Chisoxfn

Phillie should be pretty good, but they are counting quite a bit on there young pitching, which could turn into a problem. If they signed Glavine, then they'd be my favorites for the division. They will still have a real exciting rotation with Millwood, Padilla, Brett Myers, etc. Still, Braves got a very deep rotation and Hampton will be back. They still got Sheffield and Chipper and that makes them the favorites, imo. Mets could surprise too, now that they have a better rotation. Plus, think if Mo figures things out.

Your reasons for beating up central teams is why I believe that the Wild Card will come from the central division this year. I just can't see the AL West teams continually beating eachother up and still being able to win the division with one wild card winner. The Sox and Twins will be playing a bunch of terrible teams. I love your idea of Beltran..to me it would complete a perfect offseason. He's been available for some time and from what I've heard they aren't looking for too much for him. I think they just want to dump his contract and that would be a more then fair deal for Beltran, imo. They got a starting pitcher, they could go into their rotation now, a replacement for Rowand, plus Ginter who could relieve (Although I think he stinks and I'll say good riddance). We get a really good defensive and offensive centerfielder. Welcome aboard!!!

Great Post on the whole issue of respect and how its led to the Cardinals players wanting to stay there. Hopefully the Sox can build something like the Cards have, but they can't do it unless they try and spend money every year. I'm not saying 80 million or anything like that, but every offseason JR has to run things more like he's doing it this year, doing all he can to improve the team. Now I understand if eventually the team needs a couple years rebuilding, but when the team is ready to compete, like this one is, you got to continually put forth your best possible effort so you can win it all.

Look at Keyshawn...he was wearing all these different throw backs after pretty much every playoff game he won.

That would be real cool. Kansas is looking pretty good this year. I caught one of there games yesterday. It be real sweet if KC hooked ya up with a gig to cover the Sox on a permanent basis

The rich DO NOT NEED 42,000 DOLLARS. Jesus f***ing Christ, how blind are you people? They probably use it as monopoly money for f***s sake. Top 1% making 80-100 k a year? My family makes roughly 135,000 a year combined, and we got a 600 dollar tax rebate. Top 1%? more like 50%. Ya, maybe they don't need 42,000 bucks, but whose to say they can't have it. Isn't America the place thats always stood for the masses being wealthy and having that shot at wealth. If I make 500,000 a year (One day I will...one day ), then I'm going to want to get money back if theres a tax cut. I would be working my butt off, and I'd like to enjoy that money in any way possible. Hopefully, eventually building up a collection to buy the Sox. I think if you make money, you earn a tax cut if everyone else is getting one, no matter how much money you make. You can't just say, oh your rich, we'll keep your money, just like you can't say your poor, so whats the point of giving you money, you'll still be poor. Is it the perfect tax cut no, but its still solid, imo.

From what I heard he was well liked in Cleveland. He's kind of one of those have fun kind of guys. Him, Koch, Daubach all will be bringing in good attitudes. KW really seems to have changed his stance, he knows how important chemistry is after the Royce fiasco and is doing his best to get good guys in the clubhouse.

Our starting lineup is way better; Our Bench is way better; The rotation is better; The Bullpen is better. As you can tell, I love our shot this year

Greg, we do have a lot of ifs, but for the first time I can remember the Sox are doing things to build a very deep team. We now have Rios and Daubach on the bench, ready to step in if outfielders struggle. We have Alomar behind Olivo and this new guy Cookie down in AAA and maybe Josh Paul as well. We have a ton of middle infielders. As far as Jose goes, I dont' like him, and his winter ball stats weren't good (Avg wise) but he did have good power numbers if I recall. I also think he struggled last year in winter ball. I don't think of him as a permanent solution, but its nice to have the veteran there while Jimenez develops. This team is going to be real fun to watch Greg - Hopefully you'll get to see them whip up on the Royals when they go to Kansas City.

Apu I don't agree with you on the political issues, but you bring a lot to this board. Things will get heated whenever politics come up. You have your views, and many disagree with them, but you always bring up many excellent points from your side and really bring a lot to the conversations.

I heard something on the radio regarding who they consider the top 1% and it is people who make around 80,000 - 100,000 a year, most of whom consider themselves middle class people. Now I don't have anything to verify what I heard being correct, but if this is indeed what they consider the top 1% then they are way off, imo. As far as the tax cut goes, I will stick to my ways that it helps everyone. Who says that those who pay more shouldn't get money back, while others should get plenty of money back? I think if you work, and theres a tax cut, everyone deserves money back. in turn, if you make more, then your going to get more back and to me thats your given right.

Right on my brother! Jason, I'm sorry to disagree with you, you know I respect the hell out of you for so many reasons. Just like for Mormons, you give your two years of service but only for your country and when it is over, school will still be there. We havent has the draft since it officially ended on 30 June 1973 if I am correct on the date. For 30 years we have raised citizens in the midst of much material abundance as we all sit at our computers and it is time that we start reminding people again that there is a price for this freedom and this country. Let no one say it isn't fair, it isn't just, they didn't plan for it - the people who died on11 September didn't want their lives interrupted and the innocent civilians and the members of the rank and file military in Iraq who will be killed, the conscripts, not there by choice, and they don't their lives interrupted either. Or to be killed so students and drink and get trashed and do drugs and get wasted and have sex and prepare for lucrative careers without interruption. Whatever encourages people to consider the cost and how thsoe on the other side might feel, I am for - God Bless America and 2 year compulsory service for everyone - maybe especially for those who go to universities that we pay for with our taxes so that can earn big money later in ours system, time to say thank you with universal service. With me Baggio? (And Bags, am I getting all sarcastic tonight?) Good Post CW. I definately see your point. I think way too many people take things for granted. People forget all the things people had to go through to make our country as great as it is. Freedoms, I will definately fight for. I think it isn't such a bad idea to serve two years active, if its in an educational way as well. I'm all for going and gaining more experience, cause I think the military is an excellent way of doing that. Not everyone is meant to fight on the battfield, some are intelligence, some are pilots, etc. I was going to join the military after highschool, but in the end I just wanted to get through college as quick as I could. I believe people who don't vote can shut up (Unless you are under the voting age or for some reason can't vote). Otherwise, if you don't voice your opinion at the polls, I don't ever want to here your whining cause you haven't earned that right. The one big thing I have against the whole military issue and having to go in it, is that it forces people into doing things, and I think the right to chose what you want to do and who you want to be is one of the greatest things about this country. I'd hate to have to fight with people who don't want to.

I thought it was a pretty good speach. I've been questioning him a bit more lately, but I still support him. I liked how he brought up the oil situation as well as talked about alternatives for fuel. I have always questioned him on the alternative fuel area, and he still has to prove me he's going to do it, but I like hearing him talk about it. Pretty good speach. The democrats have been running for a while now. They dont' have a clue what to say, and most of the stuff they say really is killing them.

You'd be the next Ronnie Woo Woo , except will call him Vince O-E-O

Well then, thats a real good question. I never remember hearing about his contract length. I looked on the net but couldn't find anything.

btw are you done with the football site? Ya, www.bearstalk.com Its got a long ways to go. Eventually I'll simply be an ocassional writer.

My vote is and always will be Tony Gwynn!!!!

Thats a fair deal. Cruz can do a whole lot of things. He's a 5 tool player that strikes out a lot. He can steal bases, play defense, hit for power, drive in runs, and he draws a good number of walks.

I'm fully against the draft. I don't want to have to go to war and lose out on my education. I respect each and every person that represents our country in the military. If I was called, I'd of course go, because thats my duty. You are probably right though, the draft shouldn't count out people just because they are students, cause whose to say they are any better then the same person the same age that isn't in college. College isn't for everyone. In all honesty, I think all the politician suck to a point. Right now its just the lesser of all evils and thats how its going to be for a long time. The good thing is, all the political discussion and things, should slowly make this nation better, but I won't be happy until there is world peace. This war crap is a bunch of bulls***. Why can't everyone let everyone be and forget about it. Some countries are absolute s***holes, where people get murdered or just can't even find food. A lot of the time the US sticks there nose in, and many of the times they screw up when they do so, but the heart is there. Many countries don't have the heart to do things like that. I'm damn proud to be an American, and I strongly believe every poster here thats in America is damn proud to be an American. As for Matthew, let me just say Oh Canada..I'm sure he's damn proud to be Canadian One thing all of the posters here can't forget is that we can't go out and call eachother names. I know these political topics get very heated, but lets not take things too far and hurt someone else. Lets keep these posts on track to the point. I hate seeing someone get squashed or called out. This is America, and were all entitled to our points of views, whether how ridiculous they could be or how right on they could be. We all can decide on our own what our opinion is of other posts, but lets battle back with words and not attacks Holds up two fingers; Vote for Me

I'd do that. I like Drew a whole lot though, and he could play center and could provide lefthanded pop. I wouldn't even think twice about that deal too. I love Buerhle though.

I'll take Ben Sheets For Buehrle? Make them throw in some other good prospects as well...and Royce Clayton and Todd Ritchie are not prospects. No, I was just responding to a player I'd take in Milwalkee. If I were giong to deal Buerhle(Throw in Rowand), I'd ask for Matt Morris and JD Drew.

Are you talking about Ken Williams?

One thing I guarantee is that Guardado flops big time. They don't have a closer, plain and simple. He can easily prove me wrong. They will be much worse in relief, and thats where you win a lot of the close games.

Remember Zach, your a terrorist for driving that SUV Thats still got to be one of the most ridiculous pieces of crap ever making a commercial.

As far as nuclear weapons go, I never ever want to see them used. Bush may of said it, but I don't think he wants to use them. If he does, then depending on the circumstances I will strongly disagree with him and would not give him my vote in a couple more years. I don't think its going to happen. Also, as far as the UN is concerned, they can kiss my ass!!!!!!!!!