LittleHurt05

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Jan 16, 2014 -> 10:34 AM) Yes. There is a replacement level jump that is automatically figured into each position within the equation: Catcher: +12.5 runs (all are per 162 defensive games) First Base: -12.5 runs Second Base: +2.5 runs Third Base: +2.5 runs Shortstop: +7.5 runs Left Field: -7.5 runs Center Field: +2.5 runs Right Field: -7.5 runs Designated Hitter: -17.5 runs (For the record, a run in this instance (as I recall) is the difference between the number of runs you personally create and the number of runs you allow.) Roughly 10 runs equals 1 WAR. However, the reason it's "easier" for a shortstop to earn a higher WAR compared to catcher is because shortstops simply affect more plays. They are making strides towards better defining catcher's defensive value (specifically in pitch framing), but, simply put, a shortstop getting/not getting to a ball affects the game far more than a catcher allowing a runner to get to 2B because he couldn't throw him out or allowed a passed ball. Alexei Ramirez, even considering how "bad" he was defensively last year, still saved 12 more runs than he allowed defensively and he was worth 3.1 WAR. Alexei Ramirez was and is still a very solid shortstop, and it really, honestly, is one of the best free agent signings in White Sox history. EDIT: Sorry, that chart is found here. That is part 3 in a (seriously) 15 part series FanGraphs has posted on WAR. http://www.fangraphs.com/library/misc/war/ So a catcher essentially has a 2.5 WAR head start over a 1st baseman? (Assuming 162 games, which obviously catchers dont play)

I wonder if the Dodgers ever discussed a Sale-esque extension 2-3 years ago with Kershaw or if he was always looking ahead to a big payday.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Jan 16, 2014 -> 09:13 AM) Did you guys know that basketballs are orange? And they are round. So are boobs. Which are not orange.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jan 16, 2014 -> 08:42 AM) Bieber's popularity is with teens. That is why he and Miley are so googled. I doubt many 30 and ups google Biebs, and only the perverts that age google Miley. According to Forbes, Biebs made $58 million in 2013. MJ pulled in $80 million. I guess being a youtube sensation doesn't pay off like selling shoes. She's 21. Do only perverts google Kate Upton?

Quad City DJ's are way more well-known

So that 90s rap song "I Got a Man", Positive K actually raps both the male and female verses. Mind = blown

Wow, the Ducks are on fire. Beating the Canucks 6-0 right now. Zero regulation losses at home. They are mortal on the road so Friday night should be fun at the UC.

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Jan 15, 2014 -> 10:17 PM) Some of these fan tweets trying to start rumors are amusing. "BREAKING NEWS! Masahiro Tanaka signs a 7 yr/ 285 Mil deal with the Brew Crew!" LOL. At least try to make it realistic.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jan 15, 2014 -> 10:05 PM) The next 5 games will not be fun, but with an upset it could be a signature win. Silver lining? They need at least two signature wins to cancel out Purdue, NW, and GT. Doesn't help that Mizzou football and basketball have seemingly switched positions with the conference change.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Jan 15, 2014 -> 09:58 PM) Whelp, fun season while it lasted. Yup, no tourney this year. At least they beat Missouri!

QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ Jan 15, 2014 -> 09:21 PM) I don't get how Egwu has regressed so much. Not that he was great to begin with which makes regression so much worse. And why is the coaching staff still green lighting his 3s? It's not as much regression, more like zero improvement. The end of last season he showed some great flashes of potential, but now he's just trying to be Brian Cook.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Jan 15, 2014 -> 03:25 PM) How many were proven? Was this expose' written in the middle of his career, or was it over? Did Magic Johnson still have AIDs? Try putting it into context, if you can. Nope. Money kills the virus. Didn't you see his appearance on South Park?

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Jan 15, 2014 -> 02:12 PM) fun fact, most restaurant guac is half cut with mashed peas Yet they still charge you like $3 to add it on, or $12 as an appetizer.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Jan 15, 2014 -> 08:40 PM) Illinois is horrendous. So much standing around. Luckily Sunday sucked out all hopes I had for this season, so I have the game on in the background but am not really paying serious attention. And how is AJ Hammons only a sophomore?

QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ Jan 15, 2014 -> 07:15 PM) It's Bernstein and his infamous sources. Just remember that it is impossible to win a World Series with Juan Uribe as your starting SS.

While it does seem crazy to give a pitcher $30+ million a year for multiple years, I guess this is the best situation to do it. Kershaw is not a 30-year old free agent, the Dodgers are paying him for his age 26-32 seasons, those are his prime years. Obviously injuries happen to pitchers all the time, but if he stays relatively healthy, it's possible you don't see much decline from the last 3 seasons. Plus, when you are now the richest team in baseball, you can't let the best pitcher in baseball walk away.

ESPN reporting they have reached agreement on a 7 year, $215 million deal. Wow.

But why stop now?

QUOTE (IlliniKrush @ Jan 14, 2014 -> 11:19 PM) Yes, I'm against all college fun. You totally lived in Snyder Hall, didn't you?

QUOTE (Chilihead90 @ Jan 14, 2014 -> 11:13 PM) Game 4 vs. Boston. Last OT goal. Luckily the playoffs are 5 on 5, not 4 on 4.

The Hawks have scored zero overtime goals in 15 OTs this season.

Maybe Abreu would be better off working with coaches from other teams during the offseason given the Sox track record?

QUOTE (The Ultimate Champion @ Jan 14, 2014 -> 04:07 PM) What Hawk says about Bobby is absolutely true. What Bobby did for us was really huge and pretty uncommon. I'm usually one of the first people to throw out the idea of trading your closer for a SP or everyday position player/prospect if you can, but Bobby's stuff was a whole lot nastier than you average closer's stuff and his maturity level and immediate dominance at the MLB level upon call-up was something special. He for a very short time also tied the record for consecutive batters retired. He & Thornton were the two full-season bright spots in that 2006 bullpen that cost us games, and in 2007 his record along with MB's no-no were among the very few high points of that entire miserable season. Is it really uncommon? Every year playoff teams have young guys fresh out of the minors tearing it up in the bullpen. Look at the Cardinals this year.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Jan 13, 2014 -> 03:10 PM) Holland is a very weird dude. I wonder if Texas's front office believes this. How many of us here have ever needed surgery after falling in the house? My beautiful grandmother did when she was 76 but other than that it seems to be only athletes. Isn't that what happened to Carlos Boozer?

Unfriendly mods around here