Kalapse

QUOTE (rangercal @ Jan 21, 2009 -> 08:35 PM) why not rent it first? Because I've already played it and was incredibly disappointed in the online play, supposedly the recent updates and server fixes have improved the online play but I'm wondering by how much.

Has anyone played SOCOM Confrontation recently? How much has the game improved with the latest updates? I so badly want to play Desert Glory on the PS3 but I'm not going to buy a bad game in order to do so.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jan 20, 2009 -> 08:27 PM) Supposedly Sheets is considering 2 years and $18 million somewhere. To put it in its proper perspective, Jon Garland made $15 million last year. Some feel this is a sign that Sheets might have some concerns about his health and wants the guaranteed money instead of the ability to make $10+ million in just one year and wait for the "economic crisis" to lift. From what you see on the Net, there are a lot of offers out there similar to the Penny or Smoltz one with higher base salaries and the ability through meeting all incentives to get into the $13-16 million range. Garland made $12M last season.

QUOTE (santo=dorf @ Jan 20, 2009 -> 07:26 PM) I figured maybe until the draft. His compensation is based for the 2009 draft, correct? That would be the likely answer. I don't see any of the 7* remaining type A free agents intentionally waiting until June to sign. *Varitek, Hudson, Juan Cruz, ManRam, OCab, Ollie Perez, Sheets

QUOTE (bmags @ Jan 20, 2009 -> 07:17 PM) Is there a pitcher that will sign that gives Garland a better clue what he is worth? Oliver Perez and Randy Wolf. Derek Lowe sure as hell didn't help matters when he signed that giant deal, I'm sure it got Garland's hopes up being a 29 year old, innings eating sinkerballer and all. He's basically a younger, much lesser version of Derek Lowe.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Jan 20, 2009 -> 06:26 PM) I wonder why KW doesn't sign Jon for a year or two. Probably because Jon Garland isn't ready to settle for a year or two or give up on his dream of $13M a year. It's a 2 way street.

For as long as he remains a free agent.

Papelbon got $6.25M

3. Unless you're a Super Two player then it's 4.

QUOTE (MHizzle85 @ Jan 20, 2009 -> 12:10 AM) I've heard other people say this & I still don't get it. I think the ending of The Wrestler is very clear. I actually liked the ending.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Jan 19, 2009 -> 04:26 PM) Highest # ever for first time eligible closers... although Papelbon will assuredly pass that soon. Yep, like in the next few days. Jenks' agent and Rick Haun just set the precedent for Papelbon's deal since they're both arbitration eligible for the first time this season and Papelbon has been the more dominant pitcher.

It's exactly what I figured he'd get. If you go year to year with a player in arbitration you're going to end up paying more than if you just buy them all out with a multi-year deal. The Sox trade a few million dollars for the security of one year contracts rather than Jenks giving up a few million for the security of $20M+ guaranteed. $5.5M is right where he deserved to be paid. If Jenks comes through with an excellent 2009 season he's looking at the possibility of 8 figures in his second year of arbitration. There's really no modern day precedent for what Jenks is doing. A 28 year old going into his 5th year in the league (but only 4 years of service time) and second year of arbitration who's been one of the best closers in the game since the get go? That doesn't happen. If he stays healthy and produces he'll be a very rich man even before he hits free agency. QUOTE (Kalapse @ Dec 18, 2008 -> 07:15 PM) I have him at $5.2M, Jenks is about to get real expensive, real quick. Closers in their first year of arbitration: 2008: Huston Street - $3.3M (coming off an injury, rather average closer for the first 3 years of his career) 2007: Chad Cordero - $4.15M (2 years previous as a full time closer, dominant in 2005, very good in 2006) 2006: Brad Lidge - $3.975M (1.5 years previous as a closer, one of the most dominant setup men in the game previously) 2006: Francisco Rodriguez - $3.75M (coming off first year as a full time closer, one of the most dominant setup men in the game previously) http://www.soxtalk.com/forums/index.php?s=...t&p=1812891

2.76 ERA, 1.04 WHIP in his first 81.2 IP 8.60 ERA, 2.04 WHIP in his final 37.2 IP (that last 1.2 IP outing doesn't count)

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 16, 2009 -> 01:40 PM) The big problem with Alexei leading off is exactly what you just said...if you've got a lineup full of boppers, you want OBP at the top. Alexei's OBP is almost entirely built on his batting average since he doesn't take a walk. And his best asset has been his ability to hit with runners in scoring position, in the leadoff spot such situations will be incredibly limited. He's just not a good fit for the top of the order.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 16, 2009 -> 11:13 AM) I believe it is $400k now. That was the minimum for last year so it'll be a little more for the 2009 season, it goes up every year.

QUOTE (whtsoxfan @ Jan 16, 2009 -> 01:12 AM) Thanx, That should be the next issue at the owners meetings... I edited my post so make sure you re-read it, I was thinking of something else entirely so I went back and corrected the statement accordingly with the proper information.

QUOTE (whtsoxfan @ Jan 16, 2009 -> 12:21 AM) Never saw a year like this with every team waiting so long. Cabrera is probably going to get half what he turned down from the White Sox. We still get 2 top draft picks from whomever is the ;ucky team. That also is a question that I have....since any team that signs a "Type A" free agent, owes the team that lost them 2 first round draft picks. What happens when the Yankees signed 3 type A's. They don't have enough draft picks to meet the rules? Anybody have a clue how this one works? If a team signs a type A free agent they have to relinquish only their first round pick (the team who lost the type A player also receives a compensatory sandwich pick between the 1st and 2nd rounds) unless their 1st rounder falls within the top 15 picks, then they have to give up their second rounder. Since the Yankees have signed 3 Type A free agents their 1st round pick will go to the former team of the newly signed player who ranked the highest in the Elias player rankings, the next highest gets their 2nd round pick and the lowest ranked gets their 3rd. So since Teixeira was the highest ranked type A free agent signed by the Yankees the Angels will receive their 1st round pick, Sabathia finished a few hundredths of a point lower so the Brewers get their 2nd rounder and the Blue Jays get their 3rd round pick as compensation for the loss of Burnett. There's actually a limit as to the number of type A & B free agents a team can sign in a given offseason, that number is determined by the amount of Type A & B free agents that are on the market.

QUOTE (103 mph screwball @ Jan 15, 2009 -> 08:05 AM) Abreu is a free agent. In the current sluggish free agent market, the Sox should get him cheaper than Dye. The biggest advantage would be the player the Sox acquire by trading Dye. Abreu + Players aquired for Dye > Dye. Abreu adds team speed and OBP as well. He and Ozzie are buddies so that is another reason that he would be likely to want to play for the Sox if there was an opportunity. Bobby Abreu is no longer fast. He's a very good baserunner but he's not exactly fleet of foot these days, hence why his defense was among the worst in the game for a corner outfielder last season.

בובי There you go.

Have you seen some of the words they use in the quotes on IMDB? Often times they're not even close.

My Yiddish is a little rusty but I believe it's spelled "bubby" not "booby".

QUOTE (TheBlackSox8 @ Jan 15, 2009 -> 12:48 AM) Yuri: I also have some dim-dims. You use this word, dim-dims? The bullets that make the head explode? Harry: Dum-dums. Yeah. Yuri: Would you like some of these dim-dims? Harry: I know I shouldn't... but I will. [takes whole case of dum-dums] Dialogue is f***in hilarious basically the whole movie... I believe that same scene has both the "corridor" exchange and this one (a fave of mine for sure): Eirik: I was trying to rob him. And he took my gun from me. And the gun was full of blanks. And he shot a blank into my eye. And now I cannot see from this eye ever again, the doctors say. Harry: Well to be honest it sounds like it's all your fault. Eirik: What? Harry: I mean basically if you're robbing a man and you're only carrying blanks and you allow your gun to be taken off you and you allow yourself to be shot in the eye with a blank which I assume that the person has to get quite close to you then, yeah really it's all your fault for being such a poof, so why don't you stop wingeing and cheer the f*** up. Yuri: Eirek - I really wouldn't respond. Eirik: I thought you wanted the guy dead? Harry: I do want the guy dead, I want him f***ing crucified but it don't change the fact that he stitched you up like a blind little gay boy, does it?

In Bruges was definitely one of my favorite movies of the year. The exchange between Fiennes and Gleeson sitting at the table in the little cafe talking about Fiennes' kids was priceless.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jan 15, 2009 -> 12:17 AM) "We'd have to sit down and have a discussion," said Wade. "Where we are right now, our payroll is $107 million. Last year, we finished around $98 million. We're really up against our number at 107, and it's a number, quite frankly, that the revenues don't support." Wade followed with a bit of a disclaimer: "Circumstances can change. We can see if we can create more flexibility to make it happen, but right now, the feeling is the group we've committed to at this point is the group we'll go with, with 99 percent certainty." Sounds like the GM's and owners all have the same PR agent/soundtrack this offseason. Rumors of Orlando Cabrera to the Marlins, probably to play 2B (yeah, that Ramirez kid can play a little SS). I guess that would move our pick down...although the Marlins are pretty close to the middle of the pack, I guess we'd get first round supplemental and then 2nd round. Chone Figgins agrees to arbitration on a one year deal for $5.7 million with the Angels. Still not seeing a Dye trade there, but potentially Paulie if they feel Morales isn't the answer. The Marlins have the 18th pick and only the first 16 are protected (the Marlins have a comp pick at #10 (Aaron Crow) so everyone moves back a spot) so the Sox would receive the 18th and 40th picks in the draft if Cabrera signed with the Marlins tomorrow.

The Angels and Chone Figgins avoided arbitration by agreeing to a 1 year, $5.775M deal today. So for those of you wondering how much he'll make this season, there you go.