spiderman

What is Vazquez's contract situation ? ? ? ? I guess I could support this somewhat if it's Garland since he wasn't as effective in the 2nd half of the season (he was great in the ALCS particularly), and he wants a long-term deal mainly because of his durability, and one sucessful season. What's the deal with Vazquez ? Two seasons ago, while in Montreal, and even early on with the Yankees, this guy looked like a complete stud, now he's a bottom of the rotation starter who everyone feels should be better. Is his head messed up ? Injuries ?

QUOTE(THEWOOD @ Dec 4, 2005 -> 02:38 AM) Buckeyes are going to a BCS bowl. TOP 4 teams automatic bids!!!!!!!!!! Now that the Buckeyes are automatically in, does this change their likely matchup with ND in the Fiesta Bowl ?

With Ozzie Guillen talking about moving Juan Uribe up to #2 in the order, and Iguchi down, a lineup shakeup is in order. Who bats #3 next season, and why not Iguchi ? Last season, the White Sox did not have a #3 type hitter. This year, they may not again, but what they do have, if healthy, are 2 #4 type hitters (Thome and Konerko). Iguchi would like to bat lower in the order, but I think if that happens, he's probably going to be 6 or 7 (after Dye most days, and flip flopping with A.J). With the way he handles the bat, his ability as a clutch hitter, and the Sox lacking a true #3 hitter, why not give him a shot there ? Konerko can still bat #4, and Thome can protect him at #5. Thoughts ?

Is there anyone available, in the Glendon Rusch mode on the Cubs, who can pitch primarily out of the bullpen, but could start if the White Sox have any injuries in the starting rotation ? Yes, I know we already have 6 starting pitchers, but pitching is what won for us last season, and I don't want to be left short-handed in case of tired/injured arms. I'm not suggesting we spend big money either - maybe find a cheaper alternative out there who can pitch some injuries - I haven't seen a free agent list so I'm not really sure if anyone there can fill this need. One of my concerns about the White Sox is the health of the pitching staff - often at pitching deep into the post-season, a team just falls apart the following season from the workload. Freddy Garcia was tired at the end of last season, and is most likely going to pitch for his country this off-season. El Duque figures to make at least 1-2 appearances on the DL, and Contreras is also up there in age. Garland and Buerhle both seem to have rubber arms, so not a lot of concern there. McCarty and El Duque figure to battle it out for the 5th spot, but I would love to have one more guy available who can start once in awhile if we need to get Garcia/El Duque/Contreras, etc a rest during the season.

I just turned on the radio, and he was saying that the White Sox are looking at Nomar Garciaparra ? OR, did I hear that wrong? Any other interesting nuggets ?

QUOTE(Punch and Judy Garland @ Nov 30, 2005 -> 05:11 PM) Listen, I feel the Eagles were in their right to deactivate and suspend Owens who was a horrible guy for the front office and McNabb to have to deal with. That being said, Dre Bly is getting a pass because the media hates Joey Harrington. What he said was terrible. I like Dre as a player a lot but what he said was not something you can defend. The kicker is the reaction. Over 50 percent of espn.commers feel Bly should NOT be suspended or even fined for his comments!!!!Take the words he used. Now I know that TO was suspended for the summation of his insubordination but if you look at the two incidents-what Bly said was truly worse. Since Harringotn is in limbo there-management is going to ignore it. Matt Millen is a joke for letting Bly get away with this and the sports fans in this country are a joke for thinking this is no big deal. Don't think it's a good comparison at all. Bly and Garcia both made comments that certainly probably deserve fines, but the Eagles had a list of things that TO had done, not just talking bad about McNabb. I know the day SportsCenter had the mediator's decision, there was about 10 things that they knew about....

Just wondering, but are there any other boards similar to this for the Bears, Cubs or Bulls ? Thanks in advance!

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Nov 29, 2005 -> 03:02 PM) Are you serious? Michael Sweetney >>>>> Tim Thomas Thomas doesn't play any defense and doesn't rebound. All he can do is shoot. Sweetney can rebound and score inside. I think the difference is in attitude. Thomas has been known as a player who doens't go all-out, and I think Sweetney has been willing to work hard so far for the Bulls.

Go for the undefeateed season. Rembember people, they have the bye week after Week 17 so it's not like their players won't be getting rest.

I still think some team will sign him in Feb/March after some injury or for an extra scorer on a playoff team - noboby wants to deal with him for an entire season, so maybe if he can still score, some team would take a shot.

QUOTE(kyyle23 @ Nov 29, 2005 -> 10:31 AM) I have also heard that Pax loves Peja. I bet it is hard not to like a guy who can score as easy as Peja. I was just giving my opinion on him, I dont know any insider info. If the Bulls could get Nene, that would be fantastic. Although the guy has had some problems with the knees, when he is healthy he is quite a load in the paint. Although I wonder what would happen to the starting lineup should Nene come to the Bulls. Would Nocioni, Sweetney, or Chandler go to the bench? Personally I would say Chandler, but the Bulls arent going to pay Tyson starter money to be the 6th man. Signing Peja would be a mistake. He's 29 years old right now, doesn't play defense, and doesn't play with injuries. We already have Luol Deng at SF - he looks like he's going to develop into a really good NBA player. Al Harrington should not be signed as our answer at PF, and Nene is out for the season. Now, if we can sign Nene at a discount, I may be interested, but this guy hasn't done that much in the NBA up to this point as well. Our biggest piece is Tim Thomas' $14 contract that expires at the end of the season, and the Knicks #1 pick. If we can find a team willing to trade a proven player, specifially a C/PF, for cap flexiblity, that may be our ticket.

QUOTE(maggsmaggs @ Nov 28, 2005 -> 07:38 AM) Michael Irvin needs new friends. Does anyone actually believe his explanation ?

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Nov 28, 2005 -> 12:10 PM) I've made this point before, and I'll make it again...it is absolutely useless to compare the "Unemployment" numbers published by the government between even the early years of an administration and the later years of that same administration. This goes for Clinton, Bush 1, Bush 2, etc. Why? Because the "Unemployment" numbers published by the government don't really measure the number of people out of work. They measure a certain subset of that group; the unemployment percentage numbers specifically exclude the long-term unemployed (people who haven't been able to find work for many months), those on any sort of disability or government assistance, or those who are getting any sort of education (i.e. you lose your job and go back to school). All of these groups have significantly inflated under both Clinton and Bush 2, which has allowed both administrations to claim that the unemployment percentages say that either the economy is doing great or is really not that bad...when in reality all they've done is exclude enough people from the count so as to make it look better. Furthermore, there is no way to gauge the percentage of "Under-employment" in this country either - people with high level degrees stuck working at WalMart, that sort of thing, which can be just as much a drag on the economy as the former. Those unemployment numbers are the same ones that many, don't know about you, pointed to during the Clinton years, and now point away from during the Bush years.

QUOTE(Steve Bartman's my idol @ Nov 28, 2005 -> 10:00 AM) True...but the current administration has wasted billions of dollars on "pork", and the only people who have benefitted financially during the Bush years have been the wealthy. (I sure as Hell haven't benefitted!) If you look at the actual numbers, you'd see the economy is actually performing well (not great) and unemployment is very low right now - if it was this low during Clinton's years, you'd probably be bragging about it. I do agree that this adminstration needs to cut back on it's spending.

QUOTE(Steve Bartman's my idol @ Nov 28, 2005 -> 09:58 AM) One word answer...NEED. Poor people need the money and opportunities...the wealthy don't NEED, they want. Full blown socialism. If you make above a certain limit, then any remaining money should go to people below a certain limit. At least you seem to be admitting it.

QUOTE(nitetrain8601 @ Nov 28, 2005 -> 12:14 AM) They want a team under 40 mil preferably, not 20. Why are we still talking about Juan Pierre ? Yes, Florida wants to move him, but the White Sox seem committed to Brian Anderson. What am I missing ?

QUOTE(Texsox @ Nov 27, 2005 -> 03:16 PM) Why should he cut taxes while *increasing* expenses? You do realize we are borrowing hundreds of billions of dollars, and somehow some people think that other people will magically arrive to pay the debt. If it isn't the taxpayers with the most resources, who will be paying all this back *plus* interest? I believe that the tax cuts are a stimulus, but I also believe we need to cut spending, and spend the money we do more responsibly - sounds simple, but the government is constantly waisting our tax money.

QUOTE(Steve Bartman's my idol @ Nov 27, 2005 -> 11:49 AM) He inherited a federal surplus of SEVERAL billion dollars, and turned that into a deficit of SEVERAL billion dollars. He also inherited an economy that was on the downturn. Do you deny that ? 9/11 didn't help either.

QUOTE(Steve Bartman's my idol @ Nov 27, 2005 -> 11:50 AM) Why should wealthy people who don't need the money get tax refunds? They're the ones paying the taxes ? Who are you to decide that somebody doesn't deserve their tax money back ? Why does a poor person who may not even pay federal taxes get that money ?

QUOTE(JimH @ Nov 26, 2005 -> 09:36 AM) Interesting discussion here. My guess is Guillen wants speed and contact from the 4th OF spot. I agree that Timo has run his course and they should find someone else. Borchard is an option. It really comes down to his value, is it more to the White Sox or could they get something of value in trade? If they plan to let Anderson and Owens battle it out for CF does the 2nd place finisher stay as the 4th OF, or is it too risky to have two rookies? KW is also looking for some 3B insurance incase Crede needs some time off. During the trade season last August, there were rumors of Borchard going to SD for 3B Sean Burroughs, as he is in basically hte same position that Borchard is in Chicago - high expectations, but failed potential.... Interesting to see if that becomes reality as both players could use a fresh start.

QUOTE(ZoomSlowik @ Nov 22, 2005 -> 01:24 AM) Interesting note on ESPN Insider. One of their NBA experts (not sure who, don't really care) seems to think that we might trade Luol Deng for some size during the season. While this originally upset me, he then noted that he seems to think we're getting Peja in FA. Now I don't know what to think. Yeah, that Stojakovic rumor won't go away since he made comments about playing in Chicago. Not that Stojakovic isn't a good player, but we don't need a small forward - Luol Deng is going to be, and already is, a fine NBA player who I wouldn't be surprised if he gets to a an all-star game or two down the road. The Bulls, IMO, should have gone after Jamal Magloire when he was available. Looking at the free agent market, we have lots of money to spend, but nobody to spend it on. Nazr Mohammed should not be given big money (someone will though, I"m sure), and Al Harrington is an undersized power forward - I don't want him at big money either. Our biggest chip has to be Tim Thomas, who makes $14 million - if we can find a team willing to trade an all-star PF/C for cap flexbility and a #1 draft pick, that may be the route to go. That's why I believe if Minnesota/Kevin Garnett need a shakeup, the Bulls COULD be a player. We can give Thomas' $14 million, the Knicks 1st rounder (should be a top 10 pick), our own (probably #15-20 overall) and see where that gets us - I'm guessing Minnesota would also want a Deng or Gordon back as well.

QUOTE(Steve Bartman's my idol @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 11:21 AM) Okay then...let's nail the unemployed, the homeless, the disenfranchised, the uninsured, etc., Let's let the fatcats like Bill Gates, Donald Trump, the Waltons sit in their ivory towers and make billions of dollars virtually untaxed. Let's let Exxon destroy Alaska.... Bush only cut taxes on those who were paying taxes - I don't think most homeless people are actually paying federal taxes. Why should people too poor to pay federal taxes get a tax refund ?

QUOTE(Steve Bartman's my idol @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 10:18 AM) In my humble opinion, Bush II is the worst president in my lifetime (since 1964). He has trashed the economy, the environment, kowtowed to "Big Business", his foreign policy sucks, he has continued to f**k the poor, he screwed up re. Iraq, etc. Other than that, I guess he's been okay. :puke Bush! How has Bush trashed, as you say, the economy ? He inherited an economy that was on it's way down, and had 9/11 in his 1st year, and yet had the shortest recession in history. Yes, the economy can always be better, but it's been a solid, not spectacular, economy under him.

The Blue Jays are not a big market team, they finally open up their wallet, and this is what they do ? I'm not going to rip B.J. Ryan - yeah, he's a good pitcher, and has been for about 3 seasons, but didn't they let their franchise player, Carlos Delgado, walk away last season ?? Have they signed Vernon Wells to a long-term deal yet ?

Cedeno and Walker are not BOTH going to be traded, and it would be very shocking for the Cubs to move Cedeno given the way the Cubs feel about him. That article is FALSE - and I'm not a Cubs fan.