The Ginger Kid

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Jan 15, 2013 -> 04:46 AM) This is kind of like asking would you rather win a million dollars or a thousand dollars. this

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 16, 2013 -> 08:07 AM) Not a single pitcher is projected to have an ERA under 3.67 in the pen? Is Thornton going to be on this roster opening day? I seriously thought he would be gone this winter.

I've always marveled at the size of the glove in that era...truly a "mitt"

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Jan 5, 2013 -> 10:06 AM) Sale and Peavy's workloads last year are reason's for pause when thinking this team can win 90 games as well as Konerko's second half. Ah, the "Verducci effect." Haven't seen much discussion about that and Chris Sale, at least not yet.

I think we'll see one or two surprises come spring training. I look forward to seeing guys like Thompson, Mitchell, Sanchez and Danks compete. I'm also looking forward to see if Viciedo takes a big step forward in his 2nd full season. Still have high hopes for that guy.

QUOTE (Chet Kincaid @ Dec 26, 2012 -> 12:36 PM) This is probably the #1 reason I dislike Fisk. Sanders wasn't on his team and Fisk should have minded his own business. Deion Sanders should have told him to GTFOH. Like the d-bag he is, Sanders instead told him "slavery is over." Like Fisk was a racist for yelling at Sanders to run out a pop up.

What a 180 for me -- I used to absolutely hate AJ when he was with the Twins. Now I hate to see him go. I look forward to the salute coming his way when the Rangers visit Chicago next season. Here's hoping Tyler Flowers makes it even easier to say so long.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 15, 2012 -> 06:46 PM) Trouble is... If Miguel Cabrera steps backwards significantly... Torii Hunter and Victor Martinez are two major, major bats that can fill in that blank. Without a doubt the tigers are the team to beat in the AL, and as for the central, someone's gonna have to pull a rabbit out of their ass to stay with them if they play to their potential. I wouldn't count on them underachieving again like last season. But VMart's been out of the game for a year. Hunter's not getting any younger either. Guys that scare me are Garcia and Castellanos. I wouldn't be at all surprised if vmart disappoints.

So Detroit's going to have the same rotation that got swept by the Giants. Cool. While they have to be the favorites going into the season, not just in the central but the entire AL, I think it's a lot to ask for Miggy to repeat his triple-crown season. And no matter how good his mechanics, I believe that Verlander's innings are going to catch up with him eventually.

It's a shame the Sox couldn't have taken a run at Hamilton. I know it doesn't make a lot of sense financially given the tight purse strings of Reinsdorf, but what a splash he would've been. He's the kind of player that puts fans in the seats, not just at home but on the road too.

I think Gordon is the best defensive 2b in the league. There's a lot of value in that, just ask the Sox pitchers.

QUOTE (knightni @ Dec 7, 2012 -> 08:58 PM) South Korea, I assume.

My favorite was Bret Boone. I was in AZ in 2001 for ST and a local station did an interview with Lou about the Mariners and he started laughing about how Boone had put on 25 pounds over the winter and was crushing the ball so far this spring. He said something like "I guess he doubled up on his Wheaties!" and then laughed some more. Then Boone went on that incredible tear, got a big new contract, then, blah blah blah. So blatant.

Good, now maybe we'll be able to beat KC. Couldn't beat them when they were s***.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 6, 2012 -> 09:36 AM) Jeff Passan ‏@JeffPassan Source is also insistent that the Royals are not in the Anibal Sanchez market -- not at five years and $70M-plus, where it stands now. I bet the Dodgers jump on Sanchez now that Greinke is leaning toward Texas.

QUOTE (spiderman @ Dec 2, 2012 -> 10:53 AM) It's still early. He may have had a career season in 2012, but he's still going to have better numbers than most catchers even if he comes back down to a .270, 15 HR and 60 RBI type of season next year. He's also a left handed hitter. I really think some team will give him a 1 year (maybe 2 year deal) for at least what Russell Martin got - maybe he's not a full time catcher anymore, maybe he can get some time at 1B/DH for a team. As for the White Sox, I think it does make sense to pass on AJ. I do think they'd be spending money on past production, not future, and just don't have the money to spend on what likely will be a reduction in his production. If they sign him back, it would have to be a modest increase over last season, and he'd have to agree to 4 days (at most) a week in the lineup since he has a history of wearing down in the 2nd half. With the lack of financial flexibility and the desire to see what Flowers would do with more time, I just don't see a path here for AJ. I love AJ but the law of the wall just isn't in his favor -- at his age, he's due to start dropping off sharply.

AJP is going to be a 36 y/o catcher next season and teams aren't lining up to sign him? Shocking.

...and yet no mention of Sanchez or any other Sox prospects by Verducci in his analysis of the AFL.

I hate the Sox have to play second fiddle to the f***ing tigers when it comes to spending $ for a team

QUOTE (bigruss22 @ Nov 13, 2012 -> 09:24 AM) Because Cabrera was a triple crown winner who can't play defense at 3b. That's like comparing Andre the Giant to Peter Dinklage. Both fine actors. Princess Bride vs. Game of Thrones, The Station Agent, Elf...hmm...tough call

Adding another LH bat...never a bad thing. Wonder if he's going to challenge ADA

Great post and very illuminating. I love the guy but I think we've tapped Thornton for all he's worth, unless he wants to master a secondary pitch. Gone are the days when Matt just aced everyone with his fastball. His slider's unreliable and he doesn't like to use it. The game in NY this year was a prime example, when Tex was just fouling off pitch after pitch, timing his heater until boom, he went yard. And FWIW, Reed only gave up the tying run in that game against LA - Matt gave up the winning run and took the loss.

Youkilis might not have liked it but he sure performed well.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Oct 31, 2012 -> 10:25 AM) Free agency will not be the answer. What about Keppinger from Tampa? He's not a big name but might be serviceable, especially for a team with few options.

Another positive is that this dude works his ass off. We know he has talent, maybe it just took time for it all to come together. If he does have the breakout year we've all been waiting for, look out.