iamshack

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Dec 15, 2009 -> 05:14 PM) In 2007 when Podsednik went down the Sox plugged Darin Erstad and Jerry Owens into the leadoff spot. They both put up a .325 OBP, Erstad hit .284 and Jerry Owens stole 32 bases. In 2008 the Sox get creative and put Nick Swisher in the leadoff spot and he manages a .354 OBP, unfortunately his .210 AVG led to his dismissal from the position. So the Sox plug another un-prototypical leadoff man into the role and get a .293 AVG and .341 OBP from Orlando Cabrera. In 2009 the Sox stick an untalented old dude with a sub .300 career minor league OBP in the leadoff role and he f***ing blows (shocking) so they sign some dude with a little talent for the minimum and he puts up a .350+ OBP. You don't have to waste money on Pierre to get a s***ty OBP out of your leadoff spot. I'm talking about the center field part. You're going to honestly tell me that Pierre can't put up the same numbers OCab did?

QUOTE (monomach @ Dec 15, 2009 -> 05:12 PM) aka Mackowiak, Erstad. I hate Ozzie. The correct description for these people is "stupid." People who believe the smallball myth are morons, especially when we play in the ballpark we have. Then why not sign Thome for a third or a half of the price? Because he's not Godzilla?

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Dec 15, 2009 -> 05:10 PM) Matsui is a much more complete hitter than Jim Thome. Because he hits more doubles and less home runs?

QUOTE (monomach @ Dec 15, 2009 -> 05:04 PM) Jones is a scrapheap bencher. Ditto Vizquel. Pierre is a slap hitter who can't get on base and gets caught stealing too much. Putz is a giant question mark. Hell, yes, I'd give them all up for Matsui and his .850+ OPS. We could have just signed Matsui, offered Carrasco a million in arbitration, signed a league-average outfielder for almost nothing, and used minor leaguers on the bench. We just had Thome LAST YEAR who put up an .850 OPS and all anyone could do was rag on him for being slow and old. Now we want to pay a very similar player $6.5 million, when the same guy we had last year can be had for half that. Brilliant.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Dec 15, 2009 -> 05:01 PM) Didn't he get 6.5 million? Yes. Fathom was mistaken.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Dec 15, 2009 -> 05:01 PM) If he's going to be getting significant time at DH and OF then he's not a bench player and in the 3 seasons he's been healthy enough to manage starter level PA he's put up s*** numbers. He's not going to get significant time anywhere. He'll fill in at 1b and DH when the matchup suits him. If he gets more than 300 PA's it will be because of injuries elsewhere.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Dec 15, 2009 -> 04:57 PM) How about not wasting $8M on Pierre and instead finding someone off the scrapheap that can put up a ~.330 OBP for the minimum and play a little CF, they're out there. I'll gladly take a DH that can put up a decent OPS if it means no Kotsay or Andruw Jones, this is the AL you don't use your bench all that often and neither player has much flexibility anyway. I don't really give a s*** about either. And if Vizquel isn't going to be getting 250+ PA including time at DH I'm disappointed they signed him as well. Oh, because I thought we've been trying to do that for 4 years now, Kal. Last I checked, it hasn't worked out. In fact it hasn't worked out so much that we brought back Scott Podsednik and he was probably the mvp of the damn offense last year, unfortunately. I know you don't care for how this team is coming together, but I also think you're being a bit unrealistic.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Dec 15, 2009 -> 04:53 PM) That kind of makes my point. I also refuse to use injuries as an excuse for poor production. And besides; he's gotten 430+ PA in 3 of the last 5 seasons. Then compare him to other bench players, not regulars.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Dec 15, 2009 -> 05:49 PM) Kenny's the one that's floating the idea of a rotating DH which is sure to be Kotsay and Jones heavy. Even if that were to happen, would you rather go out and sign Vlad or Matsui and not have the flexibility we have now with Jones/Pierre/Vizquel and Putz? Because signing one of the few players available would have meant none of these other moves.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Dec 15, 2009 -> 05:48 PM) Kotsay hasn't put up a wOBA north of .321 since 2004 and just as a frame of reference: AJ put up a .326 last season, Rowand a .323 and Mark Teahen a .323 so that's about what you're getting with a .325 and Kotsay couldn't even muster that level of production. I don't think Kotsay is any answer, but he's also been coming off the bench and/or been struggling with injuries. And granted, that will be his role here, but I don't think it's fair to look at his production as if it's production that has been a result of everyday at bats.

QUOTE (fathom @ Dec 15, 2009 -> 05:47 PM) We're just reacting to what Ozzie's saying. I don't think what he's saying is accurate, as KW isn't that dumb. But when you start getting people rationalizing that Kotsay/Jones could work as a DH tandem, that's when comments need to be made. I have no problem with Jones being part of a platoon in both the OF and at DH. But I was thinking more of something along the lines of a Jones/Thome/Flowers platoon than Jones/Kotsay.

QUOTE (fathom @ Dec 15, 2009 -> 05:36 PM) What's Kotsay going to produce? Even if he overachieves, you're looking at probably .275 and 15 homers. Not exactly a lot of thump from your DH. They'll sign Thome before they go with Kotsay at DH. Jesus Christ.

I wish certain people would stop pretending that Kenny has the payroll and farm system of Boston when attempting to make his acquisitions during the offseason... No matter how much we want to wish and wish and wish, the man still has to operate in reality. No amount of insulting him or complaining is going to change that. I, for one, think he is putting together a pretty good band of merry men.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Dec 15, 2009 -> 05:30 PM) Money helps. But money is a distant second to good scouting when it comes to something as inexact as projecting a bunch of 18-20 year olds. And it's not like the Red Sox are working with top 10 picks every year. What they've done the last 5 years or so in regards to their farm has been nothing short of fantastic. Well, I get what you're saying here, but let's not pretend that the MLB draft is ANYTHING like the NFL or NBA draft. Money is the great equalizer in the MLB draft...

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Dec 15, 2009 -> 04:17 PM) You heard anything about the names? Reading between the lines of what I heard, I expect it to be a young player that will cost a lot. I know we just did a deal with the Dodgers, but they have a ton of holes and a need in the rotation and no room to really add payroll. I wonder if the Sox could find a way to put together a massive package to acquire Andre Ethier. Then we could have an entire LA Dodgers OF!

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Dec 15, 2009 -> 01:50 PM) I'm talking about all the times we've seen Pods in CF, Mackowiak in CF, Wise in CF, etc. Notice the common denominator there... We finally have a CFer now...

QUOTE (Ranger @ Dec 15, 2009 -> 12:40 PM) They can definitely come. Ooh, notice the sexual innuendo... Just kidding. As for the the party, I am a bit disappointed in you Mr. Rongey, but can't say I blame you, either.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Dec 15, 2009 -> 12:29 PM) Is that rumored or speculation by you? It would make sense...they certainly don't need an OF'er

QUOTE (Friend of Nordhagen @ Dec 15, 2009 -> 12:06 PM) On balance, I like the move. Nothing too studly, but it has its advantages -- and I give Williams credit for actually addressing his outfield this year, unlike past years when he's ignored it. Pierre is a remarkably consistent guy; some would say he's consistently mediocre, but he's decent in LF, a good hitter and he can run. On those nights when we're complaining about everyone swinging for the fences, he'll be trying to scratch out runs. I'd like his OBP and arm to be better, sure. But show me a guy who has holes in his game, and I'll show you every player in baseball. As for his SLG percentage, I simply don't care a whole lot. And the whole thing about him making a bunch of outs? Well, that will happen when you play every single game. The Hawk eh roo

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 15, 2009 -> 12:59 PM) If Beckham hits 25 homers next year he is either juicing or hitting .250. Didn't he hit 14 in 430 AB's or something? I don't think it's out of the realm of possibilities...

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 15, 2009 -> 11:55 AM) Less money for Thome than Pierre or Teahan? Where do I sign? He has nowhere to play. He isn't going to play in the NL, and there are about 3 teams that may be interested in the AL? He lives here, he loves it here, the fans like him, etc.,. Give him a chance to get 400 PA's and I think he'll take a few million bucks. It's not about money at this point, so just don't insult him...

QUOTE (WCSox @ Dec 15, 2009 -> 11:50 AM) Yeah, his .847 OPS last year really sucked. I have no problem bringing him back for $5M or so next year. I think he'd come back for $2 million, honestly.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Dec 15, 2009 -> 11:34 AM) Got no problem at all with that. Ely was one guy I really would have liked to hold onto....kinda puts a downer on things for me...

QUOTE (jhonnydanks @ Dec 15, 2009 -> 12:11 PM) tough crowd don't sotp get it get it Wooo!

I'll bring the Pride Crew