caulfield12

QUOTE (fathom @ Jul 15, 2012 -> 11:59 AM) You mean you don't like the possibility of facing a healthy Red Sox lineup with Axelrod, Humber, Quintana and possibly someone like Leesman? Hopefully Floyd's ok and we the offense can carry the Sox. Forgot about Leesman. Knowing KW, it will be Hernandez. Just have to see which one lines up better...with their rest and spot in the rotation.

QUOTE (kapzk @ Jul 15, 2012 -> 12:51 PM) Well sure Jays had the medical records and made him undergo a physical but the timing of when the trade went down raised question marks. Especially when the Sox just signed to him to a very club-friendly contract for a closer prior to the trade. Though Santos was named the closer upon his arrival here, his role in 2013 – whenever he might be ready – will likely be quite different. The injury is another blemish on GM Alex Anthopoulos‘ track record in bullpen pitcher acquisitions, though this one might have been a bit out of his control. I imagine the team would have done their due diligence on Santos and came back with a clean-enough bill of health. Still, the question will inevitably come up at some point – did the team know it was receiving what essentially amounted to damaged goods? Santos did not have any significant injuries during his years with the White Sox, and it’s not as though the Blue Jays gave up a ton to acquire him; so all things considered, perhaps you could argue it was a calculated risk worth taking. Should Santos be able to return in 2013 with his ability fully intact, the Blue Jays will add a dynamite strikeout artist to their bullpen under team control through 2015 – so this wasn’t quite the miss that previous acquisitions (like Jon Rauch) were. At least Darren Oliver turned out well, yes? Orioles have a spot starter going for Hammel (out 4-6 weeks, surgery) against Verlander...so odds of winning this game for BALT, about 5-10%. About to be 2-0 Tiggers. http://www.rantsports.com

Jackson with a 945 OPS Granderson at 865 OPS Jackson's a better defender and can steal more bags (granted, Curtis isn't asked to do that for the Yankees but was never a great pure base-stealer) and he plays half his games in one of the toughest hitter's parks in baseball. Yankee Stadium has made Johnny Damon and Swisher and Granderson look like studs. If Granderson was hitting a ton of homers outside of NYC or to CF and LF, then I'd be more impressed.

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/danny-kn...e-threw-100-mph Apparently, Verlander didn't care about the results of the ASG. Shouldn't he have told Washington he was more concerned with throwing 97-100 MPH fastballs rather than actually trying to get batters out? By the way, that walk off homer by Teagarden was only his 2nd at-bat of the season. Crazy. And Benoit's been the Tigers' best reliever.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jul 15, 2012 -> 12:40 PM) Leadoff homer for Austin Jackson with Verlander pitching Next time he pitches in Chicago, everyone in the Gold Coast seats should hold up life-size posters of Kate Upton behind home plate, like at a college basketball game. Better yet, sign her to an endorsement deal, put her in some type of sexy outfit or even a Sox jersey/cap and give 20,000 of those puppies away to the first 20,000 ADULTS 14 and older. That has to help with attendance!

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jul 15, 2012 -> 11:38 AM) The fountains of "the K" spew the urine of the White Sox bullpen. Good thing Harrelson doesn't have to do a Mariners game at KC or we'd probably have something else spewing out of fountains and it wouldn't be pretty. Oh, and Austin Jackson is darned good. Take Granderson out of Yankee Stadium and his numbers aren't so glowing. Overall, Austin's become the better all-around player. Sorry Phil Rogers.

Marty, please stop picking on our Cubans. Thanks, Raul Castro

http://espn.go.com/boston/mlb/story/_/id/8...-support-letter Youkilis is coming back to BOS like some combination of Gandhi and MLK...poor Bobby Valentine. Almost feel sorry him, but nope. Although I do see a future with Bobby V and Ozzie having an ESPN partnership together.

Biggest AL Central disappointment? Carlos Santana or Eric Hosmer?

Pujols finally passed the magic 800 OPS number. 15 homers, .270 average, 53 RBI's.

Why don't they just hold back Floyd until next weekend in DET? Obviously we can't afford to get swept by the Red Sox, but with Axelrod, Humber, Quintana and TBA as the four guys against Boston...not good. And, while we're at it, please inform Chris Sale...maybe not a great idea to throw a FB to Alcides Escobar, who's quickly becoming the best SS in the AL.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Jul 15, 2012 -> 11:29 AM) 122 pitches for Floyd against the Yankees, look at Peavy's pitch count and tell me they aren't pushing their starters. And there was no reason in that Sunday game. It was already basically over. I can't remember if he was on the roster, but they should have tried to use Heath. They gave Septimo two opportunities in that series. And Robin's got to stop letting Peavy talking into leaving him out there. That wasn't necessary for 1) Peavy to give up 6 runs, and 2) for the lead to be more than 1 run. They could have used Santiago or Septimo against Moustakas. No idea why Peavy was still in him with pitch count so elevated.

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Jul 15, 2012 -> 11:12 AM) After Saturday evenings bummer of agame I am guessing: Peavy, Konerko, Dunn and others such as our manager Robin Ventura. After than 459 foot homer?

What's the latest with Simon Castro's situation? Any updates? Hard to imagine who's even the next starting pitcher in from the minors? Pedro Hernandez, one would guess. The only other choice would seem to be starting Santiago and giving him 3-4 innings. Where have you gone, Eric Stults, lol?

http://fancostexperience.com/pages/fcx/fci_pdfs/8.pdf However, when you look at the fall of nearly 30% in the average ticket price, I'm going to call BS on that one, with the dynamic pricing. Parking is 4th most expensive in the majors. Very surprised to see the Tigers, Twins, Cardinals and even the Astros ahead of us. Of the top teams, the White Sox had the biggest decrease of -13.8% (overall FCI), with the Dodgers at roughly -10%. That said, some of our season ticket holders and regular attendees and stub hub/dynamic ticket buyers probably have their own opinions on whether there legitimately has been such a marked decrease across-the-board. Seems like a bit of an accounting trick. And, by the way, the Marlins are in BIG trouble. Looking at those markets and/or teams, very surprised to see the Rangers, Braves, Angels, Padres and Diamondbacks all relatively affordable. Kansas City you can understand their increases because of the All-Star game and hype coming into 2012. Rockies, also in big-time trouble after having raised prices significantly.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- When teams win, fans respond. But fans also don't want to overpay for the thrill. The Indians have struggled with attendance despite fielding a competitive team through the season's first half. Team management says surveys and discussions with fans reveal a consistent theme. "When a beer's, like, eight bucks -- that's a lot for one beer,'' said Dawn Yount, a Tribe fan from Lakewood. "I think the parking is really a big deal,'' said Bonnie Myers of Bay Village, who attends one or two games a year. "I resent it.'' "Those two always come back to the top of the list, parking -- safe, affordable, accessible parking -- and concession prices,'' said Indians President Mark Shapiro. So the Indians are addressing those "barriers,'' as he called them Friday while announcing new price discounts in response to the feedback. During the homestand against Baltimore on July 20-22, dubbed "Free Transportation Weekend,'' fans will be able to: • Park free in the Gateway East Garage next to Progressive Field with an advance ticket purchase, using the password "parking''; • Ride RTA's Blue, Green, and Red rapid-transit lines and HealthLine for free with a valid Indians game ticket when boarding; and • Board a free shuttle service to and from Ohio City, at the corner of West 25th Street and Market Avenue. After that weekend, other discounts will continue. • An RTA family fare of $10 round-trip for home weekend games with advance ticket purchase at Team Shops and Indians.com. The fare is good for two adults and up to four children, age 16 and younger. • An "Indians Ohio City Shuttle'' for $1 round-trip for weekend games. And a shuttle from Great Lakes Brewing Co., near West 25th and Market, is available every game for $1. The Indians are also trimming some food and beverage costs for the second half of the season. One deal offers a hot dog, one large popcorn and a 16-ounce pop for $8 -- about a 40 percent discount. The other is a brat and a 12-ounce beer for $8 -- roughly 20 percent off. "That might entice me to go,'' said Keith Price of Middleburg Heights, who usually attends three or four games a year. Although the Indians have tried to get the word out, many fans don't realize they can bring a soft cooler of food and snacks and a sealed bottle of water to games. "So you can make it free for concessions,'' Shapiro said, "but this allows for some concession deals to sample some of the classic type of food at the ballpark.'' The Indians have ranked last among baseball's 30 teams in attendance this season despite fielding a team that's three games out of first in the AL Central Division. Despite fan complaints about the expense, attending a ballgame in Cleveland is cheaper than most. According to Team Marketing Report's annual "Fan Cost Index,'' the Indians, at $173.66, rank 22nd of the 30 teams this season in the cost of attending a game. The league average is $207.68. The estimate assumes the purchase of tickets, parking, concessions and souvenirs for a family of four. View full sizeTom Ondrey, The Plain DealerIndians President Mark Shapiro announces discounts for parking, food and transportation during a press conference Friday at the Great Lakes Brewing Co. on West 25th Street. Other teams have tweaked prices as well. The Houston Astros, under new ownership this season, cut prices on some tickets and beer and began allowing fans to bring in food and water. The Los Angeles Dodgers new ownership group, led by basketball great Magic Johnson, cut ballpark parking to $10 from $15. And in 2010, when the Nolan Ryan-led ownership group took over the Texas Rangers, prices were trimmed on concessions and parking. Discounts may help spin turnstiles, but not like winning. So the price of hot dogs and beer may not be as important as a move or two before baseball's July 31 trade deadline. "I don't think anything's imminent at the moment,'' Shapiro said, "but the level of activity is extremely high.'' Shapiro wouldn't predict whether a deal might get done and stuck to the belief that the club's second-half fortunes ride on its rotation. "I think our chances will be as well as our starting pitching takes us,'' he said. "Can Zach McAllister be the guy he's been initially? Can Justin Masterson and Ubaldo (Jimenez) continue to pitch well, and can we get better performance out of the other two spots?'' http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2...sportation.html FAVORITE READER COMMENT People are full of excuses in this town and its pretty sad. With the Indians its that the team doesnt spend enough money (which has virtually zero correlation to winning games). With the Browns its that the front office doesnt seem to care and are purposly creating a bad team because that is just the cool thing to do now a days. And with the cavs, its that they should trade for Kobe, Dwight Howard, Michael Jordan, and Wilt Chamberlin. It just seems that no matter what the situation is, there is a cult of fans that just whines and complains about everything that happens. Examples: "OMG i cant believe the browns traded a crummy fifth and sixth round pick to move up one spot and get the best RB to come out in the last 5 years. We need more 5th rd guys so they can play special teams and stuff." my favorite though is... "waahhh the Indians dont spend enough money so I wont go to games. I am going to ignore the fact they are 3 games out of first (1out of wild card) and whine b/c if they spent some money, I would go to games b/c they would win at least 140-150 games per year. I dont know enough about baseball so when i go I need to see an all-star at every position or I wont be interested. So I am going to sit at home, be miserable, and miss out on an enjoyable time at the ballpark with friends and family just to show that front office that I dont mess around."

QUOTE (SOXOBAMA @ Jul 15, 2012 -> 09:05 AM) Although Peavy, Chris Sale and Jose Quintana have formed a reliable threesome, the Sox continue to scout for starting pitching help. Two sources said they have considered Twins left-hander Francisco Liriano and Brewers ace Zack Greinke, and the Brewers had a top scout at Saturday's game. Among the other teams with representatives in attendance were the Marlins, Blue Jays and Astros. But the Sox likely would have to surrender two solid prospects to land a marquee pitcher. And under new rules, teams that acquire players who become free agents aren't eligible for draft compensation if those picks sign elsewhere in 2012. http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseb...0,6957878.story Marlins might be Anibal Sanchez, the Astros, Wandy Rodriguez and Brett Myers....and the Blue Jays, no idea, maybe Frasor again. Can't imagine it would be Drabek or Cecil.

QUOTE (oldsox @ Jul 15, 2012 -> 08:36 AM) Gotta consider it. If he goes to free agency at end of year, we should be able to get draft pick for him, lessening the prospect price we pay for him. We should be able to identify 5-10 prospects on the no touch list and go from there. I imagine that Sox brass will have an idea if Mitchell can ever make it by now. Not so sure. Would love to see what he is capable of doing in Charlotte's ballpark offensively. Birmingham is a tough stadium to judge hitters by. And he's got a slew of triples, so he's showing XB power and walk-ability. It's just the contact that has been killing him, but Austin Jackson is a player who had the same problem and he's finally figured it out offensively and everything is clicking for him. The other consideration is that we could easily be set for at least two more years with Viciedo, DeAza and Rios, so there's no place for him to play.

QUOTE (GreatScott82 @ Jul 15, 2012 -> 08:27 AM) Out of all the starting pitchers that are on the market, Dempster makes the most sense for us (Cub of not). He would be a rental pitcher so there would be no strings attached after this 2012 season. He is having a great year, despite his DL stint (which can benefit us in regards to lowering his trade value). I am assuming they would like to have Mitchell and a couple of our young starters, perhaps Castro or Molina? Dempster seems more of a reality than Grienke IMO but kudos for KW for at least trying for the "big fish". Its only a matter of time now before he brings us a starter. Stay tuned. Well, if you're the Cubs, u need two corner outfielders, assuming Jackson is the solution in CF. So Mitchell would make sense, although playing in Wrigley, they undoubtedly need more power hitters like Rizzo and LaHair, and that's something Castro most assuredly is not. Then again, Mitchell and DeJesus perhaps might be pretty comparable in the end.. Molina can't be traded since he's injured...and Castro would be a decent piece, but I still think they would ask for Jones, too. It's not impossible that Mitchell and Castro would be enough, but from Theo's standpoint, I'd still want a better/healthy starting pitcher (from the minors), and we don't have one at the moment. I would ask for Mitchell, Nathan Jones and Trayce Thompson and bargain from there.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseb...,2933983.column Selig dangling hopes for an All-Star game in the next 5-7 years to get the Cubs' renovation underway.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseb...0,5138726.story

An American League Central team gets a new manager and immediately responds to his approach. It becomes the division's unexpected leader at the All-Star break. Some veterans increase their production from the previous year. But the real surprise is how a rookie starter and rookie reliever contribute so much. This description applies to the 2006 Tigers of Jim Leyland. It now applies to the 2012 White Sox of Robin Ventura. It's time to entertain a thought that would have been farfetched this spring. Even if the Tigers play well throughout the second half, they might not beat out the White Sox for the Central Division title. They might have to enter the playoffs as a wild-card team. Under the new format, that would mean they'd open the playoffs with a one-game "play-in" game against the league's other wild-card team. Help from the old and new The Tigers resume play tonight in Baltimore with a five-game winning streak. But that streak allowed them to gain only one game on the White Sox, who lead them by 3 1/2 games. In the week before the break, the White Sox became the first team this year to win three straight games from Texas. In the series finale, rookie left-hander Jose Quintana held the mighty Rangers to two hits over eight innings. Quintana (4-1, 2.04 ERA) has been doing for the Sox lately what rookie right-hander Justin Verlander did for the '06 Tigers. Rookie right-hander Addison Reed relieved Quintana and pitched a perfect ninth against Texas for his 13th save in 14 opportunities. Reed has been providing the kind of shutdown relief that rookie Joel Zumaya did for the Tigers in '06. Quintana and Reed didn't make the All-Star team, but four teammates did. As each stood at his locker in the AL clubhouse this week in Kansas City, it was as if each stood in the Tigers' way for the second half as well. In the corner of the AL clubhouse is White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko. At 36, he is an undiminished force. Check out his OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage), which measures how often he gets on base and how often he gets extra-base hits. He has exceeded his current OPS (.932) in only one full season. In the middle of the locker room is left-handed starter Chris Sale. He's 10-2 with a 2.19 ERA. The big question about him is how he will hold up, because he was a reliever the previous two years. But the White Sox are being careful with him; they had him skip his turn before the break. Over against this wall is White Sox veteran starter Jake Peavy. After a few years of injuries, he's now pitching as he did when he won the Cy Young Award with San Diego in '07. He's tied for the league lead in quality starts (14) with Verlander and the Angels' C.J. Wilson. Just down the wall from Peavy is designated hitter Adam Dunn, who might be Ventura's greatest triumph. Last season, in his first season with the White Sox, Dunn hit 11 homers. He'd hit at least 38 homers in each of the previous seven seasons in the NL. This season, Dunn has 25 homers. Is he perhaps properly adjusted to the AL now that he has been in it for one year? Or can Dunn's revival be traced in part to the change from the intense unpredictable style of last year's manager, Ozzie Guillen, to the steady, relaxed style of Ventura? Unlike Guillen, who moved Dunn all over the order, Ventura has kept Dunn in the prestigious No. 3 spot, even when he has had homerless streaks of 10 and 11 games, and even as he has continued to lead the majors in striking out. At the All-Star Game, Dunn praised Ventura. "He's been the same guy since Day 1, and it's awesome," Dunn said. "He doesn't let anything build or carry over. He doesn't get too high or too low." Ventura, who turns 45 on Saturday, played 16 years in the big leagues. "He knows exactly what we're going through," Dunn said. "For me, you can't put into words what that means." hhtp://www.freep.com/sports Jim Price on... Jim, what are your thoughts in regards to the recent rumor regarding the Tigers landing Justin Upton in a trade with Arizona. Do you think its worth giving up Castellanos and Turner based on Uptons already proven talents and young age? by Nateahl7/13/2012 3:09:11 PM 12:09 AM yesterday There are some people that are untouchable and Castellanos is kind of in that vein and he's on the fast track. I know Kirk Gibson, and there's got to be a reason that folks are shopping certain people. That would be my concern. The one thing our organization has done lately is look at character. We had some problems with that in the 90s. I would question if we would do that. There would be deep discussion before we would bring someone into the organization. by Jim Price7/13/2012 3:11:02 PM 12:11 AM yesterday Do you think the Tigers will make a move for a second baseman? I hear Polanco might be available. What would be the asking price? I think that would be a perfect move in bring him back for both parties by Scott7/13/2012 3:11:16 PM 12:11 AM yesterday Not sure about Placido. We're definitely looking. Mr. Ilitch will pull the trigger. We're the third-highest payroll in baseball. The feelers are out, and I think we would pull the trigger. by Jim Price7/13/2012 3:12:04 PM 12:12 AM yesterday Note, they're also looking at Omar Infante and Kelly Johnson if both those teams continue faltering.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter says RHP Chris Tillman, who was scheduled to pitch Sunday, experienced back spasms and will instead start Monday in Minnesota. Rookie Miguel Gonzalez will move up a day and start Sunday. Justin Verlander will start for Detroit in the series finale. Upton Girl (like Billy Joel's "UptoWn Girl" but Upton Girl instead) She’s been living in her Upton world I bet she’s never had an M V P I bet she’s never met one like J.V. He’s gotta be with an Upton Girl He’s been living in his baseball world As long as anyone with fastballs has And now he’s looking for his big curve lass She’s got the ass And when he throws ‘One Oh One’ He can pitch No No’s But now it seems like This Kate might be his Yoko Suddenly he’s not tough Just because he’s been up on an Upton Girl You know I’ve seen her in that Swimsuit World If just her photographs can wear me out Imagine what the real girl’s about She’ll wipe him out And when she’s walking She’s flaunting the goods That’s when J.V. becomes baseball’s Tiger Woods We’ll see he’s not so tough Just because he’s in love with an Upton Girl She’s been living in her Upton world As long as anyone with double D’s Can slowly take down a great M V P She’s got J.V. Upton Girl J.V.’s Upton Girl Don’t you know he’s in love with an Upton Girl J.V.’s Upton Girl … VIDEO http://www.freep.com/article/20120712/SPOR...s-about-JV-Kate Pretty horrible voice by the performer, but that's kind of what makes it more hilarious.

It would take more than Mitchell and Flowers at this point. Mitchell is collapsing, and Flowers just isn't able to make contact with a fastball at all when he plays every 10-15 days. OTOH, 10 HR's and 52 RBI's is very impressive for someone who plays 1/2 of his game at BIRM, although the .247 average needs to be at least in the .270's or maybe high .260's to look like progress.

Of course, the Orioles own us and then they get a huge error to go against them when they're playing the Tigers. And of course some obscure rookie outfielder shows up in old-fashioned Twins' style and gets the game-tying hit. At least the Orioles still have a decent chance with Thome and Adam Jones coming up here. 43,215, huge huge crowd for the Orioles at Camden and they're pissed. Thome down to Coke on an easy groundout to 1st. Still hasn't homered for the O's.