ILMOU

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Apr 30, 2014 -> 06:56 PM) Sox in Cleveland for a night game on Saturday and shown on WGN. I am thinking Carroll might be starting. That will be fun to watch. Trouble is the Sox have not won any game I have seen on WGN so far this young season. That needs to change on Saturday As a fellow out-of-towner I've noticed the same bad GN mojo. Need to change that Saturday. Also looking forward to Carroll.

I don't know why anyone here thinks we'll be only going with reclamations, bargains and possibly mid-level pitcher FA's next year. Don't know if it's an inferiority complex of some sort or just a fear of the pitching market, but I don't know why it exists. We've nearly always set our sites at or near the highest tier of available players; from Belle to Peavy to Dunn. Yeah, the market is crazy for pitchers, but JR's not going be afraid of it. All the so-called big money orgs have plenty of other fish to fry this offseason, and if we prioritize a guy like Shields with a long-term healthy, innings eating track record, he can definitely be had. Yes, we're rebuilding THIS year, but if you don't think JR wants to dispense with the rebuild ASAP and compete again, you're not paying close enough attention. Maybe he knows that at least SOME of his fans are like Marty. This is all I'm going to say on the subject, because the endless arguing of hypotheticals is endlessly stupid, but history says we shift gears and go-for-it with semi-regularity.

QUOTE (greg775 @ May 1, 2014 -> 01:15 AM) This Detroit domination thing is growing old. Are they going to win our division 18 years in a row or whatever the Braves did to their division in that one streak? It's really disgusting a city like fricking Detroit has built a team good enough to win this thing year after year. They are already six in the loss column ahead of the Sox with a very flawed team, which is not good. It's about over, in fact, where everybody will be rooting for our draft pick again.Six in the loss column is getting up there. It's a rebuilding year, Greg. Interminable sky-is-falling posts really aren't necessary. Detroit ain't all that - we just faced their two aces. The Tigers have played less games than anybody, 6 less than us, and their also-not-deep pitching staff won't be helped by the total lack of off days they'll be dealing with later in the year. The goal this year is for mgmt. to be convinced that we're close enough to go for it again heading into next year. I If we happen to be competing in July, things could change, but there won't be any mid-season overpays just to compete this year. And we're not out-of anything at 14-15. Relax, dude.

QUOTE (oldsox @ May 1, 2014 -> 06:09 AM) They are holding him to use as trade bait in July. Green?

QUOTE (raBBit @ Apr 30, 2014 -> 09:22 AM) I agree with both of you. I believe, someone correct me if I'm wrong, that Boras won't disclose his client's contract demands until he is selected. So if he doesn't go to Houston it'll be interesting to see how how it plays out. Does Boras end up playing ball? If you know anything about Rodon's personality you would think he wants to go pro. I would hope 1-3 money and a promise to get him to the bigs on the fast track would lure Rodon into our grasp. Can anyone comment on Miami and Rodon? I'm sure they have been out there scouting him but if Houston does take one of the HS arms, what does Miami do? It really seems like the media is playing it as it's either Houston or the Cubbies for Rodon. Looking at the way reasonable folks are discussing Rodon's situation in this draft, I can't imagine that having it known that you're Boras-advised does anything to enhance your draft position/initial $ potential. Much better to hire him, or anyone, right after the draft, I would think. Each position he tumbles, makes it that much more of a stretch for the next team to come up with the money through mortgaging numerous other picks. And if he turns out to be everything you dreamed, he'll never sign a security (donut) contract, so there's that, which is likely important to a long-term-rebuild franchise like the Astros, for instance. If he won't play ball financially with a fast-track possibility dangling, he's a tool and a fool. Going back to a college program that's riding him til his back breaks like the 3 Stooges horse has to be his worst nightmare, and no real leverage, as it only delays his acquisition of wealth and puts the whole thing at risk, needlessly.

QUOTE (flavum @ Apr 29, 2014 -> 04:30 PM) 6 shutout innings for Danish. 5 hits, 0 bb, 4 k All singles - 1 line drive, 4 ground balls. No LD outs. Kanny just won 1-0 with a run in the 7th.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Apr 29, 2014 -> 02:29 PM) [/b] Why? I think he goes for at least nine figures. And if we're ready to compete, that won't be too much. It's the market, and we'll have the funds.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Apr 29, 2014 -> 08:03 AM) I definitely agree with this, even though it's obvious. I still would love to sign James Shields in the off season, and use these glut of infield prospects to acquire a catcher like Grandal. Reminder, with all the contracts expiring, I believe Sox will only be around 48 million in payroll next season. Rotation Sale Shields Quintana Danks Johnson/Rienzo/Carroll Go big or go home. Also the FA pitcher that I have my eye on - for a variety of reasons. He's get-able.

How much longer in B'Ham, I wonder? May need to clear a spot in Charlotte soon.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Apr 28, 2014 -> 10:30 AM) I could go the other way though and ask "Which one has lost the most velocity"? ...or has $50M+ committed to them, for instance, versus zero $.

And tomorrow night's game is mlb.tv free game of the day.

Axe not yet scratched from tonight's game for Charlotte. Could Hanson be ready for Weds.?

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Apr 28, 2014 -> 07:14 AM) Dunn and Konerko are gone after this season. The Sox would still be in the position of needing a LH bat somewhere else in the lineup, but if Ravelo could hit tolerably, Abreu and Ravelo filling the 1b/DH slots would be an option that could be a winner. Ideally, we get Tank over to DH, and replace him with a lefty OF with better D. You know, a guy like De Aza, if De Aza were any good. QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Apr 28, 2014 -> 07:19 AM) An org guy is playing 3B in Birmingham. Between Davidson (AAA) and Michelczewski (A), there are no actual 3B prospects in the system. Not to mention that his bat would be huge at 3B. If he was even semi-competent out there playing third, that is where he'd be. Clearly he's not. Just sayin' I think it's worth another shot.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Apr 28, 2014 -> 07:04 AM) 1. If there was any chance he could stick at 3rd it's hard to imagine why they'd move him to first. 2. The path at 3b isn't any clearer than at 1b. We happen to have just traded our closer for a highly rated 3b prospect who is, himself, currently blocked. 3. If Ravelo could play a solid 1b and hit...there'll be a role for him on the big league squad at some point. Not in the forseeable future, and Rangel's not too far away. Sure, things could change. I think there's definitely a lot less in his path at 3B. And here's another possibility for 2015. We're mentioned. http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/04/...season/related/

Since we've kinda got 1B covered for awhile, and there's a plethora of DH candidates on the roster, even after Dunn's departure, I think we should try to get this guy playing at 3B ASAP. He needs to stay healthy, and the SSS applies, but despite a supposed lack of power, he's presently a OBP/doubles machine, putting up a line that will play in any lineup. It's been suggested recently that he give it a shot again at the hot corner (Stoltz, was it?), and the time is ripe to take some time and see if he could be made adequate there. Besides the still-unknown quantity of Gillaspie, we've got a so-far disappointing acquisition toiling at Charlotte, that could possibly use a kick in the butt.

QUOTE (Vance Law @ Apr 27, 2014 -> 03:29 PM) Why wouldn't Carroll get another shot? He will, I'm talking about this coming Weds.

QUOTE (flavum @ Apr 27, 2014 -> 03:22 PM) Axelrod vs Scherzer? Can't win them all. Do we know it's Axe, by elimination? Let me nominate Nick McCully, wtf

QUOTE (flavum @ Apr 27, 2014 -> 03:15 PM) Damn right. If they win tomorrow, the Sox hit the 1/6 mark at 14-13. And that's with Sale missing two starts and a terrible bullpen. If they get healthy, and the pen settled a bit, their best baseball may be ahead of them. Who's starting Wednesday? Who's the next SCOTT CARROLL?

Ravelo killing it. 3 doubles, OPS over 1K. He turned 22 three days ago. Is it too late to try him again at 3B? That could potentially solve some issues. And Hawkins goes yard again after 2 walks - promising.

QUOTE (BigHurt3515 @ Apr 27, 2014 -> 02:26 PM) Jose is feeling it! 2 more RBIs 10 and 31 with three games left in April. in-CRAY-HEE-blay

wtf happened to Johnson? Very disappointing.

Recchia and Mitchell dealing. Jaye good so far.

QUOTE (sammy esposito @ Apr 26, 2014 -> 01:16 PM) any improvement on Nate? doesn't sound like it. Ugh, but need to be patient, or he's likely to do something and be gone for the season.

Too bad about Cose. The system should still get a shot in the arm when Bassitt, Montas, Lopez, Brennan and others return. Anything anyone hears on their recovery is much appreciated.

So now we get two weeks of Marcus at 3B. It's good that he at least knows he'll have that time up with the big club.