hogan873

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Aug 2, 2012 -> 08:48 AM) Yes, every closer will blow saves, but the point is they need to be few and far between, and preferably not in key situations against major rivals. And you also wind up needing to count games hwere the guy was pulled and someone else absorbed the blown save. I agree 100%. My concern with Reed is that he's so close to blowing saves too often. I realize a save is a save, and you even hear people like Steve Stone say that a closer's ERA doesn't mean anything. I disagree with that lije of thinking because a high ERA shows that the pitcher gives up too many runs. I suppose a closer could have an ERA of 9.00 and not blow any saves if he always ends up in a situation where the team has more than a one run lead.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Aug 2, 2012 -> 08:41 AM) So, do you pay for performance or do you pay even more for potential? If Liriano comes out and continues walking 5 per 9 IP the rest of the year, you can say all the same things about "perhaps Coop will help him", but we're still right there with that same question. Tough one. I think when Floyd was extended, there was a look at his potential. To me, Floyd seems to buckle under pressure where Liriano is more consistent in just throwing too many damn balls. Both have shown flashes of being much better pitchers than their numbers show. Liriano, however, seems like the guy with more potential. I certainly wouldn't mind having them both, provided Coop can work on Liriano's control and Floyd can become a more confident guy. However, you'd be looking at $18MM or so of guys who have question marks.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Aug 2, 2012 -> 08:19 AM) For a closer, "Blowing a few saves" really is where you draw the line. Every closer is going to blow saves. Look at what happened to Jenks. He was lights out for a while then began blowing saves, and his stock really spiraled after that. Reed hasn't shown himself to be a lights out closer, yet. Almost all of his saves have been exciting, and not in a good way. I like Reed, and hopefully he can be a more consistent closer. His saves to opportunities ratio isn't bad at all, and if you just looked at stats you'd say he's fine. But watching him is another story. And the "get real fat" line was just a joke towards Jenks, as his weight was always a discussion on this board, especially after he blew a save.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Aug 2, 2012 -> 06:23 AM) Greg, it seems you're on the defend Addison Reed bandwagon now... Any truth to that rumor? I would say he's not there yet. Too many people on here still like Reed. Wait til he blows a few more saves or becomes real fat.

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Aug 2, 2012 -> 06:39 AM) You haven't listed Danks, who has to be paid even if he isn't healthy. I don't see any way that Danks, Floyd, Peavy, and Liriano are all on the payroll next year. At most three of the four and maybe only even two, depending on how Humber finishes out the season. Wow, I totally forgot about Danks. I see your point. If all four of those guys can't be on the payroll, I would choose Peavy, Danks, and Liriano. I realize that Floyd has better numbers overall, but I think Liriano may have better stuff. And hopefully working with Cooper will make him an even better pitcher.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Aug 1, 2012 -> 09:50 PM) Ugh. I remember when people turned on Paulie. It made me ill. Even moreso than the fans' rips of some of my faves: Jenks, Wise, Pods, Pierre, Dye. Geez, Greg, don't say this too loud. You don't have to be every poor player's apologist. By the by, Wise was just released by the Yankees.

I would assume Peavy knows (or at least suspects) that the Sox will not exercise the $22MM option. If he's genuine about wanting to pitch for the Sox again, he'll listen to any offer the Sox throw at him. And I'm pretty sure the Sox will try to re-sign him. Peavy doesn't seem like the money hungry type, but who knows for sure. I'm thinking the Sox offer $12MM-$14MM a year for 2 or 3 years. I don't see them offering more than $15MM per. Hopefully Jake agrees to a deal like that. Then the Sox can hopefully re-sign Liriano (depending on the rest of the season) for around $8MM-$10MM a year for a couple years. Provided Floyd isn't traded, the Sox would have a nice looking rotation: Peavy Sale Quintana Liriano Floyd/Humber

Nieves, Wise, Abreu, and Matsui all released/DFA. Would Nieves be an upgrade over Flowers?

QUOTE (balfanman @ Aug 1, 2012 -> 11:16 AM) Kind of like....oh, I don't know.....Gavin Floyd. Yes. Like a left-handed version of Floyd.

QUOTE (Wanne @ Aug 1, 2012 -> 11:11 AM) Not one mention of Tanks catch...dude saved a couple runs there. Every time I see him make a play like that I'm more thankful that he's out there. He's very aggresive, and sometimes that may get him in trouble. But I feel that he's only going to get better as a hitter and a fielder.

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Aug 1, 2012 -> 10:51 AM) We certainly do get excited over one game don't we? It's not just one game, although had he been terrible the attitude would be different. What we (well, the Sox really) have to look at is the potential. The guy definitely has the potential to be a great pitcher. He's shown flashes of brilliance in the past. If he can get his walks under control, he's that much better. He can throw a ton of pitches, and having better control will allow those 120 pitches to occur over 8 innings instead of 6. Regardless, we're not talking about a guy who's going to get $20MM a year like Grienke. The Sox could sign Liriano for around $8MM to $10MM a year. If that happens, great. We'd have a guy who can eat innings, be a solid guy in the rotation, and have the occasional brilliant game.

I'm thoroughly enjoying The Newsroom. Lots of great characters, and as is standard with Aaron Sorkin, a ton of dialogue. It's funny, though, whenever Jeff Daniels yells I think of his Dumb and Dumber character.

Nice win. I liked what I saw from Liriano, but as many others have said, it'd be nice to see the walks come down. AJ, I don't know if there are enough good things to say about him. Another nail-biter save by Reed. Maybe I haven't watched him closely before, but his delivery is goofy. It's like he takes half a step, pauses, then lunges. I'm a firm believer in a closer being able to close games without much drama. Reed may be that guy eventually, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Myers closing this year.

Gotta figure KW was working on something that just didn't pan out. I'm okay with the team as is, but I was expecting and hoping for one more move. I think the Sox need infield depth.

I can't believe how quiet it is. Anything going to happen in 5 minutes?

QUOTE (greg775 @ Jul 30, 2012 -> 10:34 PM) Because KW would have dumped him in about 10 seconds. No way he would have stuck by Dunn. Do you remember how bad he was a year ago? No way at the time Kenny would have though, "This season is an anomaly. He will lose 15 pounds this winter and work out harder and return to the Dunn of old next year and we'll gladly pay him." Kenny would have dumped that contract if anybody wanted him. At least that is my strong opinion. Strong opinion or not, I disagree. Now, everyone is available at one time or another (for the most part). But, KW would not have "dumped" Dunn is someone just wanted to take on the contract. He would have demanded something in return AND the trading team to take on most/all of the contract. And there was much more evidence that 2011 was an anomaly vs. it being the way Adam Dunn was going to hit for the rest of his career.

Very quiet on the trade front today. I wonder how busy tomorrow will be...for the Sox and all of baseball. I'd be surprised if the Sox made a big deal, but with KW you never know. I think they need some infield depth and maybe a bullpen arm. My prediction is a minor move for a utility IF guy.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jul 30, 2012 -> 08:04 AM) I also heard that Kenny is taking and making some phone calls with some teams around MLB. It was reported that Kenny Williams was seen with a phone to his ear as he was walking.

The Sox may be pretty well set with pitching. I would assume KW is looking for some infield help, but I doubt we see another major move.

What would it take to get Shields? Would Viciedo or Reed be involved?

QUOTE (GoGoSox2k2 @ Jul 27, 2012 -> 03:39 PM) shields is the guy I have wanted us to target all along.. i hope Rock and Bucket are on to something.. pleaseee Seems that way. Here's hoping.

QUOTE (Frank_Thomas35 @ Jul 27, 2012 -> 03:12 PM) So everyone is up in arms with giving up a package for ZG, lol what do you think the Cubs or Rays will want for guys under contract for longer than this year. It will be a hell of a lot more than for Grienke. And you guys are worried about what we give up to MIL, I'm sure you will all be cool watching the guys we give the Cubs help them out "for years to come." and let's not forget Garza is out, hurt till after the deadline. But were okay giving up good players for someone who is hurt. I'm not sure the Sox (or other teams for that matter) would have to give up nearly what the Brewers are asking if they were to go after a smaller target that is under team control for a year or so.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Jul 27, 2012 -> 02:36 PM) Greinke is the only difference maker on the market. Johnson and Garza are a level beneath, don't want either. QUOTE (Frank_Thomas35 @ Jul 27, 2012 -> 02:38 PM) I'm with you Marty, Grienke or nothing This is silly. So, don't try to improve the team if you can't get the "best" guy on the market? Come on. If KW can get Dempster, Johnson, Garza, or even a #4/#5 starter relatively cheap, that improves the team. Why have the philosophy of overpaying for the best or don't get anything?

QUOTE (docsox24 @ Jul 27, 2012 -> 01:16 PM) correct grienke talks are dead Interesting

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jul 27, 2012 -> 12:02 PM) Maybe, some pitchers have longer contracts though which ups the value. The Cubs seem to want high ceiling pitching prospects back for any of their MLB arms which makes sense. AZ has a few pens arms available for probably some minor league position players or a decent MLB-ready pen guy. There are varying moves we could be making. If KW really believes that Danks will come back sometime in August and will add a potential middle of the rotation talent to his roster then he is probably going to add a pen arm if anything which could be had with our current minor league system. We really dont NEED a 1-2 starter because we have Sale, Peavy and Q which is at this point one of the best top of the rotations in baseball. That's true. As time goes by and I read more and more, I'm kind of hoping the Sox don't trade for Grienke, if for no other reason that any team acquiring him is likely to overpay.