Balta1701

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Aug 7, 2008 -> 03:39 PM) Longoria- G-103 AB-378 R-56 H-105 2B-27 3B-2 HR-22 RBI-71 TB-202 BB-43 SO-100 SB-7 CS-0 OBP-.350 SLG-.534 AVG-.278 OPS-.885 Ramirez- G-87 AB-299 R-41 H-93 2B-18 3B-1 HR-10 RBI-42 TB-143 BB-9 SO-41 SB-8 CS-5 OBP-.330 SLG-.478 AVG-.311 OPS-.808 Both teams in first place (Rays more of a special story) Longoria has more games/ab's etc.. in his book plus the hype. Honestly, I'd be more surprised if Longoria doesn't win it than Lexi winning it. What's almost scary is that if you lop off Alexei's first month, take out everything before May 18, he might actually have a shot. Once he bottomed out...he's hitting .337 with an .874 OPS. If it hadn't been for that first month, right now he'd be winning the AL Batting average crown. He doesn't have the at bats to qualify yet (getting there) but he even still has a shot at it, Bradley is leading at .320. That's the sort of thing that could get him a lot of attention for the award.

QUOTE (daa84 @ Aug 7, 2008 -> 02:23 PM) i doubt he does well...though the jets play a joke of a schedule this year.... they get the incredibly horrible NFC West, the bad AFC West, their division which is poor outside NE, then Cincy and tenn as wild cards... 2 against NE, one @ SD are tough, but outside of that everything is winnable for them IMO A lot of us have been hoping Buffalo might legitimately be able to make a run this year. Still a young team, but they've filled in a lot of holes spent wisely, have a potential star in Lynch already getting involved in hit & run accidents, and they've brought in a new OC who's supposedly trying to tailor his system to Trent Edwards a lot better. Of course, part of that involved hoping for wins against the Dolphins and the Jets...

QUOTE (knightni @ Aug 7, 2008 -> 03:06 PM) BearSox's Broken Bones Hospital Bills Fund. As soon as he establishes a tax ID number so that our contributions can be deducted...

QUOTE (BearSox @ Aug 7, 2008 -> 03:32 PM) 2. If people want to see a man make a jackass of himself, the event will be available for free. I promise to collect voluntary donations and give the money to a worthy charity.

QUOTE (Gregory Pratt @ Aug 7, 2008 -> 01:36 PM) Sure, he's fair enough but he's unique in that he's always struck out a ton but walked a ton and generally hit for much higher averages than most people who strike-out as much as he does. That's two, then, with Killebrew, who have had HOF careers. After you posted I added Reggie Jackson. That's one you've got to give me. nearly 600 more k's in his career than Thome to this point. Here's the k record holder list.

QUOTE (Gregory Pratt @ Aug 7, 2008 -> 02:31 PM) Like who? I don't ask that to be snarky, but I can't think of anyone who is like Fields or, say, Ryan Howard, who was a low-average high-strikeout hitter who hit bombs and that's about it and made the Hall of Fame aside from Harmon Killebrew. This is just offhand, though. I think Adam Dunn is on his way, but he's got a long way to go before he can be considered seriously. Howard is "on his way" in terms of numbers, but I don't think he'll have the peak or the longevity to wind up being seriously considered. I guess that's not the point, though -- I wonder what other HOFers profile as high-strikeout low-average bombers and made the Hall. Does Thome count? Reggie Jackson is by far #1 on the career strikeout list. Sammy Sosa is #2 until Jim passes him, although Sosa might not make the HOF for, let's say, other reasons.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Aug 7, 2008 -> 01:15 PM) I don't see how he was mishandled. The Sox kept Crede, Fields isn't getting killed by spending one extra year in the minors. Imo, The only thing that hurt him was injuries and the holes in his swing. I'll agree on this one. He put up decent numbers as a rookie last year, but it's hard to see how he'd have been in a better position if he'd known he was the starter in the big leagues from day 1.

QUOTE (Texsox @ Aug 7, 2008 -> 12:46 PM) If you do not care about past accomplishments, then what criteria would you use to predict which QB is going to offer you the best chance of winning this season? A combination of recent performance and age/health evaluations. By past accomplishments, if you're talking about simply the fact that he was a pro-bowl QB last year, that's fine. If by past accomplishments you mean the MVP's he won so many years ago, the Super Bowls in the late 90's, the records he's set, I really don't care if I'm in the GM chair. The way I look at it...I just picked up a draft pick for a QB who was pro-bowl last year but struggled the couple years before that, who's 39 years old, and who has a big cap number. Altogether I think that's a reasonable move, and it's only because of the Brett Favre mystique that we're having this discussion. If he'd come in to the league at age 35 and put up that good of a season last year, you'd still be totally open to moving him for a 2nd rounder because damnit he's 39.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Aug 7, 2008 -> 12:41 PM) Different philosophies. That's reasonable. But if you want to put yourself in the GM's chair, that's how you have to think about it. You have to think about it as if it's just any other player, you can't let the name be the deciding factor in making that decision. You have to judge what gives you the best chance to win a super bowl, both this year and long term, and weigh as many things as you can.

QUOTE (Texsox @ Aug 7, 2008 -> 01:37 PM) Fixed I don't care jack squat about the "Accomplishments". This is the NFL. If I'm in the GM's chair, my job is to try to set my team up to win a super bowl as well as I can. If I get hung up on what a player has done for me before, then I'm going to wind up overpaying for vets who are on their inevitable decline and watching my team waste away to mediocrity. If you want to make an argument about why they shouldn't have traded Favre, you have to contend that he's a huge upgrade from Aaron Rodgers, big enough to justify losing $12 million in cap room and a 3rd or 2nd round pick. If ARog comes out and plays like Grossman and Henne falls apart also while Favre spends the next 2-3 years playing like he did last year, and the Packers can't find another option using that $12 million in cap space and extra pick, then you've probably done it.

Just from a football perspective...try to put yourself in that GM's shoes. You've got a player who's 39 years old at a key position. You keep thinking he's going to retire but he doesn't. He has a $12 million cap number this year. Over the past 3 years you've spent a first and a second rounder piling up players to try to replace that guy. He's starting to become a locker room problem that's hurting your team. He has a concussion history. Although he's been healthy most of his career, he has an absolute ton of miles and hits on his body. Out of that, you're able to pull off at minimum a 4th round pick, with really good odds of it being a 3rd rounder and a reasonable shot at it being a second rounder. Even if I allow you that the guy was a pro-bowler last year and had one of the best seasons of his career, and I allow you that the position we're talking about is the QB position, I'd still say that a large majority of GM's in the league would make that deal, to move a guy with a big cap number who's backed up by 2 recent draft picks for a first day pick in the next year. We've seen teams part ways with pro-bowl players, and pro-bowl QB's for a lot less, and most of those are even younger than this one. The only reason this becomes questionable is when you attach the name Favre and all the emotional ties that go with it.

QUOTE (IowaSoxFan @ Aug 7, 2008 -> 10:46 AM) If he maintains his "B" level status you have to offer him arbitration. If he walks you get a comp pick, if not you get a backup MI who is one of the best defenders in baseball. There is no lose in that equation. The reason I ask that is...if you're offering him arbitration, you're basically guaranteeing him a $4 million salary next year if he chooses to accept. If he was still a type B Free Agent I'm pretty sure I would also, but the reason to ask that question is it sets the floor of the amount of money you'd be paying him next year.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Aug 7, 2008 -> 11:07 AM) Do you really think Anderson could come close to having 30 stolen bases or hitting more than 20 homers in a full season? While the second one is more plausible than the first, Anderson has become something like Rowand (although Rowand at least put up some pretty legit numbers)...given the job once, then sort of banished and now he has to earn it back, and I'm just not sure how that is even possible without moving Konerko or Swisher. Anderson has 7 home runs in 143 at bats already this season. That's a 25 home run pace on a 500 at bat season. The stolen bases certainly aren't there, but it's easy to see Anderson still putting up 25+ dingers, he just has to keep up his current pace.

QUOTE (Texsox @ Aug 7, 2008 -> 10:04 AM) The Packers suddenly had a HoF caliber QB who intimately knows the organization available to them. Does not matter how or why. The guy is there and available. At that point the Packers also had an opportunity to make a new decision. They stuck with their earlier decision. They chose the path and may regret it. It certainly was a big PR gamble. From the coverage I saw, I think the Packer front office made decisions based on playing "who's dick is bigger" not on what was best on the field. Bottom line Favre is in NY because of the Packers. They controlled where he played this season. But...Favre is also in NY because he was unable to adapt and make a decision based on anyone else's schedule but his own.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Aug 7, 2008 -> 09:36 AM) Not exactly, there have been some whispers out of Packer land that Brett Farve and Ted Thompson have had a rocky relationship stemming from personal problems between the two. My opinion is the entire reason Brett Farve retired was he did not feel that the Packer management really wanted him back and he was just after last season where he lost in the NFC championship game. Instead of the Packers just telling Brett, "Hey take as much time as you need, youve been our entire franchise we can wait on you", they started to push him for a decision. When backed into the corner of "committing" or "retiring" he decided to say screw it and retired. Flash forward a few weeks/months and Farve actually having some time off to rest and get over the loss of the NFC Championship game now wants to play again. Instead of the Packers taking back the man who has defined their franchise, they basically tell him: "Oh you were gone a few months, we moved on." That is where the Green Bay Packers jumped the proverbial shark. Can you imagine before Jordan went to the Wizards him asking to be back on the Bulls, and the Bulls telling him they moved on? That he no longer is part of their plans? The Packers organization put themselves in this position when they decided that they cared more about putting "their guys" on the field than putting the best product on the field. I have not heard one person associated with Green Bay say that this was because Rodgers was better. Its as if they were punishing Farve for being unsure how much longer he could play at 38 years old. I guess after all the games Farve played for them, youd think that theyd have a little more loyalty to the guy. The problem with your logic there is that the Packers face an artificial deadline imposed on them by the NFL...the Draft. The longer the Packers wait in Free Agency, the weaker their chances are because they're not sure if they have to build around Favre or if they have his cap space available, so every day he waits to decide on his annual do I retire or not dance it hurts their ability to sign people, but that's a tolerable sacrifice. But when the draft hits, the Packers needed to know. Do they need to draft another high round QB to be their #2 guy, or do they draft for another year trying to build around Favre and his strengths for one more year. They may have pushed him towards the retirement side in some way or another that is inappropriate in hindsight, but every day Free Agency rolled along without Favre making a decision hurt the Packers...and their absolute deadline was the draft. You can't build a team if you don't know whether to spend your #2 pick on a QB or on someone else.

"While campaigning in Illinois, John McCain throws out the ceremonial first pitch to White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle."

"Through faith and belief in Carlos, all things are possible."

Here's your real question. Do you offer him salary arbitration?

Gavin and God. Gavin had a decent month, others had slightly better numbers, but no one came up bigger than him in keeping us from getting swept by the Twinkies. Dye and Thome had slightly better numbers than God, but frankly I thought he was the most "clutch" if there is such a thing. Led the team in HR, RBI, and runs scored for the month.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Aug 6, 2008 -> 06:59 PM) The Angels remain the best possibility, if Texeira leaves. I think the Angels learned from their experience this year in not trading for Konerko. They're still holding Kendry Morales as a fairly young 1b and if Tex walks I imagine they'll give him a shot first.

QUOTE (Heads22 @ Aug 6, 2008 -> 06:39 PM) You'd typically like a leadoff guy to walk more than 20 times a year. If he could keep up the .338 batting average he's had since May 8, then the OBP would take care of itself. 20-30 walks would still put him at a solid .360 or .370 clip. But no matter how sexy he is, it's just hard to believe that batting average is sustainable. The other issue is he doesn't take a lot of pitches, but that's another matter. My word, since May 8 when he bottomed out he has an .880 OPS.

I wore a Sox jersey to a department function out here once, a lady approached me and asked about it, turns out she was good friends with Kelley. Right around the time he had that brief stint with the dodgers. Closest thing I have to a real connection to anyone.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Aug 6, 2008 -> 06:38 PM) Today yes but in general he has too many ABs like that that cause him to last only 6. That and the fact that he's 23 years old and they're intelligently trying to limit his innings and pitch counts this season so they don't murder his arm and ruin his career.

God is really pushing his batting average up there these last couple days.

49 pitches for Danks through 4. Huge.