NorthSideSox72

QUOTE (Cknolls @ May 30, 2008 -> 07:33 AM) Fed will print more money. Further deflate the dollar? I somehow doubt they will do much of that, unless they were really in deep s***. Its already severely deflated, and signals have recently been that they are leaning back towards a stronger dollar policy. Plus, I think they'd rather have some banks and funds get their cages rattled, than do that.

QUOTE (Controlled Chaos @ May 30, 2008 -> 08:00 AM) I think most of the people out in the St Pete area are transplants. Maybe they are fans of other teams? That, plus an older population (as mentioned by others), and the generally very laid back personalities for your typical Floridians. 2 teams was 1 too many.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ May 30, 2008 -> 06:50 AM) It has certainly helped the team, but its hard to ignore the statistics that suggest he is actually a more complete and better hitter further down the order. I think the winning has given you Rosey colored glasses when looking at AJP since the move. I am guilty of it too, and thought the same way until I looked at his stats after seeing how much his numbers had fell during last nights game. Also BTW, the Sox are now 12-3 with the recent lineup changes (OC, AJ, CQ, JD, JT, PK, JC, NS, AR or similar).

QUOTE (RockRaines @ May 30, 2008 -> 06:50 AM) It has certainly helped the team, but its hard to ignore the statistics that suggest he is actually a more complete and better hitter further down the order. I think the winning has given you Rosey colored glasses when looking at AJP since the move. I am guilty of it too, and thought the same way until I looked at his stats after seeing how much his numbers had fell during last nights game. His stats in the 6 hole being better than the 2 hole is more about his seasonal streaks than about his performance in those slots. He's been cold lately, whereas he started off hot. If you want the better indicators of how he'll do over the course of the season, look at HOW he's hitting - he's still the "good" AJ hitting in the 2-hole, especially with O-Cab now getting on base more often. He goes the other way, and rarely strikes out. When he does that, his average will stay high, even in these little slumps. If you move him down the order, he may change that style to a more power swing, and that doesn't suit AJ as well performance-wise. I still think AJ in the 2-hole is pretty ideal. Better him than Swisher, at least for now.

Wow, Poreda getting rocked early. In 2 innings pitched, he's given up 4 earned runs, walked 2 and struck out none. Very uncharacteristic.

The Puerto Rico primary is this Sunday. Its the 3rd to last race, with only MT and SD to follow. The one poll out for PR was done over a long period (May 8-20), there have been primaries since then, and both candidates have been to the island to campaign in the interim, so it may not be very reflective of reality. That Univision poll showed Clinton with a 51-38 lead. This is seen as the last chance for Clinton to dent Obama's lead in delegates and popular vote, since MT and SD (which are on Tuesday, 6/3) are widely seen as strong for Obama. There is no way mathematically for her to actually catch Obama in delegates of course, and the popular vote is only a remote possibility IF she gets her way big time on FL and MI. But this is looking like the last state she can declare a victory of any kind in. Let the commentary begin.

Per whitesox.com, the Sox re-activated Danny Richar off the DL, and then optioned him to Charlotte. Doesn't look like we'll see danny any time soon in Chicago. After Uribe gets back to Chicago, that means that either Getz or Richar will probably move to SS for the Knights, which may be an interesting experiment.

Winston-Salem just getting underway with the front of their doubleheader. Live box here.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ May 29, 2008 -> 03:25 PM) Um...well, with a guy like Paul Lo Duca, there may be other reasons behind his suddenly going from hitting 6 home runs in 2000 between AAA and the big leagues to hitting 25 home runs in 2001. yeah, Cook has had power all along. That hasn't changed much. Its his average and OBP that have gone up, and I think that's different than Lo Duca's situation. The main point is still strong though - there are players who develop late.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ May 29, 2008 -> 03:05 PM) So, CK, in your opinion...what happens if the Fed reserves run out before we run out of crappy securities that banks don't want? I know this was directed at Chuck, but, I wanted to add a response. This is a game of hot potato. These aren't equity securities, they are debt securities. The ability of the debtor to make payments is everything. So for those holding the actual instrument, if the government doesn't assist and no one is willing to buy it at or near par, then its simply a matter of what happens to the holder. In this way, a lot of banks could be stuck with massive devaluations, as they try desperately to sell the bad debt at fractional prices. And if they can't regen enough cash from those transactions (those that even CAN be sold), then they could very well go under. Any many probably will. Adding complications are agreements like swaps, where these holders of risky debt "sold" the risk to 3rd parties. Problem is, most of the protection sellers themselves don't have nearly the capital to cover, so in addition to institutional businesses like IB's, many hedge funds and other risk buyers will also go under, as they are deluged by lawsuits and notional calls that they cannot meet. They go bankrupt, shrug their shoulders, and walk away. So, that all circles back again to the IB's. Those banks are in for a world of hurt.

Sweep or 3-of-4 = Ecstatic NSS Split = Happy NSS 1-of-4 = disappointed NSS Swept = Worried NSS

QUOTE (Heads22 @ May 29, 2008 -> 02:38 PM) I thought I remember reading he was out for the year. I would have thought so, but the only place I read that was speculation in here. I can't find any articles on it.

QUOTE (Gregory Pratt @ May 29, 2008 -> 01:39 PM) I hope so, but I'm actually really worried about him. Of the three hitters that are struggling mightily - Swisher, Thome and Konerko - Swisher worries me the least. Thome worries me the most in terms of diminishing skills, and Konerko concerns me if his hand can't heal up.

QUOTE (JFields27 @ May 29, 2008 -> 11:30 AM) It says Lucy is on the 7 Day DL now 7 Days? Weird. Gotta be longer than that. Well, maybe it doesn't, I don't know. Just sounded pretty ugly.

Rochester beat Charlotte, 4-3. Details, details... Owens: 1-4 Uribe (@2B): 1-4, RBI, 2 K, but also made an error that gave up a deciding unearned run Richar (@SS): 0-4, K Getz (@ LF): 2-4, 2B, R Bourgeois: 1-4, HR, 2 RBI Collaro: 1-4, 2B, R, 3 K Ohka (L, 1-8): 7 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 2 K Childers: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K (ERA now 0.77, WHIP is 0.69) Jacksonville @ B-Ham, 7:05pm CT, Ryan focking O'Malley (1-1, 7.04) starts for the Barons Myrtle Beach @ Winston-Salem DOUBLEHEADER, first game at 5:00 CT, 2nd game to follow. Poreda (4-3, 2.77) and Maxwell (0-1, 6.43) to start for the Hogs of Wart. Kanny @ Lexington, 6:05pm CT, no starter announced yet

I think by the end of this season, this deal will look like a pretty good one for the Sox. Gio isn't exactly tearing it up, FDLS is out for the year... the only player doing anything is Sweeney, and I'd bet that Swisher will have a better OPS than Ryan by the end of the season. Add that to what Swiher adds to the clubhouse and his long cheap-ish contract, and I still think this was a decent trade. Not a steal, but a trade that helped the club overall.

I've been looking at this guy's numbers in his minor league career. He really only had one disappointing full season - 2006 @ W-S. But even that year, he posted a 770 OPS, which isn't exactly bad. In 2007 it was 876 at High A and then 1.063 at B-Ham, now he is at a ridiculous 1.097 in B-Ham. So far at AA, in a total of less than a half a season's work in 07 and 08, he has compiled 18 HR's in 262 at bats. That's about a 40 HR pace, in a park that is NOT homer friendly. Also, unlike a Collaro or Eldred type guy, he walks a LOT and strikes out only rarely. That combined with serious power is a nice combo. I really think this guy may have something. 2 straight seasons of excellent hitting is not a streak, its a pattern. Hopefully, later this year, he'll take a shot at Charlotte and see how he can do there.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ May 29, 2008 -> 12:12 PM) That is the point, Cook is an organizational guy anyway and taking him away from Birmingham could have a significant impact on the Sox relationship with one of there minor league affilliates. I realize to fans of the big league club, we don't necessarily care if Bham wins or loses, we care if the prospects are doing well. However, to the minor league organizations, they care about winning and making the local fan base happy and moving a guy like Cook (org guy) would be a bad move. Now if you are talking about a guy whose a top top prospect, development would win out and the guy would get promoted, not so much for those organizational type guys (plus in the grand scheme of things, another couple weeks in AA isn't going to have a significant effect on whether he turns into a good player at the next level or not). I'm no longer sure that Cook is just an "org guy". Once in a while, a player will figure things out a couple years later than he should have. I think its a good idea to watch for those types, because they may be able to contribute later. Cook has had two straight seasons now of not just good hitting, but truly stellar hitting. That's not just a hot streak anymore. That said, I agree with you that a few weeks isn't going to do any harm one way or the other, and the Sox do indeed want to keep that good relationship with the affiliates. Cook will see Charlotte sometime this year, I would almost guarantee it.

QUOTE (DrunkBomber @ May 29, 2008 -> 01:07 PM) I dont think Ill ever be able to take that movie seriously with that kid from Third Rock from the Sun as the Cobra Commander. Its GI Joe. How seriously were you planning on taking it?

QUOTE (RME JICO @ May 29, 2008 -> 12:10 PM) ????? We haven't played them this year. Normally you have to lose to them first before you can "keep" to losing them. In 2007 we were 12-6 vs them, compare that to DET and CLE who were 11-7 vs KC, and MIN who was 9-9 vs them. So I don't know where you get the "keep losing" part from. Last year it was our record vs the NL (4-14) and SEA/BOS (2-14) that killed us. I believe he was referring to MIN, not KC. Although even in that case, we're 3-4 against them so far this year. Not like we're getting pummelled or something.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 29, 2008 -> 09:36 AM) When you consider the price of out of the money options as compared to the risk of energy volatility historically, why wouldn't you hedge? Its stupid not to, especially in this day and age. Back in the days of "cheap" oil, the big airlines probably laughed at LUV for hedging, because it meant spending a little extra money. It was an insurance policy. Now its LUV who is laughing.

QUOTE (north side chi sox fan @ May 29, 2008 -> 08:37 AM) Anyone notice that Uribe has been playing ss and not 2b in Charlotte? Does this mean that when he comes back he is our utility man? Maybe, but keep in mind that Danny Richar is also on rehab down there, so he's likely going to be at 2B, since that's his true position. And there is Getz too. Second base is just too crowded in Charlotte, I think that's the main reason.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 29, 2008 -> 08:31 AM) Here is something interesting I picked up last night Southwest airlines (LUV) is 70% hedged against their 2008 estimated fuel costs at $51 a barrel of oil. In 2009, they are 55% estimated hedged at $51 bbl. They also have fuel hedges set up through 2013. LUV = Smart Management. Always has been. Just a really well run company, which is novel in that industry.

QUOTE (Jenks Heat @ May 29, 2008 -> 08:54 AM) Know what I noticed that is cool about Ramirez. Watch how he catches groundballs. Uses two hands and gets down. Very fluid. Plus he has a serious arm. You don't see many infielders who can throw as hard sidearm, or off 2nd base on a DP, as he does.

How about favorite travel destinations? You could even break that down to subcategories - cities, resorts/locales, and outdoor destinations. That, plus cartoons, beers, hot chicks/guys (nod to Soxy), and sitcoms could make a nice 5.