chitownsportsfan

Ok, so if Garland is pitching like crap through July, how exactly is a trade going to work? Garland for a bag of balls and a fungo bat? We better hope JR is feeling generous, because paying some of his salary seems like the only way.

LOL, what a play by the Tiger's Pitcher.

It's too early to say that Garland is in trouble. It seemed like today the story was bloop single followed by a HR/2B. Oh well, I'm just mad the Sox signed him to that big contract following but might be a "fluke" season.

Ok, Rock, I don't usually post without first looking up the stats. You should know this by now. Furthermore, I'm willing to admit when I made a mistake. However, this is not one of those times. Lets look at the stats: Papelbon: Year Level IP SO 2003 A 32.2 36 2004 A 129.2 153 2005 AA 83 83 2005 BO 34 43 BMAC Year Level IP K 2003 RK 101 125 2004 A- 94 113 2004 A+ 52 60 2004 AA 26 29 2005 AAA 119.3 130 2005 Sox 67 48 So Brandon posted slightly better K/9 numbers than Papelbon in the minors (against somewhat inferior competition until AAA), and in a very small sample size for both pitchers, Papelbon posted a fairly better K/9 in the majors. So far, that trend has continues this season. In an even more rediculous sample size, BMAC has struck out 4 in 6 IP. Papelbon has struck out 5 in 5 IP. Pabelpon's heater is 2-3 MPH faster than Brandon's when both are on their game, and he relies on it more than Brandon to get hitters out swinging. I don't think this is a case of "I don't know what I'm talking about". I think it's a case that you're reading my conclusion totally wrong--it WAS NOT that BMAC is not a strikeout pitcher. It was a relative conclusion: relative to Papelbon, BMAC relies more on finesse to get hitters out.

Yea, I kinda like it like that though. Although it relies on a certain amount of confidence that someone within the organization can get it done, it also doesn't overpay for relief pitching, which is notoriously unpredictable. Look at Foulke this year, he's pretty much lost the job to Papelbon--so he's a 7.5 million dollar setup man.

More finesee doesn't necassarily equal he's not a strikout pitcher. I meant that he's not as reliant on the K as Papelbon, which I should have made more clear. I agree though that BMAC certainly has the ability to strike guys out. I was thinking about that 2004 stat when I wrote the post--I should have mentioned that so far he's been hitting basts more often in the majors--which is expected with a move up the ladder. Here's a question: Verlander or BMAC? I don't think there is a wrong answer at this point.

Yea, the ironic thing is that BMAC is 2/1/2 years younger than Papelbon, posted better numbers in everything except ERA and K/9 last year (WHIP, BB/9 K/BB) and yet gets drastically less hype. Somehow Papelbon managed an ERA+ of 166 with a WHIP of 1.471. Granted he's a strikeout pitcher )which makes his WHIP less important) whereas BMAC is more finesee, however it's a mistake to think Papelbon is better than BMAC solely on K/9. When Papelbon was 23 (like BMAC will be on June 7) he was in A ball! Let me repeat: McCarthy enters this season only 22. That is pretty damn remarkable.

I thought I'd point out this amazing early season line from Thome: 32 PA: .333/.515/1.000/1.515 Dizamn! Those are little leaguer numbers.

I worked in radio too for a couple of years--very fun work if you can get it. Doesn't pay much, but very laid back. That said, I agree that Singleton will never be good. He doesn't have anything going for him in the voice department--even through miles of digital processors, he still sounds like a 13 year old boy waiting for puberty. His "insight" into the game isn't anything special either. Farmer really doesn't bother me. I agree he's a big sourpuss who probably thinks too highly of himself, however, I find his dour tone rather amusing most days. That said, he really struggles as the play by play guy. JOHN ROONEY WHERE ART THOU? The Score is a joke for not paying whatever he wanted. Remember that great USA Today article in which Rooney and Farmer were ranked the best in the AL? I wouldn't be surprised if they do the same article again and Singleton and Farmer are dead last.

Alright, I'm going to the bar to watch the game and get drunk in the afternoon. Sounds good to me. Go sox!

Pods sucks when not 100% healthy. He should have been on the DL to start the season. Furthermore, Gload should be taking his spot in LF. Furthermore, I'd rather have Borchard out there than anyone currently on the roster.

Nobody thinks Frank Thomas isn't a HOF'er, except those that disagree... wtf guys, logic 101 much?

hahahahahha--Neifi Perez does something--anything--better than someone else--that is good stuff.

Sometimes I like to read the forum before posting news that happened yesterday.

I've dealt with an injury like this before, and it is something that can go from minor nuisance to big problem without proper rest and treatment. That said, with the world-class staff of the Sox, I don't think they will let that happen. Baseball players are prone to this sort of injury because of all the sudden bursts following inacivity. I think Dye just needs to get some more fluids in his body and make sure he's properly warmed up--maybe taking a few more minutes to stretch his lower body than usual.

LOL. Obviously I have Washburn on the mind.

Ozzie is officially on my s*** list now (He'll be on and off all season). He's started the year off on the wrong foot by a) not putting his foot in his mouth and B) making irrational decisions about the lineup and bullpen. I won't rehash them--I think we all know what I'm referring to--but the Oz needs to realize spring training doesn't mean squat, and that those stats should be thrown out the window when he's making decisions. He sat Gooch because he was 2-16 against Washburn? Come on.

For a bag of balls? LOL, you got my award for illogical post of the day.

That's just KW playing "bad cop" for the cameras. I still think he holds a grudge against Beane, and now says things like this just to spite Beane through the media. He knows what VORP is, he implies that he measures sabermetricians opinions on his staff very importantly, and VORP (or something similiar) is surely one of their metrics.

Going off of that, why did we just sign Contreras and JonG to long-term deals when their is no way in the world BMAC should not be pencilled into the rotation (I think this year) but next year at the freaking latest? BMAC is essentially untouchable in my mind. He still has plenty of time before arbitration, and he's ready to be an above average starter in MLB now. Imagine if he can fill out his frame a little and get that fastball up into the mid 90's--he's going to be a beast. His control was looking dominant at times last year, times during spring training, and now in his first outing in 2006. It's hard to be objective when dealing with a player like Brandon, but I think I'm being fairly reasonable in predicting ERA+ from him in the 125 range + 200 innnings next season. I just looked up his PECOTA, and they don't seem to liek him that much. Oh well.

Yep. Politte made some kind of crazy deal with the devil last year. Like I said earlier, he's a career of mediocrity that struck gold last year, I see him buried at the back end of the bullpen by midseason, but I won't matter that much.

Politte is going to struggle this year, and will be relegated to the back of the bullpen by mid-season. Despite this, this Sox won't miss him much with super long guy BMAC, super short guy Cotts, and a hopefully super closer Jenks in addition to their stable of starters.

Ah yes, the anonymous "out of town" scout sees BA one game and makes a proclamation. I agree with you though that BA is a good bet for alot of strikeouts, however, he's also a good bad to improve on Arow's terrible OPS. A 250/310/440 season is what I'm thinking for BA--and that will be a good upgrade from Arow of 2005 at the plate.

Good job BMAC--now start pouring!

THOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11