DBAHO

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Apr 5, 2007 -> 09:21 AM) The gunners have been struggling as of late. Crouch had a sick game though (hatrick). Big game this weekend b/w Arsenal and West Ham Gage. It's on at midnight Sat Night for me, so I can't wait. I actually think we're in with a decent chance, if recent form is anything to go by. We need Noble and Reo - Coker to break even in the middle against Fabregas and co., and hopefully Tevez gets a chance or 2 to work his magic on the ball.

Happy Birthday Alex!!!!

There was a great article here from the Tribune;

QUOTE(Flash Tizzle @ Apr 3, 2007 -> 05:15 PM) It's obvious they were made for the longterm. Williams probably took a long look at his minor league system and realized it required immediate retooling. The sight alone probably made him vomit. Gonzalez and Danks were necessary additions to an otherwise overloaded collection of future #5 starters. Not exactly something which will compete against the pitchers within our division. Here's the problem though -- I don't believe Danks will match McCarthy. Judging from his last several starts, we may have to endure outings where he's walking four/five batters. This will KILL him in the central division. McCarthy may be surrendering more HRs all season, but I believe he's a safer bet for 2007. With Garcia, I never questioned trading him. However, I believe including Floyd was a move made with the short-term in mind. As to appease critics; something tangible he could show to people as proof it benefited the 2007 team. But, really, why lie? I don't expect him to say "i traded our starters because our minor league system sucks" but don't tell me these moves were made for the short term. When you do that, you deserve to be criticized when it blows up in your face. Especially when his idea of "short term" is Gavin f***ing Floyd. Include Fabio Castro and Williams would have had both short term and long term potential. AAwful? I thought he threw the best set of sliders I've seen from him since joining the ballclub. My prediction is both Danks and B-Mac have ERA's above 5 this season. And that's not to say they're bad pitchers, they're just going to pitch half of their games in ballpprks which really don't suit them. B-Mac could suprise more likely, but he's going to have to cut down on the gopherballs, and that's gonna kill him in Texas. Now this is where I differ from you on Fabio Castro. I think if the Sox rated him, he would have never left this organization in the 1st place. They would have stashed him on the 40 man roster instead of say Paulino Reynoso, and he'd still be here. But maybe they saw something in him they didn't like, I don't know. Long - term is he going to be a starter, or strictly a lefty reliever? And look at Philly's pen. They've been crying out for bullpen help all off-season, and Castro can't make their pen. Now maybe he's still too young and green, but that tells me something right there. Would he have made our bullpen ahead of Andy Sisco and helped in the short - term like you said? I'd say no. As for Floyd, well I can't argue with your points there. But we'll see how he does in Charlotte for a while before I pass judgement. But in the long - term it's going to be an interesting race to see who's the better pitcher out of him and Castro.

QUOTE(Flash Tizzle @ Apr 3, 2007 -> 04:30 PM) I'm not completely writing off Masset. It's quite possible his velocity returns, although -- as I said earlier -- I'm not counting on it. Difference between him and others who have yet to regain velocity is those starters you've mentioned have track records suggesting they'll return to form. What does Masset have? He's only been a reliever for a short period, and his velocity as a starter was high 80's/low 90's. And even if his fastball does improve, are we going to see 95-97 for three inning appearances such as yesterdays? Really, Williams is the one putting himself in this position. I didn't make a comment about Masset possessing "stuff" slightly below Jenks. I didn't suggest both trades were made with 2007 and beyond in mind, only to have Garcia's return produce nothing and McCarthy's produce two pitchers who may not be ready. Maybe Masset's going through a bit of a dead arm period I don't know. But it's still way too early to judge. Despite what KW said, these trades were made for the good of the long - term IMHO. But is it going to cost us THAT much in the short - term either. Brandon could struggle to put up an ERA below 5 pitching in Texas this season. Danks could very well match him ERA wise. And Freddy, well he's a wait and see with his arm they way it is at the moment. I don't see Massett as a long inning guy, which is why it's beneficial to find a bullpen guy like Haeger who can be. We've almost got too many 6th/7th inning pitchers right now, which is both a good and a bad thing.

If anything on Logan, I'm heartened by the fact that Sisco didn't give up a run in 2IP. Sure I think he's better off starting down at Charlotte, but hey let's hope he's successful out of the pen for us. Not the start we all wanted by any means, but hopefully Jose can work his way into some form in the next start. What's important now is we come back these next 2 games and put in a much better effort pitching wise. We don't want that bullpen getting overworked early.

Sorry but I just had to. From the Denver Broncos cheerleading auditions;

QUOTE(SoxFan101 @ Apr 1, 2007 -> 04:56 PM) If we dont advance out of the first round he has to be on the hot seat for next year. We'll take him then. Seriously though, the Magic are going nowhere with either Nelson as the starting PG or Brian Hill as the coach, something has to give there.

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ Apr 1, 2007 -> 01:14 AM) I am way more excited for the induction tonight than you would believe. I'm gonna get hammered and watch every second in awe. It's gonna be great. You know milk I was gonna suggest you go and get tickets and see the ceremony. I think they're actually selling them at face value on EBAY unlike last year, when Bret Hart got inducted.

I suppose 1 thing to look at is whether Iguchi could contribute at the same level he is now over a 3 year deal, when he reaches his mid 30's. But Gooch seems to take pretty good care of his body, and injuries haven't been a major thing for him yet. And they could front - load the deal possibly, especially if the likes of Buehrle and Dye do leave and it opens up some payroll flexibility.

BUMP. Arsenal got absolutely PUMPED tonight. Peter Crouch the "Anorexic Matchstick" scored a few, as the Gunners went down 4-1. Oh and West Ham are going to win 2 in a row, and might just have a chance of avoiding relegation. Oh and Carlos Tevez has adjusted to the EPL, and he's a damn good player. Damn good.

Here's the article, and some other good notes;

Crede seems to be the popular pick. But I'm going with Jermaine Dye. Power to the other side of the park, and he has produced very well in clutch RBI situations before. The good thing is, there's a LOT of clutch hitters you could choose in the middle of our lineup.

I'm happy with this. It's good to be the underdog again. It's good to have that chip on our shoulders. No-one really expects that we'll win this division and that was the case in 2005, and look what happened. This team plays the best when they've got something to prove IMHO, and hopefully that can spur them on to at least get off to a good start.

Sounds like Thornton is developing that breaking pitch nicely. There's certainly not many pitchers out there like him in terms of his stuff and being a lefty.

How's Buehrle looked so far for those watching? Getting himself into a bit of trouble here though.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Mar 30, 2007 -> 04:02 PM) I'm most concerned with the team staying healthy and some of our young pitchers in the pen living up to there potential (because I'm pretty sure we'll have some injuries in the pen and some of those high talented arms will end up flaming out or not panning out). I think at least now we've got a little more depth in the pen, with Logan in the minors, so even if there's an injury or 2 although it will hurt, we are better equipped for it than last year. That said, it might be worth having a look at a couple of cut relievers to stash down in AAA for insurance sakes.

Happy B-Day Kap!!!

Good idea by Angelo I think. Get more picks if he can; I heard Lovie wanted one of the really good young DT's in this draft to pair with Tommie Harris somewhere as well.

Always nice to see BA do well, even if it was against B-Ham. Erstad's 2 errors in CF, we can't have that type of defensive production out there in CF when the season starts, especially after what happened with Mack out there.

Ii think everyone is in agreement that Logan and Aardsma should be up. And to me that's the best for the short - term and the long - term. EDIT: Although you could argue that Aardsma doesn't deserve a spot. But would Floyd really ouproduce him in the pen? Would rather let Aardsma work out his kinks with Coop, getting mop-up duty.

QUOTE(beck72 @ Mar 27, 2007 -> 10:15 PM) Erstad's biggest issues have been injuries. If he's healthy--and moving around AZ in LF and CF, getting in his 70 ab's--the most on the team, it seems he is--Erstad must have proven to the sox he's ready to start opening day. All the opening day lineup is is a start. Nothing is set in stone. Changes can be made if things come up. The sox still have Iguchi for the #2 hole. And Anderson for CF everyday. Yet IMO, having Erstad for LF instead of Ozuna, and Anderson for CF instead of Mackowiak are much better long term options in case of injuries to either Pods or Erstad. To me, Erstad's getting those AB's to try and justify him getting that starting spot when he doesn't deserve it. Hell isn't BA even outproducing him in spring training so far stats wise? And sure injuries have been a big problem for Erstad. But he's only posted a +.700 OPS season twice since 2000. Compare that to Iguchi in the #2 hole who's had OPS's of .780 and .774. What if moving Gooch down the order doesn't work and he struggles? Do you move him back up to the #2 spot, and what does that mean for Erstad? Best case scenario for Erstad IMHO he puts up something close to his 2004 numbers, .295/.346/.400. I just don't think there's a great chance of that happening.

What I think I take issue is this; Are the Sox that much of a better team with Erstad at #2 and Iguchi at #6 or #7, instead of Iguchi at #2 and BA down near the bottom of the order? What if BA comes on as expected, and that helps you in the long - term as well? How has Erstad justified becoming a starting OF on what he has produced over the past 4-5 seasons? Pods was always going to start because he's our leadoff hitter, that was never going to change.

QUOTE(mr_genius @ Mar 27, 2007 -> 02:44 PM) I would go straight up, Briggs for the #6 pick. I wouldn't throw in our first round pick. Show that you're willing to let Briggs sit. If the Bears act desperate to make a deal because they "would rather get something than nothing" for Briggs, they'll get ripped off. Briggs is a top linebacker in the NFL. The #6 pick for a linebacker who'll be 27 in November and can't play in a 3-4 seems like an awful lot to give up. Plus he's not exactly a huge pass rusher for an outside linebacker. I'd say 31 and Briggs for 6 is a good deal. The Bears could then trade up with Detroit (who want to trade down) and draft either Thomas or Calvin Johnson to help that offense. Then draft a replacement for Briggs in the high 2nd round.