southsideirish71

On the flight back from SFO last night the pilot was asking the passengers if they liked being on the way to the home of the 2016 champion Chicago Cubs. Then talked sweep. I put my headphones on and zoned out from the meatball fest that ensued.

QUOTE (knightni @ Sep 8, 2016 -> 03:34 PM) Former pitcher Mike Marshall has been promoting better pitching mechanics for years, but no one really cares to listen. The movement to do this is happening. Its hard however because traditional methods and mindset is still there. A lot of the marshal drills have been adopted by others like Driveline, Texas Baseball Ranch and others. We use mechanical patterning with plyocare, jaeger banding with a focus on recovery protocols and have implemented pitching limits in our travel baseball organization. There is no reason for youth pitchers to rack up the crazy amount of pitch counts and max effort pitches at an early age. Breaking pitches are forbidden on my team. We shut down our pitchers for months at a time with regards to throwing. We see that after implementing these measures that we don't have arm issues.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 30, 2016 -> 10:18 AM) The funny thing is the Cubs are about to go start their own cable network. If this theory is right, the Sox should be back in no time. I am sure that local cable has a higher subscriber rate than Sportsvision's 20k to 30k.

QUOTE (JUSTgottaBELIEVE @ Sep 5, 2016 -> 12:02 PM) That's a very dramatic post but still doesn't change my stance that signing a few players this offseason and seeing if it comes together during the first half of 2017 is a good approach. If they are out of the race next July then sure tear it up. The Sox aren't losing any players of value this offseason and guys like Melky and Robertson might both be MORE valuable next July then they were this year or this offseason since they will have less money remaining on their contracts. I see no reason to be in a big rush here. This starting staff is going to be really great next season with the emergence of Rodon and Fulmer and possible addition of a capable #5 starter. Fill the holes in CF, C, and DH and see what happens. Players like Moreland and Wieters are not dumpster dives like Rollins, Latos, Avila, etc. but they will require JR to open the pocketbook a bit wider since they are another tier up. Sounds like last offseason. Lets keep rinsing and repeating because its obviously going to work at some point.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Sep 4, 2016 -> 04:07 PM) Whatever. There is no question the Sox need to be deeper. If you have no depth, injuries hurt more. But since the Sox waved the White flag, they re going to lose more games than they would have had they been in contention. Ranaudo and Shileds wouldn't be pitching, and most of these minor leaguers wouldn't be getting a shot. This right now is part of rebuilding, something supposedly many want but constantly complain about when these guys are in the line up. One does not pick up a James Shields because they wish to rebuild.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Sep 4, 2016 -> 10:23 AM) Well, Harrelson did make national news by equating Frazier and Bryant despite 200+ OPS differential. Hawk has done this crap for years. Stats don't matter to Hawk, its only his perception that matters.

Knowing our organization its the next logical hire. Surprised Willie Harris isnt hired as our hitting coach next with Bobby Jenks as the pitching coach.

Apathy. I went from watching every game years ago with a partial season ticket plan. Then to going to some games, still watching it all the time. Then to going to a game or two a year. Now I think I have watched maybe a handful of games this year and went to opening day because the owner of my company gave me tickets. Right now there is no plan. We are just adrift hoping to avoid sinking and our only prayer is if all of the other ships sink simultaneously.

So the play is to pseudo compete for the next few years until anything of value has been sapped of its worth. That should work out well. We can ditch that pesky 1st round pick in 2017 as it wont be protected and get some 30ish NL player to take us to the promised land. When was the last time we had a winning record against our division again. I remember the typical formula to win a division is to actually beat divisional opponents. So whats the plan to address that. Sprinkle some dust on what we have and hope it gets better. Or run a few plan B's out there after the Plan A's sign elsewhere. Its simple. We dont have a plan. We just roll the dice and hope that one time we wind up with the correct amount of momentum, luck and regression from the rest of the pack.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Aug 30, 2016 -> 09:25 AM) I can just imagine that visual....this guy and his kids celebrating at Wrigley Field in October while there's another photo juxtaposed in the Tribune of Guaranteed Rate being carved into the concrete at 35th and Shields. At least he doesn't own Waste Management. Christ the things you worry about. Who cares if he is a cubs fan. Is his cash green? Can it help the club? Thats about as far as it goes on this. its the same principal when players are signed from the local area. OMG was he a cubs fan or a sox fan. Who cares. Am I thrilled with the name. No. Just like I wasn't thrilled with the name when a cell phone company bought the naming rights. The park however looks amazing with the funds the cell phone company paid for the naming of it. All I want is for them to build a consistent winner. If this helps them do that or helps with the ballpark experience then its worth it.

QUOTE (Blackout Friday @ Aug 26, 2016 -> 11:15 PM) Hahn said. I actually know scouts in the Jays system. I worked there for 9 years. They never saw him throw over 90. And besides the fact of all that, the people that behave as though they know it all know the least. I am done with this as I am with this site for a while. Reminds me why I left. Meatball fans with uninformed opinions. Have a good weekend. http://www.bluebirdbanter.com/2016/7/5/120...dominates-again

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Aug 14, 2016 -> 08:30 PM) Bring him back Why?

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Aug 13, 2016 -> 08:22 PM) What makes anyone managerial material? It seems that if you dont win a world series then you are considered a failure. That means 29 of 30 are not managerial ready or qualified People who are typically hired to manage actually have managerial experience in the minors and they have learned their craft. Randomly taking former superstars and just giving them the job gets us exactly into the same position we are in today. If Frank Thomas wants to spend some time in the minors learning how to manage than so be it. Same thing with things like pitching coach and hitting coach. Just because you did something as a player doesn't mean you can teach it or coach it. Some of the best managers have been some of the worst major leaguers or never made it to the majors.

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Aug 13, 2016 -> 08:07 PM) Hire the Big Hurt Exactly what makes Frank Thomas a manager. He played baseball at an exceptional level? Playing the game and being a manager are different skillsets.

QUOTE (Hatchetman @ Aug 13, 2016 -> 02:40 PM) Is Saladino shaky at 2B because of some inherent flaw or b/c he doesn't have much experience there? Its a different arm slot and throw at 2nd. Pivots and double play turns are different as well. Just because you play SS doesnt mean you automatically can play 2b.

Ventura resigned or Aaron Rowand as the next manager. Prospects moved out for aged vets past 30 years old. or No moves besides a minor pieces for the bullpen because they believe 2016 was an aberration.

Amazing how foghorn sprung back to life after they found someone to replace him.

At the Louisville bats game. The pitch clock in the minors is interesting.

QUOTE (South Side Fireworks Man @ Aug 2, 2016 -> 09:15 PM) LOL Hawk said Avi is a five tool player and he still has a chance to make it. All he has to do is continue to listen to Todd Steverson. Say goodnight, Hawk! Well he can join Beckham in the many tool players that are still searching for success.

QUOTE (b-Rye @ Aug 2, 2016 -> 06:10 PM) Sox dont need a total rebuild. Keys to 2016: Injuries: Austin jackson, Putnam, petrika, Avila Implosions: Albers, abreu Misc implosions / DL / disappointment : shields, Navarro, Lawrie, Frazier, Robertson , bench, farm system Biggest -WAR: Robin Ventura With a decent manager this team should be 5-10 over 500, if everything is clicking like it should we're right there with Cleveland WAT

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Aug 2, 2016 -> 02:25 PM) Concise and to the point and correct. You don't give away your core group of players for peanuts just to placate a segment I'd the fan base that melts down after every bad play, every caught stealing, every hit allowed or every loss. Its much better to continue the same course of action and hope for division wide regression and for the annual retread/player over 30 to do their thing on the back of the card and hope for the best. Its really a simple thing. You either have to develop talent in the farm system via the draft and international signing period and then develop them or spend gobs of money on free agents. You cant ignore both and hope that everyone around you fails just enough to squeak out a winning season. Enjoy the 77 to 84 win seasons for the next decade if thats our plan.

They are going for it next year. They will add some veteran to replace Avi. Hahn and KW are looking at the back of the cards and hope for regression from the rest pac k in the AL central Chris Sale will be traded at the trading deadline of his final year after a very public contract negotiation when they will hope for a hometown discount. Basically this isn't going to change until the nepotism gravy train of former sox players having important positions in the organization is over. That is the post Jerry era. There is no plan right now.

QUOTE (Tony @ Aug 1, 2016 -> 02:57 PM) David Robertson, Miguel Gonzalez, James Shields, Justin Morneau, Melky Cabrera are all still here.......why? World Series 2017

Prospects for some random Cincy MLB player.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Jul 29, 2016 -> 08:35 AM) I completely agree, but I'm just saying that Jerry probably thinks why trade those players when he thinks he can win with them in the future. Also Kenny is probably whispering in his ear about how we are primed to win the world series.