turnin' two

It isn't that clear cut. Harper's career OPS is eighty points higher. His career OBP is higher than Manny's best single season. There are arguments to be made both ways. Positionally Manny fits better. But as a LH hitter with exceptional OBP skills, Harper is a better fit in the lineup.

I agree. And I didn't mean to start a fight. I just don't think that taking an executives very public statements at face value is a good idea. There are plenty of reasons for misdirection.

Maybe that they don't want to be completely honest with everyone listening. It could easily be strategic misdirection. Pursuing either of these guys is completely out of line with past behavior, both recent and distant. Applying that logic to this case doesn't make sense to me. This is clearly a change in operations. Unless by their recent lines and logic you mean not committing to having the best players on the field, because I guess there it may line up.

Arenado will be at either 24 or 30. I believe that is where they each filed. If they settle it will be between those numbers.

Aren't there plenty of reasons not to believe him? Not that they will sign both, but I wouldn't take what a GM says at a fan conference as gospel.

Seems like a great reason to stick with Austin Barnes. In stead of the guy that is clearly the best catcher in the game. Teams can really outsmart themselves sometimes.

His only misses really seem to be giving away Khris Davis and Scooter Gennett for, well, nothing.

And Quentin had more bWAR in 2008 than Schwarber has had in his career. Ray Durham has about double the bWAR of Baez since 2000 as well. Baez has the high season, but Durham's total is much higher.

Oh Machado Why don't you come to your senses You can swing for the fences at G-R-F This is boring, but I know that you've got your reasons, This boredom is killing us, one day at a time. Oh well, something about its been a long day and I hate the %^&*&^% Eagles.

I'm going with the all free team. C- Yadi Molina 1B- Goldschmidt 2B- Ryne Sandberg (Ugh. Ewww. Barf. Maybe I'll just take Brandon Phillips for defense...) SS- Nomar Garciaparra (Does Robin Yount count? Not enough of his career ahead of him I suppose.) 3B -- Manny Machado. (Cmon baby!) LF- Tim Raines CF- Kenny Lofton (The Robin Yount question comes up again -- but I think it is easy to forget how great Lofton was with the Indians) RF- Tony Gwynn DH -- Todd Helton ( is this cheating? Victor Martinez if I can't count Helton's scarce DH appearances.) P- Curt Schilling (gosh, so hard not to go with a 42 year old Nolan Ryan -- I don't know how the rules work so I'm going with the guy that had more career left. Though Ryan was great in 89. A lot of great choices here , Kevin Brown, Johan, Greinke, Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay, Scherzer, Verlander and even Sale and Kluber... guys that can certainly stand up to the guys on the list in everything but longevity. RP -- Dennis Eckersly I'd go Raines-Gwynn-Goldy-Helton- Manny-Nomar-Sandberg-Yadi-Lofton I don't think that is half bad for free! PS-- the Frank Thomas deal is completely ridiculous.

I feel the same way but with Sheets and Walker. Their profiles and strengths were too similar to the first round picks (Burger and Madrigal). Burger and Sheets were college corner bats with power and plate discipline. Madrigal and Walker were refined college bats with great bat to ball skills but limited power. Nothing against any of these players, and they all certainly may work out, but I would like to see a little more diversity in the drafting philosophy. If you take a safe college bat in the first round, take the high risk high reward HS player in round 2. Why take guys with the same profile? I am also a bit surprised how they have seemingly neglected pitching the last 2 years. I know the system balance was a bit pitching heavy before that, but it isn't something you can ignore at the top of the draft.

Ugh. I completely agree. And I can't be sober and watch this version of the team.

Disagree.

Even though nothing has happened. It is worth checking Soxtalk every couple hours just to see the thread titles. Well done. Again.

If the Reds want him, I think they get him. The Dodgers don't have the farm system to compete with the Reds. The Astros don't seem to have mindset to trade the guys they would need to trade to outgun the Reds. The Reds have some top talent and some positional logjams. I have to think this gets done. ** That doesn't mean I understand what the Reds are doing. Even with Realmuto it is probably a stretch to get them into 3rd place. They may make is so that only one team makes it from the central, but I have a hard time seeing them top the Brewers, cubs, and Cards. Though I don't know. Realmuto, Votto, Gennett, Suarez, Peraza, Kemp, Puig is a pretty soild lineup. They have a good closer, between Gray, Wood, Castillo... Who knows that may be enough. You'd have to think that team will score a whole lotta runs.

To me, this another reason to hate Goose Island. Ugh. The bullpen bar was the coolest.

I don't think that more ABs translate to higher WAR for Joc. His splits are pretty dramatic. Career .181 hitter against LHP with a .266 OBP.

Well, now that Fulmer is a lefty, he may be a useful pen piece. ?

I was hoping something would be here to scratch my Joc itch. But no such luck.

Greyhound?

Hahah! That is true, but also, only furthers his point, as he would be buried even more deeply in the ranks of RH relievers.

Make sure you leave the night light on, and check under the bed.

Hahah. In the vein of Sgt. Schultz, I know nothing. Except, I truly do know nothing.

nm

Well, maybe they told him he should catch the ball more. Which in the Sox defense, it is the name of his position, so you would have thought he'd have known.