Rowand44

QUOTE(Cerbaho-WG @ Dec 21, 2005 -> 01:42 PM) Johnson Mussina Wright/Pavano? Chacon Wang? Enjoy being ousted in the first round yet again, Yanks. Bingo. They can improve their lineup all they want but until they upgrade their rotation they ain't getting past the first round.

QUOTE(nitetrain8601 @ Dec 21, 2005 -> 01:31 PM) We should pick up Escobar just to trade him again. The Nats actually re-signed him to a minor league deal.

QUOTE(tonyho7476 @ Dec 21, 2005 -> 01:19 PM) I don't know how you guys know all these Dodger prospects. I am clueless. Meh, some of us don't have lives. You should be proud that you don't know this stuff.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Dec 21, 2005 -> 12:58 PM) The only reason this works out as a wash is because we control the rights to Javier for 2 more years than Jon. Thats the only reason too, cause we gave up a stud CF to get him. However, if we are able to turn that stud CF into a couple stud pitching prospects, than you won't see one complaint out of him. As a whole I like what Kenny's done this off-season. I'm not much of a fan of Vazquez, but I admit the stuff is there. However, he has attitude problems and I'm not going to just assume Coop can turn him back into the pitcher he once was. Hopefully he can though. To be honest, I'm more confident that kenny has seen something in Vaz that can be fixed, such as tipping pitches maybe. I say this because he's been after Vaz for a while kind of like he was with Jose when they knew he was doing just that thing. We'll see but I'm giving Kenny the benefit of the doubt, he deserves it.

QUOTE(WHarris1 @ Dec 21, 2005 -> 12:57 PM) And it's not an IF that Garland can repeat last season? Do we have to argue the same thing here and on aim.

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Dec 21, 2005 -> 12:52 PM) If Cooper can straighten out Vazquez, I think he will be a better pitcher than Garland. He has much better stuff and is a strikeout pitcher. Not every other team has the kind of insane infield defense that we had last season which saved Garland from giving up some runs. Vazquez will probably still struggle at the Cell like Garcia because he gives up too many flyballs though. That's an IF though, Jon has proven more recently that he's a better pitcher. While I have confidence in coop and even moreso that Kenny sees something in Javi that can be fixed you can't just put him on a higher pedastile then Jon right now. That being said it obviously is possible for Vaz to turn it around then you have another stud in the rotation for 3 years, so we'll see. All I'm saying that as of right now I think Jon is the better pitcher but that can change very quick.

QUOTE(WHarris1 @ Dec 21, 2005 -> 12:45 PM) Ah so last year makes him ALOT better? He was a lot better last year. I could see how people think Jon is much better and I could see how people would believe that Vaz is the better pitcher, we're just going to have to see.

QUOTE(WHarris1 @ Dec 21, 2005 -> 12:42 PM) Based on what? Last season, obviously. Vazquez has had a better career in the nl but Jon is 26 years old and coming off a fantastic year so he could definitely be the better pitcher. As of right now I think Jon is better but if Coop can figure out Vaz then Javi is going to be a stud for us imo.

We should sign Ken Harvey for comic relief. That guy is always in the middle of hilarious plays.

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Dec 21, 2005 -> 12:13 PM) I agree for the most part, although his raw postseason SB numbers show otherwise (6 SB, 3 CS; 66% success). He got thrown out twice right away then you could tell he was starting to get his rythem back. Anyways, that's not exactly what I was talking about, more of how the threat of a sb can effect a sp so much. Clement started to wet himself right when Pods got on base, you could tell he was much more worried about Pods then the actual hitters.

QUOTE(nitetrain8601 @ Dec 21, 2005 -> 12:08 PM) So you're willing to go to a Red Sox game at Fenway instead of spending that cash at U.S. Cellular Field?? Some type of White Sox fan you are. BANDWAGON JUMPER!!! That's what I get for having relatives who live on the east coast. We were playing the Phillies that weekend where one of the games was rained out and another was an absolute shootout where Thome destroyed us.

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Dec 21, 2005 -> 12:06 PM) Podsednik was more than inefficient after the All-Star break. He probably hurt the team attempting to steal more than he helped (15 SB, 14 CS). Hopefully, he will be 100% healthy and back to stealing bases the way he did before the All Star break last season (44 SB, 9 CS). Pods was bad at the end of the regular season when he got hurt but he was fantastic in the playoffs. Also, exactly what watchtower said took place right away in the playoffs. When Scotty got on in his first ab against the Sawx, Clement kept stepping off and stepping off, throwing over, then he goes and hits Dye. Then Scott steals 3rd and scores the first run, set the tone for that game and made this team more comfortable. Another thing about Scott is how it he manufactured so many 1st inning runs by himself to get us the lead, that something people dont talk about enough imo. When he's healthy and running he's a damn good leadoff hitter and one of our most valuable hitters.

QUOTE(fathom @ Dec 21, 2005 -> 12:04 PM) True, but don't you think that was a unique situation? Good job though Rowand! Ya, I edited my response. He didn't contribute much at all in 04 but he was supposed to be their starting shortstop and I was actually at Fenway for his first game back and there was such a buzz there and he was going to help lead them to a title, yada yada.

QUOTE(fathom @ Dec 21, 2005 -> 12:02 PM) When's the last time a team traded a major contributor at the deadline when they were still in contention? Nomar, kind of. EDIT: I know he didn't contribute much that season but I threw him in there cause he was just coming back and was supposed to be their guy.

QUOTE(qwerty @ Dec 21, 2005 -> 11:51 AM) It's the truth and has been proven time and time again. But it is a s3cks1 stat. I admit i do not mind stolen bases, but only when it is at a very good clip, which is few and far between in this league. Proven time and time by what? Meh, whatever, no point to argue this right now.

QUOTE(qwerty @ Dec 21, 2005 -> 11:46 AM) . It is mostly useless to steal bases Hehe.

Hopefully it's true.

QUOTE(qwerty @ Dec 21, 2005 -> 11:36 AM) If podsednik is not healthy by now he has some real problems. A simple hamstring injury should not carry over to a new year. Realistically he should have stopped running when he got back from the the dl because he was bad running the bases period. When it came to stealing bases he was just awful. qwerty despises pods in case anyone didnt know. Anywho, he should hopefully be fine this year and yes a hamstring injury for a baserunner can be nagging as all hell.

QUOTE(WHarris1 @ Dec 21, 2005 -> 11:30 AM) WILLIE? :headshake

I agree that you can't blame Jon but you also can't blame Kenny for knowing he's going to have to move on.

I'd rather have Baj or Tracey in the bullpen then Fogg.

QUOTE(TLAK @ Dec 21, 2005 -> 07:17 AM) Wow, the World Champions don't get any respect, even from their own GM, after they won 99 games and went 11-1 against baseball's best in the playoffs. What an incredible statement. It's very hard to repeat, period but especially when you come back with the same team. While I think we would have definitely had a solid chance to repeat, I'm much more confident now that we can win another.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Dec 21, 2005 -> 06:51 AM) sounds good to me, I still am thinking pr move. Spring training is already long and the drills and schedule are in place for pitchers and catchers. Maybe Jim is going to be the backup to the backup to the backup catcher I just don't think it is all that earth shattering. I do agree it is a lot better than the opposite and reinstills the image of a great team player. Ya, I agree with you about it not being earth shattering. Different players do this all the time but like you said, having it the other way would definitely not be a good thing.

QUOTE(quickman @ Dec 21, 2005 -> 06:44 AM) All this tells us is that Kenny has not gotten any bites that were good offers. He will hold out for more. People go down in spring training or early season. His cards maybe better at that time. I am sure he wants to unload garland but he has not gotten what he thinks is good trade material in return. The problem with this is we will need relievers in hte meantime. He maybe over budget and hopefully he will be allowed to start over budget. We will see. This is basically it. Kenny wants to get rid of Jon but once again for leverage you can't publically say you are trying to unload a guy. I believe KW will wait and see until he gets an offer that blows his socks off .

QUOTE(Texsox @ Dec 21, 2005 -> 06:45 AM) If he is 100% healthy, a player with his resume doesn't need the extra spring training time. Nice pr move or hint of a slower recovery? I'm hoping its PR. After missing a full season maybe he just wants to get started early? EDIT: I meant to say after missing almost a full season.