hogan873

I really don't see the harm in the signing. I would take him over Wise and Owens any day, and as much as I'd like to see Brian Anderson do well, history says he won't. I agree that he hasn't gotten enough time to prove himself. But, Pods as a back-up is okay with me.

I know it may be premature to start critiqing, but that's what we do, right? With two games in the books and a 1-1 record, we can probably agree that the hitting doesn't look spectacular. Aside from Thome, who is hitting well and has the only HR so far, it's been a bit concerning. But, like I said, two games...you can't make a solid judgement yet. Therefore, any positive remarks would also probably be looked at as premature. The pitching, at least in my opinion, looks pretty good. Buehrle's outing was described by some as "rough", and that may be accurate considering he had some trouble with control and plugged a couple batters. But giving up only two runs is not horrible. And let's not forget that most baseball experts are predicting the Royals to not be the Royals of recent. They are predicted to actually compete in the division...but which won't compete, right? Anyway, the relief pitching both Tuesday and Wednesday looked very good, and Floyd has a solid outing. Many times when a pitcher gives up 2 runs in seven innings he's going to win the game, provided some offense shows up. So, the questions begs is the immediate evidence of solid pitching a harbinger of things to come or will there be a mid-season (or sooner) collapse? Let's hope that Contreras and Colon give us some good innings and neither blows anything out or passes out on the mound. I'm hopeful, and even optimistic of a good season for our pitching staff. The jury is still out on the hitting. And, yes, you can disregard this post because we're only two games into a long season.

QUOTE (knightni @ Jan 24, 2009 -> 02:15 AM) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_a_Salesman Quite esoteric. Nice, though.

Even if the Sox don't make anymore moves, dead last in the Central is just a bad prediction. As it stands, we have 3 quality starters and a potential fourth with Colon. Offense-wise, what did we lose? We still have Konerko (who you'd hope will have a better year), Quentin, Dye, and Thome. With some speed and potential speed added, this team doesn't look too bad right now. I'm not saying I'm excited about where we are, but the Sox are a better team than the Royals. And like I saw it posted by someone else, when the Sox are predicted to be bad they turn out to be pretty damn good.

I'm not sure Anderson will ever be a great hitter, but he could be a lot better than we've ever seen so far if he gets to start and plays a lot. I really don't see why Owens is even getting a chance. He can run, and that's about it.

I am not as well versed in many of the younger players and/or those aquired by trade, but I think that Colon will surprise many and have a decent year (not great, but decent). Otherwise, Anderson will have a very good year provided he gets to play a lot. Fields will be a serviceable 3rd baseman and have an okay batting season. I'm very excited about Viciedo. I hope we weren't all spoiled with Ramirez, but this guy could be huge for us.

Maybe I'm still bitter about watching Vazquez choke every time he took the mound towards the end of the season...you know, when we needed him. I would take Colon any day of Vazquez, especially considering the $. Forget about the bum, he's Atlanta's problem now.

I check SoxTalk several times a day and usually listen to ESPN 1000 on my way home from work. I suppose I'm hoping more than expecting a big move. I do think, however, that a move will be made some time after Christmas. I don't think it will be huge, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Dye traded and/or a starting pitcher acquired.

Forgive my lack of knowledge in regards to the farm system, but how far away from the majors in Tyler Flowers? I know there was a lot of excitement generated when he was acquired for the heap of disappointed that was Vazquez. Any chance Flowers plays this year?

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 13, 2008 -> 04:51 PM) Do you think Contreras is? Good question. He actually looked okay when he did a few long relief gigs. But, that's not what he is, right? He's a starter.

Do you think that Wood is still viable as a starter?

With the Cubs trading for a new closer in Gregg, Kerry Wood is no longer a Cub. He is supposed to file for free agency at midnight. Is he a guy that the Sox should even take a look at? Not as a closer, but as bullpen help?

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 4, 2008 -> 04:47 PM) You're not allowed to trade a person you sign until after what, June 1? Even for pants. Oh, good point.

Maybe this is the year that KW actually makes the move everyone expects him to, like Figgins or Roberts. But then, we wouldn't really expect him to make the expected move, therefore making the move unexpected. Pretty clever, KW, pretty clever.

Re-sign Juan Uribe then trade him to Levi's for pants for the team. Juan would then be Levi's model for the "ample-duffed" man.

QUOTE (BearSox @ Oct 20, 2008 -> 09:07 PM) 1.) Contreras won't be throwing again for a while now, and in fact, I'd say there's a good chance his career is over. 2.) Anyone saying that they'd prefer Contreras over Vazquez is plain and simple stupid. Ouch! Thank you for pointing out my stupidity. Okay, okay, I get it now. Javy is a better pitcher than Contreras, but I plain just don't like him. He failed for us big time when it counted. I won't go so far as to say I'd rather have Javy, but I'll say I don't want either one.

I guess the implosion that was Vazquez towards the end is what sticks in many people's minds (mine included). He does have some good stuff and has shown flashes of brilliance. But it's hard to wash that taste out of my mouth...towards the end (when it REALLY counted) he was horrible. You just knew it was going to be a loss.

So, I would think that Buehrle, Danks, and Floyd are locks. What about the 4th and 5th spots? I hope that we've seen the last of Vazquez and Contreras (although I would take Contreras over Vazquez if we kept one). Is Clayton "Teeth" Richard a starter next year? Are the Sox going to bring someone fro within, sign a FA, or make a trade? I don't see any big FA signings, but I suppose a trade would be possible. Any ideas out there? Wishes?

I saw a crawl on ESPN that the Brewers were possibley going to offer a contract to CC Sabathia who will be a free agent. I know this is someone the Sox COULD use, and me as a fan WOULD love to see him there. But, does anyone think that he's a real possibility? Obviously the Sox would have to free up some money via trade or not re-signing someone. Any thoughts?

I look at it this way. They didn't get swept. The lost to a better Rays team. There were several great surprises this year. Danks, Floyd, Ramirez, Quentin. The OC experiment failed. Oh well. Rid of him, add some speed, lose a few dinosaurs and this team is making another run next year. Go '09 Sox!

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Oct 4, 2008 -> 10:31 AM) Pods as a regular again? Are you joking? April Fool's? If we want the 2009 version of Pods, then we might trade for Tavares or Figgins, but I don't think either of these is very likely. Yes, my comment about Pods was in jest. But someone like the 2005 Pods is what we need. Who is that? I'm not sure.

I like the idea of shaking up the team and returning to speed, defense, and pitching. We are way too slow, especially in the middle of the lineup. Sheer power doesn't work for this team...it really doesn't work anywhere. Look at Tampa. This is an energetic, fast team with good pitching. A lot like the Sox in 2005. I don't have a lot of information handy where I could conjur up some trades, but there are certain players we need to keep and certain players we need to rid of. I guess Konerko, Dye, and Thome are here for 2009. That's fine. Konerko should return to form, Dye is solid, and Thome is an okay DH at this point in his career. I like Swisher. He brings an energy to the team that we need. Problem is, he's better at first than in OF. Could be an issue. Cabrera...he gone. He was an experiment that didn't work out. His defense is okay, but we didn't trade for okay. As much as I like Uribe at third, I think he's gotta go. We can find a better hitting third baseman out there. So who do we target? Roberts, sure. Crisp, why not. Do we keep Anderson? I'm on the fence. I think he might actually be better if he got to play all season. Like I said, I can't really serve up some trades or come up with a new lineup, but something has to be done. Hitting the most homeruns in the majors go us to the playoffs...barely. I don't think it will get us much farther. Hey, is Pods available?

This team doesn't deserve to go to the playoffs. How can they expect to win one game in the first series? Vazquez? Useless. Griffey? Useless. Juan Uribe? Sir Swing-a-lot. Forget it. Throw in the damn towel.

Thank god there's a vent thread! Why can't these guys swing the damn bat at strikes? Why do they watch two fastballs right down the center of the plate and then have to battle a bunch of pitcher's pitches? I've been a Griffey apologist since he was acquired, but no more. This guy is the worst god damn offender of this! Swing the bat, Nancy!

I had the sound turned down right before the game started when they were showing some of the players wearing the Sox hockey jerseys. Does anyone know if those jerseys are available anywhere, or were those just for whatever they were doing with the Blackhawks?