OmarComing25

I might end up going to this. For those of us going from Soxtalk, maybe we should wear nametags with our usernames on them?

I hope the Cubs score 10 runs in the first inning tomorrow and force the Braves to burn through their bullpen.

I also don't get the comparisons to last year that a lot of posters are making. Last year's team spent all of one day over .500, and their one good stretch came against two bad teams, and once they started playing good competition again they wilted. We've already seen this team play well for multiple stretches, and with a couple exceptions they've played well against good competition.

QUOTE (chitownsportsfan @ Jul 6, 2016 -> 10:37 PM) stupid unbalanced schedule. I know every team has games they wish they could get back, but if the Sox bullpen just pitches badly instead of historically awful in that one Royals series (I believe every game had at least a 90% win probability at one point) then the Sox are 5-4 against KC and just like the Tigers we'd be talking about the Indians as the only problem team.

Outside the ALC, the Sox only have a losing record against the Nationals and Rays.

Anyway, did we really need to use Robertson with a 5-run lead?

And Caulfield is right, it's just fandom in general, it's not specific to Sox fans.

I can't believe this is even an argument. To say there's no difference in activity between winning and losing threads is all kinds of naive. It's plainly obvious.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jul 6, 2016 -> 08:23 PM) So far, so good for Gonzalez. A couple really bad starts have masked the fact that he's been really solid in 7 of his 11 starts, and that's not including tonight.

I wouldn't say there's nothing wrong. The issues are a bit exaggerated because he wasn't going to keep pitching at this historical pace forever, and even in his "bad" stretch his ERA is still in the mid-3s over the past 8 starts or so. But his velocity is down on all of his pitches, he's only throwing about 60% strikes the last two months, and he's using his best pitch less and less (cutter) because hitters have stopped chasing it. So there are a few concerns, but it's not like he's on the verge of an implosion either. I think he's feeling the effects from all those innings last year.

QUOTE (captain54 @ Jul 6, 2016 -> 11:52 AM) What you are saying is true, but you're still tap-dancing around the fact that stats don't tell the whole story when judging performance… Specifically , the Sox bullpen.. Look at Albers. you might look at his numbers and say, hmm not too bad.. but those numbers are skewed by a short burst of good performance.. currently, the guy can barely get anyone out.. So it's not a matter of burying one's head in the sand, it's a matter of realistically looking at performance…and my judgement of the bullpen isn't based on one game I attended.. it's based on shaky performance going all the way back to early May You can blame injuries.. that's fine.. that's a valid point.. I will contend though, that the injuries really exposed the lack of depth inherent in the organization.. Bottom line...it's really the classic glass half full/half empty.. But hey, I get the narrative.. fans that criticize the organization are irrational and rant mindlessly, don't have all the information, but yet act like they have all the answers .. miserable whiners who find any reason to complain… love when the team loses so they can flaunt it in the face of the optimists… I can see where it might be cooler to be staunch pro - Sox organization.. It gives the illusion that those of your ilk may have some inside info that we, unwashed masses aren't privy to.. It gives the illusion that you are a better fan, stick with the team thru thick and thin… The crappy Chris Rongey type of attitude, is certainly your right to adhere to… the fatal flaw is, those of your ilk have decided to jump all over anyone with a critical point of view and paint them with broad strokes as a bunch of lunatics... The bottom line is that you're accusing others of cherry picking when you're doing the exact same thing. You're also painting a pretty broad brush. Pretty much everything you're criticizing other posters for you're guilty of yourself.

QUOTE (GreenSox @ Jul 5, 2016 -> 05:25 PM) While De Aza had a bad year his last year, he produced for the Sox the prior 2 years; and somehow he made it on a world series team. I omitted another Hahn giveaway - Thornton. Of course I would never trade for Rios. But he had a .749 OPS, after years of .850 and .756 and had the all-important credential of being "proven." Shall I list the names of players with similar stats that this board has pined for, oogled over? And when I have suggested offering L Garcia for said players, I get scoffed at, as if it's an insult to such high talent. Yes he had a bad contract...so do certain other parties.... Money over prospects. And, indeed, Caufield, I omitted several "million here, a million there" Hahn signings like Paulino et al. What could you do with that money...oh, maybe pay a few big international bonuses..... I don't get it, was that a defense of Rios? Sure didn't read like it. The guy was worth 0.5 WAR combined the last two seasons, he was a replacement level player who was a declining veteran, the exact type of player you're always droning on about, and yet for some reason he's the guy you're willing to completely contradict yourself for, just because it fits your anti-Sox agenda.

QUOTE (GreenSox @ Jul 5, 2016 -> 03:34 PM) Players you omitted: Inherited: Tim Anderson Marcus Semien Trayce Thompson Micah Johnson Josh Phegley Several other prospects that Hahn dispatched De Aza (still playing; no value received) Rios (Playoff and WS winning team; L Garcia received) With all the ridiculous things you post all the time, the most hilarious thing is your continual defense of Rios. It also completely goes against your entire philosophy, it's a complete mystery. Being on a team that won the World Series doesn't mean that player was any good. And the fact that De Aza (-1.1 WAR this year) is still playing isn't an actual argument for anything.

QUOTE (reiks12 @ Jul 5, 2016 -> 11:24 AM) Looks like they aren't going the "stretch him to be a starter" route. Buehrle and Sale started out of the bullpen, this doesn't mean anything. They could start stretching him out next season.

That .418 BABIP will come down, though given that he ran super-high BABIPs throughout his minor-league career I think he'll be a .340-.350 BABIP guy like Austin Jackson. Still a long way to fall from where he is, but even a .270/.280/.420 line would be a big improvement from what we've had at SS recently. Currently on pace for 9 bWAR over a full 162 game season, which is obviously unsustainable, but if he keeps playing defense the way he has, takes a few more walks and can get his K-rate down to 25% then I'd be happy.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Jul 5, 2016 -> 10:08 AM) True, I guess I will just say I dont think Bryant deserves comparison to Schwarber in left within criticism of Maddon Yeah that criticism doesn't make sense, Bryant is a pretty good defender in the outfield, I think he ends up there long-term.

QUOTE (Scoots @ Jul 5, 2016 -> 08:42 AM) Too early to start talking about rookie of the year for Timmy?? Who would be up against him for the award this year if he is in the running for it at the end? Michael Fulmer is probably the frontrunner right now, followed by Nomar Mazara. Then you have guys like Tyler Naquin, Hyun Soo Kim, Max Kepler, Whit Merrifield and Dae-Ho Lee. AJ Reed just came up, but he has the ability to win it too. Anderson is already among the rookie leaders in WAR though.

These international signings are pretty much the crapshoots of all crapshoots, I'll take quantity over signing just a few of the top guys on these very questionable ranking lists every time.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Jul 4, 2016 -> 03:49 PM) I want to see how GS replenishes their roster. They basically have no C and their top bench guy is 32 with a bum back. I also see Cleveland making a reactionary move to counter what's just transpired. I will say this much. LeBron is the undisputed GOAT if he beats THIS Warriors team in the finals in '17. QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Jul 4, 2016 -> 04:04 PM) That would clinch it. He doesn't have to win 6 just like MJ didn't have to win 5 and 6 to be considered greater than Magic or Kareem. I'm with you on this one.

All this talk about how the bullpen has been awful but they're 9th in WAR and ERA in the MLB. You sure like to exaggerate Caulfield. Even if you want to go by WPA the bullpen is still in the top half of the league.

Anderson was robbed of his 2nd walk! Should have had a perfect day.

Game Day says that was high out of the zone, what did it look like live? I'm pissed that we aren't getting a 2-walk Anderson game.

QUOTE (chw42 @ Jun 28, 2016 -> 01:40 PM) Semien's on pace to be a 3.5 WAR player this year...god damn it. There's a chance that the return the A's got for Samardzija ends up better than the return the Cubs got for Samardzija. That's pretty crazy.

QUOTE (kev211 @ Jun 28, 2016 -> 11:58 AM) First time playing a team under .500 since May 19, and that team was the now over .500 Astros What about the Tigers the first series of June? They were 25-28 entering that series.

QUOTE (Swingandalongonetoleft @ Jun 28, 2016 -> 11:53 AM) Indeed, to this point they have, and it needs to continue. They put themselves in this position. You can't expect to go undefeated against any team, no matter how bad though.