Princess Dye

QUOTE (bobryansson @ Sep 15, 2009 -> 11:46 PM) I'm grasping here, but it was nice to see Alex Rios smile and laugh with a teamate. No, I think we all thought that.

They're praising Cox. A blind man wouldve put up that stop sign.

Alexei is going to be such a valuable bat for this infield when we get everything going. Really worked on taking walks this year. People give these simplistic answers about him not being used to the cold early on. Isnt it possible he just worked real hard early in the year to totally revamp his plate patience? He has changed things completely from last year, in my view.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Sep 15, 2009 -> 11:32 PM) Very true. Oz keeps it fun. I haven't followed Sweet Lou. What's he been up to? Has he been critical or something of management? Some recent quotes from him indicated something along the lines of 'i wont quit, theyd have to ask me to leave' So some are reading that as him wanting the last year of that contract. With new owners coming in, maybe it happens.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Sep 15, 2009 -> 11:28 PM) Oz talking to Griffey; he's one of a kind. No managers have the personality of Ozzie. Most are PR machines. He is awesome. When we lose here, it's at least not joyless. Cubbies mgr. is just slow-talking his way to a firing or (he hopes) buyout.

Jr. could not catch up to LH gas last year...

Have to love Oz talking to Junior as he goes out to the mound.

Look ma! An out on a routine play!

'09 is against us.

Awful throw to 1st but still Dotel moving like he's on the banquet diet

QUOTE (Leonard Zelig @ Sep 15, 2009 -> 11:16 PM) Out of what? Well just point being that once the media gave up on em, they played better. I'm aware that the math is looking tons better if we have a win here.

I know way too many posters try to get inside players' heads.... but jesus they look so much more relaxed now that they're (semi)out of it. How much of this thing was mental?

AJP!!!!!!!!!! What a year. Lets hold onto this one, I want to be there in person for a halfway meaningful first ever Peavy start.

Could CJ Retherford be our utility guy next year? I have a wish to have Flowers DHing some nights and thus we'd need an emergency catcher in our utility guy

QUOTE (BaseballNick @ Sep 15, 2009 -> 10:59 PM) I find it hard to believe there's enough money to spend on Beltre and a power hitting OF. Perhaps. I hate to say it, but I have a feeling we're going to see a moderately priced power hitter acquired. Pods Ks on a nasty nasty pitch.

Like the start of this inning.

Shawn Kelley, chubby ERA but slimmer WHIP

QUOTE (Kenny Hates Prospects @ Sep 15, 2009 -> 10:52 PM) If he will sign for $2/12 or cheaper then I WANT him here. The best way to complement a strong starting staff is with a strong defense and bullpen, so that's where we should look to get better. Beckham can move to 2B and stay there for the next 10 years. With Beltre's off year this year, i bet he'll take a one year, or perhaps something cheap with a player option in case he busts out again. of course for that they might have to unban PEDs...

QUOTE (BaseballNick @ Sep 15, 2009 -> 10:51 PM) As of now we're way too right handed going into next year. Beltre doesn't seem to fit our needs. I'm envisioning lefthanded RF and DH. With regard to the infield, I want stellar defense foremost--and I think we maximize that (and Beckham's worth) with Beltre3B, Beckham2B

Curious, what will Beltre command in FA? I'm not 100% positive yet I need to have Gordon at 3b (or should I say Getz at 2b)

Kotsay's last two months Aug: .333./.389/.467 Sept so far: .346/.414/.692 Jermaine looking horrible.

Wow, no throw into second. Couldve pegged him if theyd tried w/ a perfect throw

Great bunt by Pods. How can this hitting talent exist side-by-side with such an ugly-son defense.

I have no problem with Hudson learning some of the AL batters in a relief role. The pen needs some live RH arms

If the Sox want to raise payroll, then overpaying for Rios is fine. If not for our talented pre-arb guys, I wouldnt say that. But we really are in a position to take a chance and still be able to spend. If payroll has to be lowered in 2010, however, then this move was a serious mismanagement of resources. You cant really get too upset about this before you know what else they're going to do. We have the next two offseasons to upgrade not-so-hard-to-fill positions: DH, RF and 1B...and a lot of money will be coming off the books. Granted other guys need raises, but there will be enough money available to make up for the Rios signing with above-average hitters being around him. I personally think we could look back on it and see we got a great defensive player in CF and an OK bat. When you win, overpays get forgotten. Rios may be the kind of hitter, when he gets straightened out, that doesnt get on-base a ton, but will hit enough doubles to be a positive force for the lower part of the lineup.