Gregory Pratt

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Dec 2, 2007 -> 09:50 PM) I was really happy when Ozzie made that quote too because it was a bit of a diversion from the past Ozzie. I'm hoping Ozzie learned a lot about the x's and o's of the game this past season and that we will see a much improved in game/strategic coach because i Do believe Ozzie has a knack from getting the best out of his guys most of the time and I think he also has a good approach in that he is confident in what he does (whether you buy into it or not, you got to have confidence from the guys at the top and neither Kenny or Ozzie lack that). I don't think Ozzie learned all that much from last season that he didn't learn in Montreal. And he's already knows about all he needs to know, IMO, about the xs and os from his time with Jack McKeon and being around Bobby Cox and being around Younger, Still Old Fisk and by all means, he always had a great knowledge of baseball. That's why he was co-captain with Fisk in, what? His second year? Third? Fourth?

And I think he was lighter this year than before and in his best shape.

Can't say I disagree except to say that Ozzie doesn't want to put X fast guy at lead-off just because X is fast. That's bogus -- he isn't stupid.

I'm definitely in the minority here but I'd like Santana to stay in Minnesota, just because it's where he belongs. I believe in franchise players, even in free agency, and I think it's a travesty that the Twins and the Fans and the city will lose Johan Santana because Pohlad is super stingy. That's f***ed up.

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Dec 2, 2007 -> 02:33 PM) But Keith speed doesnt slump. Their will be a platoon in Left. It will be the bantam weight contenders of Ozuna and Owens. I would love Nady and I would love Fukodome or even Jones. But I am worried that Kenny is gun shy after losing Jones. And if Ozzie gets his hands on the lineup in ST, he has to have his bantam weight guys flying around at the top of the lineup. Hell he brought in a 3rd base coach that specializes in bunting. You know what that means. Which is it, Irish: Sox bad because they "lift and pull" and summer turns into "softball" because of Walker or Sox bad because they bring in someone who stresses fundamentals?

Through their careers: Pitchetr: 499 games, 3333.1 IP, 29 years old, 374 W, 37 L, 11 Svs, 3702 K, 601 BB, 1.48 ERA Career .429 average, 317 HRs, 577 RBI, 455 R, 92 SB, 566 H Centerfielder 1501 G 32 Years old 1747 H, .331 avg., 336 HR, 899 RBI, 1246 R, 569 SB And he isn't even the best player on his team, yet he beat out the pitcher for an MVP because he stole an insane amount of bases? The system is a joke!

Dude. The centerfielder stole 255 bases.

Who do you choose as your MVP if you are filling out the ballot?

QUOTE(LosMediasBlancas @ Dec 1, 2007 -> 11:58 AM) Hatton was a guy I thought would become a ledgend. I remember all of his early fights and he was relentless brick wall, with no defense that just kept moving forward with power punches. His last few fights have been really unimpressive. I hope he beats Mayweather, but I think Mayweather will run and duck all night and win a decision by like 400 points. His last few fights have been unimpressive -- really? 'Cause this was badass:

I read an analysis somewhere arguing that Capuano, while imperfect, suffered more from lousy defense around him and poor relief work than with being garbage. I don't like him all that much but I might take a flier, if I were the GM, assuming the price was right and my scouts -- assuming they're any good -- tell me that he's worth it. So, I don't know. Kenny should consult all his scouts... ...or maybe not, actually.

Scott Boras is right. Baseball is flush with cash, the owners are all flush with cash, and they can all afford top notch players at insane prices. Except maybe Florida or Tampa or one of those struggling franchises, but even they get a ton from other sources. Scott Boras is still one of my least favorite people in baseball, but he has every right and reason to insist that teams pony up big bucks for his clients. And crying poor is bull.

Barton is awesome.

It's on HBO 24/7, and I must say HBO does a great job. I hope Hatton beats the s*** out of Mayweather.

86.

The Bears come up all the time, too. The Dolphins come up when it's relevant -- you know, when they sit around eating cheese doodles in hopes that the last undefeated team finally loses, but that is hardly "better remembered" especially since the Bears are up all the time, too. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story...mp;sportCat=nfl Thats' from just a few days ago and they frequently come up.

Slav, That is a helluva SI cover. I'm going to keep looking for TIME and SI covers.

My favorites right now: Go on and spread the love -- I can't be the only one who has recently decided, "Hey, I'll save pictures I like and start looking for more!"

I'd completely forgotten him while making that post. But no, I'm not pencilling him in for much, either.

QUOTE(Markbilliards @ Nov 28, 2007 -> 10:16 PM) NTC confirmed here http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2005/01/c...-white-sox.html and here http://www.mlb4u.com/profile.php?id=1021 However, don't get hung up on No-trade clauses. In reality they're meaningless for the most part. If a team makes it clear to a player that they don't want him anymore and want to trade him the player seems to often oblige to the team's desires most of the time. Not many players like staying in a place where they feel disliked or unwanted by the organization itself. Ask Jim Thome. Thome was asked, "Where would you like to go -- we can't afford you and we've got a younger, cheaper you in Howard." He wasn't kicked out because they didn't want him anymore in the same way that you'd kick out Dimitri Young from Detroit. But yeah, most players will turn them down if it's made clear to them that you aren't wanted anymore.

QUOTE(michelangelosmonkey @ Nov 28, 2007 -> 09:19 PM) 'Dumb as hell' is pretty harsh. Konerko is a career .848 OPS guy and he's 31. Torii Hunter's a career .839 hitter is two years older than Konerko and someone just paid HIM $18 million a year to maintain his ability until he's 38. Seeing Konerko being an .800 OPS guy at 37 isn't crazy. Paying Torii Hunter $18 mill...that's crazy. Konerko has an arthritic hip. He will be lucky to be playing ball when he's thirty seven, let alone putting up an .800 OPS. And Hunter is a career .839 hitter? ::whistle:: That's hot! (Those are my two observations: first is serious. Second is just teasing. )

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Nov 28, 2007 -> 08:59 PM) Why is it that the Sox will be in trouble in 5-7 years and nobody else will? We have just as many if not more pitching prospects than the twins do, who knows what will pan out. Oh come on, Rock. I agree, to an extent, with your first sentence, though I don't see good things for the next year or two, at least. But we have just as many "if not more" pitching prospects than the Twins? Maybe that's true if everyone is a prospect but we hardly have quality pitching prospects. Two? Two. (I won't count Broadway or Floyd or Haeger.)

As time has gone on, I've "gotten over" Young throwing the bat at the umpire. Babe Ruth punched an umpire in one of his first couple of seasons and then regretted it. Several old-time players fought umpires. Hell, much of the White Sox locker room beat up an umpire who wanted to prove he wasn't "chicken". What Young did was something I criticized and many others, too, but I've gotten over my "SUSPEND HIM FOREVER!" belief and much of my righteous indignation. It's definitely something you sit your player down for and talk to him about, but he didn't kill anyone. You're right, I'd imagine that KW would be criticized by some. "Oh, Young's a cancer!" but I don't think the reaction would be the same. If we were in Minnesota's situation, I doubt we'd complain all that much.