Rowand44

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Jan 10, 2005 -> 07:35 AM) Wow, aren't we good. I forgot to do this but if I did I would have got 1. :headshake

Indy looks great but I don't think they can beat the Pats in NE if it was indoors at Indy then ya I would think they have a shot. I say Pats by 10 next week.

QUOTE(Heads22 @ Jan 9, 2005 -> 10:26 PM) We've been good enough the past few years, IMO. We just haven't done it. Bingo.

QUOTE(soxman352000 @ Jan 9, 2005 -> 10:08 PM) With additions such as Hermanson, Podsednik, Hernandez, and Pierzynski, is this the team that finally frigures out a way to beat the Twins and get us into the playoffs? Are there more moves that need to be done in order for the up and coming season to be successful or do think that we have done all we needed to this off season? Are we good enough, yes, are are we going to that remains to be seen and until we beat the twins I won't bet againt Minny.

QUOTE(Pale Hose Jon @ Jan 9, 2005 -> 09:54 PM) Considering that the movie really wasn't that good, over a hundred million is awesome I agree, I thought it was awful.

QUOTE(elrockinMT @ Jan 9, 2005 -> 09:36 PM) Why is it that we jump on these rumors like this. It seems that every MLB team wityh a 2Bman is now trying to trade that player to the Sox. It is all rumors started by some columnist who wants to tell his readers what HE thinks might happen and not much of it has any real truth. I don't know what Jimmy Rollins is making this year, but I am certain it is much more than Willie Harris. I don't think the Sox have any more money to spend or use to pick up salary. KW has said that Willie plays 2B in '05 for the Sox. I think the line up is set as is. We have made several moves to plug what were called holes. I think we gave up too much with Carlos Lee being traded, but I kind of like the other moves. Let's get a grip on ourselves with these trade rumors and possible moves, etc. Who would we have to trade anyway? Strip our farm system again? We need to keep our prospects beasue if we don't win in '05 I can see a number of established players gone and we will be in a youth movement. I think the reason everyone is talking about this so much is because well....there isn't much else to talk about. Also I completely disagree with you about if we dont win in 05 we're going to be in a youth movement. We have all 5 starters locked up past this year with Bmac on the way, with that kind of starting pitching you'll have a shot to contend, imo.

QUOTE(Winnin Ugly @ Jan 9, 2005 -> 11:58 AM) As for getting on base Soriano had a 328 while AJ had a 312 OBP. So i guess Soriano gets on base more than AJ Once again you saw aj's worst year in the league. Aj has a career .336 obp and Alf has a career .323 obp so no Alf doesn't get on base more then aj and I don't understand why you're comparing them anyways.

QUOTE(Winnin Ugly @ Jan 9, 2005 -> 11:56 AM) Rowand I live is San Fran and AJ was brutal behind the plate with all the pass balls and not being able to throw out alot of runners from stealing... Here in SF alot of fans and some players accused AJ from not being able to call a good game.. As a Sox fan Im thrilled that we got AJ for his offensive numbers Well you saw one season of him. Last year was his worst, period. He threw out a lot less runners then he usually did, and trust me I've seen him play a lot too and he does call a good game.

QUOTE(Winnin Ugly @ Jan 9, 2005 -> 11:45 AM) You guys are bashing Soriano because of his bad defense.. If thats the case he should all bashed AJ for his bad defense as well. Aj is a good defender. Alf is brutal at 2nd, he strikes out way to much, he doesn't get on base, we have enough power, we don't need another player like Soriano.

QUOTE(Winnin Ugly @ Jan 9, 2005 -> 08:12 AM) This how I would rank the 2B who I want to come to the Sox 1 Alfonzo Soriano 2 Luis Castillo 3 Tadahito Iguchi 4 Ray Durham 5 Brett Boone 6 Alex Cora Why the heck would you want Soriano??

QUOTE(sox-r-us @ Jan 8, 2005 -> 05:28 PM) One thing people need to remember is that Ray gives us a lot of the HRs we have lost with the loss of Maggs, CLee and Valentin back Trust me, you still need power to win in this game, especially at our ball park Just look at Boston and the Card line up last year. Also, Ray would easily hit 25-30 dingers at the "new and improved" Cell You realize the sox are still going to be atleast in the top 3rd of the league in homers, right?? I'm willing to bet they hit over 200 this year.

I miss all the good stuff

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Jan 9, 2005 -> 12:37 AM) Wow I'd be pissed as an Astros fan right about now; The astros are done, their whole offseason came down to Beltran signing with them, if he came back clemens was coming back but since no Carlos I'm fairly confident that Roger retires. They'll be fighting it out for 3rd place in the central with the reds now.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jan 8, 2005 -> 08:05 PM) If the Sox handle things right though, they will be able to spell Ray with a platoon guy and that should be alright. Personally I think its a great move as long as they don't give up Marte. I think thats probably a little too much, unless they get something else in return that could help them out of the pen. But budget wise, they could basically afford to add Durham's entire contract but no way in hell would I give up Marte for him and take on that big contract. On a sidenote, Durham is under contract at roughly 6.5 this year and the following year is an option year. I agree with what everyone has said, I'd love to have Ray but no way in hell should we give up Damaso for him.

QUOTE(aboz56 @ Jan 8, 2005 -> 03:07 PM) I would do the same thing if I was him. They act as if they are entitled to the ball. Either pay up or f*** off. The Red Sox owners and fans weren't on the field to catch the ball. He was. Therefore, if anyone actually owns it, it's Mienkiewicz. And why is this coming out 3 months after the season ended? If it was that important, they should have sought it immediately, not now. I think he said the negotiations will begin with 4 years of school for one of his kids at Florida State. Kudos to Doug for not just handing it over. Definitely. Doug caught the ball the redsox weren't the providers of the ball therefore if the cardinals don't want it(why would they) it's doug's ball, period.

QUOTE(aboz56 @ Jan 8, 2005 -> 02:23 PM) I think it's his ball and he can keep it if he wants. Just my two cents. I'm with aboz on this one. Also how is it the red sox ball, the game was played at busch stadium, the cardinals provided the ball not the red sox. This is doug's ball not boston's.

Damn UNC :puke

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Jan 8, 2005 -> 12:52 PM) I think it's much more about confidence. Obviously, you'll be a lot more confident in it if you practice it a lot, but Harris isn't a terrible bunter. And bunting definitely shouldn't be a reason to like/dislike a guy. Tell ozzie that. Like I said I have no problem with willie as the starting 2b, however I'd like someone on this team that can bat 2nd to move aaron down and bunting for a number 2 hitter is essential.

You forgot Mr. Dye, aboz. I'm going to hold off on this thread for another week or so to see if kenny adds another middle infielder.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Jan 8, 2005 -> 12:45 PM) Bunting is a confidence thing. If your a confident bunter, it's easy to get it down. Harris obviously wasn't confident last year, and, how could he be confident? He was jerked around in the lineup way too often, IMHO. Durham is making way, way too much money for us to take on. No thanks... Oh, one more thing. Durham knows how to steal bases, yet only has 23 in the last three years... Bunting is a skill. I'm not saying willie can't become a good bunter but as of right now he's brutal at it.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Jan 8, 2005 -> 12:45 PM) Bunting is a confidence thing. If your a confident bunter, it's easy to get it down. Harris obviously wasn't confident last year, and, how could he be confident? He was jerked around in the lineup way too often, IMHO. Durham is making way, way too much money for us to take on. No thanks... Oh, one more thing. Durham knows how to steal bases, yet only has 23 in the last three years... Ray has over 200 sb's for his career and something like a 78 percent success rate. He knows how to steal a base, I think him not running these last few years has more to do with his injuries then anything else. I'm sure if he came to the sox you'd see him running much more.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Jan 8, 2005 -> 12:41 PM) Excellent point. If your gonna go one step for the older, worse player in Durham, why not go the extra mile and get the younger, and making-less-money Polanco? I'd (easy for me to say sitting right here, right? ) take on the five million in his contract for Adkins and Harris. Or, hell, maybe we could just get him for Adkins. They lost Rodriguez in the Lofton trade, so I bet they could probably use another arm in their bullpen, a young one, too. Ray's older but he's still a better player then Polanco, obviously the big difference is the money......

QUOTE(The Critic @ Jan 8, 2005 -> 12:27 PM) Is it crazy to consider AJ for the 2 slot? He hits for a high average, puts the ball in play, being a lefty probably means he puts the ball to the right side fairly often. I don't think he strikes out too much, but I'm not really sure about that. The only downside would appear to be the double play, due to the lack of foot speed. What does everyone think? Should the Sox try AJ hitting 2nd in Spring Training to see how he does? Good average, low obp. He's more suited down in the order where he can drive in runs, he's a pesky guy and always drives in big runs when the game is on the line.

QUOTE(striker62704 @ Jan 8, 2005 -> 11:49 AM) Interesting comparisons for Willie Harris nay sayers. 1st year stats: G AB R H HR RBI BB SO SB CS OBP AVG Durham 1995 CHW 125 471 68 121 7 51 31 83 18 5 . 309 .257 Harris 2004 CHW 129 409 68 107 2 27 51 79 19 7 .343 .262 We might as well stick with Harris one more year and see what he can give us. I have no problem with willie, I've said that before, however ray can bunt and knows how to steal bases, also ray has consistantly had a very good obp, ray would be a great guy to plug in, in the 2 slot of the order.

QUOTE(traydragen @ Jan 8, 2005 -> 11:43 AM) Apparently all the rumors were true..if this has been posted or doesnt belong here then move it or delete it or something. If Millwood is healthy this year then I believe this can be very big news for them. CLEVELAND -- Concerned about Kevin Millwood's elbow, the Cleveland Indians structured his $7 million contract in a way to protect the team financially if the right-hander gets hurt while pitching next season. Under the innovative deal with agent Scott Boras, Millwood will be guaranteed $3 million in salary. He also gets a $4 million signing bonus, but that money is contingent on him not spending more than 20 days on the disabled list for a shoulder or elbow injury sustained while pitching -- not fielding or batting. Millwood also can earn an additional $1 million in performance bonuses, getting the full amount if he makes 34 starts or pitches 215 innings. If Millwood spends 21 or more days on the DL for an injury to his shoulder or elbow sustained while pitching, he would lose 1/183rd of the signing bonus for each day on the DL, including the first 20. That reduction calculates to $21,857 per day. Indians general manager Mark Shapiro would not comment on any specifics of the contract Friday. "It's a deal where the player and team are sharing equal risk," he said. The structure is somewhat along the lines of the $40 million, four-year deal Boras negotiated last offseason between catcher Ivan Rodriguez and the Detroit Tigers, which allows the team to make a termination payment and void remaining salaries if he goes on the DL for a lumbar spine injury for specified days. Millwood, 30, has pitched more than 200 innings four times in his career and would earn a $250,000 bonus for making 29 starts or reaching 185 innings. He would get another $250,000 each for 31 starts or 195 innings, 33 starts or 205 innings and 34 starts or 215 innings. The signing will end months of frustration for the Indians, who had come up short during free agency in their quest to add a quality pitcher to their starting staff. Millwood will slide nicely into the No. 3 spot behind C.C. Sabathia and Jake Westbrook and ahead of Cliff Lee and Scott Elarton or Jason Davis. Millwood, who made $11 million last season, has won more than 17 games three times in his career. In 2002, his first season with the Phillies, he went 18-8 with a 3.24 ERA. Last season, he was just 9-6 with a 4.85 ERA in 25 starts, but only two after hurting his right elbow. AP NEWS The Associated Press News Service Well the Indians definitely structured this contract better then was thought before, still Millwood isn't very good and imo the Indians still finish in a distant 3rd.