Harry Chappas

QUOTE(fathom @ Dec 15, 2007 -> 01:14 PM) I thought Santana showed some significant signs of slowing down last year in terms of homers allowed and velocity. Not that it matters with the Sox, as they have zero chance of acquiring him in a trade, and if Santana did become a FA, there's no way we'd outbid everyone. I agree with you. I also would like to see his last two seasons numbers against the Sox and against every otehr team. The AL Central could also lose CC after this season could they not? I think these are the reasons this division could really turn quickly.

Have the Cardinals done anything to improve team? Their fans seem to be getting a royal screwing.

I personally think that the Astros are a-lot better (I like Tejada) and the NL West could be the toughest division in baseball if the Padres and Giants play to their potential. I think the GM's in the NL are finally realizing it is not that hard to win that league. I personally think if the Brewers improve and the Reds take a run at Bedard, the cubs could be real trouble. If Suppan, Sheets and Capuano stay healthy and pitch to their potential and the pen lives up to their salaries the cub could be the about as good as the Sox in their respective league. The cubs were farily healthy last year and could start to age from Lilly, Ramirez, Lee and Soriano.

QUOTE(iamshack @ Dec 14, 2007 -> 11:12 AM) Well, the other side of the coin is that people who are going to make these claims should be a little more responsible in doing so. Find some proof before you attempt to tarnish someone's reputation. Simply because these players are in the public view doesn't mean their reputations should be tarnished or even shattered based simply on blind speculation or the word of convicted felons. Also, I have to say I am a bit disappointed in the Mitchell Report. The evidence presented against the players is primarily the word of two men- two charged with felonies, no less- and one of those men only offers up hearsay evidence. I think it's unfair to name these players without a more encompassing report released simulataneously. What this has done has managed to ruin (or severly damage) the reputations of some players, but not others, simply because those named in the report happened to be contacts of the distributer that happened to be caught. This Report basically slays the players who happened to work with the guys they caught, and I think it's implications are far too reaching to release it publicly, while the players who work with the guys they haven't caught are implicated in very little or nothing. How are checks written for a few thousand dollars not proof? So because their supplier was busted but others were not they should be freed.

QUOTE(jackie hayes @ Dec 14, 2007 -> 11:03 AM) "Equally concrete"? Some of the "evidence" is as concrete as water. Jack Cust -- Larry Bigbie recalls that Cust told him he had tried steroids. Do I trust that? Even if I did, In the pros? In high school? Wtf kind of "evidence" is that? Read the report, Balta. Many of the accusations are based on VERY weak "evidence". And, asking people to prove something didn't happen is just asking for the impossible, as you damn well know. All of the players could have responded to the investigators and said, "I did not say that" or "that did not happen". This report is not some author making things up. Everybody had the opportunity to defend themself and choose not to. What is the deal with Clemens trainer? Has he been busted for something I had never heard his name before. In the slander and libel case the person making the accusations has to prove his position. If McGwire sues Canseco, Canseco has to prove McGwire did steroids. Sure much if it can be hersay but if Canseco does prove his case what happens.......McGwire is proven in court to be a user. The question I have never seen asked of Bonds, "If you were unknowingly given steroids, why did you not sue the party that gave them to you and ruined your reputation?" same thing with Sheffield.

QUOTE(Soxbadger @ Dec 14, 2007 -> 01:23 AM) Ive heard the word hearsay thrown around so many times today its insane. The Mitchell Report is the equivalent of an indictment, its not absolute proof, you dont get any chance to defend yourself. But its interesting how people respond so differently. Good day for Bonds fans. And I dont know what this ESPN Law anaylst is saying about slander/defamationthe standard is not reasonable basis, its a reckless disregard for the truth, because the athletes are all public personalities and therefore held to a higher standard (have to prove malice.) They all had the opportunity to respond to the inquires and declined. It is the same thing with slander they have to contest that what is being accussed is wrong. There has to be some proof to this and there was and it is in the report. These are not baseless allegations. The Pettite and Clemens information is really damning as this was not Radomski though I am not sure went that trainers crime was. They were asked to respond and declined.

This whole thing is a fluff piece IMHO that will not be used to do anything other then an MLB CYA with Congress and a tool to try and get as much testing through the MLBPA as possible.

It will be interesting to see if there is a reaction to Frank Thomas from this. I would hope he would be viewed as a true clean player that put up great numbers. Hopefully he is rewarded for an honest opinion and Bud gives him the 2000 MVP and he becomes a first ballot HOF member. Anyone find it odd that the White Sox are not as outspoken about the issue now as they were a few years back. I guess Frank lead that charge. Think he could have been a better hitter than Bonds if he juiced?

QUOTE(SoxFan562004 @ Dec 13, 2007 -> 07:44 AM) I think other details are rookie and light skined african-american She backed off rookie and said younger.

Do people expect him to say, TOTALLY FICTIOUS POST BTW: "We are hoping to trade Brian Roberts for Lance Broadway but the O's want Gio and although I do not think Gio will be productive at the MLB level I think we can fleece a team for a player better than Brian Roberts. You know, Brian Roberts is in the Mitchell Report as a possible steroid user which is funny because Frank Thomas isn't and I saw him and Konerko shoot up prior to the 2003 season with Magglio and Lee." Come on.

Anyone hear the quote from Boras stating that there is no due process and essentially there is no validity to the report at all. I wonder how many of his guys show up. I can think of at least a handful.

I think Tejada is in the Mitchell report and the Astros have to just say "so what we need the production and to hell with the PR". If Matsui, Bourne and Tejada live up to expectations, the Astros have the best line-up in the NL Central when you include Lee, Berkman, and Pence. That is as good a 1 through 6 as the NL has to offer. Didn't they get a 3B decent spect from the Phils and Ausmus is servicable at C. They could be headed in the right direction if they get any pitching. Bring back Roger!!!!!

I assume it was Lisa Lapanelli (sp?) on the Howard Stern show stating that she slept with a young, black non-starter on the Bears when the team was in Phillie who has/had an ankle injury? Not sure who

What is really sad is that I thought the Sox wanted to get Adam Everett in a trade. It appears he will be non-tendered.

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Dec 12, 2007 -> 10:32 AM) They have a Q&A on Saturday and Sunday. I have went to the Saturday one for the last 6 years. I know but I work downtown and it is an easy thing to hit on a Friday night. I thought the set up last year was really bad and I guess now I just don't think it is worth it. The rooms were to broken up last year and there did not seem to be a fluid comfortable feel to the whole thing.

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Dec 12, 2007 -> 01:38 AM) Well you are in for a treat. The Q&A session should eclipse the pre-WS years. I am going to go just for the comedy value alone. I don't think you can even get in to Friday without the "nice" hotel package. That is the only day I go so I guessthis may be the first time in about 8 years I may miss.

Oakland loves the White Sox farm system.

In professional sports "ceilings" and talent outweigh production. The flaw in White Sox drafting is to draft projectable guys not ceiling guys hence they pass on Garza for Broadway, how did that work out. Teams want the flash which Bedard can give you as oppossed to the production which Buerhle and Garland give. Has Bedard ever thrown 200 innings in a season?

I posted this in an other thread. Why is no NL team going all out to win now? The cubs are closest but they are not gettting exactly what they need. There are a ton of teams that are missing a piece or two but know they do not need to get it to succeed. The NL palyoffs were a disgrace and they could be worse this year. The things the Dodgers do is mind numbing. Arizona needed bats so what are they going to do.........go after pitching. It seems that the NL is afraid to give up young players in trades. I believe the reason for this is they do not have to. They can go cheap and be successful. Am I crazy to think that the talent in the NL is so weak that the really good hitters and pitchers become extremely overrated because they get to face substandard talent? The AL runs a good team out there just about every night while the NL barely has a good team. For every Aaraon Harang, Jake Peavy and Brandon Webb there are three Cory Lidle's and Jeff Suppan's. I really think the stats can almost be skewed based on ths differntial in talent in the AL and NL.

If the report by the Royals manager who noted that Fukodome is nothing special are true and I thought his numbers were below those of Iguchi while he was in Japan, is $12.5M for 4 years obsurd? How does OBP actaully seem to translate to the US? Although I do not beleive he is worth the 4/$50M the Sox still need to do something.

QUOTE(knightni @ Dec 10, 2007 -> 04:08 PM) The 2003/04 offseason was our time of Colon Cleansing. Let's not repeat that mistake again. What was the mistake with getting Colon? He pitched very well especially down the stretch and his Septemebr at least kept it interesting. If Loiaza doesn't wet himself in September that team could have done something.

Starting pitching market will get hot Ken Rosenthal FOXSports.com, Updated 14 hours ago STORY TOOLS: This could be the week when the starting-pitching market begins to shake out. The week when Japanese free-agent right-hander Hiroki Kuroda signs with the Mariners, Dodgers or Diamondbacks. The week when the Diamondbacks or Indians trade for A's right-hander Dan Haren. Maybe even the week that the Mariners or Dodgers obtain Orioles left-hander Erik Bedard and some team finally acquires Twins lefty Johan Santana. The trade of Haren could happen first — and the Diamondbacks and Indians, two clubs deep in young talent, are in the best position to make a deal, according to major-league sources. Once Kuroda signs and Haren is traded, the A's Joe Blanton would become the best right-hander available in trade or free agency, giving general manager Billy Beane greater trade leverage. From every indication, Beane is poised to acquire younger players and gear toward the opening of Cisco Field in 2011. Such a rebuilding program would raise questions about the A's interest in Barry Bonds, who would fit with the club only if it planned to contend. The Diamondbacks' offer for Haren is believed to include Class AAA outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, Class AAA second baseman Emilio Bonifacio and Class AA left-hander Brett Anderson, among others. The Indians' advantage is that they can offer superior major-league ready pitching, including righty Adam Miller, who projects as either a top-of-the-rotation starter or closer, and lefty Aaron Laffey, a sinker-baller who could develop into another Mark Buehrle. Haren, the starting pitcher for the American League in the 2007 All-Star Game, could form a potent trio with C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona in Cleveland — and protect the Indians against the loss of Sabathia as a free agent at the end of the season. Or he could combine with Brandon Webb to give the Diamondbacks a formidable 1-2 punch at the top of their rotation — a rotation that also would include Doug Davis, Micah Owings and possibly Randy Johnson. Haren's contract makes him a bargain: He is signed for $4 million in '08 and $5.5 million in '09, and his deal also includes a $6.75 million club option for '10 that could become guaranteed if he pitches a certain number of innings. Bedard is under control for two more seasons and his salaries will be higher in arbitration. The teams interested in him include the Mets, Mariners, Dodgers, Reds and Cardinals. The Red Sox and Yankees also like Bedard, but it is doubtful the Orioles would trade him to an AL East rival. The Reds are heavily interested in Bedard, sources say, but unwilling to part with prized outfield prospect, Jay Bruce, a potential deal-breaker. The Dodgers can offer perhaps the strongest proposal, but they have yet to complete a major off-season trade in Ned Colletti's two years as GM, preferring to sign free agents and hold their prospects. The Mariners could be the team to watch — they want to trade for Bedard even if they sign Kuroda, and they're signaled a willingness to part with outfielder Adam Jones, who is perhaps the most attractive young player the Orioles could acquire in any deal. Jones, frequently compared to Torii Hunter, could become the Orioles' biggest African-American star since Eddie Murray. The inclusion of right-hander Brandon Morrow and/or catcher Jeff Clement would make the deal that much more tempting for Baltimore. The Orioles, according to sources, also are entertaining the idea of packaging Bedard with shortstop Miguel Tejada to yield an even higher return. Such a proposal would make particular sense for the Dodgers, who have the need for both players and the young talent to make such a deal occur. Finally, there is Santana. The Red Sox continued to talk with the Twins over the weekend. The Mets desperately want to be in. The Yankees refuse to rule themselves out. It still seems likely that Santana will be traded, likely that he will sign a monster extension, and likely that the biggest moves in the baseball off-season are yet to come. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If the Indians get starting pitching I will finally agree with the blow it all up theory. If the D'Backs, Reds and Mets get involved the NL could get a lot tougher. I reallly do not know why NL teams are not making big moves. The NL is so winnable right now that a big trade can win it all. Any of these three guys would be really big for the Sox. Minnesota may have it right again and the Sox will sit in second or third while they continue to "try" and reload. The problem with KW is he is "trying" to go for it without doing anything about it.

QUOTE(Al Lopez's Ghost @ Dec 9, 2007 -> 01:26 PM) ESPN News today is saying that the Reds are confident they will obtain Bedard. I wonder if the media storm will rain down on the cubs for not making moves as the Brewers will be better simply by gaining experience while the cub will be older and the Reds have made some nice moves if they make this.

QUOTE(forrestg @ Dec 7, 2007 -> 07:40 PM) I'd say to go along with the name they are losing. How about Thome, Uribe and a pitcher Floyd and some cash for Roberts and Bedard. We can use Dye at DH trade paulie for Conor Jackson and we then have speed on the basepaths Are you serious? They have zero need for Uribe or Floyd. If they wanted veteran players they would not be giving up Bedard or Roberts. Those three guys would get you neither by themself.

I looked a little into their stats and I again will say...Roberts and Bedard bring to the Sox what they need more then Cabrerra and Willis would. A #1 pitcher who can strike guys out in a park that needs it and a high but not great OBP guy who can steal a base. Roberts at second and Owens in center (batting 9th) gives the Sox the reverse of Juice Cruz and Rudy Law circa 1983. The Sox give anything they have to for this. They O's are supposedly shopping Mora as well.