If Nick can get the final bullpen spot, that would be awesome since he could serve as a starter option too if one of Danks or Floyd falter.....

 

===============

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...1,3843789.story

Seems like someone reports 25 lbs lighter to camp every year. Didn't Uribe already do this like 5 times?

Awesome -- that just gives the organization another reason to keep the inferior pitcher Masset over Wasserman.

Masset the guy is a waste of space.

Good for him but it means absolutely nothing. Dropping weight doesn't mean you're a better pitcher. As Keith said, Wass is still the better pitcher until proven other wise.

Edited February 16, 200818 yr by Rowand44

From the sounds of it, Masset has worked hard in the offseason. That can only add to the sox pitching options for SP or the bullpen. Don't get me wrong, I like Wasserman and he showed he can get righties out [though his lack of success vs lefties is a big concern going forward]. Yet the Sox need a long man in the bullpen more than they need a specialist like Ehren. I'd like Masset to make the team one way or another. I wouldn't be heartbroken if Danks went to AAA and FLoyd and Masset were in the rotation, and a guy like Broadway was in the pen. That would make the sox nicely set in AAA for SP insurance with Danks the 1st callup and Egbert #2.

 

However it pans out, the sox will take the best guys north-even with the guys being out of options.

Good for him but it means absolutely nothing. Dropping weight doesn't mean you're a better pitcher. As Keith said, Wass is still the better pitcher until proven other wise.

Just to play Devil's Advocate, couldn't being heavier mess with someone's mechanics?

If you're carrying extra weight, maybe your motion isn't what it could be, or what it was when you were lighter?

I'm not saying he's going to automatically be better for being lighter, but it's a possibility at least.

I'm interested in seeing if this makes any difference in his performance.

Seems like someone reports 25 lbs lighter to camp every year. Didn't Uribe already do this like 5 times?

 

Everyone but Bobby Jenks

On the front page, this says "Nick Masset reports 25 pounds ..."

 

I thought for sure it was going to say heavier.

Seems like someone reports 25 lbs lighter to camp every year. Didn't Uribe already do this like 5 times?

 

 

No, I think Uribe reported 25 lbs heavier every year

 

Maybe Massett is serious about turning things around.

Edited February 16, 200818 yr by elrockinMT

Seems like someone reports 25 lbs lighter to camp every year. Didn't Uribe already do this like 5 times?

 

Uribe and his feet haven't made sight of each other in a few years so I dont know if he fits the 25 pounds down comment. take a look at his pics when he was with the rockies, and take a look at him now. Its like comparing the Panther's head to Sosa and his gigantic head.

No, I think Uribe reported 25 lbs heavier every year

 

Maybe Massett is serious about turning things around.

 

I hope he is. He does have pretty good stuff. If he could harness a bit of control (maybe regain that extra 4 mph on his fastball he mysteriously lost, too), I think he could be a solid 4th starter.

 

Uribe and his feet haven't made sight of each other in a few years so I dont know if he fits the 25 pounds down comment. take a look at his pics when he was with the rockies, and take a look at him now. Its like comparing the Panther's head to Sosa and his gigantic head.

 

Heh. I could've sworn I've seen a few articles about him coming to camp a slimmer, more svelte Juan Uribe in the past few years. Perhaps I'm wrong.

Seems like someone reports 25 lbs lighter to camp every year. Didn't Uribe already do this like 5 times?

 

If they are on an opponent's team that means they quit juicing, if they are on your team, they worked out, quit the junk food, and got in shape

If they are on an opponent's team that means they quit juicing, if they are on your team, they worked out, quit the junk food, and got in shape

One difference, Giambi got lightyear, Masset worked off his fat and put on muscle (which would not be an indicator of cycling off).

 

I for one am happy. The guy has a great build for a pitcher and pretty good stuff (not as great as we were expecting, but it is solid).

If they are on an opponent's team that means they quit juicing, if they are on your team, they worked out, quit the junk food, and got in shape

There's a difference between tubby to toned and ripped to natural. If Masset had dropped 20-40 pounds of muscle (Javy Lopez, Ivan Rodriguez, etc.) it'd be a different story.

I'm still waitng for his 97 mph fastball

One difference, Giambi got lightyear, Masset worked off his fat and put on muscle (which would not be an indicator of cycling off).

 

I for one am happy. The guy has a great build for a pitcher and pretty good stuff (not as great as we were expecting, but it is solid).

 

 

There's a difference between tubby to toned and ripped to natural. If Masset had dropped 20-40 pounds of muscle (Javy Lopez, Ivan Rodriguez, etc.) it'd be a different story.

 

Exactly

Losing 25 lbs of cheesburger and fries type of weight isn't the same as Giambi losing 3 inches off his forearms in one offseason

Maybe this will help Masset be a surprise. I don't like him based on his productivity, but maybe he won't get lit up now that he's in shape. I can dream anyway.

I don't know what the instant negatitve sentiment is for some, but to see a young guy bust his ass over the off season and make a committment to baseball excites me. Hell think how much different this franchise would have looked if Brian Anderson had done this two years ago. Nick Massett coming into camp ready to go gives us another electric arm as an option in the pen, or maybe even starting.

I don't know what the instant negatitve sentiment is for some, but to see a young guy bust his ass over the off season and make a committment to baseball excites me. Hell think how much different this franchise would have looked if Brian Anderson had done this two years ago. Nick Massett coming into camp ready to go gives us another electric arm as an option in the pen, or maybe even starting.

 

Best comment re Masset since May of last year.

 

I'm glad that Masset is in shape. It does not matter how much weight Masset loses if he can't throw strikes, or how plus his stuff is.

 

26BB in 39.3 IP.

 

Maybe the weight wreaked havoc on his mechanics. I am not sure. I'll give Masset the benefit of the doubt until he proves otherwise. I'll do the same for all of the question marks this year; Floyd, Danks, Contreras, and Richar.

I don't know what the instant negatitve sentiment is for some, but to see a young guy bust his ass over the off season and make a committment to baseball excites me. Hell think how much different this franchise would have looked if Brian Anderson had done this two years ago. Nick Massett coming into camp ready to go gives us another electric arm as an option in the pen, or maybe even starting.

 

Great points. If that spirit catches on, this could be a very good season.

Intrasquad highlights

By Mark Gonzales, 3:30 p.m.

 

TUCSON, Ariz. - Paul Konerko cranked a grand slam off Charlie Haeger to give his team a 5-3 victory over Jim Thome's team in Tuesday's five-inning intrasquad game.

 

Konerko's slam came one-half inning after NIck Swisher ripped a two-run home run off left-hander Carlos Vazquez with two out in the top of the inning. Non-roster invitee Brad Eldred led off the inning with a triple. Eldred also hit a double and scored on Cole Armstrong's sacrifice fly off Mike MacDougal in the third.

 

Javier Vazquez pitched two perfect innings and struck out three in front of two major league scouts. Konerko and Jermaine Dye hit consecutive doubles in the fourth.

 

Nick Masset pitched two scoreless innings.

 

 

 

Intrasquad highlights

By Mark Gonzales, 3:30 p.m.

 

TUCSON, Ariz. - Paul Konerko cranked a grand slam off Charlie Haeger to give his team a 5-3 victory over Jim Thome's team in Tuesday's five-inning intrasquad game.

 

Konerko's slam came one-half inning after NIck Swisher ripped a two-run home run off left-hander Carlos Vazquez with two out in the top of the inning. Non-roster invitee Brad Eldred led off the inning with a triple. Eldred also hit a double and scored on Cole Armstrong's sacrifice fly off Mike MacDougal in the third.

 

Javier Vazquez pitched two perfect innings and struck out three in front of two major league scouts. Konerko and Jermaine Dye hit consecutive doubles in the fourth.

 

Nick Masset pitched two scoreless innings.

 

Masset was ok, but nothing specail. Behind on most counts in the 2nd,

 

straight from the horses mouth...not that Tony's a horse or anything