2nd_city_saint787

QUOTE (Stan Bahnsen @ Feb 5, 2014 -> 04:18 PM) True, but maybe not by June or so. I'll be ticked if we don't have a different catcher by the trade deadline. Maybe, maybe not. Lobaton could also emerge with regular playing time, something he's never really gotten. Or perhaps he can still be the ~.230/.320 hitter he's been the last 2 years and the Sox still end up making a trade in June or so. Pretty much if it comes at the sacrifice of a guy like Keppinger or Gillaspie it really wouldn't hurt the team to give him a shot since those guys don't have a future here anyway. Now if the plan is to keep the Keppspie platoon with hopes that they can build trade value while Davidson gets some seasoning then I'd be curious as to what else the Rays might want. If they'll take the Simon Castros or Nestor Molinas of the Sox org then I still see no risk in bringing him in.

The Castros and Jasos of the world seem like pipe dreams at this point, so I'd absolutely "settle" for Lobaton. At the very least he can take a walk.

I'm a little surprised by this The Ring of Honor influence: How one small wrestling company impacted WWE WWE giving a shout out to ROH. No mention of Punk in the "players" section either, but his picture is still on the bottom of the article.

Uhhh..... George Zimmerman to fight DMX in celebrity boxing match.... This can't be real can it??? I mean it is on CNN and not some satire site.... (wasn't sure if I should put it in here or not)

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Feb 4, 2014 -> 09:51 PM) Ever hear of Eric Bledsoe? The Suns have been amazing this year. But let me slow down. 2k5 is going to call me a bandwagoner if I give them to much props. #myteamsuckssohateallteamsthatdon'tsuck #the2k5way #twtw I knew they had to be missing someone. Bobcats picking up another solid W over the Warriors. They've beat 2 West playoff teams the last 2 weeks.

Are the Suns missing some key players??? On paper and judging from the first quarter that team looks awful, yet they have a .600+ win%.

QUOTE (The Ultimate Champion @ Feb 4, 2014 -> 12:05 PM) Paulino is a solid buy-low opportunity, yes. But let's not get carried away thinking he has some great track record or anything to stand on. He's a rehabbing project we have an option on. He's a low-risk placeholder who if he turns into a useful player might bring back a solid prospect under favorable circumstances. It's a nice move. Santana OTOH is a whole lot better than he is & should be expected to perform a whole lot better than Paulino both next year and over the next 3 years. Sans 1 bad game Paulino has a 3.40 era over his last 150 innings as a starter. Why sign the guy if you're not even going to give him a chance to prove himself?

QUOTE (wardo @ Feb 3, 2014 -> 11:52 PM) One more bullpen arm would be nice. A lot of inexperience in the pen right now. Maybe someone on a minor league deal that could contribute at the major league level out of spring training, maybe a Mitchell Boggs type? Also wish they would have signed someone to cement into that 4th or 5th rotation spot like Phil Hughes for a year with maybe an option. Between Downs, Belisario, and Lindstrom I think they're plenty experienced. Nate Jones also has 135 games under his belt. Also, as the above poster just said don't underestimate Paulino....Or Rienzo improving...Or Surkamp emerging....I like the idea of a competition for the 5 spot, should be fun to follow in ST.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Feb 3, 2014 -> 11:46 PM) I don't know where to put this but this is amazing: http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/02/jared-lore...river-monsters/ A thing of beauty...

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Feb 3, 2014 -> 08:30 PM) I seriously love every thing about the Shield and the Wyatt's. Now do this... QUOTE (scs787 @ Jan 28, 2014 -> 12:49 AM) Time to throw my drunk creative hat on...Also had some taco bell so it's time to think outside the bun.... Elimination Chamber War Games....Wyatts vs Shield....Isn't there a mode on SvR where you can do a 3 on 3 EC match?? Maybe make it extra spicy and have Bray "brainwash" Ambrose, and turn on the shield. Also how big are dem dare pods???? Can we finally get a tag team EC??? NAO-Rhodes-Usos-Real Americans-Rey/Cara-PTP...Or The Bulls, Ryabaxel, or better yet...bring back Air Boom. Throw dem boys in that there chamber contraption.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Feb 3, 2014 -> 06:39 PM) Sorry, I don't think they are running a 3-4. Either way they go wouldn't surprise me. Both the DL and LB coach they signed have worked exclusively in the 3-4 and are "Wade Phillips guys" so that's what has me feeling it's gonna be a 3-4 of some sorts.

QUOTE (Jake @ Feb 3, 2014 -> 05:31 PM) Bears: 4-3, 3-4, 4-3 under, some sort of other hybrid? With the new coaches they hired you'd have to think they run at least some sort of hybrid if not a full on 3-4. In an absolutely ideal, yet sensible, world the Bears sign Michael Bennett, Terrance Cody, resign Ratliff, and draft Kony Ealy. In a hybrid that sets up as... 4-3 formations DL-Bennett-Ratliff-Cody-Ealy LB--Briggs-Bostic-SMC (I know Shea isn't ideal but Emery has already talked about him there so give it a shot) 3-4 DL-- Bennett-Cody-Ratliff LB-Smc-Briggs-Bostic-Ealy (in this ideal world Briggs agrees to play inside)

QUOTE (raBBit @ Feb 1, 2014 -> 12:58 PM) Am I the only one who absolutely loves this signing more and more everyday? After looking at his stats over his last 2 years as a starter I really love it as well(as long as he bounces back). The stat got lost in the Dunn thread, but sans 1 bad game Paulino has a 3.40 era over his last 150 innings as a starter.

QUOTE (buhbuhburrrrlz @ Jan 31, 2014 -> 09:05 PM) so they get rid of Taj then Melo decides to stay in NY. Then what? lol 2 words...Gordon Hayward.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Jan 31, 2014 -> 11:37 PM) Colby Rasmus is going to have a lot of suitors next offseason and they'll be the biggest spenders. The Sox aren't going to win the bidding for him. As far as signing a pitcher goes, I think that rotation is a problem that needs to be addressed. A mid-rotation contract for Jimenez or Santana would be a wise investment at this point given their future payroll comittments. I don't know why you keep believing this....They were in the running for a 20M dollar free agent this year but you don't think they can get a guy who is going to make what 15M tops? Your boy Dunns contract is also off the book. I see no reason why they Sox can't/won't be big spenders next offseason. Paulino was brought in to start, give the man a chance. He's got the potential to be just as good as Santana/Jimenez. I know I'm cherry picking a just a bit but over his past 2 year he's really only had 1 bad game as a starter. In that game he gave up 6 runs in 4 innings. Sans that game 1 game he has a 3.40 era over his last 153 innings pitched as a starter. I really think he could end up being a really good signing.

I know he's younger, and has shown some type of potential in the past, but Mark Trumbo was traded alone for Hector Santiago and Tyler Skaggs.....If Dunn comes out and hits like he did for the 3 months in the middle of the season last year, or even like how he did the first 2 months of the 2012 season (.230/.370/.550 on pace for 50 HRs and 111 RBI), then someone will offer up an intriguing piece for him. I've been one of the few supporters of Dunn the last 2 years, and I truly believe you can win with the guy. We saw this in 2012 when they were in it until injuries hit both he and PK.

KENTA got a tryout with E. If he signs and gets buried like every other Japanese wrestler to come along it'd be a damn shame.......What would be awesome is if they bring him in right away(I'm talkin Monday) and allow him to use his GTS.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 29, 2014 -> 06:50 PM) That is zero proof of actual recruiting. Can't find the SI article, but there's this....

Scott Baker got a minor league deal from the M's.....That could end up being a really good move.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Jan 29, 2014 -> 01:57 PM) We really havent seen an opportunity to disprove it either. 2010 was all wrapped up in a bow for the heat This.

"Spoilers" (Smackdown)

Really wouldn't surprise me one bit, but I expect it to be a work. It will be an interesting couple of weeks.

Time to throw my drunk creative hat on...Also had some taco bell so it's time to think outside the bun.... Elimination Chamber War Games....Wyatts vs Shield....Isn't there a mode on SvR where you can do a 3 on 3 EC match?? Maybe make it extra spicy and have Bray "brainwash" Ambrose, and turns on the shield. Also how big are dem dare pods???? Can we finally get a tag team EC??? NAO-Rhodes-Usos-Real Americans-Rey/Cara-PTP...Or The Bulls, Ryabaxel, or better yet...bring back Air Boom.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 27, 2014 -> 10:28 PM) Too bad Rose won't... They've already talked about playing together...whether it happens or not though...

Here's a question that I don't think has been asked yet... Lets say the Sox believe Paulino strings together a good 1st half (something he is more than capable of doing)...What sort of package would he be looking at? Would a team rather have the cheap production of Paulino, or the more proven guy who's getting paid a lot more?