Swingandalongonetoleft

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jan 11, 2009 -> 06:15 PM) You're forgetting we are in the AL Central and that we still face the NL in interleague play... Understood, but we played the NL in 2007 too. It was pathetic and hard to watch. No matter how it looks on paper, it's hard to envision the Indians and especially The Tigers falling on their asses again.

Uribe helped the club, not just last year, but for the better part of his stay. I'm happy he was here for as long as he was, and hope sliding Alexei over for the storied and legendary Getz make me forget his defense/pop. I'd like to eat my words so I invite his contributions, but I'm pretty unconvinced at this guy being anything more than a bench/utility man. Again, hope I'm wrong, cause after all I don't want to wish my team bad.

Yeah, the hype machine on full steam ahead is disenchanting, but the actual direction the team is headed on the ice is promising. Titanic probably looked promising pulling out of port too, until it ran into some ice. All the goodwill and publicity created by this game and the afore-mentioned "Disneyland Experience" will last as far as the team's performance takes them. It works for the Cubs because they are the Cubs. They can bomb and still raise prices for next year (I think their days of 2004 style bad are over for some time to come though). The NHL in Chicago is still behind The Bears, both baseball teams, and while it has gained some on The Bulls, them too.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 31, 2008 -> 05:57 AM) Sign Thomas and Uribe? What? Where would they play, exactly? You said that Dotel and Linebrink were good signings, and then that relief pitchers are "poison" and we should wait on the next Politte/Cotts? I'm not sure I understand. What I meant is Politte/Cotts are essentially my story personified. Spectacular one year and crap not one year down the road.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 31, 2008 -> 05:57 AM) Sign Thomas and Uribe? What? Where would they play, exactly? You said that Dotel and Linebrink were good signings, and then that relief pitchers are "poison" and we should wait on the next Politte/Cotts? I'm not sure I understand. I kid. These two hold a special place in my heart. Thomas can come back as some form of coach, and Uribe needs to come back as Farmer's partner.

QUOTE (bschmaranz @ Dec 31, 2008 -> 12:47 AM) I'm going to assume the Cubs are picking up a large part of Marquis contract so who knows, he might be able to give then some innings for cheap. Vizcaino was pretty crappy last season too. Relievers, though, have this remarkable tendancy to make like a lamb one year, and then a T-Rex with shoulder mounted cannons the next. It's a s***ty job to have to decide on relievers... Guys like Riviera, Eckersley, Hoffman are/were pretty safe to bet on a few years ago. You could trade for/sign one of these guys and not lose sleep. I really don't keep up with stats as much so I couldn't name the best relief pitching at the moment, but rest assured, there is some. And aside from those it's a crap shoot. White Sox/Liney/Dotel. Signing these guys pretty much worked out. IIRC Liney got knocked the f*** out of Miller Park and Dotel didn't exactly shine either, but again, they helped. Stay tuned for 2009. Politte/Cotts? Their story is a summation of what I'm saying. Relief Pitchers=poison. Just sign Frank Thomas and Juan Uribe and waltz your f***ing way to the World Series. Waltz.

The Rocks aren't exactly loaded with arms. Marquis, despite the ERA, isn't someone I wouldn't want as a 4/5 starter (NL-wise). I remember times that he actually helped the Cubs out. Actually have thought the Mets and their taste for mediocrity on the mound sans Santana could have wanted someone like him. He's pretty much on par with the kind of pitchers they run at. Again, despite the ERA, he seems to know how to keep his team in the game. Not having looked at his stats, the thing I wonder about is how he holds up in Coors. Is this the doormat to a Cubs Krazy Eyez Killa/Peavy/Lilly rotation? A Board Game inspired move? I wouldn't mind him and his craziness for one year over on our side of town...

2008 White Sox recap should just be an hour of Carlos Quentin going profundo against Lackey looped over and over again from various angles. It essentially sums up the season. Maybe throw in a clip of Scotty Pods hitting one to right center against the Red Sox in '05 for comedic value. Just cause I f***ing hate the Red Sox and that disgusting movie "Fever Pitch". lol@Scott Podsenik swinging and hitting a long one against whatever clown the geniuflect >RED SOX/Astros threw against this mighty power hitter... The 2008 highlights should also feature Frank Thomas. Just because, and I love Kenny, but am in firm belief that a Thomas/Thome DH platoon would be wonderful, even if it means that MLB's MVP CHRIS f***ING GETZ has to linger in AAA ball. Thomas/Thome platoon= MLB teams denying to pitch to the White Sox and a default WS victory. I have drank, but this is possible.

Let's move Alexei to CF! Chris Getz would own the s*** out of that eleven times.

I'd rather our team gain publicity via winning and success, but I guess this doesn't hurt anything. How about also adding a link to the team photo with G.W.Bush? *edit* Snap, I forgot GWB is responsible for cancer and malaria. Might not want to associate our brand with him! I love it how all the kids (and I'm 22 myself) hold some personal vendetta against Bush. They act like he rang their doorbell, slapped them in the face, and ran away... 100% of the nation's problems cannot be attributed to Bush. He's a good man, and I would love to drink with him one day. So says Swingandalongonetoleft who voted for Obama...

Damn it, Penny could have been had for $5 million? I liked the idea of seeing what he could do over here...

Caught a glimpse of the Cubs recap. Loved every second of them triumphantly glorifying the Cubs sweep of the Sox and fast forwarding to the All Star Game/4 game sweep of the Brewers right after that. I hope the Sox recap doesn't roll like that.

QUOTE (Wanne @ Dec 22, 2008 -> 04:57 PM) Cabrera was an idiot to not accept arbitration IMO....and he would have made this team better despite what a lot of people feel about him. I think so too.

QUOTE (ScottyDo @ Dec 21, 2008 -> 06:17 PM) And WAS Chinese Democracy worthwhile? /hijack Like you wouldn't believe. Hands down the rock album of the year, but given the wait it damn well better have been. Just don't listen to it thinking Slash and Duff are on it. Think of it as an Axl Rose solo album, or how Use Your Illusions (again, minus Slash...) would have turned out if it were released in 2008 instead.

I check Soxtalk just about daily, but not really for any big news, just cause I dig on baseball and this is just about the best thing to satisfy that hunger during the offseason (especially one as cold and f***ing ridiculous as this one has been this far). At this point I'm in a sort of a "surprise me" mode. I don't expect too much to take place until the new year, and even if then. Waiting for the Sox to make a move is sort of like waiting for Guns 'N Roses to drop Chinese Democracy. Hopefully when it happens the wait will have been just as worthwhile.

By 12 AB's I was referring to the presumed starter, Getz. On that same token, why would we bring in Betemit when we could have had Uribe for roughly the same figure? Uribe is older, but not to the point where his age is a factor if you're looking at the realistic length of his would-be deal. He's also a better defender, and can and has covered 3rd, SS, and 2nd admirably, saving our ass as recently as last year. He's shown he can hit when provoked, despite the insistance to the contrary by many here. I just wish that whole Swisher deal never happened. Trading someone coming off the lowest of lows when he could have made the presumed loss of JD easier to swallow for something (Uribe) you could have retained cheaply and some Yankee minor league players... Does anyone think Swisher will bat .200 again next year? Let's also remember that he hit just about everywhere in the order, and did just about everything but pitch on the defensive side of things.

QUOTE (shipps @ Dec 16, 2008 -> 06:31 PM) Uribe would have been a better defensive SS than OC if he would have started this year and no one would have noticed. You hit it on the head. Keeping Uribe around as the utility man instead of some of the current names being thrown around would be great. Who knows, perhaps a Josh Fields, Twig Boy, or 12 ML career AB's fall during the course of the season. Then what? Wilson f***in' Betemit? Keep Uribe, he'll probably come cheap, and has proven himself. Cabrera stepped into a leadoff role and struggled at first, but was one of the reasons the Sox made it to October. The phone calls were cheap, but I liked the intensity (especially the late season episodes). The second Chris Getz is half the ballplayer Cabrera is, I'll eat my words and be glad management went with him. Until then, I would be thrilled to see him back in Charlotte with a serious replacement at second. I was excited about Alexei, Quentin, and am about Viciedo and Beckham, but not Chris Getz. I hope I'm wrong, I really do.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 14, 2008 -> 09:25 AM) I can see the Indians and Twins being ahead of us, but Detroit? Based on what, exactly? Well, based on guys like Granderson, Magglio, M. Cabrera and such being in their lineup. As an afterthough, Owens/Getz v. Granderson/Polanco? Further, after watching our rotation last year there is also really no reason to count any staff out, expecially one that at one point held some promise. You can all but count the Royals out, but other than that, an injury here and there, a bit of overachieving, and all of a sudden you're losing the ALDS 4-1. I like our team, but the play of Floyd, Danks, Quentin, and Ramirez, all essentially enjoying their first year of success, helped us make the postseason. One year means very little. I'll be just as worried about each and every one of these guys on opening day '09 as I was in the early part of '08. I believe they can do it, but wouldn't be my car on it.

Farmer solo. There wouldn't even be a need to watch games on tv, or go to them. I'd welcome DJ to the radio booth.

lol by research do you mean you saw the post above yours?

I just think that if as a rookie he produced, mainly at 2B, you keep him there for the time being simply for the mental security. If it ain't broke... It's likely that at or around the time you're sure about what you have with Ramirez there will be a legitimate replacement at 2nd allowing him to slide on over to short. OF shouldn't even be in the equation knowing that soon enough you may have an infield of Fields/Ramirez/Beckham/Viciedo- assuming they all pan out, but hey, that looks to be the direction management is counting on. Either sign a CF, or wait for BA or even Owens to validate their respective grace periods. And also stay away from Willy Taveras.

QUOTE (Princess Dye @ Dec 11, 2008 -> 10:46 PM) Why do people have a problem with Alexei in CF? IIRC, he had more experience there in Cuba than he did at second base. And he even ended up learning 2b just fine. He'd have the range and the arm. Meanwhile I like Getz over the in-house options at CF. So if we can get Furcal, move Alexei to CF. I think with some, not even too much more time at second he will shine. He's shown flashes of brilliance last year. Let him establish himself on offense (because one great season is NOT establishing yourself) before you start moving him around, and when you do, it can be to short. Some plays were astounding, but there were times that I'd kinda groan. Such things are only to be expected in your first ML season, and will only improve. I for one never get tired of his glove-flips. He'd be hard pressed to do that from the outfield. As far as CF, with the way this offseason is going, why not finally give Anderson the chance to either win the spot long term, or be a career backup. I really don't want Getz, Nix, or Lillibridge to start next year. Or Betemit. My opinion of that group is "backup/utility". Of the group I think Lillibridge has the most promise, and hope he bounces back in ST to give some immediate return from the Javy trade.

Second until Beckham is ready. Ugh@the CF/OF talk.

QUOTE (Jimmywins1 @ Dec 10, 2008 -> 08:40 PM) I've read that Willy Taveras, Tim Redding, Erik Bedard and a few others are non-tender candidates. If we could *sign* Taveras for a reasonable sum I wouldn't be that opposed to it. If he needs to be trade for then I oppose it.

QUOTE (Heads22 @ Dec 8, 2008 -> 09:42 PM) Dear God, i surea ash hell didn't want this to turn into a serious discussion. Just bask in the glow of the magnificent ears. Looks a little bit like a young, white Orlando Cabrera.