Flash Tizzle

QUOTE(knightni @ Jun 14, 2006 -> 08:58 PM) Ozzie's a petty ass if he pulls Tracey for missing Blalock. What a waste of an outing. Only 1 batter? It's very obvious if he did. Why not wait until the inning is over? Hard to justify removing Tracey in a game decided by 6 runs because of a certain matchup. It would have been more valuable for the health of our bullpen to leave out Tracey to decide the inning. Vazquez should have done his own dirty work and hit a batter.

Does anyone believe Tracey's one responsibility was hitting Blalock? It's odd to me he's removed after recording an out in a game decided by 6 runs. EDIT: Nice to see several of you thought the same way. Too bad Guillen couldn't have made it more obvious.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jun 14, 2006 -> 08:52 PM) Great AB Pods. And with that, I'll check on Josh Fields game and salivate at our future LF. You should know by now the route our minor leaguers take once they've been promoted. Fields will come up with high expectations and fail immediately.

Completely demoralizing

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Jun 14, 2006 -> 08:40 PM) It's amazing how many times the last few seasons the sox have got warned for doing absoutely jack s***. We're always the ones getting hit and can never do anything about it. This is why the system of administering warnings need to be changed. It shouldn't be based upon a rule, but an umpire looking at the entire situation. Is there history between a pitcher and a hitter? Did the HBP appear intentional? It gives a team free reign to hit a certain player, than when an umpire gives warnings, no retaliation can be given.

That right there is absolutely pathetic. Almost equal to someone stomping your face after you're already on the ground. Hit's AJ twice (intentionally) and then strikes him out. Wow. DJ's correct -- you have to make a statement.

Several of our hitters are obviously outguessing themself in this situation. How does Thome miss a STRAIGHT 94 mph fastball right down the middle? Has Padilla thrown anything besides fastballs tonite? It's been downright pathetic how we've responded since Padilla hit AJ twice.

I wouldn't mind if there were assurances Uribe and Anderson could produce at the plate more consistently. After what they've shown, are you willing to give up your lead-off hitter in place of a rookie? Talk about the proverbial black hole -- our 7-8-9 would routinely give 0-9's/ 4-5 K's performances. Who becomes our leadoff hitter now? We simply couldn't afford to have Fields struggle. Sure, he'll give us 20 HR's; but with an accompanying average below .240 and a large number of strikeouts. Let's not forget the fact he hasn't yet played in LF. A good place to begin in order to judge whether he could occupy the position is move him there now. Atleast have proper time to judge before any impending change. Hell, he may just be trade bait. I hope not. I wouldn't mind Fields in LF someday. Why does he have to be behind Joe Crede, god dammit.

I'll latch onto this thread to voice my opinion concerning Garcia's pitching. Watching yesterday's pitiful performance against Cleveland, I've already soured on him this year. I don't care if his velocity miraculously returns, or whether he finishes the season strong, I would love nothing more than for him to be traded this offseason. Is anyone else sickened at the notion of observing both him and Garland in our rotation through 06'? Since it's unlikely any sensible organization accepts Garland's ridiculous contract, we're left dealing Garcia. His contributions to our World Championship team will never be forgotten, obviously. But we can't hold what occured in previous seasons as reassurances that Garcia may return to form.. Now, it's time to move forward. After this year it's time to ignore relationships amongst management and do what's right for our future.

Before the season began and Contreras/Garlands contract were signed, I was a huge proponent or trading either to Seattle for a package which centering around Soriano, Putz, and several top minor leaguers. Soriano's health status wasn't entirely known prior to spring training, but if he were merely a throw-in piece it would have been worth the risk. If Contreras were traded, we'd certaintly be worst off, although our bullpen would have been substantially better. If Garland were traded, well, it would have been quite the steal. As of now, I don't believe we can even discuss the possibility of Putz. Maybe Soriano. Torres sounds like an interesting option, only because it's possible we can obtain him without giving up much. His contract isn't appeasing, though.

As of right now, I actually agree with Bernstein. Which I'm sure comes as no surprise to certain members. Doesn't mean things can't change. Every year there's a team which arises from below .500 to make the playoffs. A team which practically everyone with an opinion dismissed. Or a collection of players who pitch/hit out of their minds for one half of a season. At the least, there's the possibility players such as Politte or Garland may correct themselves. Obviously, our bullpen has issues recording outs; and the rotation can hardly string together several quality outings in a row. I just don't like the idea that we shouldn't be worried because "other teams have holes as well." I absolutely hate that approach. It's essentially accepting crap because others have crap as well.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Jun 9, 2006 -> 09:38 AM) Around about 94-95 MPH IIRC. In the spring training game I witnessed, he consistently pitched around 94-95. It appeared reliable. I believe in another appearance Lumsden was sitting around 91-92, but I didn't watch enough of the game to determine whether the radar gun may have been off. He definitely has a live arm and a relatively effortless delivery. Even with past arm troubles -- which I suppose someone could argue proves his delivery isn't very fluid -- he's probably the best we have in the minors.

QUOTE(Ndgt10 @ Jun 8, 2006 -> 11:43 PM) I still can't believe JG pitched a a complete game against the Angels in the ALCS last year. Hell, the way he's pitching now he may never repeat either one of the accomplishments listed above: throwing a complete game and pitching in the playoffs. Both together will require planets to align.

You talk about the WORST possible scenario for baseball. Pujols has practically been the poster child for a post-steroids era in MLB. This would bring the sport to its knees. Although I wouldn't necessarily believe this account. I'm sure there are numerous players which personal trainer Chris Mihlfeld has worked with.

Brian Anderson inked to start tomorrow according to CSN.

QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Jun 8, 2006 -> 09:25 PM) Flash, would you rather pay to make Garland go away and have BMac and Garcia in your rotation? Or would you rather trade away Garcia and have Garland and BMac in your rotation? I think Garland will get his ERA down to 4.5-4.7 giving him SOME value. Doesn't Garcia have an option for 2008? That would give a team 2 years of Freddy's service Yes, I'd rather Garland leave and never return. I just don't believe we're going to pay any substantial portion of Garland's contract to send him packing. Even a ERA around the range you mentioned is hardly worthy of 10 million. Only chance we have is for some National League team to believe the change would help him. What he needs to do to for his trade value is start stringing together quality games. Not 4+ runs 3/4 starts. It more sense to trade Garland, but between him and Garcia, it's more practical to unload Garcia. For me, I'd rather try to get the most out of Garcia while I can.

If Tracey exists this inning without giving up a run, he'll already have bigger balls than Politte and Garland.

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ Jun 8, 2006 -> 09:22 PM) Haha, Garland pitched like s***. Jeez, does he have to give up 9 consecutive homers to have a bad start? That wouldn't even do it because there would probably be several close calls between those home runs which his supporters would mention. "He would have got out of the inning if not for the ridiculous zone!" Maybe they'd mention the weather: "This wind is ridiculous!"

QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Jun 8, 2006 -> 09:17 PM) OK I'll bite. Why trade Garcia this upcoming offseason? How the f*** is Garcia considered a "bad" pitcher? It's a question of value. We can't afford to leave McCarthy in the rotataion for another season Garcia may be more appealing to a team looking for a proven veteran with playoff experience and one year remaining on his contract. I don't believe Vazquez, Count or Buehrle are leaving. And Garland? LOL. Let's not talk about that mess.

QUOTE(BigSqwert @ Jun 8, 2006 -> 09:13 PM) It's amazing how many Garland apologists there are. It's been this way for his last several starts. Whether it's the Toronto start, or Cleveland, or tonite, he apparently is "blooped" to death. Or, is the recepient of bad luck, bad umpiring, or bad defense behind him. Just remember, his stuff is just as good as last season. That should keep his supporters latched on for just a little bit longer. Until they realize he's simply not that good, and certaintly not deserving of the contract he received.

Wow, instant success from one of our minor leaguers. Even a simple 1-2-3 inning has been unheard of with our pitchers who have been promoted in the past.

QUOTE(Soxfest @ Jun 8, 2006 -> 09:07 PM) Some fool GM will take a flyer that one good yr and drool for JG and the be very disappointed! I'd like to believe it. Really would. Best thing Garland can do is pitch well the second half of the season, place his numbers in a respectable range, and ship his ass off before any team second guesses his performance.

QUOTE(illinilaw08 @ Jun 8, 2006 -> 09:04 PM) Another reminder for people, half this board was ready to ship Contreras out at the trade deadline last year, he wouldnt even make the postseason rotation. We know Jon has the stuff to be at worst a mediocre pitcher, and with a mediocre 5th starter who just wont get the ball in the postseason, I am feeling pretty confident in this team. At 3 million it's easier to accept mediocrity. Not 7 million and rising. Anyways, Garland has a way to go before we can even label his pitching "mediocre." He's just pitiful, as of now.

QUOTE(Soxfest @ Jun 8, 2006 -> 08:59 PM) No question which starter will be packaged away in off season, with any luck! Not Garland. Hard to package a pile of crap for anything else in return. Talk about a bad contract. Williams has to be kicking himself over the prospect of having that gopher machine pitching on this team for two more seasons.

QUOTE(BigSqwert @ Jun 8, 2006 -> 08:54 PM) If we lose this game it's not the end of the season. s***, we still have time to come back anyway. I know I'm not upset. This typical bed-wetting pitching performance from Garland isn't unexpected in my mind. Before the series began I said 2/3 would be acceptable. Everyone should have realized of the matchups entering this three-game set, tonight's presented the most trouble. Honestly, any matchup of an average to above average starter against Garland isn't favorable for us. Wait until the day Santana or Liriano opposes Garland. Talk about a guaranteed defeat....