witesoxfan

QUOTE (nitetrain8601 @ Apr 26, 2010 -> 05:19 PM) I'm shocked Johan isn't on the list. He was always around the 91-92 range on average with the Twins, jumping to 93.1 in 2006. Since joining the Mets, his velocity has gone from 91.2 in 08 to 90.5 last year to 89.7 this year.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Apr 26, 2010 -> 05:06 PM) Over his last 38 Games and 148 AB dating back to September 1st of last year AJ is hitting .196/.241/.216/.457 w/ 0 HR and 3 2B. (.020 ISO) Things change when you hit your mid 30's (this is AJ's age 33 season), horrible slumps are significantly more worrisome. There's what 4 games left in this month? Well, so far this is FAR AND AWAY the worst month of AJ's career. He's currently hitting .140/.197/.158/.355 (0 HR, 1 2B will account for that .018 ISO). He's only posted a sub .600 OPS in a month 6 times since becoming a full time starter in 2001 and he's never had a sub .500 let alone sub .400 OPS for a month of work. His previous worsts: May, 2001: .226/.238/.274/.512 Apr, 2004: .236/.267/.250/.517 Jul, 2002: .225/.257/.268/.524 Sep, 2004: .186/.255/.256/.511 Sep, 2008: .224/.258/.306/.564 Sep, 2009: .231/.268/.253/.521 So yeah, that .140/.197/.158/.355 takes on a whole new level of bad looking at those previous career lows. Being a catcher worsens this situation too. It's entirely possible that AJ Pierzynski does not end the season as the White Sox starting catcher.

QUOTE (SouthsideDon48 @ Apr 26, 2010 -> 03:18 PM) I was just going to reply, but I noticed other people already beat me to it, that I would go after Yonder Alonso. I think he fits what the Sox need after Konerko goes. I would also look into getting Juan Francisco of the Reds as well if the Reds were not willing to deal Alonso. Francisco doesn't look like anything special to me. Doesn't walk, strikes out quite a bit. Yeah he hits some homers, and he has some time to develop, but his numbers scream organizational fodder. Seems very similar to Tom Collaro, who the White Sox dumped. Some of these guys, especially a guy like Alonso, aren't going to come cheaply just because they are blocked. These teams are going to find ways to get them into a lineup or they will get fair value for them from someone. If you want Alonso, you'll have to give up someone really good.

QUOTE (Jenksy Cat @ Apr 26, 2010 -> 04:00 PM) He did that with us as well... NOT IN 2009 HE DIDN'T!

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Apr 26, 2010 -> 03:58 PM) See that was the problem with a guy like Masset. Coop preaches movement, but Masset has more success throwing 97+ which is what he's doing with the Reds. Not all pitching coach's philosophies work on all pitchers. Same with Aardsma (whose fastball is straight as it is, but is effective when he locates it) The only guy I will give you who I like but is trapped in the hitter's hellhole for power is Ryan Sweeney. And your Uribe love sickens me. (yes I wasn't a big fan of his when he was here) Juan Uribe is also not near the defensive wizard that Vizquel is. He was a very good defensive shortstop for the Sox for about 3 years, but his range is not nearly as good as it once was. Vizquel has never really lost his range, and he will be a valuable member of the White Sox simply because of that range.

QUOTE (joeynach @ Apr 26, 2010 -> 03:51 PM) Theriot sprays the ball more consistently and strikes out way less. How about comparing their OBP, alexi cant take a walk remember. He hasn't walked yet this year, but he drew ~50 in ~600 PA's last year. Alexei can draw walks, it's a matter of him actually working the count and showing a bit of discipline at the plate. He hasn't done that yet this year.

QUOTE (fathom @ Apr 26, 2010 -> 03:46 PM) Clayton Richard is one of the hardest throwing lefty starters in baseball. That's pretty talented, in my opinion. It's going to be hard to judge how he would have been on the Sox, as he's in the perfect park for him to pitch in. Jorge De La Rosa - 94.2 Jon Lester - 93.5 David Price - 93.3 CC Sabathia - 93.2 Francisco Liriano - 93.1 Clayton Kershaw - 92.9 Gio Gonzalez - 92.6 Brett Anderson - 92.5 Clayton Richard - 91.4 CJ Wilson - 91.2 John Danks - 91.2 Only 8 lefties are throwing harder than him this year, so I would say this statement qualifies as true. It doesn't change the fact that his secondary pitches, in general, have been very mediocre, and it's the main reason why I think he'd make for a good reliever.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Apr 26, 2010 -> 03:43 PM) So more time under Magic Man Don Cooper's tutelage wouldn't have benefited him? You can't turn Black Velvet into Jack Daniels.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 26, 2010 -> 03:14 PM) Perception is more important than reality. And Theriot's a scrappy grinder. Alexei is a "mental midget" who some have described as having ADD/ADHD or a learning disability. But every GM in baseball would take Alexei over Theriot, for sure. who said that?

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Apr 26, 2010 -> 03:35 PM) The only thing that makes him like Buehrle is working fast and being lefthanded. The guy isnt very young and isnt all that talented. I still think Clayton Richard can be a good bullpen arm, but that's all the further I'd go. He's got a good fastball, but all of his secondary pitches are mediocre to bad. That leaves him as a 4th or 5th starter, or a bullpen arm.

QUOTE (TitoMB @ Apr 24, 2010 -> 01:46 PM) I guess he's the Favre of baseball. Awesome at what he does, but no one should try to emulate his mechanics. There's a lot of that in baseball, especially with hitters (both Frank Thomas and Jeff Bagwell were phenomenal hitters, but you don't want to teach kids to hit like those two), but it's quite a bit different in pitchers. So long as his mechanics aren't something that will cause a huge, devastating injury, the changes should and will be made. Or if they do cause that huge, devastating injury, it's hopefully after this contract is up and he's moved on to another team. I'm not worried about Floyd or Peavy whatsoever.

QUOTE (joejoedairy @ Apr 24, 2010 -> 12:18 AM) there are 3 guys in the nl who are 4-0 with eras of 1 or lower. ubaldo, hallady, and lincecum should be an interesting cy young race (my pick, halladay) There are now 4 guys in the NL who are 4-0 with ERAs of 1 or lower Ubaldo Jimenez Roy Halladay Tim Lincecum Mike Pelfrey (one of these things is not like the other, one of this things just doesn't belong)

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Apr 25, 2010 -> 09:18 PM) Chris Davis' suckage is blocking him. KK would be nice. I don't know why KC just doesn't trade him. Yonder Alonso is another guy. Although they'll probably just move him to LF. Kila will be on his way to the majors just as soon as KC falls far enough out of it and someone makes a legitimate offer for Jose Guillen. Then Butler moves to DH and Kila to 1B. Guillen is currently hitting way too well for the team to bench him, and their outfield is full.

QUOTE (daa84 @ Apr 26, 2010 -> 01:12 PM) it was time to get concerned last year when he had an OPS of .708, and only walked 23 times in 504 ABs ...i said that all throughout the last couple months last year and i got Roasted by alot of posters i'm not counting on him ever being a difference maker in the majors....hes still young enough to prove me wrong, and i hope he does, but im not optimistic about him....especially since it sounds as if he will have to play 1b or DH, and he would have to DRASTICALLY improve offensively to justify being able to play one of those spots in the majors I think there are some red flags, but he's still very young for his level. There's no huge rush to get him to the majors...the Sox have Konerko this year and decent stopgaps are always available for relatively cheap at 1B...Huff, LaRoche, Branyan...so the Sox just need to give him time to make sure he's ready before throwing him into the mix.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Apr 26, 2010 -> 08:48 AM) Which is of course the wrong way to do it, if you're a struggling team trying to develop talent. You play guys like Lynch, try to help them work through their problems, and then consider trading them after they've put together a surprise 1300 yard season. You don't draft a guy to move him to 3rd on the depth chart and basically require yourself to release him. I still don't think you'd get much for a running back anyways. Ricky Williams and Herschel Walker went for like 1st round picks, but they are rare, elite talents, and I'm not about to compare Marshawn Lynch to either one of those two. Thomas Jones and the 62nd pick went for the 37th pick. Travis Henry was traded for a 3rd round pick. Willis McGahee went for a 3rd and a 7th in the current draft and a 3rd the following season. I'd compare Lynch much more talent wise to those two, but he's not consistently healthy and he's never been an explosive back. If there is anyone who compares well to Marshawn Lynch, it's probably Cedric Benson...bust in his first 2-3 seasons, off-field trouble, and gets on the coaches s*** list...and Ced Benson was cut and then picked up by a Bengals franchise that really doesn't look at the character of the players they bring in. I do agree that getting something would be better than nothing, but I think the Bills are just going to use all 3 this year and then determine which of Jackson and Lynch they want to keep. I actually think there's a legitimate chance, albeit not a great chance, that both of them could be gone by this time next season.

QUOTE (Spiff @ Apr 16, 2010 -> 11:01 AM) oh man that f***in E60 show, I can't stand how they do research and interviews and produce actual stories. it really gets me mad. holy blast from the past

QUOTE (Princess Dye @ Apr 25, 2010 -> 10:14 PM) Is it better for us if SD decides to trade Adrian Gonzalez soon? or later in the year? I would think later. If SD keeps winning that allows (1) Boston to have to turn elsewhere before their season goes to pot (2) allows Jared Mitchell perhaps to get healthy by the very end of the year and prove his value to teams once again (3) allows another Sox prospect to potentially step up his value and get into the trade conversation(Morel?) It would better later in the year simply because it might put other potential suitors, such as the Mariners and Athletics, out of the picture. If it came down to any type of bidding war between the Sox and virtually anyone else, the Sox will lose. I really don't think it matters because I don't think the Sox will be making to look a splash quite that big.

QUOTE (SoxFan562004 @ Apr 25, 2010 -> 09:18 AM) how about someone convinces him to throw fast balls to KGJ, who has had trouble catching up to them for the last few years, instead of dicking around with off-speed stuff? Like he did today.

QUOTE (MurcieOne @ Apr 25, 2010 -> 05:05 PM) They don't and the offense will be bad. It stinks that Bills have been so s***ty since the music city miracle. One of the 3 longest active playoff droughts in the NFL. They have looked close to getting there like 2-3 times, and they've regressed each time afterwards. I feel like I could go in there and put together a better product than the Bills have. I'd just tear the s*** to the ground and collect as many draft picks as I possibly could and then bring in as many talented players as possible. The only hope for the offense is that Gailey can put together something similar to what he did in KC when he was the OC under Herm Edwards in his final year, but even that wasn't that good. They do have quite a bit of talent on defense, though the secondary seems rather plain...whatever, it's gonna be a long year, but hopefully an exciting one.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Apr 25, 2010 -> 01:55 PM) The Sox would be rather lucky to lock him up to a deal that looks like this: '11: $6M '12: $9M '13: $12M (first year of free agency) '14: $14M (second year of free agency) That's 4 years, $41M guaranteed with no option. Allowing him to hit free agency at age 30. I think you have to guarantee 4 years, they'd be incredibly lucky to include a 5th year team option. You have to pay a premium when the player is only 2 years shy of free agency. I was thinking $7-$9-$11-$13 with a TO for $15 mill or a $2 mill buy out, so we're on the same page.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Apr 25, 2010 -> 04:38 PM) Yeah, you're right...the chances of Griffey getting the job done there were probably in the 5-10% range. But when we're trying to get some momentum going and stay away from getting buried, I would have brought in Thornton. The chances of Griffey getting the job done against Matt were probably 0-3%. You have to have some faith in your closer. If you take him out right there, it hurts his psyche and hurts the club's psyche and even if you win, it may be detrimental to the team overall. Putting Thornton in right there would have been micro-managing, and it's something Manuel would have done. No matter the statistics you can throw out about a situation like that, these athletes are still human and their confidence within their abilities will fluctuate depending on what you do. If it's a computer simulation, I bring Thornton in to get that final out, but it's not and leaving Jenks in to win it or lose it was the right move. QUOTE (iamshack @ Apr 25, 2010 -> 04:40 PM) Well this is the way I was looking at it Friday night...the Mariners came to town 9-7, probably feeling pretty good about themselves. We were 5-11 and really down in the dumps - hadn't even won a series yet despite a few first game of the series wins to our credit. The Mariners leave town now just a few days later and they're 1 game ahead of us in the standings. Do we all see how quickly things can change now? Standings and records are really irrelevant until Memorial Day, and even at that point you still have like 2/3 of the season to make up ground. People freaking out because the Sox looked like terrible and were 5-11 are just on the early season roller coaster that happens every year. Had the Sox started out 11-5 rather than 5-11, people would be looking at moves to give the team that extra edge, when really, a bad week and half puts you back under .500. As is, a good week and a half puts the Sox back over .500. Baseball is a marathon, and should be treated as such.

I'm hoping Gailey and Nix know what they're doing, because I don't like the Bills draft at all. Hopefully the Bills defense steps up, because the offense seems like it's going to be very bad.

So long as Jenks kept the fastball up, Griffey didn't stand a chance. Griffey's bat speed is waaaay to slow anymore to catch up with mid to high 90s heat period, and getting it up leaves him hopeless. Leaving Jenks in for that really isn't that questionable of a move.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Apr 25, 2010 -> 04:04 PM) I'll say it right here. Bobby needs to be moved before his peripherals catch up to him. Now's an ideal time because his velocity is back and his ERA looks fine. We cannot have him let at least one guy on-base per inning. On a positive note: SWEEP! I thought Bobby looked fine. Good movement, good velocity...his command wasn't terrible overall, though it was during the Byrnes at-bat. Konerko rocks my body.

I actually don't think there is any possibility that the Dolphins draft a QB. I know they've been shopping Thigpen, but he's a decent backup, Pennington is a good backup, and, quite frankly, Pat White is a good backup as a Michael Vick lite. There's just no way they would draft either Clausen or McCoy unless they fell to, like, the 4th or 5th round, and that won't happen. Thinking about Colt McCoy, he reminds me of Trent Edwards when he was coming out - good at a lot of things, not great at anything. Edwards has had like 2 more shoulder surgeries since then and his arm strength seems to be shot. I still think the Bills should look into getting Campbell from Washington and then drafting a developmental QB like Skelton.