RockRaines

QUOTE (Iwritecode @ Mar 6, 2009 -> 11:05 AM) Same here. I'm always amazed at the prices I see for stuff when I can do it myself. Like $500+ for brakes on one axle when I just did it myself for $120. if I didnt have a friend that was a mechanic, I would probably do all those myself as well. Its funny how much they can charge for something mundane like that. Another one of the reasons I lease, so that everything is always under warranty. This was mostly because my Jeeps cost me more money in repairs than I bought them for.

QUOTE (Melissa1334 @ Mar 6, 2009 -> 11:11 AM) i noticed that fields seems to be running pretty good too. beating out infield singles and barely being called out at 1st. hes not above avg but hes not a base clogger either like pk ,thome, etc I feel comfortable saying he is almost twice as fast as Crede was which helps the clogging of the middle of our order.

QUOTE (jenks45monster @ Mar 6, 2009 -> 10:55 AM) If BA is out, our defense is going to be horrendous. With no BA, Dye is the only above average defensive outfielder. Ozzie likes defense and the small things. I think he stays at least as a 4th outfielder. Dye is one of the worst defensive RF'ers in the game. Quentin is better in the field than Dye.

Heres the thing I see about this spring. I really dont care about the results, I am really looking at which players I think have good mechanics, approach and the capabilities of being a major league player. So far this has eliminated a few players from my mind as legit major league ballplayers. Jerry Owens, Restovich, Myrow,Broussard and a few others just dont look like they have the swings to be solid every day players. Owens has an awful uppercut swing that isnt condusive to getting alot of hits in the majors. I honestly do not think the kid could break .250 over the course of a year. On the flip side it looks to me like Kroeger, Beckham, Viciedo (for the most part), Getz, Nix and Fields are younger players that I see have some staying power. Kroeger's swing is pretty good IMO. He has a very level swing that is very quick with the wrists. It looks like he trusts his hands and has some minor league success in his past. Beckham is the real deal folks. Defensively I think he looks very good, better than Betemit who has been in the league already. Beck's approach at the plate is major league ready right now IMO. People arent going to like this, but i think if he continues to hit in the spring, he may force the hand of the management to put him on the team RIGHT NOW. Viciedo has power to all fields, thats about all i can say. he obviously needs some time in the minors, but may be pushing himself up a level by the end of the year and def in ST next season. Getz and Nix could be a platoon at 2b IMO, and both can hit, with Getz being a little more of a complete player. Fields has really changed his swing around a bit. Im not sure if he's finally healthy, or his vision is better, but he is adjusting better than I have ever seen him, and doesnt appear to have the slower, loading swing like in the past. I think he really produces this year. Also on the pitching front, Marquez is pretty f-ing good people. Better than I thought he would be. I'd like him in AAA and be the first guy up when Fatolo gets hurt.

QUOTE (Alpha Dog @ Mar 6, 2009 -> 08:32 AM) Yeah, we go right from winter to pothole season. They've been one in the same this year, I've never seen them this bad.

Back to buying cars real quick I am a lease guy because I prefer to have a new car about ever 2 or 3 years and because I take clients for work, I like to have a nice new ride that functions well at all times. You would think negotiating a lease would be easier because its pretty much almost like renting a car for a period of time and I never have to negotiate a trade in. Heres a scenario: You see a lease deal on the website of a dealer. Oh, 500 bucks a month with zero down, great. I have good credit, I dont want upgrades on the car, sounds great. Calls the dealer, yes we honor that deal, come on in. Here is the car, drive it. Lets sit down at my desk and go over the lease details. Wait, my manager needs to speak with you. Sir, the price will be around $1000 a month. Wait, didnt you say you would honor that lease deal. Yes, but thats a different car. Whats different about it? Well its not that one. run around, run around, run around.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseb...0,2221554.story

f***. Move into march madness? Nice

Not as much as car salesmen. I am dreading buying a new car here this month because no matter what happens, you always lose.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Mar 5, 2009 -> 05:00 PM) He's going to walk about 7%-9% of the time in the big leagues, that's not good. That's Jermaine Dye territory. Another thing he does poorly: he strikes out too much for a speedy slap hitter. 16%-19% is too damn high. He doesnt do anything well. Juan Pierre will get 200 hits and steal bases, Jerry cant even do that.

Lets get this straight on Jerry Owens Cant hit Bad Swing Cant Throw Cant steal a base Zero Power Doesnt walk Doesnt bunt well And he had a chance at making this team why?

QUOTE (tommy @ Mar 5, 2009 -> 04:09 PM) Kroeger had a good season in IOWA last year. He dominated AA with them from what I can remember with Soto and Marmol in 05. He was considered a good prospect for them. Why not check this kid out in CF?

2005 top prospects for AZ 1. Carlos Quentin 2. Conor Jackson 3. Sergio Santos 4 Jon Zeringue 5. Greg Aquino 6. Chris Snyder 7. Josh Kroeger

QUOTE (scenario @ Mar 5, 2009 -> 04:03 PM) Absolutely hitterish. Note to Ozzie... give Kroeger some reps in CF... soon... so we can see how he looks out there. No kidding. The guy looks like a legit ballplayer.

Dude, Kroeger is pretty f-in good.

QUOTE (scenario @ Mar 5, 2009 -> 03:43 PM) ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ For a guy who really only has one tool... you think he'd be better at it. It seems to me that Lilly is faster on the basepaths.

Owens brings NOTHING to the table. Please dont bring him to chicago. Please.

QUOTE (Cowch @ Mar 5, 2009 -> 03:41 PM) Anyone just see Owens get thrown out in the other game? What is he good for if he can't even do that? He literally brings nothing to the table is Paul Bako can throw him out easily.

QUOTE (Cowch @ Mar 5, 2009 -> 03:37 PM) yeah, dodgers.com has a link on the homepage. idk if it's free or not though since I'm signed up. its free. And Viciedo has a cannon

Becks went deep in AZ again folks. Methinks HE's winning the 2B battle.

QUOTE (Cowch @ Mar 5, 2009 -> 03:28 PM) Beckham has a GREAT swing. That got out of here in a hurry. Sox up 4-2 Edit: I thought his swing looked very fluid and he followed through well, it may have just appeared like that on this stream though. I thought he Sheffielded it a bit.

Becks goes deep, but I dont like his swing. His bat used to be fairly still, now he has a little hitch before he swings. Not sure I like that.

Kroeger is pretty good.

Brian Anderson usually plays well in ST, this year he cant hit and it doesnt bode well.