elrockinMT

QUOTE (knightni @ Sep 13, 2009 -> 05:16 AM) Let's get another one! Might try and see if I can get a listen in on XM

I saw the game on FOX and Danks looked pretty good. Howsever, our bullpen tried to find a way, again, to lose it. Four innings I think giving up 7 hits and three walks or something like that. I couldn't believe Jenks going from the hero in the 8th to the goat in the 9th or Thornton giving up four consecutive hits to give up 2 runs. Anyway we won and that'sall that matters,

Ozzie says it like it is and that's why he is a good manager.

KW says he makes moves with th future in mind. So in the case of Rios, who we also all know KW has wanted for sometime just like he wanted Junior Griffey, th move was made for THIS year and BEYOND. But, poor ALex has really stumbled. I felt bad for him when he scorched oe on Saturday only to have the CF we really wanted (Hunter, make areal good fiving cathch to rob him of extra bases. When things go bad they really go bad. Rios is realy bad right now, but I am sure 2010 will be different.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Sep 11, 2009 -> 10:32 PM) It's one thing to name off a list of guys. I want to know what we are going to give up or what we are going to have to pay to get them. Felipe Lopez has a career .329 OBP. What an upgrade. Nyjer Morgan has had an serious second half. You think the Nationals are going to trade him now? Rajai Davis is having a great second half as well. He is a soon to be 29 year old that posted a .272 OBP last year. Are you sure he's better? Michael Bourne? He doesn't strike me as anyone that is available unless you want to really pay up. I just don't think it is as easy as you'd like us to believe. I also don't think many of the players you name are even upgrades. Maybe a case of the grass is always greener, but not necessarily an improvement. I used to tell folks who wanted to quit a job and move to another that the grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence

QUOTE (greg775 @ Sep 11, 2009 -> 11:25 PM) You said it all: The grass is always greener with other team's players. If Pods could do this next year (and not get picked off base) I'd want him back in a heartbeat to be our leadoff hitter. DeJesus? Michael Bourne? Give me a break. Better yet, give me Pods if he puts up similar numbers. Pods deserves to come back to the Sox. My guess is Dotel, Carrasco, Jenks, et al, in the pen might be back too unless there are options out there affordable and effective. I don't know if any minor league phenoms are ready either. Hudson maybe, but his rise was pretty quick and it wouldn';t hurt to be at AAA for a year

I wasn't aware of the WGN broadcast. Believe you me I will be there behind the screen tonght

QUOTE (boejouma @ Sep 11, 2009 -> 05:35 PM) i hope we never platoon getz and nix. getz should be in the lineup, period. Nix is a good utility man, but I am not impressed with his glove work. Getz is a better fielder

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 11, 2009 -> 02:08 PM) Its hard to bench Dye, but I think you might be right. If the back is as bad as it looks, it is time. Watch Dye's swing on a pitch on the outer half. It is brutal. I don't see him being benched. Platooned with Kotsay maybe, but not benched

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Sep 11, 2009 -> 12:38 PM) I'm still not 100% convinced that Ryan Sweeney sucks. Huh?

QUOTE (santo=dorf @ Sep 11, 2009 -> 11:56 AM) I'd also like to know how much pressure a prancer on first is putting on the hitter at the plate. The saying is that the hitter will get more fastballs, but I have to believe the percentage of players swinging at junk and striking out goes way up when there's a guy taking off for second. Isn't that why Dye and Cabrera had to be separated last year? Well that was what Hawkeroo says isn't it? And Hawk has been around baseball forever. Just ask him. Ity always helps though if the batter at the plate is a contact hitter and not a free swinger or home run hitter

QUOTE (greg775 @ Sep 10, 2009 -> 07:17 PM) Everbody's been clamoring for a leadoff man on our team with some speed. We have arguably one of the best in baseball right now (the way he played this year) yet we are not crazy about bringing Pods back. It's so easy to take your own players for granted. If Pods is healthy, he ain't done yet. And we have youth in the minors to replace him if for some reason he pulls a Rios. I think you make a valid point and one I have argued in the past. We all want to win and that should be without argument. But, when we have someone not performing to a high standard for whatvere reason, or just becasue we don't seem to take a shining to a player, the clamor is to cut them, trade them, blow them up, etc, and not realize that people have slumps and bad years. I look at the clamoring that was done on Vazquez and Swisher for instance. Both could have helped this team in 2009. One can certainly aergue about a future contributor being acquired, but those two have worked well for their new teams. We may react to quickly and regret the move that is made. We need to stop, take a step back and a deep breath and think that 2010 may bring a healthier player or just a clean start. Trades and FA signings are made to plug holes in your team not create more or just set up another problem.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Sep 10, 2009 -> 04:47 PM) Pods definitely deserves to be in a big league uniform next year and it should be with the Sox. Mark my words it will be done!

QUOTE (IowaSoxFan @ Sep 10, 2009 -> 04:30 PM) He is not as worn down cause he has played about half as much this season as the other regulars. I think he would be a decent option, but if he gets to much work it takes a toll on him physically which led to the injury problems he had here before. I think he could be a good platoon option which means we still need to find another OF for next season as none of the farm guys will likely be ready. It can happen any player and not just Pods so I don't see how he can be criticized. Konerko had a bad foot and bad thumb, Thome had a bad foot and back and Quentin cracked his wrist bone and has a bad foot, etc, etc. Injuries are just part of the game. Pods has done well with this team and is healthy

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Sep 10, 2009 -> 08:26 PM) I did add the obligatory "BA would've had it" to the gamethread based on this discussion. And he would of too and it would have been bootiful

QUOTE (soxfan-kwman @ Sep 10, 2009 -> 07:20 PM) Rios is having a problem at the plate & him dropping that ball last night may help him. Sometimes when you completely bottom out, you only have one direction to move in.(hopefully up). I went to the game last night & sat really close to the sox dugout. Rios seems to be off in a different world. I believe he is very frustrated, but he may think to much of himself to try to help himself. He strikes me as a guy who doesn't like to ask for help until its to late. At this point in our season he is a base-stealing version of Brian Anderson. These areas in his swing might help him salvage his year: FEET He needs to change his approach. He has his lead (front) foot up in some attempt to get loft on the ball. Then he spreads and bends his legs, which is fine(you start your swing through your legs). With the squatting motion the height seems to change up on him. I would even suggest that he open up little bit & he might pull more. He would surely not swing through hittable inside pitches . SHOULDERS & ARMS Also he puts his shoulders somewhat back to not jam himself. However, his torso leans toward the plate & he ends up not able to get around with that long swing. At this point the only pitch he can hit good is high outside pitches. The sweet spot of the bat is only on the outside part of the plate. That & he like to swing at low pitches to often. HANDS Rios has like 2 or 3 hitches he has going with his hands. He should rest his hands ready for his swing like Crede used to do. However, he gets ready, then he brings his hands down to rest & relax his hands, then he puts it in his natural load spot. He should put his hands in his spot for hitting and just let the barrel rest on his back right shoulder&arm. Also I would suggest that he watch Chase Utley hit in a mirror so he can see how to simplify his swing. In general his swing, if he tilted his body back (ala manny ramirez) he would be able to connect a lot more. Interesting analysis Mr Hrniak. You are probably correct in your observations and your comments are in depth, but if this is how he always bats then messing with him might not be benficial. There are so many things he does, and all batters do, that if they get out of sync on any one they flounder. Hopefully he sees what he has been doing wrong. Farmer said on the radio that Rios has been studying old dvd's of his at bats trying to figure things out.

QUOTE (Lillian @ Sep 10, 2009 -> 06:11 PM) Funny how you guys were speculating about what would happen on this board the first time he dropped a routine fly ball. That didn't take long. I am really getting worried about this guy. His season wasn't going that well before he came to the Sox, and now it is spiraling down at a very alarming rate. He doesn't even have decent at bats. Don't you think that there must be something wrong with him? Maybe they should start by giving him another complete physical, including a thorough eye exam. If he passes both of those, maybe they should have him see a Psychiatrist. You beat me to it. I was listening on XM radio last night when he dropped that flyball. My thoughts were of Soxtalk

QUOTE (DukeNukeEm @ Sep 10, 2009 -> 07:06 AM) I refuse to speak ill of Dye after all he's done for this organization in his time here. He was a great player for us. Jermaine Dye is still awesome in my book. No doubt he is in some type of funk, but there is much upside to him still. It's incredible that folks wanted him gone and KW acquires Rios, who is doing just as bad as Dye if not worse. My guess it is just funk and he will come out of it. I am still game for him to stay with the Sox.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Sep 10, 2009 -> 05:33 AM) I'm an optimist. Let's do it. I feel strongly both ways about it

QUOTE (Jenks Heat @ Sep 10, 2009 -> 03:10 PM) Cooper on the SCORE said he would throw another bullpen session over the weekend and go from there.........he also said they are still in it to win it......we could see him sooner If he keeps throwing bullpen sessions and not games we won't see him till next year.

QUOTE (son of a rude @ Sep 9, 2009 -> 12:43 AM) ugh, not this again. We had ~~~200~~~ home runs in 2005. it wasnt speed that won it for us. It was good pitching and home runs. We hit a ton of them in the playoffs. Plus, we had 868 runs in 2006 and 741 runs in 2005. Our offense was so much better in 2006. That was the year we got Thome and the year Podsednik blew. We didn't make the playoffs because our pitching wasn't as good. Thome is a much, much better player than pods. I won't lie. I like home runs a lot too

QUOTE (tommy @ Sep 9, 2009 -> 08:23 PM) I will be in attendance also! Good for you. Let us know of your experience

I think I wil be able to at least listen to the game on XM satellite radio. Ed farmer and D Jackson so that's good anyway

QUOTE (greg775 @ Sep 8, 2009 -> 08:00 PM) I disagree. The turf makes a big difference. Ask any doctor. Joe Crede is a great great baseball player and I will forever owe him a debt of gratitude for the title in 05. Go Joe!!! You and me both

QUOTE (greg775 @ Sep 9, 2009 -> 03:47 AM) Well said. I could agree with that. Wow Squert, one of the worst players in Sox history? He was one of the MVPs of our postseason run. The Sqwert has a tendency to get carried away with his negativism. He knows Joe is/was good