Punch and Judy Garland

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Nov 28, 2005 -> 10:41 PM) Agreed. He is in the 500 homer club if he would have been able to stay relatively healthy for a few more years. In 12 years, the guy amassed career totals of a .295 average, 381 homers, 1239 RBI, 974 runs, to go along with .369/.564/.933 splits. Tack 4-5 more years onto his career, and he's looking at probably atleast 500, and perhaps 600 homers. He was easily a top 5 hitter in the game during his time. I just get the feeling on and off field issues will keep him away, along with an injury shortened career. I hope I'm wrong. I've fought this fight on here. I even appealed to Rob Neyer hoping a stat-guy would back me up but even he didn't agree. I don't know. I know he was one of the most feared hitters of the last 20 years. I don't care if he broke the clubhouse thermostat or not. He was just a force of destruction at the plate. As far as longevity, compare him to someone like Ralph Kiner. He's in the Hall and they are an extremely similar Offensive Comp.

Will Carroll's sources at BP indicate Paulie is gone. I don't know a ton about him or his sources so take ti with a grain of salt. At this point, I'm willing to say bye to Paulie and use that money mroe wisely. I realize that goes against popular sentiment around here but I think it'd be a good move. I'd bring Frank back at DH and go into the trade market looking for an impact position player. We'd then have the money to extend guys over the next few years

i thinjk it depends who it is. Most people feel sad when they see a guy fail over and over again but most peopel don't like Mike Irvin. Right or wrong, that is where the satisfaction comes in. To be honest, I'd be lying if I said part of me wasn't hoping this would lead to him being off tv since I can't stand him. I know that sounds horrible but whatever

I'd go with Thomas but I'd also feel out the Reds on Griffey. Probably a moot point as Dunn might be traded at the meetings but its worht exploring at least

I'd take Billy Wagner. He's elite

A guy that could have played for anybody. No doubt about it. HOF'er? Maybe as a manager in 30 years if we can win some more rings. I don't know if we will but I think Ozzie will win at least one more in his career be it here or elsewhere. Its an honor of sorts to be on that list. There is a former Sox player on that list that deserves to be in though......

Oakland is goofy, kinda like Dodger stadium. Balls fly with the sun out for 1 pm games (local) but they die at night. A lot of weeks you will only play one day game (sunday) so you could luck out and get that night air a lot. Or you could get stuck throwing a lot of day games if your turn keeps poppin up. THe Padres have wanted Zito and the Cards will surely be in on him too but nobody has coveted him more than JP Riccardi so I expect Zito to eb a Jay next week as they will let Burnett go sign Giles and trade for Zito. Their challenge will be finding prospect fits for the A's

QUOTE(kyyle23 @ Nov 28, 2005 -> 05:29 PM) I am stunned that Esteban Loaiza continues to parlay his 03 season with the White Sox into the heavy contracts he has recieved from the Nationals and A's. Those contracts would seem to fit someone who had continued success, not a one year wonder. Loaiza was pretty good last year. I don't think he'll have a 5 era at all

I disagree with it being a horrible deal, looks abotu right to me. I do however agree with you that something will likely follow and that could be Zito being traded at the GM meetings.

Wagner is actually pretty durable. He's had some of those nagging things like a groin pull but its not like his labrum is damaged or anything

Very, Very surprised. I thought a team like the Dodgers would sign him. THe A's usually don't sign FA pitchers that make any money. In that park, his numbers won't rise from the NL to the AL all that much. Just a bit. Maybe a 4.1-4.25 era this year. Whaddya think?

THat is a lot of money but if I was goign to give that money to a closer in baseball, Wagner would be among my first three choices. Also, given BJ Ryan's deal, this isn't as bad as it would have seemed a week ago. I respect the Mets for going for it all, even if it blows up in their faces( I will likely pick them to win the East though if they add a good catcher and a set-up man)

Should be a HOF'er. One of the best 5 receivers in my lifetime (I'm 23). SHouldn't be on my tv. He said on the DP radio show the other day (as told to me by a friend) that the Jets-yes the Jets-have more playmakers than the Bears. He was raving about the Jets, coming off of two losses with a combined 57-3 score. This is obviously a related story to that claim

Apparently all three receivers have work ethic issues. We know abotu Rogers problems. Mike Williams' problems have been a bit of a surprise. I don't know if there are any issues with Roy Williams beyond health but when Scottie Vines is your best receiver and you have three talented guys like this, the players killed the coach here. ROgers won't be there for long, we'll see about Joey Harrington. Perhaps the Lions didn't do a goo enough job scouting personalities with the makeup of their team. They tried to become the NFC Colts and it flopped. They need to find out whats wrong with Kevin Jones and the running game and recommit to being a running team, which Detroit has had a tradition of. They also need to start drafting help for Shaun Rogers and Dre Bly on defense. Boss Bailey looks good, but Fernando Bryant failed there. If they can get Joey Harrington on track, and they probably could do so with a better running attack, they aren't THAT far away from being a decent team with the right moves

I don't think Mooch is the reason they are losing. Matt Millen inherited a crappy team, but its still a crappy team. The onus should fall on him. Mooch will either get another NFL job next year in Oakland or he'll take a good college job. He's a good coach

I am not sure how much Manny would help Vlad with protection, were Manny to hit 4th. Vlad is one of those guys who doesn't walk much anyways and you wouldn't feel obligated to throw him strikes to get him to swing. Manny hitting third still leaves Manny with pretty decent protection, maybe not quite as much. We'll see what Ortiz does when he has a Varitek, Kotchman, or someone of that caliber around him in the order. Ortiz is slightly more dangerous of a hitter to me with Manny but thats partly because of the R-L dynamic.

Not worth it at all. Won't cost you much mroe than half that in 5 or so years. A lot of that price is for the immediacy after the win and with Christmas looming. Would a Josh Beckett, Luis Gonzalez, or Troy Glaus signed ball cost you that much? Nope. If you can restrain yourself and be patient, you can get this much cheaper down the line

I'd take Dotel at 3 years, 12 million over Ryan at 5/47 if I'm the small market Jays. Even if they land Burnett, they still desperately need sticks

My new sense is that Florida WONT want Marte. Now that they are dismantling, I don't think their previous interest will still be there. Marte will get traded slewhere I think

we got rid of an overrated player who just doesn't hit enough. I LOVE this deal although I like it less if the nextr domino to fall is Pierre for Anderson or Mac. I want Anderson in center to start the year. WE GOT JIM THOME! I'm pinching myself

I haven't been this pumped since we got Freddy Garcia

Welcome Brian Anderson to CF, Thome to first/Dh depending on Konerko/Thomas. I LOVE this deal provided Mac isn't in it and I think they would have mentioned him

no word yet on money or prospects but htey only mentioned thome and rowand as it came across the wires according to Olney. If we only gave up Rowand, we got a steal

per espnews

It should be mentioned that their 2 and 4 best prospects are now gone but Pelfrey will move into their number 2 slot as soon as he signs. He's going to be a star, saw him pitch against SIU. Unreal stuff and command