southsider17

QUOTE(Man Of Steel @ Jan 23, 2005 -> 01:48 PM) youd rather see the Sox have to play a harder team?? Yeah thats great logic seeing that we obviously havent been able to beat them for years now... YET you want one of the man players in that stretch to STAY!? thats ridiculous Wishing a key player leaves an opponent is a cheap ass (JR?) way of 'improving' your team ("Hey, we just improved our chances of winning the division and we didn't spend a dime!"). It would be nice if we improved our chances by actually improving our team, i.e. - spending more or spending more wisely. Preferably both. If all the Central teams lose key players to the point were we are a lock for the division at 85-86 wins then all that means is we get to lose three more games in October ....... in a row. Let's aim higher.

QUOTE(JUGGERNAUT @ Jan 20, 2005 -> 02:55 PM) It's a lot easier than that. Just compare your deletions & additions to your team avg's from 04. The 04 Sox had a team era of 4.91, gave up (782er, 831r, 799rbi, 50uer) & put up (831r,823rbi). -Sox deletions: Maggs, Lee, & Val. - Sox additions: Dye, Pods, AJP. -Sox deletions: MJ, Grilli, Cotts, ELO - Sox additions: ELD, JC, Herm, Vizc. W/out question the team era is lower. I'll do the numbers later. I love the numbers game. I look forward to it.

OK. Thanks.

Off topic: What is "FWIW"?

QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ Jan 19, 2005 -> 06:15 PM) I'm not saying he isn't trying to get better. I just don't know if he WANTS to get better. Does he truly want it? Eh'...I've said my piece on Harris. You all know how I feel. I can see WANTING to do something but not TRYING to do it. But how do you TRY and do something and not WANT to do it? He went from the 84th pick (I believe) in the draft to the major leagues. It wasn't just on talent or he would have been picked alot higher. He definitely wants it and as you said he seems to be trying. I think for all the bravado he displays, he's still very unsure of himself. His act is just a front to cover that up. And you're not going to live up to any potential if you don't truly believe in yourself .... ESPECIALLY in baseball.

QUOTE(Jabroni @ Jan 19, 2005 -> 07:36 PM) Great signing by the Mariners... http://rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/p...ort=MLB&id=5062 Agreed. This guy used to kill the Sox. I'm surprised he's fallen this far. At that price though, he's well worth the risk. Was kinda wondering why the Sox didn't consider him when they realized the market was a little too rich for their blood. Glad they got The Duke though!

QUOTE(qwerty @ Jan 18, 2005 -> 09:23 PM) Do other people besides me consider contreras our fifth starter? I do.

I say we go with what we've got (considering what's still available) and save the money for a mid year pick-up. With so much of the Sox ??? this year being health dependent it would be nice to now some $$$ is available to afford a replacement.

Twins, Braves and Yankees - Perennial division locks until some team proves otherwise. :banghead

QUOTE(jackie hayes @ Jan 15, 2005 -> 11:31 AM) Yeah, agreed. And to make your point a little stronger, let me add that AJ's rep will be a lot more costly than D'Angelo's. The big knock on D'Angelo was laziness, AJ's more of an out-and-out ass to his own teammates. Which is much worse, imo. I'd say laziness because it affects performance. Alot of good teams have had to deal with asses for teammates.

QUOTE(striker62704 @ Jan 15, 2005 -> 11:08 AM) I said we write a letter to the SF and Oakland papers telling them that we don't care about what AJ did in SF and we don't want to hear anymore of their stories. Then we ALL sign it. I wouldn't sign that. That's pointless. And if you want your news filtered, go live in North Korea. We all know he's a jerk. Just like we all knew Rodman was a jerk. But if he helps us win, who cares?!

QUOTE(beck72 @ Jan 15, 2005 -> 04:52 AM) I think the Sox make a deal like Marte for Castillo in a nanosecond. If KW thinks Iguchi is an "impact player", Castillo is Ty Cobb. The biggest question is would he be available? They're trying to get a public stadium deal [remember--chicks dig the long ball], and what better way than get a big time slugger who also happens to be a native of a country just off the coast of FLA. With a Delgado signing, CAstillo would most definitely be available. The salary relief, near $4 mill. a yr, makes a big difference to a team that counts pennies like the M's. The marlins have Pierre at the top of their lineup [who does many of the same things Castillo does]. LoDuca can hit #2, and Easley can take over 2B, which a Marlins insider had suggested to the Miami Herald--this wasn't me suggesting it [Willie Harris would likely be dealt w/ marte, and can platoon w/ him--this is my suggestion, as Harris makes the minimum and can fit w/ the Marlins, maybe learn a few things from his fellow southerner Pierre] The reason the post-2004 Marte would be available? He has shown he's not closer. And the Sox have two other guys ahead of him as possible closers should Shingo get hurt or be ineffective. No way would the Sox have done something like this going into 2004 with the questions surrounding the bullpen. The sox now have vets filling key spots and guys like Munoz, Adkins and Diaz can battle for the last spot vacated by Marte. It weakens the bullpen a little. But IMO, the overall team is improved, with a guy like Castillo playing everyday. The sox could absorb the loss of Marte, esp with Vizcaino on the team. He's great against LH hitters [like a .160 BAA] and situational LHP's like Cotts and Munoz on the team [who also can pitch more than 1 inning at a time]. QUOTE(beck72 @ Jan 15, 2005 -> 05:56 AM) Thanks. All the pieces seem to be fitting in for the Marlins getting Delgado. They are supposedly close to getting a new stadium deal. What better way of "thanking" FLA fans than by signing a big time slugger. Coming off a Delgado "high", the marlins could deal Castillo quick for salary relief and top bullpen help. Fans won't go crazy, saying goodbye to Luis. Esp. as the big bat is needed more than a tablesetter [FLa was near the bottom of the NL in most power categories, like 12th in SLG]. Delgado + MArte >>> Castillo and the FLA bullpen as is. I just think a deal like this sounds too reasonable--for both FLA and the Sox. Then both teams would be ready for ST. With the questions surrounding POdsednik [will he hit .275 even?]and Harris, the Sox would be more than willing to "overpay" should Castillo be on the block. There's the backup leadoff man/ tablesetter/ #2 hitter the Sox need. Both FLA and the Sox make "win-win" deals, operating under the concept that you have to give up something in order to get something. Wow! Nicely done and very convincing. I'm sold!

QUOTE(babybearhater @ Jan 14, 2005 -> 03:11 PM) I thought we could start a thread dedicated to people who need extra tickets. I have season tickets on the third base side, and sometimes I dont make it to the games because of work and I am left with un-used tickets. I would like a place to possibly let other fans go in my place. Does anyone else like this idea??? I like it. Could we possible set up our own "stubhub.com" on this site for members only? I see that as a win-win for everybody (except maybe for the admins who have to set it up. Maybe free tix for them?)

QUOTE(DonkeyKongerko @ Jan 14, 2005 -> 10:53 AM) I think I found it in an "Alizee Appreciation Thread" on some other message board, possibly nforce.nl. I'm not personally offended by anyone's sigs or avatars but has anyone ever been viewing Soxtalk in public and you feel like you have a porn site up? When people ask, I have to explain what it is I'm actually looking at. If it's the Hot Chick Contest, I point in the other direction and say, "What the hell is that?" and make my escape. LMAO!!!! Thanks.

QUOTE(BlackBetsy @ Jan 13, 2005 -> 08:53 PM) ... and (2) DonkeyKongerko's sig mesmerized me a little too much. For some reason I just watch that chick doing her dance over and over...it's a little weird. Completely, totally, 100% agree. His gets my vote for avitar of the year (and we can retire that award permanently). I just sit there and stare at it. I'd love to know where you got it.

QUOTE(Soxnbears01 @ Jan 13, 2005 -> 08:27 PM) I actually like it w/ sigs...i dunno, it just helps you get more familiar w/ the posters. Agreed. It took some getting used to (coming from much more simplistic boards) but I like it. Now if only I could find the time to join in the fun.

QUOTE(Y2HH @ Jan 12, 2005 -> 04:55 PM) I agree, I'm friends with quite a few very intelligent Cub fans, who also watch other teams/keep track of other teams. Personally, I do not mind Wrigley, definatly NOT a place to bring kids (if you have any), however, for a young adult/adult, it's a great place to watch a ballgame-that is-if you really pay attention to the game. Believe it or not, there ARE Cub fans that do watch the games. Every team has it's fair share of idiots, including the Sox, I really hate it when "fans" of other teams say all Sox fans are thugs, so it's equally annoying when I see people say things like all Cub fans are stupid and don't know a thing about baseball. As a purist fan of baseball, Wrigley IS a great place to watch a ballgame. But Comiskey is still the greatest baseball show on earth. You may now proceed to pummel me for saying the unthinkable about Wrigley. -y2 Y2HH you pretty much hit it on the head. But what's the fun in that. Let the cub bashing continue ....... :fthecubs :sosasucks

QUOTE(Loaiza21 @ Jan 8, 2005 -> 02:18 PM) I wish this would happen. I don't think it will . You mean like AJ? or maybe El Duque?

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Jan 7, 2005 -> 04:28 PM) Welcome to Soxtalk, and excellent first post ! I agree 100%. One thing, though -- Harris shouldn't play 2B when a left-handed pitcher is the starter. Hell, put in Valdez at second against LHP's, but Harris can't start against a lefty... ... which is why I believe we should get Cairo. He hits lefties well. The question is would he come here knowing he may well platoon?

QUOTE(SEALgep @ Jan 7, 2005 -> 02:30 PM) Out of Rowand, Uribe, or Harris, who is your choice. Granted, these aren't ideal options overall, but I have been making my case that Harris in the two hole is a bad idea. Ironically, I've been taking more heat than expected in another forum. So I pose the question here, is anyone satisfied with Harris in the two hole, even if it were a right handed pitcher? You must be talking about WSI (I remember your moniker). I'm one of the few that thinks Harris may turn out just fine BUT ..... at this point in time I would go with Rowand in the 2-hole. He should hit for a good average and he has enough speed to cut down on double plays. Some might bring up his inability to bunt well but I only see bunting situations on very few occasions, late in a game. In those situations, if bunting is so critical, you can pinch hit for him with a designated bunter.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Jan 7, 2005 -> 01:37 PM) So I guess all of that freedom of speech and MYOB stuff was all one sided rhetoric? I was going to bring up something like that SS2k5! Edit: Hey, your avitar is back! Oh, I almost forgot ..... uh ..... the Sox should get Cairo. Yeah .... that's on topic.

QUOTE(3E8 @ Jan 7, 2005 -> 11:26 AM) Do you mean we will go as high as 5 million per year? We are already above 3 million per. No, we're at 2 yrs., $4 mil (that's $2 mil per year).

QUOTE(YASNY @ Jan 7, 2005 -> 10:19 AM) Let's step back and give this offseason another look. We've added Podsednik, Vizcaino, Hermanson, Piersynski, El Duque We've lost Ordonez, Valentin and Lee Considering we knew Magglio was gone and Valentin wouldn't be back, then it's just Lee for all the additions. However, if you look at opening day '04 vs current roster things look a lot different. We have lost: Olivo - The player most consider the best youngster on the ML roster Reed - The player most considered our best prospect Loaiza - A 21 game winner we thought would anchor the rotation. Ordonez - The player most considered our best every day player Lee -- Second to Ordonez Valentin - A mediocre all around ballplayer the last couple of years. We've added: Garcia -- A solid, not great, starting pitcher. Hermanson -- should be a decent addition to bullpen. Emphasis on "should" Vizcaino -- expect more out of him than Hermanson Podsednik -- A big question mark with speed. Contreras -- can be anything from Danny Wright to Cy Young winner. Who knows? Hernandez -- Good pitcher. How much will he pitch? Piersynski -- All Star catcher, clubhouse cancer or something in between. Dye -- Should be ok, IF he can stay in the line up. All in all, I can't give KW more than a C. There are a ton of question marks there and not one STUD player added. Magglio has been a stud for a few years, until he went down. Lee very well might be even more of a stud than he has been. This coming season can be a very good, exciting season. But there is potential there for the season to totally suck. Excellent post YASNY. I gave him a "B" mainly on the El Duque and AJ signings. All the other moves are question marks (could be great ..... could suck ). There are alot of question marks on this team. It could go deep into October if everything goes right or if Crede, Harris, Pods, Uribe and Contreras don't meet expectations then it could be a disaster. But it is a more balanced team than previous teams and with improved defense and, more importantly, pitching depth (if not excellence), I am getting optimistic. I just hope we haven't lost too much offense.

QUOTE(JUGGERNAUT @ Jan 5, 2005 -> 03:28 PM) Where did you read they are trying to move Polanco? I read he accepted arbitration. Didn't read it anywhere but here. It was just someone's suggestion ..... and a good one!

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Jan 5, 2005 -> 03:13 PM) Iguchi sounds very intriguing to me...like he could be a pretty good player for us. However, I gotta ask...having seen our team and seeing how we have a lack of a #2 hitter...wouldn't it make sense to trade for Polanco, who the Phillies are basically trying to move? Dangle Willie and Adkins and have them take on $1.5 mill or so, give or take...have Polanco as your everyday 2Bman, Uribe your everyday SS, with Valdez backing up both of them...and with Polanco and Uribe's versatility, we essentially have our backup 3Bman starting at both SS and 2B. Also, in making that trade for Polanco, we open up a spot on the 40-man for AJP. Probably crazy, and obviously I wouldn't be disappointed if we did sign Iguchi...I just went into my crazy think-mode there for a second. That's brilliant! Polanco would be a huge upgrade over Harris. But I think it would take more than Harris and Adkins. Has Polanco gone thru the arbitration process yet? If so, what's his salary?