, but than we had a bit of a hiccup, but maybe that was just a kink and we'll get back out there and get some more QS's. Well said, Jas. I'd love to get excited. It's hard to do that when you have no idea what you're gonna get from 4 of your 5 starters. The Twins have flat kicked our asses the last two times we've played them. If we get swept again, or even lose 2 out of 3, it might be time to concede. I hate to say that. And LMAO@Debbie the downer.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Aug 24, 2006 -> 03:39 PM) Jon Garland is now 33-14 with a 3.92 ERA since opening day 2005, and was 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA in 2 starts in the playoffs last year. Now I'm not picking fights, but if that's not an ace I'm not sure what is. He's not an ace. But he's certainly worth the contract he was given. It's actually a bargain when you consider his age, the fact that he's never even sniffed the DL, and the current market for starting pitching.

QUOTE(SleepyWhiteSox @ Aug 24, 2006 -> 03:36 PM) I luv Jon, but no way...maybe if various team planes of other contenders crash, but even then only it can't be a post-mortem award... I just meant to be in the discussion. He would have to throw 5 or 6 more complete game shut-outs to actually have a chance at winning it. QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Aug 24, 2006 -> 03:36 PM) How about for a guy with a line of 8-1 2.69 ERA 1.19 WHIP 4.39 K/9 and nearly a 4 K/BB since the beginning of July, while also being the only form of consistent(ly good) pitching on his entire team? 15-4 looks a hell of a lot better when you consider how pisspoor he started out th year. And all that has come against good hitting teams. Even the Royals.

Can Jon Garland pitch all 3 games?

QUOTE(Hangar18 @ Aug 24, 2006 -> 12:23 PM) No it wouldnt. Konerko, Dye or Crede would be a much bigger blow. Yes, it would. I'd say losing an MVP canidate with 5 weeks to go in the season and a whopping 1/2 lead for the WC would be devestating.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Aug 24, 2006 -> 03:20 PM) At some point Jon and Cy Young have to be talked about. He's tied for second in wins, but his ERA will probably keep discussion to a minimum unless something magical happens between now and the end of the season Jon would have to pitch like he is now for the rest of the season to even be in the discussion. We'd also have to get into the playoffs.

I don't even want to think about where this team would be without Jon Garland right now. Pure and utter dominance today. Can you believe his era is at 4.47 now? Can he get it under 4? That would be miraculous when you consider how he started the season. Jermaine Dye: You're a very good baseball player.

I hate you young teenage punks. Happy B-day anyway.

QUOTE(southsideirish @ Aug 23, 2006 -> 10:53 PM) Of course it's not. Jim Thome makes others in the lineup better by being there. I don't think anyone is denying that. Maybe I am reading some posts wrong, but I don't believe anyone has said that. You didn't see what Rock posted?

QUOTE(fathom @ Aug 23, 2006 -> 10:49 PM) So you're telling me to stop being optimistic? Quite the role reversal, isn't it? LOL. Kinda strange.

QUOTE(southsideirish @ Aug 23, 2006 -> 10:42 PM) Just a question, but could the '05 offense really feature this year's Podsednik? Why would that be? If we want last year's offense, then I think that is because we would want last year's Podsednik. Just a thought. Just throwing that out there. I don't miss last year's offense at all. I like this year's much better. However, the Jim Thome in the beginning of the season is the Jim Thome I want to see. Not the Jim Thome post all-star break. I think some rest could do him some good. Just as long as it isn't too much time missed. Alright then. I can agree with this. But in no way shape, or form, is this a more effective lineup without Jim Thome. I don't care what he's hitting against lefties.

QUOTE(fathom @ Aug 23, 2006 -> 10:40 PM) I'm the last person that you should group into this category. However, I think the 2 week break would do Thome well. I agree with that if it turns out he's hurting. But some (you to a lesser extent) are making it sound like it'd be a cinch to replace him.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Aug 23, 2006 -> 10:32 PM) It's impossible to talk about Thome, everything I see him do and his stats say he does just isn't respected by the majority of Sox fans it seems. Just remember, he's not a clutch hitter. Seems like people want the '05 offense back. I know I don't. Not with this year's version of Podsednik/starting pitching.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Aug 23, 2006 -> 10:24 PM) I disagree. I think the lineup will be more effective without him there. If they put Dye in the 3 hole, the lineup changes drastically, and we already hit LHP better. Have I entered the twilight zone? On what planet is our lineup more effective without Jim Thome?

QUOTE(Steve9347 @ Aug 23, 2006 -> 10:16 PM) yeah, not the fact that his homerun pace has dwindled. .300/.430/.569/1.000 That's for this month. Yeah, he stinks.