danman31

QUOTE (flavum @ Aug 26, 2011 -> 11:24 AM) Cooper was asked this morning if Santiago and Lindsay would be coming up in September, and he didn't commit but he did mention Addison Reed as a possibility, so I would assume there's a real good chance he's getting added to the 40-man next week. The only reason they wouldn't bring him us is if they thought his arm needed the rest. His minor league numbers make me think he'd immediately be our second best righty.

Knights won 12-7 Viciedo HR Barons won 4-3 Big day for Martinez Dash won 14-0 2 HR for Wilkins and Ciolli Kanny lost 2-1 Arroyo 7 IP, 2 R Voyagers won 5-4 Smith 3-4, HR Bristol lost 8-4

QUOTE (illinilaw08 @ Aug 25, 2011 -> 10:52 AM) If we want to discuss the viability and success of MLS, now that's an argument where we are absolutely on the same page. Garber has done an excellent job with MLS. He has expanded to the right places (though I agree with you that St. Louis deserves a team before NY gets a second). The Seattle-Portland rivalry is just what the league needs. Even the most recent TV contract was a savvy move. My point in all of this might be that I'm arguing semantics with you. Your argument is correct - especially for players like Dempsey, Holden or George John who are good enough to succeed in Europe but didn't command $10M transfer fees (Holden moved on a free IIRC and Dempsey was in the $2M range). But we may wish for a Dutch or Turkish club to buy Agudelo. If he reaches his potential in MLS, that just isn't going to happen. He'll end up at Atletico Madrid or another big club in a Big 4 league. St. Louis needs an MLS team badly. It's arguably the biggest soccer market in the country. Throw in the potential KC rivalry, with their kickass new stadium and all, and it's a no brainer. I do think the Cosmos brand has notable value for the league. Maybe Chivas will move to St. Louis. If I ruled the world at least. I don't want to see more than 20 teams in the league. We're on the same page with transfers, but I don't mind the move to big clubs first because it gives the player more exposure and they can always wind up loaned to a proper level. It's more ideal to be directly bought by the second tier club, but I don't think it's that much of a deal breaker for me.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Aug 24, 2011 -> 11:56 PM) Nope. He's been injured for the most part. He was the #2 pick in the draft just a few years ago. The bat is real and he's going to be great. He's certainly shown signs of being a bust. He hasn't really dominated in AAA enough to make me think he'll be more productive than Quentin. Throw in his awful MLB stint this year and he's at least questionable. I'm sure he'll be fine, but there have to be at least doubts.

Barons lost 4-0 Dash won 3-0 Serafin 7 strong Saladino actually didn't get a hit Intimidators lost 3-2 Heidenreich start Casper @ Voyagers Bristol lost 7-3

And Steve Jobs resigned. Well then. I wonder what effect, if any, this has on Apple going forward.

QUOTE (illinilaw08 @ Aug 24, 2011 -> 01:52 PM) That's a great thought on paper because it is absolutely true that there are greater developmental opportunities in Scandanavia and Holland than in the EPL. The reality of the situation, however, is that Scandanavian leagues are best used as alterantives to MLS. Charlie Davies and Bedoya both went went straight from BC to Sweden. Marcus Tracy from Wake Forest to Denmark. It also works when guys spend a few years in MLS and then, out of contract, move on a free or, out of favor, make a cheap move to the Championship (see Robbie Findley who has actually been decent this year for Nottingham Forrest). The problem with that approach is that MLS operates as a business, not as a developmental academy. As a result, the top tier of young prospects in MLS will be sold for the most money they can net which isn't coming from the Championship, Scandanavia or Holland (see Jozy and his $10M price tag to Villareal). Agudelo ultimately has little say over where he goes. NYRB holds his rights and if Agudelo improves like expected, NYRB will sell him to a big club because that's where they will get the most return. The best situation for all involved with Agudelo is that he spends 2 or 3 more years in MLS, maturing on and off the field, and is better equipped to succeed when he moves to Europe than Jozy was right off the bat. Finally, I will say that our view toward European transfers as American soccer fans are ultimately shaped by three players: Donovan, Freddy Adu, and Jozy all of whom made the move before they were ready to handle the on the field training or the pressure of living in a foreign country. We don't talk about the Dempseys and Holdens of the world that had a couple years service in MLS and developed their games prior to making impact moves abroad. Thus, based on history, the best thing that can happen for Aguedlo is that he spend a couple more years in MLS before he makes his move to Europe. I did say instead of Scandinavia. I understand that those northern European leagues are being used instead of MLS at the moment. I'd much rather see our players go to Holland, Belgium, Turkey or something like that. MLS will probably evolve away from its current structure once the teams are securely self-sustaining. At the moment, they're not, but they're getting there. Garber doesn't want a have and have nots situation so they are holding the big boys back a bit until the rest of the league is on solid footing. With all the stadiums and well chosen expansion markets (though how St. Louis doesn't have a team I have no idea), MLS is doing the right things. I don't think there's a stigma with Europe like you say though. Sure there have been a few busts, but everyone wants American players playing in the best leagues. Trial by fire. Donovan turned out ok and even had a strong loan spell at Everton. Even in Jozy's case, he was bought by the big club and loaned out to more appropriate levels. Just because he couldn't hack it in England or Turkey doesn't mean they weren't good moves.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Aug 24, 2011 -> 11:18 AM) Not all of it was his numbers, some was actually watching him at the big league level where his swing looked long and loopy. The Flowers that is up right now is not the same guy as last season. Exactly. It was all projection based on a ton of whiffs last year.

QUOTE (fathom @ Aug 23, 2011 -> 11:41 PM) Dunn's batting eye has gone to hell also False. He's 2 off the team lead in walks. He does chase, but he still draws a lot of walks.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Aug 23, 2011 -> 11:26 PM) Except he's already 29 or 30, isn't he? At least 28. 27.

So the game is tied in the bottom of the 8th and Ozzie thinks it's ok to use a pitcher for one out? C'mon, what if this goes 12 innings?

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Aug 23, 2011 -> 08:53 PM) If by "far and away" you are referring purely to ceiling, then yes. If you mean chances of actually becoming a productive major leaguer, I'd say there are a couple others at a similar level or possibly higher. So I'd hesitiate to use "far and away" in the overall sense. QUOTE (fathom @ Aug 23, 2011 -> 08:55 PM) Who are you referring to Yeah seriously I don't see anyone that comes close to Thompson in value right now. Sure, there are other guys closer to the bigs, but Thompson has major power, good defense, decent speed and draws some walks. I don't see any other OF prospects in the system that project as regulars.

Mitchell hitting .138 in August entering today and he's 0-4 today. Yikes.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Aug 23, 2011 -> 09:13 AM) There is now an iphone app giving MLB Gameday at-bat stats for AAA baseball. Yeah, I got it. It's ok. I was hoping for all levels. Then they might have something.

QUOTE (DirtySox @ Aug 22, 2011 -> 11:44 PM) Weird, I just made my WSI post stating I'd have him 3rd behind Dayan and Reed. A case for him being 4th behind Trayce can certainly be made though. Ha touche. Good to know I'm not the only one that has him that high. Seems fairly clear to me that he's top 5, but some of the prospect places are slower to move players.

QUOTE (DirtySox @ Aug 22, 2011 -> 09:25 PM) Saladino 2-4 3B, BB tonight. His 4th triple in 4 games. Where do you rank him in the system at this point? I think I have him at 4 behind Viciedo, Reed and Thompson. Almost seems like he's 4th by default, but still.

Knights lost 3-2 Viciedo 1-3, BB Barons won 3-2 Santiago 6 scoreless Dash lost 6-3 Saladino stays hot: 2-4, 3B, BB Kanny won 3-2 in 12 Thompson hit HR 24 to go ahead in the 12th Voyagers won 5-3 Smith 2 doubles Bristol won 5-4

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 22, 2011 -> 01:01 PM) Its funny I was thinking of Addison Reed on the top of that list before you said relievers. Heck a speculation article on who might be the Sox guys in AFL could be a good one. I wonder if a guy like Jared Mitchell might be a guy too. Mitchell is a possibility, but I don't know what the Sox think of him. They know better than anyone how much his injury set him back and how much his 'rust' cost him this year. Hard to know what's good for him without knowing that. As for Reed, the guy has a 24:2 K:BB in AAA. The AFL might be a waste for him. He has nothing left to prove in the minors and should be up in September.

QUOTE (Bruce_Blixton @ Aug 22, 2011 -> 12:08 PM) With the second half he's been having is he a candidate for the AFL this fall? Maybe. He did miss a month and a half with that broken hand in spring training, but I don't know if there's a huge need to get him extra at-bats. Jon Gilmore is probably a good fit for the AFL because he's barely played this year and he's getting to the point where he needs to put up or shut up. Maybe Ryan Buch if the Sox want to give him a few more innings. Wes Whisler if they think his sidearm is workable. Santos Rodriguez is a good arm that could probably use some extra innings. The Sox tend to send more relievers to get them more work and other than Gilmore, I think that's who we'll see there.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Aug 22, 2011 -> 09:51 AM) Last 4 games: 10-for-15, 3 2B, 5 RBI, 2 BB / 2 K, SB May have just been a brief adjustment period for him when he first arrived, which is normal. Going from Bristol to Great Falls shouldn't take an adjustment period. He probably was just pissed he had to go to Montana. Pro ball is a big lifestyle adjustment for these kids out of college. The time demand is greater and they're playing almost everyday and for a longer period of time. He could have just hit a wall and needed a break.

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Aug 22, 2011 -> 11:25 AM) Jozy netted a pair this weekend for AZ. And played the full 90 so thats a very promising sign. That's already 3 in 3 games for him there. If he could develop over there that would be enormous the for the national team. Also might lead to Agudelo following his path if the Dutch league pays dividends for Jozy The Dutch league is a great intermediate step to becoming an elite player. I'm hopeful that MLS' stars can go straight to Holland, for example, and then be able to move up to a big 4 league. It seems like Europe kind of struggled gauging how good MLS was previously (Eddie Johnson going straight to Fulham, Jozy to Villareal) and I think we'll see more guys go to the Championship or Holland instead of Scandanavia. Hopefully Agudelo can learn from the previous failures of American forwards in Europe.

If you told a Sox fan in April that Brent Lillibridge would have the same number of HRs as Adam Dunn on this date (and Dunn didn't have a major injury), he would never believe you.

QUOTE (DirtySox @ Aug 20, 2011 -> 09:12 PM) Such tantalizing tools. I hope he can cut the strikeouts and up that average going forward. God yes. It's sad that I got excited that he's up to .240, but it's also awesome that I can still think of him as a very good prospect despite that.

QUOTE (Heads22 @ Aug 21, 2011 -> 12:31 AM) Probably because of the visors. Personally, I'm going with the corn.

QUOTE (farmteam @ Aug 20, 2011 -> 08:30 PM) Monorail! Monorail! MONORAIL! MONO - D'oh!