IlliniKrush

He could be the missing piece of the puzzle to a contending team that is right there and needs some power (read not chicago white sox)

Well, that's something you need to decide. My point is that you just don't "lose the first inning". You lose a lot of at bats. Otherwise, you'd have your leadoff hitters batting 9th all over the league. There's a reason they don't. And, i think the first inning is one of the better innings to score runs in. I'd rather take my chances getting Willie on and running around and getting on the board in the first than having his other 3 at bats produce something.

Welcome aboard. It's not when the offense comes around, it's if, IMO. However, i think we can win with an average offense as long as we have some timely hitting

Well i hope he takes credit when Valentine is a power arm for the A's staff...

Your 9 hitter will get less plate apperances than anyone on the team, your 1 hitter will get the most. It's not just the first inning you lose, it's about 144 plate appearances by harris

The same jogging he did on the grounder to short saturday? He still hasn't reached first base...though he's almost there.. When he hit that ball, i exclaimed "run that out" in a joking manner and my dad was laughing his ass off

Nah, Wood shouldn't be on there. He's a damn good pitcher right now who is finally back from tommy john surgery. He might be overhyped here....but i wouldn't say that's consistent of the rest of the country And how soriano is on that list...well, i guess just to include another Yankee? He certainly isn't overrated, he's doing amazing things and he's been in the league for 3 years!

Where aren't there cubs fans? It's a joke...they are the lovable losers and have a following everywhere they go. They are just like the Yankees, Cowboys, Redwings, Lakers et al...oh except for one thing: They don't win

I'd like to have Ponson...but for what cost? And is Colon moved in accordance with a Ponson acquisition. What's Ponson's current contract situation?

I take offense to the 2nd comment Illinois students are smarter than ISU students, and their football team is far superior to the powder puff team they throw together at ISU

Nose picker?! I'm offended

My biggest worry about a playoff performance is Manuel's ability to manage....2000 vs Piniella was ugly

I agree with soxfan1 who agrees with clu, which would make me agree with myself. But anyway, Graff should get more PT. I think consistent at bats will raise the average and Valentin's O and D are really troubling at this point.

I was at that game, albeit i was very small...yes, it was the north stars. Ah, Bellows, Gagne, Broten...the memories of the old Stars/Hawks games

Bingo....it's even more surprising that he's able to put up these numbers with a terrible offense and bullpen...if he's on the Jays he's won every start (not taking anything away from Halladay at all....however look at Lidle, who has about 10 wins with mediocre era and whip numbers)

If garland goes 6-7...how bout 4-5 runs to give the bullpen some much needed breathing room

I really don't care what Loaiza has/has not done in the past...he wasn't part of the Sox. I only care about the here and now, when he's part of the Sox...and well, i'm more than satisfied.

Anyone else here in favor of Graffanino getting some more at bats? I really can't stand valentin, and he should never, EVER face a lefty...why he still hits from the right side is beyond me. With the emergence of Willie Harris (and even Rowand may be better now), i think our two main problems are the offense from short and DH.

I was way more pissed off with Olivo almost blowing the tag up on the fly ball to right center than i was the Valentin tag. It's a mistake, but it was a tricky slide, that's for sure. He deserves some credit for that slide. But Valentin should have stepped up to him more once he had the ball

If his hitting eye stays par (drawing walks), agreed he should stay 3. Get guys on for Maggs and Konerko...wait a minute, Maggs

I don't believe baseball tonight picks who starts for the AL...

Koch scares the hell out of me every time he comes into the game...i really have no confidence in him at all. If he came in to pitch a complete 9th inning up one run, i'd say my confidence of him holding on is about 60%

Not worth it, not in the situation our franchise is in. We'd be going backwards if we don't win anything this year.

Last week Baseball tonight discussed who should start for the AL in the all star game: Mussina, Moyer, or Halladay. I was like, are you serious? Halladay and Loaiza have to be a nod above the other 2 and he wasn't even mentioned.

If Drew hadn't been so injury plagued over his career, this trade would probably be pretty fair. However the injury problems of Drew make this way too hard to commit to. Drew has boatloads of potential if he's not hurt...probly more potential than Buehrle, and he's coming through on some of that this year (when he isn't hurt). I've always liked Drew, but between injuries and the fact that i don't want to "give up" (read want to see more of) Buehrle...i'd say no to this deal.