caulfield12

QUOTE(SoxFan1 @ Apr 8, 2007 -> 01:19 PM) Santana walks Paulie. Too bad we don't have Hall for this game. Although DJ has a good point about the lefties, Mariano Rivera's opponents against the cutter, etc. Thome just struck out, ump didn't call it.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Apr 8, 2007 -> 01:16 PM) Danks can throw a bit harder than that gun was showing but its cold out so the pitchers may not be as lose but it looks like the gun is 2-3 clicks slow, especially based on Santana's velocity thus far. The fastest pitch for both guys is 91 so far.

QUOTE(Heads22 @ Apr 8, 2007 -> 01:16 PM) Of course, it was the guy's first inning in the majors..... Pablo looked silly there. Whatever that is, a slider or a really fast changeup, it's his bread and butter pitch....just like Liriano, without the brutal/violent throwing motion.

QUOTE(SoxFan1 @ Apr 8, 2007 -> 01:12 PM) There ya go John. 1-2-3 inning, nice. Harrelson's right, a steady diet of 87-91 MPH fastballs without a dependable curveball will get Danks killed eventually...the big plus is it's cold out, so the hitters might be a little more aggressive than normally and get themselves out. At least he didn't walk Punto. And maybe the gun's a little slow, we'll see if Santana is 91-95 or not.

QUOTE(Capn12 @ Apr 8, 2007 -> 11:25 AM) That mean Ellis Burks isn't related to Jamie Burke? Obviously Carlos isn't the Farmer In the Delgado, it's a JOKE.

QUOTE(caulfield12 @ Apr 8, 2007 -> 10:15 AM) And it's going to be a pain, because I'm not even sure if the M's make another trip to Cleveland this season. Looks like they're going to try to play 2 tomorrow, from what I see on their website. Not to mention they had a victory taken away from them...they've got to be a little steamed. And they had a chance to sweep us to start the season and let it get away. But how well have they actually played the last two years? They were superhot (but not like the Twins last year, who did it for 4 months) for two months in 2005. Other than that, they've been a .500 or slightly below even or average team. By Pythagorean, they should have won 11 more games the last two years, so the heat is on Wedge. If they don't make the playoffs, they'll bring in a better manager IMO. Which is more bad news for the White Sox and the rest of the division. If they get strong results from the bullpen and Lee/Martinez are healthy, they will be a force. I still think they're more of a collection of talent (Sizemore, Sabathia, Martinez, Hafner) than a real team. And their defense on the infield leaves a lot to be desired, especially C, 3B and SS.

QUOTE(3E8 @ Apr 8, 2007 -> 10:10 AM) I think most of us feel the same way. Ozzie is hellbent on it though. Would you say pitching is the ONLY reason the Twins have beaten us four of the last five seasons? Besides our injury-plagued 2004, which one of those years could you honestly say the Twins had more talent out on the field? Wouldn't it make some sense to bring in their Director of Scouting (with a huge raise) to supplement what we already do well, which is identifying major league players that are undervalued, as well as deciding which of our prospects to trade and which to hold onto (this will be tested by Chris Young)?

And it's going to be a pain, because I'm not even sure if the M's make another trip to Cleveland this season. Looks like they're going to try to play 2 tomorrow, from what I see on their website. Not to mention they had a victory taken away from them...they've got to be a little steamed. And they had a chance to sweep us to start the season and let it get away.

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Apr 7, 2007 -> 11:27 PM) From everything I've read of Phillips, he's a reliever or 6th starter in the majors. I think he'll probably make it at some point, but he's just not a great option. The problem with the reliever idea is he doesn't have a great arm, and he's behind Logan, Day, probably Malone and Reynoso (due to experience)...plus you have Sisco and Thornton. He just doesn't fit in this organization, not unlike Tracey. We can sell him to a Japanese team or add him in a second/third tier prospect in a bigger trade.

QUOTE(Capn12 @ Apr 8, 2007 -> 09:49 AM) I don't understand all this talk of a new leadoff hitter, we have the second coming in Pods already. I'm willing to give Willits a chance, although the problem is we'll need power from LF and RF, and Sweeney might not be enough. Unless Fields moves to LF or we acquire a FA. Some other names... Drew Stubbs-Reds Quintin Berry-Phillies Andrew McCutchen or Rajai Davis--Pirates Trevor Crowe-Indians (I think he was BA's teammate) Michael Bourn (I really like him a lot, exciting player) Eider Torres-2B Brett Gardner-CF Eric Patterson-2B (Corey's brother?) Jose Campusano (any relation to Sil?) Alejandro De Aza (just liked the name, but he's very fast) Josh Anderson

QUOTE(Craig Grebeck @ Apr 8, 2007 -> 09:16 AM) I'm not concerned about SB or aggressiveness if we still have a 3-4-5 as overpowering as it is right now. The problem is that you need someone to intimidate, get in the pitcher's head...speed and defense are the only things in baseball that never slump, and the Twins proved it again last year (although they have as many sluggers as we do, their complementary players out fundamentalized us to death), for the fourth out of five years. When Pods is on his game, and the White Sox have someone who is willing to sacrifice himself and do the little things to put a run across early (Erstad), it tends to rub off on the entire team and become part of the mindset. To make things happen instead of waiting. In August and September last year, our offense was dead man walking, strictly stationary baseball...sometimes it took four hits in a row with the lumbering middle of the order.

QUOTE(SoxFan101 @ Apr 8, 2007 -> 07:56 AM) Owens will never be anything more than a 4th OF. The only guy that could possibly be a top of the lineup person in our minor league system is Valido. Denorfia from the Reds is another name, but I think he's a little long in the tooth, although Pods was the same way. I'm not sure either Denorfia or Willits are going to get you enough movement on the basepaths though. A lot of people argued we should get someone like Frank Catalanotto for LF because OBP is more important than merely SB's and pure speed, it's an interesting argument. While we're at it, might as well get Freel. LOL.

QUOTE(3E8 @ Apr 7, 2007 -> 07:54 PM) Heads' boy Eggy 6 Ks through 3. Final line on Broadway with Corwin in.... 5 IP 3 H 3 R/2 ER 4 BB 2 K's

QUOTE(jackie hayes @ Apr 7, 2007 -> 07:14 PM) PECOTA will never project a breakout season. It's basically an average of past performance (but using information in peripheral stats). A breakout season is by definition a surprise, a "break" from past performance. The PECOTA projection given there is not meant to represent a breakout season, but the probability-weighted average of possible performances. Saying he's a breakout candidate means those great performances that would represent a breakout have relatively high probability. Suppose Garland had a similar PECOTA projection, for example. (It's actually a little worse, but just suppose.) He still wouldn't be considered a breakout candidate, because true dominance usually requires (for one) a higher strikeout rate. Jon might have a similar average projection, but the range of performances would be a little more closely packed around that average line. Just to emphasize that the PECOTA line and the 'potential breakout' label aren't the same thing. And how awesome it's gonna be when Javy picks up that Cy Young. I'll take 15 wins and an ERA below 4.00 and go from there with the rest of the rotation.

QUOTE(BearSox @ Apr 7, 2007 -> 07:03 PM) hmmm??? From what I have heard, Broadway has a higher cieling then Broadway and has more potential, plus better stuff. And the org. is pretty high on Broadway as well. http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2006/tracker/search.jsp There's a video you can watch of him if you'd like. I think Baseball America and BP has Broadway ahead of McCullough, but the margin is not that great...and probably because Lance is closer to the bigs. Lance, by the way, has given up 3 runs (2 earned) so far tonight in 3 IP. Josh Fields has started the season 0 for 9.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/stats/byteam?c...ll&sort=837 Down to 5.50 after today. I don't think anyone is actually expecting Danks to beat Santana tomorrow, but I'm still excited to see him pitch his first game for the Sox. 23rd is a lot better than 30th! Let's keep it going...

QUOTE(Jim Spencer @ Apr 7, 2007 -> 06:41 PM) I sure hope this is his breakout year I know one thing: He sure looked good today Thanks to Torii Hunter and Mike Cuddyer for making things easier today. It was also nice to see Ozzie go against the grain and show confidence in Thornton, despite his blowing two leads in the span of one week.

QUOTE(maggsmaggs @ Apr 7, 2007 -> 01:27 PM) Broadway and Egbert are two guys that need to pitch well for us. Broadway is trade bait b/c we have a better version of him in McCulloch and Egbert could really take off this year as he has been old for his league every year. He will be 24 in May, so if he could get to AAA by mid-season (although this would take an injury or trade in AAA) he could become pretty valuable. I've always read and heard that Broadway was better than McCullogh, and that McCullogh was even a "softer" thrower. Plus, the org. seems to be happy with the progress of Lance in adding a two-seam fastball to his repertoire. Neither of them projects as more than a 4/5. However, you can see how Matt Guerrier (a pitcher with similar stuff) has really made a career for himself as a middle reliever...that's the best we can hope for them at this point.

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Apr 7, 2007 -> 05:52 PM) Uhhhh...? Those are almost the EXACT numbers people used when transferring Reed's numbers to the majors. And he never did that, because he was only capable of doing that in the minors or college.

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Apr 7, 2007 -> 01:59 PM) I think they may be talking about staff ace to top 5-7 pitcher in the majors. I don't know what kind of top pitcher is projected to have a 4.50 ERA.

QUOTE(CWSOX45 @ Apr 7, 2007 -> 01:24 PM) There is no way Minaya deals Gomez, Pelfrey, or any other young player that may help the Mets in the long run this September. Carlos Gomez is only 21 years old and he's in AAA. He hit .281 last season in AA, the only thing left for him to work on is his plate patience. Other than that he's another great young outfielder for the Mets. He stole 41 bags last year. What exactly would the Mets be interested in from our organization at this point in time? We aren't getting Gomez, and I'm positive we won't get Ellsbury either. What happens if Alou or Green get injured? Both are getting old in the tooth. Delgado? What if Pedro Martinez doesn't come back? They need to replace D. Sanchez too.

QUOTE(The Critic @ Apr 7, 2007 -> 11:28 AM) GODDAMMIT, HOW COULD KENNY TRADE JEREMY REED????? ...oh, wait....sorry, that was the LAST Jesus Christ that Kenny traded away.... The problem is that Jeremy Reed never had the ability to hit 15 homers or steal 25 bases.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Apr 7, 2007 -> 12:54 PM) Personally, I wouldn't call putting up an ERA of 5 in 17 innings a very good spring, but that's just me. In Tucson it is. If it isn't, don't what you can say about Floyd, Vazquez, Buehrle and Garland.

QUOTE(Al Lopez @ Apr 7, 2007 -> 10:38 AM) Well, you wouldn't want to give a guy, say, TWO starts this season before you write him off? Contreras absolutely dominated the Tigers on the road one game in August last year...I think it's more of a psychological issue. He lost his aura of invincibility, and now he needs to have some success and start building upon it once again. We all thought El Duque was done as a major league starter, and look what he's done since 2006, albeit in the NL. I'm not sure Contreras will ever get his FB back up to the 96-98 range, but he can still be a very effective big league pitcher. Extensions are hit and miss, but at least we signed him to a reasonable contract and there will always be a scout or GM who remembers what he did (like Loaiza living off 2003) and take him in trade if we are struggling at the break. I'm not sure Buehrle and Garland are guaranteed to lead us back to the playoffs either, if we had extended either or both. It took a true ace (Contreras) to push us over the top, Buehrle is a solid 2 and Garland a solid 3, but we're not getting back to the World Series without an ace...it could be Contreras again, it could be Floyd (doubtful), Danks, Gio, Russell, Masset or Sisco, but one of those six guys really needs to step it up if Contreras continues to be a 4.00-5.00 ERA type of pitcher (like Vazquez). As I said, Contreras' stuff is not really the question, it's his head...and what's in it right now. And maybe there's something going on off-field, maybe he was shell-shocked from getting hit around the park, maybe he doesn't quite trust his body yet, and will be better when it warms up, like we kept on saying about Garcia last year. His fastball wil come back, his fastball will come back!!! Not signing Buehrle was almost proved eerily prescient, although we can all thank our lucky stars he's not out for half the season or more.

QUOTE(gosox41 @ Apr 7, 2007 -> 08:46 AM) According to people around here, he was drafted because he the most major league ready player. How did that work out? I think the Sox signed him because he was cheap. But as the last 6 years have shwon, it could be because they suck at scouting and drafting college and HS players. Wait until players from more recent drafts start making the majors before any Sox first round pick. Bob That was part of it too, there was the sense that he was ready to come in right away as a lefty set-up man, and that was a need at the big league level before the emergence of Marte. The last college closer we drafted before that was, I think, Josh Fogg from the University of Florida. Who we proceeded to groom as a starter.