ZiPS: SSS Sanctioned off-season plan vs. reality

also subtracts a 2008 second rounder, 2 top 50 picks in 2009, the Sox top 2 pitching prospects and their top remaining position prospect.

What does everyone think about the comparison of the two groups of players from a defensive standpoint?

yesterday.  Forgot, sry.

A freshman quarterback is almost always a bad thing.  Even Henne was severely limited and lucked out thanks to having all everything best ever Braylon.  I watched that whole season knowing that if Chad wasn't constantly passing that game, his rhythm and mechanics would suffer.  Mallett was the same way, only worse.

So why was he so bad?  Hard to say.  There was a lot of speculation that he was something of a prima donna, but let's face it: we don't know.  If Lloyd liked him (and I'm pretty sure he did) that's endorsement enough for me.  Besides, it's Michigan.  We just make quarterbacks here.  He's the centerpiece of the offense.

So: if Scot Loeffler (the QB coach) had stayed on under Rich, I'm pretty confident he would have been acceptable at least and an all star by junior season.  Ryan's right to stick with Scot, because he made Navarre into an NFL pick and you saw what Henne looked like in the bowl game.  He's polished mechanically, looks off defenders and understands coverages.  That's what Michigan quarterbacks have been since Grbac and Loeffler did much to uphold that legacy.  I mean hell, even Matt Gutierrez got drafted by the Patriots.  I really doubt he would have been touched as a D1-AA if he hadn't been thought good enough to go to Michigan in the first place.

As for the receivers: Mario was widely speculated before the season to be gone.  Adrian had a huge game in the CapOne Bowl and was generally just fantastic the entire season.  His hands are phenomenal, not to mention his obvious size advantage.  I'm not certain about his speed, but a guy that works as hard as he did to stay on the team and has size and hands is going to have a good chance.  He might end up being more Marquise Walker than Braylon though.  We'll see.  Lloyd met him every day over the summer to do stairs at the Big House after he got in trouble over...something? Forget what.  Lloyd talked about it in the press conference and it was really touching.  

So: all in all I'm kind of concerned.  I mean I like change and everything, but the way Rich has gone about it has been without the grace that Lloyd brought to the program every day.  It comes off as very Weis-ian honestly.

Phew.  Enough words.

Also: why all the Michigan questions?  You a grad, or just interested?  Just curious.

First New Year's Day, now this week?  WTF?

Fields does against offspeed stuff.  Man, he really has a unique skill set.

The Legend of Rowand grows...

good candidate for decline...like his 15% is really bad or something?

De Luca looked at his deadline, and said, "oh crap, I'd better come up with something!"

Vasquez and the Count... who knows how old the Count really is... but Vasquez is in his early 30's and Buehrle is right at the cusp. the rest of our "staff" is young. That's hardly an aging staff.

but probably not because he did any in-depth research. MB's second half wasn't particularly pretty when you delve into the numbers. had an xERA over 4.00 in every month except april. xERA for the second half was a pretty nasty 4.89 (for comparison purposes, his xERA in 2006 overall was 4.72). WHIP was 1.42 in second half. and K% was down, as well, in the second half. when you take the last two years as a whole, there isn't a whole lot to be all that excited about.

we're obviously dealing with a smallish sample size but there are trends in them that are concerning. i would highly doubt MB is going to post a sub 4.00 again next year.

Did you hear the latest rumored Reds offer for Bedard?

-Baily
-Cueto
-Votto

Three A prospects instead of one fringe A/B for Santana.  Makes no sense

I totally disagree. Fields at 3B, Crede traded for a reliever or put together in a package for a reliever/util guy. Then Swish/Owens/Dye/Quentin in the OF mix.

That helps us win in 08. Not Crede at 3B, IMO.

Poreda is our new #1. When he was drafted last year I was disappointed the Sox didn't take Porcello. That he is our best prospect now I think says a lot about our system.

However, it is a good sign that the guys we drafted last year are doing well and projecting well. It shows some hope that our scouts are doing something right.

My opinion? The sox draft all position players next draft. At least for the first 10 rounds. Fill out the rest with pitchers.

Last item:

Who is Nick Swisher, other than a .260 hitter with average (in this era) power? He's basically Jacque Jones with a personality.
Posted by: John | Jan 4, 2008 9:45:42 AM

I think he's more versatile, but I love that Jacque Jones with a personality line. Prize closet.

This day (American time January 9th), the right elbow is operated. After last year, the right elbow breaking down, you assumed worry to everyone directly. It is conclusion the end when I myself was troubled, thought the variety. Now being also heart clear, persevering, it is the feeling that it probably will face to operation. Securely also rehabilitating, because be sure to return to the mound, please support. While grasping the ball, being able pass the kind of time when you do not read the book and/or do not look at DVD, do not meet to the person, does not do story by the telephone, is usually not possible, you feel that it did the experience which is good to my appearance, good study was possible. In such sense, you think that "valuable time" could be passed. Also the family could pass end of year beginning of the year, slowly and, because family everyone has attended to also latest operation, heart it is strong, is. If there is the encouraging from plus, everyone in this, there are no fearful ones and the like in me! From small time, associating to my dream directly, it is the right arm which perseveres. You appreciate truly. And, still it makes my dream associate it is the intention even from this. Last night, while appreciating in long time meritorious service, "power it has raising more, you inserted the partner" and, the Š... and solved (laughing). Well, tardy... opening, you question with the ,ß, it is! We ask also this year please may. Was opening 2008 of everyone how? You could pass New Year's Day, to be pleasant? It raises the goal of this year and increase is high? When operation pauses ending, in addition it reports. First voice of course

http://www.aspara.co.jp/aki-otsuka/

:p