DBAHO

The thing is, the Bears rate 28th against the pass. Other teams have worked out, the best way to the beat the Bears, is just to throw non-stop against them. Ever since Dallas beat the Bears with that strategy, their defense just hasn't been the same IMHO. So I don't know if they'd trade a CB right now.

How many innings did Poreda throw this season FWIW? Maybe they are just looking after his long - term health.

QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ Sep 26, 2008 -> 11:51 AM) We haven't held the lead as much as Minnesota has refused to take it, at least up until the last three days. I have no idea how close we are to winning a World Series though. Our starting pitching isn't bad (although I would strongly consider trading Vazquez), and if we can pick up a couple guys at the spots you mentioned to add some balance to our lineup then we'd be in great shape there. But what about the bullpen? As Hawk accurately points out all the time, you can't win in today's game without a good bullpen. Bobby Jenks is not a guy I can totally trust anymore as is stuff gets worse every year, Dotel has been bad since the overuse started to get to him and I worry how his arm will respond next season at his age, Linebrink is obviously a big injury question, and what do we have after that? Thornton and that's about it. I know EVERYBODY has bullpen questions, but I have no idea how we will fix ours. Jenks has still had a good season, any closer with an ERA under 3 is doing his job well, and he hasn't blown that many games for us, so I'm not worried about him. Dotel is a guy, who needs to be handled carefully and also with Linebrink. I'd try to bring in another 7th/8th inning guy who can get the job done for you, and give you a good ERA. Logan is a key as the 2nd lefty, he needs to rebound, or else we may be forced to bring someone else from the organisation in. But at least, the bullpen is in better shape than it was 12 months ago. That doesn't mean KW should stop there though, it can definitely be boosted more.

Instead of offering a draft pick, would the Bears offer say Grossman and a CB? The Rams are just absolutely desperate for help in the secondary right now, especially with CB's.

that came from

Is it safe to say with what has happened this week, if McCain does not win tonight's debate, he's almost done?

that Jeeves prepared

QUOTE (Milkman delivers @ Sep 26, 2008 -> 01:56 PM) Strangely, I never cook for Thanksgiving. I like to just make the Thanskgiving-type meal randomly. I'm trying to find somewhere for Thanksgiving actually. I want the whole "American" experience on that day. Otherwise it'll be a buch of Brits and me trying to cook a turkey in an oven.

QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ Sep 26, 2008 -> 12:36 PM) I can't argue with any of this, and the 2nd paragraph is especially accurate. However, assuming we fail to make the playoffs, most of the goodwill built by this team's surprise season is gone because they flat out collapsed. It's not a classic collapse like the Mets of 2007, but Minnesota entered this series an abysmal 7-12 record in September, yet we let them stay close AND then put up a lifeless effort in getting swept by their struggling squad to put ourselves in this bad situation. When you collapse, all the goodwill you may have built dies, just like your season. Yeah I can see that. But still it isn't over yet, and the Sox have done a pretty good job in holding the lead for as long as they ahve considering the injuries they've had over the 2nd half of the season. I think we're only a couple of moves away from winning the whole thing to be honest. Get an upgrade for Contreras, improve at 2B/3B/CF and this team can easily win over 90 games next season IMHO.

Bullington to pitch;

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Sep 26, 2008 -> 11:00 AM) After Olivo/Morse/Reed for Garcia and Thornton for Borchard, we would have to give up Fields, Poreda and Allen for Beltre, lol. Beltre's only got the 1 season left on his deal IIRC. I'd offer Fields and 2 other prospects not named Poreda for starters, to kick off negotiations.

QUOTE (EvilJester99 @ Sep 26, 2008 -> 11:03 AM) Anyone listen to Mulley and Hanley this morning on The Score? They talked to the Sun-Times' Sox beat writer Joe Cowley who had some telling comentary on Swisher. Basically, he described how everyone got the impression that even when things were going bad, Swisher would always be the happy-go-lucky, clowning around, good guy in the clubhouse. However, he has now isolated himself in the clubhouse and its very apparent he is unhappy with his current situation with the Sox. Whether he is unhappy with his poor performance, management, teammates, Ozzie, or a combination of all of them is undetermined. Cowley and Mulley even mentioned it will be likely that Swisher will request to be moved within the year. Hmmm that is quite interesting. Swisher still would have some value, but it's obviously not at the point at where it was a season ago. I wonder if the A's would take him back actually? Billy Beane always loved him.

QUOTE (Milkman delivers @ Sep 26, 2008 -> 11:49 AM) I love to make full turkey dinners, and I'm not kidding. Can I come to your house for Thanksgiving?

QUOTE (whitesoxbrian @ Sep 26, 2008 -> 07:50 AM) Except 4 guys (Danks, Floyd, Quentin, Ramirez), I'd trade anyone on the Sox for him. I'd add Buehrle and Jenks to that mix also.

Well at least that's something positive I guess. Probably makes up for the Royals not starting Grienke either.

I know everyone feels like s*** ATM, but you still have to remember that the Sox have had a good season, and much better than most people anticipated. We're in a much better place than where we were 1 year ago, when there a LOT of question being asked, and I don't think people should lose sight of that. And it ain't over til it's over, just like in 2005, anything can happen, I can't say I'm confident at all, but hey I'm hopeful as hell, and hopefully we'll get it together and at least make the playoffs.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 26, 2008 -> 11:15 AM) I am going to predict that Brandon Allen is one of the guys traded this off season. Call it a hunch based on history. That wouldn't surprise me either, considering KW's past history, and trading prospects while their value is at their highest point. I have no problems including say Poreda and Allen in a deal if it can help get me a good young CF that will put up an .800OPS for the next few seasons and that guy will be good defensively. The problem is, those guys don't exactly grow on trees, and they're pretty high in demand.

QUOTE (fathom @ Sep 26, 2008 -> 10:44 AM) BTW, my prediction for White Sox 3rd baseman next year is Melvin Mora. He's had a decent season, but he'll be what 37 next season. Depends on the O's asking price I guess. Also IIRC, he's not exactly the world's greatest fielde at 3rd base. Hence why I'd prefer Beltre instead. I'd give up Fields for him in a deal.

Yeah I just find it easier with Gas, although I've never really used Charcoal before. I always remember that King of the Hill episode where Bobby and Peggy had a burger on Charcoal and it was so much better than Propane, but they didn't have the nerve to tell Hank.

QUOTE (kyyle23 @ Sep 26, 2008 -> 10:12 AM) If you get your Wii online let me know and we can throw down a little mariokart I was going to get Mario Kart and 4 Wheels, and make the most of it. Does it cost anything extra to use the Wii On-Line? I've got the whole wireless set-up with the internet and a router at home, so I imagine I shouldn't have any major problems on that regard.

I think the one thing that this series in Minnesota has showed us, is that we need to get more guys who can get on base, but they have to hit for a good average also. Nick Swisher for instance gives you a pretty good OBP, but he's been a major dissapointment in terms of his BA this season. Cabrera hasn't been as good as last season, but he's still hit for a decent average and his OBP is right around where it's been the past few seasons. I would still try to do what I could to trade Konerko in the off-season considering he's declining, and that Jim Thome is back for another season. Swisher can move to 1B, and if he doesn't hit better next season, trade him, and bring say Brandon Allen up, if Allen can show that he is ready to contribute at the major league level. I would pull out all the stops to sign Orlando Hudson on a 2 or 3 year deal for around $12-13M a season. It's a lot for a 2nd baseman, but he hits around the .300 mark, has had an excellent OBP over the past few seasons, and is argubly the best defensive 2nd baseman in the game. Him and Ramirez in the middle IF would be a joy to watch until Gordon Beckham is ready. CF is the area which I'd look for KW to make another move in whether it's via FA or a trade. Can't recall who the main CF's in FA are, but I'd love for KW to make a Quentin like trade and pick up someone who can sure up that area for the next 5 seasons or so. 3B is another area, where I'd look to make a change. Fields shouldn't fit as a long - term player due to his low BA/OBP numbers. I'd look at Adrian Beltre for a season if the price was right, or Chone Figgins or Garrett Atkins.

So I am going to get a Wii this weekend from Nintendo World, the only place I've found which actually has them in stock and for only $250 (so I don't have to pay over $300 on E-Bay). Going to get MLB Power Pros, Mario Kart Wii and either Super Mario Galaxy or Legend of Zelda (I can be swayed towards one or the other).

caught on fire

Steak or Chicken on the BARBY Edit: No Shrimp allowed.

Nice to reach 25,000 posts on your B-Day also.