Eminor3rd

There's that pop. Good pitch to hit.

Anderson with his second error of the game.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Mar 5, 2015 -> 01:43 PM) You had to one up me didn't you? Haha, it was just too good of an opportunity. What are the chances? Anyway, I actually like my shirseys BETTER when they turn into weird ones. I have Danks, Sale, Matt Thornton, Ron Karkovice, and Tadahito Iguchi

QUOTE (shysocks @ Mar 5, 2015 -> 02:21 PM) By the way, Hahn could have done absolutely nothing besides signing Beckham and Hawk would have given him the same review. If the Sox make the playoffs this year, it's going to be because of the strong arm of Beckham turning double plays.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Mar 5, 2015 -> 02:16 PM) His career groundball rate would make Juan Pierre proud. They talk about him hitting the ball as far as anyone in batting practice. If he gets it in the air during actual games, he could be a really big HR guy. I think this is related to his legendarily bad pitch selection. I'm less worried about his swing plane as I am about his ability to wait for pitches he can really drive. Someone did a study once that showed evidence that Starlin Castro's incredible hitting ability actually created a developmental problem for him, where he never learned what he SHOULDN'T hit, because there really was never much he COULDN'T hit. I think Jeff Sullivan found some evidence that Moustakas had a similar issue last year. These guys are so good at making contact that they make a TON of bad contact out of the zone. Sometimes, that'll mean fishing out a gapper from his shoelaces like we saw Avi do yesterday. More often, though, it's going to mean groundouts.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Mar 5, 2015 -> 12:53 PM) My prediction is that Avisail will be the source of much frustration and consternation for Eminor3d, either for succeeding and exceeding all expectations and forcing eminor to admit he was wrong, or by doing exactly what eminor thinks he will do. You got me pegged Honestly, I really really hope I have to admit I'm wrong. I hope he defies all logic and precedent and just has so much talent that he becomes amazing despite having no idea how to play baseball. I'll gladly grow old telling young fans about how insane it was to watch Avisail Garcia succeed. EDIT: Now, what WILL ruin my season is if Dayan Viciedo breaks out for Toronto. F that.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Mar 5, 2015 -> 09:55 AM) Back when I was a little kid, the Sox had a guy named Jorge Orta. He was a really good hitter, but brutal 2B. Every year in the spring he would get rave reviews for his improved defense, and every year he was what he had always been. Guys do improve and regress defensively, but usually unless they are really young, not that drastic. I just find it hard to believe you will be able to really tell the very first game of spring training. I also think since it's been 6 months, people who do want to evaluate on day 1 go way overboard both ways. Garcia made a nice catch. He has done that before. Dayan Viciedo has made nice defensive plays before. Chances are, you still will see Avi take a taxi driver desperate for extra money route to the ball when you see in at USCF in RF. Right, he's been a professional outfielder for six years now, under the instruction of some of the best guys out there. If he hasn't figured out HOW to play defense yet, he isn't likely to do it now. A lot of things improve with practice, but bad instincts on routes and reads aren't going to change drastically at this point. He'll probably get gradually better over the next 5 years if he hits enough to get the regular playing time, but it'll be shocking if he ever lives up to the promise of his athleticism out there.

Eaton falls running to first already, lol.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Mar 4, 2015 -> 01:27 PM) I have a John Danks shirsey so take that everyone. No only do I also have one, I'm literally wearing it right now.

QUOTE (shysocks @ Mar 3, 2015 -> 03:39 PM) I am irrationally annoyed that Beckham is on this team and it's only getting worse. Me too.

QUOTE (Feeky Magee @ Feb 28, 2015 -> 06:33 AM) Team Semien :'( *finally creeping out of the bush he's been weeping under since the Samardzija trade* Don't cry Feeky -- Dayan Viciedo is on the Blue Jays now!

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Feb 26, 2015 -> 01:40 PM) Wait until the meltdown after Team Beckham wins the job... Haha. We'll all crash the Team Beckham victory party, which is just elrockin sitting by himself at the Big Hurt brewpub.

Team Sanchez. Real solid, makes contact with the bat. Needs a chance to see if he can hit enough, and I love that he can be at the back of the order instead of batting second.

QUOTE (Douglas Rome @ Feb 26, 2015 -> 06:52 AM) it was talked about a little on the TV yesterday, but what is America's fixation with facial hair? I watched American Idol last nite and all three Ryan Secrest, Keith Urban and Harry Connick look like they hadn't seen a barber or a razor blade in months. The Sox lineup looks like the players are auditioning for Smith Bros cough drops. Can the manager impose appearance codes or is that a thing of the past? thanks, douglas It's just current fashion. It's irrelevant.

QUOTE (Jake @ Feb 25, 2015 -> 04:54 PM) FWIW, there's no reason to believe that Sanchez isn't ready. He's repeated AAA and did very well there last year. There's reason to believe he's not going to be a very good major leaguer, but I'd be shocked if he isn't at least competent and probably slightly more valuable than Beckham ever was over a full season. Micah has a much higher bust potential, because he really hasn't been any good in AAA yet. But, that's why he probably won't break camp with the team. Agreed.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Feb 25, 2015 -> 02:16 PM) Or we can just plug Montas or Danish into the equation... If all else fails, there's always going to be a slew of pitchers in that $8-12 million per year category who could slot in at 4 behind Sale/Quintana/Rodon and ahead of Danks. Assuming half the league is wrong about them both being relievers. Which I hope, but none of us know. 8-12 million bucks buys you a reclamation project like Brett Anderson.

Nope. Doesn't seem like a difference-maker, will have to outbid several big spenders for a guy who is likely league-average. Let's use our young depth here to save some resources for next year when we'll have to replace a starter.

QUOTE (Charlie Haeger's Knuckles @ Feb 24, 2015 -> 05:09 PM) "Hope Runs" lead to many donations and raised awareness for numerous charitable causes across the country.

QUOTE (bmags @ Feb 24, 2015 -> 04:55 PM) So says a new way to try and measure that: http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article....articleid=25647 Goes on to talk for 5 hours about what they are measuring, then we find that over 3 seasons Ventura is better than average. Last season alone, near the top of the list. Signed, Robin Ventura THEN WHOSE FAULT IS IT WHEN RONALD BELISARIO GIVES UPA HOPMERUN!!!!!!!!!!!!_

Pizza Cutter!

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Feb 24, 2015 -> 01:24 PM) The problem is first getting to the playoffs.

QUOTE (shysocks @ Feb 24, 2015 -> 11:39 AM) And I think it's a claim that ignores the value of being a pitcher who pitched enough to be considered an active Major League baseball player in 2014 so the team doesn't have to go to the pitchers who are literally worse who are in the minor leagues mostly. It's like saying, "That guy is one of the least wealthy billionaires." It might be true, but the fact that you're taking from a certain exclusive subset weakens the claim. Which is why I originally said... "You mentioned that they both qualified but then discarded the inherent value of that. If you're on the qualifying list and your WAR is higher than 0, then there are probably at least ten guys I'd take after you." And I think that claim still stands. Note: I am aware it's probably more impressive to be a billionaire than qualify for the ERA title one year. It's an example. Right, but no matter where you set the bar, Danks is among the absolute worst of the people who will be pitching a bunch of innings for baseball teams. Therefore, we have a competitive disadvantage. So he represents a massive weakness in the rotation.

QUOTE (flavum @ Feb 24, 2015 -> 11:39 AM) Because of tradition, weather, length of the postseason. They should be able to finish a baseball season before the month of Thanksgiving and the first snow. I don't understand why that's self-evidently good, though. Weather is about the only one that makes sense to me.

QUOTE (flavum @ Feb 24, 2015 -> 11:33 AM) As long as Game 7 of the World Series is always the last Wednesday of October, I'm good with whatever. This year, the WS could go into November. It's bad optics. Why?

That's dumb.