Chisoxfn

Whooooo. ITS TIME FOR THIS YEARS SOON TO BE WORLD CHAMPS to beat the crap out of the Royals

I still think that comment to Jose was freaking hillarious

I learned to like him a lot, but I still believe he needs some time in AAA to prove himself. If he can do similar things to last year in AAA, then he'll earn his shot with the Sox and may be the starting 2nd baseman next year with Jimenez at short.

San Diego. THe key is the Sox don't know what they have in Burke and they don't know whether Olivo is ready. They also know there is a good chance that Alomar gets hurt, so if Olivo isn't ready, Burke is a ? then at least you have a guy in Paul that is familiar with the pitching and is alright. He's not absolutely worthless and I do believe the Padres or a few other teams would consider picking him up. Miles still has to play in AAA, imo. Then once he does that and proves himself, then can he go onto the next step and try to prove himself once again. I liked what I saw from him, but his numbers definately fell later in spring. Is that a sign of him hitting a slump or is it a sign that when he started facing better pitching he was overmatched? It may be neither, I wasn't there watching every game so I can't tell.

Sounds to me like Wally Backman is a lot like my favorite manager in the majors, Mike Scioscia. Would that be an accurate assessment Rex? Seems like a lot of hit and runs, steals, and he preaches contact and obp?

Well, there isn't going to be any value for a 33 year old AAA er and typically they won't be taking someone elses spot. They are there in a reserve type roll, usually doing some relief or pinch hitting.

They look pretty sharp Mike

Clayton was a vacuum though. His range may not of been amazing and the glove may not of been, but is still one of the best defensive shortstops in the majors. His arm was accurate and his glove was the model of conistency.

I think pitching prospects are the one area where you always hold onto them and only deal them if another need comes up, because injuries can whipe out a staff more then any other position. Now down the stretch, the Sox may need something and they definately have the reserves there.

Ehhh, I don't want to talk about my bracket

Compared to the Twins our defense is a joke. Now it is improving, Olivo is better then anyone we've had behind the plate since Pudge. I know Karkovice was solid, but Olivo is special, real special. At third we are better then most teams and at first we are average just like we are at second. Compared to last year, Crede is better then Valentin at 3rd, Jimenez a bit better then Ray (Maybe) at second. In center Rowand is probably similar to Lofton (Lofton wasn't like he was in his prime). Lee isn't as bad as advertise and Magglio is an average defensive right field. The defense is definately better then it has been in the past. The big holes are shortstop, where Jose isn't good defensively and you can say Carlos Lee in left. Otherwise its a pretty solid group. Oh ya, the pitching staff in 2000 was ugly when it came to fielding.

I think they also want to make sure he's healthy and they are better off letting him take it slowly, then too quickly. Malone will make the jump sooner or later, especially since Charlottes rotation won't be as deep as some expected since Stewart will be there and Wright is on the DL. That could make the Sox more prone to move him up earlier, but the key for Malone as Hudler said is for him to continue to grow as a pitcher. He is very "raw" and has tremendous stuff. He just needs a some more time and to stay healthy. If he takes advantage and continues to learn (he seems to be developing quite well) then I think we'll have a pretty special lefty.

I thought some guy relieved him and threw the last 4 or 5 straight but I dunno. I remember Sean Lowe doing it 2 yrs ago. :puke I may of been confusing him with Lowe.

Brian West?

There are very good odds that they will sign Tony Brackens and they really appear to want to trade down. Burris isn't likely going to be on the roster, but the Bears will be keeping Saueter and potentially Chandler.

There is a very good chance that Brian West will be there and I'm assuming that Adkins is still going to be starting there. Unless they move him to the bullpen. Sanders won't start. Or at least I don't think he will.

Didn't Todd Ritchie do something like that as well last year?

But Milwaulkee has Royce and Todd Ritchie I'm going with Tampa Or Detroit.

Nice. Any idea who all played?

The Sox have to go out and prove that they can play to their ability. They've had the talent the past couple years to compete, but they've fallen flat each year. They got to prove that they can go out and do it.

Well Patterson is their top pitching prospect, but he always seems to go down with an injury here or there that ruins his chances.

If Stewart and Loiaza are pitching phenomenal then it just means Wright will come into the bullpen and have a little more of an adjustment period. After that, I don't think you can mess with the rotation. I like Wright a ton, but if everyone is pitching awesome, then no point in making a change, use Wright in another way. Its a great problem to have, imo.

Welcome back. Sounds like you had a blast there.

As long as were in the playoffs we have a shot. Look what Anaheim and San Fran did as wild card teams.

Weird to see Lubisch retiring. He was solid last year. Not sure if he would of made it to the majors or not, but you never know.