chitownsportsfan

I'm watching online, would Uribe have made that play?

Personally, as much as I love baseball and Sox--and I'd say it's my favorite sport/team--playoff basketball will take priority tonight. I'll still be checking the 'net every hour or so for a game update--but since I can only watch the Bulls game--national TV--I'll be doing that, not sitting at my comp and/or listening on the radio to the Sox game. I'm very excited for the NBA Playoffs--too each their own though.

Mark is really an interesting case. He's consistently better than his periphereals suggest, and the whole "he's a pitcher not a thrower" seems to apply well. I'm not sure about wins, as he could play from some bad teams in the future, but I see a lot more 120 ERA+ seasons with over 200IP. He does that another 10 years, and he might just find himself in the HOF--not saying that's highly likely, just that it isn't out of the realm of possibility.

I'd take BA straightup over Rowand for the next 3 years.

Wow--is it Thornton time? Or Boone? LOL, it's not over, but it's close.

Let Dye hit away, I feel a big inning.

As MJ&H would say: "I'm happy for ya!"

I guess I find it hard to thank a billionare for putting his profits back into the team.

Here are a few stats and notes to lively up the conversation: MB Career ERA+ : 128 MB Rank in IP, last 4 years: 2, 5, 1, 1 Comps through age 26: John Candelaria Mike Hampton Mark Mulder Jim Meritt Tom Glavine AJ Burnett career ERA+ : 110 Burnett, Rank in IP, last 4 years: Oh, not good enough to appear on the Baseball Reference data sheet! For the record, AJ has pitched over 200 innings 3 times in his career--3 times at an age already 2 years older than MB. Buehrle is going to make a lot of money based on these stats.

Buehrle is going to command at least 15 million a year in the 5-7 year range if he does hit the open market in the 2007 offseason. A left-handed SP who is an almost lock for 200+ IP and a 120 ERA+ --teams will be all over that. If he goes for the money, I don't think the Sox will be able to bring him back--nor should they if he gets offered a deal over 5 years and decides to take it. The smart thing to do would be to throw 70 million over 5 years at Mark this offseason, and see if he takes it. If he doesn't well then the Sox pick up his option and wish him the best in his future endeavors.

Well said Southsider.

I think your sig says it all Hammerhead: Frank is the greatest "clean" hitter of his generation. Trying to denigrate him with meaningless stats in the face of his OPS numbers from his prime is asinine.

Lol, I only have 400 some posts and I found myself saying that on the Frank/Thome thread... No way I get caught up in the "Frank only hits solo shots because he's not a winner" argument again...but then I sunk into it. I probably have to agree with you Kalapse--at least in this moment this early morning. Japan has a hell of a league probably the "AAAA" that some have called it. Their players shouldn't be eligible.

Yea, because when Frank hit his HR it tied it up 1-1. I suppose you think Frank should be blamed for the horrible A's pitching in this game as well? Yea, I'm sure Frank was sitting in the dugout thinking, "man, I hope nobody is on base when I get up, because then I'll try harder because I hate playing for the team." Give me a break man. I suppose that Barry Bonds is also crap (aside from every other reason to hate him and say he's crap) because in his 73 HR season the Giants didn't make the playoffs? Get real. Somehow I have a feeling that Frank could go 4-4 with 4 solo shots, and everyone else could strikeout every time--and you'd say he's selfish and "only hits HR's when it doesn't count". GMAFB

I'll say it again: No way. I'll make a bet that we don't win 98, if you're game.

Exactly. One thing sabemetricians do better than projection is explaining how runs are scored. I think baserunners, baserunners, baserunners, XBH's sums it up pretty well. Play for 1 run and you'll get 1 run.

Hey, I here that point Kalapse. It's funny that Japanese players would be "penalized" for their league being so good. I go back and forth on the issue myself. On my way downstairs for another beer I thought how wonderful it is that baseball is a hit in Japan--really shows that baseball is a classic game that can be popular in a variety of cultures.

The Chicago White Sox hit the 4th most HR's in MLB in 2005. Hurray small ball!

Well this being a discussion board and all I thought we'd talk about it.

Frank hit another HR tonight! Congrats to the Big Hurt in his quest for 500. Moments ago, he lined out to the SS--looks like the Frank we came to love at the plate is in full effect. Too bad health had to drive him away from the Sox's plans this year. Still, I wish him the best, and commend KW for making the tough decision to let the franchise's all-time player walk away in the best interests of the team.

What about that catcher from Japan the Mariners got: Jinjo or something. He's started off very hot. This opens up a whole new argument about Japanese (or other foreign players) eligibility. I say let 'em have it: rookie is rookie.

Yea, I don't understand Lee making the list as high as he did. He had one great season where he managed to raise his average over 59 points higher than his career average. Let me repeat that: 59 points! He is never going to repeat 2005--never. He'll likely be the same 120 OPS+ hitter he's always been. Maybe it's his defense at 1B? Although 1B defense isn't that important. I don't know, just trying to rationalize the unreasonable..

Silver is a Tiggers fan? Your guess is as good as mine. Kong shouldn't have made the list--although he's critical on the Sox, he's nearing the end of his career, and although a good hitter, isn't "great' for a 1B making what he's now making.

Right, kinda like a "top 50 players by value over the rest of their career". One thing I think they overlook is Buehrle's sparkling healthy and inning eating ability. His ability to pitch 200+ innings of above average LHP year after year without a hint of arm trouble makes him quite unique--and valuable.

How about a "diminished skills" clause?