DBAHO

Just a few points; 1 - Crede's defense is a big upgrade on Fields' (if Joe can get back to where he was defensively pre surgery). He had a RZR over .900 last season, and Fields was much lower (check the defensive ratings thread). That will definitely help our pitching staff. 2 - There was a piece from Phil Rogers' I think saying that Fields has enough trouble catching up to 88MPH fastballs let alone 92-93 MPH ones. So if he can work on that down in Charlotte, that will help. 3 - Obviously the Sox haven't handled the situation well (again). If I had it my way, Uribe would be gone to Baltimore, Crede would have been shipped off and we use the 9.5M we save towards re-stocking the system and the draft. But because we want to "win now" they're going with the veteran guys, whether we like it or not (and whether or not it makes the most sense in the long - term). 4 - If Josh is going to K so much, he needs to start drawing more BB's at the plate. That's something he can work on while getting regular AB's. By no means is Fields a finished product. He's got so many things he still needs to work on still (and hopefully, he can improve some of these things a little before he's back up with us). He deserves better though, I won't deny that.

A's back on top after a 2 run homer. Sweeney 0 for 3 so far.

Yeah he was just unbelievably wild early, and just throwing too hard trying to impress. But he's settled down now. Blanton has thrown well thus far.

nbadraft.net just redid their draft. They have Westbrook to Chicago at #9. Blake Griffin is the big riser to #6, Nicolas Batum (tall French SG) at #11.

Who would you want to replace Paxson though?

I expect that to be done any day now. Dolan should really just get it over with. Isiah's stock is basically screwed for life now. The Knicks is still a pretty valuable franchise, so you'd have a lot of GM's such as Jerry West who'd like to come in and then say "They fixed the Knicks". And they've got some decent pieces. Get an actual pass first PG (go all out for Calderon), trade Curry or Randolph and bring in a frontcourt who can play decent defense and rebound, and they could be a 35-40 win team next season with better coaching.

9PM start. Gotta love it.

Andre Miller would be IDEAL for Chicago. I can't see Philly dealing him though. They've rebounded big time, and Miller is the big reason for that. He's become the leader of that team. Walsh I expect in New York by the end of the season. And if you look at his past moves before Larry Bird took over, he's got a pretty good record. His 1st job will be to dump either Curry or Randolph on someone.

I get to watch Boston vs. Cleveland at 9PM live tonight as well. That in itself, is going to be quite weird.

Go run naked in the paddocks of Iowa then.

Took an Aussie to finally beat him. And it wasn't my man Adam Scott.

Meh, only a 5th rounder. Nothing like the Spygate scandal costing the Pats their 2nd 1st rounder. Good result for the Bears though. You know Angelo loves his draft picks.

Something is definitely wrong with you then.

Is it a 4 day weekend over there?

Swisher's OBP against lefties was over .400 last season right?

Happy Birthday Kalapse! Now you can drink!!!!!

Is that Tim Beckham? I think he's slated to go top 5 ATM.

Your topic heading reminds me of this classic scene; Stewie Griffin [singing] "I'm the greatest captain of the Queen's navy" Sailors "And your record will stand as proof" Stewie Griffin "Be it galley or a freighter, I'm an expert navigator" Sailors "And you're also a world-class poof" Stewie Griffin "My manner, quite effete, is mistaken on the street Stewie Griffin "For a sailor who can pirouette on cue Stewie Griffin "Despite your point of view, I can thrill a girl or two Sailors "But I'd rather get it on with you" But uh yes, go Sox. Maybe it's time to actually win a game.

He's really decreased as a player over the past 2 seasons, OPS down to .729 and .621. I'd probably look elsewhere 1st, but he will give you a better OBP than Uribe (but then again, who won't?)

Dye actually came around in July last season FWIW. And he still hit 5 HR's in April and May. It was only a really bad June that cost him overall, that was a terrible month for him.

QUOTE(BearSox @ Mar 24, 2008 -> 02:21 PM) Dye has slowed down to speed of a crippled old man since 06, it looks like. Whenever I see him fielding, it looks like I accidentally hit the slow-mo button on the tivo. And at bat, it looks like he is swinging a piece of sagging baloney. I really disliked the deal we gave him at the time, and I would not be surprised to see Dye have a repeat performance from last year's miserable 1st half. We should have really let him go for a couple draft picks, IMO. He's only 34 so he should have a good season or 2 left in him I think. Something around his 2005 season is what I expect from him. A .274/.333/.512 line or there abouts, somewhere around a .850 OPS with 30 HR's for the season. The Sox couldn't really afford to let Dye go for a couple of draft picks, because how were they to know that BA would become a factor based on his spring training, and whether or not they knew that Quentin would become available when they re-signed Dye?

.293/.357/.450 away from Oakland last season also. I imagine his numbers would certainly improve here, and something around a .800-.850 OPS is certainly possible.

forrestg I imagine the contract status, and JD not knowing whether or not he would be on this team much longer probably had something to do with that. 2007 was really the only season he had a slow start for us. Just look at these numbers since he's been here. 2005; Pre ASB - .270/.331/.528 Post ASB - .279/.336/.494 2006; Pre ASB - .318/.397/.646 Post ASB - .313/.371/.595 2007; Pre ASB - .214/.271/.402 Post ASB - .298/.368/.579

Oh yeah forgot about Westbrook, nabdraft.net had him as a SG, but his profile says PG/SG, who compares to Monta Ellis, and going at #8 currently. He actually sounds exactly what the Bulls need. A backcourt of Westbrook - Thabo would cause a lot of problems defensively, but you'd need a 3PT threat somewhere else I'd say (unless the coach doesn't you shooting them ALA Philly).