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QUOTE (iamshack @ Dec 19, 2010 -> 05:04 PM) Andrus at least shows some ability to hit for average, draw a walk, and steal bases. And he's more than a year younger than Escobar. One thing to note about Escobar -- which I was well aware of because he was on my fantasy team last year -- is that very early in the season he got dropped down to the bottom of the order. That's significant because the Brewers manager was quoted somewhere as saying that he absolutely hates basestealing at the bottom of the order because it's too big of a risk for a low chance at a payoff, or something like that. Sure enough, Escobar only attempted 14 stolen bases all year despite playing in 145 games and accumulating 552 PA. All signs point to him having elite speed, and I think it's safe to say that if he were at the top of the order, he'd have a ton more than 10 steals. Anyway, I agree that I'd rather have Andrus, if only for his better plate discipline. But I just wanted to point out that the stolen base total from last year is deceptive.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 18, 2010 -> 01:15 PM) Come the trade deadline, Sale might be a guy who could be a headliner for Greinke. I can't see us absorbing the salary at this point, can you? QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Dec 18, 2010 -> 01:19 PM) That would definitely signal the end of the Mark Buehrle era. Unless this is the case.

QUOTE (Harry Chappas @ Dec 18, 2010 -> 09:46 AM) Brewers, White Sox and Cardinals should all be in on this. The White Sox should move Danks to the Yanks for the prospects the Royals would like and then add Viciedo or Morel. A three way deal gets you around the NTC to a degree. The LAST thing the Royals need is Viciedo or Morel. They have Butler, Moustakas, Hosmer, Ka'aiuhe, and even Wilson Betemit to man the corner infield for about the next 7 years.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Dec 18, 2010 -> 01:04 PM) Thing is from what I've heard the Royals want premium pitching prospect(s) back. I don't think they're looking for a catcher. Not as a centerpiece anyway. Yeah, I've heard that too. Yankees will no doubt dangle Joba. Probably not what you or I would consider premium SP, but we ARE talking about Dayton Moore here.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 17, 2010 -> 08:48 PM) If they give up that catcher Montero they probably have the ammo to get it done...but the issue is, they also want him in their lineup this year. So they'd wind up having to make themselves worse to do it at a different position, and Russell Martin isn't going to be an exciting option there right now. They signed Martin with the expectation that he'll bounce back and with the intent to use him as a bridge to one of their prospects ( http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/base...kees.martin.ap/ ). They have three good catching prospects right now (Montero, Romine, Cervelli), Montero is just the best. I wouldn't be surprised to at all to see any of those three get traded for ZG. They're extremely deep in young catching right now and it would make all the sense in the world for them to unload some of that depth for big-time pitching, which is by far their biggest problem.

Swing at the first pitch! The Twins throw strikes early in the count, every single time. Guys like Dunn need to feast on this, even if it means swinging at a first pitch breaking ball that lands right in the center of the plate. Once they get ahead, they nibble and force groundballs. I think we need to square up on stuff early.

I think Brian Cashman knows that everyone thinks he's desperate, and that he won't make any dumb deals.

QUOTE (scenario @ Dec 14, 2010 -> 05:15 PM) Just revisited the thread and saw my Buehrle/Rasmus comments stirred up a few responses. I've read what was said. Doesn't change my point of view. In my book, "can't miss outfield prospects" who strike out in 30% of their MLB at-bats are more of a commodity than proven left-handed starters with career sub-4 ERAs (in the AL no less) who can throw 200 innings a year. You don't like it? Fire me when I become GM. Lol. Yeah, with all due respect, I don't see how anyone could even consider trading Rasmus for Buerhle. Big time, cost-controlled, MLB ready hitting prospect for $14m declining LHP with pedestrian stuff? When you don't have a need for starting pitchers? I mean, come on, even if STL needed a veteran pitcher, why wouldn't they just get someone cheaper and better?

QUOTE (WCSox @ Dec 14, 2010 -> 01:59 PM) Could be a combination of adjusting mechanics and something clicking mentally. Guys like Lee, Buehrle, and Danks - who are all somewhat lacking in raw stuff - seem to excel because they've mastered those two things. I wouldn't say Lee is lacking in raw stuff, after watching his postseasons the past couple years, anyway.

Wow, curveball.

QUOTE (jaxsoxfan @ Dec 10, 2010 -> 10:28 PM) Someone on here mentioned Pittsburgh speculation? What about for Doumit and Hanrahan? "No Mitt" Doumit? I guess he can't be worse than TCQ defensively, can he?

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/12/ange...cott-downs.html

To my knowledge, Andruw Jones isn't on our team right now.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Dec 9, 2010 -> 04:50 PM) I don't know the exact numbers either. But Swisher was beyond pathetic in 2008. Any other year? Give me him over JP 7 days a week. It's a pretty s***ty feeling when watching a guy with over 700 PAs knowing that the best-case scenario is a f***ing single. My name is Jordan4life and I hate Juan Pierre. The end. I'm with you. I don't mind the no power thing, but Pierre is only a decent leadoff hitter if he gets on base at a .365 or higher clip. That means he has to take walks. It's cool that he increases pitch counts by swinging at every single pitch and fouling it off before eventually grounding out to second base, but you can also increase pitch counts by having a good eye, taking balls, and hitting the ball hard when they put it in the strike zone -- and you get on base a LOT more that way.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Dec 9, 2010 -> 02:01 PM) The argument isn't even about SB's, as I think anyone will tell you they are valuable - in a vacuum. The issue is effectiveness, which comes from rate. A guy who steals 18 in 20 attempts is more valuable than a guy who steals 50 but gets caught 30. The negative value of a CS is more than the positive value of a SB. This is correct ^ Elite basetealers are very valuable, sabermetrically. Those that don't successfully steal at least 71% of the time, however, are doing more harm than good. Thus, managers like Ozzie Guillen tend to hurt the team with ill-fated steal attempts at obvious times with bad basestealers.

QUOTE (Buehrlesque @ Dec 8, 2010 -> 12:35 PM) Have to agree. In pretty much all ways but sentimentality, DLee was the better option. But, the good things is, Paulie is not "bad", he's just not the smartest choice for this contract. We'll see what Lee signs for. I think Lee was the better option if he signs for 1/7 or below.

How has MLBTR still not mentioned this?

QUOTE (bschmaranz @ Dec 7, 2010 -> 08:38 PM) Dante Bichette is waiting by the phone as well. Don't know if it's a good fit, but it's rumored that Tim Salmon is available.

QUOTE (SoxFan1 @ Dec 7, 2010 -> 05:32 PM) The bullpen panic is funny to me. We have 3 legitimate relief options in Thornton, Santos, and Pena, and a 4th in Sale. Yet people are saying we have 1 reliever. Bullpen Panic would be a great band name.

QUOTE (bigruss22 @ Dec 7, 2010 -> 04:24 PM) You do realize how far off you are in this claim, dont you? I can't even take MYSELF seriously when using a phrase like "K Krown." No, occasionally I exaggerate, believe it or not. Here's what I meant: I don't think Viciedo is ready to hit in the majors as a full-time 1B because he strikes out too much

Oh man. I hope Lee is healthy, and we actually have a shot at him. And he only wants a 1yr deal. And it isn't more than $7m. Otherwise, Viciedo may challenge Reynolds for the K Krown.

If we're giving PK $15m, it'd better only be for 2 years.

I'd take Pena over Lee if all things are equal, but Pena is going to be way more expensive. I choose Lee for $6m and vesting option over Pena for 4/44.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Dec 5, 2010 -> 01:45 AM) Sitting in the front few rows of most of the UD sections behind the plate are some of the best seats in the house. Much, much better than sitting in the outfield. Agreed. Premium Upper Box is where it's at, in terms of cost/quality ratio. Front row is amazing.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Viciedo have a major league contract or something? I thought he was making over $1m per year.