Balta1701

QUOTE (WCSox @ Aug 13, 2009 -> 09:42 AM) I'm not following you. If you have two people on your roster capable of playing C at a high level, I don't see a need for a 3rd. Given that backup catchers typically don't hit any better than utility players, I don't see a problem with somebody like Nix DHing every once in a while if, say, Flowers catches and A.J. needs a day off. It's not like Castro is a better bat than Nix. Did the Tigers carry a 3rd catcher on their roster when they had both Pudge and Inge? Agreed that the OF needs to be thinned out, and I'm assuming that happens this winter. At the very least, Pods is likely gone. Here's the problem. Flowers DH's for a day. AJ starts at Catcher. Game gets the 5th inning and AJ takes a ball to the groin. Once we all stop laughing because AJ can't move, we realize...AJ can't move, and our other catcher is DHing for the day. Gavin Floyd then has to take at bats as our DH.

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QUOTE (WCSox @ Aug 13, 2009 -> 09:23 AM) That's true, and I would have no problem with Flowers DHing for a while. A.J. should definitely still be our starting catcher next year but my thought process is that if you already have Flowers and he's competent at C, moving A.J. to a position that's less taxing on his knees may be better in the long run (if he's re-signed past next season). And, of course, the feasibility of even keeping A.J. around depends on a lot of other things. Of course...if we don't clear out the logjams in the Outfield and possibly in the infield, using our C as a DH is quite difficult. And using our C at DH without having a 3rd catcher is virtually impossible, with good reason.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Aug 13, 2009 -> 09:06 AM) I totally agree that looking forward this team can become something special. I just dont think that the present should be ignored No disagreement here. Just not we can do about it. We're a better team on paper than how we've played, but that's just frustrating to think about right now. Let's get Peavy back and see what we can do with our other new toys, let's get Beckham and Dye out of their current slumps, and see if we can't make up that ground. We really ought to be able to.

While others have focused on the "2009 is a wash" part...take note of the other thing. 2010...this team could be really, really good.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Aug 13, 2009 -> 09:02 AM) Did you miss the bolded? No such thing as a can't-miss prospect (despite what some think), but given his track record and the scouting reports I have seen, its reasonable to think he has a very good chance of being a better hitter than AJ in the long run. I saw it. Just trying to keep myself and everyone else from overselling the kid.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Aug 13, 2009 -> 08:54 AM) Flowers' bat is a huge upgrade over AJ, most likely. He raked in AA, putting up a ridiculous .302/.445/.548/.993 line. And now after 18 games in AAA, he seems to be figuring that out too - he's hitting .351 in his last 10 games, and has a .294/.333/.441/.775 line there so far in 68 AB. His High A line last year included a .921 OPS. The guy can rake. Until I see him do that in the big leagues I'm not going to say "Is" a huge upgrade over AJ. He certainly could be. He puts up anything in the big leagues like what he's done in the minors this year and he can have a Mike Piazza like career.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Aug 13, 2009 -> 08:15 AM) The argument is that they have to charge that much to make up for underpaying Medicare coverage. No, the argument is that individuals have absolutely no bargaining power. The smaller your group is, the harder it is for you to have any bargaining power.

QUOTE (DukeNukeEm @ Aug 12, 2009 -> 11:16 PM) Umm... last I checked Wal-Mart is not a federally subsidized company. If anything what you posted goes to prove that our "choice" of healthcare providers is nothing but a mirage. We dont have a free market healthcare system, it's pretty much identical to a government system except that it runs for profit (which keeps a lot of people from affording it). Walmart receives enormous federal, state, and local subsidies. A report in 2004 estimated that the government programs that Walmart employees are eligible for because they are so low income can cost the government about $2.5 billion per year. Low income housing assistance, health care/medicaid costs, food stamps, low-income energy assistance programs, etc. Furthermore, other data suggests that Wal-mart requests and receives very large subsidies from governments when they move in to areas; tax credits, assistance with street construction, etc. Walmart also directly benefits from the "Strong dollar" policy and the current trade imbalance with China.

QUOTE (DBAHO @ Aug 13, 2009 -> 07:51 AM) Not the signs you want out of a rookie; I'm sure Vinny Del Negro will get through to him.

Breathes out.

Come on 56

Sigh

Holy crap you're kidding.

Come on 15...

QUOTE (fathom @ Aug 12, 2009 -> 08:35 PM) Great AB by Kotsay. Now is a time where a bunt is appropriate. LOL, Nix swinging away, and gets a hit.

IF we don't get this runner in then we ought to just give up.

QUOTE (jphat007 @ Aug 12, 2009 -> 08:15 PM) Because we are 0-4 with RISP and suck at it in general. All you have to do is it a ball to mid to deep in the outfield away from Ichiro. He didn't strike out. That's good I guess. With Jim Thome on deck though?

QUOTE (bmags @ Aug 12, 2009 -> 07:52 PM) I bet we win by utilizing the hidden ball trick. The hidden ball trick, aka Felix Hernandez's slider?

QUOTE (Princess Dye @ Aug 12, 2009 -> 07:39 PM) and...maybe he's not a 2 man that is really taking the bat out of our best hitter's hands. If we put him in the 3 spot, Ozzie won't make him bunt will he?

ARGH! NO BUNTING!

Come on Becksy

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Aug 12, 2009 -> 07:36 PM) Do teams still not realize Buehrle has one of the best pickoff moves in the game? Nope. And it's not like he was running either. It's hypnosis.