ThunderBolt

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Dec 15, 2008 -> 03:03 PM) The Pirates have Andy LaRoche. That's not a very clear void as far as I can tell. I could still see Crede ending up in Minnesota. Laroche can play second too. They're looking to deal Freddy Sanchez.

Chris Burke was once a top prospect, being groomed for the end of the Biggio era, but when the end of the Biggio era failed to come as soon as projected,the Astros had no idea of what to do with Burke and put him in the lineup anyway they could. He never really recovered, i wouldn't mind putting him next to the loser of the Lillibridge, Getz, Nix battle in AAA.

Reds enjoy Nix related puns too. http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/s....cincinnati.com

I still think that the only set young position is 3b. They'll be an open competition for 2b (Getz, Lillibridge, Nix) and CF (BA, Owens) in spring training. Though i think a clear edge will be given to Getz and Owens. As for Owens.... we best pray for the return of last years MVP: the groin

"if you play for one run, that's all your gonna get"-Earl Weaver. There is never any excuse for bunting in the 1st inning, never.

QUOTE (Leonard Zelig @ Dec 14, 2008 -> 12:23 PM) True, although 811 was still 3rd in the division. The Twins scored more runs and hit less than half as many homeruns as us. I imagine we would have scored more if we had full seasons of at-bats from Konerko and Q, and league-average production from CF.

Brad Eldred is now part of the Nationals organization. http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/transactions/

I'd take Phil Hughes and Colin Curtis http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/st...&pid=453298. But i don't think the Yankees would offer Hughes, and i think the NTC would be an issue..

Red's don't appear to be Pat Burells Radar yet. http://news.cincinnati.com/article/2008121...2140426/0/COL03

QUOTE (Leonard Zelig @ Dec 14, 2008 -> 11:57 AM) So are GIDPs which the Sox led the league in last year. We also scored 811 runs, and won the division.

QUOTE (shipps @ Dec 14, 2008 -> 09:29 AM) One thing I always said to why he was going to be a really good NBA player is that he has the quickest feet I had ever seen. He isnt quite the fastest/quickest runner but his feet are so quick he can change directions with easier than anyone, on offense and defense. True, the kid’s acceleration in the paint is phenomenal. I’d say Rose still has the best first two steps I’ve seen, but Harris might have a slightly more dynamic finish.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 14, 2008 -> 09:22 AM) Not because Hawk creams his pants, but a team executing against the opposition can be very demoralizing. You know what's really demoralizing? A 3-run homer, a double to the gap, a single down the line, a batter working the pitcher for a walk, etc. How's a batter giving the opposition a free out, demoralizing? I'd welcome it.

QUOTE (Hatchetman @ Dec 12, 2008 -> 12:21 PM) Joe is gonna have to go to a Pittsburgh-type . That would actually be a good move for Crede. Weak Division, developing team, clear void on the infield, not a bad choice.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 14, 2008 -> 08:00 AM) Mets owner Mr. Wilpon, who also owns real-estate investor Sterling Equities, often raved about Mr. Madoff's investment prowess and invested tens of millions of dollars of both his own money and the team's with his company, say financiers who have worked with him. Mr. Madoff handled investments for the Judy & Fred Wilpon Family Foundation, which distributed about $1 million a year in 2005 and 2006 to charities, according to its most recent federal tax returns.. Mets spokesman Jay Horowitz declined to comment Friday. Mr. Wilpon's Sterling Equities said in a statement: "We are shocked by recent events and, like all investors, will continue to monitor the situation." from wsjonline.com Wonder how/when/if this will have an affect on the team? Time for another name change to the park? How's about City/Taxpayers/Hedge Field?

Good on Larry Hughes for really working hard to improve his game. Still not a long-term option for the team, but no longer a complete waste of space.

If it's any consolation they skewered the heck out of NY Governor Patterson, as well

QUOTE (SouthsideDon48 @ Dec 13, 2008 -> 11:46 PM) The role of the #2 batter should be to move the lead-off batter to the next base as often as possible, even if it means using the bunt. By bunting and avoiding a double play, teams still have a chance to score the speedy lead-off runner from 2nd base to home with a deep flyball to the gap that might just barely miss the fences from the power hitters in the heart of the order. Any run scored is valuable, games are won by a difference of one run. A hitter should have a singular goal in mind having the most productive bat possible. With a runner on, a batter needs to be trained on how best to drive him in, we should never settle for getting him to second, when our goal is to home.

QUOTE (fathom @ Dec 13, 2008 -> 09:03 PM) Yes...bad hitter, terrible defensively, and a horrible clubhouse person. Yep. Power, no contact, no strike zone, poor defense, no self control.

QUOTE (BaseballNick @ Dec 13, 2008 -> 07:12 PM) Yeah, a balanced team that bunts and plays good fundamental baseball doesn't win games. That's absurd! Traditonally, a team that doesn't waste any outs by moving runners over at the expense of at-bats tends to score more runs then a team that does.

Have you had the chance to meet any of the big league guys yet? What was that experience like?

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Dec 13, 2008 -> 06:54 PM) Weavers 1970 World Series Team didn't have anyone over 35 HR's either. The Team still hit 179 of 'em. Not bad for that era.

QUOTE (Kenny Hates Prospects @ Dec 13, 2008 -> 06:38 PM) 2005: 53 SH, 49 SF, 741 R 2006: 44 SH, 57 SF, 868 R 2008: 28 SH, 47 SF, 811 R We had better balance in 2006, and that was the year Pods was hurt. Had he come close to replicating his '05 season we'd have been even better. We also had peak offensive years from nearly everyone on the lineup.

QUOTE (forrestg @ Dec 13, 2008 -> 06:34 PM) Has Lucy recovered from his dislocated knee cap. Not that we know of, no. It was a pretty bad injury too.

QUOTE (Markbilliards @ Dec 13, 2008 -> 06:20 PM) You just watched a 2008 White Sox team that was consistently getting guys on, yet was unable to bring them in, over and over again. In 2005 you had a White Sox team that was able to bunt guys over all the time and bring them into scoring position, making them a very successful team that could execute. 2005 Sacrifice hits- 53 2008 Sacrifice hits- 28 2005 Scored 741 runs, 2008 Scored 811 runs, See the difference?

QUOTE (knightni @ Dec 13, 2008 -> 04:21 PM) How about a moratorium on CR/AP jokes? They've become very Buzz Killington-esque. As the chief proponent of that joke, I’ll have to give it some thought, but i share the same fear that you do. Somebody needs to get working on a new inside joke, until this ones goes back in style.