Jake

I'm surprised there are that many fans tuned into the rumor mill on this, especially Sox fans

The lottery was supposed to stop the worst few teams from tanking. Instead, 15-20 teams each year are tanking to get even the most miniscule shot at a top 5 pick. This is why the lottery has to go.

Need pitching, but sign Edwin Jackson and trade Garza, Dempster while trying to trade Samardzija

From what Rock was saying, 140 might be our self-imposed ceiling It has also been suggested that Reinsdorf may have been present by way of telephone

QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ Jan 14, 2014 -> 10:20 AM) Honestly he is or should be closer to the 12th option than the 8th. We got 1. Sale 2. Q 3. Johnson 4. Danks 5. Rienzo 6. Paulino 7. Surkamp 8. Chris Bassitt Should all definitely get a shot above him. I would think Beck and Snodgress then too assuming they're ready. Then beyond then I'd rather see Leesman. So he's battling Zach Stewart way down there on my list. Paulino, at least to start the year, won't be available as he recovers from injury. Bassitt probably wouldn't get called up for a spot start or two over Axe since he is still in need of development. The beauty of Axe is that he ought to get you some innings and you don't give a s*** about his development -- getting hammered in the majors doesn't mean anything when it happens to him. And, as we know, under the right circumstances you'll get some chance to win.

He's really not bad depth. If we have to go 8 deep in our rotation for some reason, I'll be happy that the 8th guy is as good as Axe

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Jan 13, 2014 -> 04:33 PM) I actually agree. But if you choose to have the child, you then cant retroactively assert your "abortion right". IE A man within 90 days of learning he has a child may use his "abortion" option. He will have no responsibilities to the child, nor any rights to the child. Seems fair. That would be worth some thought, so long as (like others have said) we make sure that women have the same option. That also means that either the abortion needs to be free for the woman or the man needs to give up the same kind of money she would if she were opting for that procedure. That doesn't really make things equal, since there are all kinds of other physical and emotional risks and costs to an actual abortion, but it is at least a decent gesture. Since the man "opting out" could cause the woman to feel like she needs to abort, that would also play a role in such a rule/law.

The high-end phones need to focus on something other than processing power -- focus on battery life, software, and novel hardware features. They run SO well right now (well, Samsung not as much, but that is another software issue) that they are much better served focusing on other parts of the experience.

I think they thought the team would generate just as much revenue during the extended rebuild

I haven't been super impressed with Wilson's actual production, but he generally gives his team just what it needs. He also has a terrible pass blocking line in front of him and no receiving weapons. I think, from the shoulders up, he is off the charts. He as a very strong arm with a very quick release. Lots to like. Low yardage, but very few mistakes. He has a reputation as an accurate passer, but ranks 17 out 27 in PFF's accuracy percentage (it subtracts throwaways and spikes from your attempts and counts drops as completions). I should also mention that while his pass blockers are regarded as bad and his release is regarded as really quick, he has the longest average time to throw in the NFL -- this is the average time it takes before he throws, is sacked, or begins to scramble. He also has the longest time to attempt, which consider only plays where he throws the ball. Scheme is a variable here, but he is probably holding the ball too long quite often, which is why he has been sacked so much. All in all though, he makes the absolute most of his role. Whether he could do better on a team that needs him to throw for 4500 yards instead of 3300 is yet to be seen. What we do know is that he will give you more production and fewer mistakes per yard than just about anybody.

Makes the most sense for them to compromise and play in the middle

There is nothing that can change onfield outcomes in the way that well-used steroids can. Greenies can increase your focus and energize you in a long season. Andro could give results that would be indistinguishable from what the average person would get by slightly improving their diet or exercise routine. Steroids could turn your shallow flies into homers and do so with little expertise in diet, exercise, or even steroid use -- just use enough of the right stuff, half-ass your post-cycle therapy, and lift some weights. You'll get a lot better. Even better, it will slash your injury recovery time and perhaps an in-season cycle will keep you from that yearly in-season weight loss/nagging injuries. It won't make Reddy or me into an MLB ballplayer, but it can certainly make a marginal MLB player into a highly coveted, one of the best in the league types of player. It can help an aging player be better than he was in his prime. They can make a minor leaguer into a usable MLB player.

My older brothers used to play catch with me and once upon a time they chucked me right into a bedside table. I'm assuming it is the root of all my problems

QUOTE (Reddy @ Jan 13, 2014 -> 12:11 AM) Actual sources. I'm not saying it's unreasonable to believe he's clean -- we see lots of sportswriters voting for him. You just have to recognize that there are reasons for others to not vote for him, which many sportswriters aren't doing...probably due to the widespread suspicion/knowledge among players and writers about his steroid use. There are also probably a few folks that he rubbed the wrong way with his "there is a 'Hispanic conspiracy' against me just because I said all Hispanic players should learn English if they are going to play ball in AMERICA"

He loses his position to a Darin Erstad/Rob Mackowiak platoon by midseason after we rehire Ozzie

If the FO is "doing everything they can to get a top 5 pick" they are waiting for the lottery to end and offering Joakim Noah for one of those picks

In Groce I trust. Losing to NW last year is when I started really doubting him. He'll get the s*** together and get us playing our best ball by the end of the year.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Jan 12, 2014 -> 06:54 PM) I'm guessing that's 20%? lol...yes...20%

QUOTE (DukeNukeEm @ Jan 12, 2014 -> 05:17 PM) Rail releases "studies" like this all the time. CSA, HoS, theyve been aggressively targeting the trucking industry for about 20 years now. Its all bulls***. Besides that almost entirely deals with oversized loads, I never go heavy and if I do I have to get permits for it that are not cheap. the 9600 figure refers to a truck that is not overloaded

Two brothers a few years younger than me back in school were named Vince Lombardi and Brett Favre

Abreu's worst strikeout year in Cuba was 20%, which is just a tick below MLB average. This was when he was 21 years old. In the four years since, he has struck out at a 10.9% rate. I would expect it to go up some now that he won't be getting intentionally walked in 10% of his at-bats. Alexei's and Dayan's K and BB numbers are not much different in the MLB than they were in Cuba, FWIW EDIT: Dunn has to strike out at about 29%-33% clip, depending on playing time, to strike out 200 times

QUOTE (Reddy @ Jan 12, 2014 -> 06:32 PM) So an unnamed veteran and Reggie Jefferson are our sources? That's the best we've got? And a New York sportswriter as well as numerous other sportswriters who can't talk about it on the record since he told them outright? How much do we expect to get here?

I would like the Seahawks, but god damn do I hate Pete Carroll

I'm not concerned with Andro nor am I especially concerned about greenies I'm concerned with this: That's a published excerpt from Jeff Pearlman's book about (mainly) Roger Clemens's career

Contreras had never proven himself over 1300 IP against Japanese League competition -- I know TUC isn't a big "fan" of NPB, but it's way, way better than Cuban leagues. Jose's best year in Cuba was a "meh" season by Tanaka standards. There was a lot more risk with Contreras, who was also substantially older at age 31 when he debuted; you knew you were getting a post-prime pitcher who had only pitched against A-ball competition.