Flash Tizzle

QUOTE(Capn12 @ Apr 2, 2007 -> 06:20 PM) Was sleeping off and on during the game today(15 hour workday right up until gametime). I see that Masset and Aardsma started the sucking early... 5 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 3 K Those walks are simply untolerable....give me a break. If you get beat, do it by making the opposing team HIT the ball. Masset was responsible for most of the damage. He, quite frankly, looked almost Boone-esque -- wide eyed and incapable of throwing strikes. Even if the radar gun was slightly off (as several within the thread indicated), Masset hardly looked impressive. Williams better hope either him or Danks fare well this season. If McCarthy pitches better than Danks, it won't be too pretty around here for Williams or his scouting department. They're already on notice in my mind after the seemingly unhealthy fascination with Floyd.

QUOTE(WHarris1 @ Apr 2, 2007 -> 04:23 PM) Can we just pretend this game never happend? Contreras lolz It's only spring trai...... Oh. Contreras sure didn't pitch like our ace. Considering how well he has pitched these last two years beginning the season, we may be in a LOT of trouble if the other starters (such as Garland) don't immediately take off.

I'm sure glad our pitching was able to "turn it on" once the season began. Contreras was AWFUL. You almost get the impression someone wasn't ready for opening day... Only Jenks, Konerko, Uribe and Sisco looked good.

This is where Haeger would have been vital. Even if the score were exactly the same, he could go the remainder of the game. Now we'll have to waste another arm or three

Massett's velocity is nowhere near advertised. I don't see someone as a "tick" below Jenks.,

Does Massett's delivery look different to anyone else? He doesn't have the over-the-top action as what I witnessed in spring training.

http://www.soxtalk.com/forums/index.php?autocom=chat

I don't believe this will effect the price of other starting pitchers, either. Buehrle's contract next season, if he pitches comparable to 2005, could easily meet 16mil/5 years.

QUOTE(Gregory Pratt @ Apr 1, 2007 -> 06:53 PM) I doubt Miller will do any Cy Young-type dominating this year. Young phenoms generally don't dominate IMMEDIATELY. Think Felix Hernandez. (Of course, we've got Liriano and Jered Weaver as counters, but I just don't think Miller will come up and dominate. How old's he, 19?) I don't believe its a guarantee he'll immediate produce, either. However, if the 5th starter (Durbin/Ledezma/Minor) are struggling and Rogers' recovery extends past July, I would take my chances with a 96mph fastball/88-89 mph slider from the left side. He'll be 22 this season.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6632584 Great deal, if it's somewhere along these reported terms. I suppose when an organization dedicates themselves to scouting, and the results are evident with a player such as Zambrano, extensions such as these are possible.

QUOTE(BearSox @ Apr 1, 2007 -> 05:09 PM) I personally feel the Tigs were one year wonders, and I don't think the Twins have that good of a rotation to be as good as their were last year. I think it will go White Sox, Indians, Twins, Tigers, Royals. For the East, I think the Yanks will win it once again, followed by the BJays, and the Red Sox offseason fails miserably with them in 3rd place. It's obvious, as with the 2005/6 White Sox, the Tigers' success will ultimately depend upon the starting rotation. How I look at it is Verlander and Bonderman are both 24 year old pitchers; both capable of improving -- or atleast matching -- last season's statistics. Robertson will likely regress, as will Mike Maroth (based upon limited innings); but I don't know if it will be to the extent our starters fell back. We'll have to see with these two. An obvious "x-factor" here is Andrew Miller. If someone within the rotation (likely Durbin) is struggling, and several starters aren't living up to expectations, we will undoubtedly see him in the second half. If he's capable of immediately producing, that may give their ballclub three potential aces atop the rotation. Such a formidable front of starters can overcome any reasonable deficit in the division.

http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/...phia-phillies2/ Look at that. They're actually surprised to have received Garcia for only Gonzalez/Floyd. As if to suggest Williams only could have asked for those two because he knew Garcia wasn't healthy. Which is probably true, but doesn't necessarily imply that other general managers were aware. Professional baseball organizations aren't always run by savvy, intelligent baseball minds. Not requesting a physical for someone with an 88mph fastball should suggest as much. I've come to a point where I'm entirely convinced the following events occurred leading up to the Garcia deal: 1. Williams realizes Garcia's velocity decline wasn't the result of the World Baseball Classic, or October baseball, and understands it may never return to previous levels. He'll need to leave. 2. An instruction is sent out for scouts to monitor Philadelphia's farm system 3. White Sox scouts (in addition to Williams own observations) identify Gonzalez and Floyd. 4. During Winter League discussions, Williams offers Garcia to various clubs but no one is willing to accept him for an appropriate price. 5. Near the end of the Winter Meetings; fearing Garcia's stock may fall further -- or teams seeking pitching may seek alternative options -- Williams inquires about the availability of Gonzalez and Floyd. He's probably afraid of asking for a maximum return in the event Gilleck rejects the proposal, and yet another option is off the table. So, he settles for less to guarantee a trade. 6. Gilleck and his executives are shocked by the low request and immediately accept the offer. Initial thoughts within the organization are the move may be a salary dump. People can still hold their heads in the sand, dismiss the article as biased; whatever. We could and should have received more for Garcia. I don't care if his arm falls off tomorrow and he never pitches again. When fans of Philadelphia themselves realize Garcia was exchanged for so little, then you begin to wonder.

It'd sure be great to have our distinguished minor league experts release the Top 25 in time for opening day.

QUOTE(Gene Honda Civic @ Mar 31, 2007 -> 05:23 PM) Sowers throws softly on the corners with his left hand. All they'll need is 1 run against us. You can all but guarantee he'll frustrate this lineup. I'd love to watch the entire game on ESPN, but frankly, I'm not interested in hearing about Civil Rights and baseball for 9....straight....innings.

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...-home-headlines

WOW. Best breaking ball I've seen in quite awhile from Thornton.

A plus changeup is what could throw Jenks into the realm of Gagne 2003/4. Even if he were to remain 96-98, as was the range of velocity for large portion of last season, that's still devastating with two effective offspeed pitches.

LOL, Hawk avoided that entire discussion about Boone Logan fairly quick.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Mar 30, 2007 -> 05:51 PM) Hawk never says Buerhle reminds him of Catfish anymore. Another surprise is I don't believe I've heard either Hawk or DJ comment on the Garcia/McCArthy deals for more than a minute. They've yet to explain the moves (in their minds) or try to sell us on the potential of the players received. Very odd. You almost wonder whether they're fans of the deals.

QUOTE(BearSox @ Mar 30, 2007 -> 05:42 PM) How come we cant get scouts like Atlanta? They have 3 young studs, all of whom were from Atlanta. Just one of the mysteries of life. Similar to Minnesota and their scouts. Oh sure, we're willing to emulate the Twins organization on the field; but when it comes to their ability to scout and develop, it's impossible to match. It just seems people have concluded that's the way things are, shrug their shoulders, and move on.

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Mar 30, 2007 -> 05:22 PM) My only hope for Buerhle is that he doesnt stink so bad that people dont want to trade for him. That would be the worst case scenario. Not only that, but if his season is terrible -- in comparison to other FA pitchers -- we may receive no compensation for him. A good season from Buehrle helps everyone.

UH OH1!! No park would have contained that.

QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Mar 30, 2007 -> 05:15 PM) Suspended for a personal attack. I believe it was because I asked if someone was that "dense." I'm called that everyday. When I noticed you were banned, my first thoughts were because of the "worst offseason moves" thread or because you called Erstad "grinderstad."

QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Mar 30, 2007 -> 05:13 PM) From now on anytime Darin hits a weak chopper to the right side of the infield, it shall be known as a "Grind out." How many pitches did Darin (keep spelling "Drain") see? Why were you banned from WSI?

Chuck James is the protypical soft tossing lefthander who gives us fits. I suppose the difference between him and other scrubs who have shut us down in the past is Chuck has experienced minor league success.