Balta1701

QUOTE(greg775 @ Aug 2, 2007 -> 08:12 PM) I'm surprised we didn't deal Thome at the deadline. He's the once productive guy who is at the age where that back is not going to get any better. I like him, but he gets hurt and he's aging. I can't believe we didn't deal him just because of age and health concerns. He also has a full no trade clause, which he would have to waive in order to be dealt. And when he was traded last time, he said he would only waive that clause to go to Cleveland or Chicago from Philly. For all we know, KW may well have inquired as to whether or not he's waive that clause for a shot with a contender this year.

Yahoo link

QUOTE(WCSox @ Aug 2, 2007 -> 03:29 PM) Oh, no doubt about that. I'm basing my comments off of what I hear about BA through a friend of my sister's (who knew BA at the U of A). If this year of struggling and injuries isn't enough to humble that kid, then nothing will.

QUOTE(kwolf68 @ Aug 2, 2007 -> 03:07 PM) Thing is, we never DL'd him did we? I think Mac, Jenks, Logan, and Thornton are a decent foursome in the pen. I haven't seen enough of Wasserman or even Day to make an assessment, and Aardsma still has potential. I do want to add another RP in the off-season, but don't believe we need to go but so crazy with trades to fix that position (I'd rather see another OF and SS brought in) He was on the 15 day DL with Right Shoulder innflamation

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Aug 2, 2007 -> 02:59 PM) Balta, no... no no no no... We have more $$ in the treasury then ever before. It's just that the politicians in Washington want to spend it on everything besides what we really need it for. Like invading Iraq. (sorry, wrong thread, I know)

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Aug 2, 2007 -> 02:55 PM) I say a lot of hyperbolic things on purpose around here, because most of what's spouted by my so-called counter opinions are pretty hyperbolic as well, only most of those folks don't see it that way. In this case, it makes me SICK when people politicize something like this. What the hell is wrong with you people (you people being the politicians)? It's a problem, it was before 6:00 last night, and now it's a bigger problem. Stop blaming people, fix it, and let's move on. The big problem is that fixing it, especially fixing things like this before they become disasters, often involves spending money, and a lot of money at that. And lately, the "No new taxes" message has gone over a lot more effectively than the "We need to raise taxes before our country falls apart" message.

Nobody ever listens to me...

QUOTE(Hideaway Lights @ Aug 2, 2007 -> 01:32 PM) I really think you're stretching, iamshack. I still think Gavin Floyd has a shot to be the statistical worst pitcher in MLB history. How many more starts do you give him, if he continues to pitch at a 10.00 ERA this season? Say each start from here until september he gives up 6 ER in 5 IP...you just let him keep pitching and pitching? Where do you draw the line? He gets maybe 5 of them that are that bad, and if he shows no progress, someone else gets a chance around september callup time (no reason to waste a year of arb eligibility from Gio or something like that)

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Aug 2, 2007 -> 01:27 PM) Contreras has been replaced by Gavin Floyd for at least one turn in the rotation, but made it clear that he won't stay a reliever for long. "Maybe for the remainder of the year I'll be in the bullpen, but I fully expect to start next year," Contreras said. "If they don't want me as a starter next year, I want to be out of here." Look Contreras and the fans are on the same page. I'd love him as a starter too...but he better damn well earn it.

The Senate voted 83-14 to send that bill to the President. And yes, Sen. Stevens voted against it.

In 2005, the same year that bridge was given that rating by the DOT, Minnesota's governor vetoed a $.10 a gallon gas tax increase that would have provided about $700 million a year for infrastructure improvements to Minnesota's road system. Doubtful that this would have made a difference on this particular collapse given that only 2 years had gone by, but I'd say that it's something to think about, since there are estimates that say something like $1.5 trillion or more in infrastructure spending is overdue in this country.

Link. Doesn't that make you feel so much better?

An average day in Iraq...

QUOTE(fathom @ Aug 2, 2007 -> 12:01 PM) Thome hurt again? I'm really surprised we didn't see what type of market was out there for him, and if he'd be willing to waive his NTC How do you know we didn't ask?

QUOTE(fathom @ Aug 2, 2007 -> 09:13 AM) This is a great Yankees team that is finally starting to gel. There is no way this Yankee team should be described as "Great". They may be a decent team loaded with a bunch of high priced talent, but they're not a great team in my book.l

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Aug 2, 2007 -> 09:13 AM) I for one think that Floyd deserves a shot - give him August. But I also think that Haeger might be good if given a chance. Both are maybes. But I agree that if you think one is deserving of a look, the other should be as well. I'd still give Floyd most of September too, for the simple reason that I'm pretty sure Charlie has minor league options remaining, so he should be able to stay with the team and get another shot next year as well.

QUOTE(WhiteSoxfan1986 @ Aug 1, 2007 -> 11:29 PM) The Mariners have only scored one more run than they have allowed all year, are 7th in the AL in runs scored and 11th in ERA, yet they are a 1/2 game out of the wild card. A lot of their run differential was lost in a few early season blowups by Weaver and one other pitcher.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Aug 2, 2007 -> 07:12 AM) I don't think that any single player should ever be 50% of the payroll, let alone with an 8 year contract. That's like putting your retirement into one stock. Sure, it might be a great stock, but the risk in doing that is enormous. Like, devastating the organization for a decade type enormous. We'd all love to see him here, but no player is worth that relative price (relative to payroll - if you are the Yankees with a $250M payroll, maybe it makes sense). Again, I think the Twins are insane not to trade him this offseason. I mean, with him only there for 1 more year, how can they not go to one of the big spending teams and say "Give me your 2/3 best guys and I"ll give you the best pitcher in baseball"? I mean, go to the Dodgers and ask for Kershaw and Kemp, and you get a potential #1 starter and fill the void left by Torii. Or ask for Cano, Hughes, and Chamberlain or something like that from NYY. Or a 3-some from the Mets. Etc. They'd basically be on paper setting themselves up for the next 6 years.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Aug 1, 2007 -> 08:44 PM) He also actually was halfway decent in the majors in 2004, but has gone backwards ever since. He's a bust. He would be in Charlotte right now if he were acquired for Lance Broadway, and not 1 person on this board would be saying give him the ball every 5th day for the rest of the season. After the string he put up in Charlotte back in June/July, yes a couple of us would.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Aug 1, 2007 -> 08:41 PM) Since Floyd has 125 innings under his belt, why don't we give Haeger the same opportunity? Why tax the other pitchers. Let them rotate some time off and save themselves for next year. Don't we have to see what we have in him too? While were at it, lets bring up the entire Knights pitching staff. Haeger I believe at least has options left. In other words, if Floyd bombs this year, Charlie comes out next ST as next in line since Floyd walks, and Charlie can spend part of the year in AAA until Garland walks if needbe. We're not in the hurry on Charlie that we are on Floyd.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Aug 1, 2007 -> 08:33 PM) I really don't think anyone is...... Floyd has been terrible. This team has been terrible. They have 0 shot for the playoffs. Floyd is the best/most realistic option to see if he has what it takes to stay with this club. Jose has been horrible. I really don't see why this is so hard to comprehend, I really dont think there are any "Floyd enthusiasts" saying that Floyd should have unlimited chances. But because of the struggles this team has had, especailly Conteras, this is an oppurtunity to see what Floyd can bring to the Sox. I'm probably still as high on Floyd here as anyone, and even I'll say he gets like 5-8 starts at most. If he gets shelled for 5+ every time out, then that's the best he's going to do here,, and we let him walk next year after ST. If he doesn't put together a couple of good starts between now and the end of the season, with at least some reason for hope, then he walks at the end of ST next year. I'd consider giving him an even shorter leash than that, but we may as well see if he can learn anything before he walks since he's out of options. If not, then it's no big loss for this season.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Aug 1, 2007 -> 07:49 PM) The authorities are also saying they don't think it was terrorism, if anyone was wondering. They also made it sounds like they expect more fatalities to be discovered as the night goes on. I read earlier that the bridge was also under construction at the time, with work done last night and more slated to be done tonight.

QUOTE(Brian @ Aug 1, 2007 -> 07:33 PM) Help! I was talking to my uncle down in Southern Illinois and he asked me about the Bears. I told him they should be top 3 in the NFC, possible best in the NFC and he went off on me saying that the Bears didn't get better after the Super Bowl. I brought up Darwin Walker and the drafting of Greg Olsen and he never heard of them. He thinks Stephen Jackson will be the MVP this year. The Rams fans down here are drooling over Orlando Pace losing a bunch of weight and Bulger being re-signed. Ah, the NFL preseason...where every team other than Arizona feels like they have a shot. The Rams seem to me like they'll be an ok team this year, but they've been an ok team the last few years. They have everything still there on offense...Bulger, Jackson, their WR corps, Pace (who's still a 32 year old O Lineman no matter how much weight he's lost). Offense isn't the problem though; it's defense. Jackson can't be the MVP if he can't get back onto the Field. The Rams were 23rd overall in defense last year. 28th in points given up per game. 31st in rushing yards given up per game (only team worse than them was the Colts). Tell me where they're going to get the big improvement they need to see on defense this year, and I might buy into them as a playoff team. Anything can happen of course, but San Fran and Seattle both should be fielding some strong teams in that same division, and the Rams have a lot farther to go to reach the Super Bowl than the Bears do.

QUOTE(Heads22 @ Aug 1, 2007 -> 07:40 PM) I could see Count placed on the DL, but I have no idea who would come up then. I think it's Dubee's turn.

QUOTE(Gregory Pratt @ Aug 1, 2007 -> 07:18 PM) What happened with Haeger? Gameday says Posada homered, then Cano was hit by the 2nd pitch and ejected.