fathom

Two ridiculous endings to the Minnesota/NW and Michigan/Purdue games.

So the wife made me take her to a movie tonight. For some reason, she picked "Changeling". I can confidently state it's the most pointless movie I've ever seen. Just a total waste of 2 1/2 hours. Honestly, I would have been more entertained if I saw HSM3.

As someone who's rooting for Obama, how concerned should I be that McCain is leading in the Zogby one day poll?

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Oct 31, 2008 -> 08:53 PM) Is Taveras really what this team needs? He had 18 XBH in 133 games in 2008. Without watching too many Rockie games(thank God), Taveras found a way on 1st, stole 2nd, and hopefully was driven in. Unless this lineup gets a drastic make over( I don't see it), their strong suit isn't situational hitting. Absolutely not...I could care less about adding speed. I want to add talented players at 2b, 3b, and CF. Like you said, with situational hitting not being a strong suit, I'd rather just add to the mashers we already have. Unfortunately, I'm about 99% sure that our lack of speed is the scapegoat in the minds of KW and Ozzie. It's going to be frustrating when we overpay for a speed guy (just like trading C. Lee for Pods).

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Oct 31, 2008 -> 07:35 PM) That was basically my thoughts. Owens would probably put up Taveras-like numbers, and we already have him, and don't have to give anything up to get him. Taveras is a significantly better player than Owens. He has a great arm in CF, and he knows how to hit with his speed a lot better than Owens does. Taveras gets a crazy amount of infield hits...and Owens has never proven crap in the majors.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Oct 31, 2008 -> 06:41 PM) With Hardy and Lexi in the middle infield you would have 40+ hr's and probably very good RBI numbers and also good defense. We still need to find a lead off man however and your only option is to find one in CF. If they were to get Hardy for SS, I would guarantee the Sox traded for Tavares in CF.

QUOTE (whitesoxbrian @ Oct 31, 2008 -> 06:03 PM) Would Seattle take Javy for Beltre straight up? Or would we have to include somebody like Broadway in the deal? However, I'd love to get Hardy, but again, would they give us JJ for Javy straight up? Seattle would want someone younger than Javy, as they're looking to rebuild. Broadway has ZERO trade value.

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Oct 31, 2008 -> 05:59 PM) The 1st mistake was trying to read into what Williams has said so far this off-season. You and I both know that they'll be going after speed. I don't see what options there are for 3rd base to replace Crede/Fields. Blake is going to get a lot more money than he deserves, and it seems like Blalock will be back with Texas. Recent reports suggest Beckham's being moved to 3rd base, so there's no reason for Sox to bring in someone for the long term.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Oct 31, 2008 -> 05:59 PM) Im pretty sure if you get someone like Hardy, you move Alexei back to 2B. And i'll take .283 .343 .821 with 20+ bombs from my SS everyday, not sure how that can be deemed negative or worthless. I'll take Hardy also if it means keeping Ramirez at 2nd base. Hardy got off to a HUGE start in 2006, and then went into a huge power funk after May. Last year, I believe he was terrible for the first few months, and then really turned it on.

QUOTE (Mr. Showtime @ Oct 31, 2008 -> 05:57 PM) So, we're going to go with more 'speed', but bad defense? Sounds like a plan! That's what I'm worried about. I think the perfect scenario is if the Sox can trade for Brian Roberts, and then you can go with Fields at 3B and batting 8th or 9th. I don't think we understand how bad Fields knee injury was. I was reading an interview he gave at a recent Oklahoma St football game, and he stated that he couldn't even tie his shoes after May.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Oct 31, 2008 -> 05:53 PM) His best assets are turning 2, tough turn and throw, and his arm in general. Yes, as I mentioned as well, he does make stupid mistakes. Those should fade over time. Stats wise, he wasn't "brutal" anyway. His FPct (.981) was 12th in baseball for 2B, RF (4.99) is 11th, ZR (.817) is 8th. But stats aren't a great measure for defense anyway, as evidenced in his case by his higher ranking in ZR than RF. I'd put Ramirez as an upper half defensive 2B. And as I said, that's at a position he was still learning, as he's a native SS. First half of the season I would agree with you, as I thought he was GG caliber. I thought he was terrible defensively in the second half of the season.

QUOTE (Wanne @ Oct 31, 2008 -> 05:55 PM) Anybody know much about Rangers prospect Elvis Andrus and if they're high enough on him they might be inclined to move Michael Young for Javy? Paging Santo=dorf

If we're moving Ramirez to SS, then Hardy isn't an option. Putting him at 3rd base significantly lowers his value, and after watching a ton of Brewers games in the last 2 years, we'd be annoyed with him. He's incredibly streaky, as the last two years he was basically worthless for a half of the season. He has no speed at all either.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Oct 31, 2008 -> 05:45 PM) Wha??? Alexei played plus D at 2B this year, and SS is (as I recall) his native position. What makes you think he'd be worse at SS than two sub-standard defensive players at their positions? His defense was brutal this season according to defensive statistics, and I thought he lacked concentration an awful lot during the 2nd half of the season. Ramirez is not efficient at diving for grounders, as he seems like he should have better range than he actually does. Ramirez's best asset at 2nd was his ability to turn the double play.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Oct 31, 2008 -> 05:42 PM) I hope you guys arent saying weeks for javy. Thats an awful return. JJ Hardy is probably the key player we could get back for Javy from the Brewers. KW will overpay for speed, which is why I'm scared of who we'll trade for Figgins (PK for Chone would be such a bad trade).

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Oct 31, 2008 -> 05:39 PM) That would be horrific defensively. But...but...it would give us more speed! The scary part is that Ramirez might be worse defensively at SS than Fields is at 3rd and Weeks is at 2nd.

Weeks would play 2nd base, with Fields at 3rd base.

This isn't a surprise....you can't have your organization basically call you out for being a coward, prove them right, and expect to bring the player back the next year. I bet we'll see a Vazquez for Weeks trade made in the next few weeks.

Quite the spear by Howard on that pile.

Congrats to Phillies....fun team to watch during the season. I can't believe they were able to win after losing Rowand.

good job ripit05 (his AIM screen name)

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Oct 30, 2008 -> 12:50 AM) No, their opponent was just better. The Stros were actually in every one of those games and really didn't blow anything by stupid mistakes. They just flat out got outplayed. Oh I know...I've always thought it was interesting how everyone thinks our starting pitching dominated in the World Series. In actuality, Garcia was the only one who really pitched lights out. Houston just couldn't get a hit with RISP after the 8th inning in Game 3. I would say that the Tigers implosion was worse, as those errors were just pathetic.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Oct 30, 2008 -> 12:47 AM) Who was worse, them or the 06 kittens? The 05 Astros

Tampa's been just terrible in this series. From their 3/4/5 hitting to their awful defense to some horrific managing.

Greg Oden looks absolutely terrible.