DBAHO

And you still get messages from Al Qaeda and their deputy leader like this.

And yet the UN weapon inspectors couldn't find any WMD in Iraq and to this day I haven't seen any WMD in Iraq either, almost a year and a half after you guys entered Iraq. Now North Korea and Iran, that's another story. We have a federal election down here next week, and a LOT of people down here are still upset that we entered Iraq, and I think it's going to show in the polls next week.

I read in one article that this guy was a free agent in the off-season, I didn't know that beforehand. He's had an excellent year in St. Louis, and I'll doubt he'll leave, but if he was available you'd surely have a look at him. His prior arm injuries scare me though.

That's what choking so many times will do for you. Of course if this was the White Sox, then the media would be all over this, especially Kotex Boy.

His K numbers are very alarming, Joe Borchard like. Still he showed enough for the Indians late in 2003 to think he deserves a chance.

Cleveland has a lot of good young outfielders. With Grady Sizemore, Franklyn Gutierrez, Coco Crisp, Jody Gerut etc. it was always going to be hard for Escobar to make it with them. Here are his numbers from 2001 to 2004. 2001 - Norfolk AAA - 111G, .267, 12 HR's, 52 RBI's, 18 SB's, 35 BB's, 146 K's. 2001 - New York Mets - 18G, .200, 3 HR's, 8 RBI's, 3 BB's, 19 K's. Missed 2002 with knee injury. 2003 - Buffalo AAA - 118G, .251, 24 HR's, 78 RBI's, 8 SB's, 24 BB's, 133 K's. 2003 - Cleveland - 28G, .273, 5 HR's, 14 RBI's, 7 BB's, 33 K's. 2004 - Cleveland - 46G, .211, 1 HR, 12 RBI's, 23 BB's, 42 K's. 2004 - Buffalo AAA - 16G, .286, 4 HR's, 10 RBI's, 4 BB's, 15 K's.

All I'm saying is that we'll know next season whether or not the Contreras trade was a success or not. I definitely agree with keeping Garland around as the 5th starter. Garland gave up more than 3 runs in 1 inning 13 times this season. If he can get that into single figures next season, he'll be a MUCH better pitcher.

It's pretty much boom or bust with Contreras. There's really no middle ground with him. Personally, I think he should our #4 starter, and his stuff is so good than we can't give up on him. Let's see how he looks in the 1st 2 months of next season afta Coop and Ozzie have had spring training to nail in some thoughts into his head, before making a better judgement.

Don't know if he'd sign for an AL team though. He could actually go back to the Dodgers, but that's unlikely considering they have to resign Beltre and possibly sign Delgado or Sexson.

Ozzie has said he would like Ben back as a defensive catcher and he shouldn't be depended on for offensive production. Still I think it's probably worth signing someone else who can at least hit .250 and drive in some RBI's. Paul Lo Duca and Jason Varitek are the best catchers on the market, although Lo Duca is only arbitration eligible. Lo Duca could be had for 3 years $21 million.

Ok I have setup a league. If you want to join, PM me, and I'll giv you the details to join.

We had 12 teams last year. It'll be the same this year.

As the reigning champion I'll start up a SoxTalk league.

The system works.

Ever call Melbourne much at all?

You must make a lot of phone calls.

I've been to China, and I tell ya now, if you don't speak Chinese, you are really, really, really, really......screwed. Anyways Kap, I hope things work out for the best for ya in this difficult time. It would be particulary hard for ppl like you, Steff and Mike to post here while you are at work, and I don't know if I'd be able to do it if I had a full - time job.

I wouldn't necessarily call Odalis Perez a bag of balls, but next season those 2 could be switching teams still possibly.

It'll be real interesting to see who the Mets hire. If they hire Cora, Jaramillo or Don Baylor then you'll know Minaya won out. If they hire Jim Fregosi, Lenny Dykstra or even Wally Backman, than you'll know the owner Fred Wilpon won out again.

It's my revenge for not winning our fantasy baseball league.

And sum1's gotta take pictures for those who miss out remember.

Must be the Omar Minaya influence already.

A mid payroll team like the Sox can't afford to have an injury prone outfielder with a huge contract for the next few years. We've got enough payroll limitations from a few players enough as it is.

Also with Carlos you know he can anywhere from the #2 spot to the #6 spot. He's shown over time he can produce from wherever he's hitting in the lineup, that kind of productivity and versatility is hard to find.

I'm just gonna throw out a question here; What would you rather have? A man who has the wrong beliefs but doesn't change them, or a man who changes his beliefs but COULD have the right beliefs?