caulfield12

QUOTE (scenario @ Jul 16, 2012 -> 12:13 PM) Mitchell is a much better prospect than many people on the board recognize. I think some of the hate is due to him being picked before Trout. Time to let this go... 20 something teams made the same mistake. It wasn't just us. Meanwhile, people look at Mitchell's .247 batting average this season and trash him without recognizing he also has a .373 OBP and .824 OPS. Personally, I think we're going to see a big jump in performance from him next year. He's got a freakish combination of speed and power for a CF. Just happy the Yankees didn't get him. They had him 2nd on their draft board in the 1st round. Hometown boy, he would have been their Mauer X 10. Seems like a great kid though, compared to Harper. Always smiling and happy-go-lucky.

QUOTE (gatnom @ Jul 16, 2012 -> 11:04 AM) If I'm not mistaken, teams only do not get compensation for players that they have had for less than 1 year. And in the future, they'd have to be willing to offer at least $12.5 million... So let's say we did sign Volquez had him through 2013. If we wanted compensation, we'd have to be willing to offer him that much or more. With that in mind, only about 10-15% of players will now fall into that category. And, of course, you also run the risk of getting stuck with that player if he gets no better offers and decides to come back to your team even if you don't necessarily want him.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Jul 16, 2012 -> 11:56 AM) Great article, but it does mention at least twice this just might be a simple matter of players having good years. Case in point his last line: "Of course, the hands-off game strategy works best when guys on the field deliver." I like a few things Robin has brought in, these things mentioned in the article as well. 1.) Not conceding the stolen base. I did grow tired of that. 2.) I misspoke about AJ I guess. I do like seeing our catchers throw guys out once in a while. I don't really see how Robin gets credit for AJ's arm, though. 3.) I do like the absence of the Sunday lineup for the most part. Even on Sunday after the all star break, Oz's style would have been to play a Sunday lineup and yes, we prolly, would have lost to KC in the rubber game Sunday with the Sunday lineup. I do like Robin. I do see some improvements in those areas. I do think he makes the same "mistakes" Ozzie mistakes in terms of the bullpen. When the pitchers fail, it's easy to blame the manager, though. Like Ozzie, he leaves Peavy in until his arm falls off, but that's on Peavy. I'm thinking he makes it difficult to remove himself from games. Kudos to Robin. My guess is if he wants to manage, he can manage a long time. I never hated Robin. I like him as a player and he's doing a helluva job managing. I just love Ozzie as well. It's not AJ's arm. They've made a concerted effort with short steps and quick pitches (numerous drills), holding on runners, pick-off moves (like we saw with Septimo to turn that Royals' game around Friday)...every aspect of cutting down the time from the start of the wind-up until the ball hits the pitcher's glove. 20-25% of it is AJ, the rest has been on the pitchers.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Jul 16, 2012 -> 11:56 AM) Great article, but it does mention at least twice this just might be a simple matter of players having good years. Case in point his last line: "Of course, the hands-off game strategy works best when guys on the field deliver." I like a few things Robin has brought in, these things mentioned in the article as well. 1.) Not conceding the stolen base. I did grow tired of that. 2.) I misspoke about AJ I guess. I do like seeing our catchers throw guys out once in a while. I don't really see how Robin gets credit for AJ's arm, though. 3.) I do like the absence of the Sunday lineup for the most part. Even on Sunday after the all star break, Oz's style would have been to play a Sunday lineup and yes, we prolly, would have lost to KC in the rubber game Sunday with the Sunday lineup. I do like Robin. I do see some improvements in those areas. I do think he makes the same "mistakes" Ozzie mistakes in terms of the bullpen. When the pitchers fail, it's easy to blame the manager, though. Like Ozzie, he leaves Peavy in until his arm falls off, but that's on Peavy. I'm thinking he makes it difficult to remove himself from games. Kudos to Robin. My guess is if he wants to manage, he can manage a long time. I never hated Robin. I like him as a player and he's doing a helluva job managing. I just love Ozzie as well. It's not AJ's arm. They've made a concerted effort with short steps and quick pitches (numerous drills), holding on runners, pick-off moves (like we saw with Septimo to turn that Royals' game around Friday)...every aspect of cutting down the time from the start of the wind-up until the ball hits the pitcher's glove. 20-25% of it is AJ, the rest has been on the pitchers.

QUOTE (GreatScott82 @ Jul 16, 2012 -> 09:54 AM) Apparently the Tigers and Dodgers are the most serious in regards to acquirering Dempster. Bruce Levine said Dempster could be had for quality young arms from the A to AA levels down in the farm as well as a solid young 3b prospect. Hmm do we have such thing? Not unless you consider Wilkins or Ravelo legitimate 3B prospects.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jul 16, 2012 -> 09:39 AM) The problem is all the big market teams are going to shy away from Greinke because of his social anxiety disorder or whatever he has. Maybe the Dodgers would offer him something huge, and I know they are a big market team, but SoCal isn't NY or Boston or even Chicago. The funniest thing of all would be if Glass went crazy and brought Greinke back to the Royals. But not counting on it happening.

Seems they're more concerned about where they're going out on the town tonight when they arrive in Chicago. And something about girls who have been dicked by too many guys and not liking that feeling...

Mitchell's definitely a 50/50 shot, depending on how his season ends with BIRM. The more I think about it, would like to push Walker and see how he does against superior or elite competition. Maybe one of those younger pitching prospects like Johnson, Petricka, Rienzo and 5-10% chance of Beck but they'll probably shut him down. Santos Rodriguez is a good guess. As long as no KW kids, will be fine with it. Phegley's played there at least once, right? And was/is it bad memory or did Mitchell play in the AFL in 2009 after he was drafted?

Then there'd be a follow-up Dateline Special about the racism of Boston and/or Red Sox fans towards Carl Crawford, KW, Jim Rice and Ellis Burks.

I already posted this in the other thread about "KW whining/complaining" but might as well have it here too.

If Hamels is asking for $23-24 million and 6 years, let's just say, $140 million total value... Would any team in their right mind offer $120 million for Greinke? Surely, he will get at least $100 million from someone if Danks got $65. Marty, you're seriously going to tell me that it would be a wise decision for the White Sox to commit that kind of money? That's crazy. We've seen from our experience with Quintana and Danks this year (one a total surprise who cost nothing, the other someone who we're searching through insurance paperwork on for a claim) that it's probably not the best idea in the world to take that kind of gamble. Heck, Rios, Dunn and Peavy have shown the dangers of that kind of gamble. And now Danks.

QUOTE (Leonard Zelig @ Jul 16, 2012 -> 06:57 AM) What's wrong with Floyd? Forearm or elbow tendonitis, apparently related to his last start before the ASB Sunday against the Yankees. MRI negative, but he's being held back as a precautionary measure (possibly could start Thursday, but doubtful at this point) and is back in Chicago for further tests.

•The Phillies' forthcoming offer to Hamels is "expected to be in the ballpark that they know the left-hander will want, this close to free agency," tweets ESPN's Buster Olney. I'm guessing Hamels would have his eye on a contract worth $23-25MM annually over six-plus years, if he reaches free agency. - Tim Dierkes If that's anywhere near the vicinity Greinke will asking (and one would guess it would start at $20 million and up), then forget trading for him or extending him. Btw, Rangers are supposedly really after Hamels at the moment if the extension doesn't get signed. Trade Targets Who Could Bring Draft Pick Compensation By Tim Dierkes [July 15 at 8:26pm CST] Recently, Joel Sherman of the New York Post talked to an NL GM who said he does not expect a robust market for rental players this summer. Under the previous collective bargaining agreement, players acquired in their contract years could still be more than rentals due to draft pick compensation. But due to a rule in the new CBA, a rental is truly a rental for the 2012 trade deadline: traded players are not eligible for draft pick compensation. As Sherman notes, that adds extra appeal for someone like Matt Garza -- a team acquiring Garza can enjoy him for the rest of 2012 and all of 2013 and then receive a draft pick as compensation if he departs as a free agent. Keep in mind that for a team to receive draft pick compensation for a departing free agent after the 2012 season, a qualifying offer in the $12.5MM range must be tendered. Since that amount represents an average of the top 125 salaries, it will increase every year. It could be dangerous to surrender quality prospects for Garza now partly due to the assumption that he'll be worthy of a $13-14MM qualifying offer after the 2013 season. Still, take a look at our list of players who, like Garza, project to be eligible for free agency after the 2013 season. Which could be acquired with a partial eye on draft pick compensation after '13? Chase Utley has a good amount of no-trade protection, and given time missed due to injury and reduced production, it'd be optimistic to expect a qualifying offer. Hunter Pence, on the other hand, is a decent bet for such an offer. Among position players, Corey Hart also has a shot. Both outfielders figure to be part of their team's 2013 plans, however. Aside from Garza, Josh Johnson is a starting pitcher to consider. Johnson has been uncharacteristically hittable this year, but he has been healthy and stands as a candidate for a qualifying offer after '13, should the Marlins decline to extend him again. Despite their all-in offseason, the Marlins appear a long shot for the playoffs, it is possible they could move Johnson for MLB-ready players. Jason Vargas has been a hot name on the trade market. While I think GMs would find it appealing to control Vargas for 2013, I doubt they would have any expectation of making him a qualifying offer afterward. We haven't discussed Justin Upton types, players who are under control beyond 2013 and seem to be reasonable candidates for future draft pick compensation. Those are rare players. Looking only at trade targets eligible for free agency after 2013, the qualifying offer will be a pretty high bar, and future draft pick compensation can't be a primary consideration for an acquiring team.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jul 16, 2012 -> 06:45 AM) They also have the seating behind home plate and the Jim Beam club. But what I'm getting at is something marketed or directed at more middle class fans or ones who would be drawn to attend the game at least partially because of a promotion such as all you can eat or all you can drink/Thirsty Thursday's (such as most minor league stadiums still run.)

And yet Halladay is coming back this week already, right? He was out about 2 months, more or less, with something seemingly similar.

I still don't see why the marketing team can't do an experiment (just for the 3 game Twins series, it's midweek and one day game) and discount parking down to $10 and see what the difference is in collected revenue. It would have to be a lot better promoted in advance than the dynamic pricing deals, though, to have a measureable effect.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Jul 16, 2012 -> 01:45 AM) I guess there's a chance Ozzie will try to bury KW, Jerry and/or Coop at the presser, but that's kind of old news. He might blast the fans. Whatever he does, it's gonna be Ozzie being Ozzie in front of the cameras. Chances are Sox fans on here will be outraged and I will be laughing. That's my guess. You're forgetting the bottom line. His employer's reaction...and attendance in Miami. Both are downward trending. He'll eventually get a 3rd job in baseball, although I'm not 100% convinced that it will happen. But he's either going to have to be a tv analyst (until he gets fired) or a bench/3rd base coach before it will happen again. Actually, with the internet and proliferation of cable and satellite content out there, I could see some hybrid of a family-driven reality show (like the Osbournes) spliced with Howard Stern and Tosh.o. Although I do think a reality show would be much less interesting if he lost his managerial position...and, of course, no franchise wants to grant total access 24-7 to its inner workings. If that happened, you'd have the Boston Red Sox dysfuntion. Ooops.

Still only 9-13 in our last 22 against KC. Interestingly, lo and behold, we now have the best record against AL Central teams. Funny how that usually correlates to winning the division. You know you're in trouble when Yuniesky Betancourt has had TWO six RBI games against us team in his career.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Jul 16, 2012 -> 03:53 AM) Poor Axe . Sox just abusing him using him on 3 days rest and now starting after 2 innings of relief Friday. Pitching staff in shambles. Getting 2 in KC was big. Sox record in Fenway damn good last few years but Bosox healthy and Konerko .228 since May 28th and starters dropping like flys and bunches of rooks in the pen, the Sox are a disaster waiting to happen. Cook has pitched well against the Sox. I know Robin wont change the lineup with PK in it so I'm hoping PK sits the 1st game after the HBP and his suckiness for a month and a half. Rios should be hitting 3rd Dunn 4th. This might be the first (or 2nd, can't remember how Paulie was going April-May-June/2010) time I can ever remember not wanting to see Paulie at the plate and hoping Rios would get a chance to him. He's been a monster for us. So with Paulie...is it 1) Age finally catching up to him? 2) Lack of rest for the starters? 3) The floating bone chip is in his wrist that's bothering him and he's gamely playing through it? 4) just a typical Paulie slump that he'll pull out of eventually? It's going to be super super hot, so it will be a war of attrition and 25 man rosters out there. Robin's going to have to change and adapt for these 4 games to survive to fight another day. Underperformance the real issue for the Red Sox team (that means A-Gone now A-Pop, Beckett, Lester, Bard, Crawford, etc.) http://espn.go.com/boston/mlb/story/_/id/8...-boston-red-sox

QUOTE (ewokpelts @ Jul 16, 2012 -> 12:57 AM) Prices DID go down. Season and group tickets saw steep decreases. But individual games are subject to dynamic pricing, which typically go up. The report must be using preseason pricing(when dynamic pricing was not active) Therein lies the question only Brooks can answer. How much has the dynamic pricing model clawed back profits from the revenue they gave up by lowering prices before the season? Because there's just no way that's the average ticket price in the ballpark, or close to it...from a walk-up standpoint or single game advanced purchase perspective.

QUOTE (hi8is @ Jul 16, 2012 -> 01:34 AM) What is the stent of Santos shoulder? I haven't heard. Extent? Stent is for heart problems? Out with season-ending labrum surgery, expected back sometime in 2013. You'd think they would want to choose a lefty against BOS. They have Crawford back, Gonzalez having a power outtage but Middlebrooks just came back after the break...along with Ellsbury. Saltalamacchia is on a pace for 32 homers. Aviles is always tough on the White Sox, going back to his Royals' days.

By NOEY KUPCHAN STATS Writer (AP) -- While Kevin Youkilis became expendable with the Boston Red Sox, he's been plenty productive on the South Side. Youkilis returns to Boston for the first time since getting traded as the Chicago White Sox - winners of seven straight at Fenway Park - open a four-game set with the Red Sox, who have much to be excited about with Carl Crawford's expected season debut Monday night. After hitting .233 with four homers and 14 RBIs in 42 games with Boston (45-44) and having his commitment to the game questioned by manager Bobby Valentine, Youkilis - thanks also largely to Will Middlebrooks's emergence - was shipped to AL Central-leading Chicago in exchange for Brent Lillibridge, Zach Stewart and cash June 24. The three-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion, who spent the first eight-plus seasons of his career with the Red Sox, has been a welcome addition to the White Sox (49-39). He's compiled a .295 average in 16 games with his new team, going deep three times with 15 RBIs. "All the memories I have and the stories are from (Boston)," Youkilis told MLB's official website. "But the thing for me is, I'm making my own story with this team, new stories and a new beginning. It's going to be fun, and the good thing here is we are in first place and we have to keep going and playing well, and stay in first place." While Youkilis can expect to receive a warm ovation at Fenway, Red Sox fans should have lots more to cheer for with Crawford's much-anticipated activation from the disabled list. The four-time All-Star outfielder, who signed a seven-year, $142-million contract prior to what was a disappointing 2011 campaign, has yet to take the field this season. He underwent wrist surgery in January before spraining the ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow during spring training. Crawford went 11 for 36 (.306) with an on-base percentage of .432 during an 11-game rehabilitation assignment. "I'm not expecting any immediate impact. Just expecting one of nine, a guy who can go out there and be a contributor," Valentine said. "I hope that whatever he needs is provided him from his surroundings. I hope he's healthy. I think if he's healthy, he'll do fine." Boston returns home after taking two of three at Tampa Bay - including Sunday's 7-3 victory. Daniel Nava and Mike Aviles both homered while Josh Beckett earned his first win in nearly two months. "We need to get some momentum going in this second half," said Middlebrooks, who went 3 for 4 with two RBIs. The Red Sox could be hard-pressed to build on Sunday's result with the White Sox coming to town. Chicago has outscored Boston 46-26 during a seven-game winning streak at Fenway. The White Sox posted their 11th win in 15 games overall Sunday, 2-1 at Kansas City. Chris Sale threw eight strong innings and Adam Dunn belted his major league-leading 28th homer - his third in as many days. After sending Gavin Floyd - Monday's original scheduled starter - back to Chicago due to soreness in his right forearm and elbow, the White Sox give the ball to Dylan Axelrod (1-2, 6.16 ERA). The right-hander pitched two scoreless innings of relief Friday, earning the win during a 9-8, 14-inning victory at Kansas City. Axelrod has had a rough go at it over five starts, going 0-2 with a 7.11 ERA. In his last start, the rookie surrendered a career-high seven runs and three homers over three innings of an 11-9 loss to Toronto on July 8. The Red Sox counter with Aaron Cook (2-2, 4.37), who is 2-1 with a 2.25 ERA in three starts since being removed from the disabled list June 24. The veteran right-hander, though, wasn't very sharp in his final outing before the All-Star break, yielding three runs and nine hits over six innings in a 3-2 loss at Oakland on July 4. Cook is 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA over two career starts versus Chicago. A.J. Pierzynski has gone 1 for 12 against Cook while Dunn is 4 for 18 with a homer. http://weei.stats.com/mlb/preview.asp?lg=M...m=2&src=MLB

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/reds...kevin_youkilis/ Red Sox made right choice on YOUK

Record high temperatures in Boston expected...would be a shocker if any starter made it past 6. Great for the bullpen war, because we should have the advantage there, even without Crain. Red Sox president Larry Lucchino: "The one constant off the field is that we have had a veritable All-Star Team on the disabled list. As we begin the second half, we look forward to the return of the 'varsity,' including Jacoby Ellsbury, Carl Crawford, Andrew Bailey, and the ever-dirty Dustin Pedroia. "While this infusion of such talent in late July may make other General Managers green with envy, you can be sure that Ben Cherington and his Baseball Operations Staff will approach the July 31 trading deadline with their tireless work ethic. If someone can further help this club, and if the deal makes sense, we will be aggressive. We want to play October Baseball this year. "Meanwhile, as you come to Fenway Park throughout this season, we hope you will come early—the secret to fully enjoying a sports venue. Now 'A Living Museum,' Fenway Park probably leads the league in bronze plaques and commemorative displays along the concourses. Enjoy them at your leisure early, well before the escalation of excitement as game time approaches." GREAT detailed article by Gordon Edes on everything that's going wrong with Bobby Valentine...lots of interesting stuff here http://espn.go.com/boston/mlb/story/_/id/8...-all-directions

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/reds...l?p1=News_links Having a "Dave Barnett moment" here... http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/07/...aterno-defense/ And a long, detailed response to James