almagest

QUOTE (Kenny Hates Prospects @ Feb 26, 2009 -> 10:17 AM) Wow, I thought Van Benschoten was just minor league roster filler. If the Sox actually believe they can turn him around and his arm isn't too broken down then I'm very intrigued.I'm guessing he's primarily roster filler, but with Pittsburgh's inability to develop pitching from so many high draft picks, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Sox start grabbing some of these players to see what can be fixed.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Feb 19, 2009 -> 09:14 AM) They came back and won too many miracle games last year. Everything went right. When the Sox had a season like that, the next year everything went wrong.We still won 90 games, though, in a much tougher division than 2005. If the Cubs do the same and win 9 less than last year, they probably still win that division.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Feb 18, 2009 -> 11:01 AM) No. Poreda to AAA unless every outing in ST is a no hitter for him. I want him starting. Richard looks like an ideal bullpen guy based on his splits in outings last year.Agreed. I wouldn't mind Richard in AAA to work on additional pitches, though, because I think he could be a decent starter/trade bait.

QUOTE (Greg Hibbard @ Feb 12, 2009 -> 10:44 AM) Even if we accept the fact that CQ is a fantastic all-around ballplayer, how many individuals are able to his .290/30/100 year after year after year? How many that do break out with a single season like that are pitched much differently in year 2 and regress a bit?We don't. But given his success in 2008, his college success, minor league numbers, and high projected ceiling, we can make a good guess that he'll be good next year. And really, there's not much of a weakness in his offensive game. Most of the hitters who regressed had a bad K/BB ratio, had an unexpected power surge, or had an abnormally high BABIP in their good season. Q was solid all around, except for his temper. My main concern is that he's a flyball pitcher in our park. He's effectively wild, though I would like to see him start striking out a few more batters. I think his problem wasn't his stuff, it was his approach. Now that it appears to be solid, I think we can count on him for the numbers you suggest -- 15+ wins and an ERA around 4? I'd take that from him any day. Probably not. I think he's due for a regression more than any other player, and I'm still not convinced he's an everyday player. That said, he has a lightning-quick bat, can stay alive in at-bats very well, and knows how to hit. I think a .270/.300/.450 line from him is reasonable, and that's just fine from a #9 hitter. Hopefully he can play SS as well, because that's a concern. Probably not, but I think he'll be just fine. Danks seems to "figure out" the league he's in after a year or so. His minor league numbers suggest this, and this continued in MLB. The cutter has helped him out tremendously, as well. If we can get an ERA right around 4 from him, I'd be happy. I don't think we're relying on Broadway for anything. Richard will be in the bullpen (and be solid, like last year) unless he develops another pitch. I think the last spots will come down to Colon/Poreda/Marquez/another option we haven't considered, or hasn't signed yet. If Colon can be what he showed with the Red Sox before he got hurt (which is a concern), we worry about the 5th spot, which at the very least, Contreras will fill respectably after he comes back. Because he hit .244/.308/.480, with 23 HR, in only 373 AB. He can actually take a walk. His minor league stats are good (.275/.359/.458 career, .817 OPS). He's a smart runner, with pretty good speed, who can go 1st-3rd and score from 2nd. He fixed the physical problems that plagued him last year, and has been working on conditioning and defense. He has good minor league numbers. He had an OPS+ above 100 4 out of his 6 major league seasons (coincidentally, the years he got the most ABs). He's not in New York any longer, a place players historically struggle, and rebound once they leave. He was a highly-ranked prospect, and made the majors at the age of 19. We're not relying on him to be anything more than a super-sub, which he should be able to do better than Uribe and Ozuna. You already said one reason -- he's been screwed over by the Sox. He's fantastic defensively. He had a good minor league career, and plays well in spring training -- both times he gets consistent playing time. He's a doubles machine (23 in 365 AB in 2006, 13 in 181 AB last year). He has good power, and likely can top 20 HR in a full season. He doesn't look as lost as he used to at the plate. He's a good athlete, and can go 1st-3rd and score from 2nd. It's his make-or-break point, and I feel we can afford to give him 400+ AB, since our offense will be likely pretty solid, to see if he can cut it. If he can, and can reach the Torii Hunter-lite point I think is possible for him, we'll have our CF hole finally filled. We built our team around power, and rightfully so, given the launching pad we have. This is what happens as power hitters age. I would only consider Thome and Konerko DH candidates, though. Dye plays a mediocre RF (and should be in left, really). What teams have insurance policies, really? The ones that aren't the Yankees rely on AA/AAA talent, non-roster invitees, and scrap heap pickups to fill their rosters. We've been better at the latter two than most teams, and we're finally starting to get some quality talent in our minor leagues. Really, this is the most optimistic about the future of the Sox that I've been since 2000 (even though that didn't turn out so well)

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Jan 13, 2009 -> 10:35 PM) ...assuming Dusty doesn't f*** the kids' arms off.That is a disturbing mental image.

He was also busted for DUI.

I'm a little leery of storing all my information online in one "convenient" place, but I suppose it's not much different than having personal information compromised from Amazon or my bank.

Opera is a solid browser, too. http://www.opera.com/. The latest version (might be 9.6, might be 10 beta, I forget which) scored 100 on the Acid3 test, which is the definitive web compatibility test.

Out of spite the Braves should sign Cabrera. That'll show 'em!

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Dec 17, 2008 -> 08:59 PM) When you go to a movie theater, do you walk into the showings of movies that don't interest you and yell at the screen about how stupid the movie is?Hahaha I'm totally going to do that now.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 16, 2008 -> 08:57 PM) The problem is that Taveras just MIGHT be the best option out of all the worst-case scenarios out there. Jerry Owens also has a better than 50/50 shot at not getting the job done or staying healthy. Anderson can't lead off. Wise isn't a CFer. Are you in the lead off with Getz/Lillibridge (2B) and put Anderson at 9th in the order camp?Yes. Taveras is a #9 hitter anyway. No hit + speed != leadoff hitter. If we are in a rebuilding year, let's give Anderson one last shot at the job, and see if he can play. If he can't cut it, Lillibridge may also be able to play CF, otherwise just stick Owens out there because you'll get almost exactly the same out of him as you will Taveras -- Willy might be a little bit better, but not nearly enough to make any sort of substantial difference.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Dec 16, 2008 -> 05:25 PM) trading him, or letting him go is going to get them pretty good as well. The kid really hasnt had a consistent shot to succeed at the major league level IMO.What are the chances of this happening, do you think? I've always been a fan of Pie, and wondered why the Cubs continually stuck him on the bench. What would it take to get him? On another note, let's stop with the Taveras stuff, ok? He's gotten on base at a good clip exactly ONCE in his career, for about a half of a season. He's also never scored more than about 80 runs in a season. He's. Not. Good.

No thanks. If the Royals non-tender a player, you know he's beyond awful.

QUOTE (klaus kinski @ Dec 11, 2008 -> 01:43 PM) We are gonna lose bailey to another deal-while Rome burns & Nero (KW) fiddles It has happened to him before-for all the kudos he gets about making deals, he also has procrastinated himself out of players he has wanted in the past And you know this is the case how?

Sometimes the posts on this board leave me speechless.

Peanut butter Weiters and a baseball bat.

QUOTE (Jimbo's Drinker @ Dec 9, 2008 -> 01:21 PM) I guess I have never seen KW clean house, he is definitely cleaning house right now. To think, were a good leadoff hitter from being an elite team last year. Now its a combination of prospects, and I hate prospects. So hit or miss. No we weren't. Our bullpen and Javy were awful in the second half of the year, Contreras was hurt, and our MVP-candidate LF injured himself with a month left in the season. A leadoff hitter wouldn't have done squat to change that. Let's stop it with the myth that a scrappy leadoff hitter is all we need to reach the World Series again, OK?

If I'm reading those stats right, Viciedo has a career BB/K ratio of 98/123. These are from professional seasons, at the age of 16, 17, and 18. Impressive -- if he can maintain that sort of strike zone selection, and hit for power, he'll be something special.

QUOTE (1399 @ Dec 8, 2008 -> 02:15 PM) Ummmm, no. I am just like everyone else in that I have two favorite teams, the Sox and who ever the cubs play so nice try. As for trying to piss people off. Thats not it at all. I have opinions and are entitled to them just like everyone else. Just because my opinion on this matter is different from the rest doesnt make me a cub fan or less of a Sox fan. Inflammatory statements about a popular player, who won a World Series MVP, made the all-star team, and finished in the top 5 in MVP voting, with no stats to back said statements up (other than cherry-picking a .269 average w/ RISP in a season where Dye posted a 126 OPS+), are going to piss people off. Also, you're entitled to your opinion, but if it's flat-out wrong and not based on any actual relevant data, expect to be called out on it. QUOTE (sayitaintso @ Dec 8, 2008 -> 02:25 PM) You flat out said that he WON'T be missed. You were trying to speak for the majority while you are in the minority on this particular subject.Also ^. Anyway, mark me down as wanting this to happen, but only if we get something else in return along with Bailey. Dye is worth more than just a reclamation project with an extremely high upside.

Guys, don't feed the trolls. It's probably just some Cubs fan or random internet douche trying to piss people off, because saying Dye is trash and lots of people won't miss him is obviously flame bait. He's done nothing but produce his whole time here, and the only year he could be considered a disappointment was 2007 -- when he was still pretty productive. Obviously his production is in decline, since he's in his mid-30s, and that's the main reason we should trade him now, but not because he's "trash".

I really would not mind having OC back for one more year. I think it would be one of the best things that could happen -- hit him 2nd, 8th, or 9th, and keep Alexei at 2nd for another year. Hopefully get a lead-off hitter for CF, and give Beckham, Lillibridge, and Jordan Danks a chance to build up some confidence and experience in the minors. If he puts up .280/.330/.370 or more, with decent defense, he's worth it, jackass or not.

I second the Picasa suggestion. Also fantastic, but far more advanced, is the GIMP.

Why do you need 10 megapixels? Are you printing lots of oversized images, or doing any photo work that requires digital zoom? 10 MP is way overkill for most people -- you're better focusing on a camera with a better lens, photo sensor, image stabilization, and/or faster shutter time. Also, are you looking for a simple camera, a small camera, a "prosumer" level camera, or a professional/DSLR camera? Do you have a price range in mind? What's the memory card format on your HP? Do you have a preferred memory card format? Do you want a rechargable battery, or a camera that takes AA/AAA batteries?

QUOTE (Kenny Hates Prospects @ Dec 2, 2008 -> 11:52 PM) LMAO A pitcher can control where he throws the ball and how he throws it. Some pitchers have trouble keeping their body under control, but that is not because they are unlucky. If a pitcher can control the opposition hitting home runs, why do pitchers allow that stuff? And BTW, if you've never seen a pitcher's pitch hit for a home run then you have never seen a very good hitter in action. If this were the case, then HR/9 wouldn't be a sustainable stat -- you'd see wild variations for almost every pitcher. A little research shows this isn't the case at all. Also, just because a good hitter hits a pitcher's pitch for a home run doesn't invalidate the point. I'm not sure why you'd even say that.

QUOTE (santo=dorf @ Dec 2, 2008 -> 10:51 AM) No two draft picks =/= young players because they will be more expensive (if they even sign,) have less experience, and cannot be immediate trading chips for a possible larger package.If they don't sign, we get compensatory picks in next year's draft. Experience doesn't always outweigh potential. Who cares if we can't trade them right away? You don't base a player's worth on whether you can spin him off for someone else or not. QUOTE (santo=dorf @ Dec 2, 2008 -> 10:51 AM) Wait. Are two draft picks equal to two young players or not? Garland would've brought back compensation for the sandwich picks which evens out Cabrera's. So why are we even saying it's two picks when in reality it's a draft pick no lower than 16th in the draft at best. There's even a possibility that Cabrera's pick won't even be in the first or second round because the same team might sign another type A free agent.Garland is type B, Cabrera type A. We get two picks for Cabrera -- one between the first and second rounds, and either a first round pick after the 15th pick, or a second round pick, depending on who signs Cabrera. I also don't think we'd get a pick lower than the second round, for any reason -- where did you find that? Even if true, I think it's a little much to say that the Cabrera trade was bad because we might get a 3rd round pick in the draft for him if the team that signs him also signs another type A free agent.