BearSox

I see Biden's daughter has been (most likely her) caught on film snorting cocaine. I'm glad for her sake the msm isn't reporting this, but you all know for a fact if this was Bristol Palin, all these stations would be playing it and in slow motion, and all that crap. The amount of bias (and hate for those who don't agree with them) coming from the media is pretty sickening.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Apr 1, 2009 -> 09:17 PM) If he can't make it as a part time player with the Marlins I have trouble believing he can do better than a AAA team anywhere else right now. I don't really know why this was directed towards me, but I agree.

I'd definitely take him in Charlotte just for the pure depth and to make our affiliate better. He can potentially be a callup in case of an injury, and in Charlotte he can switch between playing 1B, 3B, and DH.

QUOTE (MHizzle85 @ Mar 29, 2009 -> 10:24 PM) What i'm saying is who's to say that every umpire is going to use the pants as their reference? Well, having your socks high gives you a pretty good indication for where the knees are. I don't see how it could possibly hurt, and if anything, have a positive impact with a more consistent zone for low strikes.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Mar 30, 2009 -> 08:12 PM) Not that I don't enjoy your blind hatred of Nick Swisher, but perhaps you can give some proof that tells me he sucks. You're relying way too much on what you saw last year, rather than the guy's past performance Well, I'm assuming Swisher didn't change his approach at bat and rather pitchers adapted to him. And what I saw from Swisher last year was a guy with a horrific approach at bat. It's one thing to have a good eye and draw walks. It's another thing to stand there with you're bat on the shoulder letting pitch after pitch go by hoping for the walk. I didn't see much of Swisher in the past, but if he changed his approach and swing from 06, he's f***ing stupid, and I doubt that's the case..

QUOTE (knightni @ Mar 30, 2009 -> 08:05 PM) Hard to believe that there was no spot for Kroeger. There was, but Wise stole it with speed and grinder ability.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Mar 30, 2009 -> 05:24 PM) Swisher is almost certain to rebound. Wise is almost certain to do what Wise always does, Suck. Swisher sucks. He's had one really good year, but other than that, he hasn't been much better than decent, and last year he sucked balls. Perhaps there is a medium between last year and 07, but I'll still say good riddance. The guy is a bum.

Until I hear that Owens has been signed on by another team or decided to become a FA instead, I will not be satisfied. If Owens goes to Charlotte and does at least decent (which he likely will considering this is his 3rd or 4th year in AAA) and Wise does bad, guess who comes up in place of Wise. However, Wise leading off and starting in CF is almost as bad as Owens leading off and playing CF. I think we all know what we can expect from Wise, a solid bench player, so lets hope Getz rakes and takes over the leadoff duties.

QUOTE (MHizzle85 @ Mar 29, 2009 -> 08:03 PM) Who says that the umpire will go by that? If anything this makes your point just as stupid. What? So the low strike for 99% of the umpires isn't across the knees?

Doesn't matter if the baseball season started in the middle of June, the first week of the season would most likely still be rainy and cold, and overall crappy weather.

QUOTE (SouthsideDon48 @ Mar 29, 2009 -> 01:03 PM) Lol, then you wouldn't want me on your team. What's the big deal about pants covering up shoes??? Because it's stupid. In fact, I'd make all the players on my team, well, at least all the position players wear their socks high. This only benefits you because it gives the umpire a much better indication of where your knees are when you're at bat.

Who was that 1B we signed this spring out of independent ball? The one who used to be with the Angels?

If Hanley or anyone else doesn't like it, they should quit. This is the MLB, it is a business, as well as a game. If a team wants it's players to look like professionals, it's their right. I prefer teams that have some sort of dress code. I'd also not allow players to wear uniforms that are 5 sizes to big (Manny) or have pants that cover up their shoes.

AL EAST: Yankees (102-60)* - If they don't win over 100 games, something is very wrong. Red Sox (95-67)* - Another very solid season for the Cubs of the AL. Rays (90-72) - It'll be tough to top their 08 campaign, and they get stuck in the AL East. Blue Jays (80-82) - Decent team, still has a lot of work. Orioles (62-100) - I think I might be generous with their number of W's. AL CENTRAL: Twins (88-74)* - They are always up there, and their young guys only got better, a lot will depend on Mauer, however. Royals (81-81) - Surprise, I think they are a very solid young team and will play good together. Indians (81-81) - Better than last year, but still has work. White Sox (78-84) - It will be tough for the young pitchers to repeat 08, as well as big question marks at the back end of the rotation. Tigers (76-86) - Again, lack of pitching hurts the Tigers. AL WEST: Angels (98-64)* - Still the best team in the west. Athletics (84-78) - Solid team, but they aren't quite there yet, 2010 can be a big year for them. Rangers (80-82) - A lotta O, but little in the pitching department. Mariners (64-98) - Just a bad team. (Got tired of explanations) NL EAST: Mets (96-66)* Braves (90-72)* Phillies (86-76) Marlins (78-84) Nationals (63-99) NL CENTRAL: Cubs (92-70)* Reds (86-76) Cardinals (82-80) Brewers (80-82) Astros (76-86) Pirates (69-93) NL WEST: Diamondbacks (89-73)* Dodgers (88-74) Rockies (76-86) Giants (76-86) Padres (69-93)

I think the only role Richard can have SOME success in is as a lefty long man and spot starter. If he is ever a full time starter, he'll get rocked. Right now I view him as more of a stop gap than a part of the future.

It's a shame him and Wise will make the team, while we have Josh Kroeger, who's vastly out preformed them, headed to the minors. Lillibridge is, sadly, a poor man's version of Pablo Ozuna.

What I've noticed is that he struggles with the transition of the ball from the glove to his right hand. Also, I'd be surprised if Fields is a long term answer at any position, unless he drastically cuts down on his K's and is able to draw more walks. Guys like Ryan Braun can get away with a lot of K's and a low number of walks, but I think we can all agree that Fields is no Braun.

Makes more sense this way... and IIRC, Reatherford can play a bunch of positions on the field and he should be able to find a spot on the team. I find it hard to believe that he wouldn't be one of the 8 best hitters on the team.

depending on the price, I feel Anderson and Melky could be a real good duo in CF, with a lot of potential.

I figure he can get plenty of playing time at 3B (around 200 AB's there), and 1B/DH (100+ AB's), plus plenty of AB's as a pinch hitter, and subbing in when needed at SS or 2B.

He definitely deserves it, but he's still a douche.

You have no idea how much I hate computer generated numbers/stats/records (even though BP nailed the Sox right on the head in 07).

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Mar 23, 2009 -> 07:47 AM) Viciedo has been playing professionally for four years now. Beckham played vs. top college competition for 4 years. Granted the Cuban League is most likely tougher, Viciedo is much more raw than Beckham, IMO. Also considering there was a chance for him to make the team this year, it wouldn't surprise me in the least to see if he gets assigned to Charlotte.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Mar 22, 2009 -> 10:26 PM) Longoria is one of the best young hitter's in the game. Victorion is a fine hitter, but he doesn't have have half the power or hitting talent that Longoria does. We're not just talking a home run. Longoria can hit the ball anywhere. BTW, why was Jeter starting at SS and Rollins DH'ing? That's an ignorant move based only on the Jeter hype. I don't disagree Longoria is one of the top young hitters in the game, but I'd gladly take my odds with a proven guy like Victorino who is much more savy, and would at the very least put the ball in play. Agreed about the Jeter-Rollins thing though. So, we're officially eliminated? Personally, I thought the USA team was horribly put together.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Mar 22, 2009 -> 10:38 PM) I remember once when you got carried away and said you were in support of the United States doing summary executions and didn't realize that's what you said. Hilarity. Oh, I don't mind summary executions, just depends on the person. However, this is a topic meant for another thread, another day.