YASNY

It think it should be used as just one more of many tools used to evaluate players. I certainly don't think it's "GM's Holy Grail".

Well, I have my doubts. I feel Gload as a starter can go either way, with the best possible outcome being "acceptable".

We need to keep losing so we get that 14 or 15th pick.

Raines is a minor league coach with the Expos. I'm sure he'd accept a major league position if offered. Just because he currently has a position does not exclude him from consideration. Also, I never said Raines should be the bench coach. For that role, I'd look more toward a guy like Torborg, if he'd accept.

I agree with the opinion that the players should have settled the score. That being said, when Jackson did not drill Hunter, Ozzie should have pulled him right then and there. And to hell with his 1000 appearances, he should have been released as well. He was more concerned with maintaining a friendship than with his teammates.

For the bucks it would take to sign Pedro, he is too much of a gamble. The Sox can't afford to sign him and DL him.

Uribe could turn into a jewel for this team. Hopefully, they keep stressing plate discipline with him and make it a priority. If he could put up a consistent .290 or so every year, he'd solidify SS for years to come.

We don't want to hang around with those punks!

I'm not saying there has been a problem, but it hasn't exactly been a strength. Look at the Twins defense over the years, how they have used that to their advantage. Hunter's a tool, but he's a CF-playing tool. Meintkewicz was very good around first. It's just a matter of them being generally better defensively. Don't anyone go throwing stats around either. The Twins are better defensively than the Sox. I don't care what any feilding pct, zone ratings, range factors or whatever say.

No problem. If I'm showing my age, so be it. I'm proud I've lasted this long.

FWIW, Mulder's ERA since the break is near 6.

So ... why are you here?

What he said goes for me too. I'll never bash Jose. He may be "done" but he gave us 4 decent seasons.

Gload has proven himself to be a quality hitter and decent all around player, if you forget about RF. I don't know if he's starter quality, but he could hold his own I believe.

With Baines probably leaving as bench coach, the Sox will have an opening on the coaching staff. Since they are going to move towards a speed and defense type of game ....... Tim Raines. There would be someone that could teach Willie Harris how to steal and also teach the National League style to the rest of the guys. Another ex Sox and former teammate of Ozzie's. I don't know if he'd be a good bench coach, but Ozzie could move some guys around within the staff.

Hmmmm. Very nice set of mugs.

This is one guy that deserves to burn in the bowels of hell. The sooner, the better.

Well, the story served it's purpose. It changed the focus from Kerry's anti war, fake medal throwing, Hanoi Jane backing, congressional testifying antics to whether or not Bush was guilty of the unforgivable sin of missing a physical.

Nice article Joe. Welcome to Soxtalk.

Trading Konerko has to be considered as a possible option when looking to improve the Sox. You can't just say Gload is not as good so trading PK makes no sense. Gload appears to be a servicable replacement but no world beater. I look at Gload as being roughly comparable to a JT Snow. He'll do, if .... and here's the key .... if the players you get for Konerko, and/or the players you get with the freed up cash are the type of players that will strengthen the Sox elsewhere to enough of a degree that it will make up for the difference in production you get with Gload as opposed to Konerko. I'm not clamoring for a trade of Konerko, because I've always been a PK backer ... even thru his horrid 2003. But, I'm a Sox fan much more than I'm a Konerko fan. If trading him will improve the Sox, then by all means, trade him.

Part of the theory of going with a "smallball" type lineup is the increase in defensive ability. Which in turn, makes your pitching that much better which means you don't have to score as many runs to win.

I understand your frustration, believe me.

Where did that come from. I'm making my statement from an intellectual perspective, not from the heart. I'd say 4 consecutive years would prove the point without any room for arguement whatsoever.

By using free agency, the Sox can rebuild their farm and scouting systems and remain competitive. We have 4 pretty solid starting pitchers to build around, with Contreras, in my opinion, being the weak link.

Actually, they weren't. Not this year ... or last year ... or 2002 ... or 2001. I don't know about you, but after 4 years of this crap, I'm convinced the Twins are the better team ... from the front office to the minor league system to the team on the field.