MiddleCoastBias

QUOTE (Kenny Hates Prospects @ Jan 31, 2010 -> 11:19 AM) The Rangers have been extremely economical over most of the last decade exactly because of that splurge they went on and how badly it hurt them. The Rangers do not seem to be a team looking to suddenly spend a bunch of money under new ownership. Really, how often do you see this stuff happen in pro sports? The new owners are probably going to want to get a handle on everything before they start spending money like water. And the current economy in baseball also makes big spending a pretty unwise thing to do as it is. Let's say we make no moves all offseason until right now. Look at all the players out there, and how cheaply we could have picked them up. Next year should be more of the same. Most of Texas' money under new ownership should go towards extending their own players. Unless Jenks has just a terrific year, given what guys like Soriano and Valverde got, he's probably a non-tender candidate after the season is over, which means no draft picks if that's the case. The price for Jenks, if he were for sale, probably wouldn't be all that staggering, so why would the Sox look to move him midseason and weaken their pen while trying to win a division? Makes no sense. Linebrink can be had by anyone willing to take on that contract. The Sox do not like to eat salary to move a player and that's why he's not gone yet. If some team (any team) comes along offering to pick up the tab, or at least most of the tab, I have to think Kenny would pull the trigger immediately. I agree that the Rangers ownership likely won't make a splash in terms of shelling out a bunch of money right now. But I do think that if they are in the mix in July (due to what I see as a parity in the West), they will likely go out and try to fill the gaps (which will most likely come from their pitchers). If Liney has a good/great first half like he's done before, I could see the Rangers eating his contract to improve their chances. And yes, making a move like this in the middle of our own divisional race seems stupid, but this is contingent on having other strong performers in our pen throughout the season and the seemingly likely chances that we'll be stuck with a broken Linebrink in the second half.

QUOTE (FlaSoxxJim @ Jan 31, 2010 -> 12:13 PM) It's the fact that a significant number of Cub fans truly embrace the "Lovable Losers" thing that allows their patheticness to rise so far above everyone else's. True. I always tell my Cubs fans friends that it would be better for their franchise and the MLB if the Cubs DIDN'T win the World Series. Once they win, they lose that allure of the 100+ drought, of the "next year" mentality. After they win the WS and regress towards mediocrity, it's not "cool" to lose every year anymore.

I can't recall where on the Sox MLB page I saw the article, but I read that it is most likely that Buerhle will get the start and then have the possibility of being worked down towards 4th in the roster so he can be better rested for the 2nd half of the season. EDIT: Found it. Opening Day Starters

QUOTE (chunk23 @ Jan 31, 2010 -> 01:36 AM) I would definitely slot the Mariners to take the west, with maybe the Rangers in second, A's 3rd and Angels last. The Angels have lost a lot of talent, have terrible D, especially in the outfield, and jeez that rotation is just a bunch of #4s. My uber-long-shot prediction of the year is that the Rangers find themselves unexpectedly in contention for the West in July. They realize the thing holding them back is pitching, and they are all always ready to spend money if they have the chance to win (see: Alex Rodriguez, Alfonso Soriano, Kenny Rodgers, Ivan Rodriguez, Chan Ho Park). Combine this with JJ Putz positioning himself as the consistent pitcher we need, we shop Jenks or Liney to the Rangers so they can contend for the West. I know it's a stretch of a prediction, but I just think with the parity in the West that any team has a chance at it, and given the new ownership in Texas they might be willing to fill the necessary gaps by spending the money for the fans and the franchise.

FWIW, Gooch's play was highlighted as the #3 play all-time by a 2B tonight on MLBN's Hot Stove.

QUOTE (JorgeFabregas @ Jan 28, 2010 -> 03:01 PM) Go here to see which teams games are blacked out in your area: http://www.mlb.com/mlb/subscriptions/index.jsp#blackout For instance, I put in a zip code for Arlington, VA (don't know where in VA you live) and it said that Nationals and Orioles games are blacked out--so you would not be able to watch the games v. the Orioles if you are in the blackout area. In fact I do live in Arlington. Already getting excited for when the Sox come play the Nats here this summer, can't beat $5 tickets and sitting wherever I want! Hoping to make it up to a few games a Camden, too.

Counter question: if I subscribe, will I get every game in Virginia? Everything I hear about the coverage revolves around blackouts; I don't want to spend all that money and not get all of the games.

I moved out to the DC metro area about 5 months ago (technically live in Virginia). All I can say is, I have never missed Chicago more in my life. Forget distinction between a good deep dish and thin crust, pizza is just terrible all-around. They have places that advertise as "Chicago-style" with some faux-Italian name... just garbage pizza. It took me 3 weeks to realize I was south of the Mason-Dixon, let alone I-80. These southern accents are killing me, and I'm sick of being called a Yankee for my Chicago accent. We get 2" of snow and people call in sick to work. Seriously. And just like someone else mentioned, everyone has to be all smiles and slow, southern-speaking. I've been told to calm down too many times because they can't cope with the speed and accent with which I talk. And to bring it all together, I have to admit I can't stand Chicago-style dogs; do it up with ketchup, honey mustard, and cheddar cheese. The one thing I will say I enjoy is that yesterday it was 61 degrees and sunny, hot dog stands going on the streets, smelled like baseball season in January. Can't get that in Chicago.

QUOTE (gatnom @ Jan 27, 2010 -> 08:31 PM) We definitely have the most potential in the division. If Quentin, Rios, and Teahen hit like they can, we probably run away with this division. I think that's the problem that I and many others see: we have the most 'potential' while other teams (like the Twins) already have proven production. If everyone clicks, we can have a very potent offense to complement our potentially dominating staff. What is disconcerting is that we are waiting to see if this 'potential' comes to the surface, and that is why I am anxious about this offense. Optimistic, but anxious. I would rather have an offseason where we can go into April confident that we don't have an weaknesses, and right now I can't say I have that confidence.

It looks like I'm in the minority here, but I have never wanted Damon. I posed the question a few weeks back of why the Yanks were even considering who they would bring back for DH (if it came down to Matsui and Damon). I'm well aware of his recent numbers, but I want no part of Damon as a DH on this team. My impression of his performance is that his numbers are a product of his environment ie being a Yankee: he's not even the third best hitter on that team so he has no pressure. He's sandwiched in a huge lineup. If he comes here as DH, it will be a different environment with inflated expectations. Yes, I know we have some serious bats... But top to bottom, we don't have a lineup to compete with the Yanks that would warrant having Damon at an inflated price for numbers I don't think he can duplicate in our lineup.

Most of those paintings look a little creepy. And it's funny that for most everyone in there they have a younger picture of them... except John Franco. Dinosaur.

QUOTE (Chet Kincaid @ Jan 6, 2010 -> 12:36 PM) Hands down one of the funniest movies ever. So was Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels. So was RocknRolla... I'm sensing a theme here, and I have no problem with it

QUOTE (EvilJester99 @ Jan 4, 2010 -> 02:52 PM) Snatch I'll give you credit, it was the same actor. It was actually the very end of Gone in 60 Seconds, the big tall British dude (who apparently played professional soccer in real-life) who played the character that didn't speak throughout the movie, delivering a diatribe at the very end as they grilled. +1 for Jester

QUOTE (daa84 @ Jan 5, 2010 -> 07:19 PM) holliday back to cards for 7 years between 119-120 mil....thats alot of dough If I was a Cards' fan, I would be very leery of this contract. Pujols, sure. But I don't think Holliday is worth that blockbuster contract. This smells a lot like the Vernon Wells contract, and if it doesn't pan out they could be handcuffed for years to come. Hey, if it does work, god bless 'em, keep the cubs down. But I have my serious doubts that Holliday is going to live up to this monstrous contract.

Rum and coke is always good to me. Always.

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Jan 3, 2010 -> 12:29 AM) I'll say a big congrats to Gavin, have fun on the honeymoon Gavin.... Poor Gavin, and you are screwed Gavin. "You say poor [Gavin], I say poor us." Name it...

QUOTE (AWhiteSoxinNJ @ Jan 2, 2010 -> 12:17 PM) I've got the DVD box set, I can watch it whenever. I've been looking online to either buy that or for a torrent. What I'm looking for is a box set with complete coverage of all 12 2005 playoff games for us, not just the 4 WS games. Does anyone know if this exists and where I can find it?

When I was younger I went to my first game with my dad against the Indians. We got there early to get autographs of the team. Unfortunately, only a few of the Sox came out to sign autographs, and my dad says Frank was "not the nicest person". The grounds keeper did toss me a batting practice ball, though, so that was really neat for my first game. And then ALL of the Indians players came over and signed autographs; I especially remember Jim Thome being super nice to everyone and making sure everyone got an autograph, even taking time to get me another ball from the dugout. While it's not the best memory of my Sox, I've always had respect for the big guy ever since.

From a coach's perspective myself, it is fun to see him say that you need 5-10 minutes of the 'fun stuff' at the end of practice. I know a lot of guys that got burnt out early because they viewed baseball games/practice as 'work' and not as something to be enjoyed. Everyone that loves to play any sport loves to joke around and pretend to make that Omar Vizquel (is he still alive?) play; have a little fun with it.

QUOTE (knightni @ Dec 26, 2009 -> 04:10 PM) Pretty crazy that the Sox, with a more limited fan base than any other mlb team, are at over one ticket sold per fan. This is awesome stuff, knight. Well done.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Dec 17, 2009 -> 10:56 PM) Who says he isnt? Rock, you scare me, in a good way. I find myself hanging on your every word after your recent (and past) track record.

Buerhle, Wise Corral TYIB Honors Nice hardware for the two. Watch the video of the nominees; the audio for Paulie's 3-HR performance is Hawk's 'hell yes!'

QUOTE (chiguy79 @ Dec 17, 2009 -> 04:04 PM) Cubs will sign DeRosa after dumping Milty and eating his entire contract...and the Scrubs fans will be dancing on the streets! I would love to see that. After pushing DeRosa out on what could've been a cheaper contract had they kept him, they instead brought in Milton to eat their money and clubhouse morale, and then to bring in their old player at a higher cost? Love it.

QUOTE (knightni @ Dec 16, 2009 -> 04:57 PM) Sammy Sosa Dominican Sammy Sosa or the new, white Sammy Sosa?

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Dec 16, 2009 -> 04:43 PM) I know we ended up getting Beckham, but I don't think I can ever go through another (without putting a bullet in my brain) '07ish season. And it wasn't just the record. But the everyday talent that was put out there was despicable. I spent that season out of market so I couldn't watch any games that weren't on WGN or Saturday Fox games, I watched the rest on Gametracker, meaning I had to watch about 3 months of games in text-form. It might have been even more painful for me because I couldn't even see Andy's face on the tv to yell at him, only the text scroller that said "ball in play / error on third baseman, A. Gonzalez". At least we had the bright spot of Josh Fields and Jerry Owens emerge at the end of the season...