YASNY

QUOTE(JoshPR @ Jan 24, 2005 -> 01:04 PM) I would rather go with Valdez. Maybe he doesn't hit much but he's a good glove man with range and that's what you want from the utility infielder. Graffy was horrid with the leather That's basically what I just said. I was just giving Graffy his due.

QUOTE(knightni @ Jan 24, 2005 -> 01:01 PM) This calls for a new sig! Dude ... you need to change that to Samarai Sox!

QUOTE(JoshPR @ Jan 24, 2005 -> 12:59 PM) Say NO to No range iron Glove Graffy :puke Graffy was a clutch hitter off the bench. But, I don't think he's what we need. now. I'd rather give the utility job to a young guy for development purposes.

QUOTE(JUGGERNAUT @ Jan 24, 2005 -> 12:49 PM) With respect to these mega deals it is true that they are guaranteed but typically at least 75% of the contract is insured at a cost of 20-25%. It's insane. The Orioles I believe are still paying for Albert Belle. Actually, I think the O's obligation to Belle ended with the 2004 season.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jan 24, 2005 -> 12:46 PM) This is a really good move. And no, Iguchi shouldn't be in the 2 hole out of the gate, give the guy time to adjust to the majors without having tons of pressure on him. Kind of like the Sox gave Shingo time to adjust. It may not happen right away and I think the Sox are best sticking with Iguchi in the 9 slot and going with Uribe in the 2 hole. Then you have Rowand (a better run producer then Uribe, imo) in a run production slot. Great offseason Kenny I don't see how anyone can rule out Iguchi for number 2 at this point. It's a Sox need and if he shows the skills in ST, give him the shot at filling the need.

QUOTE(Man Of Steel @ Jan 24, 2005 -> 12:42 PM) Couldnt have put that any better Every now and then, I find just exactly the right words. "f*** the Yankees" seems to be a constant.

Yes the Yankees have navy pinstripes. But, unless you are making a close inspection you can't tell the difference. However, f*** the Yankees and their pinstripes. The Sox uniforms are perfect.

QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ Jan 24, 2005 -> 12:36 PM) Exactly, and if attitude isn't enough reason to send him packing, take a look at the bench. The Sox need a proven utility MI that can play multiple positions, and that is something Harris just can't do. So, although many of you are aware of my hatred towards Harris, I have to think he's gone based on the lack of depth in the MI. I'd love to see Harris moved for a utlity infielder or some kind of bullpen arm/prospect. Clean out the locker son. While you are somewhat more harsh toward Willie than I am, I think he's headed elsewhere.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Jan 24, 2005 -> 12:33 PM) If Aaron comes into camp and has the bunt down, and works on a good inside out swing to use the hole between 1st and 2nd, then I have no problem with him in the two hole, or anyone else who can do that for that matter. Just what I saw of Aaron, he would be a much better #3 or #7 or even leadoff, hitter. I agree with you. Yet, Rowand would be better at #2 than most of the Sox hitters. It would diminish his overall value, but he could do the job.

What this signing makes out of Willie Harris is trade bait. He is a commodity that has some value. I would not be upset with us entering the season with WH being our starting 2B, if we had a veteran UIF on the roster. However, considering all the not so subtle remarks from Ozzie and KW about Harris, I feel like his ticket out of town was written a few weeks ago.

QUOTE(SoxFan101 @ Jan 24, 2005 -> 12:25 PM) if Willie was really a big distraction he would of been gone b4 this trade i think this supposed bad character that people make him out to be is getting kind of ridiculous. Yeah him and Ozzie seemed at odds last year but hell Ozzie and Frank used to piss each other off so should we trade Frank away too? And maybe Ozzie was just more dissapointed than mad at Willie. Regardless Willie is a great bench player and good insurance if Iguchi falters unless you want to see robbie alomar or wilson valdez your starting 2B. I don't know why the powers that be soured on Willie. But to compare a Willie Harris attitude problem to a Frank Thomas attitude problem is, well, nuts.

Personally, I can't see where Barry Larkin would add anything to this team. There's no way he get 90 starts at SS. Uribe's our SS and he's not "unproven" at that position. Hell ... he's capable of winning a gold glove there. He proved himself with the bat last year.

While bunting ability is a nice tool to have, the ability to take pitches, hit behind the runner and to hit run are every bit as much a part of the equation of a number 2 hitter. I think too much emphasis is put on bunting ability around here ... especially for an AL club.

I'm hoping Iguchi shows the skills handling the bat that is needed from a number 2 hitter. If he has them, there's no reason not to plant him that spot.

I thjink the batting order will be played out in spring training. We all speculate on what it will be, and theorize on it. But when the players hit the field and show what they actually can bring to the team, that's how it will be determined.

QUOTE(Steff @ Jan 24, 2005 -> 10:47 AM) http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tm...n_damaged_woman "...The Supreme Court refused Monday to reinstate a Florida law passed to keep a severely brain-damaged woman hooked to a feeding tube, clearing the way for it to be removed. How soon that would happen, however, was unclear."... The poor woman needs to be put out her misery. We are more humane to animals than we are to humans. We'll put and old dog to sleep before we'll pull the plug and a person that has no chance of recovery. "They shoot horses, don't they?"

QUOTE(AnthraxFan93 @ Jan 24, 2005 -> 10:43 AM) I am giving him 3 grades A- for effort, and keeping his word of changing the make-up of this team. B- for the actually players.. Final Grades are due in October. I agree with your thinking here. ............ Which I find disturbing for some reason.

I don't know about a nickname ... but when he comes to plate, the Sox need to do the old musical show-biz salute for a stunt or trick performed well .... TA DA!!!!!!!!

Gucci ... It's "stylish".

QUOTE(Mr. Showtime @ Jan 24, 2005 -> 10:29 AM) Yeah, I know. I just didn't know what type of contract El Caballo meant. My post wasn't for your benefit. I knew you knew all that. Just a general clarifaction.

QUOTE(Mr. Showtime @ Jan 24, 2005 -> 10:21 AM) Contracts are 100% guarenteed in MLB. They have to pay every penny remaining on the contract. It depends on the contract that is signed. For Example, a guy could sign a minor league contract, but if he makes the majors, he gets a million a year or whatever.

QUOTE(winodj @ Jan 24, 2005 -> 10:14 AM) Other schools have summer holidays as well, and the average summer vacation isn't nearly as long as it used to be. When I was in first grade school would end around Memorial Day and start after Labor Day. By my senior year, we started three weeks earlier and ended two weeks later. The problem isn't adding time to the school year, its giving students the tools they need to learn and creating a culture of education. Something we haven't done in a long, long time. I don't not disagree. It's just that this is one of the many issues that need to be addressed.

Life sucks

In all seriousness, I'd like to get peoples' input on a quality coffee maker that's not too over the top price-wise. Bunn used to be the creme-de-la-creme, but you can't find them any more.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Jan 24, 2005 -> 10:05 AM) But you HAVE to admit, even the rotation has several holes that could open. Two cuban pitchers who are large question marks, as well as JG who never lives up to his potential. There is alot of chance for error I look at it as you'll get what you get from Garland ... He's a known quantity and anything above that is a bonus. El Duque, I believe, is at the point of being healthy and if so, he'll be a helluva pitcher. Contreras is kind of a head case and he can anywhere from great to awful.