CaliSoxFanViaSWside

QUOTE (scs787 @ Aug 1, 2016 -> 05:50 AM) Not sure if it's a plausible argument or not, but what if Abreu bounces back to MVPish form? What does getting Petricka and Putnam back while also possibly adding Burdi to the pen do for the struggles there? What does Rodon possibly taking a step forward do for the rotation? What does Frazier possibly improving in his 2nd year in the AL do? What about Anderson in his 2nd year? Is Collins really that advanced bat who can come up at some point next year and be the Sox Shwarber? What do they make of Fulmer? If they stand pat, they would still have Sale-Q-Shields-Rodon-Gonzalez so do they keep Carson in the pen or starting in the minors? I've been one who thinks managers don't matter, but what if I'm wrong and they do? I know that is a lot of what ifs, but I'm not sure its that crazy. I refuse to believe Abreu will be mediocre forever. If he's having a PK, randomly suck for a year then ball out the next, type year, that alone changes a lot of things. I like this post and you didn' t even mention signing any free agents. Despite the thin class, there is top talent available if Uncle Jerry said keep everyone, trade in the offseason and we WILL sign 2 free agent big names come hell or high water. Fantasyland sure but crazier things have happened.

Not surprised one iota that we kept Sale and Q . Look what the Yankees got for Chapman for a a rental. Then figure the time Sale and Q have left and no matter what the return we got it wouldn't be enough. We can still get productive cheap years from them and then trade them for a haul if they stay healthy. Maybe we see Shield or Gonzales moved later but if you look at how we entered this season with the 4 and 5 spots in turmoil and look at how the top 5 are pitching now the Sox could have a pretty good rotation next year especially if Shields and Gonzo finish as strong as they have been pitching lately. Let's say Jerry opens up the checkbook , long shot I know, but the lack of moves could be tied to Jerry saying something like that. Even though it's a thin free agent class there is still going to be some quality that could help the Sox. Cespedes( if he opts out), Reddick, Kenley Jansen, Lucroy ,Dexter Fowler, Ian Desmond. Add some OBP ,power and relief pitching and all of a sudden you have a team with direction . Maybe Melky and Robertson get moved in the offseason to free up some money. Just sayin' things CAN get better.

QUOTE (Tony @ Aug 1, 2016 -> 03:11 PM) Well, I don't know why I came here tonight I got the feeling that something ain't right I'm so scared in case I fall off my chair, And I'm wondering how I'll get down those stairs Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right, Here I am, stuck in the middle with you Aww how nice . That's the second "Stuck in the Middle with You" reference after the one I posted in the winners thread a few games ago. At least I know someone besides Ptatc enjoys them.

QUOTE (NCsoxfan @ Jul 31, 2016 -> 02:06 PM) Why does Hahn deserve to keep his job and oversee the rebuild? Would he have been fired in other organizations? Should he be let go? What rebuild ?

Huey Lewis used to sing " Some times bad is bad."

Well this game should be over soon.

So anyone think Frazier really has flu-like symptoms ?

Sox are the cure for insomnia.

Without Frazier this team would be completely devoid of power. You think the offense is bad now ? Yikes !

Ranaudo so far

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Jul 26, 2016 -> 08:25 AM) Ranaudo can be sent down and recalled at will this year, he was optioned in '14, '15 and '16 so this is his final option year. It's Turner who would have to be released or waived or whatever if they decide to take him off the 25. That's why I was wondering why the heck they didn't just bring up Ranaudo in the 1st place over Turner.

QUOTE (ChiSox59 @ Jul 26, 2016 -> 08:59 AM) This. Or midseason next year if they suck again, or after 2017. They still have a window to be good next year with keeping this team intact and adding a couple stopgaps. The Sox are only going to trade Q or Sale if the offer is to good to be true. Too many people around here just want to see trades - the Sox need to do this the right way. Patience. It's really not as hopeless as everyone seems to think it is expecting some big sell off. The year before the Sox won the World Series they went 83-79. So all the Sox have to do is get a Japanese 2nd baseman, trade our slugging LF'er for a speedy one and a reliever and pick a rookie closer up off the scrap heap. Sure Hahn hasn't had much luck with his acquisitions but maybe they splurge on Cespedes next year ( ha) or get luckier unlike this year when players practically fell into their laps but still don't sign them ).

QUOTE (BigHurt3515 @ Jul 26, 2016 -> 07:28 PM) This took a bit too long to do. I am happy to see a steady diet of Saladino You know Sanchez will play against righties don't you ?

QUOTE (SouthSideSale @ Jul 26, 2016 -> 07:38 PM) Heart and a nutsack. James has both and doesn't give a f***. This is the guy I thought we were getting all along. Not dominant every time out and not striking out 10 but being solid and the bulldog. Always loved the guy. Wanted to sign him back when he was a FA just not to a mega contract. I was one of the ones when the rumors were flying about getting Shields, who was totally against it mostly because of the contract ( money and years). Once I saw how much the Padres were willing to absorb I softened my stance a little but still was hard on the guy after his 1st 3 starts. I am really glad now about the way he's been pitching. I know it won't last because sometimes as a pitcher there are days you just don't have it. 7 good starts in a row is just about all you can ask of any pitcher.

QUOTE (ptatc @ Jul 26, 2016 -> 09:16 PM) It was excellent! But I had to add an "easy one you missed even in the wording you had. Ha that was a Linda Ronstadt song to me even if it was Buddy Holly who sang it 1st. I may be old but not so old as I'd remember Buddy Holly. But American Pie ( the Don McLean song) taught me all about "the day the music died." Good catch !

Hi there, it's the old guy again with the winning song for the day. I know all you young dudes ( Mott the Hoople) Won't be Fooled Again (The Who) by this new win streak. Then again it's easy to Imagine ( John Lennon) things being seen in a Different Light ( The Bangles) . Since the Sox have been this crazy team who can't decide if they suck or are good what we have is " Stuck in the Middle With You" by Stealers Wheel .Made famous by a scene in Reservoir Dogs I contemplated going with The Real Slim Shady (Eminem) or The Real Me (The Who ) since the Sox have this identity crisis . Rock on everyone Was that as good for you as it was for me ?

QUOTE (Feeky Magee @ Jul 26, 2016 -> 07:00 PM) Come on dude. He's had 24 strikeouts and 16 walks in 47 innings, along with a 35% groundball rate, 33% hard hit rate and 8% soft hit rate. He's been extremely lucky. There's this thing called heart you might want to check into. You won't find it on a stat sheet anywhere.There have been many many pitchers in the history of baseball who have got by on heart and guile changing speeds and locations and knowing hitters strengths and weakness. It is a science or art take your pick. . Results are the only thing that matter. Will you be happy when he gets lit up so you can say I told you so his peripherals predicted this ? I will take a 4 or 5 starter having a streak like he's on now any time over you proclaiming how lucky he is when he allows no runs to one of the best hitting teams in baseball. Talk to me when you've been around the game for 40 years and you know what you are talking about. That is, if you have learned anything about the art of pitching or the heart of champions.

Must be so hard to give credit to a pitcher who is very good for 7 straight games because you so handily believe in sabremetric peripherals. Just means you know nothing about pitching or people for that matter.

Can't argue with what Shields has done the last 7 games even when his peripherals say otherwise. He just has an extra gear for when guys are on base. Pitcher smarts.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jul 25, 2016 -> 08:34 PM) Walk this way... Exciting but some sloppy play by the Sox. Eaton's been having a recent run of sloppy fielding but then again Melky robbed Bryant of a HR with a great catch.They blew the lead again in the 9th but then again that just set up the 3rd straight walk off win. So we create a mess then fix it with a little magic. So the victory song is " Dirty Magic" by the Offspring

Matt Vasgerian just came on to his MLB Central set with his suit all cut up . His cohosts Mark DeRosa and Laren Shehadi were cracking up.

QUOTE (kitekrazy @ Jul 24, 2016 -> 09:53 PM) Looking at the box which doesn't say much, was there a reason that Q didn't stay in there longer? I just find Robins use of the pen more of an addiction than managing. To me it's the pen where most of the mental midgets roost. Don't they list pitch count in the box score? Q was maxed out at like 117 or 119 .

QUOTE (ptatc @ Jul 24, 2016 -> 08:41 PM) I was wondering if anyone was going to catch the double use of the phrase. I should have figured you would. Your song is better. I do love that song though . It's like combining REM with the B-52's since Kate Peirson of the B-52's sings on it. Both bands from Athens , GA. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCQ0vDAbF7s Ever heard the duet Iggy Pop does with Kate called "Candy" from 1990 ? Another great song.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jul 24, 2016 -> 03:21 PM) Kahnle had already pitched two days in a row, throwing 3 innings and 48 pitches. He wasn't exactly fresh either. Found it kind of curious the Sox brought up Sanchez for the 26th man . Thought a reliever ,who Robin probably doesn't use anyway, might have been brought up considering the dire straits the Sox pen was in.

So after L'Affaire LaRoche the Sox went 23-10. Now after The Sale Syndrome they go 2-0 . Clearly this team strives when Rome is burning. So in honor of that and the 2 wins today our winning rock song is " After the Fire" by Roger Daltrey from 1985