ILMOU

Frankie Montas becomes a late-inning reliever in the playoffs.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Apr 4, 2015 -> 11:58 AM) The guy that lives in his van made the Blue Jays. Cool.

QUOTE (Joshua Strong @ Apr 4, 2015 -> 01:28 PM) To those concerned about his frame, Kyle Tucker is now at 190lbs, he's still at 6'4. Similar body to a young Kris Bryant and my god... does he swing like Ted Williams. Plant HS Kyle Tucker 3/7/2015: Kyle Tucker (Plant HS, FL) Home Run: Kyle Tucker, OF, Plant HS, FL: I think he's the guy I want at this point.

QUOTE (LDF @ Apr 3, 2015 -> 01:39 PM) could be, i think most if not all pitchers are afraid to challenge him..... so look at his slg..... and think about all those walks. but that 270 avg.... you're right, needs to hit a bit more.

QUOTE (LDF @ Apr 3, 2015 -> 01:26 PM) nooooooo Really don't want to see him pitching on the south side - that would mean things are going badly among the other Charlotte possibilities. But we're not super-deep, so I get it.

QUOTE (LDF @ Apr 3, 2015 -> 01:17 PM) Stewart, he is starting to bring up his batting avg. i was a little concerned about that, his avg. but now it is above 270. i still wonder how this will transfer to the minors and later. he is leading the nations in walks. as power hitters, i am liking David Thompson. i found out he had a great freshman yr and missed his soph yr due to throat surgery. but i know you are keying on lh hitting. sorry for digressing. I'm liking this, too. Seems advanced.

I'm liking Stewart and Tucker as I did about a year ago. Get one of them lefty bat, professional hitter types, IF you can get him significantly underslot with a plan at throwing money at an overslot fourth rounder. I'm always a BPA guy, but real lefty bats are a rare commodity, and will have a ton of value moving forward.

QUOTE (chitownsportsfan @ Apr 3, 2015 -> 12:22 PM) In order I'm worried about: catcher 2b back of pen back or rotation 3b conor, as long as he is protected against LHP, is a completely cromulent 3B. My worry list in order: Pen, overall (May need a boost or two thru the season, especially some power arms) Back of rotation (How soon will Rodon be helping?) Catcher (How big a role will Soto have?) 2B (Micah needs to be decent or better, otherwise, the competence of Sanchez, or some other less exciting option comes into play) 3B (Agree that if platooned properly, not much of a worry) RF (Avi at the plate and in the field may be the biggest key to overall team success)

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Mar 31, 2015 -> 10:57 AM) Good stuff Q. Definitely, thanks. Did you get a scoop that Barnum would be in WS vs. B'ham? I figured that would be a close call. And I'm guessing you gathered they prefer Engel to May, for instance.

QUOTE (Señor Ding-Dong @ Mar 27, 2015 -> 10:38 AM) Ehh, he was pretty good out of the pen in a limited sample size and he had his moments as a starter. I think he could be a decent swingman. A guy who can give us long relief and the occasional spot start would be nice. I'm somewhat hopeful that Beck can be an upgrade to Penny / Carroll before too long.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Mar 27, 2015 -> 08:38 PM) Of course, he could tank this year and maybe we dont want him long term. I have a friend who is a scout who swears that he is about to fall off a cliff and be a HUGE ripoff. Did he say why he expects JS to fall off the proverbial cliff?

Stuff is flat filthy. This guy's gonna be good.

QUOTE (Condor13 @ Mar 25, 2015 -> 07:22 PM) 3 Ks already and they looked to come EASY to him Lefties look like they'll have no chance. In general, though, the hitters on both sides look handicapped by the twilight.

QUOTE (mmmmmbeeer @ Mar 21, 2015 -> 09:19 AM) I'm starting to feel bad for these guys on these amazingly club-friendly deals . While I understand what y'all are saying about seeing what Avi can do this season, I think now is the time to strike a deal with him. I think he's going to be a very impactful player and if he plays like I expect him to this season, it's going to be costly to pay him. I think you'll see them move to lock up Avi as early as midseason, IF he shows the growth and maturity we want to see. I also think we should trust RH's sense of timing on these matters - he seems to know when is the right time.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Mar 20, 2015 -> 02:43 PM) The Sox have an ad agency. Well, duh. But I would think that BB is architect of the team's marketing image, and approved this crap, or at least the general idea behind the campaign, at some point in the process. And he's likely instrumental in choosing the ad firm. I'm already excited. It did nothing to make me more excited. It failed. QUOTE (ewokpelts @ Mar 20, 2015 -> 01:43 PM) If you have a better idea to draw in casual fans, you should give the new manager of fan engagement a call. These ads suck. People are paid loads of money to make ads that don't suck. They had a ton of fan excitement and momentum to work with, and managed to make completely flaccid, too-serious, 30 second slices of boredom.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Mar 20, 2015 -> 02:53 PM) Haha he definitely looks like that now. But, he's not in his groove yet. Just trying to get the bat head on the ball. He looks like he makes a process out of preparing for the season. Dude rocks. He will beast. Even better than last year.

QUOTE (Soxfest @ Mar 20, 2015 -> 02:34 PM) Fair deal Steal, if reasonably healthy. RH is the contract master once again.

Looking forward to seeing the terms of the deal. Back to the game - old bugaboo for Hector with the HR ball.

QUOTE (chitownsportsfan @ Mar 20, 2015 -> 02:27 PM) Oooh! Adam Eaton just got a 5 year deal with 2 year club option! Nice. Not watching. You s***ting me, Pyle? You're not, that's awesome. We've got a helluva core locked up.

This is funny, from mlb.com: "We are going to get a guy that, one, we are going to be happy with and, two, that's going to have what we feel is not only a high ceiling but also a low basement," said assistant scouting director Nick Hostetler during a recent interview at Camelback Ranch. "The fact is that we are hoping he gets there and gets there rather quickly, and [we are hoping he] performs and can help this core that [general manager] Rick [Hahn] and [the front office] have assembled." Pretty sure that low basement is a bad thing, Nick.

QUOTE (flavum @ Mar 18, 2015 -> 12:39 PM) Crain got scratched from the minor league game because of soreness, but they aren't worried. The dreaded "not worried". Couldn't expect a whole lot, and now I expect less.

QUOTE (LDF @ Mar 20, 2015 -> 11:51 AM) again, you maybe right, but this expense, would it be worth it, if he help in getting the team to the playoff?? I view Rodon, Penny, Carroll, Johnson, Beck as the sixth starters onward this season, in that order as we sit on March 20, and go with that and reevaluate in June/July as far as further acquisitions go, whether trading Danks is possible, or wise, etc. Unless an attractive, cheap, at least better-than -Penny option presents itself, I guess I'm content. I just hope RH doesn't feel the need to go shopping before that June/July time frame.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Mar 20, 2015 -> 11:58 AM) His OPS was over .900. The only players higher were Victor, Abreu, McCutchen,Stanton,Trout and Joey Bats. Rizzo has a .794 career OPS over parts of 4 seasons, and has struggled mightily at the dish, at times. Last year, he put it all together and had an outstanding season, mainly on the vast improvement he showed vs. LHP. He's a terrific player. But that was just one season. How many times do I have to say that I think Bryant will be great? I'm just saying there's a reasonable chance he'll be something less. Fleas exist.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Mar 20, 2015 -> 11:36 AM) Anthony Rizzo is pretty good. Put up a 5.6 WAR last year as a 24 year old. Yep he is. A good chunk of his WAR comes from his outstanding defense at 1B. I don't think KB will be a plus defender anywhere, but time will tell.

QUOTE (LDF @ Mar 20, 2015 -> 10:47 AM) so would i, but unless the sox trade for 1, the only pool to pick will be the waiver list. re TW, he still maybe better than Penny. He is better than Penny. He also makes almost $6M in his 2nd arb year. Don't see that expense being worth it, or Theo wanting to send cash with him.