Gregory Pratt

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Jul 31, 2006 -> 09:16 PM) The bullpen is spent. Unfortunately for Contreras his pitch count and the temperature are pretty much the same right now. Contreras is from Cuba. I'm sure he's not bothered by the heat.

I have a mancrush on Barry Zito. And I'd like to cuddle with Jim Thome. Since we're talking about oddities.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Jul 31, 2006 -> 09:01 PM) You have to figure McCarthy is going to be in the rotation next year. Anyone think Thornton or Cotts may get a shot to stretch it out in spring training and KW deals 2 starters? If Chacon can bring back Craig Wilson, I know Wilson isn't the greatest, but Chacon is brutal, 2 Sox starters could free up a ton of money and bring back a lot of players. No way.

QUOTE(Heads22 @ Jul 31, 2006 -> 08:58 PM) If we are up by 3, I have no problem letting Matt try his hand at closing a game. Me too. He's done it before, though. He has a save.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jul 31, 2006 -> 08:35 PM) I don't want it to sound like I don't like Thome. I just think Paulie and Dye are more valuable. Thome is a big reason why we are where we are and its not fair for me to blame a player for our own manager changing his strategy. I think you're absolutely wrong right there, but whatever. Agree to disagree.

What was that Grinder Rule commercial just now that ended with a few shots of Thome? I just missed it when I went to get candy.

QUOTE(BigSqwert @ Jul 31, 2006 -> 08:22 PM) I'm talking about '3 Ks and a flyout' lows. Has had quite a few of those. Yeah, well, he still makes pitchers throw a ton of pitches, and that's always valuable.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jul 31, 2006 -> 08:20 PM) I despite Thome's approach. Like the guy and I think he's made the rest of our hitters really good, but what he does doesn't add up. His numbers are ridiculously good though. I'm not a fan of pure sluggers. I'll take Dyes and Konerko's and with Thome Ozzie has gotten way too pathetic as a manager. I love Thome's approach. He walks a ton. Homers a ton. Strikes out a ton. Most of his at-bats wind up at 3-2, and he's got no problem taking a walk if he's gotta. Dye wouldn't be anywhere near this good this year without Thome in the lineup, IMO. This is his career year, I think.

QUOTE(BigSqwert @ Jul 31, 2006 -> 08:18 PM) No. I'm just greedy. I want all highs and no lows. The way I see it, even when Thome's low, he walks a ton, and that's always valuable. Makes pitchers throw a ton of pitches.

QUOTE(BigSqwert @ Jul 31, 2006 -> 08:16 PM) He's a classic slugger. Has his highs and lows. Yeah. Not a bad thing, either.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jul 31, 2006 -> 08:14 PM) I think we can all agree we've seen too many "rough days" lately. I do agree though, I used a bad word to describe Contreras. I was referring more to the entire starting rotation. If these guys don't want to be remembered as one of the more disappointing collection of starters in the last 20 years, they need to have a strong finish to the season. Contreras has looked fine to me even when he's had it rough.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jul 31, 2006 -> 08:13 PM) I'll take Gload's approach. I think it will do good things. He's being rewarded right now (although its cause Thome/Konerko had some injuries) and he's responding quite well. He's really got as good of an approach as any hitter on this team. You'd take Gload's over Thome? Different strokes for different folks, but, while I appreciate Ross a lot, I'd rather Thome, thanks. I'd take Gload's approach over Konerko's every once in a while, but not too often. Thome's just something special in our lineup.

QUOTE(BigSqwert @ Jul 31, 2006 -> 08:13 PM) Honestly I'm more concerned with the score in Minnesota. I want them both to go down.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Jul 31, 2006 -> 08:11 PM) Thome has to be livid he can't take cuts against this pitching staff. That was my first thought.

QUOTE(CYGarland @ Jul 31, 2006 -> 08:11 PM) I had a bad feeling Jenks was going to blow it, he was due. I don't trust Jenks on the road as much as I do at home, for some reason.

QUOTE(jphat007 @ Jul 31, 2006 -> 08:07 PM) No guts? This is not directed to you, but just sports in general. How can you tell that? Just because they aren't pitching well? Is it their demeanor? I just always wonder when fans say they have no heart or no guts or whatever just because they are playing like crap. Yeah, well, it's an easy way to criticize. Contreras pitching rough in a game doesn't have to do with a rough day, a mistake, an error by his teammates, lazy play by the left fielder -- it's because they have no "guts." Contreras, of course, being one of the gutsier people in sports.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jul 31, 2006 -> 08:06 PM) It would be great to see just one of them step up and carry the team during a tough stretch when they need innings. Yeah yeah yeah.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jul 31, 2006 -> 08:04 PM) Our pitchers have absolutely no guts right now. Contreras' problem isn't guts. Not every pitcher's problems has to do with "guts."

QUOTE(retro1983hat @ Jul 31, 2006 -> 07:59 PM) No way he plays tomorrow. Ozzie always rest a hurt player a second day. Today's the second day.

In another thread, someone said this: "Vaz had a great speech on comcast and he sounded pissed that he sucks so far this year." When was this? What'd he say/

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ Jul 29, 2006 -> 09:56 PM) Vazquez pitched in a pretty big park in a division that, for years, only had one good team (the Braves). Oh, and in the NL. He had no pressure on him, and he was in a pretty good position to succeed, IMO. Comparing Vazquez to Contreras is almost a slap in the face of the Count. Plus, Contreras was an International Stud for Cuba before coming to Chicago. His entire career was a huge success pre-New York, and that was an aberration caused by a series of unfortunate events in his life, mental and mechanical.

QUOTE(Felix @ Jul 31, 2006 -> 01:30 PM) My guess is ~43. How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsy roll pop?

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ Jul 31, 2006 -> 02:25 PM) Enter Sandman...not Enter the Sandman. Don't misquote Metallica, buddy.

I like it, mate. I'm a big fan of that sort of thing. I've mocked Freddy Garcia with a parody of Back to the Future (in the Catchall Thread) and SoxTalk members with a mix of Enter the Sandman, so good work, tiger.

QUOTE(Wedge @ Jul 31, 2006 -> 01:13 PM) out of curiousity, does Haeger fit into our 2007 rotation plans at all? If so, dumping Vazquez and Freddy might be a reality. My other concern about 2007 is Contreras's age finally catching up to him. How old is Contreras, really? And, I don't think Haeger fits into 2007.