Rowand44

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 01:47 PM) A lot? Almost no publications picked the Sox to go post-season. Now on here, I wasn't around, so I don't know. Were Soxtalkers saying the 2005 team was post-season bound? Ya, I meant around here. The masses were pretty excited about that team in 05 on this site, a lot of people thought that team was going to contend.

QUOTE(CanOfCorn @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 01:42 PM) White Sox Spring Training 2005 says hello. People keep on saying that, but a lot and I do mean a lot of people here thought the Sox were a legit contender. This year, not so much.

I think you'll see Swish bat 2nd with OCab leading off, at least to start the season, something like: Cabrera Swish Thome PK Dye AJ Fields Quentin Richar I got to admit that lineup looks much better than last years, the rotation still is just ugly at this point.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 01:39 PM) Oh crap!!!! I knew I missed someone. So with Ozuna, the bench is full with Uribe OR Crede staying, but not both. And you lack a true 1B in that mix, but I'd imagine someone could pick that up (at which point they'll tear a ligament and Ozzie will be made a pariah). You can use Swish at first. And barring injury, Kong has played a crap load of games every year anyways.

QUOTE(Controlled Chaos @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 01:38 PM) So if we go out and grab Roberts and Bedard it's world series 08 Then we'd be a serious contender, too bad we probably don't even have one prospect that Baltimore would want at this point.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 01:37 PM) That makes sense. Owens as a 4th OF (probably what he needs to be anyway), playing some CF and LF off the bench and pinch-running. Ramirez to back up Richar at 2B and maybe get some time in the OF as well. So, the bench has (barring trades): Owens (LF, CF) Ramirez (2B, CF, RF) Hall © Uribe (SS, 3B)???? ???? Crede will be gone. And Uribe might be too. So, who is your backup for the left side of the infield? Uribe might stick around and be that guy for SS and 3B. That still leaves one more bench spot, most likely a lefty-hitting guy who can play corner IF... any ideas? Could the team go with just those 4 on the bench? Or maybe Crede stays too, and you get him part time at 3B, with Fields/Crede also relieving Thome at DH and PK at 1B? Pablo.

Alright, I'm going to stop b****ing about the deal cause I hate to be that guy, so I'll change the subject a bit: Anybody know how good Swish is in cf?

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 01:23 PM) True on the system. But if you can find a way to start Quentin, Swisher and Dye in the OF, with Fields-OCab-Richar-PK on the IF, I am starting to think the Sox are going to have a pretty potent lineup. Its just that 3-4-5 of the rotation that scares me right now. The lineup and bullpen I think will be good. Bench we'll see. And I do think at this point that KW will attempt to trade Uribe (soon) and Crede (in ST) for whatever pitching prospects he can get. I'm fine with the lineup, I've been ok with it for a while. It's the rotation that scares the hell out of me. There is absolutely no way imo that we can count on Contreras, Danks and Floyd to all be successful this season. Even Vazquez to a lesser extent is a little bit of a question mark.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 01:17 PM) 3 best prospects for a guy whom you have control through 2012 (given his option). This is the exact type of move I love. Quentin/Swisher are two long term outfielders to go with Josh Fields and Danny Richar. I agree with you about maybe not being able to compete but this move really allows the Sox to potentially make another move or two and given the cost, I think this is great value for one Nick Swisher (DSL is 3 f***ing years away....so much can happen than that I have no problem selling him at a high now; Sweeney is probably the guy I will miss the most because we may be selling him low; Gio is being sold high and the one thing that sucks is that he was close to being MLB ready). This may also be indicative of the fact that Kenny thinks pretty highly of Lance Broadway and Jack Egbert. Honestly, I can't blame Kenny from moving a couple prospects. Sweeney was being replaced by Quentin so basically when you really think about it, you could make a case that it was Chris Carter/DSL/Sweeney/Gio for Quentin/Swisher. Also better yet, the Sox didn't financially f*** themselves or give up 2 draft picks like they could have with a massive signing of Hunter or Fukodome. In fact, couldn't you make a case that Fukodome at his peak would be lucky to be as productive as Swisher already has been at the major league level. I hate giving up prospects, but god damn, I'm in love with this move in the sake of the Sox getting what I consider fair value on a young stud in baseball. The only thing is, I will admit, I don't necessarily think it makes them a contender. For me it's simple, two years ago I would have loved this, right now, I hate it. Our franchise is still in no position to compete and now we've made it that much harder to compete in upcoming years.

QUOTE(Felix @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 01:16 PM) Swisher is only 27. He's a great offensive player, and solves the centerfield problem. Sure, it sucks seeing Gio go, but Swisher is a better player than Sweeney and DLS is still miles away from producing in the major league level. And this team is still miles away from competing this season. If Swisher was the last piece for this team to be a contender then I'd be all for this. We're still miles behind Cleveland and Detroit and now we have absolutely nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing left in the system. Konerko better be gone within the next few days.

And we're still in no position to compete for anything. I like Swisher but to give up your 3 best prospects for him with the position that our franchise is in, is just bad imo. I hate this.

QUOTE(Steve9347 @ Jan 2, 2008 -> 11:20 PM) Nik and his .900 save percentage doesn't exactly suggest #1 goaltender. Just because Lalime isn't the answer, that doesn't mean Nik is... and Lalime sure doesn't make the "highest salary of any Chicago Blackhawk in team history." Well I definitely shouldn't be jumping in this argument but if you think next year is "the" year wouldn't you want the best goalie possible, even if he is overpaid?

QUOTE(Jimbo's Drinker @ Jan 2, 2008 -> 09:57 PM) Looks like you guys are on your knees too much Ya, kind of like you guys were last year with the refs so they'd give you 6 points in the sweet 16.

Well we officially suck. Suck real bad. Like horribly suck. Like the suckiest bunch of sucks that ever sucked.

QUOTE(Jimbo's Drinker @ Jan 2, 2008 -> 05:50 PM) Is Oral Roberts in OVC??? they beat KU at the fieldhouse. No.

QUOTE(Brian @ Jan 2, 2008 -> 05:05 PM) Got College Hoops 2K8. Whenever I have a transition lay up chance, I end up shooting from 5 feet and can't get my guys to do lay ups. My big guys dunk but I can't get anyone to do a lay up. Ends up a jumper from 5 feet. Just push up on the shot stick when you get close to the basket, you'll dunk and do layups much more frequently.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Jan 2, 2008 -> 09:33 AM) Baby Alexis is coming home today with a clean bill of health! Pretty much all of her problems fixed themselves, which is the best news of all. :headbang Congrats!

Next two games our huge for us, starting with Drake tonight(yes, Drake has become a big game). After that we got Illinois State on the road as well, if we could take both of these next two then we'd be at worst one of two undefeated teams left in the conference with Indiana State who sucks being the other. This team is starting to come together as Bone and Clemmons are really starting to step up. I'm really liking our chances right now. Gotta get it done tonight though.

QUOTE(bmags @ Dec 30, 2007 -> 10:56 PM) well, he's a young player, that might happen. It most likely will. With the current state of our team, it'd be absolutely retarded to not start Richar at 2nd. Let him play and see if we can develop a nice player at 2nd base. Richar has the talent to be successful in this league, let him prove it.

QUOTE(Sonik22 @ Dec 30, 2007 -> 04:46 PM) Thank you God! And Bryan Mullins for hitting ft's! QUOTE(Brian @ Dec 30, 2007 -> 04:47 PM) Josh Bone coming into his own. Dawgs win. That was the first of a double digit win streak, just watch.

Congrats and hopefully everything is ok!

QUOTE(Steff @ Dec 29, 2007 -> 10:51 AM) Hmmm.. this makes you a prime babysitting candidate for NYE. Yeesh, you know better than that.

QUOTE(Brian @ Dec 30, 2007 -> 01:35 PM) Graves fought back? I had enough energy to drive home after the game with no problem. Ha, nah, I caught an elbow playing ball yesterday. Blood everywhere, good times. Good to hear that you didn't need Dunkin Donuts.

QUOTE(IlliniKrush @ Dec 30, 2007 -> 01:14 PM) Someone do a wellness check on Rowand. I'm good besides a broken nose. Still in Carbondale though to see us lose our first conference game today.

QUOTE(IlliniKrush @ Dec 28, 2007 -> 02:17 PM) Keep the knives away from Justin after tonight's game. We're playing Russian Roulette if we lose tonight.