ScottyDo

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Dec 11, 2010 -> 06:07 PM) Do you really think Cowley is "guessing"? Things change. Would you rather he not tweet anything that contradicts previous tweets? This is exactly what twitter is for to report in "real time". I don't think anyone's expecting him to be accurate all the time, but it takes a lot of correctness to offset his massive douche factor. He's not even close in that department. Were his personality entirely removed from this equation, we'd probably just think he was slightly stupid (like a number of writers around town...coughROGERScough), but he's not doing himself any favors. He's gonna get blasted until he realizes he's not in the frathouse anymore (no offense to any fraternity members on this board). Also, it does appear that he's guessing, since he hasn't been at the forefront of anything that panned out recently. And by "guessing" I mean his sources suck. Probably because he comes off as an ass all the time, so who's going to help him out? He's not catching many flies with his vinegar.

QUOTE (balfanman @ Dec 11, 2010 -> 05:12 PM) On the whole I agree with you; however, as far as the batting ninth and just play good defense thing, the same thing was told to Brian Anderson in 2006. We thought that we had a fantastic lineup that year, but when the offense started out slow, as usual for this team, there was pressure put on Anderson to produce offensively as well. We all know how that turned out. The absolute worst thing that can happen to Morel this year is that his teamates start out slow offensively. I agree with that. If everyone else sucks, the microscope will be on Morel real quick, and that will be disastrous. But I think the difference I'm getting at is that Anderson replacing Rowand set him up for a letdown, and put undue pressure on him based solely on the circumstances, whereas Morel replacing Teahen sets him up for success since he's not replacing a beloved guy, or even a guy with a positive reputation in any respect (aside from his dog's admittedly hilarious twitter account).

Okay, looking back, Getz's numbers were worse than I recalled. But if Morel hits .265/.330/.410 is that fine? I'm okay with it.

Quick Litmus: if Morel performed just a touch better than Getz did that one year (offensively), would we be satisfied? I think I would.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 11, 2010 -> 04:42 PM) The one thing I can't speak about is whether or not he'll get into funks like Beckham where his head isn't right and his mechanics go to he**. But, IIRC, at both levels he was jumped to last year, he struggled for the first week or two, and then spent the rest of his time hitting everything in sight. Beckham had the disadvantage of a world of hype surrounding him because of his rapid advancement. And, even though in the minds of most thinking Sox fans his production would have been icing on the cake, I think the city of Chicago put a lot of pressure on his shoulders to be the face of the franchise a year out of college. I don't know what Morel's makeup is, but if he's prone to dwelling like Beckham/PK/Q, I doubt the circumstances will exacerbate the problem like Beckham's circumstances did.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 11, 2010 -> 04:25 PM) As long as we don't have another .220 hitter batting 8th for the full year (I'm looking at you, Teahen), this lineup is good enough that we can tolerate him struggling with the bats for a year if that's what happens. I don't think it will, based on his performance last year, kid is going to rake and sooner than you think. But especially if Beckham doesn't stink, having a weak 9th place hitter that we're working into the league isn't a bad option. Yah, I agree. Based on the few times I saw him, his swing and eye looked good enough to succeed in MLB. And, unlike most of our upcoming prospects in recent years, all we're asking of him is good defense. He's replacing Teahen, unlike Anderson replacing Rowand, so I think the pressure's off and he can play a lot looser than the guys we've called up recently. Call it instinct, but I really like his chances of flashing some offense to go with that glove.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 11, 2010 -> 04:22 PM) Pods was pretty good in LF wasn't he? Say what you want about Q, at least he never had a ball bounce off his head.

QUOTE (fathom @ Dec 11, 2010 -> 04:05 PM) Cowley now saying Sox are looking for a "Carlos Lee-esque package" in return for Quentin. Pods is coming back? So much for the improved defense...

Wow, that is one of the worst-written articles I have ever read. Good for you, though, Ms. Buehrle! There are some sick f***s in this world (knowing nothing of the situation, I still feel relatively confident saying the dog was shot on purpose), and I don't mind you cleaning up after their messes. Seriously, who shoots a dog? What a f***er. I wish they had been caught.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 10, 2010 -> 02:20 PM) He is also a guy who faded last year because his arm hasn't been anywhere close to developed yet. He is going to be making big year over year strides as his arm matures into its new role. Side note, I love how we talk about a pitcher's arm like it's a separate entity. It's kind of like how I talk about my wing-wang.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 10, 2010 -> 02:19 PM) I remember people talking about a deal like this should be done for Quentin. Yeah, that would have been dumb. But I think the Bruce signing makes a lot more sense since he's much younger than Q was when he broke out.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 10, 2010 -> 02:58 PM) I dunno, I sure feel like the Werth signing defined the market for the Crawford signing. Exactly what I was thinking. I doubt it stops there, either, once next year hits. Unless ownership colludes, and I'm sure as hell not advocating that either.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Dec 10, 2010 -> 02:48 PM) Well that's it right there...that's what I meant...the top tier players in THIS year's FA class. And this occurs because the process is controlled by human beings and not computers. Humans become impatient and emotional, and sign players to long-term contracts because they want them NOW instead of waiting til the better player is available next season. To be fair though, they are also forced to please the fans, who are also impatient and emotional, and waiting back for optimal player acquisitions might be confused with inactivity or a desire to do nothing to improve the Club. These things are all true. I think the smart teams will stay out of it, though, and benefit from their saved money in other ways. Then, they'll win (theoretically) and appease their fan base that way. I was okay with playing the game up until these last two signings. They're excessive, and they're defining the market. Boston and New York are, of course, exempt from that statement as they can do this ad infinitum. Seriously...salary cap...

QUOTE (iamshack @ Dec 10, 2010 -> 02:42 PM) But is it, really? Every year the top tier players get ridiculous contracts. The difference lies in where the second and third tier guys go...and from what I can see, it's playing out pretty reasonably. I don't consider either of those outfielders (Werth and Crawford) the top tier. To me, this is where second-tier players are going, masked as top-tier because of the years they happen to hit free agency. Also, there comes a point at which the price of products near the top of the law of diminishing returns exceed efficiency. I think we're there.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Dec 10, 2010 -> 01:28 PM) Well, while I agree with you about Crawford's contract, this is a matter of the cost increasing for a higher tier of production, even though the increment of production that increases is not equal to the level of the cost. You see this in all walks of life. That slightly faster computer costs much more than the model below it even though it's improvement in performance isn't THAT much faster. Or that more expensive HD tv has a better and faster picture, but it isn't THAT much better than the model below it that costs $1300 less. This is the law of diminishing returns... Yah, I get that, but this offseason is an exaggerated example, in my opinion, to the point where it's not worth it to participate in the current setup. Screw free agency, at least for outfielders. Adam Dunn is looking better and better.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Dec 10, 2010 -> 12:36 PM) This is an interesting deal. Bruce clearly hasn't hit the heights that he was supposed to just yet, but at age 23 rocked an .846 OPS. I think this is a really smart move for the Reds. Yeah, I think I'd do it. It's somewhat risky but the going price of a corner outfielder is highway robbery. Thanks a lot, Rizzo!

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Dec 10, 2010 -> 11:26 AM) Oh yeah. It's really that simple! But I digress. I hate JP. I can't help it. I will cheer him because he plays for my favorite team. But I can't be phony. Thing is there's other players I hate more like Jeff Francoeur. I hate watching guys make millions to be mediocre at what they do. How much more complicated is it? I mean, sure, those are simple stats that don't tell the whole story, but I challenge you to line up stats indicating that this contract doesn't make JP's look like a steal. Don't get me wrong, I'm no Pierre-hugger, and I REALLY like Crawford (who wouldn't?), but I like him more as a 5/$70ish guy. I think that contract was flat stupid but maybe I'm an idiot. If this is what it's gonna take to sign a decent outfielder, go ahead and put me down for 5 more years of our outfield. Actually, go ahead and put me down for a hell of a lot more money in scouting and drafting.

QUOTE (Y2HH @ Dec 10, 2010 -> 11:58 AM) I did it on purpose, a carryover from the Crawford thread. Shows how much attention I pay to my surroundings

QUOTE (Y2HH @ Dec 10, 2010 -> 11:38 AM) I didn't pay attention to baseball much last year...was busy. And Juan Pierre is better than Carlos Quentin. So what. you chose the wroooong person to say that to!

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Dec 9, 2010 -> 06:38 PM) Besides Rickey? I can't think of anybody off the top of my head. That's not my point. For some reason certain posters have become obsessed with speedy leadoff guys. Speed is fine if it's there. But it's not essential. Not that this necessarily means anything, but Swisher from the leadoff spot was unwatchable. I don't have the numbers, nor do I care enough to get them, but wasn't his OBP there decent in his few PA's? I think OBP>Speed from the spot but I think a mix is very desirable.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Dec 9, 2010 -> 06:15 PM) Keith Law knows baseball but, for reasons no one seems sure of, has had a consistent pattern of being ridiculously negative about the Sox specifically. No idea why. Cowley is just useless, he can't decide if he's a really bad reporter or a columnist trying to become Jay Mariotti. For a while there I thought he was essentially auditioning for a radio gig, because he's sarcastic as all get-out, and because of how comfortable he is with the sound of his own voice. But then I remembered that he comes across as too smug for even the most embittered and cynical audiences to listen to for extended blocks of time. Maybe he needs to start writing for the LA Times.

Who's that guy second from the right? He looks mighty sexy in black and white...

QUOTE (chunk23 @ Dec 8, 2010 -> 08:44 PM) Heyman is notorious for being a mouthpiece for agents. There's a reason the 7 year teams are "mystery". Hint: they don't exist. I don't understand why the Padres traded for Bartlett, I figured the AGon trade was a white flag. Looks like a directionless team to me. Because Bartlett > AGon, duh!

QUOTE (bigruss22 @ Dec 8, 2010 -> 05:04 PM) Comparison of down years: Dlee's 2010: .260/.347/.428/.774 Konerko's 2008: .240/.344/ .438/ .783 Konerko looked toast in 2008, and 2009 was an improvement but was only worth 1.8 wins. Lee was worth 1.5 wins in his "dismal" season. Thus, Lee's worst season was still basically the same as Konerko's "average" season. Right, and the important numbers there are 2010 and 2008. Since Konerko's down season, you have since been provided with overwhelming evidence that his career is not shot because of injury or diminished skills. What has Lee shown you since his down year?

QUOTE (justBLAZE @ Dec 8, 2010 -> 04:48 PM) And Pena signed before Paulie, I am willing to bet Derrek Lee will have a better season than Carlos Pena. I don't think the rest of MLB agrees. I just don't get how anyone can ASSUME that an aged player will bounce back after a dismal season. Based on what? A hunch? Because people have done it before? I just don't see how you can justify a DLee signing unless it's very cheap, and even then it's not a slam-dunk that it's better than signing the more proven guy.