WCSox

QUOTE(Linnwood @ Aug 13, 2007 -> 11:45 AM) Unless the reporter has a quote he wants to include of A.J. b****ing, I don't give it too much credence. It just fits too neatly in to the narrative the national sports media has about A.J. There seems little reason to throw that line in the article, save to stoke the ashes. I bet A.J. hates puppies too. I don't pretend to know AJ as well as some of the other posters, but my experience with people in general is that where there's smoke, there's usually fire. While I'm sure that the media piles on AJ when they shouldn't (just like they pile on Barry), I'm not naive enough to think that AJ isn't responsible for much of it. AJ had a reputation for being a disruptive punk long before he signed with the Sox. And if the story is true, his baggage was enough that he literally had to beg Kenny to give him a shot. His tifts with Ozzie and Mark earlier this year seemed typical of the rumors that we heard about him years ago. I like AJ's fire, competitiveness, and Baseball IQ. But outside of that, I don't hold him in the same regard as some of his teammates.

QUOTE(ROC Sox Fan @ Aug 10, 2007 -> 05:01 PM) No, we got Dubee for Gooch. My bad. I recall Dubee's numbers prior to that acquisition being not very spectacular.

QUOTE(TLAK @ Aug 10, 2007 -> 03:54 PM) I looked up the crap you refer to. 21 year old Michael Dubee is 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in Kannapolis. Opponents are hitting .167 against him, he has 12 Ks in 9 IP. I see he also started a game. Give the young man some time. The Cubs have officially made an offer for Pods? That's news to me. Can't say much about Dubee, given that you're only showing me 9 innings of stats. Do you have anything more than that? QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Aug 10, 2007 -> 03:58 PM) Morgan Ensberg hit 36 HR, 101 RBI, and had a .945 OPS in 2005. Morgan Ensberg is currently hitting .231 with 10 HR and 35 RBI. So because Ensberg was great in 2005, should Astro fans have given him the benifit of the doubt? Should San Diego fans? Do you want him because of the numbers he put up in 2005? A lot can change in two years. Just look at the standings.... I'm not sure what kind of strawman argument you're trying to make, but I CLEARLY said that I don't want Pods on the Sox's roster next season.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Aug 10, 2007 -> 03:44 PM) Scott Podsednik is not a good ballplayer Not sure I'd go that far. Pods has been an effective leadoff hitter and base-stealer in the past. Not a stud by any means, but he certainly was a "good" player two years ago. I'm not sure if he'll ever be able to play at that level again, or if he'll be healthy long enough to be able to try. That said, I agree that keeping him around this year was a mistake and I don't want to see him on our roster next season.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Aug 10, 2007 -> 02:50 PM) his .262-.328-.377 line really isn't going to push the Cubs over the hump. QUOTE(Buehrle>Wood @ Aug 10, 2007 -> 02:26 PM) Maybe not, but it wouldn't stop the media from trying to spin it that way. Perception is often more important than reality.

QUOTE(beck72 @ Aug 10, 2007 -> 01:57 PM) The sox would be helping themselves on the off chance the guy they get for Pods might contribute at some point. If it helps the Cubs, so be it. I'm sure Kenny is concerned about helping the sox improve--not worrying or caring if the Cubs would be helped or not. Given that the Sox compete heavily with the Cubs for ticket sales and that the Cubs have an excellent shot at the playoffs, Kenny has to factor that into the equation. Kenny also has to consider that dumping Pods would only save the club about $870k right now. If the Sox can get a solid AA prospect or better from the Cubs, then I agree with you. If Pods will only garner the same crap that Kenny got in the Iguchi trade, forget it.

QUOTE(beck72 @ Aug 10, 2007 -> 06:21 AM) If Jose gives 2 decent starts [it might only take 1], some team will trade for him this month. Seeing how he passed through waivers unclaimed, Jose can go to any team looking to make the playoffs. Since Jose has been permanently (for now, at least) moved to the 'pen, that's not going to happen.

QUOTE(beck72 @ Aug 10, 2007 -> 01:32 PM) Regardless, the sox will likely non-tender him so they wouldn't be on the hook for the $3 mill. he'll get next yr. To get something now for him makes sense. If the choices are help the Cubs and get some crappy A-ball pitcher in return or keep Pods, I'd keep Pods. The Sox are not helping themselves by helping an in-city rival make the playoffs.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Aug 10, 2007 -> 07:56 AM) When it comes to Podsednik to the Cubs I want something for him. If we're going to be helping out a desperate team trying to make a playoff push I want something of value in return. If the Cubs want to give up Single-A fodder then hold onto Podsednik and non-tender him at season's end. I'm not just going to give him away to a desperate playoff contender. I completely agree. Not only that, but the Sox have absolutely no incentive to help a rival in their media market.

QUOTE(elrockinMT @ Aug 9, 2007 -> 03:26 PM) I don't see Fields at SS really do you? I don't either. Then again, I've never seen Fields try to play SS. That said, I'd rather have KW find a natural SS on the FA market or pick up Juan's option for next year.

QUOTE(rangercal @ Aug 9, 2007 -> 02:33 PM) this place has changed a lot in 2 years. I think people got spoiled rotten in 2005 and now whine and b**** about every little thing. Agreed that many people here have little perspective and are part of the "I want it right now" culture.

QUOTE(Steff @ Aug 9, 2007 -> 01:19 PM) The Score waited until the 11th hour, but John had already hired the movers when they came to him so it was a done deal. St. Louis was his dream job. He had been wanting it for over 5 years. Honestly I think he was going regardless of how much $ the Score tried to pay him, and I say good for him. Not too many people truly love their jobs as he loves his. I stand corrected.

QUOTE(Gregory Pratt @ Aug 9, 2007 -> 01:01 PM) I think he's referring to, say, Singleton and DJ, Seems like a money issue to me. Why would JR & Co. want to pay Steve Stone millions (or at least supplement what CSN would give him) when DJ will gladly do the job for a fraction of the cost? Money is the reason that we lost Rooney as well.

QUOTE(Yossarian @ Aug 9, 2007 -> 12:29 PM) Sorry, armchair managers on Soxtalk aren't the only baseball fans who question some of Ozzie's more memorable moves. Some of the armchair managers on Soxtalk fail to see the massive amount of gray area between "Ozzie's infallible" and "Ozzie's a worthless POS."

QUOTE(TheBigHurt @ Aug 9, 2007 -> 11:20 AM) I'm really surprised that there's many supporters left for Ozzie, and I honestly kinda laugh at them. I'm really surprised that so many armchair managers on Soxtalk continue to beat the "Ozzie sucks" drum ad nauseam, and I honestly kinda laugh at them.

QUOTE(WilliamTell @ Aug 5, 2007 -> 03:26 PM) I am looking forward to the future with Richar, Owens, Fields, Danks, and others. I think Danks and Fields are going to be solid for years to come. +1 We're going to be in decent shape next year.

QUOTE(mmmmmbeeer @ Aug 9, 2007 -> 10:03 AM) Apparently I'm alone in thinking that DJ is a solid color man. It's great having Stoney in the booth, but I really would be kind of disappointed if DJ were ever let go. He really does know a lot about the game, especially the strategy side. I don't think that DJ's that bad. But I'd drop him in a second of we could get Stoney on a permanent basis.

QUOTE(Sonik22 @ Aug 9, 2007 -> 09:52 AM) The Twins announcers are amazing. Milo Hamilton (Astros) is also one of the best play-by-play guys in the business. I wish that the Sox could steal him and move Farmer back to color.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Aug 9, 2007 -> 09:41 AM) I listen to both on a regular basis (M's for King Felix and the Royals for AL Central opponents) and both crews are insanely boring but they don't make me appreciate Hawk anymore. If Hawk were replaced with DJ and Stone took over the color duties I'd enjoy it a whole hell of a lot more. Just because some of the smaller markets have terrible announcers doesn't mean I want to listen to Hawk. My point was that the grass is not greener on the other side, not that Hawk is a super-awesome Hall of Fame announcer. The small markets aren't the only ones with bad people. Try getting through an Angels telecast without wanting to shoot Rex Huddler. Or the color guy for the Red Sox and his obnoxious Boston accent. QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Aug 9, 2007 -> 09:44 AM) I don't know who they all are, but the Twins' radio guys are very, very good. I think maybe Blyleven is among them? I think that Blyleven does color on TV, but I could be wrong about that.

QUOTE(Beltin'Bill @ Aug 9, 2007 -> 09:34 AM) By how many ticks, do you think? Comcast's had Bobby at about 95 last night, which has been more or less typical for him this year.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Aug 9, 2007 -> 09:26 AM) One thing's for sure, it would be a more enjoyable listen. You might not be saying that if you had to listen to the Mariners' or Royals' crew. There are A LOT of MLB play-by-play guys who make Hawk sound like Vin Scully.

QUOTE(Gregory Pratt @ Aug 9, 2007 -> 09:14 AM) Yeah, I don't think there are any replacements out there who'll shriek DAGGUMIT!!!!! when things are going wrong. No, I was referring to his place in Sox history. Those of us who are old enough still remember him calling games (with Drysdale) back in the ealry/mid '80s. As good as Hawk may or may not be, watching a Sox game wouldn't be the same without him.

Small sample size, but he looked pretty good in those two innings of relief last night. He was hitting 93 regularly on the Comcast gun, but I'm not sure what the (more accurate) stadium gun displayed. Moreover, he was locating his forkball. I think that command has been a much bigger problem for him than velocity this year. If he can re-gain that, we may not want to trade him next year.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Aug 9, 2007 -> 08:40 AM) Drones? You have proven time and time again that you still dont understand the workings of a baseball game. If it makes you feel like a unique person by criticizing someone who knows 1000 percent more about baseball than you do, then fine go ahead. All you have proven is that you are a repetitive poster who can only b**** about the same thing over and over. Oooh, snap!

QUOTE(Balance @ Aug 9, 2007 -> 08:01 AM) I think this pairing has been terrific. I don't know if Stoney will want the full-time gig, but if he does, I'd love to see a Hawk & Stoney booth for as long as they want to do it. +1 Stoney's awesome and Hawk is almost irreplaceable.