NorthSideSox72

QUOTE (scenario @ Aug 25, 2009 -> 10:52 PM) Regarding the selections... Keep in mind the purpose of the AFL... It's not necessarily true that teams send their best prospects there. Sometimes they send guys who they are trying to make decisions about... And sometimes the AFL is used as a showcase for guys teams are looking to move. Exactly - some guys are there to get them off the fence, some are there because they missed some playing time for whatever reason, some are being showcased to get some sort of return... depends on the player.

QUOTE (danman31 @ Aug 25, 2009 -> 11:46 PM) Shirek was only drafted that low because he wasn't expected to sign because he was a draft eligible sophomore. That and he had some off-field and on-field problems that season as well. But yeah, he was considering high round talent.

QUOTE (Ozzie Ball @ Aug 25, 2009 -> 08:05 PM) Charlis Burdie (apparently pronounced Charlie Birdie-ay) just keeps on putting up numbers. I really want to see him in an age appropriate league. Same thing goes for Remenowsky, who just threw 2 IP, struck out 5, for his 22nd save for Kanny. He's 23. Still can't believe he never saw High A this year.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 25, 2009 -> 06:01 PM) And there are few things on the horizon that haven't happened yet... The GM and Chrysler closings haven't happened yet... The Commercial real estate crash hasn't really happened yet... inflation hasn't kicked in yet... Only the third one is true. First one did indeed happen, two rounds of them, and I've seen them closed in town. Another round may come though. Second one already partially happened, and likely will get worse, but supports will be there for development too, so it won't be as horrible as the broader crash was. Inflation, though, I'm right with you there. When the economy does kick back up in a year or two, inflation will go up big, IMO.

QUOTE (Ozzie Ball @ Aug 25, 2009 -> 07:05 PM) Miguel Gonzalez keeps on hitting. 2-2 currently with a double. I really like him. 9 errors and 6 PB so far in 40 games - seems awfully high as an error number for a catcher. That's 30+ errors in a full season. He's young though, so, we'll see.

Good to see Cassel in there - after a big year in AA in 2008, he really bombed out in 2009, so he obviously needs some work.

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Aug 25, 2009 -> 12:43 PM) You don't need to bump your own thread just b/c no one has responded in the 45 minutes since you posted it. I don't even know what the hell TTT means. Or was it just garbage to bump the tread? Annoying.

QUOTE (Kenny Hates Prospects @ Aug 25, 2009 -> 11:33 AM) When that trade was made there were reports of AZ scouts absolutely loving this guy. I forget who it was, but FutureSox had an interview with I think one of the BA guys and something similar was said where Allen is a guy some scouts love and see as an above-average starting MLB first baseman, others see him as a AAAA player, and yet others see him as a MLB bench or platoon player. The AZ people have seen this guy since we've had him because, with the exception of this year's ST, we've shared complexes with the Diamondbacks as long as Allen has been in our system. The strikeout rate statement lacks knowledge of his numbers. He has cut down on his K's drastically from where it was prior to the last two seasons while increasing levels and facing tougher competition. Obviously his numbers will look bad for periods while he adjusts, and obviously the PCL had inflated his AAA AZ numbers, but the numbers with AZ are a lot more indicative of his ability than his stint in Charlotte was. The improved K rate was one of the main reasons he shot up our charts as a prospect, and if you think Allen's K numbers the last two seasons are high, just check out the numbers for pretty much every other legit power hitting prospect in the game. Most all of them are going to be at least as high, probably a lot higher. It is pretty rare to find a guy who makes better contact than Allen has these last couple seasons and still hits for power. Thirdly, the main reason I loved him as a prospect is *because* of his ability to make adjustments at the plate. It is that plus the lowered K rate, plus the age, plus the improvement he's made over the last two seasons, plus the increased walk rate as he's improved, plus the athletic ability and the improvement he's made at 1B that makes him more than your average 1B prospect. Allen hasn't gotten the attention nationally, and if you look at top-100 prospect lists from long ago, it is very common to see guys in the 80's and 90's that ended up being far better players than other guys much higher on the lists. Just because a guy doesn't get lauded in the big publications doesn't mean he isn't as good or better than some of those guys that are. Allen IMO is a much better prospect than Poreda and yet we heard lots of national prospect evaluators glowing over him with very little about Allen. Casey Rogowski probably got more pub coming up the ranks than Allen got the last two years. Allen might be considered a "late bloomer" as a prospect because he had to repeat levels, but even considering him that would be inaccurate as he signed out of high school and at the age of 23 has become Arizona's starting 1B. So I don't think anyone is overrating or overvaluing Allen because no one is making outlandish statements like he's going to win batting titles, or have top-5 finishes in MVP races, or be a perennial All-Star, etc. It's just that he's a very nice prospect and some people, including myself, feel he was worth more than Tony Pena. I would have had no problem dealing him provided we got a better return - and I'm not talking Pujols or anything, I'm talking about a better-than-average starter or position player whom we would be able to control for the next couple of seasons. Great post, and pretty much captures my thoughts as well.

QUOTE (PeavyTime @ Aug 25, 2009 -> 10:38 AM) It's a perfect game. I will find the link for you shortly, but this was discussed before and I'm willing to bet my life on it. EDIT: "An error that does not allow a baserunner, such as a misplayed foul ball, does not spoil a perfect game." Is that taken from a rule somewhere? Where is that from?

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Aug 25, 2009 -> 10:48 AM) Prince Fielder isn't exactly a defensive machine either. Which I'm pretty sure has nothing to do with his height.

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Aug 25, 2009 -> 10:54 AM) Context? You want to talk about me and context... GOVERNMENT. Duh. I don't even understand this post. Your rants have gotten so far out there that they don't even appear to be on topic.

QUOTE (Tex @ Aug 25, 2009 -> 09:02 AM) I always thought the run counted if the runner crossed the plate before the third out was made. The guideline is about the batter. If the batter gets out as the third out, then it doesn't matter, no runs score. But once the batter is out OR has reached safely, then its all about timing and the ball in play.

QUOTE (Jenks Heat @ Aug 25, 2009 -> 08:33 AM) Not to mention the CJ Retherford poster above your bed. Shhhh!!!!!!! You weren't supposed to tell!!! My wife hates that thing.

QUOTE (RME JICO @ Aug 25, 2009 -> 08:01 AM) A Saturday start would also set him up to pitch against the Cubs, and would ensure he gets to pitch in both of the Detroit series at the end of season. If the rotation stayed intact, he would pitch against: (NYY, CHC, OAK, SEA, KC, DET, DET). 7 starts. The Sox have said they do not want Peavy pitching that Cubs game, where he'd have to hit and run on that ankle.

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Aug 25, 2009 -> 08:01 AM) You really have a thing for NDFA don't you? I have a thing for guys who come in and aren't expected to do anything, but do anyway. I like underdogs I guess. My AAP's include Wassermann and Remenowsky (both NDFA), previously Sergio Miranda (13th rounder), currently Charlie Shirek (23rd round and he's doing quite well), and I'm working now to try to get an interview with Joe Serafin. I have a lot of respect for guys that find a way to succeed regardless of expectations. And I tend to loathe players who are the opposite - high talent players who don't seem to make the full effort, and don't understand what it takes to really win out.

I present for discussion: Brent DeFoor. Closer for Bristol this year and last. Signed as NDFA last June, and repeated Bristol this year (he was 22 there last year, so 23 this year). Put up some nice numbers last year, very good K and BB rates. Not sure why is repeating Bristol though - at that age, with this numbers, why not challenge him a bit? Now, I have never seen the guy pitch, and I have no idea what he throws. But even if he doesn't have particularly good stuff... if he is that successful as a closer... why do you NOT promote him and give him a chance to show something? If he fails, he fails. Just puzzles me.

Bristol finished the night with 8 errors and a pass ball: E: Fulgencio 2 (8, fielding, throw), Casario (2, fielding), Gonzalez, Mi 3 (9, catcher interference, throw, throw), Rienzo (2, throw), Patino (5, throw). PB: Gonzalez, Mi (8). Not a good day to be Mr. Gonzalez.

QUOTE (mr_genius @ Aug 24, 2009 -> 05:43 PM) the Fusion and Escape hybrids are really nice cars. The fusion can drive at a speed up to 47 mph on battery alone. I've been reading that drivers are averaging 55 mpg on it. The Escape gets great mileage for a reasonably sized SUV. Both good options for consumers whom want a hybrid that is like a normal car. I agree with that fully. I was just saying that if you targeted the program to only hybrids, the net positive effect for the Big 3 would be very small. They already produce as many as they can, and pretty much sell them all, even now. You guys have seen me post enough to know I want to see supports in place for getting us into alternative stuff like this faster. But a short run program like this won't do much to achieve that - its main purpose is to prop up the industry temporarily (akin to if they had put temporary price supports on plane tickets after 9/11), and secondarily, to improve the overall efficiency of the national fleet of autos. The fact that hybrids may also uptick a little bit (which is all the ceiling room they have in the short run) is only a nice side effect. Anything meant to go more to these technologies long term, needs to be R&D money and ongoing tax incentives to both manufacturers and consumers.

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Aug 25, 2009 -> 12:36 AM) B B BbbBbbBBBBBBBBB ut... McCain was Powell's PERFECT "MODERATE" candidate! If he would describe a Republican that would WIN, he would describe McCain. Oh, no - Obama's better. And ethnically like said Democrat president whose political ideology was supposedly not his views but more closely aligned with Old Man McCain. Ya'll want to turn this into something else, and the facts just don't support it. LOL, the only "facts" that have been presented ALL support it. You on the other hand have zero facts to support your idea that it was about race - none. zip. zilch. Care to counter that?

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Aug 24, 2009 -> 04:50 PM) I had respect for Powell right up until the whole "endorsement" thing for Obama. That was calculated bulls*** for the Washington establishment and his ethnicity (unfortunately). PERIOD. Or, maybe, he did it for the reasons he clearly stated (and that I agree with) - that, among other things, the GOP has swung waaaaaaaaay too far to the right and focused far too much on their social agenda in that regard. Or that Obama is simply a better leader and manager than McCain would be. Couldn't be that.

QUOTE (Princess Dye @ Aug 24, 2009 -> 02:38 PM) I think what worries many about Alexei's attributes at the position are the unteachable ones. Starting w/ size. Forget size, that isn't a huge deal for a middle infielder. What's apparently unteachable for Alexei is being teachable.

QUOTE (daa84 @ Aug 24, 2009 -> 01:10 PM) and alexei is playing his "natural position"....while beckham is not now that we have solidified center field, im not sure what to do with alexei...I find it laughable that the organization had him in CF opening day last year but refused to look at him for the OF...if pods doesn't come back, and one of dye/thome don't I'd still look at him in LF (with quentin in right), but heaven knows the organization won't....one way or another he is likely our SS for the remainder of his contract. now the bigger question is where to keep beckham long term 2b or 3b, but that will likely be 3b, though it should be partially dictated based on our other options at those spots I'd tend to agree, if the OF situation is such that there is a hole there, I'd love to see Alexei in the OF. He's got speed and range, seemed reasonably skilled in CF in his few games playing there (so LF should, in theory, be easier), has a cannon arm, and in the OF he has more chance to make up for mental mistakes before the ball gets to him.

QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ Aug 24, 2009 -> 12:38 PM) I remember that. So awesome. Pablo created a whole bunch of great/weird moments... --The swing after the catcher caught the pitch --Throwing out a batter at 1B from LF --I was at a game when a squirrel got on the field, and there's Pablo chasing it around with his glove and bare hand extended (I have no idea what the hell he'd have done if he actually caught it) --Pablo volunteering to warm up Jenks when the catchers weren't ready, only to have Bobby's first warm up pitch sail right past him to the backstop I was really disappointed when I saw he tested positive for PED's, because I always liked him. Just seemed like he really enjoyed being out there.

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Aug 21, 2009 -> 02:18 PM) Ridge's intentions may or may not be about money, but they are absolutely at a minimum about trying to save Beltway face. Just like Colin Powell. And they both can take a leap off the political bridge and die. They are two-faced idiots, both of them. I don't know Ridge's full story, but I know a bit about Powell, and I don't think he's trying to save face. He pushed against what he saw as a mistake of a war, repeatedy, in the way that he saw as a best possibility - from within the administration that hired him. His speech at the UN, he pounded on CIA and others, to ask repeatedly, is this stuff solid? That resulted in the famous "slam dunk" line. So he did his job, and presented that evidence (but he made frat boy from CIA stand right there next to him, making sure he knew that he was putting his reputation at stake as well). Powell has, in my view, been more honest than most high level guys I've seen work in these administrations in recent years (of the ones I know anything about).

QUOTE (almagest @ Aug 24, 2009 -> 12:53 PM) Maybe we should wait until Allen has more than 8 major league at-bats before declaring this trade a bust? There is a difference between calling it a bust, and saying we disagreed with it when it was made. I'm in the latter camp. Can't evaluate the former anytime soon.