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¡Viva Alexei!

Thecheatsmoking_tiny by The Cheat on

Chexei_medium

I've been hesitant to bring up Alexei Ramirez because, well, I still haven't got him figured out yet. He's completely undisciplined, except when he's taking borderline pitcher's pitches. He's got a high BABIP, which you would expect from a player with his speed, but his LD% is well below what you would expect from his lofty BABIP. He breaks his bat a lot, often for base hits, which, if you'll remember, is one of the reasons I wanted him to get some more work in the minors, yet it almost seems as if his broken bat hits are a repeatable skill. I could go on, but just go read Jim's piece on Alexei, as he touches on a number of points that I would make here.

I know a number of you would like to see Alexei consistently hitting higher in the lineup--6th seems to be a popular choice. I'm still not there yet. Even though he's produced very well with RISP, I'm generally confident that a few well located pitches will get him out. I just don't know what to make of this guy.

Your thoughts?

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As Hawk would say

“He’s got a Magic Wand” Freddy Sanchez style.

All I know is I can’t wait for him to be put at SS for the next 10 years (hopefully). Once GoBe comes up, could be a really fun combo.

by JoeCoolMan24 on Aug 7, 2008 1:27 PM CDT   0 recs

Ramirez to Beckham to Swisher

That will be one goofy looking double play combo.

"would've been a sweep if pablo was here" -Kenwo-

by Hazymania on Aug 7, 2008 1:29 PM CDT   0 recs

i don't know what to make of this guy either.

he’s surprised everyone, i think. including rick hahn and the front office. as for batting order, don’t care. a couple spots up or down is getting into the wholly meaningless category at this point in the season. i said oswaldo would be batting him first eventually and certainly by next season and i’ll stick with that.

by larry on Aug 7, 2008 1:37 PM CDT   0 recs

You're probably right...

although a guy who swings as much as he does (he makes Orlando Cabrera look patient) probably isn’t very well-suited for the top of the order.

Serious question -

What’s the difference between 2008 Alexei Ramirez and 2004 Juan Uribe? I’m really hoping someone can explain to me how Ramirez, unlike Uribe, will be a perennial star.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Aug 7, 2008 1:41 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It's easy to forget how good Uribe was that year

as to your question, I can’t really answer it. I guess the fact that the Alexei has had no minor league training or MLB caliber instruction (i’m assuming the coaching in the Cuban leagues is poor) prior to this year has to speak loudly about his natural talent

-Jeeves Life in the Cell

by jeeves on Aug 7, 2008 1:46 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I was going to use a Uribe comparison as well

citing both 2004 and 2005, when he got hot (with Frank around and in September). The Uribe Crede tandem at the bottom of the lineup-once they transformed into dangerous hitters-took the Sox from a below average offense to one that had to be respected 1 through 9. I kinda like having the undisciplined, yet surprisingly good, hitters at the bottom of the lineup because its like a bonus when they do produce, and you don’t feel like you’re counting on them too much

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Aug 7, 2008 1:49 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

star? getting a little hyperbolic there, jer. makings of an average to somewhat above average player.

as for the difference, thanks for pissing in the cheerios. we missed that around here. the correct answer is “who knows” because we have little to no information apart from this season to draw upon.

by larry on Aug 7, 2008 1:50 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

The idea...

wasn’t to piss in anyone’s cheerios – it was a serious question. I was hoping that someone was seeing something in Ramirez that I’m not seeing.

The only thing that I can see is that Ramirez is better at making contact than Uribe is.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Aug 7, 2008 1:55 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

so doesn't that answer your question then?

and i read the part about it being serious. it still was a cheerio pisser.

by larry on Aug 7, 2008 1:57 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Much better at making contact, more disciplined swing in general, does try to do things besides go yard. He cuts his swing down quite a bit more than Uribe does with two strikes. Has more speed than Uribe.

Uribe should have been an average player for the next 5 years, but he stopped going to right field and got out of shape.

I don’t think Alexei will be getting out of shape anytime soon, but I suppose he could stop trying to do the little things at the plate.

by Grinder in Training on Aug 7, 2008 2:07 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

So Uribe strikes in about 20% of his at-bats, and Ramirez strikes out in about 13%.

Take the 7% difference in K rate, mulitply it by a .300 BABIP, you get about a 20 point edge in batting average, so it is kind of a big deal.

Not really piss in the Cherios, more like spit in the scrambled eggs.

by The Actual El Guapo on Aug 7, 2008 2:14 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Late to party

And we have had this argument to a degree before. Alexi is not Uribe. Faster and more athletic skill. And yes he does need to hit higher in the order, I prefer 6th. For a guy who really hasn’t had the help other mlb players were given its amazing. There is plenty of video on him now and he has continued to adjust. I don’t know about star but I would be surprised if he wasnt a solid player for the whole contract.

The SSS motto should be the answer to "What is our deepest fear?". Or maybe just Prozac.

by Tdogg on Aug 7, 2008 4:01 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Wrong photo. Tout Jim's T-shirt photo

I love Che. He is brilliant and undisciplined at the same time. A thinner version of Uribe with more skills, and more consistent production. He has more RBI’s than Paulie, fer Chrissakes, in far less AB’s, and they tend to be key times.

I’d be pulling my hair out managing him, though. Last night’s 2-run single encapsulated his brilliance and maddening goofballishness (is that a word? It oughta be.) 3-2 pitch (after being down 1-2), he goes to right for the hit (with 2 outs, the proper play). He’s gotta know everyone is taking off on 3-2, 2 outs, bags juiced, yet he gets caught in a rundown for the 3rd out. AAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! You want to hug him and slap him at the same time.

I’d move him up from 9th, but not too far. I remember Cano hit 9th his rookie season and was hitting .300. No need to rush him (though I might hit him as high as 7th). He needs more experience in game situations, a bit more coaching (or indoctrination, however you want to term it), and a vasectomy (he’s never going to get sleep if his lovely wife keeps pushing out the puppies).

I’d take 10 more like him with some Phenobarbital close by.

"I suck... the Sox don’t." reply actions 25 recs
by SSH2005 on Aug 6, 2008 1:08 AM EDT

by winningugly on Aug 7, 2008 1:41 PM CDT   0 recs

I had no problem with the rundown

He almost got a third run home with it.

I CAN'T STAND IT.
Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on Aug 7, 2008 1:59 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I agree

Thought he did the right thing getting in the rundown. Your up 2 runs, gaurantee that second one, try to get in a third. BA almost made it, if Alexei doesn’t slip he probably scores before getting tagged.

by Grinder in Training on Aug 7, 2008 2:08 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, it was close...

Anderson crossed the plate right after Ramirez got tagged out.

"god, you’re fucking stupid."
-- Larry

by SSH2005 on Aug 7, 2008 2:07 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Well, I feel stupid

Nothing new, I know. Not sure the “sacrifice” is always warranted.

"I suck... the Sox don’t." reply actions 25 recs
by SSH2005 on Aug 6, 2008 1:08 AM EDT

by winningugly on Aug 7, 2008 2:34 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

i said it was baseball 301.

not 101. this is one i wouldn’t expect people to know unless they’ve played at a high level or otherwise learned it.

perhaps not. but, anecdotally, it seems to work more often than not. however, the tigers have a pretty veteran and savvy infield (not to mention relatively accurate outfield arms) so the odds are lessened.

by larry on Aug 7, 2008 2:37 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Another one is...

When a team has runners at the corners with one out and they are facing a tough pitcher—the guy at 1B tries to steal 2B to force a throw by the catcher while the runner at 3B tries to steal home.

"god, you’re fucking stupid."
-- Larry

by SSH2005 on Aug 7, 2008 2:51 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

That's baseball 301? More like 102

The fake throw to 2nd SS runs in to cut and throw home—that might be baseball 202.

by madvillian on Aug 7, 2008 2:55 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Kind of what I thought

I haven’t really played in 30 years, but I remember that one.

"I suck... the Sox don’t." reply actions 25 recs
by SSH2005 on Aug 6, 2008 1:08 AM EDT

by winningugly on Aug 7, 2008 2:56 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

My coach in HS was pretty fucking hardcore

Our signs were based on a numbering system, with certain parts of the body (say Belt) worth a numerical value—one if the belts case. Arms and legs were worth “2” each and so forth. And the open and close would always be changing as well.

Needless to say it was pretty overwhelming for most HS kids. I still remember that 1 was sac bunt, 2 was bunt for a hit, 3 was bunt and run, 4 was straight steal, 5 was hit and run, 6 was run and hit.

We also had quick steals (would cross arms after giving steal sign) and dalyed steal (would cross legs after giving steal sign) that came out once in a blue moon.

Scott Kelly is the guy’s name, crazy SOB, had a great chance at playing high level pro ball (following a great college career for Ferris State) ruined by booze, now runs a anti-drug and alchohol center in MI.

by madvillian on Aug 7, 2008 3:03 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Man, with the way most kids make change at McDonald's (et.al) today

that system would cause a Scanners-like explosion of the craniums of your teammates. I can see why he needed to drink – “Scott, calm the eff down, it’s a game, fer Chrissakes”. And ending up counseling other intense, addictive types is probably his karma. Good for him in getting it together.

"I suck... the Sox don’t." reply actions 25 recs
by SSH2005 on Aug 6, 2008 1:08 AM EDT

by winningugly on Aug 7, 2008 3:08 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Does he get a 3rd RBI if that happens? If not, does the pitcher get an earned run

charged? I assume it’s like a fielder’s choice, so it is earned.

"I suck... the Sox don’t." reply actions 25 recs
by SSH2005 on Aug 6, 2008 1:08 AM EDT

by winningugly on Aug 7, 2008 2:53 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

On that play it's always just best to take a wide turn

which is why you see guys get hung up there so often.

Throw misses the cutoff you take the extra base, throw hits the cutoff you force the guy to make a quick decision.

Of course a good defense is going to know if that guy rounding 3rd has any chance of scoring or not and guys will be hollering where to go with the ball.

by madvillian on Aug 7, 2008 2:43 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I for one

Am tired of hearing people label him as a possible future center fielder. Him moving to second base was a catalyst for so many things on this team (Uribe becoming Mr. Leather or Captain Utilitybelt, Pablo being shown the door, etc…). The idea of him being moved back out to that logjam in the outfield makes me shudder.

"would've been a sweep if pablo was here" -Kenwo-

by Hazymania on Aug 7, 2008 1:50 PM CDT   0 recs

I can't imagine they would move him out there

He has too much value at SS next year

-Jeeves Life in the Cell

by jeeves on Aug 7, 2008 1:51 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm just talking about the talking heads in Bristol.

I believe it was Steve Phillips on BBT last week.

I know their opinions are valueless, I’m just tired of hearing it.

"would've been a sweep if pablo was here" -Kenwo-

by Hazymania on Aug 7, 2008 1:54 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

So what you're saying...

Is that if I don’t like the programming one station is offering I can simply choose to change the station? or shut the television off all together?

But where will I go for my Chris Singleton fix???

"would've been a sweep if pablo was here" -Kenwo-

by Hazymania on Aug 7, 2008 2:02 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

He won't be in the outfield.

Cabrera will be gone, and Ramirez will be the starting shortstop.

that said, there won’t be a logjam in the outfield next year. Griffey will be gone, Thome will probably be gone, and Swisher will play either right field or first base while either Konerko or Dye DH. Unless the team is really excited about Brian Anderson, look for them to go searching for a center fielder.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Aug 7, 2008 1:54 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm not saying anyone of substance has said to look for it.

I’d like to think the Powers That Be within the Sox org. know better.

"would've been a sweep if pablo was here" -Kenwo-

by Hazymania on Aug 7, 2008 1:55 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Thome won't be gone next season...

He will likely get the plate appearances required for his 2009 option to kick in. The Sox will only have to pay Thome $7.5 million for next season with the money that the Phillies are kicking in.

"god, you’re fucking stupid."
-- Larry

by SSH2005 on Aug 7, 2008 1:57 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Thome? JIM Thome?

I thought that guy was dead.

by The Actual El Guapo on Aug 7, 2008 2:00 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

DFA his corpse!!

"great i'm happy" - one of pierzynskirules' many articulate retorts.

by omnipotent grab on Aug 7, 2008 2:00 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Thome's 2009 option is for $13 million...

but the Phillies are kicking in $5.5 million. So $7.5 million for Thome next season.

"god, you’re fucking stupid."
-- Larry

by SSH2005 on Aug 7, 2008 2:01 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

that is a serious serious bargain

what a good trade

nothing gets ‘em wetter than infrequent postings on the city’s second favorite team

by colintj on Aug 7, 2008 3:10 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Thome will be gone? Aren't the Phils picking up quite a bit of his salary on the option?

I can’t think of a reason to jettison a guy who has (knock on wood) managed to stay mostly healthy and perform at a very high level, even though he is getting older. I don’t think the Sox want to think about replacing his 900 OPS from the DH position for the 4-7 million it will cost for Thome in 2009.

by madvillian on Aug 7, 2008 2:45 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Orioles send RHP Chad Bradford to the Rays for a PTBNL...

“Orioles assign Chad Bradford to Tampa Bay”

The Orioles today announced that RHP Chad Bradford was assigned to the Tampa Bay Rays via a waiver claim for a player to be named later.

Bradford, 33, was 3-3 with a 2.45 ERA (40.1IP, 11ER) in 47 relief appearances for the Orioles this season. He has appeared in 68 or more games in five of the past six seasons and he finished third among American League relievers with 78 appearances for the Orioles in 2007.

Bradford signed a three-year contract with the Orioles as a free agent on Nov. 30, 2006.

A corresponding roster move to fill Bradford’s spot with the Orioles will be announced Friday.

Would have been a nice move by Kenny to replace Wassermann with a good version of Wassermann for only a PTBNL, who will likely be a scrub.

"god, you’re fucking stupid."
-- Larry

by SSH2005 on Aug 7, 2008 1:53 PM CDT   0 recs

that guy sure gets paid a hell of a lot.

oh. wait. the orioles signed him to that contract. silly me.

by larry on Aug 7, 2008 1:56 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I assume the Rays are paying the pro-rated portion of Bradford's $3.5 million salary for this season...

That and a scrub PTBNL doesn’t seem like a bad deal for a good ROOGY.

"god, you’re fucking stupid."
-- Larry

by SSH2005 on Aug 7, 2008 2:00 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Correct me if I'm wrong...

but isn’t Bradford also under contract for 2009 as well?

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Aug 7, 2008 2:01 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Oops...

You are correct. Bradford will also earn $3.5 million in 2009. I thought this was the final year of his contract. I can see why Kenny didn’t go after him now.

"god, you’re fucking stupid."
-- Larry

by SSH2005 on Aug 7, 2008 2:03 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

cest-la-vie?

In two weeks they will win 7 or 8 in a row and you all will have 10 inch boners.

by Chiburb on Aug 7, 2008 2:20 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Ménage à trois?

"would've been a sweep if pablo was here" -Kenwo-

by Hazymania on Aug 7, 2008 2:24 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Juan Pierre?

In two weeks they will win 7 or 8 in a row and you all will have 10 inch boners.

by Chiburb on Aug 7, 2008 2:25 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Retreat?

"would've been a sweep if pablo was here" -Kenwo-

by Hazymania on Aug 7, 2008 2:25 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I like this one the best, Hazer.

"I suck... the Sox don’t." reply actions 25 recs
by SSH2005 on Aug 6, 2008 1:08 AM EDT

by winningugly on Aug 7, 2008 2:55 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I know! I know!

In two weeks they will win 7 or 8 in a row and you all will have 10 inch boners.

by Chiburb on Aug 7, 2008 2:27 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

No no

That would be far too obvious.

"would've been a sweep if pablo was here" -Kenwo-

by Hazymania on Aug 7, 2008 2:27 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

oh. never mind.

In two weeks they will win 7 or 8 in a row and you all will have 10 inch boners.

by Chiburb on Aug 7, 2008 2:29 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

This one?

In two weeks they will win 7 or 8 in a row and you all will have 10 inch boners.

by Chiburb on Aug 7, 2008 2:33 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Oh I think that might be the one!

"would've been a sweep if pablo was here" -Kenwo-

by Hazymania on Aug 7, 2008 2:41 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

This one is different

it has an upside down exclamation point.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Aug 7, 2008 2:52 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Schadenfreude?

In two weeks they will win 7 or 8 in a row and you all will have 10 inch boners.

by Chiburb on Aug 7, 2008 2:34 PM CDT   0 recs

No no no

That can’t be it.

"would've been a sweep if pablo was here" -Kenwo-

by Hazymania on Aug 7, 2008 2:41 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

In two weeks they will win 7 or 8 in a row and you all will have 10 inch boners.

by Chiburb on Aug 7, 2008 2:52 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

RAZOR! MY MAN!

Poor guy. Great guy to talk with, good baseball mind, IMO. Just caught up in politics.

"I suck... the Sox don’t." reply actions 25 recs
by SSH2005 on Aug 6, 2008 1:08 AM EDT

by winningugly on Aug 7, 2008 2:54 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Whatever you say, SSH.

Cox is infinitely better.

"I suck... the Sox don’t." reply actions 25 recs
by SSH2005 on Aug 6, 2008 1:08 AM EDT

by winningugly on Aug 7, 2008 2:58 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Alexei

attributed his slow start to the cold, which he never experienced before. I remember a quote of his in which he said that once it warmed up to the weather he was accustomed to did he begin to play better. Should be worried about how he’ll perform in October?

by VAChisox on Aug 7, 2008 2:50 PM CDT   0 recs

should be worried he'll be home in October

In two weeks they will win 7 or 8 in a row and you all will have 10 inch boners.

by Chiburb on Aug 7, 2008 2:53 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs