hogan873

How much better would the Quentin trade look if this guy goes out and gives us 6+ innings without giving up more than a run or two?

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jul 18, 2012 -> 08:29 AM) If it were that easy, there would be no such things as "unearned runs" Uh, those runs were earned. Look, I'm not saying pitchers don't give up unearned runs or give up runs after squib hits. That stuff happens. But you know that if that 2-run HR cost the Sox the game, the tune on Thornton would be totally different this morning. All I'm saying is that he made a bad pitch to a good high fastball hitter and paid for it. Everyone is so quick to give Thornton a break, but we'd be crucifying the guy if that had led to a Red Sox win. In the long run, no, the runs didn't matter because the Sox won. But next time, they might.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jul 18, 2012 -> 08:08 AM) Exactly. Not to mention if Crawford wasn't running, that out would have been a DP, and Shoppach never hits in the inning. QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Jul 18, 2012 -> 08:12 AM) Or, if Crawford hit the ball a little better it's an easy play for Youk and they go down 1-2-3 Or if Thornton hadn't thrown a high fastball to a good high fastball hitter, Shappach wouldn't have hit it over the Green Monster. Good pitchers have to be able to pitch over the excuse me base hits. Don't get me wrong, I like Thornton. But he gave up two runs and made the game closer than it should have been.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Jul 18, 2012 -> 07:00 AM) The camera goes to Valentine every time something happens with Youk, fielding or hitting. I love it that Youk is shoving it where the sun dont shine. Mostly because Youk has taken the high road and Valentine just keeps talknig Youk is the kind of player that, no matter where he goes, will always be loved by Red Sox fans. And based on what he's been doing for the White Sox, whether he remains with the team or not, he'll be appreciated by us, too. I doubt there are too many Red Sox fans that side with Valentine on this dispute. And with the way Youk has been performing, they most likely dislike Valentine even more. Youkilis has been a gentleman about the issue since coming over, and that plays huge for the fans...fans of both teams.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Jul 18, 2012 -> 12:30 AM) ' Viciedo will not be the difference between being competitive and not. As far as wedging him into arguments goes, I guess you're talking about Pierre. I find it odd that some posters are putting "developing" Viciedo in the next two months by playing him against RH'ers instead ahead of improving the lineup by platooning him thus having a better chance to you know ... win games. I'll say this much for you: you're persistent. But you have to face reality. The Sox will not be platooning Viciedo with the likes of Juan Pierre because he doesn't hit right-handers as well. And you are talking out of both sides of your mouth here. In one breath you're saying Viciedo should be used in a trade for a starting pitcher because he's a good trade piece. Then you're saying he has to be benched 50% of the time to give the team a better chance at winning. As crazy as it may sound to you, development of players is important for the future. And Viciedo is going to play a big part in the future of this team (provided he's not traded for a stud pitcher). He's not costing us games. He's got huge power, he's developing more patience, and his defense has been much better than probably any of us thought (did you see that catch last night!?). Yes, he needs to get better at hitting off right-handed pitching. But he's not going to get better by sitting on the bench watching Juan Pierre drop fly balls.

Early mornings are so much easier after a Sox win. I was very concerned after the first inning. I thought it was going to be another bad Humber outing, but he really settled down. Omogrosso looked good (by the way, did you notice his dramatic leg kick?). Thornton, the only bullpen veteran, almost blew the game. Reed looked solid. And how about that offense? Alexei, De Aza, Konerko, and Youk! I think every time Youk was on camera he was smiling. He seems to have fit right in with this team, and his contributions have been more than I imagined. It's nice to see him stick it to the team that turned their back on him. I liked how the camera went right to Valentine when Youk hit that homer.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jul 17, 2012 -> 01:15 PM) Short term, yes. Humber is back. It doesn't sound like Floyd will be out long. Danks, no idea. Oh yeah. So your could have a rotation of Peavy, Sale, Greinke, Humber, and Quintana. If Danks comes back, he takes the place of Humber or Quintana if they falter. Or you have a six man rotation. Or you realize that this is all coming from Rodgers and forget about it.

QUOTE (kitekrazy @ Jul 17, 2012 -> 12:20 PM) Phil Rodgers thinks the Brewers want Floyd for Grienke. That still makes them a short a starter. QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jul 17, 2012 -> 12:22 PM) Done, in a heartbeat. Yep. But does that gain much for the Sox? Replaces Floyd with a better pitcher, but then they're still a pitcher short.

What would we have done without all these young arms coming up? As far as farm systems go, you could say the Sox's was great for about 42 seconds at the beginning of the season. Now the farm has taken up residence in the bullpen.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Jul 17, 2012 -> 11:03 AM) I agree with him looking better last night. I'd still like to see Rios (maybe Youkilis) moved to the 3 spot and Dunn and Konerko dropped. If for no other reason because Rios and Youkilis aren't going to be removed late in the game for a pinch-runner. This is actually a good point. The other day when Konerko was pulled for a pinch runner, we had Escobar hitting 4th between Dunn and Rios. I don't necessarily see it being a terrible thing to shift Konerko to 5th, but moving him to 6th or 7th is not a good move. I'm concerned about him, too. I'm not sure this is just a slump. I might be inclined to think he's hurt and playing through it.

QUOTE (kitekrazy @ Jul 17, 2012 -> 09:27 AM) This is suppose to be a joke right? No, no, don't start this again! QUOTE (Marty34 @ Jul 17, 2012 -> 09:51 AM) Why would that be a joke? Pierre hits right-handers better than Viciedo. Too late.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Jul 17, 2012 -> 09:22 AM) Why? He hasn't made a clear winning trade since getting Quentin. As inaccurate post as there is. The trade where that 3rd baseman was acquired for essentially nothing? That was pretty good.

QUOTE (Elgin Slim @ Jul 17, 2012 -> 09:32 AM) Did you read my other post? Where I said exactly that? My other post was in response to a reply to my first post, in which I said that if the Sox fall into third place by the end of the month that they should consider selling, and that they shouldn't buy at least for another 7-10 days. I think they should split with Boston, and take at least 2/3 in Detroit for them to consider buying next by Monday. Easy, easy. I wasn't singling anyone out. I was just remarking how after one loss (a disheartening one) the words "sell" and "white flag" start flowing. A agree with your assessment, though.

It's funny how one loss to the Red Sox has people talking about selling and White Flag 2.0. Take a breath. Let's see how this series goes, and then maybe the series with Detroit goes before we give up.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Jul 16, 2012 -> 05:29 PM) Why do you need his power bat in '15 when there won't be anything around him. Now you're arguing to argue. Who knows what this team will look like in 2015. Whatever it does look like, I highly doubt it's Viciedo surrounded by a bunch of light-hitting schlubs.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Jul 16, 2012 -> 05:30 PM) Might as well keep Axelrod in the rotation then. Wait, you're comparing Viciedo to Axelrod?

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Jul 16, 2012 -> 05:23 PM) You'd put developing a good, not great LF'er over winning in August and September? I could not disagree with your approach more. No, I'm not saying that. I'm saying the Sox can win (and have been winning) while developing a good/great LFer. Trading him is one thing, although I wouldn't want to see him traded unless it's for a stud pitcher under control for a couple years. But having him sit so a declining guy who plays bad defense can get a extra hit or two? No way.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Jul 16, 2012 -> 03:49 PM) I assume he meant that Greinke is a small market pitcher due to this anxierty disorder. He can't mentally handle pitching in a big market with the added pressure. (Not that anyone goes to Sox games anyway) If that's the case, then he's not going to command upwards of $20 million/year. Teams like Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, Kansas City, the Sox, etc. can't and/or won't pay that much. If he couldn't handle New York, Boston, or LA, he's going to be underpaid.

QUOTE (Stan Bahnsen @ Jul 16, 2012 -> 05:09 PM) Four more very inexpensive years of an absolute stud, and a foundation for sustained excellence. BTW, we HAVE a chance to win this year. Of course another stud pitcher would increase that chance, but would guarantee nothing. Yeah, I didn't understand that statement either. A young guy under control for several more years that can hit 40 HRs a year...and that doesn't get you anything? The Sox are in first place with that guy in left field. Sure, he struggles against righties, but he needs this year to develop. I am not in favor of banching the guy 50% of the time so we can have JUAN PIERRE take his place.

QUOTE (Real @ Jul 16, 2012 -> 03:44 PM) Steve Stone was on mully and Hanley this morning, said we are not looking at greinke, he's a small market pitcher I'm assuming he means there's a small market for him due to the cost? Otherwise...well, otherwise it makes no sense.

QUOTE (Melissa1334 @ Jul 16, 2012 -> 03:36 PM) what happend between the two? For starters, they are from rival schools in Florida. That may be the extent of it; I'm not sure.

QUOTE (SOXOBAMA @ Jul 16, 2012 -> 03:18 PM) We do have Peavy, AJ and Floyd money coming off the books. True, but I thought I remember seeing that he'd be expected to make $20+ million a year. It would be nice, though.

QUOTE (Wedge @ Jul 16, 2012 -> 03:13 PM) I'd replace Hudson with Lilly. As we saw in the KC extra innings game, Hudson has 0 value to this team. Lilly is at least a solid baserunner. I agree. And in a pinch he can play just about anywhere. But Hudson is probably the only guy I'd replace.

If the Sox were to go after Greinke, I'd hope they wouldn't offer a ton with him being only a rental. I would think there's no way the Sox could afford to re-sign him.

Is Greinke a free agent after this season?