He didn't say it on his usual show.  I caught a segment where Levine called in during Silvy and Carmen and then he mentioned it.

 

As to Contreras, if the Yankees are willing to pick up at least most of his $8 mil a year, I say go for it.  The guy has an electric arm, it just looks to me like he is having problems getting the right arms slots and angles.  And after watching Don Cooper work his magic on Scho and ELo, I am willing to give him a chance with Jose.

I agree totally.

no, the difference between then and now is that he had movement on his fastball then.  Now is straight.

No he didn't - when you throw 100 you don't need much movement...

I wouldn't mind getting Contreras, but we couldn't give up anyone that's really that good, and it would have to be b/c he has some problem w/ his mechanics that we could fix. However, I would rather make this trade, if we're gonna make it, after this year b/c I don't think we really have time to be trying to fix someone's mechanics right in the middle of the season. I think the offseason would be better for that. Lastly, another bad thing about Contreras is that he's 33 years old. All that being said, I'd rather just stay away from Contreras.

When you throw 100mph it isn't going to have much movement at all. It is natural air dynamics. I remember reading a post on a different site and a book being mentioned about this. When a pitch goes in the mid to upper 90's it doesn't create a lot of movement.

I think we are going after Contreras because we love to have a United Nation in our dug out

 

South Americans, Japanese and now Cubans

 

Fantastic

I think we are going after Contreras because we love to have a United Nation in our dug out

 

South Americans, Japanese and now Cubans

 

Fantastic

No Americans?

When you throw 100mph it isn't going to have much movement at all.  It is natural air dynamics.  I remember reading a post on a different site and a book being mentioned about this.  When a pitch goes in the mid to upper 90's it doesn't create a lot of movement.

When Koch was at his best it wasn't because he could throw 100 MPH. He changed up his fastball. He had the power fastball and a sort of four seam fastball that he threw, which tailed into right handers. The foursome was probably in the low 90's. However, I think the reason why he has been so ineffective has not been because the loss of speed, but rather the fact that he throws a 93-95 MPH fastball with abosolutly no movement.

When Koch was at his best it wasn't because he could throw 100 MPH.  He changed up his fastball.  He had the power fastball and a sort of four seam fastball that he threw, which tailed into right handers.  The foursome was probably in the low 90's.  However, I think the reason why he has been so ineffective has not been because the loss of speed, but rather the fact that he throws a 93-95 MPH fastball with abosolutly no movement.

Koch has never had any movement on his fastball it's always been straight as an arrow. He's actually picked up a little movement on his fastball since he doesn't throw 100 anymore but plain and simple the guy doesn't know how to pitch and always falls behind in the count, so he gets hammered.

I think we are going after Contreras because we love to have a United Nation in our dug out

 

South Americans, Japanese and now Cubans

 

Fantastic

:headshake

One bad contract for another.

 

Koch for Contreras.

 

It makes sense.

The other interesting thing about Contreras that I heard when Levine was on Carmen and Silvy's show was that the Sox were going to use Contreras as a closer.

I like that idea. His turbo splitter would be filthy.

I like that idea. His turbo splitter would be filthy.

I really like the idea. With his splitter and his good fastball I think he'd be electric in the pen. Give coop some time with him and he could really be a solid closer. While I like having shingo close but it would be nice to be able to keep him and damaso as set up men.

I really like the idea.  With his splitter and his good fastball I think he'd be electric in the pen.  Give coop some time with him and he could really be a solid closer.  While I like having shingo close but it would be nice to be able to keep him and damaso as set up men.

I think Shingo's the man because he's done it in the playoffs before. Granted, it was in Japan, but he's proven his stuff in a high pressure environment. Didn't Contreras struggle in the post-season?

The "Koch sucks" horse is dead, we can all stop beating it now....

...EXCEPT for this... ...

I was very disturbed to read that quote in yesterday's Sun-Times from Ozzie basically saying that once (if?) Billy throws a few good outings in a row, he will close games again. I really REALLY hope that's just Oz backing his guy publicly, and that he doesn't actually plan to let BK close again!

If he gives Billy the keys again, the fans will go apes***, ESPECIALLY if (when?) Shingo has the success I personally believe he'll have as the closer.

I think Shingo's the man because he's done it in the playoffs before.  Granted, it was in Japan, but he's proven his stuff in a high pressure environment.  Didn't Contreras struggle in the post-season?

I'll add on more to what I said. Basically I think the sox need another solid reliever. I have no problem keeping shingo as the closer I'd actually would kind of like it. But the sox definitely need one more reliever and if contreras could do the job in the 7th inning, damaso in the 8th and shingo in the 9th that would be awesome. I really believe contreras would be nice out of the bullpen and if the yanks would pick up his contract I would love for the sox to get him.

Couple random thoughts;

 

Koch is an upgrade for more than a few teams, but we would have to cover at least part of his salary. He could be moved.

 

At least publically, showing confidence in Koch keeps his value up.

 

I wonder if Koch has lost confidence in himself? Perhaps he suffers from ED and just needs Viagra? Man think about that commercial, it would bump Palmero's off the air. Even Bob Dole's. He goes out and makes a bunch of saves and credits the blue diamond.

My personal favorite sign idea was "Employees must wash hands before returning to work"

I brought this up when Witesoxfan suggested throwing hand wipes onto the field. Are there business that can make large signs that look like the official government sticker?

I brought this up when Witesoxfan suggested throwing hand wipes onto the field.  Are there business that can make large signs that look like the official government sticker?

Yeah I couldn't remember who said it, but like I said it was my personal favorite.

I brought this up when Witesoxfan suggested throwing hand wipes onto the field.  Are there business that can make large signs that look like the official government sticker?

Any sign-a-rama, Fast-Signs etc. can do that. If you did your own art work in WOrd or something simple, you could have it printed large format on paper for under $25.

I like that idea. His turbo splitter would be filthy.

I like the fact that we'd have a completely non-english speaking unit closing out ballgames. Marte in the 7th, Takatsu in the 8th, Contreras in the 9th. The Sox would need to shave more payroll, to make up for all the translators they'd need to pay.

I like the fact that we'd have a completely non-english speaking unit closing out ballgames.  Marte in the 7th, Takatsu in the 8th, Contreras in the 9th.  The Sox would need to shave more payroll, to make up for all the translators they'd need to pay.

The White Sox are already working on a mini-UN of a team. I guess we wouild need a Cuban to balance things out

The White Sox are already working on a mini-UN of a team.  I guess we wouild need a Cuban to balance things out

I like that even more if you mean Mark Cuban.

This Contreras thing is "outside of the box" thinking by KW and it's a very intiguing idea. It's certainly better than doing nothing and it just may turn into the type of move that puts a team over the top. It could backfire big time too, but I'm impressed with the thinking processes going on here.

 

As long as we make damn sure we aren't trading for Nardi.

Contreras has great stuff and is pitching in New York. Some players just can't handle the spot light or the constant jerking around the happens because Georgie Porgie gets angry with a players performance.

 

Last season Contreras looked damn good down the stretch and I think he would be a great acquisition, whether he moves to the pen or pitches in the rotation.

 

Especially with the Yanks picking up the tab and the Sox giving up a lower level prospect or two.