103 mph screwball

QUOTE (EvilJester99 @ Jul 23, 2009 -> 01:37 PM) Levine said KW has been rejected twice by the Dbacks about Haren....don't know if that has anything to do with it.. but interesting none the less to know KW is askin about Haren. Well. if Haren is being talked about, I find it encouraging that the DBacks are at least interested enough to send scouts. Fields has played 2 of the last 3 right? Torres and Richard have shown what they can do. If you gotta give up the farm to get a stud starting pitcher, I'd rather give the overwhelming offer to the Dback for Haren than to the BJays for Halladay. Something is brewing.

Can't blame Brian. If he could get a shot with a craptastic NL team and play everyday, he might figure it out and turn it around. Good luck to him.

QUOTE (Greg Hibbard @ Jul 23, 2009 -> 12:13 PM) GREAT point, actually. Here are games where this occured (Thome did not score on these walks himself, but they were "productive walks"): 4/13 Sox 10 Det 6, Thome walks with no outs in the 3rd inning to push up Fields and Quentin, who score on a double by konerko after a dye k (Thome is out on a subsequent FC to home) 5/10 Tex 7, Sox 1, Thome walks after Dye gets on base to push him to second. Konerko GIDPs, Dye to third who scores on a two out wild pitch. 5/26 Sox 4, LAA 2, Thome walks with one out pushing Alexei to second, he scores on a Konerko single. 6/6 Sox 4, Cle 2, Thome walks with one out and Pods already at third, which allows Konerko to hit him in on a sac fly. 6/8 Det 5, Sox 4, Thome walks with one out to push up Pods and Dye, setting up a sac fly with one out. 6/9 Det 7, Sox 6, Thome walks with the bases loaded to "drive" in a run. 6/14 Sox 5, Mil 4, Thome pinch walks the go-ahead run in the ninth inning to win the game for the sox (Clayton Richard pinch runs!) 6/29 Sox 6, Cle 3, Thome walks with nobody out to push up two runners who eventually score while Thome is out on an FC. 7/1 Sox 6, Cle 2, Thome walks with two outs to extend an inning and pushing Alexei up. Konerko doubles home Ramirez, Thome is thrown out at home on the same play. 7/11 Sox 8, Twins 7, Thome walks with one out to push Dye to second, who then scores on a Konerko single. Total of 10 more walks. So Thome's "productive/run scoring" walk total is now up to 21/57, which I think still indicates that the value his walks/OBP/OPS have to the team might be overstated. Interesting to note that when Thome has one of these productive walks that he doesn't score on, the Sox are 7-3 in those games. Nice work. Opposing pitchers throw more pitches and may get us to the pen quicker too. I could live with Big Jim's strikeouts, but I wish he would do something about the shift.

QUOTE (SoxFan562004 @ Jul 23, 2009 -> 11:46 AM) http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/dunnad01.shtml Adam Dunn I know his defense isn't good, but he's a competent ballplayer, as is Lannan and Nick Johnson I'm not sure where the Sox would get Dunn into the lineup if Q is healthy. I'd love to get Zimmerman. The Nats can't give him up without a fan revolt even though the Sox could offer a package that would make both teams better. Nice trade idea though.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Jul 23, 2009 -> 10:13 AM) Per the Trib, there were scouts at yesterday's game from at least three teams - ATL, BAL and ARZ. Not sure if they were there for Carlos, or someone else. Very poised and effective for the rookie especially on his first major league appearance. It was a quality start if I understand that stat correctly. His value went up not only to other teams but to the Sox as well. Congratulations Torres.

I think he will be back at a reduced salary to chase after 600 HR and because from everything I hear and read, the team loves him. Konerko said playing with Jim is the highlight of his career after the World Series. He will have to come back for less money. He will have fewer places that need and aging DH so his options will be limited if he still wants to play. I don't think he will mind taking less cash after making a fortune on his last contract to stay with a contending team he is comfortable with near his home. I think there will be a one year deal. I'm guessing 5-6 million.

Shouldn't there be some sort of credit for past work? I think his performance lately has been boo-able. No way he deserves it because he has earned some leeway because of his years of good play and a World Series Championship. Booing Bobby Jenks was a crappy thing to do and I was ashamed to hear it. Destroying our closers confidence by booing him off the field is just stupid. Ozzie needs to understand that those crowds of 25,000 that sound like 35,000 are because many of those fans are into every pitch. When you cheer strikes in the 2nd inning, you have a passionately enthusiastic crowd almost willing the team to win. I remember when the bases were loaded, the camera showed one woman who looked like she was praying. When something like that crushes that passionate of a crowd, they will react. Booing Bobby was the wrong reaction, but it was an emotional response from people who fanatically love the Sox. They will make it up to Bobby next time he succeeds by cheering extra loud. Somebody tell Jenks the Sox fans are sorry and we are pulling for him.

That loss leaves a bad taste.

Gap one Bacon!

Come on NIX

WISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lucky to only be down 1. This ain't over.

Good thing Ozzie didn't do a defensive replacement for Q

Hold em here and get some bottom nine heroics

Time for a K

Come on Bobby! Crap!

QUOTE (chisoxfan09 @ Jul 21, 2009 -> 05:27 PM) It's almost time to put this thread to bed. I seems very unlikely the Sox will make a move for Halladay, which is why it could happen at any moment. The Jays are planting these outrageous offers to try to drive up the price. It will go down to the deadline. I'm willing to bet that KW has put in his final offer. We'll see if he gets outbid.

QUOTE (Kenny Hates Prospects @ Jul 21, 2009 -> 05:01 PM) That's the first thing I thought about reading that. Baltimore has been trying to trade Felix Pie and supposedly was in discussions for Fields. I do NOT want Felix Pie over BA, but if it means no more D-Wise, bring him ON!!! If ATL is talking with us it could be about a lot of things. ATL traded for Dotel once before, plus they have CF's better than Wise who aren't going to play (Gregor Blanco is a fit for us) and they also have a need for a 2B. I bet they're scouting relievers though. Good theories. My first thought was Huff and then Sherill from BAL. ATL would be in the market for the Sox to move a reliever to take on another possible salary for a guy like a Rios. Could a Fields for Pie trade be in the works? I love this time of year when the Sox are possible buyers. KW is the most exciting GM in baseball.

QUOTE (SoxFan1 @ Jul 21, 2009 -> 03:53 PM) So this means we'll have Richard, Colon, and Torres all starting in the same week? Wow... Sometimes that will make a team hunker down and man up. I have a gut feeling the Sox are going to keep playing some good ball.

How does Crowley know where Colon is? Did he call his agent who called Juan who called Bartolo's cousin Carlos...

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Jul 20, 2009 -> 04:41 PM) coughPutGetzorFieldsinLFandNixat2bcough. Sorry, weird coughing fit. I feel comfortable with a ball hit to the right side of the infield with Nix over there. I second your cough fit.

QUOTE (CanOfCorn @ Jul 20, 2009 -> 04:32 PM) What I have noticed about Wise, though, is his insane ability to be 0-2 in every at-bat. How does he do that? Pitchers are afraid. They are absolutely terrified of walking Wise and must throw the ball down the middle. The last pitcher to walk Wise was sent down to single A. /green Now I feel bad. Go! Wise! Dude's just making a living.

Come one Soxtalk! Couldn't one of us got wind of this in advance so I could have activated TCQ for my fantasy teams tonight. We need to infiltrate the club house.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jul 20, 2009 -> 04:09 PM) One positive way to look at this...we've used up Anderson's last minor league option. So when the end of training camp rolls around next year and Ozzie sticks with Wise again, maybe KW can turn Anderson in to another Matt Thornton. Wow that is really a stretch for a bright side. I like it. We could flip him to the Nationals for their new closer.

QUOTE (boonrob @ Jul 20, 2009 -> 04:02 PM) It's easy to complain about this move, but I'd like to think there's a reason for it. Can anyone pretend you are KW for just a moment and offer a real explanation? Mine would include: Anderson has an option left and if Q's health falters, I didn't want Wise to be long gone. Although Wise isn't hitting for average, he does a good job of driving the ball and Anderson has never been able to hit a breaking pitch. With Q's health--he won't be able to play everyday, and I just don't see Anderson being worthy of sharing the starts. Hope you post more, but the one point I would disagree with is that Wise would be long gone. Who would be snatching up Wise? Where would Wise go where he would be given as good of an opportunity as with the Sox? You may be right about KW's thought process, but I disagree with KW if that is the case.