RockRaines

Johnson swung so hard that he dropped his bat.

They dont call much of the low strike in the NL huh?

Ha, didnt turn on the mic for Whiney Santo.

BS, alexei was safe

Danksy ALMOST had that butcher boy. PODS with a picture perfect squeeze.

5 walks and 2 runs is f***ing terrible.

QUOTE (YASNY @ Jun 17, 2009 -> 12:08 PM) I'm considering going to Cinci for the Saturday and Sunday games this weekend. Anybody have any recommendations as far as a good, reasonable hotel that's located near that ballpark? Any other type of advice would we be welcome as well ... bars, restaurants, etc. All the good bars in Cincy are either in Mt Adams (their lincoln park about 2 miles outside of DT), or across the river in KY. I would recommend staying directly downtown or across the river depending on prices. You can literally walk or drive to the park with no issue. And ILL be there so you can buy me a beer if you show up. I'll be camped at hofbrauhaus before the game.

QUOTE (MHizzle85 @ Jun 17, 2009 -> 12:02 PM) Oh, I totally agree. I just meant that his back will be the deciding factor in whether he can spend a majority of his career behind the plate. Well, they have 2 spots they can put him other than Catcher and they are both blocked by other players, or he will displace one of them. He can either take Morneau off of 1B (which would be stupid as hell) or Kubel from DH duties. I honestly believe that Mauer may be a good enough athlete to play 3B.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 17, 2009 -> 11:56 AM) If you offer arbitration to a player, by rule the lowest dollar amount the team can submit as a bid on the player is 80% of the salary he earned the previous season, and in that case, it's entirely plausible the arbitrator would rule against the team. For Thome, offering him arbitration is the same as guaranteeing him at least $10.4 million. For JD, offering him arbitration is the same as guaranteeing him at least $9.2 million. For Dotel, offering him arbitration is the same as guaranteeing him $4.8 million. out of those 3, I would think the only one out of the question is Thome. JD at 9 million isnt bad, Dotel i guess is a bit steep.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 17, 2009 -> 10:50 AM) We're not going to offer those guys arbitration. MAYBE Dotel, but he's making $6.5 mil or so this season. Dye and Thome there's no chance we offer arbitration. Why not? Wouldnt their cost go down due to the market? We should def offer Dotel arb.

QUOTE (MHizzle85 @ Jun 17, 2009 -> 12:47 AM) Stud catcher only if his back will hold up. He's easily the best hitting catcher Ive ever seen.

We are in line for a ton of picks due to all the Type A free agents we have, Dotel, Thome, Dye, I'd rather keep those picks or trade those guys for actual prospects. We need to keep building through the draft.

QUOTE (Princess Dye @ Jun 16, 2009 -> 11:04 AM) God I hope not. Who's he going up against? Will voters actually vote for him saying there was no hard evidence against him? I would think when he's up, bad press will surround his eligibility and perhaps drive votes away. No one recently link to roids is in, right? http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/17/sports/b...&ref=sports he tested positive in 2003. Roider, cheater.

QUOTE (Stan Bahnsen @ Jun 16, 2009 -> 01:09 PM) Ouch babe. Sox take 4 of the six and avoid a selloff, which may well happen if we DO lose 5 of 6. Sorry, our team in a very unfriendly NL park spells disaster. Couple that with Contreras's terrible track record against the Cubs and we lose 2, maybe 3 at Wrigley.

QUOTE (chisoxfan09 @ Jun 16, 2009 -> 05:14 AM) Hi all, first time poster. I just started a similar thread on another board but a couple of things jump out at me. Is Birmingham´s park known for being home run friendly (I thought Charlotte´s ballpark is where baseballs fly out much like the Cell)? Also as noted his OBP is now slightly above .300 which is good steady and quiet progress. I know the prototype is to jack balls out of the park but with Dayan still trying to develop plate discipline after being brought up in the Cuban system it may take a bit more time as they are taught baseball fundamentals differently (Maybe CUbano can comment on this). But a step in the right direction is the the 2 part formula (Plate discipline/pitch recognition) of which he seems to be progressing as far K´s is concerned and also not swinging at pitches down and away. Taking pitches and pitch recognition should come along. What I asked in the other forum if he does very well from now until the end of July and gets his OBP up to say .340-.350 is that worthy of a promo to AAA? I also think the home runs will come but I personally do not forsee 35-40 per year but more like 15-20 with very good RBI potential. That seems to be his pattern right now at AA (Low HR but decent RBI). Not sure if that also equates into him improving with the RISP statistic. Thoughts? Great post and welcome!!!! I actually think it would be more benficial for Dayan to start again in AA next year and see how he has progressed. I also think he should get a cup of coffee this fall in the majors to take a look at what he is up against. He is probably another 2 years away from the majors, but looks VERY on track.

QUOTE (Y2HH @ Jun 15, 2009 -> 10:15 PM) Creatine is garbage and a fad of the late 90's that's passed, stay away from it. That is all. If you are going to use any supplements at all, do nothing more than vitamins and protein...I'm sure most here will say the same. Creatine from my experience just made me hold a ton of water. I will say it helped a bit with recovery, but mostly I was just swollen. I've had better luck with a good lean protein shake.

QUOTE (whitesoxbrian @ Jun 15, 2009 -> 09:59 PM) Devin Hester is a stud WR in the making. He's ahead of Steve Smith in receptions and TD's at this point in his career, and only about 100 yards behind him. Marshall is already a stud.

Cubs take 5 out of 6.

QUOTE (Stocking @ Jun 14, 2009 -> 03:06 PM) Rock, how is the 90 days going? still on? Yes, I've actually started over since I took a week off for vacation to somewhat punish myself. I am finding this time around phase 1 is much easier, but I am still seeing results. I have lost about 2 in on my waist and about 7% bodyfat.

QUOTE (JPN366 @ Jun 13, 2009 -> 08:15 PM) Male pattern baldness is setting in and I'm only 28, I can't even comb over. I wear a lot of hats. So, f**k it. Invest in the big 3 Propecia Rogaine Nizoral

QUOTE (BearSox @ Jun 14, 2009 -> 12:49 AM) From what I've read, and by looking at his stats, this is far from a one time occurence. Besides, from what Dam said, he took a fastball right down the middle in a hitter count. I'm sorry, but was he really not looking fastball over the plate in that situation? There's nothing wrong with being patient, but you gotta be aggressive as well. Looking at his stats then comparing them against one at bat. Pretty quality insight of what the player could be.

I think ozzie was very honest and forthcoming with his comments. And before someone says, he should shut up, the reporters asked him about it multiple times and he answered in a very diplomatic way. Ozzie said he liked the fans, the org, and the players, but just hated the building, not unlike how just about every player in the majors feels about the terrible conditions on and off the field.

I mean, how much respect can you have for a player? 1.potentially career ending injury-rehabs like crazy, comes back early and in better shape overall 2. realizes that his command isnt there and asks to be sent down 3. Works his ass off without a negative word in AAA on his stuff 4. comes back up and dominates.

QUOTE (Princess Dye @ Jun 15, 2009 -> 10:23 AM) I dont know if it's subjective to say CQ has better bat control than Alexei. We have plenty of evidence that Alexei is a free swinger. I just think AR is perfect for lower in the order. He'll see more fastballs, instead of depending on Pods being on base to get him fastballs. Based on Pods' OBP, that argument indicates Alexei will get a fastball heavy at-bat only when Pods or the 8 or 9 hitters happen to be on base. I say get him up there following the bashers. So you think hitters see more fastball further down the order than in the 2-hole where there may be a man on base and a big hitter behind them? Also his k/bb ratio in the 2-hole has been very good. Also an OBP of .350 is just what we need. QUOTE (chw42 @ Jun 15, 2009 -> 10:27 AM) IMO, you really want a left handed bat in the 2-hole. Make him pull balls and move the runner. Thus, I think we should put A.J. there again. Because it's hard to watch Alexei attempting to hit it to the right side and fail. AJ's OBP is just not good enough in the 2-hole, as well as his speed. AJ has shown he is much better lower in the order. As for your observations on on Alexei not hitting it to the right side, it seems a little subjective to me, is that really the only thing you judge a good 2-hole hitter on?

QUOTE (Princess Dye @ Jun 14, 2009 -> 10:09 PM) To happen to do well while in the 2-hole vs. doing the 2-hole things well are two different things. We all know Alexei's skills set and it's tailor made for being lower in the order. He is taking more pitches, yes. But the ways in which he's producing now are still things that he could do effectively from lower in the order. Uh, ok, so he is doing well, but not doing well? Your subjective observations can be tempered by actually looking at his production in the 2-spot. Walking, hitting and overall getting on base is exactly what he is doing which is very valuable in front of our boppers. There is no better option.