Cubswin11

I have literally heard nothing about what he's asking/who's interested, has anyone else on here? Guess he's waiting for Hamilton/Bourn to sign to be a fall back option? Two teams that made sense to get him already got their guy (ATL and SF). Maybe he's the fall back plan for Texas if they don't bring Hamilton back?

Sure, but there is a much stronger chance that he loses in the SEC, especially since Ark isn't one of the top recruiting draws and I don't think BB's recruiting skills have been all that special. I don't know. I'm sure it was the money but looking at the long term it seems like a lateral, high risk move to me. Maybe he just doesn't like it here anymore. I'm hearing rumors that Alvarez might coach the Rose Bowl Yeah, how well did BB actually recruit? The Wisconsin brand recruits lineman and running backs by itself practically. Getting Russell Wilson was great but did he facilitate that or was the opportunity just right for Wilson? I don't think he did all that well, I believe Cryst and some of the assistants he took with him last year were mostly getting past recruits and doing a lot of game planning and prepping. BB is a pretty bad in game coach too (TO management, how he had drives earlier this year where he would sub 3 QB's in and out during it, etc.) I don't think he's all that big of a loss for Wisconsin and I think finding a comparable coach won't be that hard.

I believe it's the first two words in their name that need to be changed, not the last

It's nice to hear he made changes, but what exactly did he change? None of those tweets/articles mention it. Did he change his hand position, widen/shorten/open/close his stance, or change something with a timing mechanism??

Where is Swisher going to wind up? Red Sox were interested in him, doubt they are anymore the Yankees don't seem to want him back. Wouldn't mind him for RF, depending on his contract demands. Though a Soriano/Dejesus/Swisher OF would leave quite a bit to be desired defensively. But that's why you keep a guy like Campana/Sappelt around for late inning defense I guess.

lulz There's that middle of the order OF bat they were looking for

Thought this was interesting. I don't know that I buy the only reason he struggled was the negotiations but I guess it could be part of the equation. Also interesting that he might play winter ball, I haven't heard anything about that until this article. http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/14234/agent-contract-pressure-affected-castro

For the right price maybe, but wouldn't part with anything significant. He has a good k%, bb% is slightly high. His velocity has declined pretty steadily since 09', however, average FB went from 94, 93.6, 92.6, 91.8 the last 4 years and his slider has seen a similar decline as it has gone from 87.7 in 09' to 84.2 this past year. That's still okay velocity but a pretty clear trend and red flag as he will probably lose effectiveness as he ages/continues to lose velo as he doesn't have great control.

It's a definite option, but let's give it some more time. Though I may change the amount of time for voting from three days to either 1 or 2 for future votes. If in 3 days it's a tie between Almora and Soler I assume DABUM gets the deciding vote? Or do we bring in Meph? I'll email Callis to break the tie. :D Fair enough, that works too! Will you even have a vote for #3? Or will the loser between Almora/Soler be the de facto #3? I know there was some Vizcaino support for #2, but the Soler/Almora voting is clearly overwhelming.

It's a definite option, but let's give it some more time. Though I may change the amount of time for voting from three days to either 1 or 2 for future votes. If in 3 days it's a tie between Almora and Soler I assume DABUM gets the deciding vote? Or do we bring in Meph?

http://gifsoup.com/imager.php?id=2989723&t=o GIFSoup

I voted Soler for many of the reasons listed. He's at a higher level, but still young. He has potential for at least two plus tools, in SLG% and OBP while Almora only looks to be about average in everything (which isn't bad but I value upside more than safety/floors still being acceptable).

Trying to figure out what all those teams would be interested in/what they have we'd be interested in Dodgers: Garza, Marmol, Barney? Better question is who do they have that we'd be interested in? They traded almost all their prospects out in the Hanley and BOS deals. Maybe Lee? Rays: Barney, Soriano, Marmol, not too familiar with their system but have to assume they have some good prospects Braves: Dejesus, Soriano, Wood, Barney, Garza? Delgado/Teheran/Gilmartin/Grahm

I actually see the offensive upside pretty similar. It's just that one is a SS and one is a RF. Agreed. I think they both could top out as high .800/low-mid .900 OPS guys. But they will get there differently. Soler will probably get their with a higher OBP and lower BA, while Baez will get there with a higher BA and lower OBP. With them slugging around the same, probably. Why do you feel that Baez will have a higher BA? In their small samples, he's been more strikeout prone. They are both RH, so no advantage there. Do you feel Baez has that much of a speed advantage or do you feel confident he'll be a better line drive hitter for some reason? Speed advantage is part of it. He definitely seems to potentially have a Castro like hit tool where he can put a lot more balls in play. Soler seems like he's willing to work the count a little more and take walks (but also lead to more k's/less balls in play), while Baez wants to swing at the first ball around the zone it seems and not take as many counts deep with the potential for the outcome being not putting the ball in play (K/BB). Also feel he will be a better LD hitter and due to his speed/contact ability he probably can sustain a higher/better BABIP than Soler. Like you said the limited data doesn't point to this being the case now, but the scouting reports indicate it. I think Soler could end up like a .270 BA guy with a .360-.380 OBP. Castro more of a .310 BA and .340 OBP guy.

I actually see the offensive upside pretty similar. It's just that one is a SS and one is a RF. Agreed. I think they both could top out as high .800/low-mid .900 OPS guys. But they will get there differently. Soler will probably get their with a higher OBP and lower BA, while Baez will get there with a higher BA and lower OBP. With them slugging around the same, probably.

I have a feeling this could be an overpay. Haven't heard any numbers yet

A-Rod is having another hip surgery and is going to miss the first half most likely. With that, the Jeter injury and just the Yankees relative old age, I wonder if they would have interest in Barney and/or is there anything they have we'd be interested in?

Can't argue with that one. Eh, he hasn't done anything meaningful in the last 4 years, it seems like it's one injury after another and he's going on 31.

That's about par for the course given our recent transaction history

Operating on Dual Fronts! \:D/

His mother must be a member on this board

Teams that try often times wind up trading away veterans during a season in which they are already out of it. But then at the end of the season the records reset so they are allowed to try and win again the next year. It was not a legitimate question. But there also have been reports of them making Lester, Bucholz, and some of the other guys you'd assume they'd keep around if they were looking to win this year with signing someone with Napoli.

What exactly are the Red Sox trying to do? Improve their team? I meant what's their current strategy? I like the signing and Napoli is a good player. I was more saying with the big sell off last year and rumors that Lester and others are available I was just wondering if they are trying to put a contender out there or sell off and re-tool.

What exactly are the Red Sox trying to do?

Uh, oh.................... :lol: :lol: :lol: http://thenewsportsguru.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Tony-parker-Tim-Duncan-gun-Joey-Crawford-450x350.jpg http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/dish/201212/embarrassing-photo-spurs-players-leaked-online