flavum

Can't wait for that 38-13 stretch like last year. I'm sure that will be coming. But seriously, this team f***ing blows. There, I said it.

Morel has been sub-par defensively so far this season, but I'm going to give him a little bit of a break considering this is probably the first time playing a lot of baseball in this kind of weather. Yes, it's an excuse, but I think he deserves a little bit of a break. He's also shown glimpses of a very good 3B, so I'll cut him slack for rookie miscues.

I don't think it's really comparable quite yet. In the minors, Morel walked almost twice as much as Viciedo. Morel has had 49 plate appearances. Let's see where his OBP is at 150 PA's. I just hope he gets there, because I dread the thought of Mark Teahen playing 3B regularly.

Morel looking for his first walk this year still. Please don't suck.

I like it the way it is. I'm not against retractable roofs, but even when they're open, it still feels like you're inside--I'm speaking of Miller Park. I don't know how it is in the other retractable roof stadiums.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Apr 18, 2011 -> 09:04 AM) No. I'll give them til June. They will have played enough sample to know if they're good. Sometimes teams don't get respect until they're actually good.

Are the Indians for real? Masterson and Tomlin have been outstanding. Carmona is coming around. Sizemore is back. And don't forget...the power of Orlando Cabrera.

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/st...hicafx_kanafx_1 Thompson --2 hits and a walk. Blanke-- ejection

You know what really concerns me about Beckham? He sucks at home. Just .179 this season at home, and .231 career. That really bugs me.

Charlotte http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/st...chraaa_noraaa_1 Birmingham http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/st...cngaax_biraax_1 Winston-Salem http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/st...kinafa_wswafa_1 Some good things...Anthony Carter with another scoreless inning. Mitchell had a good game. Bayne, also good. Griffith--5 walks. No.

So Buehrle can go 101 pitches when he's going to lose, but only 99 pitches when he's 10-15 pitches from an almost sure win? Ok.

I've decided not to freak out ever during this season. It's either win or Ozzie and Kenny have to go. This team could still run away with this division. I have no idea yet. I'll be watching and hoping they win, but there's a part of me that wants to see what will happen if they don't make the playoffs.

Um...yeah.

Trout certainly would have been considered the more aggressive pick, considering that's what their new drafting philosophy is supposedly. They were probably wanting a leadoff hitter that's closer to the big leagues than some high school player. Well, that high school player is now in AA, and Mitchell is at Winston-Salem. Yes, I know he missed a year, but still. I'm just not feeling Mitchell will be anything. Hope I'm wrong, but it's still going to take a couple years to find out.

April 18 - June 1 the Sox have three long road trips. 30 road/13 home. They had their chance to get some padding, and now they've blown it. If they come home from Boston on June 1st at 31-27, I'll take it.

On the bright side, they got the game in and won't have to call up Jeff Marquez to start a game next week.

With Pierre, you try to have him steal, then try to move him over by hitting to the right side. I just don't understand giving up an out there.

Stefan Gartrell was outrighted to Charlotte, dropping him from the 40-man, which is now at 37.

Could've had Trout. Instead, we take another college football player with a long swing.

Oh great, tonight they all wear 42. Not confusing at all.

If they get rained out tonight, they'll probably play a doubleheader on Sunday. Then the question is---what will they do with the rotation? They might be forced to start Marquez, Harrell, or Dolsi the last game in Tampa. Peavy ready for 5 innings?

Once again, do what you want, but it better work. If this team doesn't make the playoffs, Kenny and Ozzie have to go.

The problem with the bullpen isn't the arms--it's the roles. I feel very confident that if they give Santos a shot at closer, he'll thrive. The first step is to get Thornton back to his old role. And I'm sure I'm in the minority, but I think Chris Sale needs to go down to the minors and start. It's not a penalty for having a 7+ ERA. It's just that they probably don't need three lefties in the pen if Thornton isn't the closer. Let's develop Sale as a starter the right way. Let him go down to Birmingham and build up innings, so he's ready to go next year when the rotation will have an opening or two. I had suggested Anthony Carter come up, but that's probably premature. But how about a Brian Bruney or a Josh Kinney for middle relief for now? Once Peavy comes back, you can have Humber and Pena in long relief. Ohman and Bruney (or another righty) in mid-relief. Thornton and Crain setting up. And Santos closing. I think this is the best bullpen setup given who they have in the organization. All is not lost with the bullpen. They just need to put the puzzle pieces in the right order.

I think the off day will give them some clarity. Santos has to close. They'll figure it out.

It could be early May, but I'm assuming it's 80 pitches tonight. 90 next time on the 18th. 100 pitches on the 23rd in the minors. And then it's a go on the 29th vs Baltimore. Isn't there a limit on the amount of time on a rehab assignment?