ptatc

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Dec 6, 2012 -> 08:46 AM) Any indication I've ever read or heard about Brett Tomko is that he's a bigger dick than AJ I would use a term more like "Weasel" or "fake". But I don't have much respect for what he did either way.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Dec 6, 2012 -> 08:33 AM) You mean Tomko? I'm pretty sure that was never officially publicized, but it's long been assumed. That was the whole "$100 to anyone who hits a homer off him" deal. Yes, it was. And most of the stuff that came out of his mouth was wrong. He exaggerated alot of stuff about AJ because he didn't like him. Opinions about AJ should not be based on anything he said. He was making comments about his work ethic and such which is totally false.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 6, 2012 -> 08:25 AM) BS. Who has AJ ever targeted publicly? He was the target with a coward in SF who wouldn't use his name. Even when Barrett punched him, he didn't fight back. He's too smart to get into that publically where there could be reprecussions. The pitcher who made those comments in SF was a weenie but the situation in that clubhouse had gotten so bad that it was not going to end well no matter what.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 6, 2012 -> 08:23 AM) Putz was with AZ when he said it, so I don't understand why he would say anything if he just hated the guy. David Ortiz loves him and has known him since the minor leagues. I've seen him out with Paulie and Jermaine Dye, they played with him for years. Maybe you or someone you know had a bad experience with him. It doesn't mean everyone hates him. He plays in a matter that agitates the opponent. I don't think there is anything wrong with that. I've never met him and maybe I would hate him if I knew him, but there are plenty of people who do apparently like him and liked having him as a teammate. My experience with him is how he is in the clubhouse and how he deals with people in the clubhouse. This is just my opinion and my experience. Players may want him on the team because he is a really good player and is a tireless worker. One of the hardest workers in the game. Hate is a really strong word and I don't think it really applies to many people. However, believe me the people who actually like him are few and far between.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 6, 2012 -> 08:02 AM) The AJ hatred is overblown. I've seen AJ out on the town with teammates several times. In the same SI article I am posting Adam Dunn said he is no more a d--- than anyone else. Here's what JJ Putz had to say: Playing against him for so long, he was probably one of my least liked guys," said Diamondbacks closer J.J. Putz, of his mindset prior to signing with the White Sox for the 2010 season. "Then my locker was right next to his, and after that he became one of my favorite teammates ever. He's not a baby, but just a guy who is so passionate that he doesn't hold anything back. Until you play with him, you have a misperception of what he is." You notice these are comments from players who have limited time with him. There are always a few guys who get along with everyone for a night out. The fact that players need to go out of their way to defend him says alot. He's a really good player and they want him on their side.

QUOTE (balfanman @ Dec 6, 2012 -> 07:52 AM) PTATC; as others here have expressed I really appreciated your knowledge of injuries, rehab, etc. You seem to have some inside knowledge of players as well and I'm just wondering if you actually treat Sox players in your practice, or do you have friends within the Sox organization who share with you some of the personalities involved. I don't currently work in MLB but have in the past. I still have many friends who do. The comments on AJ are from personal past experience.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Dec 5, 2012 -> 07:32 PM) The worst thing about losing AJP if the Sox do indeed lose him, will be the games the Sox play against him. As we all know, he's an amazingly likeable player when he is on your team. His antics in the 2005 postseason were legendary as he did everything possible to help us win games. But I'm going to hate people on this board turning on AJ, especially if he signs in our division and we play 18 games against him. You know he's going to want to beat the Sox so badly and he's going to do crazy s*** that infuriates our fan base. I pray he goes to the Dodgers or somewhere in the NL where we only see him a couple games. I can't believe at this point of his career AJ doesn't want to give the Sox a discount and play here 2-3 more years, then hang up his glove and remain in Chicago as a broadcaster/media guy. You know he'd be perfect at that. He should be one of those guys like Buehrle that retires as a Sox. Don't you agree it's going to be so annoying on here seeing our fans burying AJP if we play him 18 times??? It's going to be dreadful. He is tolerated on his team not likable in any stretch of the imagination. The only reason he will give the sox a discount is because he knows he will be tolerated here. I think he is gone unless he cannot get interest from another team or he gives the Sox a deep discount.

QUOTE (FlaSoxxJim @ Dec 5, 2012 -> 09:27 PM) Happy Repeal Day everybody! Having a nice Edam cheese and a Paulaner HefeWeizen to celibrate.

QUOTE (Paint it Black @ Dec 5, 2012 -> 09:36 PM) I would love a scouting breakdown or analysis on what you see in Morel that I'm (and almost everyone for that matter) not. Excellent with the glove. Was showing signs of a decent hitter prior to a back injury. I think he will surprise everyone if healthy.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 5, 2012 -> 01:19 PM) Some people buy into the Verducci effect, some don't. I would have to imagine Peavy, Sale, and Quintana are at the top of that list for 2013. Even besides the Verducci effect of young pitchers, there is some stuff out there. It mostly involves pitchers who pitch alot in the playoffs and World Series (when most veterans really add innings). Pitchers who go deep into the playoffs sometimes tend to have down years the next year. Some speculate this is why it is difficult to repeat as Champions. Again anecdotal stuff but it is a guideline than a rule.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 5, 2012 -> 02:37 PM) His metrics at 3B were also pretty bad until last year. I'm sure the Sox will take average. I think the Sox are hoping that Morel makes it all the way back (pun intended) and Keppinger is the superutility for a couple of years.

QUOTE (chw42 @ Dec 5, 2012 -> 01:22 PM) He fell and broke his fibula. It's not a major break he should be ready for ST. It probably priced him down a few million. With the year he had last year and the 3B market the way it is, he could have gotten 3 and $18 million. That's a nothing injury as long as the ankle wasn't dislocated, which it wasn't. You really don't even need the fibula. It's often used for bone grafts. There is no worry about this injury.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Dec 5, 2012 -> 12:18 PM) I would think, as long as there aren't any mechanical issues, there is a good chance that guys like Sale and Q will actually do better in 2012, rather than worse - now that they are stretched out innings-wise. Is that not typically the case? Not always. There is some anecdotal research out there that shows that an increase in the amount innings pitched above a certain levels decreases the pitcher's performance the following year.

QUOTE (Jose Paniagua @ Dec 5, 2012 -> 11:55 AM) I'll be interested to see what return would be for Floyd. For me to say 'dont trade Gavin' seems to be becoming a more and more outsider opinion. I don't totally see why. Between Sale, Peavy and Danks..injury is (as is the case with everyone) a concern. And at the end of the rotation, there's suckage potential. Again though, want to see what the return will be. I suppose this will be reminiscent of how we traded Jon Garland for an infielder who played a key role for a bit. The reason is that if Danks comes back strong (there is no reason to expect otherwise) you have a surplus of starting pitchers with a weak offense. If you deal from strength he is the most likely trade candidate. The Sox just need to hope that Sale and Q have no adverse effects of the huge increase in workload last year.

QUOTE (Capn12 @ Dec 4, 2012 -> 10:29 AM) Must be nice to actually be able to get NG stuff. Sucks for anyone outside of Wisconsin that actually wants to try it, though. Same deal with Hill Farmstead in Vermont. Plenty of stuff both make, that will never see the light of day outside of their states, and DEFINITELY not down in South Carolina. I pick it up at Mars Cheese Castle on my way up 94. I go back to Marquette occasionally and go golfing and to the Osh Kosh air show every year.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 4, 2012 -> 07:48 PM) There is reason to believe several White Sox will be better. Maybe they won't . There usually are a couple of surprises both good and bad. I do agree, the roster still needs some work, and something will be done. They are serious about competing next year. I still think everyone is going to be surprised by Morel this year. He injured his back in SP and couldn't swing the bat with any authority. We still don't know if he can hit MLB pitching but it will be better than last year. We know he can play defense.

QUOTE (YASNY @ Dec 4, 2012 -> 01:46 PM) Bull! This game has been a huge part of my life enough trust my judgement on what I see, the unmeaserable chemistry factor and watching the game itself being played. I have expressed many opinions over the years on soxtalk and I stand by my record of my words over your stats. I grant that your advanced stats give you a little, very little, insight to player evaluation. For you to come on here and say I have no idea of what I'm talking about because I don't happen to agree with your microscopic standard of player management is ridiculously short-sighted, at best. And, I'm being very restrained in my response to your arrogance. I love the stats arguments. I was one of the biggest supporters of the advanced stats when they first started coming out in the late 80's early 90's (still am). However with the way some people think they are everything and go overboard on them, I find myself shying away from them. The stats are nothing more than someone's opinion of what is important in baseball and finding numbers for them. They offer insight but are still just a numeric version of someone's opinion.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 4, 2012 -> 01:06 PM) I wonder if any of this caused is drop in performance in 2011. If the Sox get the 2008-2010 John Danks, it will be a tremendous addition. It possible. The injury he had is a "wear and tear" type of thing so who knows. Unless he was drunk with some buddies of his and fell on the arm, which from some stories about him may be possible.

QUOTE (Tex @ Dec 2, 2012 -> 06:45 PM) Could any of these be bought legally without a prescription? If the players thought it was ok, why didn't any player piublically say "I'm bigger because I'm taking X? They knew it was wrong. You cannot legally get them without a prescription.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 2, 2012 -> 05:30 PM) baseball has an anti-trust exemption, plus the "good of the game" powers for the commish. Sure he could but it would lead to a major union problem if you suspend a player for something that is not explicitly against the rules.

QUOTE (Jose Paniagua @ Dec 4, 2012 -> 01:03 PM) ptatc, maybe you can respond in whatever non-baseball thread we have here......but what things do you keep in mind when evaluating an ACL-tear player returning to NFL (Adrian Peterson) vs. returning to NBA (Derrick Rose) takes longer in basketball due to hardfloor vs. grass/turf? more jumping for longer continuous periods of time? The factors are sports and person specific. All ACL reconstructions (unless there are other structures involved such as MCL, PCL, and hyaline cartilage or if significant scar tissue shows up) are ready for full activity around 6-9 months. The person is the next factor. Someone who is small and relies much more on quickness and cutting (Rose) will be held out longer due to increasing the strength and proprioception abilities. He needs to know how to cut and turn on the knee again because there will be a lot of stress on it. The planting and turning on the hard surface with bodies pushing him will also prolong it a bit. They need to make sure he is really strong but also has the balance and coordination to do the activities without undue stress on the knee. Fatigue is the factor which cause the problem the first time and they want to avoid it again. On a side note. Someone like Urlacher who injured his PCL cannot play very long with it. The ligament is critical the stability in the knee and there is no good surgery like there is for the ACL. His day are number and as I said before I wouldn't be surprised if this is his last year when he realizes he cannot play up to his standards with it. The current hamstring injury is most likely due to the fact that you cannot work hamstrings with a PCL injury. It puts too much stress on the joint.

QUOTE (YASNY @ Dec 4, 2012 -> 12:03 PM) On MLB Network's Hot Stove, Harold Reynolds just predicted an ARod retirement due to this 2nd hip surgery. The injury really isn't that serious of a surgery. They just go in a remove the loose material. I'm not sure where they get this "major surgery" bit. If he retires it's because he doesn't want to do the rehab.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 4, 2012 -> 12:06 PM) I heard it was the other hip, not a re-tear. I wonder if his "one year" of steroid use has anything to do with it. Not usually. PEDs usually effect muscles and tendons in the short term. It's usually not the static structures like cartilage. However, there is no telling what the abnormally increased strength does to the other structures indirectly. There is also anecdotal evidence that the brain is also effected. The growth factors are centered in the brain. I still think many of the post-concussion syndromes from former football player ie. Dave Duerson has a link to a combination with PEDs and not just the concussions.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 4, 2012 -> 12:27 PM) They know they are playing on borrowed time with AJ. History suggests catchers fall fast, many at a younger age than AJ is right now. It is possible he will still be doing what he did in 2012 in 2013 and 2014. It is probably probable he won't at least one of those years. I just wonder what their ceiling is on a contract for him. I don't expect him back. Someone will pay up. The thing that he has going for him is that he is always working out and is one of the "hardest workers" in the game. It doesn't surprise me that he is lasting longer than most catchers. You're right though he is going to fall off at some point, probably during the next contract.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 4, 2012 -> 11:30 AM) AJ has played 140 games or more exactly once in his career, and a several of those appearances were because he had to pinch hit or enter as a defensive replacement after a pinch hitter or runner for his back up. Don't make things up thinking you know exactly what AJ wants. And if he performs like he did last year, if he re-signed, why would his time be cut? It is all about how they think he will play the next couple of years and what it will cost, and what they really think about Flowers or someone else they could bring in. AJ has signed 3 or 4 White Sox contracts. If he was as hated or the distraction many make him out to be, he would have been gone long ago. His time may be up, and it might even be the correct move, but the 8 years he was here, the Sox got their money's worth. This is wrong. He is universally disliked. However, he is a good player and the other players deal with him. He hasn't been a distraction because he has gotten his way and played as much as he wanted. As you said this is mostly due to the quality of his backups. I wouldn't put it past KW to have planned it that way. However, if the Sox do decrease his workload below what he wants I have no doubt that you would begin to hear rumblings from the clubhouse. I don't know if it would be a significant enough for a distraction. I also have no doubt this will play a factor in his upcoming contract.