OmarComing25

QUOTE (ChiSox59 @ Jul 27, 2015 -> 01:20 PM) The kind of crazy thing is, that if the Sox DO sweep Boston, they'll probably be somewhere between 1-2 games away from being a playoff team if the season ended on Thursday. A big if, no doubt, but it is also sort of difficult to trade one of the best 25 pitchers in baseball at this juncture unless the price is right (that price being a very good offensive return). Bottom line, Shark is very unlikely to bring back anything that is going to help this offense now, or even a couple years. If they find that, sure, move him - but I think he would have been traded by now if that were the case. Also, despite this historically terrible offense you mention, the Sox find themselves in the position described above. What does that tell you? They have a fu**in studly pitching staff. The offense has been coming around, and the Sox have really been throwing some leather in the infield for sometime..I'd honestly be pretty disappointed if the Sox moved Shark unless they got a ton back (unless they drop 2 or three in a row here, then I get it). You play this game to win. The Sox still have a small but surely a chance to win. I may be in the minority here, but one of the reasons why I love this franchise so much - they refuse to just allow themselves to be s***ty. No team ahead of them in the race for the 2nd WC really scares me. Minnesota will fade, I guarantee it. Toronto and Baltimore will be the main competition and those are very flawed teams (as are the Sox). I do think it all comes down to the next few days. Win a few more in a row, and I'd eat my hat if Shark is traded unless it brings back a bat that'll help RIGHT NOW. Exactly, if we take 3 or 4 from Boston we're right there for a playoff spot, LF/SS/3B/2B/CF are hitting a lot better lately (C too if Soto actually plays), our infield defense is now above average, and we have by far the best pitching staff of any of the teams we'd be competing with for the 2nd wildcard spot. Also, count me in as one who would be happy with 82 wins as well. That gives us a lot of hope that we could contend next year with additional progress from some young guys and a couple savvy moves. If we tank and lose 90 games then there's no hope for 2016/2017.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Jul 27, 2015 -> 11:10 AM) I have no faith in voters Agreed, I don't think a lot of them will look at FIP or fWAR.

QUOTE (spiderman @ Jul 27, 2015 -> 10:49 AM) On one hand, I hate that the regular season could come down to playing a 1 game wildcard after 162 games, but, on the other, it does add excitement to the season. I like it because it makes winning your division that much more valuable.

QUOTE (bmags @ Jul 27, 2015 -> 10:33 AM) That is very exciting. Reminds me a lot of Danks 07 season this year. I think he comes back next year and dominates. Rodon does have a 3.62 FIP and 1.1 WAR this season, Danks in 07 had a 5.54 FIP. Rodon has been very impressive to me in his first stint so far, if he can keep his control at all similar to yesterday going forward he will dominate.

Even if we sweep Boston, I'm still on the fence as to whether we should trade Samardzija. We need to evaluate Erik Johnson for next season and if Jeff stays we lose that opportunity. But some guys on the offense are coming around. Last 30 days: Melky: 0.9 WAR (30th best in baseball) Sanchez: 0.5 WAR Eaton: 0.4 WAR Soto: 0.4 WAR (please play him more over Flowers) Alexei: 0.3 WAR However: Flowers: -0.2 WAR Avi: -0.4 WAR LaRoche: -1.1 WAR (if we could play him less, that'd be great)

QUOTE (flavum @ Jul 27, 2015 -> 09:38 AM) Arenado was a rookie in 2013. You thinking of somebody else? You're right, for some reason I thought he was a rookie.

I can't believe the Tigers don't have anyone better than Greene to put into their rotation. He might be the worst pitcher in baseball.

So with Bryant and Pederson slumping is Arenado currently the favorite to win NL ROY?

QUOTE (rschultzy20 @ Jul 26, 2015 -> 07:58 PM) Smart move so that Johnson is ready if/when Samardzija is traded. Not convinced that Johnson will be a top end start in the bigs. Control and command issues similar to Rodon, but with less filthy stuff. He's averaging less than 3 BB/9 this year. Not great but far from being a Rodon-like issue.

Tired/boring ok you're entitled to your opinion there but in what way are the Sox old? And you were bitter one year after winning a title? Yeah sounds like you were a big fan.

Let's go Tigers. If they win tonight I say they don't sell. I'd rather they not get good young players while also driving down Samardzija's trade value.

So J4L are you a Cub fan? You never post about the Sox, are the Cubs' biggest apologist and cheerleader around, and I'm convinced you'd rather the Cubs win it all than the Sox, if not just so you can rub it in our faces that you were "right". That's the impression I'm getting anyway.

Castro is second to last in all of baseball in fWAR (yes I know Avi is 3rd worst). Yet Theo wanted him to be a centerpiece in a Hamels deal. What a joke.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jul 26, 2015 -> 03:22 PM) If we're going to spend $20 million this offseason on someone, finding a corner OF who can hit and play some defense fits this team a heckuva lot better than signing an expensive RHP. Hell I'm on board. I'm getting really sick of Garcia.

Cubs had Lester, Arrieta, and Hammel at home against the worst team in baseball and just got completely pounded into oblivion. Wow. Looks like that soft second-half schedule might not work out so well after all.

I love our pitching. Also please keep hitting Sanchez, would love to not have to worry about 2B in the future.

Raburn is having a bad day today.

QUOTE (BrianAnderson @ Jul 26, 2015 -> 02:11 PM) Serious question. Knowing what you know now and with how LaRoche is playing -- would you rather have had Dunn on a one year deal, or this LaRoche on a two year deal? Dunn. K and BB numbers would be the same but Dunn would hit for more power.

Salazar is afraid of Saladino.

I like how Saladino works the count.

Garcia and LaRoche are useless right now.

Suck it Raburn

No walks through 5. Besides the 3rd inning, Rodon's control is looking good.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jul 25, 2015 -> 08:29 PM) He's at 48 career fWAR and 60.7 bWAR (fangraphs always underestimated him IMO because he doens't striek people out). For the Baseball Reference numbers that already puts him right in the range where he's in the discussion. End of the year he'll be next to guys named Drysdale, Marichal, Vance, Eckersley. B-R says that in their numbers the average pitching HOF has 70. Fangraphs he's a bit farther away but with a legit shot remaining. Fangraphs underestimates guys like Buehrle because he consistently outperforms his FIP due to his fielding and outstanding ability to hold runners on base.

Damn, Melky hit that hard