Balta1701

QUOTE(redandwhite @ Mar 8, 2006 -> 02:53 PM) I like the trade aswell. I just don't think its a fleecing, which has been my stance from the start. Well, IMO, that depends on 2 things...1 Baj's performance, and 2. your definition of a fleecing. If Baj works his way down to an ERA of 3.00 or lower at some point in the next few years, which he has the talent to do IMO, then this trade could look pretty fair. But if Baj can't get it below 5, getting anything for him is pretty much a fleecing.

QUOTE(TheDudeAbides @ Mar 8, 2006 -> 02:29 PM) Does anyone have the box set? I was just wondering if it included all the post season games (12) on there. Thaks again TDA No, no one here has it yet, legally. It will not be released until March 28th. Here is your description of what it contains.

QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ Mar 8, 2006 -> 02:41 PM) Keith, when I was going over the roster an hour or two ago, I'm came up with 23 as well. For me, that's adding up to 25. That look about right to anyone else? Those are the numbers I've been tracking. It's possible something could change, for example...I didn't see "The Widge" coming as a backup until he was named the backup over Davis and Burke last year, so it's always possible there could be a surprise.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Mar 8, 2006 -> 02:37 PM) Gload - Provides depth at 1B and LF (though, he should be used sparingly in LF). I know people like to say that Mackowiak can backup at 1B, but he's played five games there in his career. I'd venture to guess that he's a much better defensive firstbaseman than Mackowiak, and Gload is *arguably* the best hitter off the bench. Do not forget...we have 2 first baseman in front of Gload...and they're the 2 best hitters on our team barring a full season of the Rally Crede. Even if Mack is our only backup 1b option in the big leagues, we'd have to have 2 people go down before that even becomes a question, 1 of whom played 158 games last year. The only way we need a Gload is if Thome or PK cannot stay healthy. And in that case, hell, we'd be in a lot of trouble anyway.

QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ Mar 8, 2006 -> 02:37 PM) Good point. You never know, Brees might be the guy. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but, hasn't it been reported that the Vikings were showing interest in Brees weeks ago? Wasn't that kind of the starting point for all this...kinda got the ball rolling? If I'm the Bears, I'm worried if Brees ends up with the Vikings. The guy is a straight-gamer and if they surround him with the right pieces, they could be a dangerous team for the next few years. If you sign Drew Brees, draft DeAngelo Williams, and get some type of package for Culpepper, you got something to run with right there. Even if the Vikes don't wind up with Brees...the Bears really should be looking over their shoulder. Both the Vikes and the Packers have a ton of salary cap space this year even if a new CBA isn't signed, and if a lot of names wind up on the market they are both in a position to really cash in. And the Packers suffered through an absolutely ridiculous number of injuries last year too. The Bears really need to focus on winning next year. Which means they probably need to gamble on Grossman again, but find a better backup if one's available (and several are certain to be), fill in the TE slot, find another wideout, and improve their DB's. And they really shouldn't try to do anything but the TE with a rookie, unless they're just shooting for depth.

Former Naval Secretary (under Reagan) James Webb has thrown his name into the senate race in Virginia. Bush stays in the 30's and we have a real shot at that one now.

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Mar 8, 2006 -> 02:30 PM) Gotta love that .687 OPS! That's Neifi Perez territory! When you have the 3-4-5 combo that Boston has...you can have Neifi Perez clones playing 3 positions, and if they still catch the ball, you won't be all that mad.

QUOTE(fathom @ Mar 8, 2006 -> 02:28 PM) Wow, I didn't know he went from 23 to 5 homers last year. I always thought he was a potential juicer. Yet his batting average also went up considerably last year over the 23 home run year. Could very well have been a different hitting approach. But yea, could also have been something else.

QUOTE(WCSox @ Mar 8, 2006 -> 02:15 PM) Fair enough. But why didn't the victim's friend tell the police chief that he was wrong about the HIV? It's entirely possible that he didn't know for certain that the deceased wasn't...but if he was trained in CPR (which he was), he certainly knew to check the mouth first. Also, it sure sounds in his side of the story like he was resisting the police officer's attempts to stop him, with the officer "Pulling" him away. Doesn't sound like the type of scenario where either side is doing much listening.

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Mar 8, 2006 -> 02:22 PM) Yeah, I guess he must have cleared waivers then. I'm surprised that no team claimed him as a LOOGY at the very least. This has to be one of those cases were KW was able to sneak him through waivers without anyone noticing, or in some way where people knew he wanted to keep him and would pull him back if someone made a claim, or something crazy like that. Heck, just from having thrown an inning in ST, people who need a lefty would have risked it.

QUOTE(redandwhite @ Mar 8, 2006 -> 02:23 PM) My reasons for why this is not a fleecing and just an above average move were listed in my original post. I think it's a hefty dollar amount for someone of Cintron's caliber at his age, and considering he wasn't necessarily needed, I hate seeing Baj, a favorite of mine, leave this organization. He's 27. Turns 28 in December.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Mar 8, 2006 -> 02:21 PM) If Gonzalez is the best defensive SS in the game, Cintron isnt much far behind. Rock, you should know as well as all of us that the stat packages we see for defense just aren't up to snuff with the ones we see for offense in terms of evaluating talent...yet. There's only so much you can draw from RF and ZR.

QUOTE(redandwhite @ Mar 8, 2006 -> 02:21 PM) Thanks for supplying us with some examples. Juan Uribe. Cesar Izturis before he was hurt. 2 years ago: Edgar Renteria. Orlando Cabrera. And I think the Pirates have a good one too. But you are right...he's in the top few.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Mar 8, 2006 -> 02:16 PM) By solid I'm talking an ERA in the 4's and I think he can do that. I don't think he'll ever be great, but I think if given a shot he'll spend a considerable amount of time in the back of bullpens at the major league level. I think it should be noted the last guy I kind of got ticked that we gave up was Majewski and he would be looking real good about right now. I think I was about the only person anywhere dissapointed when he was dealt. I don't think Baj will be as good as Maj (Maj has better stuff) but Baj will be alright, especially compared to some of the stuff the Dbacks were rolling out. I am perplexed at how quick the team dumped Munoz. An ERA in the 4's for the NL really isn't that good. Better than what Arizona had last year, but when they're not facing DH's, the numbers should go down quite a bit. If I'm in the NL and want a "Solid" reliever, upper 3's to low 4's. Hell, Latroy Hawkins had an ERA in the high 3's last year for the Cubs, and look what he got.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Mar 8, 2006 -> 02:12 PM) Technically, for the final bench spot it is a decent amount. The Dbacks saved some cash and its why they made this deal. They are also getting a guy who should be solid in there pen. Given what we've seen from him, do you really think he'll be "Solid"? I think he'll be an improvement over the mess they had last year, but I think "Solid" is probably the best they should hope for from Baj, given how hard we've seen him be hit. I hope I'm wrong, but he just hasn't proven it to me yet.

QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ Mar 8, 2006 -> 02:09 PM) I'm guessing they'll hand the 2006 team over to Brad Johnson and they'll look at an Omar Jacobs, Brodie Croyle, or the like to groom for the future. Usually, these new head coaches like developing their own signal-caller. I could be wrong. They could absolutely look at Brees or Ramsey, but, that's not the vibe I'm getting. If Brees doesn't end up in Miami, Culpepper will. The Vikes should REALLY want that to happen, IMO. The Culpepper in Miami thing, that is. Personally though, I just don't see the Vikes getting to the point in the draft where they can find a guy to replace Culpepper in the next year or two. We saw them perform with Johnson...if they come out and are a .500 team for the next year or two, then they won't have a shot at a top-tier QB unless it's through FA. And given how many QB's are out there right now, and the fact that they have a metric f***ton of salary cap room this year, I think this is the year they should make a run at a new QB if they're moving Daunte.

QUOTE(longshot7 @ Mar 8, 2006 -> 02:05 PM) now 5-zip Canada. Leiter in to pitch, gives up 2-run single. It says so much about the WBC that the U.S. has to use Al Leiter on its pitching staff. Don't like 300 pitchers have to say no before you get to Al Leiter?

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Mar 8, 2006 -> 02:05 PM) RNW, would you rather have Alex Gonzalez, or Alex Cintron? I'm not RNW but I'll answer this some...depends on what I need him for. If I need a starting SS and I have Manny and Big Papi, I take Alex, simply because I'm going to win more games with the defense than I am with a slightly better bat. If I have Uribe at shortstop and Iguchi at 2nd and want someone to come off the bench, I take Cintron, since I just need a serviceable backup who can carry a bat.

By the way, has anyone else noted that Arizona is a great place for Baj to try to develop...simply because he can't be any worse than the guys they ran out there in their bullpen last year? It's simply impossible. They could have used Kevin Walker, IMO.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Mar 8, 2006 -> 02:01 PM) Addy, I know there was some stuff in KC (after he made an error) to the effect of, "well, when you're only playing two days a week, it's tough". But I've never really gotten the Willie Harris-type-attitude-problem-vibe from Gload. That was the only thing I've ever heard Gload say, and it sure sounded to me like it had nothing to do with attitude...he sounded just pissed off at himself that he didn't make the play & it cost us the game. But then again, the moment that happened...people jumped on him for having a "bad attitude", and I still don't have a clue why, so my best guess is that there's more underlying it than just that quote.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Mar 8, 2006 -> 01:23 PM) Daunte Culpepper released a statement to ESPN that asked the Vikings to trade or release him. The ugly situation appears to be past the point of no return (to Minnesota) for Culpepper. "Now that I have confirmed that the Vikings have been seeking to trade me, I have asked for permission to speak to the interested teams. The Vikings have denied my request. If a trade does not happen then I am asking the Vikings to terminate my contract as soon as possible." I really have a feeling the Vikes are going to regret the moves they've made recently, especially with him. They better think they can land Brees.

QUOTE(EvilJester99 @ Mar 8, 2006 -> 12:44 PM) I would much rather the Bears go after Brees but typical Bears they will go the cheap route and not want to challenge the "Great" Rex Grossman..... Brees only makes sense if the league comes to an agreement and sets up the higher cap, giving the Bears lots of room to hold onto the guys they do have. The Bears have multiple other needs they can fill through FA...especially in the secondary. Ramsey makes sense to me as a backup. But I wouldn't want to give up a 3rd round pick for him without getting another pick back, maybe in the 4-5th rounds also. Not if it's just a salary dump.

QUOTE(Gene Honda Civic @ Mar 8, 2006 -> 01:57 PM) LOL great defense by Owens Time to put him in CF?

RNW is technically correct, Crisp does have a higher career OBP....320 versus .332, with roughly the same number of at bats between the two.

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Mar 8, 2006 -> 01:51 PM) Agreed, the roster looks all but set to me as well. Now let's just get everyone pitching and hitting like it's the regular season some time before April 2nd, and I'll be happy.