Chisoxfn

Alright, I should be able to do that. I'm going to be doing on the road for most of the day (got some erruns I got to run for work) but I think I'll be back by 3 my time.

That I cannot do, Jason I'm putting you in charge of this. Make sure you remind RPS. Alright, what time does he want me to email him on Friday?

I don't think we could go wrong with either. Of course I do think Colon is a much better pitcher, but I'm happy with either. Heck, I'm happy with someone like Robert Person.

You guys think theirs a shot that Harold Baines will finally announce his retirement this year at Soxfest?

Yep, they also signed Terry Mullhulland or however you spell it. Their was a lot of activity today.

One thing I will say is that Finley is a real classy guy. That situation with his wife could of been a whole lot worse. He could of been some scumbag that ended up beating her, instead he did none of the sort. I've met Chuck (He used to come into the grocery store I worked at part time - on a side note, I hated working at that store cause all these snobs always came in) and I would talk to him when he was in and he was pretty cool. I've also watched him with the Angels a lot and he's a really good pitcher and a leader. He'd be an awesome pickup if he were to come cheaply. Of course I hate losing draft picks.

Well, McGahee was a complete stud before his injury. Why would you pass him up? Now that he's hurt, you'll have your choice of Palmer or Byron. Well, Texans are going to try to trade down, so if the Bears intentionally leaked this it would make some sense. Make teams think you were looking a rb and are going to take a qb later, maybe it stops them from dealing up ahead of you with the Texans to take Leftwich. Right now I could really see the Bears take Suggs are whatever the guy out of ASU's name is.

You'd think that wouldn't you? With the Sox, something weird always happens. I know weird stuff happens, but this team is due. The only thing that would scare me is if our top of the order really fails, cause i Think that may be the biggest questionmark right with the pitching staff. I don't really like Manos, although I guess he works, and I like Jimenez a lot, but were in deep crap if he fails at the top of the lineup. Thats why we need to sign a 4th outfielder who could either hit 1 or 2, just in case. Cruz Jr. fits the bill to be a 4th outfielder in the back of the lineup, although he could hit in the 2 hole (To me thats too many k's at the top of the order) while Palemerio is a classic #2 hitter and would be an awesome pickup. I'm really biased though cause I've been a Palmerio fan a long time and have watched him every year with the Angels.

Dibbler, I would of agreed with you a month ago, but supposedly Shea Hillebrand would pretty much get the deal done. Ya, he's young and had one good year, but he's nothing special. I really think it will cost us one really good pitching prospect (None of our great ones, Diaz or Malone at best) and then another prospect (maybe a reliever or someone like Brian West) and then a guy like Liefer with major league experience. I think we could get him cheaper then what your suggesting. We won't get him for stiffs though. Also, I no longer see the Sox dealing Jon Garland. If we give up any of our starters it would be Wright or Biddle (If they want him)

It will never be another Ritchie trade for one reason Greg, we are getting an ace pitcher in Colon. The guy has proved it in the AL and in our division. He's a phenomenal pitcher, not quite in the top 5 to 10 pitchers, but if he's not their, then he's definately in the next grouping and would instantly step in as our best pitcher, giving us two aces (That moves Garland and Wright back in the rotation and gives us one of the deepest rotations in baseball)

Yes ,we will. I've said it since the original date we were mentioned as a possibility of Colon, if we could land him without giving up any of our top prospects or every day players, we'd be a force to recken with next year. We have an incredibly young nucleus, a rather deep lineup, an above average bullpen, and some prospects down below that could step in, if their are any injuries. I'd love for us to be able to get him cheaply and even better if the Sox could resign him.

First off, welcome aboard KJ. ALso, your right on the money, colon is a free agent and if we are going to give up some top prospects, then the Sox better be signing him long term. One thing I do believe is that Colon's value is as low as its going to get, and nows the time to make a move. I've had a hunch this week that the Sox were getting close because I do think they will spend some money, keeping their payroll at 50 mill and they could pick up Colon and an outfielder and then call it quits. I'd look for them to move Biddle, Brian West and a couple mid level prospects. Well, thats what I'd offer. I'm happy if we don't give up any of our top guns (Rauch, Honel, Wright, Garland) and if we don't give up Lee (I want him back this year). Liefer probably could be part of the deal. On a side note, I'd be willing to deal Wright, but only if it was like Wright and Liefer, I wouldn't give them anyone else good. I'd love the idea of a rotation with Buerhle, Colon, Garland, Wright and Rauch. To me that is plenty good, and then mixed with our lineup and a really good bullpen, we could be one of the top teams in the majors. Then if Garland or Wright or Rauch develop to their potential this year or near it (They all have really goot potential, imo, especially Rauch and Garland) then we have a starting 3, that could definately do somethings in the playoffs.

Their is no way JR is losing money, he's the only owner in the majors that is too smart for that. I think people who have money don't ever want to lose it, and I can't blame them for that. Of course, I don't think any of us fans are asking for JR to spend a ton. We all are asking for very moderate moves, that would still result in a cut in payroll and if JR was smart, he could have a major market team at a not so major market budget. Now, JR has in the past, spent a bit of money in attempts to put this team over the top (Belle, Boomer), but those moves have failed. It may not be much, but I think we can expect him to be willing to open up his purse strings a bit if the right deal comes around.

I think they are losing Eddie Perez, but they think Estrada can be groomed into a solid catcher. They are the only ones who see it though

The biggest two problems with pitchers coming out of college is that they are overused and that they no longer throw inside. In college, where you use alumnium bats, pitchers can't throw inside and if they do the ball will get hammered. Jams shots off aluminum bats get crushed and their is just no way to pitch inside, you just have to live on the outside and some pitchers can't make the adjustment to throwing inside. Not a huge deal, but its tough to judge pitchers when they are going to have to change their complete style when they switch to the majors, where you got to pitch inside for sucess.

Yes and no. I mean, I wouldn't want guys putting up Rowand type numbers at 1B, 3B and RF. But like I said, assuming that the other guys in the order (maggs, pk, big hurt, crede, valentin, clee) live up to expectations, Rowand will be good enough in CF, particularly in light of the fact that he does, I believe, bring a lot of energy and intensity to the table that rubs off on others. Plus, he's very willing to move runners over and to me thats why I liked him so much late last season when he was hitting in the 2 hole. Jimenez was getting on and he'd always get over to 2nd thanks to Aaron, and when we got a guy on 2nd with our middle of the lineup, we'll score almost all of the time.

I like Rowand, I like watching him play and I appreciate the energy and drive he brings out on the field every time. But I don't think he's that good. I think he'll put up Singleton-like numbers, with more power, but less defensive ability. If he gets 140 games at 500 ABs next season, I think he'll hit .245/15/60 with an OPS of about .725 or .750. I suppose I can live with that but only if the other hitters in the line-up live up to expectations. But I still would rather have Steve Finley, or a trade for Vernon Wells. I'd like to see us pick up Jose Cruz Jr. or Orlando Palmerio. To me Cruz Jr. would provide really good pop from the left hand side in the bcak of the order or he could hit in the 2 slot, providing speed, which would slide Manos and his mainly left handed stick to the back of the lineup. On a sidenote, I think Palmerio is a perfect 2 hitter.

Finley's agent contacted the Dodgers today and said he will not be returning to St. Louis. The Cardinals have already informed him of this. I'd definately want him, but he ain't worth losing our 15th pick for.

Whoops...for some reason I thought I already turned that on for you. Its all set up now Mario.

I heard that...I still think they may make a move for an offensive playmaker and then draft Ragone in the 2nd. Oh ya, I would of been so happy if we got McGahee, but its also known that the Texans (3rd Pick) were planning on taking him.

If it were the Niners who had that happen to them, I'd feel a bit more, but the Giants blew a 24 point lead and screwed the snap up anyway...They didn't deserve to win. Does it suck they got screwed...your damn right it does...I was hoping for Mooch to get canned and that Mooch getting fired would somehow convince Bears management to can Jauron and hire Mooch. Still, I can't feel sorry for a team that blew a 24 point lead. Just like I couldn't feel sorry this season when the Bears squandered all those double digit leads this year. When teams blow leads like that, its bad coaching with a mix of bad play, but its still horrible coaching.

I can't believe how hard it is for some of the games great closers to make it into the game. In the past closers were tough guys that had to really go out and pitch. They didn't pitch 50 innings, they'd pitch 100 or more and were really great. It looks like its going to be a while before any of them get in too.

If I could have any owner, it would be Mark Cuban...I love that guy. He cares about the fans, and his players. I've never seen a guy that is less selfish then him. Whats he do, he builds a great stadium and makes it all interactive for the fans. He then does all he can to put out a great team for them, and is always at the game enjoying himself and is very friendly with the fans. As far as the players, he'd let them live at his own house if the NBA didnt' make rules against that, and he built them a state of the art clubhouse and training center so his players would be happy, but also so players would want to come their. Mark Cuban is the man....I sure hope one of these days he gets some interest in the South Side and rejevunating a team with awesome fans, but little hope.

Lol..speaking of Navarro he's pitching pretty good down in the Venezulean league, or one of those winter leagues. Got like a 4.19 era. By the way...thanks for the kind words....we all have a ton of fun running this site and community. Its awesome to see how much its grown since we started a year and 8 months ago or so and it wouldn't be what it is without the great posters who contribute and those that browse. Hopefully we'll be talking about getting playoff tickets at the end of the season!!!!!!!!!!!!

Will someone please explain the Millwood trade to me? I know money is always a consideration in today's game but to get so little for him. I don't get it. The Atlanta GM is supposed to be one of the best. Right? I don't get it. No one can really explain or understand the Millwood deal. It was a deal done in the terms of now. The Braves had to cut payroll and for some reason instead of waiting a week or two or even a month to get it done, they did it immediately and didn't even sit or wait on other offers. They were nuts to deal Millwood for that little, a 26 or 28 year old backup catcher that isn't regarded as anything. Josh Paul is twice as good as him. The deal wouldn't of been as horrible had the Braves traded him outside of their division, but they gave him to division foe, Philedelphia, whose one of the up and coming teams in all of baseball and could just end the Braves consecutive division titles streak.