JPN366

QUOTE (Stan Bahnsen @ Mar 30, 2009 -> 01:27 PM) Normally, I wouldn't advance an unsubstantiated rumor, but I heard from a friend that I trust, that perhaps there's another reason that neither the Sox nor Cubs made an offer to Henry Blanco as the backup C. I'm sure many of you are aware that Henry's brother was murdered in Venezuela last December after being kidnapped for ransom - a despicable practice that is all too common for Latin players making big $ in the States. My friend said that there might be more to this, that Henry was possibly involved in gang activity at some time in Venezuela, has the tattoos to prove it, and that his brother's death wasn't merely a money-grab gone bad. Thus, the unreported fear of the GM's is that Henry himself is a target, and would bring an unneeded security risk to the team that signs him. Could all be crap, probably is, but has anyone else heard this? Apologies in advance. I have to disagree about the tattoos. I was in Chicago in September 2007 and I was at Jade Dragon getting some ink from a guy who said he did Henry Blanco's tattoos on his arms. That doesn't sound like his tattoos are gang related to me.

QUOTE (jasonxctf @ Mar 30, 2009 -> 10:39 AM) came back from Spring Training last week. Thought I'd share on some of the fan-friendly players/coaches I saw while i was there. (signing for kids, talking with fans, etc) BEST - Jim Thome - Jeff Cox - Chris Getz - Jeff Marquez - Dwayne Wise - Josh Fields OK - Paul Konerko - Jerry Owens - DJ Carrasco - Gordon Beckham - Octavio Dotel - Ozzie Guillen - Harold Baines WORST - AJP - Bobby Jenks - Wilson Betemit - Brent Lillibredge - Brian Anderson You think that would put a dent in my plans to get a picture of me and Gordon Beckham giving the rock n' roll devil horns?

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Mar 30, 2009 -> 09:02 AM) You said lunch pale. You meant lunch pail. har har. Oh, my bad. Duh...yeah I can see now how that sounded funny.

QUOTE (knightni @ Mar 29, 2009 -> 09:34 PM) Why are all his foods white in color? What?

QUOTE (Kenny Hates Prospects @ Mar 29, 2009 -> 04:37 PM) Terrero had some pop, he could throw, he could make the plays in the OF, and he could run. He could also hit for pretty good average coming up for the D'Backs. Things just didn't work out for him, but that doesn't mean he was never a prospect. Alex Cintron was a pretty big prospect coming up for them too and he also turned into a bench player. And actually, Andy Gonzalez was once considered a good prospect for us as well. The truth is, normally you have to have some kind of talent to ever get any kind of shot in the big leagues. Many if not most of guys who end up on benches, like Pablo Ozuna, Willie Harris, Ben Davis if you remember him, etc. were at one time pretty big prospects. Kroeger might be a story if he had a shot at making the team, but unfortunately he doesn't. It appears Wise and BA have locked up jobs. I saw Luis Terrero play one of his first professional games in the Pioneer League. Yikes!

QUOTE (Jimbo's Drinker @ Mar 29, 2009 -> 06:00 PM) bees Bees Michael!? Bees!?

I'm a Donny Lucy fan. That dude brings his lunch pale everyday.

Peace guys...you both have valid, but differing opinions.

QUOTE (BearSox @ Mar 29, 2009 -> 12:43 PM) Who was that 1B we signed this spring out of independent ball? The one who used to be with the Angels? Seth Loman. I'm not sure if he's still with the organization. I guess we'll find out as soon as the minor league rosters are set. My guess is he'll be with W-S.

QUOTE (kyyle23 @ Mar 29, 2009 -> 11:49 AM) I have no doubt, im not knocking Poreda. But Thornton (to me at least) is the same way, he throws an effortless 98MPH, and we all know Jenks can dial it up when he needs to, and Dotel is also a hard thrower. Im just questioning the comment "I selfishly wanted a fireballer" as if there were none in the pen already Good point, Thornton does throw effortlessly.

QUOTE (kyyle23 @ Mar 29, 2009 -> 11:32 AM) Apparently Jenks, Thornton and Dotel don't throw hard enough? From what I've seen of him in person, Aaron seems like throwing 98 MPH is second nature to him. It would be scary as hell if he actually went max effort to throw. He could be a deadly late inning reliever in the future if starting doesn't work out.

QUOTE (Princess Dye @ Mar 29, 2009 -> 11:26 AM) http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=2946 I selfishly wanted to see a fireballer added to this bullpen, but I guess we have to think longterm foremost I told you guys he was too raw for the majors right now and would come back to B'ham for more seasoning.

QUOTE (scenario @ Mar 29, 2009 -> 10:39 AM) So, let's see. Birmingham's lineup is going to be... LF - Shelby CF - ?? RF - Gartrell? 3B - Viciedo SS - Beckham 2B - ?? 1B - Brandon Allen C - Flowers DH - Retherford Starting rotation includes... Poreda Ely Santeliz Harrell McCulloch The pen will have... Omogrosso Nunez Rote Lujan Brooks Wow.... they're going to be loaded. The very interesting ripple effect of this is going to be the effect on lower levels too. Because there will be quite a few players who could be promoted who won't be due to lack of spots at higher levels. Could be a big year for each of the Sox minor league clubs as a result. I think Retherford, Greg Paiml & Joe Persichina will split time at 2B. Mostly Paiml and Persichina though as I imagine Viciedo and Retherford will rotate between DH and 3B. Gartrell's interesting as he deserves to be in Charlotte, but may be back. Miguel Negron should be in Charlotte. Shelby could play LF or CF, depending on who else is on the team. I'm not sure if Salvador Sanchez will be in B'ham or back in W-S. I'm guessing a lot of guys from last year will get cut outright...Javier Colina, Robbie Hudson, C.J. Lang, Freddie Thon, Jared Price, Lee Cruz, Estee Harris, Ronnie Gaines, Adam Ricks & Brett Bonvechio are names I wonder about. I think Jacob Rasner, Matt Zaleski, Henry Mabee, Michael Dubee, Steven Spurgeon, Israel Chirino & Matt Long could be part of B'ham's pitching staff.

QUOTE (SoxFan101 @ Mar 29, 2009 -> 11:09 AM) Can only hope Danks tears the cover off the ball down in WS so he can join the rest of the group in Birmingham this season, if it got to that point Id might really try and make it down for a series. Also, I think this is going to be a big year for Lucas Harrell, he seems healthy and along with Getz has been a favorite prospect of mine. Ever met Lucas? He's a nice kid.

QUOTE (danman31 @ Mar 29, 2009 -> 02:15 AM) This one (link) touches on Danks, Viciedo and Poreda and this one (link) is all about Beckham. Some good stuff. Danks is starting at Winston-Salem. If he starts hot, Birmingham could see another big name. Fun year to be there this season. Best $950 I ever spend.

QUOTE (scenario @ Mar 28, 2009 -> 04:26 PM) KW with a mild slap at my boy CJ Retherford. Hawk: "My pick to click in the minors this year is CJ Retherford." KW "He's a grinder, but if he has the best year of anybody in our minor league system, we're in serious trouble." (KW then followed up and said he meant no disrespect to CJ... just wanted to make the point that he has high expectations for a few players in the minors this year.) I think CJ will have a nice year and I'd love to see him put himself on the serious prospect list... but KW's point is well taken. I hope C.J. makes him eat those words.

That's Joe Persichina that pinch ran for Thome in the 8th in case any of you didn't look at the box score. That guy's awesome, I still haven't decided what his nickname should be...Joey Purses or Joey China.

QUOTE (BearSox @ Mar 28, 2009 -> 08:38 AM) Makes more sense this way... and IIRC, Reatherford can play a bunch of positions on the field and he should be able to find a spot on the team. I find it hard to believe that he wouldn't be one of the 8 best hitters on the team. Hope so, I don't know who might be the other outfielders except John Shelby III. So, it's possible he could play LF if not 3B. Although I think Retherford and Viciedo will rotate between 3B and DH.

QUOTE (scenario @ Mar 27, 2009 -> 08:24 PM) If Poreda, Beckham, and Viciedo all start the year in Birmingham, then I'm coming down for several games... with my video cam. Let me know when, I'll get you in for free and you can join us down by the dugout. I know the ushers well, so I can usually bring an extra person or two down there if I want. Although my wife doesn't attend as many games as I do, so half the time, I have an extra ticket. If you're in Rockford, Illinois, then I can give you driving directions from at least Mt. Vernon.

QUOTE (scenario @ Mar 27, 2009 -> 04:52 PM) Could be an accident. Aaron Poreda is listed on the Baron's roster too. And I think it's a given that he's going to be in Charlotte. So... who knows? We'll find out pretty soon. True, but he's been listed on the Barons roster since last season and Gordon Beckham is still listed on Kanny's roster. Moving Viciedo to B'ham's roster is interesting none the least. I guess we'll see. All I'm hearing now is that Poreda's coming back to B'ham to start again, as I suggested he would.

QUOTE (flavum @ Mar 27, 2009 -> 02:29 PM) Just curious...what's the source for this move? I saw on MILB that he's listed on the Birmingham roster, but how reliable is that? On CJ Retherford, I haven't really followed him, but based on his 2008 I don't see how he could be asked to repeat Winston-Salem. If he's a good 3B, I hope he's moved up to Birmingham. He could be a nice trade piece. He had been listed on Charlotte's roster, now he's on B'ham's. That's all I know, but I doubt it was an accident.

I guess that means Javier Castillo is going to start at 3B for Charlotte. I just hope there's room for C.J. Retherford on the Barons. He deserves a spot with B'ham.

QUOTE (scenario @ Mar 27, 2009 -> 01:05 PM) Plus, he'll have a Spanish speaking manager there. Ever Magallanes was the hitting coach for Mexico in the WBC, that seems to cause me a little concern for the Barons. Plus, Andy Tomberlin is the new hitting coach, and I'm not so sure he has any business whatsover doing that job.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Mar 27, 2009 -> 11:48 AM) Makes more sense IMO anyway. He is seriously raw, and needs to learn how to hit without short fences. 340 down the lines, 405 to center & about 370 to the alleys. No wind blowing out because of the large concrete facade, but sometimes it swirls through the park. Also, it isn't ground level, it was cut out of a hill. Regions Park is where flyballs go to die.

QUOTE (scenario @ Mar 27, 2009 -> 01:05 PM) ^^^^^^^^^ Exactly. Birmingham is a much better place for him to start. It will enforce the discipline of trying to hit line drives rather than swinging for the fences. Plus, he'll have a Spanish speaking manager there. I have a feeling JPN366 is going to be having alot of fun at games this year. We may have to take up a collection and buy him a digital video camera to catch some of the action. I can always set up a Pay Pal account...