YASNY

With the travel nightmare and half the team half sick, the Bulls had every excuse to let this one slip away from them tonight. I know NO sucks, but this Bulls team is not settling for moral victories like they used to.

The dominican Republic should be where their main focus is, but there's nothing wrong with having a presense in Oz just in case a key player comes out of there.

Iguchi is a gamble, no doubt about it. But then, Ichiro and H. Matsui were gambles too based on the Japanese vs MLB theory. It's all in the scouting. KW says he's an impact player. Now assuming he's talking about Iguchi having a positive impact, I'll trust his judgement on this one. That is basically why I'm in favor of us signing this guy.

When Garland believes in his stuff enough to say, "here it is ... hit it" then he'll step up into the quality major league starter club.

QUOTE(jackie hayes @ Jan 5, 2005 -> 12:00 PM) Sure, if the scouts like him. I'm not saying we shouldn't sign him, I'm just wondering why everyone seems so hungry for this signing. I don't have any notion how good he'll be, so I'm pretty much indifferent. He could be great for all I know. Maybe "Tadahito Iguchi" is Japanese for "Melvin Mora". Well, I know that KW has referred to Iguchi as an "impact player." If he actually is, then we got a bargain. He seems to fit our needs as well.

QUOTE(mreye @ Jan 5, 2005 -> 10:38 AM) ACK! We agree again! WTF? I disagree. The main point of this thread was the abuse of the Patriot Act by our wonderful Federal Gov't. See the thread title, if you have any questions. EDIT: Damn new board ... this was supposed to be a response to Mr Eye's remark: "What's that supposed to mean? No, the main point of this thread was this guy and his case."

QUOTE(jackie hayes @ Jan 5, 2005 -> 11:50 AM) Kaz had an obp over .360 for 7 consecutive seasons, and his walk numbers were consistent, always around 50. Iguchi's been great for only 2 seasons, and his walks numbers have jumped all over the place (from 30 to 80 to 50). I don't know how we can be sure from those numbers that this guy instantaneously developed so much plate discipline that he's guaranteed a .340 obp in the US. The possible range looks much wider to me, jmho. Ok... Granted it might not work out. Considering what other options are available, is it worth a gamble?

All I'm saying is that .265 and 20 SB's are NOT a "major upgrade" over over Willie Harris. That's it. That's my only point. That seems pretty straight forward. I know Willie hit in the low .260's with 19 SB's. So there is no way that THAT is a major upgrade. What's to debate?

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Jan 5, 2005 -> 09:38 AM) I think there'll be other stats where Iguchi will probably be a upgrade over Willie. He'll definitely have a better arm, and would be a better fielder. OBP wise, I'd think Iguchi's would be slightly higher. Even though the transition from Japan to America will be tough, Iguchi has hit in a pitcher's park in Japan for basically his whole career, he could really do some damage at the Cell if he adjusted quickly enough. I'm not arguing that Iguchi wouldn't be an upgrade over Willie. But based on those stats, he wouldn't be but a miniscule upgrade. Willie is pretty damn good fielder, so that is an unknown as to who would be better. Also, Iguchi's arm is in question since he had to move from SS to 2B due to an arm injury. I want Iguchi, as I think he could be a solid number two hitter based on what I've read. But putting stats 3 percentage points in batting average and 1 stolen base over Willie Harris and calling it a major upgrade just doesn't fly. It'll get called every time here at Soxtalk.

Happy Birthday 7763 ... or whatever your number is. Just kidding.

QUOTE(LowerCaseRepublican @ Jan 5, 2005 -> 08:57 AM) There have been plenty of abuses of the PATRIOT Act from the investigation of strip clubs that had nothing to do with terrorism (http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2003/Nov-05-Wed-2003/news/22521283.html) There have also been lots of indictments filed against porn companies via the PATRIOT Act (Don't have an article for it -- a few acquaintances of mine work at adult stores so I get a lot of info about the industry) There's no doubt that the PATRIOT Act is being abused against people who have no connection to terrorism. I mean, Hell, the General Accounting Office said that most of the people being charged with "terrorism" actually have nothing to do with terrorism. It's just more of the illusion of safety. And really, that seems to be the main point of this thread. Thanks for steering it back on track.

QUOTE(GreatScott82 @ Jan 5, 2005 -> 09:30 AM) What is Iguchi's age? And how are his fielding #'s. They said back in 2001 that he was a wizard in the field, but that was 4 years ago. Even if he bats .265 has 20 steals, and 15-20 HR's thats a major upgrade over Willie. That also makes me think, if KW does some how bring home AJ and Iguchi what will our bench consist of? Willie Harris INF, Ross Gload 1B/OF, Carl Everett DH/OF, Timo Perez OF, Alex Escobar OF, Ben Davis or Jaime Burke C, Wilson Valdez INF. Now I know that is way more than the normal amount of bench players. I mean is Valdez really capable of backing up Crede and Uribe? Can Harris possibly play SS? What do you guys think the bench will look like. .265 and 20 steals is a "major upgrade" over Willie? I'll give it to you on the home runs. But those other stats hardly resemble a "major upgrade".

I think Lowe is in for a rude awakening. Millwood also, btw.

QUOTE(upnorthsox @ Jan 5, 2005 -> 08:16 AM) But you have no idea whether the Sox offer was "fair", if you don't like the Clement comp then you can move on to another, Omar Vizquel. Vizquel. Ok. Every review I read of that signing said the Giants will end up regretting it down the road. So, if you want the Sox to overpay for too long, then yes ... they "lowballed" Vizquel.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Jan 5, 2005 -> 08:55 AM) Any links to the Nen deal, haven;t heard ANYTHING about that, even on this board. Interesting....... That's the first I've heard about it too. I really don't know how Nen would fit into our bullpen.

QUOTE(mreye @ Jan 5, 2005 -> 07:51 AM) While I don't like the Patriot Act, I'm not sure of your poll question? Are you asking, "Should he be prosecuted?" I say, YES! I don't think it's abuse. Contrary to what they tell us, I don't believe pointing a laser at a pilot would cause him to steer out of control, but I think this guy thought that it might and wanted to find out for himself. I think the worst part of this he won't even get charged for and that's blaming his daughter. :headshake I'm no expert, but I'd say a laser hitting the retina could certainly cause some problems.

QUOTE(upnorthsox @ Jan 5, 2005 -> 07:40 AM) But then there's the history of this org low balling one of their "Targets" and then never coming back with a sufficient counteroffer. Matt Clement comes to mind as a recent example. I don't consider a fiscally responsible, but fair, offer that someone else tops as being a "lowball" offer.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Jan 5, 2005 -> 07:11 AM) Isn't the NY Post kinda tabloidish? When I hear Levine talks about it, then I will listen. Yes. Yes it is.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Jan 5, 2005 -> 06:24 AM) I'm trying not to.........but it's not working, lol. Rotoworld picked it up from the NY Post .... So the Post is the only source as of now.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Jan 5, 2005 -> 06:18 AM) I did the same thing and found nothing, it's early and I'd think if true we'd here about it sometime in the local media within the hour, atleast I hope....... The only place I see it mentioned anywhere is the NY Post. I don't think this is anything to get excited about at this point.

After glancing through the websites of Chicago area papers, I find no mention of an imminent Iguchi signing.

Photo taken at Graceland on EBay ...... Link

I like the sound of that 20-20 ability.

QUOTE(beck72 @ Jan 5, 2005 -> 04:51 AM) First saw the info from Rotoworld. Here's the link: http://newyorkpost.com/sports/yankees/37824.htm I'll see if any local papers have any info and post here. I hope it pans out, but I'm not going to get my hopes up too much...... Yet.

You had to know it wouldn't be long before the Patriot Act was used on a US citizen for something other than terrorism. So it begins ....