Ozzie for Manager

Courtney Hawkins has actually been decent since back in Birmingham. Since July started he is 17-74 for .256 and only struck out 17 times. 10 rbis and 2 HRs. In his last 12 games he has only struck out twice in a game 1 time. Raised average 56 points in July. Maybe something is clicking for him. Prior to July he had struck out twice or more in Birmingham in 17 of 23 games. Only twice with 2 strikeouts in July. That is really an amazing turnaround.

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Jul 22, 2017 -> 07:56 PM) 5th inning once again giving Pelfrey problems. I posted this earlier, he cant start anymore but could be a good mid inning guy. Could Pelphrey be a decent middle reliever next year. Through the first 2 innings in all his starts he is 34 innings and 10 runs. And through the 3rd innings of starts he will have 51 innings 17 runs. After that he goes about 26 innings and 26 runs. He just doesnt have the strength anymore to be a starter.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jul 22, 2017 -> 06:31 PM) With his performance thus far and back issues, Saladino, unless the Sox see absolutely no hope his status should be hold. Could Pelphrey be a decent middle reliever next year. Through the first 2 innings in all his starts he is 34 innings and 10 runs. That is if he isnt scored upon next inning today. And through the 3rd innings of starts he will have 51 innings 17 runs if not scored on through 3 today. After that he goes about 26 innings and 26 runs. He just doesnt have the strength anymore to be a starter.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jul 21, 2017 -> 10:27 PM) Awesome tag by Moncada Best thing about Moncada so far is no strikeouts in his first 7 ABs. Maybe he is more interested and concentrating more in the majors than in AAA.

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Jul 20, 2017 -> 10:33 PM) Good, he's definitely not making it as a 3B, barring major improvements. I saw him at 3rd earlier this year and he is not a major league 3b. He has a bat but no glove for the big leagues. Smart move getting him to learn the OF as his bat can play in MLB.

QUOTE (heirdog @ Jul 19, 2017 -> 12:01 PM) I suppose any return can be debated but one constant theme I've noticed is any critic of the deals Hahn has made to this point say "one player short" or "a tick light on the back end." Sale trade: "should've included Devers instead of Basabe & Diaz" Eaton trade: "great but should've pried Robles instead of Giolito" Quintana trade: "back end should've been better with Candelario" Fraz/DRob/Kahnle trade: "Clarkin should've been 3rd piece w Andujar or Florial" Given that we have basically been shopping most of these guys for over a year, Rick and team have a pretty good idea of the true market and what the best offers available. Given that Rick has shown patience, even with some impatience on this board, it's fairly clear that he didn't just jump on any offer to dump these guys. Given that there are still about 2 weeks left until the deadline, Rick's hand wasn't forced and ultimately these met the threshold of the type of return they could expect. I'm extremely happy with these trades both individually and overall. I believe that the Sox did ample due diligence and extracted the appropriate returns that are realistic. I want the Sox to seek potential superstars and the more high end chips the more likely we hit on a few. Our system has plenty of B/C prospects that will likely be okay or surprise. Give me the blue chippers all day every day and I'll sacrifice the back end of deals. I see that too but when the other team is not willing to add that extra player than you have to either make the best deal you can or do nothing at all. The people who make those posts think it would have been so easy to get another player in return when nothing could be farther from the truth. And one thing to remember about selling anything is that something is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

QUOTE (Alexeihyeess @ Jul 19, 2017 -> 09:25 AM) Even if he is the next Andrew Miller he's gone after next season. And what more could the Sox really have gotten for him next year? Rutherford is now where Torres was last deadline, I doubt they get more for him next deadline than Rutherford. Robertson and Frazier for Clarkin and Polo is a wash. What is really lost in this trade talk is that Swarzak is the closer now and I have him on my fantasy team which should allow me to gain some spots in saves. This can not be understated. Well done Rick Hahn.

QUOTE (kwill @ Jul 18, 2017 -> 10:29 PM) Sorry about the miss spelling. I was trying to write it quickly. Do you disagree with my logic though? I feel like it was pretty sound. You could be right in the long run but right now its a bird in the hand. Holding onto him you risk injury, poor results. I would rather take what we can get, he really does us no good the next year or two when we will not be that good. Projections are always tough. If Rutherford becomes our starting RF in 3 years and hits 20HRs and .300 then nobody cares how good Kahnle becomes.

QUOTE (kwill @ Jul 18, 2017 -> 10:21 PM) I guess the big difference with some people is that they rate Tommy Kahlne differently. I view him as a good as Andrew Miller but with not with the consistent pedigree. Have a consistent pedigree is huge though when talking relievers. Link of Fangraphs Article today below. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-white-s...jor-trade-chip/ Another difference though is that Kahlne will be cheaper than Miller moving forward with Miller making another 2/18 after the time of the trade. Kahlne still has all three years of arbitration left which if he does really well will equal what 3/15. Remember what happend to Dellon Betances. Then on top of it you add the additional value of David Robertson and Todd Frazier( even if marginal) with taking back Clippard. In my opinion, you should be able to match or get better value than what the Yankees got for Miller last year at the deadline. Rutherford is a good start but you need at least another 2 intriguing pieces to get me excited. If you want to make an argument about a player being as good as Andrew Miller you should actually spell his name correctly. It kind of tells people you don't know what you are talking about. And I am not trying to be a jerkoff, just giving advice.

QUOTE (soxforlife05 @ Jul 18, 2017 -> 10:16 PM) this. can't believe how much people are overvaluing who we just moved. People thrilled about moving Quintana - a true ace on any team but they get mad about getting a top prospect for spare parts. lol Well said. Robertson is the only solid consistent player we traded. Frazier was not good and gone this year. Kahnle has had a few good months. I couldnt remember who we traded for him but googled it and it was yency almonte who is actually pitching great for the Rockies AA. Having the best year of his career by far with a 2.21 ERA in 13 starts.

QUOTE (hi8is @ Jul 18, 2017 -> 07:40 AM) +1,271,970 ninja post power points. Not a chance in hell of us picking up that contract. I would be shocked.

QUOTE (beautox @ Jul 17, 2017 -> 03:34 PM) I agree that comes down to if you buy into his peripherals and his age. Miller was 29 when he broke out and became elite, Tommy is 27. 4.5WAR over three years is a mid point he could be more or he could flame out and continue to be a guy organizations bank on breaking out. If the sox sell him this deadline and the return was Chavis and Groome I wouldn't be mad by any stretch as Hahn might choose to be risk adverse with him, but it wouldn't surprise me to see Hahn hold onto him and try and extract an even larger return in the offseason or the next deadline. If you dont get what you want with Kahnle you have to hold onto him. Yes you take a risk of him falling apart but you take the same risk of a prospect never making it to the big leagues. If you want and he still is pitching well you trade him next year. I dont see the rush to get rid of him, he is young enough to be a closer of the future for us. Burdi hasnt exactly lit the world on fire in the minors and now needs TJS.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jul 16, 2017 -> 02:49 PM) He should get an opportunity next inning. And like clockwork the Cards blow the game in the 9th. They need Robertson and Swarzak badly.

QUOTE (Username @ Jul 15, 2017 -> 05:22 PM) Yeah was hoping we'd be that 2 for 1 reliever team. At least that takes 2 guys off the market. Luckily the Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Astros, Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, Rangers, Rockies, Cardinals, and Astros all looking for relievers. There will definitely be a market. Nats pen tonight so far 7 runs in 1 inning so far. Were up 10-0 and now 10-7 with no outs in the 9th.

QUOTE (StrykerSox @ Jul 15, 2017 -> 03:03 PM) I'd be interested to hear the rationale for this one. Jon Gray is a 25 year old with a career ERA of 4.95. His FIP is consistently 3.6 and his K-rate is decent. It's not a Coors thing either, since he's worse on the road for his career than he is at home. I wish we could have swung a deal with the Rockies for Jeff Hoffman. He was supposed to be the #1 pick before Tommy John surgery right before the draft and dropped to 7th. He was rated higher than Rodon, was the #1 prospect out of the Cape League after soph year. Now look at what he is doing. 5-1 now, with 50Ks in 49 innings and a 1.15 ERA. He had 1 bad start of 3 innings 9 ER but outside of that he has a 2.70 ERA and 1.000 ratio. Better pitcher than Gray in my opinion.

QUOTE (maxjusttyped @ Jul 14, 2017 -> 11:49 PM) 4.5 games behind SF for #2. 0.5 games behind SD for #3. Let the scoreboard watching begin. And Bumgarner is back today. That will help SF get a few more wins, if he stays off his motorcycles.

QUOTE (hi8is @ Jul 14, 2017 -> 10:42 AM) I almost posted this exact thought about 10 minutes ago. Yep, I just came to the board to post that too. Its got to be an option. Do you ask for Robles who is still in A ball and Kieboom and/or Luis Garcia who is 17 years old? Both still a ways away from playing in the big leagues.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Jul 7, 2017 -> 10:53 AM) I think they will only end up selling the guys with (close to) expiring contracts. Then look to add again in free agency. Brewers are now interested in Quintana. Who saw that before the season started. But they are 4 1/2 up on the cubs and they are going to try and go for it.

QUOTE (zisk @ Jul 6, 2017 -> 12:20 PM) Agreed. Just a so-so player having his career year. He always seemed to be a genuinely good person so I'm happy for him and his family. Quick story on Tyler. My son and I flew from NC to Chicago and saw two games 2 years ago. Tyler caught both and after an extra inning game where Avi hit a double to win it against the Angels we waited outside by the parking lot. My son was 10 and he wanted to see every player he could and try to get a ball signed. We were there til around almost 1AM and as Tyler was driving out of the parking lot he saw my son and another boy waiting there behind the barrier. He beeped his car horn and told them to meet him at the end of the barriers. They did and he opened his car door and signed stuff for the boys. He made their day. And he did this after catching about 11 innings. Adam Laroche also stopped and was very nice, Danks had pitched well that night and he was with his dad and he signed. Most guys walked by or drove on by the kids. Another cool story from the night before was when my son had his "Alexei Rameriz is my pick to click" sign and he was holding it up and Alexei drove out in his Ferrari or Lamborghini. It was a sweet ride. He saw the sign, stopped and rolled down the window, pointed and had the attendant bring my son's ball over to him to sign. It was a cool gesture, made my son's trip.

QUOTE (bmags @ Jul 3, 2017 -> 11:21 AM) I was actually kinda amazed how many Venezuelans were in the class though. They may be signing cheap just to get the hell out. How could that be? Michael Moore, Oliver Stone and Sean Penn said Venezuela and Hugo Chavez were a modern day utopia.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Jun 26, 2017 -> 11:09 PM) I see your points and counter with the fact that you hate everything. That was great. Thanks for the laugh

I see only 2 other possibilities of guys with proven track records as closers that the Nats could go for. Jim Johnson and Mark Melancon. Neither have had as good a season as Robertson. Melancon has been very poor this season. All are about the same age. Robertson has a very affordable contract next year for 13 million. Melancon has 13 million next year and 17 million the following 2 years as player options so I cant see the Nats taking on that contract. Jim Johnson has a very friendly contract at 5 million next year. However, he just has not been as good as robertson the last few years and it isnt very close either. This deal is about as obvious as there is out there. And the Sox should have the Nats by the balls.

Has them completely off balance

QUOTE (beautox @ Jun 13, 2017 -> 11:42 AM) Danny Mendick; brain fart I think he meant Richard Mendickman

So I just got back to the house and look at the box score. Pelphrey 3.2 innings with 6 hits and 5 BBs and only 2 runs. Wow. He certainly lived dangerous tonight I guess.