BrandoFan

If Rauch does pitch for the Sox again, he better bring a new fastball, slider, curve and change with him cuz whatever he was throwing on Sat ain't gonna get anyone out in AA. It bears repeating that KW should not give Rauch away. Send him back and see what he does.

Let's just make it to ALCS and go from there, shall we?

Yeah this solves nothing... Yeah it the cycle of violence will continue... Yeah it will culminate in a Big f***ing War sometime in the next 50 years.... And yet I do not feel sorry for the two shacheed scumbags at all. A civillian death is tragic, though.

Whoa, of course starting pitching is more important right now, that goes without saying. We agree on that, Critic. The thread title isn't "Simon. Get Him. Super Top Priority". Getting that mythical starter will be/is difficult, especially right now while many teams feel like they're in contention. Those teams also know Sox are pretty desperate, and will undoubtedly charge arm and a couple of legs. So while the Great Pitcher Search is on, it doesn't mean Sox should put every other consideration on hold. Get Simon. Put him in the 6 slot behind Valentin and in front of Uribe against RHP. Then get Steve Finley sometime in July. Fine-tune the team while you can.

I dunno bout choo, but I consider Paulie's production against RHP since the ASB of 2002 (two years including spring training) something worthy of prioritizing. Again, this has nothing whatsoever to do with our pitching situation; the Randal Simon trade might as well be handled by KW's minions as to not "distrupt" His thought process. There is virtually no downside to this....and the upside is HUGE: Simon finally shrinking his strike-zone and having a break-out season, making Konerko's salary highly expendable - especially if Paulie has himself a 2002-type season and thus becomes a somewhat desired trade commodity. If nothing else, Simon is a colorful character in the clubhouse who will give you clutch hits off RHP down the stretch and possibly in the post-season.

Once again... Contrary to the popular belief, Bigger Unit's biggest offense today was NOT "leaving the team" but rather CRAPPING all over the Sox logo by serving batting practice balls all game long. Had he pitched a shut-out through 8 today and then decided to take off a little earlier....no problem - well some problem, but not nearly big enough. It's not as if Big Hurt or Little Willie, upon seeing him pull out off the drive way, are gonna go, "Gosh, if he can do it, then damnit so can we!!...."

Our need for a pitcher has NOTHING to do with Simon whatsoever. Over the winter? Simon could possibly help the Sox big-time this season against RHP - especially if, god forbid, Paulie goes off the deep end again. I am telling you man this time last year I wouldn't have given him a second thought, but I saw something in him during the pennant race and playoffs that makes me think he is much more valuable in the right role than people are giving him credit for. (And that of course does NOT include a possiblity that he might just blossom in the right circumstances, Melvyn Mora style....which would be great if it happens)

Ah yes.... Why could Sox possibly need a...... 1. Hitter with a live bat and great hand-eye coordination who might just "figure it out" one of these days. If Dummy Sosa could upgrade his hitting IQ and stop chasing everything at 30yo, then so could 29yo Simon. 2. Hitter, who despite having to sit for days on end, had NO problem coming up to the plate against RHP and driving in a big run, after big run, after big run and helping to propel the Cubs into an unlikely divisional crown in '03.......and then repeated that feat when given the opportunity in playoffs - and considering how badly Sox 3-4-5-6 sluggers choked the last time they were in the playoffs, I reckon Sox could use a hitter who is absolutely FEARLESS. 3. Hitter who hits extremely well against righties (Konerko would be handling lefties naturally) when the runners are on base or in scoring position - a money player in other words. Again, if Paul Konerko starts mashing right-handed pitching, then you don't play Simon. But if Paulie struggles against them like has in the last 2 years, then Simon would do a WHOLELOT better than Gload who is awful agaisnt RHP this season. 4. Hitter who despite his wild-swinging just does NOT strike out much and sprays hard grounders all over the place......which, considering he is a LH'ed hitter, means you can do all sorts of imaginative base-running things with Rowand/Olivo/Valentin/Uribe in front of him - how many botched H-n-R have we seen this year already? 5. Hitter who will cost you absolutely NOTHING, both in terms of salary and prospects. That means, for those who haven't figured it out, that Sox can STILL go after a pitcher and whatever other need they have....How do you say "low risk, high reward" in Bonhofferian? 6. Hitter who might just kick it up a notch when he plays on a winning team. Watched him in the dug-out with the Cubs - the guy was dancing and smiling and keeping everybody alive. Moreover, in the recent interview he admitted that he would absolutely LOVE to be back in the "great city of Chicago"......I have a feeling he would also love to play for Ozzzzzzie. I realize that people cannot get over the Sausagegate, producing a knee-jerk response when hearing 'Randal Simon'. I also think some here might have a problem with Sox "picking up Cubs' table scraps" - afterall, if Cubs didn't keep him, he might be worthless......Just more rubbish IMO. GET HIM NOW and light a fire under Paulie's ass against RHP - it's a win-win situation. Sox took a chance on Uribe and it paid off big time. Simon is even more Uribe than Uribe

What the f*** is this?! If Juan Uribe wants to take off to Vegas in the middle off the game he knows he won't play in, he can do that and more. If Mark Prior wants to kick somebody in the balls, well he's earned that right with his brilliant pitching. Etc. Rauch is a scumbag, but it's not because he didn't sign an autograph for some 10yo brat. He is a scumbag because he disappointed ME by basically losing the game before Sox took the field today. He was terrible, the mutant-bastard.

Atttitude-shmattitude....... Where was the 12-6 curve? Where was the "improving change"? I'll even settle for a good slider at this point.... Scrath that, how about NOT THROWING A STRAIGHT HEATER IN A HITTER'S WHEELHOUSE, would it be too much to ask that? The guy was swearing at himself, the upm and opposing hitters after every other ball.....I've had enough of these head-cases. And no, don't release him. He clearly wants out, don't give him the satisfaction. Make him work his ass off, drop that AAA ERA under 2.50 and then we can talk a trade. Or not.

Oh has value - you win POY and then post a 3.00 ERA in a Charlotte park, there'll be a team that will take a chance on you. But yes, if there was any chance of Rauch being a throw in in a Randy Johnson deal, it's gone. Boy was he terrible today - batting practice city. Might as well keep him and pray for a miracle.

Cubs must be paying this guy, awful. And Jack Wilson has no range - that grounder by A-Ram has to be kept infield if nothing else.

Bulls***.

And the problem with it is....? He also hit the ball just foul in his 3rd at bat and missed a 2-run homer in the 4th....Them's the breaks. He'll hit a couple off HR tomorrow and from there on out it's into summer months where some of those towering drives are gonna start siling out.

You must have read my post upside-down. I'll give you another chance to redeem yourself and agree with me. 1...2....

What a putrid performance by Bigger Unit. Terrible location. Breaking ball gone AWOL. 90 mph bp fastball. Diaz Redux :headshake :puke

I saw him with the Cubs last year and this is what he did: -Hit in the clutch - a MUCH better hitter with RO and RISP -After struggling with the Pirates against them, was mashing RHP down the stretch -Came through big time in the playoffs when called upon -Spark plug in the clubhouse - a team mascot almost. Konerko will have all the lefties and will have the incentive to thrive against righties as well or have Simon take those at bats away. I know he's having hamstring issues, they might be giving him away for nothing - Ross Gload perhaps. He loves Chicago - admitted so.

Not if that pitcher can't pitch. Rick White could log some innings......Flexibility is overrated. Perez sucks. Gload sucks. Whereas Kelly Wunsch at his best (not now obvisouly) would be Sox' 2nd or 3rd best BP option. Like I said, from beginning of ST to late May 2003, Wunsch was untouchable. 0.00 ERA, 7 measly singles given up, a whole bunch of K's, ridiculously low whip in about 25 innings........Then, I think he lost velocity, confidence in his fastball and was very mediocre the rest of the way. Great pitcher he is not, but considering both Koch and Politte suck, Marte is blowing saves left and right, Cotts is an erratic rookie and Adkins is due for a rude awakening.....a healthy Kelly Wunsch is/will be badly needed. Right now he is throwing 83-85 mph and it's not gonna get it done, but if he ever gets the arm speed up to par, he'd be more than welcome in the pen - Sox are gonna need every arm they could use throughout this season. Plus he is cheap. Wait until he regains velocity, puts up some 0's on the board and only THEN he will have good trade value. Right now you'd be giving him away. Finally, Sox ARE treating him like s***. Klassy Kenny and his minions in full force.

If the selections were made based on merit....... Uribe makes it standing. Buerhle could clinch it with a good June. If Baldwin could make it..... Thomas - ditto. Plus, they owe him for last year snub. Shingo has an outside shot if he keeps it up and Sox use him as a closer so he could pad his save total. Harris needs a torrid June to bring that OBP to .400 and have 20 steals. His D at 2B and team's record should put him over Belliard if he does that.

Rex, when Wunsch was healthy last year (March-May), he was putting up gaudy numbers that would make Bajenaru cry. Against lefties AND righties. I am not sure if he can regain the velocity (at his best he threw about 88), but you're understimating what he can do if 100% healthy-wise. And carrying an extra pitcher is GOOD if said pitcher dominate in the 40+ innings of work. The goal is to WIN games, remember?

Bernstein is too smart, irreverent and goofy for most people's taste, and Hawk is no exception. Mike North = shame on Chicago

Big Hawk fan here for reasons mentioned elsewhere. Hated the way he allowed himself to be baited by Mariotti and Co. Hawk really should know better - or at least call in with better ammunition than "Even Roger Bossard himself said that last April and May, we've had the worst weather he's ever seen..." malarkey that frankly smacks of desperation and of protesting too much. I have no idea why he brought Berstein into it - Dan not only knows a LOT about baseball, but is a huge Sox fan who should be called the real "Cub Killer" because he is absolutely merciless in dismantling Flubia bulls***, from Sammy's egomania to ticket scalping to moronic fandom to hiding the injuries, to Santo, etc, etc, etc.

Not anymore - more like 88-92. Prior to the injury he had the stuff - up to 92-94 mph fastball coming from the unusual angle and located above the belt is VERY hard for a hitter to get on top of. Stuff isn't everything - Danny Wright got pounded while throwing 94-97 in 2001. Bigger Jon just has to locate, locate, locate - he'll have no problem with the Rangers if he does. If he doesn't? It's gonna get ugly because Young, Soriano, Texeira and Blalock can hit a mistake/get-me-over pitch a LOOOOOONG way.

By year's end, Politte will have better stats than Billy Koch. He starts to get that slider over, he'll be doing to hitters what he did in Spring Training - dominate.