Felix

QUOTE(JimH @ Jan 2, 2006 -> 02:56 PM) Does that equate to "he sucks" defensively? I don't know about that ... Yes, what good are you if you don't have any range?

QUOTE(JimH @ Jan 2, 2006 -> 02:55 PM) Jeter is a guy who averages 16 errors per year and usually plays in 150+ games at SS. His fielding % is actually better these past two years than before. Still don't understand why anyone would say he sucks defensively, and my eyes tell me completely the opposite these past 10 years too. There must be some stat I'm missing. Fielding percentage is by far the worst stat to use when evaluating players. Compare Derek Jeter's and Ozzie Smith's FP. Do you really think Jeter is that good?

QUOTE(JimH @ Jan 2, 2006 -> 02:50 PM) I don't understand why people would say Jeter is bad defensively. That, to me, is so counter to what I've seen watching him for 10 years. Jeter doesn't have great range, but many people don't see this because of highlight reels. They see a play or two in which he's sitting on one side of the field and makes it look like an impossible play, when in reality, its a much easier plays for better shortstops.

QUOTE(WCSox @ Jan 2, 2006 -> 02:46 PM) But he sucks defensively. :rolly He does.. This year was the first year he was actually decent, but in past years, he's been one of the worst in the league. Just about any statistics will show you this, but stats the devil.

Blake >>>>>>>> Orton Its not even funny how much better Blake is..

QUOTE(WCSox @ Jan 2, 2006 -> 10:11 AM) So, you're saying that Jeter isn't a good defensive SS? Do you even watch baseball?? QUOTE(WCSox @ Dec 31, 2005 -> 01:07 PM) Those two sentences show that you're completely clueless.

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Jan 2, 2006 -> 12:29 AM) The real question is why the f***balls are the Pirates trying to replace Craig Wilson in right field? He must be one of the most underrated players in the MLB. Craig Wilson's career line: .268 AVG / .363 OBP / .488 SLG / .851 OPS He can also play both corner outfield spots, first base, and some catcher. He can put up Dye-like numbers in a healthy, full season (see his 2004 stats). An outfield of Jason Bay in LF, Chris Duffy in CF, and Craig Wilson in RF is fine as is. The Pirates would be moronic to dump him and sign Sosa. But he can't be good! He only has a .268 career average!

QUOTE(JoshPR @ Jan 1, 2006 -> 09:42 PM) Please don't let Sammy put on CLementes Uniform Isn't Clemente's number retired? If not, it should be..

I think its like a punt, but I don't know for sure. Here's a picture of it: http://espn-att.starwave.com/media/nfl/200..._flutie_195.jpg

I think it definitely is his last action, I mean, why else would they put him in to do it?

QUOTE(WCSox @ Jan 1, 2006 -> 07:06 PM) You are correct. If stats meant everything, Billy Beane would've won multiple WS titles by now. Beane is a stathead, who relies more on crunching numbers through spreadsheets than listening to scouts who actually watch the players play. By his logic, Derek Jeter is overpaid by at least $10 million/year because his OPS isn't as high as Tejada's or A-Rod's. Nevermind the fact that that Jeter is a stellar defensive SS and one of the best clutch players in MLB. In fact, Jeter made an incredible throw in the playoffs that kept Beane's team out of the WS four years ago. Using your own words (although its not two sentences): QUOTE(WCSox @ Dec 31, 2005 -> 01:07 PM) Those two sentences show that you're completely clueless.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jan 1, 2006 -> 08:35 PM) I drool over Stephen Drew. He's close to being major league ready despite some struggles in AA. Once they are out of it, I'd have him up at the major league level. He's gonna be some kind of all around hitter. So basically, at the beginning of the season?

I think Rivera will be a hot topic this offseason mainly because of the publicity of the Bears defense this year. He could be an option for the Chiefs or Vikings to help fix their defenses.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Jan 1, 2006 -> 08:41 PM) Who would seriously want this job though? The only person I can think of is Jim Fassel, and judged by Kyle Boller's performance today, he may have had enough of that situation there. Dick Jauron maybe? I don't know if Detroit will keep him around, I mean, they only named him interim head coach after Mariucci was fired.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Jan 1, 2006 -> 07:37 PM) The other problem is if he were to bat ninth or second, he would be back to back with Pods. That's 2 guys back to back that are going to have a tough time driving in a run from third with less than two out. And before I get jumped on by people saying it wouldn't be his job to drive in runs, Iguchi drove home a lot from the 2 hole. Uribe and Crede drove home their fair share from the 9 hole. Having 2 guys in your line-up in the AL who would be hard pressed to drive home 35 runs a piece is not good. But come on! They'd steal a lot of bases!

QUOTE(WCSox @ Jan 1, 2006 -> 07:19 PM) And you might end up with a .290 OBP Brian Anderson for all you know. It's just nice to have another option when you have an unknown. At the very least, Taveras could hit 9th (where Anderson would be hitting). Sort of like the one Taveras put up outside of Minute Maid Park?

QUOTE(jackie hayes @ Jan 1, 2006 -> 06:55 PM) Okay, and players with good obp usually keep their plate patience and keep drawing walks. I still don't see any reason to think ba is a 'good stat', while obp is a 'bad stat'. Batting average isn't a good stat. On-base percentage is so much more important, yet people don't really realize this. Who cares if you hit .300 with an OBP of .320 or if you hit .100 with an OBP of .320? You are getting on base the same amount, which is all that really matters.

QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ Jan 1, 2006 -> 06:16 PM) THE Ohio State Penitentiary Thats downright hilarious

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jan 1, 2006 -> 05:46 PM) For example, people throw out Taveras numbers and say he's a bum. You don't hit .290 or so on accident. The guy obviously has some ability to hit for an average and when it comes to evaluating a top of the order guy its nice if they can get on base. You're right about him hitting .290, it wasn't an accident, it was due to being in a huge hitters park. And "its nice if they can get on base"? What good is a top of the order guy is he doesn't get on base? Getting on base is mandatory unless you are building a losing team.. And how do you know that? Stats, or did you watch him in the minors? If stats, you're just throwing them out to make your case! Everything I've read about him is that he's an above average fielder, and stats solidify that for me. Last year, his FRAR (fielding runs above replacement) was 31, which was better than Rowands. My point about that was that he doesn't get around the bases. You can't have a guy get a single, then steal second every single time. Sometimes its nice for him to get a double, or triple. Taveras is a fast guy, and he plays in one of the biggest hitters parks in the league. Despite this, he only had 20 extra base hits. You would think a fast guy hitting in a hitters park would get more than 3 triples, or 14 doubles, but Taveras didn't. The majority of his hits were singles, and you then have to depend on the rest of your team to drive you in from first. Driving someone in from second or third is much easier, and leads to more runs.

QUOTE(SoCalSouthSider59 @ Jan 1, 2006 -> 04:28 PM) I'm bummed out........Was led to believe by my local paper and Fox that the Bears game was going to be on TV here in L.A. all week, only to turn on the TV to find the suck ass Redskins and even more suck ass Eagles playing, f***ing bulls***......... :finger Guess i'll have to call my cousin in Bourbonnais, my ol' rat partner in New Lenox, my ol' girlfriend in Palos Hills, or my aunt in Chicago, for updates with the ol' unlimited nights and weekends on my cell......... At least i have some choices......... GO BEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A bit late, but this has all the Sunday games that will be broadcasted in each area: http://www.gribblenation.net/personal/jp/2005maps.html

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jan 1, 2006 -> 05:00 PM) I'm sick of a bunch of people throwing out a few stats to make there case. I got news for people, you can throw stats out for whatever the f*** case you want. There is no definitive stats unless your talking about a superstar. Then how do you suggest evaluating players during the offseason? There isn't magic crystal ball which shows how good a player will be, but stats give a good indication of how players will do in future years. Yea, its not a sure thing, but they give an indication, and without them, one wouldn't know the difference between Joe Borchard and every other outfielder unless they watch every single game for every single team in every single level of play, whether it be A, AA or AAA.

Very cool, congrats

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Jan 1, 2006 -> 01:34 PM) Dick Allen was right in saying that these players are pretty freely available. Hell, to an extent, the Sox just non-tendered the same type of player in Willie Harris... Thats a great point about Harris, I hadn't even though of it. And now that I look at it, they are pretty damn similar..

QUOTE(beck72 @ Jan 1, 2006 -> 10:51 AM) I asked the question as well, what would happen if either Anderson, Pods or Dye got hurt? Would the sox and us fans want to see Joe B as an everyday player? Right now that would be the plan. Getting Taveras would keep Anderson as the first guy called up to take one of those guys places. He'd likely start in AAA, with Joe B the 4th OFer Why keep Anderson in AAA when he's better than Taveras is? QUOTE(beck72 @ Jan 1, 2006 -> 10:57 AM) Will Anderson hit for the .291 that Taveras did his rookie yr, as well as give the sox the skills needed in a #2 type/ leadoff hitter [bunting, SB, infield hits, etc] that Taveras will likely improve upon? No. Who cares about .291? A player could hit .100 with a .400 OBP, and I'd take him in a second over a play who hits .300 with a .320 OBP. And yes, I believe that Anderson can match, or improve on, Taveras' .325 OBP last year. Well, I'm looking at this for Taveras, and this for Anderson, and it looks like Anderson's career minor league OBP is .385, and Taveras' is .372. I guess it doesn't include Anderson's 2005 at AAA, where he hit .295/.360/.469 with 24 doubles, 3 triples, and 16 homeruns in 448 at-bats.

But even if you look at minor league numbers, Brian Anderson had a higher carrer minor league average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage, and looking at Taveras' minor league numbers, he's never been a guy who gets XBH.