fathom

QUOTE(SoxWS05 @ Mar 19, 2008 -> 03:34 PM) They have these players called "free agents" every year. We have young talent to build around. A move here, a move there..holes filled. We have a lot of money tied up in salaries for the next few seasons. And we really don't have a lot of young talent to build around in comparison with other teams. Pretty soon, we're going to have to spend a lot more money than we have been on positions like SS, Bobby Jenks, etc. Our core players are not considered to be young, cheap players. We're looking more and more like the AL version of the Giants.

QUOTE(Princess Dye @ Mar 19, 2008 -> 03:29 PM) If you think attempting winning in 2008 is pointless, then you probably believe we'll be bad fast, and Fields will be UP HERE ANYWAY by midseason. Furthermore, does Fields playing in AAA another year really "stunt" his progress? My belief is talent comes to the forefront or it doesnt. He's 25. Yes, I don't think going to AAA will do him any good. He's not going to see the 95 mph fastballs there that he needs to get more comfortable with.

QUOTE(Princess Dye @ Mar 19, 2008 -> 03:24 PM) Swisher's age, the length and value of the contract, and that much needed OBP are all reasons to like that trade. People who slam that trade do not mention Swish's age, b/c it's a component in the terms of their own argument. And on top of that, he's shown power and OBP in a pitcher's park already. My belief that trade will soon be seen as Swisher for DLS, if that, but thats me. Oakland's notorious for PED users, so maybe Sweeney can finally bulk up and hit the ball out of the infield.

QUOTE(SoxWS05 @ Mar 19, 2008 -> 03:22 PM) Are you more concerned with having a good MLB team or AAA team? Don't over value prospects because thats all they are...prospects. I think there's list a mile long of "can't miss" prospects who never made it. If Kenny wanted a good farm system he could have it tomorrow, but he wants the White Sox to compete now our farm system. We used all of our prospects to try and field a good MLB team, and as of right now, there's still a lot of holes on the team (starting rotation, CF, 2nd base, back-up catcher).

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Mar 19, 2008 -> 03:21 PM) Swisher not playing center is more with Ozzie wanting a bantam weight track star to jump start his marlinlike offense than Swisher. I would rather have Swisher in left and Anderson in center or Swisher in center and Quentin in LF than Pods JR out there. Thanks for saying what I wanted to, but didn't want to get into an Ozzie bashing debate.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Mar 19, 2008 -> 03:16 PM) I haven't seen Swisher play much out there, but he didn't look like a disaster. I still think both moves were excellent. I also think that Williams is more patient than people give him credit for (and people here seem to be). Quentin will be a difference maker, probably - this year or next. Which way it goes depends on a lot of things. What is wrong with that? And I don't think they've counted Swisher out of CF yet anyway. We still have half of ST left. As you said earlier, KW probably would have been better off using our resources (top prospects) to get another solid starter instead of relying on our mediocre 3/4/5 in the starting rotation. I still can't believe we used Garland to get Cabrera and his one year left on his contract. Don't get me wrong, I like Swisher. However, I feel as if KW misjudged his ability to play CF, as well as the talent level of Richar and possibly Quentin.

I'd also like to say that I think the Swisher deal was idiotic considering we traded our 3 best prospects for a left fielder when we had traded our best hitting prospect for Quentin, who basically is now blocked from starting. My belief is KW thought Swisher would be able to play CF, but we quickly realized he's a disaster out there.

I don't know where the link is, but a scout said last week that Crede's lost a step on defense, and would only rate as average now defensively.

QUOTE(SoxWS05 @ Mar 19, 2008 -> 03:00 PM) I'm pretty sure a ground ball in AAA is the same as a ground ball in MLB. Actually, it's not even close. The field conditions in the minors are as bad as Fenway and Wrigley, in terms of bounces. Fields isn't as bad on D as many think...we're not talking Ryan Braun.

I'm going to be rather disappointing if Owens is our starting CF, Uribe is our starting 2b and Crede is our starting 3b. That would be the final straw for me in terms of whether or not KW should remain our GM.

QUOTE(Gregory Pratt @ Mar 19, 2008 -> 04:00 AM) You seriously believe he could just rear back and throw that hard if he wanted to? I understand movement and all these things, taking off the ball, but if you have 100 MPH heat you use it. He doesn't have that anymore, until we see it again. That isn't to say he isn't a fine closer, because he is. Great post!

QUOTE(Princess Dye @ Mar 19, 2008 -> 02:16 PM) I'm no huge Crede guy, but the pitching staff really is going to need some glovework out there this year. I mean, if the book is already closed on this year, then fine hate on this move. But if we're awful by June, you'll see Fields up and playing anyway, so who cares? I believe we only have one starter who would be considered a ground ball pitcher. Fields D at 3b is the least of our worries this season.

Why am I not surprised? On the bright side, Fields could never touch a C.C. pitch, so at least Crede would likely have better at-bats on opening day.

Jason B. will not be on the major league team to start the season. Hawk and KW basically confirmed this on Saturday. The only guy I want to see get traded right now is Crede.

Not bad, an increase in double will certainly help this team. I don't expect us to have a high OBP team, as only Thome and Swisher are above league average at their position.

Anyone know where we rank this ST in terms of batting average and home runs?

The UCLA/Gonzaga game was Gus at his best.

Denver. If George Mason can play ND close, Gus is going to explode.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/boxscore;_ylt=...?gid=2008031607 Um, wow

QUOTE(Soxpranos @ Mar 17, 2008 -> 03:09 AM) Why couldn't the A's take Gavin instead of Geo? Only reason Geo doesn't make the A's team is that they don't want to start the arbitration clock just yet . or because he got rocked today. GIO is nothing more than a #4 starter at best.

From what I just read, two reasons for teams to turn it down are that the home team has to expense the game, and teams fear a backlash by the NCAA for being in a tournament against their NIT.

QUOTE(Brian @ Mar 17, 2008 -> 01:36 AM) I had no idea that is how big schools and conferences felt about it. I was told by a GT official on Friday that they'd turn it down, and the whole ACC was supposed to do so. I don't know why UVa accepted it though.

QUOTE(Brian @ Mar 17, 2008 -> 01:33 AM) Why would Illinois turn down this? Is more games!! I'm under the impression that a lot of big name schools feel that the CBI is a joke.

Him and Fields cut their hair for cancer charities.

I've heard UVA is in this, but Ga Tech and Illinois will not due to turning it down.