DBAHO

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Mar 12, 2008 -> 10:23 AM) How can you judge Crede on 22 AB when he hasn't played in a long while, and not only is he getting used to playing again, don't forget the hand injury suffered when the White Sox incredibly had MacDougal, he of the hard throwing I have no idea where the ball is going MacDougals pitching batting practice to guys owed millions and the predicable occured? I'm certainly not judging that on what he does in ST. 22AB's is a terrible sample size to use. I'm basing it, on how much time he has missed, and how long it will probably take him for him to find a comfort zone at the plate, when he can get everything back together. He hasn't faced MLB pitching in almost a year before ST. Unless you're Albert Pujols, Barry Bonds etc., that is going to take some time for you to get used to again. I see Crede starting slowly, and then getting into a rhythm around July / August at the plate.

He hasn't been good the last couple of seasons. Easy decision to make considering the money he was making. They signed Julius Jones on a front - loaded deal to replace him, Jones has done well at Qwest Field and against Seattle before.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Mar 12, 2008 -> 09:48 AM) And BMAC's havent been either, 1 bad year out of the pen and 1 injury filled year. Danks comes up a year before expected and performs well until he hits a giant wall. Danks over BMAC in a heartbeat. You're forgetting the 2nd half of 2005, where B-Mac pretty much dominated. Do you remember the game in Boston for example? It's not B-Mac's fault that he was moved to the pen suddenly in 2006, something that he had never done before, and didn't get regular work, therefore he struggled. Last season in Texas, when he was healthy, he had decent numbers, Texas is a horrible park to pitch in. B-Mac performed better when he was up with the Sox in his 1st season than Danks did IMHO. Of course he had to make some adjustments and was down at Charlotte for a bit. That's why if B-Mac was 100% healthy, I'd take him, because when he has started and he has been healthy, he has produced. That's why Jon Daniels traded for him.

Because if you keep him in AAA for another season, and he doesn't produce well, and you never use him, his value keeps dropping, and he's not going to be in your long - term plans, why does it make sense to keep him? I just think that if a team such as Florida that needs a young CF (since Maybin isn't ready) came calling, KW would certainly listen, especially if he could get some young pitching back.

Unfortunately Owens has the 1 thing that BA does not, and that's speed. And that could be the difference b/w 1 making the team, and 1 person not and leaving the organization when it's all said and done. I won't deny that I think BA is certainly a better option though (if he can hit adequately enough).

But his value may not be as high as it's been (currently) since this time in ST back in 2006 RockRaines. And considering we have quite a few alternatives in the OF now, it wouldn't surprise me to see a deal being made. The Sox still need to look at re-stocking their farm system for instance. They could try using BA as part of a deal for Brian Roberts maybe? So there are a few options.

Good to see Quentin producing. What's his line for today?

QUOTE(shipps @ Mar 12, 2008 -> 05:02 AM) A Porche can stop on a dime comfortably.The most dangerous and frustrating part about a situation like that is that he will be the one to cause an accident that he isnt even in.Road Rage has become a part of my daily routine because of raging rectums like this. I remember back when I was in Salt Lake City 2 years ago, that a Porsche veered across 3 lanes on a majore freeway to get off on a exit at the last moment. How he didn't hit any other cars I don't know, and he was oh so close to hitting the back of the car who was in the exit lane. The whole back left hand side of the car was beat up pretty bad. The guy who was driving, another Aussie who's based in the States, he just started laughing as if he'd seen it all before.

QUOTE(SoxWS05 @ Mar 12, 2008 -> 06:36 AM) A simple statement. Sometimes it's the only way to be very clear. Start the better player, it's not a very difficult decision for Ozzie and the coaches to make. If Joe Crede was capable of hitting .260 this season with an OBP of around .330 and 20HR's, then yes I would agree with you, Crede would be more valuable to this team in 2008. However I'd say the chances of the above scenario happening aren't very good, based on Crede's rustiness at the plate so far, and you don't know if he'll ever be 100% again. And sometimes the above isn't so simple, you have to look at things such as the contracts of both players, and where both players fit into your long - term core. Fields does, but Crede at this stage does not.

QUOTE(Jenks Heat @ Mar 12, 2008 -> 08:08 AM) I still think their best team is Swisher leading off and playing left and Anderson in center. Neither Quintin or Owens has produced enough in their professional careers to make me believe otherwise. Darin Erstad really f***ed this team up. Well I'd say Quentin has produced more than BA both in the minors and in the majors "when healthy". Unfortunately for Carlos, he still seems to be getting over that shoulder injury. Right now the above scenario, wouldn't kill me, but I'd still prefer Quentin in left, Swisher in CF leading off, and either BA or Owens as the 4th OF.

That's unless Bourgeois makes the team as a backup (he'd have to be put on the 40 man roster though right?), if Uribe is the starting 2nd baseman. As for BA, the only thing standing in his way from him becoming a starting OF, is his ability to hit. Sounds as if he's made some adjustments to his swing, and he's hitting better. Still it's only ST though, and I'd be surprised if he gets an opportunity still with us (unless Owens isn't healthy).

Bad news for teams such as Philly. The Cards just had to get Fitzgerald extended. He'll be in line for a massive contract at the end of that 4 year deal though.

And once again I am the last man standing.

I think he had a run in with his coach, and that caused some warning signs right there. Aliu was our 3rd pick in that draft, that pick came from Vancouver in the Smolinski deal IIRC. Our 2nd pick was around #35, which we used on Sweatt. I think he can play both defense and wing as well. Hopefully he can be another Byfueglien for us.

At least give Cox a chance to prove himself before we start speculating about replacements. He couldn't be any worse than Joey Cora could he?

It shows how much he's gone into the swing for the fences mode also. And I mean he'll get hot once in a while and it'll pay off. But that's not very often, and it really hurts this team offensively.

Cabrera hit a lot of doubles off the LF wall in Angel Stadium last season as well IIRC. Those could easily turn into HR's at the Cell, and that would certainly raise his power numbers and OPS. The difference in RZR b/w the 2 was something around .975 to .895 as well, showing the difference defensively in 2007 b/w the 2.

Rosen's reasoning was that with Deron's size, and Sloan's system not allowing for Williams to inflate his numbers, he was still the best PG. Well I'd say he's certainly the best defensive PG in the NBA. CP3 gambles a little too much IMHO.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Mar 11, 2008 -> 01:47 PM) As bad as Uribe supposedly is offensively, his career OPS is just .002 lower than the big upgrade, Orlando Cabrera. Well I counter with this; 1 - Uribe would have hit in argubly the 2 best hitting ballparks in the MLB for his career thus far. Cabrera has not. 2 - Uribe has been going downhill defensively since the 1st half of 2004. Cabrera had one of his better offensive seasons last year. 3 - Cabrera's fielding numbers were much better than Uribe in 2007. 4 - Cabrera would have a better BA, OBP and K/BB ratio than Uribe. Uribe's OPS is only close to Cabrera's because of his HR rate, which would be spiked from hitting at the Cell.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Mar 11, 2008 -> 11:43 AM) I agree with all of this, but the thing that is getting me is the use of Garland. As of right now, IMO aside from the top of the order, the lack of a solid #3 starter is this teams biggest weakness/question mark. The reason for that is the absence of Garland. I am far from a Garland supporter, but his 4.08 ERA over the last 3 years was very adequate given what was asked of him. The Sox felt they could trade Garland for an upgrade at SS, and still compete for this season, without any real additions to the starting staff. I totally understand why Garland was traded. It was kinda stupid if they didn't, given the circumstances. However, my problem lies in the use of Garland on the open market. I said it in my previous post, but is the difference between Cabrera and Iguchi worth Garland, especially given the makeup of this club? You could argue Garland is much more valuable to us then most teams at this point given the shape of the rotation. If the Sox are content on given Uribe a starting role anywhere on the diamond, why bring in an upgrade at SS, when you could have just kept the pieces you had, or at least trade Garland for something that is more of a need. You hit the nail on the head there Tony. I think the Sox backed themselves into a situation with Danks and Floyd, where they both had to start in 08, and with Floyd out of options, Garland had to go. But really, I think we should have gotten more for JG. We should have asked for Willits as well, and he fills your leadoff needs at CF, and then you don't have to give up 3 spects for Swisher (well you still could, but he plays LF instead). Or you could have asked for a good spect on top of the deal maybe? I mean the Sox traded for Quentin and Richar, because they wanted to get younger players into the everyday lineup. Instead right now they're going with the same old with Uribe, and offensively that just ain't going to cut it. This ST so far, is starting to get frustrating for me.

QUOTE(Steve9347 @ Mar 11, 2008 -> 10:49 AM) Danks is only 22 and has a big league season under him... I'll take him 8 days a week. Yeah, and that 1 season wasn't very good. If B-Mac was 100% healthy, I'd take him over Danks right now. Of course, John could come out and have a good season, and then I'd look like an idiot if someone bumps this and B-Mac is on the shelf.

I actually think right now, the Sox should have made more of an effort to re-sign Iguchi. What's he on, only a 1 year deal with the Pads? The Sox could of had him platoon with Richar at 2B, because I would much rather him than Uribe. I just can't stand the thought of KW acquiring these type of players in Swisher etc. to fix your OBP, and then you are going to hand your 2B job to Juan Uribe, who's not capable of putting up a .300 OBP down the bottom of your order. Is his plus defense (RZR of .897 last season, well down from the usual), really going to be worth that much at 2B?

Yeah I don't think there's not much doubt around the NHL that Khabibulin is obviously the better goalie. Unfortunately he's shown to be a little injury prone this season, and he's already making what around 7M, so he's obviously overpaid. The problem is to find a better value goalie, hence why Lalime is being thrown up so much. His latest stretch has probably shown he's nothing better than a backup though. Hence why I threw up Huet a few months back, but some people think he's a system goalie and he'll probably be re-signed by the Capitals I would imagine. Also on Akim Aliu, there were obviously big wraps on him talent wise, it was only his reputation (which was unjust) that caused him to slip in the draft. In that same draft, we took William Sweatt with our 2nd pick IIRC. Someone on HockeysFuture, the Hawks main writer there, really liked him, and thought he could be a 2nd line winger for us in the future. Forgot who he was compared to, but it was someone pretty good.

Also there was a column by Charles Rosen, that said Deron Williams is the best PG in the NBA today? I figure that would cause a bit of discussion. Chris Paul was #2 IIRC, with Nash #3.

I love me some Hedo; Half time, he has 17 points, 10 assists, and 6 rebounds. Dwight has 19 and 6 boards, Magic scored 74 points in the 1st half against Atlanta. They’re on pace for 150. As for Brand, it's possible, but the Clippers would probably want Gordon + Thomas maybe? Still if I'm the Bulls, that's a no brainer right there. But you have to remember, they have to re-sign Deng, and with the Larry Hughes acquisition, I think they'll be over the luxury tax if they acquired Brand also.