chitownsportsfan

now that is a quick bat. Avi, take notes!

Come on, light this bum up.

nasty slider there.

QUOTE (soxfan49 @ May 4, 2016 -> 08:14 PM) Cold day. I expect it to be 92-93 by the 5th Eh, it's been down all year. Same problem he had last year in college early on.

Rodon's fastball sucks this year. 89mph?

QUOTE (BigHurt3515 @ May 4, 2016 -> 07:34 PM) Good news for us. That pitch he hit out last night was shades of Paul Konerko circa 2004-2009. Great piece of hitting. Only trumped by the insane trick Jose did on his double. That ball was six inches off the plate inside and Jose ripped it down the line.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ May 4, 2016 -> 06:10 PM) Trayce is a 4th outfielder. Not really gonna sweat that I think he could be a regular but the Sox weren't going to give him time prove it anyway. Given that they already had a decent CF on the roster and a smoking crater at 3B it made complete sense at the time and makes even more sense after they added Jackson. If someone wants to b**** about a trade Hahn has made it should be the Shark trade.

QUOTE (Alexeihyeess @ May 4, 2016 -> 07:03 PM) I've definitely been pleased with Frazier lately, but Trayce is a damn fine player and I know from the start he was the wrong guy to give up. Montas and Micah I could handle, Trayce was a bad move. Whatever get past it and move forward, just wish they'd have thrown something else in there for the Dodgers. You have to give to get. The Dodger's didn't want a "throw in" they wanted someone that has value. That's Trayce.

QUOTE (raBBit @ May 4, 2016 -> 12:58 PM) Hahn said probably not today on the radio. Darn.

Avi back today? Hope so. Sands is actually doing OK but his strikeouts last night were downright Aviesque. Avi has been hitting the ball alright so far hopefully he can pick up where he left off before the hammy tweak.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ May 4, 2016 -> 01:42 PM) I don't see it as make or break. Even he scuffles for a few months, instead of a few weeks, that doesn't derail his career or effect his ceiling. It just adjusts the timeline. His defense improved quite a bit last year, to where most folks I talk with believe he sticks there long-term. In 2014, that would have been a 50/50 thing or maybe even lower. But I haven't seen him play this year aside from the occasional look-in via MiLB.tv. Thanks for the response I'm just not sure how much development he's going to do past age 23, regardless of how "raw" and "new" he is to baseball in general. If he doesn't development this year I think it puts a damper on his ceiling. I'm probably in the minority on that.

Def a make or break year for Anderson as far as his ceiling. If he hits say 280/310/430 down there and plays good defense he's still in line to be a 2-4 WAR starter. If he hits 260/280/380 with mediocre defense then his ceiling is probably 1-3 WAR starter unless something strange happens with his development once he hits the bigs. How's his defense? It looked pretty good in spring. If he's a solid MLB quality defensive SS he doesn't have to hit much to have good value.

QUOTE (Tex @ May 2, 2016 -> 05:24 PM) Since the wild card was expanded 90 wins would have made the playoffs about half of the time. The first two years something like 93 or 94 wins were necessary. The last two years less than 90. So 90 is right in the range. It's more like 86-90, or even 86-88 given that parity in the AL this year. There's not a lot of bottom feeders to get fat on like the NL.

so damn slow

QUOTE (knightni @ May 3, 2016 -> 01:48 PM) He's a habitual liar, 'roider and has a monster contract. I really doubt that this is more than speculation. And he'd immediately become arguably the Sox' best hitter. I'd take him at the right price.

QUOTE (Lip Man 1 @ May 2, 2016 -> 10:28 PM) Appreciate it but could you explain a little more about the anachronistic comment, I take no offense mind you, would just like to understand more of what you mean. Maybe its something I can adjust a little bit. Mark the best example is probably signing your posts. Your handle is your sig. We know who is posting. It's no big deal and I enjoyed the interview with Jason. I think he's a good asset for the Sox. You're old old head too

QUOTE (SouthSideSale @ May 2, 2016 -> 10:18 PM) Would be bittersweet. I'm sick of Danks because he's ineffective, but I used to love him. It's time to try other guys. Danks will get lit up again if he goes against Boston. I have a hard time getting too attached to players now. Used to be easier when I was younger. I just root for the laundry for the most part. Don't get me wrong I still have favorites and guys I like more than others but Danks was good, now he's not so it's easier for me to just cast him off.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 2, 2016 -> 12:27 PM) That's good stuff. I especially liked the part where he talked about clearing his schedule to meet with Jerry. Yea was going to say the same. Interesting that JR is still so hands on even at his age. For better or worse no doubt. Good interview Lip. I have to say sometimes your style is a bit anachronistic but you got some great answers out of Jason.

QUOTE (Jerksticks @ May 1, 2016 -> 11:09 PM) Fair enough, but that's obviously not his point. No matter the experience he gets he'll never have played pro ball, he'll never understand the mental or physical side of the game, or anything relating to the human side of the game. To Benetti, the players aren't men, they're just amusing little mice with statistics. To Hawk, the players are living breathing men in the trenches of a war, with injuries, differing levels of intellect, different strategies, different levels of nervousness, different backgrounds etc. things Benetti will never be able to comment on. Thanks for telling me the guy's batting average benetti. I get it. He gets on base 34% of the time. That's what the number means. Oh, you want to use advanced statistics? How dare you act like you're teaching any of us baseball- you've never played. I'm sure he's a nice guy and he'll be great. This is just my hazing period for him. And rightfully so. No Sox fan should just hand over the keys without him earning it. It'll be hazing season for a while, hopefully a long while. He's trying to replace one of the most unique and iconic broadcasting figures this world has and will ever see. A true master and a true legend. Pretty hot take. I dont disagree perhaps in principle but at the end of the day the broadcast quality is higher with Jason. Hawk is past his shelf life. People get old.

QUOTE (Alexeihyeess @ May 1, 2016 -> 06:33 PM) His defense was GG caliber until this soggy series in Baltimore... cool the jets on Sanchez. Last year at 2B it was very good by eye test and advanced metrics. I just watched the 9th for the 1st time and yea he struggled at SS. That's to be expected but he's hit in the minors and over his last 300 or so MLB PA he's not awful. Not good, but passable given his glove.

It was a very frustrating game early with quite a few hard hit balls that where snagged by Baltimore. They have a pretty athletic defense especially at the corners. Then, some good at bats to draw walks then some bloops got the job done. If you can't be a good offense just be a mediocre offense and play solid defense. For the most part that's what they did. Defense had some lapses this series but the bats came around enough to get a split. Chris Sale was walking a fine line today but without even his "C" stuff really he still limited the damage. Bullpen did a nice job other than Petricka who has to throw more strikes. Frazier and Eaton's defense has been a god send. Another nice double play started by Todd today. He picks almost everything.

Here's an idea: if Garcia fails, you put Sanchez at 2B most days and Lawrie DHs and spells Todd at 3B... Not saying I'd do it unless it's Garcia (and hell, Sands for that matter) completely fall on there face but it is an option. Best thing about Lawrie is that he has solid contact skills and some pop for a guy that can play a passable 2B. He has solid range but his hands are rocks and arm seems a bit wild as well but it is strong. All in all he's ok at 2B but Sanchez there is potentially elite. Speaking of which, Sanchez did a good job at SS today. Maybe he can be a utility IF. Sox basically got a 2 WAR player IMO for nothing, it was a good move.

QUOTE (Jose Paniagua @ May 1, 2016 -> 04:59 PM) Sox offensive WAR has risen from bottom of the MLB to now hovering just short of being the median team Offense regressed at the same time the pitching and defense did. Nice!

QUOTE (shysocks @ May 1, 2016 -> 04:48 PM) Also, I know we discussed this plenty in the game thread, but it can't be emphasized enough. Gerry Davis just vomited out an all-time bad performance by a home plate ump. The navarro k with the bases loaded was all time bad. Not a single pitch even on the black.

THROW f***ING STRIKES YOU f***ING MORON YOU HAVE A 5 RUN CUSHION.