NorthSideSox72

QUOTE(Jenks Heat @ Nov 23, 2007 -> 09:47 AM) The fourth year could be a team option. Yeah, it is kind of strange the lines say "4 years worth 19 million" - that could be 4.75x4, or, it could be 5x3 with a 4 million dollar 4th year option. Or the base could be even lower, and there may be performance clauses. I'll be curious to see what the deal really is. Here is a guy who puts up a 1.04-1.22 WHIP consistenly over 4 years, except for his stint in MIL in late 07. And when his WHIP went up to 1.50 (still better than most of the Sox' current pen from 07) with MIL, his K ratio went back up to 8.88/9, higher than it had been since '04. So I don't think he's losing velocity or anything. His HR/9 also went down in MIL, even though it was more of a HR park than Petco. These numbers tell me the guy still has it. I think he's a very positive addition. But I'll feel better about the deal if its not just 4 years guaranteed at 4.75 per.

QUOTE(scenario @ Nov 21, 2007 -> 02:56 PM) A couple of other little interesting notes on Cole Armstrong... We actually got him in the Rule 5 Draft (minor league phase) from the Braves. His real first name in Melville. Cole is his middle name. And a couple of not so interesting facts... He's spent the last two years at Winston-Salem In 5 minor league seasons his offensive numbers: .255 BA / .320 OBP / .713 OPS. Whoa.... what in hell earned him a spot on the 40-man roster??? His 2007 bat and the complete lack of catchers in the system.

QUOTE(Gene Honda Civic @ Nov 21, 2007 -> 01:47 PM) He's been playing DH. Wouldn't be the first time Mr. Gonzales had his facts wrong.

This was too many situations for a poll on the board, so, I had to do it in a post... We don't yet know who will win the nominations for President from the major parties. But we have seen enough of the candidates now that we probably know their stands pretty well. So, who do you vote for in various matchups? Copy these matchups of the significant candidates into your post: Giuliani v Clinton Giuliani v Obama Giuliani v Edwards Giuliani v Richardson Romney v Clinton Romney v Obama Romney v Edwards Romney v Richardson McCain v Clinton McCain v Obama McCain v Edwards McCain v Richardson Thompson v Clinton Thompson v Obama Thompson v Edwards Thompson v Richardson Huckabee v Clinton Huckabee v Obama Huckabee v Edwards Huckabee v Richardson And highlight/bold the one you'd choose. Here are mine (There is only one GOP candidate I just cannot vote for no matter what)... Giuliani v Clinton Giuliani v Obama Giuliani v Edwards Giuliani v Richardson Romney v Clinton Romney v Obama Romney v Edwards Romney v Richardson McCain v Clinton McCain v Obama McCain v Edwards McCain v Richardson Thompson v Clinton Thompson v Obama Thompson v Edwards Thompson v Richardson Huckabee v Clinton Huckabee v Obama Huckabee v Edwards Huckabee v Richardson

QUOTE(Texsox @ Nov 21, 2007 -> 02:18 PM) She does receive more than her share of negative energy from Reps. Look at the posts here. She has been a huge selling point by the GOP. Just listen to Rush and you see what gets the ratings, and it's attacking Hillary. The most misleading emails are about here. She is a lightening rod for negativity. Of course she gets more than the other candidates. It makes every bit of sense. For one thing, they GOP WANTS Clinton to win. She's still got absurdly high negatives, and she is more beatable than the other candidates in a general election via the currently favored methods of mudslinging. Also, she happens to be a favorite target because she is a CLINTON. So its really no surprise she gets so much attention from the political right.

I'd be more interested in Hamilton, for LF perhaps.

QUOTE(Calderon @ Nov 21, 2007 -> 12:26 PM) I think you need to re-check your math. Lucy (BIR) 39cs-115att = 34% Lucy (CHA) 9-25 = 36% Lucy (Total) 48-140 = 34% Armstrong (WS) 29-90 = 32% Armstrong (BIR) 9-21 = 43% Armstrong (Total) 38-111 = 34% I'd give Armstrong a slight benefit of the doubt assuming that the W-S pitchers are less skilled at holding runners on. Granted, the base-stealers aren't as skilled there either, but I think they still have the advantage on the pitchers. Also, a fun little stat - Lucy was stolen against successfully by the first 14 straight who attempted to steal. Then all of a sudden he started throwing guys out. He must have made some sort of adjustment. 2008 will be a key year for both of them. Lucy needs to hit semi-well in Charlotte to be looked at as a possible MLB catcher. Armstrong, if he hits well in B-Ham, since he's 2 years younger but only 1 level behind Lucy, could jump the line.

QUOTE(Calderon @ Nov 21, 2007 -> 12:26 PM) I think you need to re-check your math. Lucy (BIR) 39cs-115att = 34% Lucy (CHA) 9-25 = 36% Lucy (Total) 48-140 = 34% Armstrong (WS) 29-90 = 32% Armstrong (BIR) 9-21 = 43% Armstrong (Total) 38-111 = 34% I'd give Armstrong a slight benefit of the doubt assuming that the W-S pitchers are less skilled at holding runners on. Granted, the base-stealers aren't as skilled there either, but I think they still have the advantage on the pitchers. Where did you get those numbers? I've been looking for a reliable place to find those stats for some time. That's good to see that Armstrong can throw guys out too. Like I said, I know very little of his defense. I had Lucy's number in the low 40's - not sure why it was that much different. Does a pick-off by the catcher count as a CS?

The Trib article about Hunter, Uribe and the other topical discussions dropped an interesting tidbit near the bottom. Pablo Ozuna has been playing shortstop in the Dominican League. As I recall, he started as a shortstop. Seems like maybe they are seeing if he can be a backup there. Yet another indicator that Uribe is likely not long for the team.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Nov 21, 2007 -> 08:17 AM) People could write books about why. Basic overview of major factors, not necessarily in order: --Overall high demand in the US and the emerging markets like China and India (though demand has softened a small bit lately, the overall multi-year trend is still growth, unfortunately) --Regional instability in the major oil-producing areas builds some degree of fear into the price --Shortage of refining capacity in the States and elsewhere --Preception that the refining and delivery system in the States is not just narrow, but also old and vulnerable, such that a disruption (from weather, terrorism or even just mechanical problems) at any one place could suddenly drop supply to levels low enough to cause major problems --The overriding knowledge that oil is in fact a limited, non-renewable resource That's a start. There is of course more to it than that. Almost forgot... the falling dollar is also contributing.

QUOTE(scenario @ Nov 21, 2007 -> 10:28 AM) There must be something cookin' here... a possible deal to move a catcher maybe. Because it makes no sense to protect a 4th catcher and leave a promising relief pitcher exposed when... - You you have two major league catchers on the roster - Your #1 guy just signed an extension - And your team has a desperate need for relief pitching. They would save $1M by moving Toby Hall and letting Lucy/Armstrong duke it out for the backup job. Is this a foreshadowing of a move to free up more money to sign Torii Hunter? yeah, especially since Armstrong doesn't need to be protected (as was pointed out in another thread by Gene Honda Civic), it does seem like maybe something is brewing. Its also interesting that if you look at lists on MILB of players, neither Lucy nor Armstrong have a team name associated with them. They were Charlotte and B-Ham respectively before, but now blank. I was actually wondering if, after a disappointing AFL, maybe they decided to just give up on Lucy and release him. I think he's got more value than that, but, they may disagree.

NH Poll... Clinton's lead shrinks from 23 points to 14 since the same poll in September. The biggest gainer, though, was Richardson. Now (change)... Clinton 36% (-7) Obama 22% (+2) Edwards 13% (+1) Richardson 12% (+6) IA had been a dogfight for a while, but NH getting closer is a new development.

QUOTE(Soxy @ Nov 21, 2007 -> 08:13 AM) I am wearing the most inappropriate low cut top QUOTE(Soxy @ Nov 21, 2007 -> 09:14 AM) Also, my students keep "dropping in" despite me not having office hours. Coincidence? I think not.

QUOTE(Calderon @ Nov 20, 2007 -> 04:50 PM) In my humble opinion Armstrong is superior to Lucy defensively, especially when it comes to arm strength. I kind of doubt that, given that Lucy threw out nearly 50% of runners against in 2007. That's a very high rate. I don't know Armstrong's numbers, because MILB doesn't publish that stat (I only know Lucy's because he is an AAP of mine and I did a quick count from the box scores). But anything higher than that would be extraordinary.

QUOTE(BearSox @ Nov 20, 2007 -> 09:43 PM) wtf, we left Fernando Hernandez off the roster when he was eligible for the rule 5? I don't care if he has good stuff or bad stuff, he has put up great numbers and the only way some team doesn't claim him is because they don't think he is ready. Yeah, I realize we don't have the full picture with him, but he's put up consistently good numbers the last few seasons. Seems a shame to not protect him.

QUOTE(LosMediasBlancas @ Nov 20, 2007 -> 10:44 PM) Ok dude, you've seen like 17 films and still no 'Into The Wild'?? I know, it kind of pisses me off too. Like I said, by the time I won the coin toss, Into the Wild was out of our local theatres. I thought maybe I could catch it some weeknight while on the road, but I haven't found the time yet.

QUOTE(sox4lifeinPA @ Nov 20, 2007 -> 05:10 PM) can you explain why? People could write books about why. Basic overview of major factors, not necessarily in order: --Overall high demand in the US and the emerging markets like China and India (though demand has softened a small bit lately, the overall multi-year trend is still growth, unfortunately) --Regional instability in the major oil-producing areas builds some degree of fear into the price --Shortage of refining capacity in the States and elsewhere --Preception that the refining and delivery system in the States is not just narrow, but also old and vulnerable, such that a disruption (from weather, terrorism or even just mechanical problems) at any one place could suddenly drop supply to levels low enough to cause major problems --The overriding knowledge that oil is in fact a limited, non-renewable resource That's a start. There is of course more to it than that.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Nov 20, 2007 -> 04:10 PM) Cole Armstrong. There's a suprise I would have thought. He did hit well in A+ this past year (though he was repeating), the system is very thin on catchers, he's got more than 4 years service in (and, I think, would have been an FA). Plus I think they want to keep the pressure on Lucy, who they are probably not at all sold on even as a future backup.

I think Armstrong was protected because of his years in - looks like he might have become a free agent otherwise. 4.5 years in service, minor leagues, by my count. Lucas Harrell, though, looks like he has only 3 years in, then was out injured in 07. So I am not sure why he needs to be protected. Pods DFA, Egbert on 40 = good news. WHY THE f*** IS BOURGEOIS NOT ON THE 40?!?!

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Nov 20, 2007 -> 02:17 PM) They are talking about rain switching to snow tomorrow... Damn, I am glad I don't have to fly anywhere this Thanksgiving! f***.

All the Red Sox fans here seem to think he's great, and that the ChiSox got the better end of this deal.

QUOTE(Chet Lemon @ Nov 20, 2007 -> 01:42 PM) If anything, Richardson has his eyes on being Sec. of State in a Clinton administration. My feeling is that Obama is going to appoint several Republicans to his cabinet including Sec. of State, which I think will be offered to Republican Sen. Richard Lugar. I think Obama really believes in his rhetoric about ending the red v. blue divide business, but who knows. He does seems to favor the team of rivals concept. That's a good thing. A lot better than the current team of drones concept.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Nov 20, 2007 -> 12:55 PM) Bill Richardson also served as energy secretary under one William J Clinton. If he drops out relatively early, with the race still between Hillary and anyone else, he will endorse Hillary. Probably true, unfortunately. But... the one exception is if he's offered a VP job. The one thing Richardson will value over loyalty is ambition. If Obama offers, he'd take it.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Nov 20, 2007 -> 12:20 PM) Bob Herbert devotes an article to some of the worst parts of the lending mess; the practically insane loans that some of these lenders pressured people into. It's at least worth thinking about where the lines should be drawn in what banks are allowed to do with people and how much responsibility should fall on the people to understand the terms of a loan. There are certainly some predatory lending stories out there, and the banks do deserve some blame. More importantly, some laws need to be tweaked. But ultimately, the single biggest factor was stupid decisions made by people with their homes. You want to fix that? Make basic finance a required course to graduate high school. You'd have a lot few victims of all types of fraud, and a lot fewer bankruptcies and foreclosures, if everyone got the basic tools to survive in the modern financial world.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Nov 20, 2007 -> 12:09 PM) Richardson is the counter-weight to the inexperience attack on Obama. Richardson has that foreign policy experience that Obama doesn't. Negotiating with North Korea being the prime example. He also has executive branch experience, in both the Clinton admin as Sec. Energy and in Colorado as the Gov. Edwards's weaknesses are the exact same ones as Obama; lack of foreign policy experience, lack of executive branch service, not even a long service time in the Senate. New Mexico?