elrockinMT

Good job Juan. There is no reason to bash Juan Pierre. We need 24 more with his work ethic and he gives you everything he has to give. Great role model I think for the youger players. Most likely not here next year, but I bet he doesn'r complain or have anything bad to say about the Sox if and when he goes somewhere else.

Go get em Mark. Let's not go silently into the night. Make those Tigers sweat

I always liked this kid. You can't help but root for him. My wife even thought he should have been given more playing time and we both woukd comment about how he always came ready to play 100%. Good luck Lili adn just get ready for 2012. We need you on the team.

Konerko

Battle to the end that's the motto I want to have this team live by

QUOTE (Tex @ Sep 8, 2011 -> 05:48 PM) OMG a guy that wants to play and not sit on his ass and loaf. I know that is hard for some to accept

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Sep 8, 2011 -> 04:52 PM) It's been made pretty clear that this statement is completely wrong. AJ is really uncomfortable with having a potential "Replacement" around, and he doesn't seem like the gentlest teaching personality anyway. But I can't remember ever having seen an article about how AJ was taking Flowers under his wing in Spring Training or anything like that. Heck, this article is dripping with that sentiment...AJ wants to be the starter, he knows that as of right now he deserves to be a starting catcher, his body can take it and he's one of the top 20 producers in MLB at the catching position...why shouldn't he play a few more years and why should he have to take a seat for the kid... I believe there was an article quoting Flowers on how AJ has been helping him adjust,

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 8, 2011 -> 02:04 PM) ESPNStatsInfo ESPN Stats & Info Jose Bautista stole home Wed. Who was the last 40-HR player to steal home in the same season? #Elias; Answer: Adam Dunn in 2004 So there is hope afer all?

QUOTE (greg775 @ Sep 8, 2011 -> 05:41 PM) He doesn't? I got jumped for calling him a "good" ballplayer. You can't even get people on here to admit he's "good." Of course I then asked for the definition of good and Quentin wasn't good either. Juan Pierre is a good ball player. Whether he is with this team in 2012 remains to be seen though. But, reagrdless of what folks may think about Juan Pierre he is a good player and prepares in the right way. He gives it his all and at this point in his career maybe that's all there is to give. I would not be against him being back here next year, but I doubt that will happen when you consider his $8.5M a year salary and our crowded OF situation.

QUOTE (southsideirish71 @ Sep 8, 2011 -> 05:27 PM) You realize that Hawk is not an impartial observer of AJ right. When AJ throws to the wrong side of the bag, or super high where the tag cannot be applied. Hawk goes into a rant about how the pitcher can't hold the runner. Now sure, some of the pitchers are a bit long in their deliveries. But lets look at our rotation. Floyd is probably the slowest to the plate. Danks and Buerhle are lefties and have decent moves as per Danks, and a great move with Buerhle to first. Peavy is a lot of things, but he is pretty good at holding runners. So one out your 5 guys in the rotation is poor on holding runners. Yet Hawks pet gets the benefit of the doubt because it cant possibly be the fact that he threw it to Alexies side of the bag, or its thrown too high. It must of been the pitcher holding him. But, of course we all are impartial right? What I do think should happen is Flowers gets more playing time than Castro, but we keep AJ and he is the #1 catcher. I think he has earned that. Plus I believe that AJ has no problem in teaching Flowers about the league and how to improve his skils

What I liked the most was Ozzie's statement that he wasn't ready to throw in the towel. If Jake is still strong enough to compete I say that's a good thing. He has all off season to rest and recuperate for 2012. You go out battling!

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Sep 8, 2011 -> 03:45 PM) That really wasn't my intent. Just wanted to hammer home that the market for a 35-year old defensively-challenged catcher with minimal pop/on-base skills that's owed $6 million bucks next year is not a strong one. I think catching is the least of our problems. AJP is not a problem. Maybe pitchers who can't control the running game are? The cathcer and pitcher must work together. We have seen some improvement from Tyler Flowers this year, but I am not ready to annoint him our new back stop. I remember it wasn't that long ago when folks were calling for his head and saying he would never make it at the big league level. He could really benefit from another year workig with AJP. Catching is one hard position to find good position players let alone quality ones. AJP brings a lot of good to this team

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Sep 8, 2011 -> 02:42 PM) Let's see: Yankees? No Red Sox? No Jays? No Rays? No Orioles? No Indians? No Tigers? No Twins? No Royals? No Rangers? No A's? No Angels? No Mariners? No On to the NL: Braves? No Nationals? No Marlins? No Phillies? No Mets? No Cubs? No Cardinals? No Reds? No Pirates? No Brewers? No Astros? No Giants? No Rockies? No Diamondbacks? No Dodgers? No The conclusion? A.J. will be back next year. That is one great in depth analysis of teams needs and trade possibilities

couple of pretty close pitches taken there and they didn't go Danks way

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Sep 8, 2011 -> 02:58 AM) I think everyone including the announcers got on him for being too tentative. rookie jitters maybe or thinking he was overmatched by the pitcher?

QUOTE (fathom @ Sep 8, 2011 -> 02:55 AM) Can't look up stats, but Alexei seems to have really struggled with runners on 3rd and less than 2 outs this year. I think so too and from the games I have seen that swing of his gets a bit wild sometimes

I knew AJP was going after that first pitch

QUOTE (kitekrazy @ Sep 8, 2011 -> 02:54 AM) I wonder if it is relative to Kenny jumping on Walker. No I think that would be reading too much into that. Wasn't KW mad about Gordon B's swings?

Alexei swinging out of the zone for that low pitch. We needed a flay ball minimum there AR. Maybe they forgot to tell him that?

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Sep 8, 2011 -> 02:48 AM) Brent is really hitting the ball hard I am thinking and hopeing this translates into a good year for Brent in 2012. He seems to be more comfortable at the plate. Maybe not a homer guy but I wil settle for doubles. The defense has been pretty decent also for the most part, which is his strength

I checked Danks and his bad inning and it amazes me how he and some other Sox pitchers just kind of implode when they have runners on and 2 outs.

QUOTE (fathom @ Sep 8, 2011 -> 02:06 AM) BTW, starting Omar instead of Escobar at 2nd is a disgrace. I would like to see him in a game or two

QUOTE (Soxfest @ Sep 8, 2011 -> 02:08 AM) Danks can be traded this winter he has been horrid when needed alot this year! Maybe we should just release him or try and get a single A prospect or two for him

QUOTE (Harry Chappas @ Sep 7, 2011 -> 10:13 PM) of all the crap in the last few weeks this is what gets me What the hell, bat him second and play him in CF. What is the worst thing that can happen? we might win and some soxtalkers have to eat crow

QUOTE (Jenksy Cat @ Sep 7, 2011 -> 05:36 PM) He's never playing 3b again. I want Q+Vicedo on the corners. Give Rios 2 months and if its 2011 Rios, he becomes 5th OF and a pinch runner, De Aza CF. Give Dunn 2 months, if it's 2011 Dunn, rotate Bridge/Q/Vicedo/PK at DH Should never say never IMO. At least it's an option even though it may be rare