chitownsportsfan

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Jul 10, 2006 -> 06:36 PM) Their pure offensive production numbers (HR/RBI/etc) really aren't even close. I think Fenway helps Manny out quite a bit.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Jul 10, 2006 -> 06:29 PM) Manny Ramirez Kicks the s*** out of Travis Hafner. It's close, but Hafner has put up better OPS+ numbers the past two seasons, which is as good as comparison (park adjusted) as I care to use right now. Maybe their VORP numbers show something else, but I know they both have been healthy and mashing with plenty of PA's, so I'd guess they are probably similiar in VORP too.

QUOTE(Colorado Sox Fan @ Jul 10, 2006 -> 06:22 PM) I didn't say you can't discuss it. I'm not one of those people who says you can't criticize players or the team. In fact, I said I'm not a big fan of his either. All I'm saying is that it's hilarious how everybody is piling on. Next game, he'll single, steal second and score the winning run and everybody will be in love with him. There's also a reason Pablo is 32 and has never, ever been a regular for any major league team. And, a reason Mack is 30 and has never nailed down a regular spot in someone's lineup. If Kenny can trade for Chone Figgins or Crawford and not get robbed, God bless him. Seems a bit of a stretch that the Angels or Rays would trade those guys. I agree completely. PODS is the best option in LF/Leadoff for 2006. Next year, no--can him. I also agree Mack and Ozuna are bench players only. Ozuna is putting up a fluke year and god bless him, but he's not a regular by any stretch of the imagination. Mack is a also a bench player. Jack of all trades, master of none.

QUOTE(Damen @ Jul 10, 2006 -> 06:21 PM) His numbers are better. He probably wouldn't win because of the Indians struggles, but that is in no way connected to Hafner. He is the best hitter in the game right now, and has been since 2004. I think Albert Pujols just puked a little in his mouth. And strained his oblique.

QUOTE(redandwhite @ Jul 10, 2006 -> 06:14 PM) If the season ended today, He'd win one of the two, if not both. He's been the best reliever in baseball, period. I agree Papelbon for the now retired "Rolaids Relief Man".

Hafner for MVP and Cleveland as most dissapointing team--but not because of Hafter--he's been the best hitter in the AL for a year now. Pujols single handedly made the Cardinals a .600 winning team for awile. If he gets hot again, he can still take it.

QUOTE(Colorado Sox Fan @ Jul 10, 2006 -> 05:56 PM) No. You've got it about right. Don't forget the bullpen and the backup catcher...oh, and Iguchi sometimes when he doesn't get a hit and Gload is terrible because he made a bad baserunning play. Ozuna should be in the Hall of Fame, except when he butchers balls in left and swings at bad pitches. This board cracks me up. I'm not a big Pods fan by any means, but everyone forgets about the games he has helped win with clutch hits. Yea, we should keep Pods around because he's clutch, dude. He's more clutch than Papi... Why is discussing a players flaws such blasphemy? You'd think Pods was a first ballot HOFer. THere is a reason the guy didn't stick around MLB until he was 27-28.

QUOTE(RME JICO @ Jul 10, 2006 -> 04:46 PM) The most glaring stat about Pods is the Sox record when he steals a base: 18-3. That is amazing. For a stat that is supposed to not have that much meaning, that is pretty remarkable. You can look at it two ways, he is stealing when the Sox have a lead or he is actually somehow affecting the outcome of the game. The Sox are also 42-10 when he gets a hit. First off, it's a very large assumption to say that Pods' steals are the main factor behind the White Sox wins. There are so many variables involved, and SB's are just one of many. Perhaps Pods plays on days when the "regular 9" play. Perhaps he steals most his bases against RHP's, which the Sox fare better against. I could go on and on... It's better to just assume his SB's add very little to the run expectancy for the inning and thus the game. SB's aren't that useful for an offense. The only way Pods should be stealing is if he's above a 80% clip. Even then, their benefit is marginal. Call me new fashioned and a stat-head pencil pusher, but I guy that steals bases, gets on base at a .350 clip, hits for zero power in LF, and plays terrible defense as well--is not a good player. He's a replaceable player. I hope Pods is gone next year and if he's gone and no other better options exist, Iguchi should be the leadoff hitter. And that Verducci article is junk. Talk about misleading use of statistics.

Yea, but it begs the question: are the starters being overworked? Not claiming they are, just throwing that out there.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Jul 10, 2006 -> 12:39 PM) Yesterday's preformance by the pen was nothing short of spectacular. 13 IP 2 ER, and both ER were given up by Jenks in his third inning of work. Imparticular, where the hell did Cliff Politte find that change up? That pitch had some incredible movement on it, and if he can throw it for strikes like yesterday, it doesn't matter if his FB is 91 or 96, he is going to be really hard to hit. All of the sudden, I actually want to see more of Cliff, if he is does indeed have that pitch now. I still don't trust Politte and I still believe his career with the Sox is done. Yesterday's game changed nothing in my mind. If he can string some performances together, I'll change my tune. I predict he's done though. Level of trust without snarkiness: 1. Jenks -- Proved me wrong after a poor and out of shape (even for the big guy) spring. 2.Cotts -- Doesn't possess overpowering stuff but misses enough bats and is very consistant with throwing strikes. 3.Thornton -- Didn't see this one coming, wow. Life arm, suddenly good control, what's not to like? 4. BMAC -- needs to find his A game changeup more often 'cause when he does, he's very useful for "bridge" work. 5. Riske -- Haven't seen enough to rank him higher, but has been solid so far. 6. Politte -- see 1st paragraph or summarized by : DFA Please. The bullpen looks pretty solid right now, outside of Politte. But how many important innings will Ozzie give him? Personally, I want him only in mopup situations when the Sox are up or down by more than 5 (yes, 5) runs. In other words, he has no role on the team and should be DFA now.

What's Fields' defense like at 3B? Does he project as a 3B in MLB? I have to imagine that within the next year he will a) learn how to play LF, or "b)" be traded.

QUOTE(Gregory Pratt @ Jul 10, 2006 -> 12:39 AM) He might be good for one inning in certain games, but I don't expect much from him otherwise. In most his outings of late, he gets through his first inning fine, and then totally dies in the second. Besides, two of his outs today were JUST missed. I agree, if he can string together some MEDIOCRE outings (damn the expectations have fallen for him) he'll have use as the mop-up guy. If he can't even do that, he needs to be DFA.

Sweet, I luv posts like this because then I get to go back into the archives of ESPN and prove them wrong. Lets see, on this date in 2003 the Sox were...43-46, and had been outscored 372-382. This year they are...57-31 and have outscored opponents 520-415. But sure, these two teams are exactly alike.

QUOTE(hammerhead johnson @ Jul 7, 2006 -> 01:39 PM) That's hilarious! Young has yet to play in the majors, and I seriously doubt that you've ever seen him play (color me presumptuous), but we can just go ahead and put him down for 3000 hits and 900 stolen bases, correct? He is tearing up AAA this year so far. I posted a comment over at SSS that he'll be at least a league average CF for the next 8 years and one guy got all pissed and said how could I presume that. Um, maybe 'cause Young was rated the best prospy in the Sox last year and BA had him at #6 in MLB at one point?

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Jul 7, 2006 -> 01:18 PM) Uh yeah, I would say so. This is where we differ then...ERA+'s of 92 and 99 the last too years, K/9 down again this year, he's trending down if you ask me. He could still pull it out.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Jul 7, 2006 -> 01:06 PM) Yeah, and that was the price we paid to get a good starter as our #5. Apples and oranges could be compared your way as well if you like. Javier Vasquez is a good starter?

QUOTE(whitesoxin @ Jul 7, 2006 -> 01:05 AM) 9-4 is not a bad record. Just saying. Sox are playing great and our number five starter is 9-4. Look at it that way. Do you remember Danny Wright? How about Schoenweis? Josh Stewert? Who do you like as your NUMBER FIVE starter? I don't think those guys had the best offense in baseball behind them. They weren't traded for a young stud and another decent reliever as well. And they sure as hell weren't making 10.5 million dollars. Sorry, try again.

The cubs are 1/2 game in front of the Royals. The Cubs' payroll is over 4x greater than the Royals'.

QUOTE(NUKE_CLEVELAND @ Jul 6, 2006 -> 11:26 PM) He's been dishing out more meatballs than the Olive Garden lately. Don't let Tommy Lasorda know... Ozzie has given Pollitte about 5 times as much rope as he needed to hang himself. He's been hanging from the tree since May, it's time to cut him down.

QUOTE(NUKE_CLEVELAND @ Jul 6, 2006 -> 10:34 PM) So is it Politte time yet? Only if the Sox score another 5 runs. Even than, I'd have a short hook!

Jeez, we're making this Briton guy look like a world beater. I guess Britton has been pretty good thsi year.

Knowing Ozzie he'll probably put Politte in, to "see if he can pitch the big inning".

Well we're into the 7th with 3 pitchers used. Hopefully Ozzie leaves Cotts in for another.

I see Uribe took a walk. Wow. Color me impressed.

Time for Vasquez to step it up.