103 mph screwball

QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ Dec 11, 2008 -> 02:46 PM) It's WSCR, who regularly has inaccurate info. I would take it with a grain of salt. Agreed. In fact it would not surprise me at all if it were deliberate misinformation.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Dec 11, 2008 -> 01:57 PM) If i was any good at making these kinds of things I'd definitley get to work on a CR/AP avatar. Great idea. Be sure to make the slash a thunderbolt shape like AC/DC.

QUOTE (soxpride77 @ Dec 11, 2008 -> 12:04 PM) With the Brewers offering nearly what the Yankees did to Sabathia, couldn't the Brewers pull off a trade for Peavy? They most certainly have the prospects to do it. I don't know about no trade clauses in Peavy's contracy, but it seems like the two teams would match up well. Not if Peavy will not waive his no trade to go there. Otherwise, I do not see why not.

QUOTE (Sox It To Em @ Dec 11, 2008 -> 11:38 AM) I'd much rather sign Dunn, who is younger and better, but I won't throw a fit if we sign Abreu instead. A high OBP near the top of the order was something this team greatly missed last year. Since he's reportedly good friends with Ozzie, I wouldn't be surprised if he's willing to sign with us at a slight discount. I'm not sure how much of a discount he will offer if any. I'm sure it would be worth something to play for a team knowing you will have fun. Ozzie might have a "vague perception" of what it will cost to get Abreu and an "inkling" about where Abreu wants to play. I'm sure that in a non tampering sort of way, Ozzie has gotten to know Abreu well over the years and understands Abreu. I think Ozzie may have had a similar "vague perception" about what it would take to re-sign Freddie before the Sox acquired him. I'm not saying. I'm just saying. If Taveras gets non-tendered, unless his legs are falling off, I think the Sox will add him to the mix and see what happens. Bailey, Abreu, and Tavares, and KW can call it an offseason unless some free agent pitching falls in his lap cheaply. I'd still prefer Fucal over Tavares and move Alexei to CF or 2nd.

I hope this goes down. Dye > Abreu but I think it helps the Sox get more speed and a good young starting pitcher. Abreu + Bailey >>>Dye. In fact, I'd send some cash to the Reds if it got us another quality prospect and made the deal go through. Yea! A rumor! I was falling into a depression after having the winter meetings off with hardly anything going on. At least give us some smoke and mirrors false rumors to debate and get excited over. I go back to work tonight, so it will be much more likely to happen tonight. Owens / Taveras CF Abreu LF TCQ RF Thome DH Konerko 1b Alexei SS AJ C Fields/Benemit platoon 3b Getz/Lillibridge/Nix 2b MB Danks Floyd Bailey Marquez/CR/AP Better.

QUOTE (SOXOBAMA @ Dec 9, 2008 -> 10:52 PM) I am going to predict Konerko & Jenks to the Angels for Figgins, Weaver and Willits. Figgins 2b Willits CF TCQ LF Thome DH Dye RF Alexei SS AJ C Viciedo 3b Fields 1b Not bad. MB Danks Floyd Weaver Marquez/CR/AP Not bad. New closer between, Dotel, Thornton, Link, AP Risky. I like it. It's a long shot. That's why it's in the Call Your Crazy thread. Figgins would sooth my obsession for a major league leadoff hitter for the Sox and the lineup could be lethal if Willits can accomplish his .OBP hopes and Viciedo and Fields can hit. You could even do the Fields/Benemit platoon at 1st.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Dec 9, 2008 -> 11:12 PM) Thanks, Hawk. There is some truth to that. Imagine the other side. The Sox boppers are going through their .180 slumps with more strike outs than hits going into the Metrodome. Gomez slaps a ball that hops 20 feet over Cabrera's head. He steals second on our staff's inability to hold a runner and AJ's arm not being able to work a miracle. Piranha number two hitter {name not required, twinkies are interchangeable) advances the runner somehow. The Sox battle to get Mauer out somehow and they are almost out of the inning and work Morneau to a full count. He singles just out of the reach of somebody making it one to nothing. There has to be a psychological "here we go again" effect. Meanwhile our guys grip that bat tighter an hope for a homerun (thereby making it much less likely) because it is unlikely that they will be able to string together the FOUR hits it's going to require to get somebody's load around the bases. KW, all I want for Christmas is a major league lead off hitter.

QUOTE (SOXOBAMA @ Dec 9, 2008 -> 10:52 PM) I am going to predict Konerko & Jenks to the Angels for Figgins, Weaver and Willits. Welcome!!! Who would you have play 1st for the Sox?

Swisher singles. Cabrera grounds out into a fielders choice. Quentin singles sharply and the runner is held at 3rd. Thome walks the bases loaded. Konerko GIDP. No runs, two hits, a walk, and corpse ball. vs. Pods singles. Steals second. Iguchi grounds out to the right advances runner. Everett flies out with sac fly. Konerko K's. One run, one hit. The Sox need to be able to manufacture runs on 40 degree April and September nights while the boppers are seeking the sage advice from Walker and rubbing bengay on their aging joints. They also need to bash the hell out of the ball at the Cell in July. There needs to be a mix. Besides, only half of the Sox games are played at the Cell.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Dec 9, 2008 -> 10:25 PM) Someone who can put down the sac bunt is not one of our greatest needs. Not unless the signing of that someone guarantees we’ll have the winning run on, with no one out in the 9th every night. I think that run in the first inning is important. I don't want a wussy hitter that bunts because he can't hit. Is it too much to ask to get a hitter on your roster that bunt when it might be good baseball strategy? I have hopes for Getz and Beckham for that number two hitter. The Sox must get a leadoff hitter and they must get one more starting pitcher. Marquez is not our number 4. He will have to compete with CR/AP for number 5. I'd like that pitcher to be Bailey and the leadoff hitter to be Furcal. If the money is not there for Furcal or his back is suspect, KW will have to do something even if it is Pierre with L.A. paying part of his salary.

There is no doubt that Konerko, Thome, and Dye can produce. The Sox need to mix things up a bit. They are all slow boppers. That's great and they will drive in runs. The problem is that when they are not hitting HR's or when they slump horribly, the Sox have no way to manufacture runs. How many more 2 month Konerko slumps can we watch? How many more times will there be a guy on 3rd and one out to watch Thome strike out when a ground ball would have done the job. Dye is the least frustrating, but he is the only one with big trade value that the Sox should cash in on before his value plummets. The Sox need a leadoff hitter that can get on and steal a base. They need a number two hitter that can put down a Sac bunt. They need a contact hitter batting 3rd who can put the ball in play with a guy on third with less than 2 outs. I know this is not a popular opinion here that speed is important and that bunts are not wasted outs when used wisely. No need to tell me about OBP or Youkilis. The Sox need to be able to manufacture a run once in a while especially in the cold weather or when the bats are slumping. If that run comes in the first inning, then it takes the pressure off of your pitchers. If they are facing another team's ace, scrapping a run might make all of the difference. When so much reliance is placed on HR's, they start swinging for them and we get corpse ball with Paully dropping his head in frustration as he pops up. One more thing, walks don't drive in runs (most of the time). I hope Owens has success with the Sox, but I think it is too risky to count on him as the leadoff hitter. The Sox have too much money and too much talent on the 2009 team already to not make a move or two and go for it. I think Ozzie and KW would agree with me despite what the signals they have to send to their potential trade partners or free agents.

The Sox are in stealth mode. I would be shocked and disappointed if the Sox do not acquire a lead off hitter and another more proven or talented starting pitcher. I still stand by Furcal. The fact that Fucal's agent didn't mention the Sox and talked about 4 teams interested does not phase me. KW could have just asked him to keep it quiet or just forget it. KW is deep underground and the payroll stuff is being played up to provide him a realistic cover story.

QUOTE (DBAHO @ Dec 9, 2008 -> 02:59 PM) Wren came out and said this a few weeks back; Of course that's before he traded Flowers, but Brian McCann was blocking him of course. Well since they have traded for Vazquez, meeting with AJ Burnett today, and are in a rumor to deal Francouer for Greinke, maybe they could spare Hanson for a MVP caliber clubhouse leader Jermaine Dye. Wishful thinking on my part.

This was mentioned in the winter meetings thread, but I thought it might be useful to someone here. Per Rosenthal /Fox

Don't know if this effects Dye / Bailey rumor or not. Rosenthal with more info Rosenthal Keeping the updates coming

QUOTE (Leonard Zelig @ Dec 9, 2008 -> 02:03 PM) Would anybody be willing to send me a text if the Sox make a move so I can stop checking in here every 20 minutes and actually do what I have to get done? No way dude. Sit here and hit refresh like the rest of us. I hear ya. I'm going to have to attempt to be a productive human for a while myself.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 9, 2008 -> 01:58 PM) That's what I've heard about almost every teams' interest in him. I think he and/or his agent made a huge financial mistake rejecting arbitration. Not necessarily since the contract would not have been guaranteed with the Sox and I'm pretty sure KW didn't want him. If KW don't want you, pack your bags even if you are a Hall of Famer wearing 35. I don't completely understand why I dislike Cabrera so much. The argument with Dye sealed it, but I didn't like him even before that. I really want him to play for the Twins.

Rosenthal Updates 2:42 p.m. — A's show interest in Cabrera The A's, who last week withdrew their four-year offer to Rafael Furcal, met late Monday night with the agents for another leading free-agent shortstop — Orlando Cabrera. The team's interest in Cabrera, however, is "very limited," according to one source, "mild at best."

QUOTE (kyyle23 @ Dec 9, 2008 -> 01:44 PM) I was talking about the omnipotent being, God. Not Quentin. It was funny in my little world Which is why I made the joke Sorry. Not really aimed at your joke, just the practice in general. Besides, I've gotten used to TCQ.

QUOTE (G&T @ Dec 9, 2008 -> 01:42 PM) Listening to the Score (Murph is awful), and these idiots think DeRosa is more valuable to the Cubs than Peavy. Here's Mike Murphy He's the Man with the worst on the Score Here's Mike Murphy He's a cubbie loving blow hard nothing more When he comes on the radio Hurry turn it off off off off Here's Mike Murphy He's the Man with the worst on the score Mike Murphy Sucks wah wah wah Murphy Sucks wah wha wha MURPHY SUCKS!! Brought to you by Brown's f****** Chicken

QUOTE (kyyle23 @ Dec 9, 2008 -> 01:36 PM) I dont know about God. In close to late situations he is horrible TCQ is a perfectly fine short way of saying Carlos Quentin. Can we stop using "God" before something bad happens. It reminds me of the "UNSINKABLE" Titanic.

Where's Rock? I need another fix of cryptic prediction based on some insider insight! Just don't get your guy fired.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Dec 9, 2008 -> 12:43 PM) THey'd be looking for pitching, but the Braves also have some outfield prospects or a guy like Francouer whose value is down (Kenny likes buying guys whose value is down) and they also have some pitching prospects. Gorky's Hernandez is still very young and the Braves have soured on him a bit as well. I'd like either of the above in addition to a front line pitching prospect for Dye. All that said...Shafer is the guy I'd be targetting. He's been comapred to Grady Sizemore and looks like a very solid major league centerfielder. They also have a lot of raw high ceiling arms in the system. I think KW intends on getting a pitcher. I don't think Marquez will be our 4th starter. I think he will have to battle it out with CR/AP for 5th with the losers trying to find a way into the bullpen. The Sox need another starter and it would be better to get the pitcher with Dye and get the position players via free agency. Free agent pitchers want too long and too expensive contracts for the Sox.

QUOTE (R.J. @ Dec 9, 2008 -> 12:39 PM) A three way swap with Dye/Greinke/Fancoueur would make me absolutely giddy. Me too. I just can't see KC allowing Greinke to end up with the Sox. Greinke is a real good looking young ball player according to HAWK. He's a pretty good pitcher too. Although, didn't he kinda quit one season? If Hanson is not untouchable, that is the guy to get. Let the Braves keep Greinke.

Hanson will do nicely and we will forget all about Bailey. Hanson Info