Wedge

our starting pitching has been terrible so far

What's the ERA of our starters? Terrible?

QUOTE(SoxFan101 @ Apr 4, 2006 -> 04:44 PM) This should be the pitchers duel we have all been waiting for from the first 2 games. Therefore it'll end up 11-9.

QUOTE(Reddy @ Apr 4, 2006 -> 02:57 PM) by the way you've all failed to mention that hawk and dj said he was TRYING to throw the slower stuff and work his control, location, curve etc. that he was going at this from a new approach - an approach i think is ridiculous... but a new approach all the same. i dont think anything is physically wrong with freddy. If it's an approach issue, then I hope it is scrapped quickly if these results persist.

I'm more concerned about Freddy than Mark. Freddy didn't get his velocity up and Hawk and DJ said that he hasn't quite had the same velocity throughout the WBC and spring training. Hopefully it improves. I'm disappointed in our starters thus far, but with the offense we got today, even a solid effort from Freddy would still probably be a losing effort.

QUOTE(Hanky Panky @ Apr 4, 2006 -> 08:08 AM) Yeah, I go to Purdue University and have to use Gameday as well. MLB.tv has the Sox game blacked out here... BLAH... Oh, and about Contreras... Is he going to be able to start tomorrow? Does anyone have any information on him? The latest probables I see is Lee vs. Contreras on Wednesday.

Let's see, the Sox dominated the Indians last season and now have added a potential ace and potential MVP caliber hitter who can have a positive residual effect on the rest of the line-up as a DH and two super-subs and yet the Indians got better in the offseason because they cut their best starting pitcher from last season, have an even worse bullpen (and I didn't think that was possible from last year), but will be better than the Sox because they're a sure thing to play like they did on their hot streak for the whole season. Infallible logic.

QUOTE(beautox @ Apr 3, 2006 -> 01:48 AM) Sign me up, Matt Thorton looked solid, heres to hoping he has turned a corner and makes a nice fit in the bullpen. Alright, you and me buddy. I have no idea who to talk to about that, but it'll happen!

QUOTE(Felix @ Apr 3, 2006 -> 12:11 AM) It was worth the wait, but now its time to sleep Great game guys I forgot, was it you or Rowand44 that was critiquing me for thinking Thorton could be a solid pick-up for us? Anyway I can become the official chairperson of the Thorton fan-club?

The best part about Thome is that you can see him acting as almost an assistant coach in the dug-out, showing guys how to improve their stances and swings. I think he's going to help this team to be much more patient at the plate. I'm pretty damn jacked for the rest of this season.

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Mar 23, 2006 -> 10:40 AM) Don't worry, Matt Thornton will save us. Fine... when he doesn't completely such ass this year, you're eating crow!

QUOTE(BigSqwert @ Mar 23, 2006 -> 09:32 AM) It'll be Bobby until he shows he can't do it in the regular season. Think Shingo of last year. I don't think so because we have other serious options at this point and because I think Ozzie is really pissed at how out of shape Jenks showed up to camp. We'll probably start out the season with the "by commitee" approach we used, like last year when we had Hermanson, Cotts, and Marte all closing games for a brief stretch.

QUOTE(q\/\/3r+y @ Mar 23, 2006 -> 01:46 AM) I don't know why he is considered to have the best stuff/be out best pitcher because he can hit triple digits. Sorry, by best stuff I meant fastest fastball. When he's got it working, he's just as tough to hit as anyone else on our staff.

QUOTE(Felix @ Mar 22, 2006 -> 01:54 PM) He also thinks that Thornton will be as good as Vizcaino... at worst. I said that because I thought Vizcaino was terrible (many shared that opinion). I watched a bunch last year and I was never glad that Vizcaino was coming in a game, as was the case with many on this board. He was basically the last guy out of the pen last year, which is the role I think Thornton is going to fill. At least it isn't a guy who has only been a minor leaguer.

On his best days, when he's hitting 100 MPH, Jenks is the best pitcher we have, bar none. In the playoffs last year, he was killer because tired hitters couldn't catch up to his fast ball. Look at the at-bat against Bagwell when Bagwell just couldn't catch up to the ball. However, he needs his best stuff to be supremely effective and as a result, I suspect he will have trouble with his consistency, which is critical as an everyday closer (if we're as good as expected, we'd probably need him 4 days out of every 7). Cotts is probably the better option right now. That said, with a playoff game on the line, I'd be happy sending either out if they're both rested.

I was worried until the Thornton trade. I know he's no great shakes... yet... but it sort of placated my bullpen worries for a bit.

Can somebody answer: How has Anderson looked defensively? Is he even close to Rowand? That's a pretty important issue.

I think this is a great move. Borchard was really dead wood anyways. Additionally, we get a guy that Cooper thinks he can work with. At worst, he's Viscaino part 2. At best, he's Jenks part 2.

I had a sick feeling that something like this would happen... I hope a miracle happens and he can pitch this year, but I just don't see it happening. We need BP help and fast.

Is Aldridge the best player in this draft? A star PF like him could really put this team over the top, especially in the East.

What's the deal with the draft pick? Do the Bulls get NY's this season?

I don't give a damn about Anderson's hitting, the important question is can he come close to replacing Rowand's CF defense?

Who's the more hated GM: Thomas or Millen?

I like how Paul "turned down big money [$65 million from Baltimore] and returend for less [$60 million] to return to Chicago". In terms of who teams acquired, I agree that Toronto and Chicago are probably about equal this off-season, but I'd give the edge to Chicago since they did not overpay free agents like Toronto did.

Lendale might end up being a great pro, but he'll fall in the draft mostly because most teams don't think they have a "need" at running back. That said, I think he'll be a great pro and the comparison I would draw for him would be to Bettis.