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Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas folks!

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Man, the Bijou has changed
since 1946.

Thanks, wiz.  Happy holidays.

"I can't give you a dollar if I don't have 50 cents. Decisions are made awfully easy for you."

by winningugly on Dec 25, 2007 2:17 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Happy Holidays!
and stay away from the berto center (bulls)!

by The Wizard on Dec 25, 2007 2:24 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Classic line
nicely played.
"Each one of my (off-season acquisition)targets has that edge to them, that go-getter attitude. We need it. We will embrace it." - Kenny Williams (11/28/07)

by tailgater on Dec 28, 2007 12:06 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Lol, cheerful
The episode is cheerful, and such black and white film has been out of dated. And I guess now there is no body to imitate such deed. Our life changes so much. Such naive cheer for xmas is rare to see. Haha, fuuny, easy to cheer up ^.^

by Pollyhelp630 on Dec 26, 2007 3:08 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

yes, very cheerful
I never get tired of watching it

and thanks for the wishes, let's hope for a happy 2008 for everyone!

by The Wizard on Dec 26, 2007 1:44 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, it's Simple
but it shows the whole festive mood completely. Thanks thewizardsofoz and The Cheat and Chiburb for making this a community where we can talk about sports, debate ideas, and discuss the game we love. Let's be looking forward to a very fruitful and active 2008 together!

by Pollyhelp630 on Dec 26, 2007 3:21 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

I'll second that.
You guys do a great job here at SSS.  It's a lot of fun.  And geez, Buehrle sure was on his game last night, wasn't he?  If nothing else, it reminded me of how much we're going to miss Crede's glove...

by palehose67 on Dec 26, 2007 9:46 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

considering the return we are apt to get for Crede
I think it will look like a very lopsided trade.  I think he'll be the 2006 Crede playing for another team, hopefully in the NL.

Its a damn shame his back issue cropped up in time to kill his trade value, but we are going to miss his glove.

Mosi Tatupu! Mosi Tatupu!

by Nordhagen on Dec 26, 2007 11:25 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Word.
SSS: it's a good thing.
His little smile pissed me off.

by colintj on Dec 26, 2007 2:31 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Wow...
thewizardsofoz, you have done an excellent job. Thanks for all you did and do and will do for us. Hope you and your family have a happy and safe new year.

by joasnmun55 on Dec 26, 2007 3:47 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

thank you
hope you and everyone else too have a happy, safe and healthy new year!

by The Wizard on Dec 26, 2007 1:41 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Merry Christmas and a Wonderful 2008
It has been fun reading and participating in the banter of White Sox fans. Thanks to those who create this blog and those who contribute..it is such fun for all of us.

by Florida Jim on Dec 26, 2007 11:15 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

Mark Prior signs with the Padres...
"Padres add Prior to pitching mix"

Looks like he wants to pitch in a big ballpark to pad his stats in 2008.

by SSH2005 on Dec 26, 2007 12:54 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

If he wanted to pitch for his hometown team...
so badly, he would have given the Padres a second year team option.  He wants to pitch well for a season and then get a big deal from some team next offseason.

Link:

San Diego has signed oft-injured former Cub Mark Prior to a one-year deal, according to major-league sources.

by SSH2005 on Dec 26, 2007 1:21 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Well, the Christmas/Kwanza truce
ends over Mark Prior.  

Maybe he wanted to pitch for his hometown Pads AND set himself up favorably for a larger contract.

Didja ever think of THAT, SSH?

"I can't give you a dollar if I don't have 50 cents. Decisions are made awfully easy for you."

by winningugly on Dec 26, 2007 1:29 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Either way...
the guy is a pussy.  He hasn't pitched well since 2005 and Cubs fans are crying about losing him.  That would be like Sox fans crying about dumping Podsednik.

by SSH2005 on Dec 26, 2007 1:43 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Talk about cheap...
Link:
Prior receives a one-year major league deal with a $1 million base salary. The contract, which doesn't include an option, contains incentive clauses that could take the total value of the deal to over $3 million.

by SSH2005 on Dec 26, 2007 1:46 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Reminds me more of Mark Fidrych
more and more, minus the personality.
"I can't give you a dollar if I don't have 50 cents. Decisions are made awfully easy for you."

by winningugly on Dec 26, 2007 2:11 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

hmm
Do we know what sort of offers he fielded?
His little smile pissed me off.

by colintj on Dec 26, 2007 4:43 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

does scott podsednik have
a career OPS+ of 123? i think your comparison might be just a bit inapt. one is potentially great player if he stay healthy. the other is a potentially slightly below average player if he stays healthy. both are big ifs, of course.

by larry on Dec 26, 2007 2:12 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Hey! Watch it!
He kicks ass in simulated towel-tossing games.
"Each one of my (off-season acquisition)targets has that edge to them, that go-getter attitude. We need it. We will embrace it." - Kenny Williams (11/28/07)

by tailgater on Dec 28, 2007 12:08 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

and maybe
he wanted to play for a contender. or all of the above. i'm sure there were more than a single reason for his choice.

by larry on Dec 26, 2007 2:07 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

or the San Diego beaches will provide him with
all the towels he'll need for rehabilitation

by 3E8 on Dec 26, 2007 4:30 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

In 2003 when Prior was posting
his big numbers with the Cubs and Joe Mauer was playing in A Ft. Myers and AA New Britain, it certainly seemed like the Twins had chosen the lesser of the top two picks.  But now....

by palehose67 on Dec 26, 2007 2:13 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

which illustrates
why snap judgments of players, especially young ones, isn't a good idea.

by larry on Dec 26, 2007 2:16 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

some Alexei Ramirez items
[google translation of diario libre]:
Friday November 30, 2007

Chosen fired OF Alexei Ramirez

SANTO DOMINGO .-. Los Leones del Escogido dismissed on Wednesday the Cuban gardener Alexei Ramirez in the Dominican winter baseball, confirmed the general manager of the team, Mario Soto. Los Leones del Escogido dismissed on Wednesday the Cuban gardener Alexei Ramirez in the Dominican winter baseball, confirmed the general manager of the team, Mario Soto.

"Yes, we decided to leave free to Alexei because their priority was to train in the mornings to try to get a professional contract and then neglected a bit like the Lions," said Soto on Thursday to the AP in a telephone interview . "Yes, we decided to leave free to Alexei because their priority was to train in the mornings to try to get a professional contract and then neglected a bit like the Lions," said Soto on Thursday to the AP in a telephone interview.

According to the manager of the Lions, the club took the decision to release toletero to enable him to pursue his dream of reaching the highest. According to the manager of the Lions, the club took the decision to release toletero to enable him to pursue his dream of reaching the highest. "It's the best we could do, let him pursue a professional contract and can reach the Major Leagues," added the manager. "It's the best we could do, let him pursue a professional contract and can reach the Major Leagues," added the manager.

Last Tuesday, listening to the Cleveland Indians and Kansas City Royals visited the Quisqueya Stadium to watch the Cuban who defected from the national team of his country last September. Last Tuesday, listening to the Cleveland Indians and Kansas City Royals visited the Quisqueya Stadium to watch the Cuban who defected from the national team of his country last September.

[google translation of blog de beisbol cubano]:

Thursday November 29, 2007

Alexei Ramirez is released

The Pinareño Alexei Ramirez was dismissed from the Escogido Lions, the team for which he played in the Dominican Republic Winter League. The Pinareño Alexei Ramirez was dismissed from the Escogido Lions, the team for which he played in the Dominican Republic Winter League. The Cuban managed to produce only 1 hit in 14 shifts now continús its goal of signing with a major league organization. The Cuban managed to produce only 1 hit in 14 shifts now continús its goal of signing with a major league organization.

The Cuban expressed his dissatisfaction to the few opportunities that game gave him the whole winter Dominican baseball. The Cuban expressed his dissatisfaction to the few opportunities that game gave him the whole winter Dominican baseball.

"It was the best thing for both sides. Alexei was not receiving many opportunities to play and the Chosen is fighting a classification to the postseason and not have many shifts available to assess long-term players," said pelotero agent, Jaime Torres, conversation with ESPNdeportes.com. "It was the best thing for both sides. Alexei was not receiving many opportunities to play and the Chosen is fighting a classification to the postseason and not have many shifts available to assess long-term players," said pelotero agent, Jaime Torres, conversation with ESPNdeportes.com.

"The idea was that buscatalentos Major League could see him play in the Dominican league to get a better idea of his talent, but that did not happen. Is preferable to continue training and making presentations at the academies that have organizations in Dominican" , said Torres. "The idea was that buscatalentos Major League could see him play in the Dominican league to get a better idea of his talent, but that did not happen. Is preferable to continue training and making presentations at the academies that have organizations in Dominican," said Torres.
Torres ruled that the performance of Ramirez in the ball quisqueyana affect their chances of signing for the Major Leagues in the coming days. Torres ruled that the performance of Ramirez in the ball quisqueyana affect their chances of signing for the Major Leagues in the coming days.

Ramirez, 26, hit .332 with 87 homers and 391 RBIs in seven seasons with Pinar del Rio in the Cuban ball. Ramirez, 26, hit .332 with 87 homers and 391 RBIs in seven seasons with Pinar del Rio in the Cuban ball. Promedió .335 with 68 RBIs and led the circuit with 20 quadrangular last season. Promedió .335 with 68 RBIs and led the circuit with 20 quadrangular last season.

Torres quizo not disclose which teams have shown an increased interest in signing Ramirez, but ESPNdeportes.com obtained a list of teams for which the Cuban defector has made individual exhibits: Boston, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Cubs and Chicago White Sox, Mets and New York Yankees, Minnesota and Oakland. Torres quizo not disclose which teams have shown an increased interest in signing Ramirez, but ESPNdeportes.com obtained a list of teams for which the Cuban defector has made individual exhibits: Boston, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Cubs and Chicago White Sox and New York Mets Yankees, Minnesota and Oakland.

[google translation of vaqueroblog]:

Tuesday, 06 November 2007

Ready to negotiate

The Cuban Alexei Ramirez submitted their documents to the office of the commissioner GL

ORLANDO - In the coming days, the Cuban defector Alexei Ramirez will be in a position to listen to offers from major league teams and his agent think you might get a better contract to which he signed his compatriot Kendry Morales three years ago.

Ramirez, jonronero the leader of the Cuban baseball last season, decided to leave his country and set up residency in the Dominican Republic to try to jump to the major leagues.

"Alexei already received their residence in Santo Domingo and subjected all the necessary documentation to the office of the commissioner of Major League Baseball, who now must declare free agent so that it can begin to negotiate with the clubs," said agent Jaime Torres to ESPNdeportes.com .

"We sent all the papers to the commissioner on October 25. Our experience in these cases tells us that between this and next week will receive approval to start negotiating formally," added Torres.

Ramirez, 26, hit .332 with 87 homers and 391 RBIs in seven seasons with Pinar del Rio in the Cuban ball. Promedió .335 with 68 RBIs and led the circuit with 20 quadrangular last season.

Ramirez can play several positions inside the box and in the gardens, but in the campocorto where he feels more comfortable.

"Some of the Major League teams that have seen train differ on where it would be better. Some want to play in the campocorto, others in center field, but there are some who prefer to have that arm in the garden right," said Torres .

Torres predicted that Ramirez is ready to play in the Major Leagues in 2008 and that any team will sign with a major league contract and with the assurance that at least host a place in the spring workouts.

Ramirez, who hit .375 in the World Baseball Classic, where Cuba remained in second place, is the most impressive player position that the selection of Cuban deserta since Morales did in 2004.

Morales, a inicialista and ambidiextro hitter, signed a six-year contract for nearly $ 10 million with the Los Angeles Angels after establishing resdidencia in Santo Domingo. The player received $ 3 million in signing bonus.

"I think Alexei has more value because Morales is ready to play," said Torres. "A more appropriate comparison for Ramirez, would match with the Japanese position players who signed as free agents in recent times."

The Japanese offensive players who have signed as free agents in Major League Baseball are the gardener Hideki Matsui (three years for $ 21 million with the Yankees in 2003), intermedista Kaz Matsui (three years for $ 21 million with the Mets in 2003) and The antesalista Akinori Iwamura (three years for $ 7.7 million with Tampa Bay in 2006).

The legendary gardener Ichiro Suzuki came to Seattle Mariners through the postal system, which requires the joint Major League Baseball to pay compensation to Japanese clubs for the rights to talk to their players who are not yet free agents.

"Alexei is a pelotero tested, which came out in the World Classic successful in clashes with Bartolo Colon and Daisuke Matsuzaka, among other good pitchers in Major League," added Torres.

and some pics


http://jonronaso.blogspot.com/2007/11/alexei-ramirez-queda-liberado.html


http://vaquero.blogia.com/2007/110602-listo-para-negociar.php


http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/2007/11/new-meat-from-cuba.html


http://cubanosinfronteras.blogspot.com/2007/09/alexei-ramrez-jura-que-no-es-un.html

by The Wizard on Dec 26, 2007 2:07 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

I guess Ramirez will get his number...
we don't currently have a #21 on the roster.

by SSH2005 on Dec 26, 2007 2:31 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Is he another Clemente worshipper?
"I can't give you a dollar if I don't have 50 cents. Decisions are made awfully easy for you."

by winningugly on Dec 26, 2007 2:46 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

close
bob lemon.

by larry on Dec 26, 2007 2:48 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, Bob was big in the Latin
community.

I've had the Clemente biography on my coffee table for over a year and can't get past the opening 3 chapters.  Maranis'historical documentation is, to me in this instance, excruciating.  And I loved Clemente as a player, so I have been predisposed to wanting to read it.

"I can't give you a dollar if I don't have 50 cents. Decisions are made awfully easy for you."

by winningugly on Dec 26, 2007 3:06 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Really?
I was intrigued by that book and heard such good things about it when it was intitially published. How is the recounting, Winning? Just dull, scatterbrained, or other? I'm intersted in hearing your take...

by HulkSmash on Dec 26, 2007 3:34 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

The first chapters are all about his Dad
and the history of Latin baseball.  Not horrible subject matter.  However, his style is wooden and systematic (and then, and then, and then).  It might pick up later, but I'm not interested.  

I like the style of Roger Kahn, Roger Angell, Halberstam, Arnold Hano (when talking about The Say Hay Kid, at least), etc.  I liked "When Pride Still Mattered", too (another Maraniss tome) - just couldn't get into his Clemente story.

"I can't give you a dollar if I don't have 50 cents. Decisions are made awfully easy for you."

by winningugly on Dec 26, 2007 5:12 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Great,
thanks for the insight.

by HulkSmash on Dec 27, 2007 11:36 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

legendary gardener?
His little smile pissed me off.

by colintj on Dec 26, 2007 2:35 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

i think
we've already beaten that one into the ground already.

by larry on Dec 26, 2007 2:36 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

I just wish I knew my Spanish
His little smile pissed me off.

by colintj on Dec 26, 2007 4:30 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Is anyone else surprised that...
Mike Cameron hasn't signed with a team yet?  Maybe that 25 game suspension is really hurting his offers?  I wonder if he doesn't get as much money as we have guessed before (2-years, $18 million).

Kenny Lofton and Corey Patterson are probably waiting for him to sign first.

by SSH2005 on Dec 27, 2007 8:09 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

Cameron,
Lofton and Patterson.

Are these the only "big fish" left?

I sure hope Mark Buehrle can muster up another no-no in 2008, so we can have "a highlight" to look back on. Yikes, this could be a long year.

"Each one of my (off-season acquisition)targets has that edge to them, that go-getter attitude. We need it. We will embrace it." - Kenny Williams (11/28/07)

by tailgater on Dec 27, 2007 10:53 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

I liked him too
and had high hopes.

As I recall, a very strong arm...flashes of brilliance as a power hitter...then ultimately not hitting.

"Each one of my (off-season acquisition)targets has that edge to them, that go-getter attitude. We need it. We will embrace it." - Kenny Williams (11/28/07)

by tailgater on Dec 27, 2007 11:30 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Yup.
He has very little plate discipline, which is really what's holding him back as a hitter.  He's basically Juan Uribe as a catcher.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Dec 27, 2007 11:38 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Right on the money
Take my Olivo description, plug in "Uribe" and BINGO!

Maybe both of them should work with Greg Walker during the off season.  :)

"Each one of my (off-season acquisition)targets has that edge to them, that go-getter attitude. We need it. We will embrace it." - Kenny Williams (11/28/07)

by tailgater on Dec 27, 2007 11:40 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

I remember Olivo homering off of Maddux...
and the Cubs the day he was traded.  It was a Sunday.  Olivo cried when he learned about the trade.

by SSH2005 on Dec 27, 2007 3:39 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Probably cried again
when he heard he was going to KC.
"Each one of my (off-season acquisition)targets has that edge to them, that go-getter attitude. We need it. We will embrace it." - Kenny Williams (11/28/07)

by tailgater on Dec 27, 2007 3:41 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Just as a backup, right?
His little smile pissed me off.

by colintj on Dec 27, 2007 1:03 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Probably.
John Buck is still their primary catcher.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Dec 27, 2007 1:11 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, I thought they gave way too
many at bats to LaRue last year.  While Buck was on my fantasy team, he only caught the games of 3 of the 5 pitchers in the rotation, iirc.  
His little smile pissed me off.

by colintj on Dec 27, 2007 1:15 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

It's too bad we have Toby Hall...
Olivo would have made a nice backup catcher to start against lefties.  Olivo has a .843 career OPS against lefties.

by SSH2005 on Dec 27, 2007 3:41 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Now, now...
KW has assured us that last year's Toby Hall wasn't the "real" Toby Hall. So, you can expect big things for 2008.
"Each one of my (off-season acquisition)targets has that edge to them, that go-getter attitude. We need it. We will embrace it." - Kenny Williams (11/28/07)

by tailgater on Dec 27, 2007 4:22 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

I really liked the Hall pick-up
last off-season.  But when he got injured, it just seemed to start the season off on the wrong foot last year.

by palehose67 on Dec 27, 2007 4:55 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

On...
...the third day of Christmas, the Astros gave to me, a season free of Ersty!
"First off everyone knows me as 'the champ' so sing the champ is hear when you see me."

by Toonderstrook on Dec 27, 2007 6:24 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

You are so goddamn poetic
perhaps you are finally where you belong, Left Coaster.

;)

"I can't give you a dollar if I don't have 50 cents. Decisions are made awfully easy for you."

by winningugly on Dec 27, 2007 6:49 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

all i know
He's a great makeup guy.

i did notice that jon's foundation was much better this past season. and the rouge on pods matched his complexion much better. i didn't realize erstie was the man behind it. i guess our team will not just play but look like shit next year without him.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071227&content_id=2336982&vkey=hotstove2007&fe xt=.jsp

by larry on Dec 27, 2007 6:56 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Wrong makeup, lar
Powder.  Erstad-usted was always great with the powder.  Like when the Stooges would yell "Makeup!" and someone would whack Moe with a powder-puff and turn him into Edgar Winter.
"I can't give you a dollar if I don't have 50 cents. Decisions are made awfully easy for you."

by winningugly on Dec 27, 2007 7:01 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

is he's the prototypical professional player
"He has a lot of versatility. He's a great makeup guy. He's the prototypical professional player -- he brings a lot to the table and we're glad to have him."

"and we're glad to have him"

me too!

by The Wizard on Dec 27, 2007 7:02 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

clearly...
...the astros' problems were all tim purpura's doing.
"First off everyone knows me as 'the champ' so sing the champ is hear when you see me."

by Toonderstrook on Dec 27, 2007 7:10 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

What's the sig?
"I can't give you a dollar if I don't have 50 cents. Decisions are made awfully easy for you."

by winningugly on Dec 27, 2007 7:14 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

THAT is goddamn funny
$35-40K/year is RAD, man, as a freight broker.

LOL.  Really.

"I can't give you a dollar if I don't have 50 cents. Decisions are made awfully easy for you."

by winningugly on Dec 27, 2007 7:44 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

From the same myspace site
Describing "devilish" behavior:

"When an old lady steps into a revolving door and I put my foot back to stop the door right as I get out so the old bag runs into the door."

Some days I am truly happy to be old and settled.

"Each one of my (off-season acquisition)targets has that edge to them, that go-getter attitude. We need it. We will embrace it." - Kenny Williams (11/28/07)

by tailgater on Dec 28, 2007 12:00 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

hear?
His little smile pissed me off.

by colintj on Dec 27, 2007 7:17 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

hear
notice the quotation marks. i don't make this stuff up; i only report it.
"First off everyone knows me as 'the champ' so sing the champ is hear when you see me."

by Toonderstrook on Dec 28, 2007 11:27 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

You can't make this stuff up
except you working for the government.  That has to be fiction, right?
"I can't give you a dollar if I don't have 50 cents. Decisions are made awfully easy for you."

by winningugly on Dec 28, 2007 12:07 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Isn't their new GM...
Ed Wade?  I don't know if that's an upgrade.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Dec 27, 2007 7:55 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

How does this guy keep getting jobs?
It amazes me that any team would give this washed-up bum playing time over any decent prospect in the minors.

by SSH2005 on Dec 27, 2007 8:59 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

By the way...
How are Hawk and D.J. going to try to sugarcoat Erstad's exit from the Sox?  If he was as good as they thought he was, why would the Sox let him go and why would he have to sign a 1-year, $1 million dollar deal with the Astros to be a bench player?

"Darin is just a baseball player."

Eat $h17, Hawk.

by SSH2005 on Dec 27, 2007 9:02 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

I imagine
He has some value as a role player coming off the bench.  All three outfield positions and first base, not to mention a little speed, could be really valuable in the NL.  Granted, his days as a regular player are behind him, and he wouldn't have as much value on an American League roster, his clubhouse/dugout presence could be worth a little as well.

I never really had a problem with the guy.  He would have been a good fourth outfielder for us last year and a guy NOT clogging the basepaths on the south side was a rarity.

I wish him the best of luck in beating the scrubs 18 times next year!

I'll hang up and listen to your answer.

by Hazymania on Dec 27, 2007 9:33 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

there was never anything wrong with signing
erstad. it was all in how he was used.

by larry on Dec 28, 2007 11:30 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Yep, that .248 average should've been
deployed more reasonably.  Like as a defensive replacement for CF/1B in the 8th-9th innings.  Or as a designated groin pull.

But not at the dual position of leadoff-CF.  ;)

"I can't give you a dollar if I don't have 50 cents. Decisions are made awfully easy for you."

by winningugly on Dec 28, 2007 12:10 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

I feel like its May again.
And June.
And July.
And August.
And September...

SSS jumped the Erstad shark long ago.  

Mosi Tatupu! Mosi Tatupu!

by Nordhagen on Dec 27, 2007 9:36 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

I just hope Alexei
can make up for his "grinder" points.
"Each one of my (off-season acquisition)targets has that edge to them, that go-getter attitude. We need it. We will embrace it." - Kenny Williams (11/28/07)

by tailgater on Dec 28, 2007 12:05 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Bullpen
How do you think the bullpen will turn out?? 7 man bullpen of Jenks, Linebrink, Thornton, Macdougal, Logan, Wahsserman,  Aardsma??  or do you see them shopping aardsma and possibly going with O. Perez or maybe even giving Russell a shot?  or will they even have a 7 man pen?
12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Dec 28, 2007 7:36 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

With the exception of Jenks
that bullpen would be "craptacular."
"Each one of my (off-season acquisition)targets has that edge to them, that go-getter attitude. We need it. We will embrace it." - Kenny Williams (11/28/07)

by tailgater on Dec 28, 2007 8:58 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

well
that is the bullpen unless major moves are made...
12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Dec 28, 2007 9:01 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Maybe they can bring back
Neal Cotts and Billy Koch...making it the worst bullpen in history.

2008 is shaping up to be a long baseball season on the south side. However, they will still be serving MGD at Comiskey, so life will be good in Section 103.

"Each one of my (off-season acquisition)targets has that edge to them, that go-getter attitude. We need it. We will embrace it." - Kenny Williams (11/28/07)

by tailgater on Dec 28, 2007 9:20 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

im all for
the neal cotts/mike jackson combo again.  
12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Dec 28, 2007 9:23 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Brutal
That 2004 team also included the "enhanced" Scott Schoeneweis who went 6-9 that year with a 5.59 ERA.
"Each one of my (off-season acquisition)targets has that edge to them, that go-getter attitude. We need it. We will embrace it." - Kenny Williams (11/28/07)

by tailgater on Dec 28, 2007 9:40 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Bullpens
BPs performance is extremely volatile.  It's a crapshoot.  It's very possible that the Sox could go into the season with this group and be league average or better.  It is possible to project what position players and pitchers stats, but it is a waste of time to contemplate BP performance.

by BoKnows on Dec 28, 2007 9:37 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

"League Average"
won't be anywhere near good enough to win their division. Like I said, strap it down for a long season in 2008.
"Each one of my (off-season acquisition)targets has that edge to them, that go-getter attitude. We need it. We will embrace it." - Kenny Williams (11/28/07)

by tailgater on Dec 28, 2007 9:42 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

But it would be a vast improvement
over last year.  I agree that bullpens can be a complete crapshoot.  While Linebrink might be declining as a RP, I do like the idea of adding his maturity and experience to the bullpen.  Would I be shocked it the Sox bullpen was very good in 2008?  No.  Would I be shocked if it was horrible once again?  No.

by palehose67 on Dec 28, 2007 9:56 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

When I think of reasons...
that the Sox won't be good enough to win the division, BP performance isn't at the top of the list.  Here are the issues that concern me:
  1.  Tigers
  2.  Indians
  3.  One of the worst offenses in MLB
  4.  Missing the back half of a rotation

by BoKnows on Dec 28, 2007 10:28 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

3 and 4
are the reasons 1 and 2 are going to dominate us.  I actually think the offense should be better than last year, but really, who knows.  i cant believe BP projected us to have 72 wins last year following the 90 the previous year and they were actually right.  what was BP's predictions for the D-Backs, Rockies, Cubs, and Phils??
12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Dec 28, 2007 10:39 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Erstad
Sounds like you guys are real upset he's gone?! haha  Guy is cooked.

http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2007/12/27/astros-sign-darin-erstad/

by ET90210 on Dec 28, 2007 7:51 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

Erstad finally realizes it too...
It only took him 7 years...

Link:

"It's still up in the air, but I'm leaning toward going to the National League," Erstad said. "I've come to accept the fact that my body might not be able to play every day again. I could be a utility guy, the fourth guy in the outfield, the guy who comes off the bench with a double-switch. It'll be different, not being an every-day guy, but I think the way they play in the National League gives me the maximum opportunities to be on the field."

"It's tough, but I haven't been healthy. How could a team rely on me for an every-day role? I can't stay healthy," Erstad said. "It's not something that is easy, but it's really the natural progression of anybody's career. You're not as valuable as you used to be. I'm a realist. I accept that."

by SSH2005 on Dec 28, 2007 1:59 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Dont know if
anyone read this, i hadnt until today since i never check out cbs sportsline.
http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/10529521
12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Dec 28, 2007 8:09 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

interesting find
doesn't say anything new, of course (yes, the Linebrink deal is a bad contract.  Its been written everywhere.  OOH!  You even used the word "fungible!")  

But I don't remember KW being "ripped off with such consistency by Oakland GM/doctoral candidate in agronomy Billy Beane that some pundits wondered if he was covertly working for the A's."

The Foulke for Koch/Cotts trade was (Fungible Alert!), and Durham for Adkins was, but they were about 4 months apart.  I just don't remember any other ripoffs.

Mosi Tatupu! Mosi Tatupu!

by Nordhagen on Dec 28, 2007 9:13 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Here are all...
the trades Williams has made with Beane -

Dec. 7, 2000 - Chad Bradford for Miguel Olivo
Jul. 25, 2002 - Ray Durham (+ cash) for Jon Adkins
Dec. 3, 2002 - Keith Foulke, Mark L. Johnson, Joe Valentine, (+ cash) for Billy Koch, Neal Cotts, and Daylon Holt.

And that's it.  The White Sox and A's have not made a trade in five years, as far as I can tell.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Dec 28, 2007 10:44 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

stupid
none of those trades are viewed as rip-offs to me.  sure koch was horrible, but cotts gave us a decent year and a half.  foulke was good, but i think he was overrated as a closer anyways.
12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Dec 28, 2007 10:49 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Ray Durham (+ cash) for Jon Adkins...
is not a ripoff?

It was a salary dump by the White Sox but it was still a ripoff for the A's.

by SSH2005 on Dec 28, 2007 10:54 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Looking back at that...
I don't know if the Sox could have gotten much more for two months of Ray Durham.  He made it abundantly clear to everyone in the league that he was not interested in a contract extension, and would be testing the market that winter, so any team trading for him would be doing so specifically for what he could provide in August and September of '02.  That's not worth very much.

In hindsight, the Sox would have been better off holding onto Durham, offering him arb, and taking the draft pick(s), but at the time, the intel was that draft pick compensation would be going away when the new CBA was signed that winter, so Williams thought he should take what he could get.  In the event, he was proven wrong.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Dec 28, 2007 11:00 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

its typical bad sports journalism
to stick with trite storylines (Beane = supergenius, KW = over-aggressive to the point of getting taken advantage of).

Beane had his stinkers, just like everyone.  He traded Bonderman for a year of Ted Lilly.  

Plus, this isn't a trade, but he let Dye walk after paying him $30M for 3 poor-to-average seasons.  Then KW pays $9M for 2 very good years.

Mosi Tatupu! Mosi Tatupu!

by Nordhagen on Dec 28, 2007 12:21 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Well in his defense
I actually RTFA and he says that KW evolved from the GM that was being taken advantage of by beane to the architect of the championship team. Which I think is kinda accurate.

Of course then he goes on to say that he's now returning to the Beane foil level GM. Which I don't think is true. And in general the article is pretty useless, just pointing out that he clearly states that KW got better.

by bhoov on Dec 28, 2007 1:46 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Keith Law duplicity
his chat from 12/20/2007:

Jake(Waukegan, IL): Is Darin Erstad the "perfect" fit for the Rays? Some people seem to believe so.

Keith Law: (1:07 PM ET ) Yeesh. Only if they had a desperate need for a player who's hurt 90% of the time and can't hit a lick when he's on the field. Do they need one of those? I guess they do in the sense that they don't already have one

his chat from 12/27/2007:

JKGaucho: (DC): Keith, now the Astros are real contenders! Isn't it great to have Ed Wade back in the game?

 Keith Law: (1:02 PM ET ) The Erstad signing was too good to be true. I thought it was a hoax at first. If he stays healthy through March, isn't there at least a 50/50 shot he takes over the CF job on Opening Day?

Mosi Tatupu! Mosi Tatupu!

by Nordhagen on Dec 28, 2007 12:38 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Good job in pointing out
doublespeak.

And TB does have a younger version of Erstad.  It's called a Baldelli.

"I can't give you a dollar if I don't have 50 cents. Decisions are made awfully easy for you."

by winningugly on Dec 28, 2007 2:19 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

I think...
by "too good to be true", he thinks it's a hilariously bad signing, not that it's a good signing.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Dec 28, 2007 2:24 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

if used as a defensive replacement
especially for lee, he's not a bad player to have. of course, that's if you use him properly.

by larry on Dec 28, 2007 2:29 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

That caveat sounds similar to
"Past performance is not a guarantee of future results" type of warning.

Which, if used properly, can save $ in a lawsuit.

"I can't give you a dollar if I don't have 50 cents. Decisions are made awfully easy for you."

by winningugly on Dec 28, 2007 2:41 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

well
you can't blame a fork for not getting the job done when you're eating cereal. it's the person who chose the fork's fault. most players are used properly. erstad, for whatever reason, has not been for the past few years. it finally seems like erstad and the team he's playing for realize this and will adjust his role accordingly.

by larry on Dec 28, 2007 2:48 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

That's up to...
the Astros and their manager, I suppose.  But "Ed Wade" and "wise decision" hardly go hand-in-hand.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Dec 28, 2007 3:02 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

no one called it wise
it's a fine decision. he's obviously an upgrade over palmeiro.

by larry on Dec 28, 2007 3:07 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Well...
if the standard is "better than Orlando Palmeiro", that's a pretty easy bar to reach.

I suppose it's possible to do worse than Erstad, if he's healthy.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Dec 28, 2007 3:13 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

we are talking about
the signing of a bench player. what standard are you expecting to use? hunter pence? people make more of stuff like this than they should. there will be ten or fifteen more signings like this in the offseason. and this is the only one we're likely to talk about on this board.

by larry on Dec 28, 2007 3:15 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

It probably helps that he's
on board with the idea of throttling down.

Not sure why KW/OG want to turn role players (think Mack, too) into starters and feature them.  But DE and Mack are but 2 examples of square peg/round hole placement.

"I can't give you a dollar if I don't have 50 cents. Decisions are made awfully easy for you."

by winningugly on Dec 28, 2007 3:31 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

What is the...
Astros starting outfield, anyway?  Lee/Bourn/Pence?

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Dec 28, 2007 4:28 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Stark
Just saw that Stark made a (rare) strong argument for Raines being elected to the HOF. I'm sure this has been thrown around on this site before, but for a seven year stretch, Raines led the NL in singles, doubles, triples, and walks.
"First off everyone knows me as 'the champ' so sing the champ is hear when you see me."

by Toonderstrook on Dec 28, 2007 1:37 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Even though the Astros signed GrindErstad...
they made a good signing here...
Astros agreed to terms with RHP Oscar Villarreal to a two-year, $2.85 million contract with a club option for 2010.
Villarreal gets a $250,000 signing bonus, $1 million in 2008 and $1.6 million in 2009. The option, which doesn't include a buyout, is worth $2 million. Signing middle relievers already under control to multiyear deals tends to be a poor strategy, but there's not much wrong with this one. If Villarreal turns out to be a bust, the Astros are only on the hook for an extra $1.5 million. Had he posted a sub-4.00 ERA in 2008, it might have taken something like $9 million for three years to re-sign him.

by SSH2005 on Dec 28, 2007 1:51 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

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