caulfield12

http://www.southsidesox.com/2014-15-white-...signated-hitter Documents the top 10-12 DH choices and puts them into tiers... really hard to get excited about the Sox acquiring any of them for obvious reasons with each particular player...we know we don't want to give Victor Martinez $56 million over 4 years and Hahn hasn't distinguished himself with bargain basement free agent shopping

QUOTE (GoSox05 @ Oct 29, 2014 -> 07:31 AM) Not nearly enough horror movies. If we are currently having the golden age of comic book movies, we are going through the dark age of horror movies. Just nothing coming out, but awful ghost movies. Hopefully that changes with Trick r Treat 2, new Halloween and new Friday the 13th movies. Paranormal Activity worked well the first time...considering the budget. Blair Witch Project, too much hype and not enough "steak," but I can't remember the last time I desperately wanted to see a horror movie in the theatre when it came out. Found footage is part of it....the "reality" based casts made up of mostly non-stars/B level teens...that's one of the reasons The Conjuring and Insidious worked pretty well, because of Patrick Wilson. But Annabelle was so terrible, I'm not sure I can stomach what they will do with The Conjuring 2. Before that, the last really good horror movie I remember creating much of a buzz was THE RING. The 80's were driven by Stephen King novels, Freddy Krueger, Jason Vorhees, Michael Myers....there haven't been many (any, really) memorable villains, and no, I don't count The Saw franchise dude, although he's probably become the most iconic. Heck, Final Destination movies in the begin were almost more watchable than most horror movies. Finally, a lot of the budgets are so low because they're looking for that $15-25 million opening day and then peetering off when the majority of under 30 somethings realize the movie isn't worth their money...especially the 3D upcharges. The only answer is better scripts, better actors....more creativity. There's plenty of room in that genre. I could even live with another Tarantino/Rodriguez double feature the way things are going these days.

He should read the Lucas Mann book about the Clinton LumberKings season about 3-4 years ago and the way Nick Franklin treated him as a "geeky" writer who didn't really know much about the game and how to approach a conversation about it. With the explosion of sabremetrics, there's just a ton of non-athletes who think they understand the sport but just can't speak the lingo and try to be clever/cool. Hosmer and Moustakas have had so much pressure on them since the time they were drafted, and they haven't lived up to that pressure for the most part, with a few exceptions (Hosmer's rookie season, a Gold Glove, Moustakas had one pretty good season and this year was abysmal). You're already going to be wary of "armchair QB's" who think they've figured you out from reading numbers on a data sheet but couldn't hit a BP fastball if you gave them 100 swings. Part of the mistake was not doing his homework and being able to tell the difference between Hosmer and Moustakas...and until he understood it or it was explained to him (the Greek joke), Hosmer probably had no clue what the writer was talking about and thought he was trying to be too cute/glib. Hosmer and Moustakas have been a LOT more media friendly this post-season, they've matured a lot and have become much more personable and better interviews. They will never rival White, Brett, Saberhagen....or even Alex Gordon, but Hosmer's really well-liked by kids. Moustakas is a bit touchier, harder to approach, he's been carrying around a lot of expectations since the time he was drafted, and he hasn't lived up to them (not unlike Gordon Beckham, not unlike Alex Gordon until he vacated George Brett's position). Every player reacts differently. But that kind of "fraternity brother" reaction happens in every clubhouse/locker room in America to writers who aren't exactly sure how to talk to professional athletes but find themselves with a media credential.

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-colum...cle3432499.html

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Oct 28, 2014 -> 07:42 PM) I have a feeling Eric Hosmer is the biggest douche ever. Based on the fact he picked up a $15,000 bar tab for all the Kansas City fans at a local bar/pub after winning the Wild Card game.

QUOTE (SCCWS @ Oct 28, 2014 -> 06:26 AM) Why would the Giants possibly want Semien when they have a young 2nd/SS combo already??? You would need to swap Semien for a young pitching prospect. Lincecum's making $18 million in 2015...and has full no-trade protection. He couldn't even last in that rotation after Cain went down, in the NL West with all those big stadiums...how would he fare in the AL Central, exactly? The Giants would be elated to dump that contract, let alone get anything back in return or NOT have to surrender cash as well. With Peavy likely headed out the door, they still probably will keep him around for one more season...not to mention they don't know what they'll get out of Cain upon return, or when he'll be back to 100%.

QUOTE (Chilihead90 @ Oct 28, 2014 -> 01:04 AM) November 18th - White Sox trade Marcus Semien and Chris Bassitt to Rockies for OF Drew Stubbs and LRP Rex Brothers With Dickerson, CarGo, Blackmon, and Stubbs, the Rockies may be inclined to move one of those guys. I think the Sox may sell high on Bassitt, and try to rebuild that horrible bullpen by buying low on Brothers. Stubbs is a plus defender with very good speed and a draws a decent amount of walks. Him and Eaton at the top of the line-up would actually be pretty fun, and Stubbs defense over Viciedo's would be remarkable. Avi would be moved to left, Stubbs would probably play RF just due to Eaton's below average arm. Although interestingly enough, in their small sample sizes, Eaton plays RF much better than his larger sample size in CF, which makes things a little hard to place considering Stubbs has the much better arm. Eaton will have to stay in CF...you don't take a top Gold Glove outfielder and shift him, unless it's someone like Cain giving way to Dyson in CF. I doubt Stubbs has more range than Eaton in CF, like the previous example. If the White Sox view Bassitt as a long-term bullpen piece or 5th starter, I don't think they're going to make that trade for a complementary piece.

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-colum...cle3396999.html Shields hasn’t been his best in this postseason. He started the night having given up 15 runs in 19 innings, a 7.11 ERA. Maybe that’s just a coincidental string of off nights, or maybe some of it is in the kidney stone he passed during the ALCS. Maybe it’s just the fatigue of a mercilessly long season in which he threw more pitches than anyone in baseball and 252 innings including the playoffs. Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-colum...l#storylink=cpy I know from personal experience I wouldn't have been standing, let alone pitching or performing. He did (according to reports) change his arm slot in Game 5, was able to pitch lower in the strike zone and if not for two non-plays by Escobar, he gives a 0-0 tie game to the bullpen in the 6th or 7th. If you read the full article, you'll see 50% of the reason Shields was brought on board wasn't just performance-based, it was a playoff-tested veteran who would instill belief in his younger teammates that they could break through that barrier and win for the first time. That never would have happened had they held onto Myers and Odorizzi. In the end, he'll get less money and less years, probably four instead of five and probably $80-90 million instead of $95-125 million, but he will never be poor.

QUOTE (hi8is @ Oct 28, 2014 -> 12:14 AM) November 11th - I trade Rock two used toilet paper sheets for his disgarded pubic hair. I hope it's discarded and not disgarded...it would be quite weird if he was guarding it so closely.

$500 million of "renovations," haha.

Why would they want Viciedo if they're putting all their efforts into keeping Melky Cabrera in TOR? They already have Lind for DH getting the majority of at-bats, so paying $4.5-5.5 million for a part-time player as a cash-strapped franchise isn't good business. Maybe Viciedo would be Option D, but on that artificial turf, it's a disaster waiting to happen. He has a lot more ground to cover into that LCF gap...not like SF, but it's an appreciable difference from USCF in terms of sheer coverage area.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Oct 25, 2014 -> 09:42 PM) Surprised the Royals picked him up. I guess they figure he replaces Aoki cheaply. No big loss. Sierra is just another guy. LF Gordon CF Dyson RF Cain Maybe he's their 4th outfielder, but he won't be getting regular playing time. They can easily afford to use the money from Shields/Butler/Aoki to replace him.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Oct 27, 2014 -> 07:19 AM) Saw St. Vincent over the weekend (Murray, McCarthy). Story arc was somewhat predictable, but still really enjoyed it. Murray was excellent, McCarthy was too (she's much more subdued here than you may be used to, so her humor goes a lot farther and just works better). Actually the actress who played Murray's lady was the best of the bunch. And the kid was good too. As a character study, I was impressed and entertained. No great need to see it on the big screen, but as a stream or rental or whatever it is worth it. Naomi Watts? A Most Wanted Man 4 out of 5 Left Behind 1.75 out of 5 (that .75 is for Nicholas Cage somewhat "saving" the movie with an atypical straight man performance) Annabelle 2.25 out of 5 Addicted 2.5 out of 5 Lucy 3.75 out of 5

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Oct 27, 2014 -> 08:11 AM) The KC Royals make the playoffs for the first time in 29 years, and make it to the World Series, are 2 wins from a title, and their fans still complain about their manager. I hope it takes at least another 29 years before they sneak into the Wild Card game and lose it. Hopefully it will be 7-0 in the first inning. It's just the modern-day blogosphere. Bochy has been getting an equal amount of criticism and he's on possibly his 3rd World Series title in 5 years, without Cain and "good" Lincecum basically. 98% of Royals fans are happy that they made it to this point...and they're upbeat about the team next year with plenty of money to spend replacing Shields, Butler and Aoki. The Royals probably don't have the DET budget or ability to miss big on free agent acquisitions...but they have a ton of young pitching talent to pick up the slack, and the biggest worries about being overworked are for Shields (8 years over 200 innings) and the back end of the bullpen guys.

QUOTE (LDF @ Oct 26, 2014 -> 09:55 AM) ~~~ edit ~~~~~ here is the problem I am having with all these ideas. 1. the was not able to trade Danks and his 15 mil a yr, at the last yr trade deadline. so who to trade him too? 2. DV, same as Danks. who will take him and his lousy batting stats let alone his "D". 3. there will be other teams making the same pitch to probably the same reason. 4. there are options on those players THAT IF NOT PICKED UP that the sox may be interested. 5. there is a lot of "what if" and over estimations on players making a rebound. caulfield12 this is not a reflection again you, but it was your post. as much as I want to sox to go great. what is killing me is the waiting for the WS to end. so the domino chips to fall. haha...not exactly...my response to Greg's $41 million of salary additions (and that's still underpaying a closer and Peavy, so really $45-50 million)

Ned Yost is going to get battered/eviscerated this time for not PHing for Shields with a chance to pull the game within a run (2-1) in the middle innings. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. Bumgarner's just been too good. Nobody has been better in the post-season this half decade. Not even close. The Royals beat him 4-2 in the regular season but that hasn't mattered a bit. Now he's using Herrera when the game's already been decided in the minds of many.

There was the relief pitcher about five years ago, Daryl Kile in the hotel room...now Taveras. Trying to think of some other examples. Darrell Porter as well, although he was connected to a number of teams.

QUOTE (MAX @ Oct 26, 2014 -> 01:58 PM) Why can't the white sox get tomas? I don't get it. They should just cut the guy a huge f***ing check. Boom, one more problem solved for a long while. Because there's no consensus he will be better than viciedo and $85 million is a ton for the sox to eat finding out he's notbthe solution...and that still leaves no lh power threats.

QUOTE (Brian @ Oct 26, 2014 -> 08:59 AM) I have to go see Whiplash next week. Just reading too many good things. Was reading ew.com and laughing at a reader commenting they only care about miles teller, shailene woodley, Joseph Gordon Levitt, sons of anarchy and the latest ya movies (hunger games, divergent, maze runner, etc.) The idea that there was a conspiracy to force miles teller into superstardom made me lol a bit.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Oct 25, 2014 -> 10:27 PM) I've been thinking of ways to improve the Sox through free agency. I think I really can fix our starting rotation on the cheap. Here's my plan. OK. Jake Peavy is 33 years old. He is a free agent cause the player option doesn't kick in since he only pitched 200 innings. The Sox need a righty starter. Why not Jake? Better yet, sign Peavy and Masterson and trade Danks or turn him into a reliever. You sign Peavy 2 years 14 million and Masterson 2 years 14 million. That's a paltry 7 million a year apiece added to the payroll for 2 years. We'd have Sale, Peavy, Q, Masterson, Rodon. That's not a bad rotation. If Danks can adjust, he'd be a damn fine addition to the bullpen. If you can trade him for a fourth outfielder, fine. Now, go ahead and sign Billy Butler for 2 years 18 million. Yes it's risky to give him 9 million a year but you are gambling he can elevate the ball in the Cell. So that's nine million a year. Finally you sign Aoki for one year, 7 million to be our fourth outfielder. So we have that excellent starting rotation I mentioned, and we have Danks in the bullpen. We've only added 23 million to the payroll in my scheme which means we can gamble and pick a closer out of the free agent crop and pay him 9 million a year. So I've added 32 million dollars a year. Isn't that a doable number? I thought I read Sox have a payroll of about 60 million right now; I've added 32 million and it's still under 100 million. Our lineup 1B-Babe Ruth. 2B-Semien. SS-Lexi. 3B-Davidson/Gillaspie. LF-Viciedo. CF-Eaton. RF-A. Garcia. DH-Butler. Fourth outfielder-Aoki. C-Tyler Flowers (still not optimal). If Davidson emerges, this is a heckuva lineup. Davidson is KEY! If Viciedo gets better, that would also help my lineup. What do you say??? My plan is doable. You've added $41 million, because we can't dump Danks without taking another bad contract in return. We still wouldn't have enough lh power...and we are not going to waste that much money on a fourth outfielder. If anything viciedo would be replaced by Garcia with aoki in rf. Depending on Davidson is pretty illogical...as is overpaying butler who still doesn't solve the dh problem other than just hoping. Peavy won't sign that low and masterson only one year at that salary...finally getting an elite closer is going to cost $12-15 million not a mere $9 unless you hire the same guys from the royals who scouted hochevar crow soria Collins Herrera Finnegan Davis and holland.

The white sox weren't facing a situation except for game two against the angels where they were in danger. With this game, it shifts from the royals having a 90% chance to win one of three to roughly 40% odds of winning two consecutive home games against a more experienced team that has posey Sandoval and pence to rely upon in crucial situations.

Royals had that series by the cojones and let it get away. They still will if they can manage to beat bumgarner. Sandoval has a 4% chance of getting two consecutive hits as a righty and what does he do? In retrospect...managing finnegan Collins Duffy Frasor in the fifth and sixth is like the back of ventura's pen with more talent/potential. Most managers with the workload herreras had in games two and three..if you bring in Herrera to hold the tie against Sandoval you then run a huge risk of burning through your big three and having nobody to use tmrw night. Then again the result might already be a foregone conclusion. At any rate the enduring image of this series in the what if category would be Vargas almost walking for a 5-1 lead and smiles/laughs all around. Petit might be the giants' post-season MVP by the way although it will surely go to bumgarner or Sandoval.

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/ra...ay-rays/2203572 http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/colum...025-column.html Cubs angels twins...? Phillies because of Pennsylvania hometown? Haugh wants the cubs .... Quotes from maddon and former sox broadcaster Dave wills.

Without the metrodome home field advantage for 1987/1991....those two series break to the national league teams.