Spring Training Game #3: White Sox @ D'backs -- Mark Buehrle vs. Brandon Webb

by The Wizard on Feb 29, 2008 1:17 PM CST in Game Threads

Time: 2:05 p.m. CT, TV: MLB.tv (Live Boxscore; MLB Gameday)

Sox: Owens, CF; Cabrera, SS; Thome, DH; Dye, RF; Pierzynski, C; Fields, 3B; Quentin, LF; Liefer, 1B; Uribe, 2B

D'backs: Young, CF; Hudson, 2B; Jackson, 1B; Byrnes, LF; Reynolds, 3B; Upton, DH; Hammock, C; Nixon, RF; Ojeda, SS

First they adjusted Vazquez's feet, ''getting them lined up,'' as Cooper described it. Then they shortened his windup and so on and so on. ... ''To make a long story short with Javy, he was throwing roundhouse rights rather than straight rights in his delivery,'' Cooper said. ''He was looking to get better, and that's half the battle. Guys don't like to do that; you don't want to be naked out there. These were changes, not alterations.''

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reifert says

[SR]:

Buehrle pitching. Also throwing: Broadway, Carrasco, Macdougal, Dotel, Harrell.

I imagine Buehrle was scratched...

by The Wizard on Feb 29, 2008 1:37 PM CST reply actions

hmmm

that draws concern. he could have pitched in a minor league game but this is odd, considering he was scheduled all week for this game.

by larry on Feb 29, 2008 1:39 PM CST up reply actions

looks like it may have just been a mistake

by larry on Feb 29, 2008 2:15 PM CST up reply actions

Gameday has

Floyd starting?

"Jenks, who was never afraid to say "no" to a hamburger..."

by BobbySouthSide on Feb 29, 2008 2:16 PM CST up reply actions

With MB's picture

Next time, Bhoov, do some research.

by Chiburb on Feb 29, 2008 2:16 PM CST up reply actions

This is NOT GOOD

This totally draws concern, especially with the problems at the beginning of the week. I thought he threw with no pain a few days ago...hmmm.

"Jenks, who was never afraid to say "no" to a hamburger..."

by BobbySouthSide on Feb 29, 2008 2:15 PM CST up reply actions

Gameday says MB, not GF

Next time, Bhoov, do some research.

by Chiburb on Feb 29, 2008 2:16 PM CST up reply actions

looks like it was a mistake

MB is pitching. i was hoping that it was just an entry mistake by MLB/gameday

by larry on Feb 29, 2008 2:17 PM CST up reply actions

totally uninformed speculation

yes or no to jerry re-injuring/re-aggravating his leg injury in today's game.

and let's leave anyone's hope for him being permanently disabled out of it.

by larry on Feb 29, 2008 1:37 PM CST reply actions

i bet he doesnt

but he also doesnt do much running full speed on the bases today.

12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Feb 29, 2008 1:45 PM CST up reply actions

Oooh, my favorite kind of speculation!

I'm going with...yes.

Out-underacheiving the other guy.

by defensive indifference on Feb 29, 2008 1:46 PM CST up reply actions

He either feels ok

or he feels afraid: he bunted to lead off the game.

Next time, Bhoov, do some research.

by Chiburb on Feb 29, 2008 2:14 PM CST up reply actions

LOL...

"and let's leave anyone's hope for him being permanently disabled out of it."

by SSH2005 on Feb 29, 2008 2:20 PM CST up reply actions

Larry

You know it's not often that me and you disagree... but c'mon if people are willing to give BA chance after chance then why not give a kid who could really be a key to this team a chance?

by Not Fooling Anyone on Feb 29, 2008 2:49 PM CST up reply actions

i wasn't suggesting anything

regarding whether or not he should be given a chance. he is assured a place on this roster, barring injury. there was a bit of delight surrounding his injury earlier this week (similar to the delight surrounding injuries to pods or erstad). just wanted to nip that in the bud.

by larry on Feb 29, 2008 2:54 PM CST up reply actions

Ok

This year though I don't believe anyone's spot on the roster is really assured. What if BA, CQ, or AR come on like gang busters? BA would definatly be a help to this team if he can produce like we thought he could... then JO becomes irrelevant. Personally I believe in guys who can cause havoc on the basepaths so I am rooting for JO. Just saying after last year the Sox will put the best players on the field that they possibly can.

by Not Fooling Anyone on Feb 29, 2008 3:27 PM CST up reply actions

ballyb, nowhere to hide today

Down 300, taking eveyone out and shooting them. You in cash?

(Sorry for the diversion.)

What exactly do you bring to any discussion other than endless stupid comments with some nasty little dig thrown in?

by winningugly on Feb 29, 2008 1:50 PM CST reply actions

Pillow cases.

I've been bearish since Greenspan's "irrational exuberance," December 1986.

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Feb 29, 2008 1:53 PM CST up reply actions

(Smiles) 1986, eh?

Thought that was '96.

What exactly do you bring to any discussion other than endless stupid comments with some nasty little dig thrown in?

by winningugly on Feb 29, 2008 2:03 PM CST up reply actions

Wiki says:

Although it is sometimes believed that Greenspan's comment was made near the height of the dot-com boom (and contributed to its downfall), it was actually said much earlier, in December 1996 (emphasis added in excerpt):

" [...] Clearly, sustained low inflation implies less uncertainty about the future, and lower risk premiums imply higher prices of stocks and other earning assets. We can see that in the inverse relationship exhibited by price/earnings ratios and the rate of inflation in the past. But how do we know when irrational exuberance has unduly escalated asset values, which then become subject to unexpected and prolonged contractions as they have in Japan over the past decade? [...] "

"The Challenge of Central Banking in a Democratic Society", 1996-12-05

Next time, Bhoov, do some research.

by Chiburb on Feb 29, 2008 2:12 PM CST up reply actions

Sorry, 1996.

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Feb 29, 2008 2:16 PM CST up reply actions

Just a day early

and therefore more than a few dollars short over here. Just got trampled short AAPL yesterday at 130. Market hit me with a weak rally and AAPL's strength just ran me over. Really feels good to be out of the office as the selloff happens, and AAPL takes a 5 point haircut. Timing is everything.

GetYoSelfAHandful.blogspot.com

by MarketMaker on Feb 29, 2008 5:15 PM CST up reply actions

Game isn't available

on mlb TV.

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Feb 29, 2008 2:19 PM CST reply actions

MB in midseason form; chris young not

pick-off.

by larry on Feb 29, 2008 2:21 PM CST reply actions

can anyone with MLB.tv confirm is buehrle startin?

before the game started mlb.com/gameday had floyd as the starter

now they have buehrle pitching to the first az batter

by The Wizard on Feb 29, 2008 2:22 PM CST reply actions

it's MB

by larry on Feb 29, 2008 2:23 PM CST up reply actions

ok

by The Wizard on Feb 29, 2008 2:24 PM CST up reply actions

Was Chris Young picked off 1st?

Is the Pope Catholic? Does a bear buy gold?

Next time, Bhoov, do some research.

by Chiburb on Feb 29, 2008 2:24 PM CST up reply actions

He would fit right in

with our guys - sorry we traded him. Who will take Pods' place?

What exactly do you bring to any discussion other than endless stupid comments with some nasty little dig thrown in?

by winningugly on Feb 29, 2008 2:32 PM CST up reply actions

Anyone notice that there's 2 Cub

games on tv this weekend?
I didn't check the radio for the Sox.

Next time, Bhoov, do some research.

by Chiburb on Feb 29, 2008 2:23 PM CST reply actions

This game could be over in 90 minutes

Next time, Bhoov, do some research.

by Chiburb on Feb 29, 2008 2:25 PM CST reply actions

Is anyone

watching on MLB TV?

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Feb 29, 2008 2:29 PM CST reply actions

Guy next to me

has a subscription and Sox / Ariz. is not one of the available games.

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Feb 29, 2008 2:31 PM CST up reply actions

Same as yesterday -

I couldn't watch it, either, and I subscribe.

What exactly do you bring to any discussion other than endless stupid comments with some nasty little dig thrown in?

by winningugly on Feb 29, 2008 2:33 PM CST up reply actions

Gotta get

a replay of the earlier Cub game in.

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Feb 29, 2008 2:34 PM CST up reply actions

don cooper injured; held out of today's game

White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper wasn't present at the start of Friday's game against Arizona.

Manager Ozzie Guillen said Cooper was addressing a medical issue and was expected to return by Saturday.

"This guy got his jimmy stuck in a bottle," said Guillen. "It's hilarious. Walk [Greg Walker, hitting coach] bet him $50 and he did it. But Herm was on the scene in seconds so the damage shouldn't be permanent. Ruby [Cooper's wife] is relieved."

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports_hardball/2008/02/cooper-absent.html

by larry on Feb 29, 2008 2:34 PM CST reply actions

Ha

you made me click

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Feb 29, 2008 2:35 PM CST up reply actions

man, those guys are immature!

by The Wizard on Feb 29, 2008 2:36 PM CST up reply actions

That's hilarious

It sounds like Ozzie. (Does it also say that Ramirez was scratched with shoulder tightness?)

By the by, Carlos Quentin is a Bill Melton-like good lookin' man.

What exactly do you bring to any discussion other than endless stupid comments with some nasty little dig thrown in?

by winningugly on Feb 29, 2008 2:37 PM CST up reply actions

ramirez is a common name in this town

the other a. ramirez.

by larry on Feb 29, 2008 2:38 PM CST up reply actions

We've got a few Ramirez' here, too

Glad to hear it's a Cub.

What exactly do you bring to any discussion other than endless stupid comments with some nasty little dig thrown in?

by winningugly on Feb 29, 2008 2:39 PM CST up reply actions

I agree and was going to post that

but waited for you.

Next time, Bhoov, do some research.

by Chiburb on Feb 29, 2008 2:48 PM CST up reply actions

i was pretty convinced that happened

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on Feb 29, 2008 3:12 PM CST up reply actions

This might be the funniest thing I've ever read

of course it made me click the link...

well played

by Winning is Fung on Feb 29, 2008 6:46 PM CST up reply actions

so what's the deal with video?

nowhere to be found?

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on Feb 29, 2008 2:37 PM CST reply actions

spoiled kids

in my day, we were lucky to get a daily update via morse code. now they want live video. shoot, back when WU was a young whippersnapper, game reports came by via pony express.

by larry on Feb 29, 2008 2:42 PM CST up reply actions

there were games when WU grew up?

by The Wizard on Feb 29, 2008 2:44 PM CST up reply actions

back then it was called rounders

by larry on Feb 29, 2008 2:45 PM CST up reply actions

WU isn't THAT old...

But he did listen to Ronnie Reagun recreate the games on radio.

Next time, Bhoov, do some research.

by Chiburb on Feb 29, 2008 2:54 PM CST up reply actions

Me and Urban "Red Faber

were like THIS (crosses fingers). Damn firewater got 'im.

What exactly do you bring to any discussion other than endless stupid comments with some nasty little dig thrown in?

by winningugly on Feb 29, 2008 3:08 PM CST up reply actions

i recall reading that red said

that, growing up, you were like a second father to him.

by larry on Feb 29, 2008 3:09 PM CST up reply actions

Went dancin'

with your Grandma. She was great. Everyone said so. Tough out - choked up with 2 strikes, went the opposite way, didn't give an inch.

What exactly do you bring to any discussion other than endless stupid comments with some nasty little dig thrown in?

by winningugly on Feb 29, 2008 3:21 PM CST up reply actions

I hope MB enjoys his runs....

Next time, Bhoov, do some research.

by Chiburb on Feb 29, 2008 2:49 PM CST reply actions

All our second basemen is wanting jobs.

Uribe speaks up!

Next time, Bhoov, do some research.

by Chiburb on Feb 29, 2008 3:02 PM CST reply actions

whats the score?

my damn network is awful and doesnt allow real time box scores or gameday. it just stays frozen in the first inning.

12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Feb 29, 2008 3:15 PM CST reply actions

i've got 4-0 Sox

But MacDougal's been pitching to Orlando Hudson for going on 20 minutes now, so I think that's about to change.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Feb 29, 2008 3:17 PM CST up reply actions

yeah, it changed

3 run bomb. 4-3

Mosi Tatupu! Mosi Tatupu!

by Nordhagen on Feb 29, 2008 3:21 PM CST up reply actions

Who said MaDougal was a keeper?

Not that ST is representative of regular season play - but in this instance, it is.

What exactly do you bring to any discussion other than endless stupid comments with some nasty little dig thrown in?

by winningugly on Feb 29, 2008 3:22 PM CST up reply actions

he does

have one minor league option left.

12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Feb 29, 2008 3:24 PM CST up reply actions

MacDougal

This must be a Florida keyboard, because it can't freakin' spell.

What exactly do you bring to any discussion other than endless stupid comments with some nasty little dig thrown in?

by winningugly on Feb 29, 2008 3:23 PM CST reply actions

spelling?

I thought in Florida, the problem was with counting...

Mosi Tatupu! Mosi Tatupu!

by Nordhagen on Feb 29, 2008 3:32 PM CST up reply actions

Wait what!?

Gameday is telling me that Jim Thome stole second base?

Can anyone watching the game (is it even on TV?) tell me what the circumstances of this steal were?
Did the ball take a funny hop off the catcher or what?

Botched hit and run that still ended up okay?

-Jeeves Life in the Cell

by jeeves on Feb 29, 2008 3:29 PM CST reply actions

they just weren't paying attention

thome got a walking lead and then just took off. site to behold. headfirst slide, to boot.

not really. i bet he just advanced on a ball that got away or something. he's actually pretty decent with that, in my anecdotal, no evidence to back it up opinion.

by larry on Feb 29, 2008 3:33 PM CST up reply actions

SSS Friday Fung:

Dumb SSS Arguments. Go!

Out-underacheiving the other guy.

by defensive indifference on Feb 29, 2008 4:17 PM CST reply actions

Owens

1 for 3 (yes, a BUNT single) and a walk.

.500 OBP, A STUD!!!!!!!!

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Feb 29, 2008 4:22 PM CST reply actions

with a bunt ground out to the catcher

and a K on 3 called strikes. No ball left the infield grass. He never even took a full swing today.

Pretty soon opponents will start employing the "T-ball defense" where all the fielders are inside the edge of the infield.

Mosi Tatupu! Mosi Tatupu!

by Nordhagen on Feb 29, 2008 4:57 PM CST up reply actions

ok, I spoke a little too soon about Owens

Gameday was hung up for a whole inning.

Tack on the go-ahead infield single to his day. Either to the LF or the guy playing the rover position. He must have beaten the Owens shift (in).

Mosi Tatupu! Mosi Tatupu!

by Nordhagen on Feb 29, 2008 5:13 PM CST up reply actions

Alex Cintron,

2 for 2 w/ 2 RBI's @ 3B for the Cubs.

Only needed the pitcher's help ONCE in getting the ball to 1st on a grounder (5-1-3).

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Feb 29, 2008 5:00 PM CST reply actions

Ozzie & Kenny

must be creamin' in their shorts.

Owens on base 3 times today........without getting the ball out of the infield.

BB.
Bunt single.
Infield single to short.

Hey, I'll be a big supporter if he somehow gets a .380+ OBP.

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Feb 29, 2008 5:15 PM CST reply actions

A .380+ OBP

Who wouldn't be a big supporter of that?

GetYoSelfAHandful.blogspot.com

by MarketMaker on Feb 29, 2008 5:33 PM CST up reply actions

So would I...

but we both know that a ~.380 OBP is not likely. He has no power so pitchers won't fear him enough to walk him.

by SSH2005 on Feb 29, 2008 5:43 PM CST up reply actions

I agree that .380 is unlikely

but I don't think his lack of power will be the problem.
I just don't think he is good enough.
I wouldn't underestimate pitchers' abilities to walk guys who don't deserve it.
Juan Pierre walked 55 times in 2003, and he has no power AND he hates taking walks.
Now he did play every game(got a lot of PAs), but JO is definitely a lot more willing to take the free pass.

GetYoSelfAHandful.blogspot.com

by MarketMaker on Feb 29, 2008 6:15 PM CST up reply actions

Lack of power will be the problem...

How many sub-.400 SLG hitters (hell, sub-.350 SLG) put up a .380 OBP?

55 walks in a season is not a lot, btw.

Owens will probably have to hit .330 to put up a .380 OBP.

by SSH2005 on Feb 29, 2008 6:28 PM CST up reply actions

I should have elaborated on my point.

The comp I keep going back to is Juan Pierre, because I hope that JO can put up a 2003ish JP season.

In that season, he had a .361 OBP with a .373 SLG. My point was that he hit .305, and only had 55 walks, but put up a .361 OBP with no power: 1 HR, 28 2B, 7 3B.

My thought was that JO will walk at a higher clip than Pierre and could put up comparably weak power numbers. And if he hit .300 wouldn't that put him at .380ish OBP?

Again, I'm not a believer it will happen, but wouldn't that be a recipe for doing it without power?

GetYoSelfAHandful.blogspot.com

by MarketMaker on Feb 29, 2008 6:54 PM CST up reply actions

theres nothing to risk

for a pitcher to throw him a strike. The worst that can happen is a single.

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on Feb 29, 2008 7:35 PM CST up reply actions

The worst that can happen is still a homerun...

then a triple and then a double, but it will more often than not be a single.

by SSH2005 on Feb 29, 2008 7:41 PM CST up reply actions

They CAN happen

just with the same frequency as Profundo passing on a pastry.

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on Mar 1, 2008 12:50 AM CST up reply actions

Scotty Pods

.290 BA, .351 OBP, .349 SLG.

0 HR, 28 2B, 1 3B

Now I think given the at-bats, JO maybe sneaks out a couple HRs, and definitely gets some 3Bs, so his SLG would be higher, but Pods added .61 to his OBP without any power.

It's a stretch, sure, but it doesn't seem out of the realm of possibility to put up a .380ish OBP while only hitting .300ish with very little power. But, yes, I agree it is very unlikely.

GetYoSelfAHandful.blogspot.com

by MarketMaker on Feb 29, 2008 7:11 PM CST up reply actions

I'll take the under

Owens XBH numbers

04 -- 20 as a 23 year old in A ball
05 -- 29 as a 24 year old in AA (Birmingham has a big outfield that should have played up his 2B and 3B totals)
06 -- 25 as a 25 year old in AAA
07 -- 25 as a 26 year old between AAA/Majors

There's no projectible power there, especially considering his style. He put the ball on the ground in 63% of his plate appearances, which included a number of his just-inside-the-line doubles.

I've got Owens down for something like .275/.335/.320-325.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Feb 29, 2008 7:28 PM CST up reply actions

MarketMaker, the point is that...

we shouldn't have to worry about a fourth outfielder outperforming expectations when we already have a much better outfielder available to start full-time. Quentin is a much better hiter (with power) with a much stronger arm. He is just a much better pedigree than Owens overall. He should be starting in our outfield over Owens.

by SSH2005 on Feb 29, 2008 7:44 PM CST up reply actions

That I completely agree with.

Unfortunately, I think that JO is a very real possibility based on the behavior I am seeing from KW and Ozzie.

With that in mind, I am trying to look at the potential upside for him.

I was just commenting on the .380 OBP thing. I don't see that happening, I just had a different reason.

My prediction might be a little optimistic, but I think that an argument can be made for it.

.290/.350/.360

GetYoSelfAHandful.blogspot.com

by MarketMaker on Feb 29, 2008 10:45 PM CST up reply actions

I think more than a possibility

Its like Erstad part 2

So instead of a big splash, there were ripples -- enough to change the tide, Williams believes

by Brush Back on Feb 29, 2008 11:30 PM CST up reply actions

PECOTA's 90th percentile for JO is

.295/.356/.390

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on Mar 1, 2008 12:53 AM CST up reply actions

Larry's later reply to one of my questions...

led me to one good and not too far removed example of a sub-.400 SLG hitter with a high OBP. Check out Ozzie Smith in 1986-87 and 1991-92.

And again, my point was not that JO would do it. Far from it. Just that power wasn't necessary to put up a high OBP.

GetYoSelfAHandful.blogspot.com

by MarketMaker on Feb 29, 2008 11:07 PM CST up reply actions

I know it's been said,

but Jerry Owens wouldn't be the first one dimensional speed player to have a solid(some might say great) season. It's premature, sure, but if he can take advantage of bunts, and bring the infield in, then his weak line drives and groundballs will garner more hits. Combine that with his stolen base abilities and I don't think a Juan Pierre circa 2003 season is out of the realm of possibility.

GetYoSelfAHandful.blogspot.com

by MarketMaker on Feb 29, 2008 5:31 PM CST reply actions

It's going to suck to watch Quentin...

chewing sunflower seeds on the bench while Jesse Owens puts up a .700 OPS. ; (

by SSH2005 on Feb 29, 2008 5:47 PM CST reply actions

.700 OPS seems unrealistic

Given Owens history, if he's OPSing .700, I expect it to look something like .300/.360/.340

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Feb 29, 2008 5:54 PM CST up reply actions

I was going to type "sub-.700 OPS"...

but I gave Jesse the benefit of the doubt after half a season of at bats last year.

by SSH2005 on Feb 29, 2008 6:12 PM CST up reply actions

Wow

Does anybody know of a full-time starter that had a higher OBP than SLG? That is ridiculous. Who could do that? I can't even imagine JO pulling that out.

GetYoSelfAHandful.blogspot.com

by MarketMaker on Feb 29, 2008 6:20 PM CST up reply actions

ozzie smith

go back further and you'll find loads of light-hitting middle infielders.

by larry on Feb 29, 2008 8:21 PM CST up reply actions

Why do you call him Jesse?

Just wondering. Everytime I read it I laugh my ass off. Especially that .700 OPS comment

''If my [stuff] sells papers every day and we win, well, I want to be on the front page every day, as long as I don't rape anybody"

by rangerjae on Feb 29, 2008 6:21 PM CST reply actions

Barry Bonds grand jury testimony unsealed

From The Smoking Gun:

While the entire Bonds transcript is worth a read, we particularly enjoyed his answer to a question posed by one juror about Greg Anderson, the athlete's beleaguered friend and trainer. "With all the money you make, have you ever thought of maybe building him a mansion or something?" Bonds replied, "One, I'm black. And I'm keeping my money. And there's not too many rich black people in this world. And I'm keeping my money. There's more wealthy Asian people and Caucasian and white. There ain't that many rich black people. And I ain't giving my money up. That's why."

Greg Anderson, stewing in jail, is a moron. But a real man - not a squealer.

What exactly do you bring to any discussion other than endless stupid comments with some nasty little dig thrown in?

by winningugly on Feb 29, 2008 7:29 PM CST reply actions

Wrigley name bye bye?

http://blogs.wsj.com/dailyfix/2008/02/29/cubs-fans-consider-a-wrigley-by-any-other-name/

Well, it hurt when we dropped Comiskey, but we lived. And won a WS.

What exactly do you bring to any discussion other than endless stupid comments with some nasty little dig thrown in?

by winningugly on Feb 29, 2008 7:49 PM CST reply actions

Missing Toby Hall...

According to the Chicago Tribune, Toby Hall said he should be ready to play by the end of next week after being placed on a deliberate program designed to stabilize the right shoulder he separated last March.
Hall was very possibly major league baseball's worst player while trying to play through a torn labrum last year, and there's no guarantee he'll be much better this season. The White Sox need to take a long look at him this spring to determine whether it might not be better to simply eat the $1.9 million he's still owed.

Source: Chicago Tribune

by SSH2005 on Feb 29, 2008 8:15 PM CST reply actions

BTW, the Sox would never eat $1.9 million.

by SSH2005 on Feb 29, 2008 8:17 PM CST up reply actions

Uribe might

with some barbecue sauce.

How do you fuck a nut?!

by omnipotent grab on Feb 29, 2008 8:21 PM CST up reply actions

A+ for the day OG.

I'll hang up and listen to your answer.

by Hazymania on Mar 1, 2008 2:16 AM CST up reply actions

another guy afraid of the knife

maybe with good reason (ain't a pleasant experience, that's for sure). but it's unfortunate for the business side of the game.

by larry on Feb 29, 2008 8:20 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah, Toby having surgery after his injury last ST

would have definitely been ideal, looking back at it now. Had he stayed healthy, I still think he would have been a nice option behind the plate against lefties. A good idea by Kenny that just didn't work out. Ozzie playing Hall at 1B is another story...

by SSH2005 on Feb 29, 2008 8:22 PM CST up reply actions

i was saying it at the time

if people would just listen to me and let me control their lives - i'm a wasted genius.

by larry on Feb 29, 2008 8:24 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah...

didn't you say that teams can't really force a player to have surgery though? So even though it was probably the best course of action, it does sound like Toby was "afraid of the knife" as you say.

by SSH2005 on Feb 29, 2008 8:29 PM CST up reply actions

that's pretty much right

the recent (rumored) schilling situation illustrates how a team can, in some situations, use some of the leverage they have to get a player to follow the medical course of action they want. but the sox wouldn't have been able to force toby to have the surgery last year. it's unclear, of course, what course of action the sox preferred then. with hindsight, though...

by larry on Feb 29, 2008 8:33 PM CST up reply actions

It's funny how perspective changes...

When he signed, Toby's contract didn't seem like much at all. I thought it was a good deal for a nice platoon catcher. $1.9 million still isn't much but it seems like a helluva lot more when the player suffers such a bad injury and you are pretty sure you won't get much out of him for the remainder of the contract.

by SSH2005 on Feb 29, 2008 8:45 PM CST up reply actions

it's not so much the money

it's the philosophy where one continues to hold onto something when perhaps it's better to cut one's losses.

by larry on Feb 29, 2008 8:57 PM CST up reply actions

Porcello strikes out Big Hurt

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=761

Fellow Tiger Rick Porcello, the Tigers' first-round pick last year, saw his first action of the spring in a game against the Blue Jays. The 19-year-old righthander retired all six batters he faced without allowing a ball to leave the infield. Porcello, who was 19 months old when Frank Thomas made his big league debut in 1990, struck out Thomas for his only strikeout of the game.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Feb 29, 2008 9:26 PM CST reply actions