Flash Tizzle

QUOTE(Punch and Judy Garland @ Jun 1, 2006 -> 05:11 PM) As awesome as Mac, Papelbon, Felix,Cain, etc are-I think I'd take Liriano over any of them. So to answer your question about where our Liriano is-there are 29 teams asking/wishing/praying for the same thing You're right. It just so happens he's in our division, along with a collection of good arms in Cleveland and Detroit. I realize we're at an obvious disadvantage because of our consistently low draft position. Nothing you can do about that. Even if we were to tank, there's no guarantee a Verlander or Prior is atop the draft. Most of the draft is really just a crapshoot. 29 other teams could have picked up Buehrle or McCarthy several times over. Just as they could have with Pujols. My problem, one which can actually be addressed, is our inability to find talent in Central America. An area which produces such a large percentage of major leaguers has been ignored for nearly a decade. Hard to find Liriano's, Hernandez's, or even Nefi f***in' Perez's when you don't travel. Need more than baseball schools in Venezuela. This is really our only venue to pick up a solid prospect, and we're completely ignoring it. ...Or Williams could absolutely rape a team and make it easier on everyone.

QUOTE(sti3 @ Jun 1, 2006 -> 02:55 PM) To deny a guy his possibly only shot at playing in the All-Star game, which he's probably dreamed of since he was a kid will do a lot to sabotage the team's position in these offseason contract talks of which you speak. If Ozzie feels he deserves to go but denies him a spot cause of these concerns, well, that will be just cruel and IMO counterproductive wrt:retaining him on the ballclub. I know what you're suggesting, and it's my fault for not explaining myself further, but I didn't mean Guillen should withhold him from the All-Star game. Obviously, it would be poor judgement for a manager to put someones value on the field above their performance. When you consider his production at 3B coupled with stellar defense, he'll be there as it is. I guess if I had to put it simply, I wouldn't be too upset if Crede weren't on the All-Star roster. ONLY because I know it's going to come back to haunt us. Several million added upon a Boras contract extension means everything.

QUOTE(whitem0nkey @ Jun 1, 2006 -> 11:46 AM) True but I want to avoid the possible ugliness that may come out from the arbitrations. It's a situation where most people would say, "Why wouldn't you want Crede as an All-Star," but what's the actual payoff? For Hawk to refer to him as "All-Star" Joe Crede, or watching him play defense for several innings in an exhibition game? On the contrary, lets look at one noteable disadvantage. It'll probably cost several million during contract negotiations. Any other player representative I wouldn't care. I realize an All-Star selection may not do nothing to the bottom line, but we're talking about Boras here. It goes without question, Crede is incredibly valuable to our ballclub. His defense helps our pitchers; offense is capable of producing respectable power numbers (at worst). We're going to have to break bank to retain him beyond 08' as it is. Just remember when negotiations begin and Boras begins throwing out statements such as "my client is an all-star and gold glove winning third basemen....." It serves only as leverage for him.

Where's our Liriano?

I'd hate to include such an angle, but with Boras as Crede's agent, you have to cringe at the thought of how he'll handle an All-Star selection during contract negotiations. While it wouldn't change his numbers, it's more of an addition to a resume. Looks better at the end of the season to have Gold Glove and All-Star under your name. I'm sure Boras will exploit it for every cent. Now, don't misinterpret this as me suggesting Crede shouldn't be elected. Or recieve the gold glove. He deserves both. It's merely a situation I can forsee costing us several more million down the line. With Boras, more than any other agent, these accomplishments stand out more. Our relationship with him doesn't help matters. I enjoy seeing our players recognized, but whether or not Crede is elected to the All-Star game or snubbed out of a gold-glove wouldn't change anything about his accomplishments. Swarm on me for "always looking for the negative angle," or "wishing Crede is denied just praise," but mark it down -- it's going to cost us.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ May 31, 2006 -> 07:11 PM) Exactly 1 hour into the game. I referenced corpseball only to indicate our club needs to avoid it. This, mind you, was before our veteran catcher ran himself into an out.

AJ, it's very simple. If a baseball is hit in directly front of your path, YOU...DON'T...ADVANCE.

4th straight inning with an opportunity to scratch across a run. Time to quit the homage to corpseball.

QUOTE(Heads22 @ May 30, 2006 -> 11:59 PM) Has he even played any out there yet? I don't know for sure. I thought he has, but I've probably mixed up Fields playing LF with Sweeney in CF....

I severly doubt our organization rushes Fields. Especially when you consider he's only played a handful of games in LF. Another problem is expectations. Do you believe he'll hit immediately upon promotion? I doubt it. Hell, he may hit .230 with several HR's, but now how's his OF defense?

QUOTE(PeoriaSoxFan @ May 30, 2006 -> 08:33 PM) As opposed to all of the other consistent pictures? I didn't realize there was some type of rule to posting pictures. There isn't. Just noticed through this thread you've attached photos to your posts. Most people usually don't do that, but hey, you can continue post Man Show pictures if you want.

QUOTE(PeoriaSoxFan @ May 30, 2006 -> 08:27 PM) Remember, Boone Logan giving up a the HR to Hafner? That was one we should have had. Boone has a 6.75 ERA in 2.2 innings at Charlotte, thus far. Yeah, those pictures you've been posting are completely random.

Another great outting from Cliff Politte. He's getting beat on both his fastball and slider. Nothing he throws is fooling hitters.

QUOTE(Greg The Bull Luzinski @ May 30, 2006 -> 08:03 PM) Would it not be easier on us all if the second Brian ANderson stepped into the batter's box, the ump just raised his fist and called Brian out. The pitcher would have to throw his usually 3 pitches, and sox fans would curse a lot less in the direction of their TV. I am soooo f***ing sick our automatic outs Uribe and Anderson. You expect futility from Anderson. Everyone knew he'd strikeout from a Sabathia slider. When Uribe attempted a bunt, I knew he'd ultimately fail. That's a great indication of feeling uncomfortable during an AB. Considering his wide ass limits fast movement, and he can't lay down a bunt, the worst point is he'd be advancing runners into 2nd/3rd with 2 outs for our WORST HITTER.

What is that now, 4 straight innings we've had a good opportunity to score and blew it?

QUOTE(TheDudeAbides @ May 27, 2006 -> 09:25 PM) what are you talking about? Shea Hillenbrand is a great hitter. I never discounted Hillenbrand, despite including "f***ing' in between his name. Just tell me where you would rank him as far as right handed hitters you'd fear in the AL. For me, it's definitely lower half. Considering he's not even Toronto's most dangerous right handed hitter on the right side of the diamond, let alone the team, I'd say we're in trouble when our right handed specialist can't retire him. His sliders were hanging like Kirk Saarloos' out there. Won't take time for the league to figure out this Jeff Nelson isn't the same as previous years.

QUOTE(kyyle23 @ May 27, 2006 -> 08:53 AM) Last night there was a story on this on CNN, and they mentioned that there are over 200 bodies on Mt Everest. I wonder how many of them are openly visible? Seems pretty creepy to me. I watched that segment as well. I'd imagine few bodies are visible. Snow drifts and avalaches probably bury a good portion of those left behind. Of the estimated 200, I would guess 3/4 were before 1980. Don't know what kind of clearance is needed from Nepal government to scale Mt. Everest, but I can't imagine there's good communication between a climber and whomever gives the approval. Someone simple as, "oh, well, Mr. Smith was supposed to contact us on June 14th but never called. Maybe we should send out a search team," is probably nonexistent.

QUOTE(JackTalkThai @ May 27, 2006 -> 08:18 PM) It's a raging debate amongst Tiger fans. Most really want to see him start. A stud starter is so much more valuable than a stud closer IMO. I'd be surprised if Zumaya avoided arm troubles pitching as a starter. His delivery looks like a recipe for Tommy John surgery. He practically flings the ball at 100 mph.

QUOTE(jphat007 @ May 27, 2006 -> 08:00 PM) He is awful. I'm about optimistic as they get, but he blows. He has nothing left. If Nelson is incapable of retiring Shea f***ing Hillenbrand, what chance does he have against other tougher right handers in the future? I don't care how he fared against Wells and Glaus today, he got away with several weak sliders. I'ts a problem when your breaking ball drops 6-8 mph. God knows where his fastball is touching.

Garland gave up 13 ER and 22 hits over 11.2 IP against Toronto last year--and their lineup has improved since then. I EXPECT Garland to give up five runs tomorrow. I'd love for him to man up, pull up the panties and actually pitch, but we're talking about the reemergence of Judy here.

QUOTE(LosMediasBlancas @ May 25, 2006 -> 01:15 PM) I bet she's at least 18 and it was a compliment IMO. DAMN. I hate to drag the discussion of course, but she alone makes that picture memorable.

After watching the Maddux tandrum just now, what I love is how water is spilt all over the Cubs personal trainer (I believe)--and he sits there and takes it. Not that I'd expect him to do anything, but it's funny how he just looks straight ahead while half of his pant leg is drenched. You wonder if something similar were to occur in our dugout, whether Guillen would ignore it like Baker did. Probably not.

Classless Sox fans, mocking his religious beliefs......

I remember commenting in the chat before his appearance Thome shouldn't have to bat in a 9-3 game entering the 8th inning. That's probably the situation he tweaked his groin. Guillen has to take beter care of him in circumstances such as last night. If Thome is expected to play several games at 1st base in national league parks, we should avoid situations where an AB isn't necessary; such as blowouts. It always seems those are the times when people have injuries.

QUOTE(TitoMB345 @ May 23, 2006 -> 08:16 PM) Are you kidding me? He's a professional baseball player. He's not THAT dumb. Yet, players forget how many outs there are fairly frequently..... It's not out of the question he would forget something such as whether or not the force was in play