The Bitter Rivals Thread

[RedSoxFanAtic]

Re: Re: Re: Re: ponson

Originally posted by Mattingly
I'll take your word for it. I wasn't checking out the O's team page much, so I missed it. Either case, I guess they must not have gotten much of a reaction from Boston or anyone else if they're going to offer him a contract. From your description, they seemed to want to send out a "feeler" to guage interest. I guess even if they'd kept Ponson, the interest level would've helped determine salary or length of contract.

Yes, I think Boston needs a #2 starter badly, but I guess you'll understand my hoping this never happens soon. Seriously, I'm not sure who's your current #2 (Lowe or Wakefield), but someone solid couldn't hurt. Heck, I'd give my eyeteeth to have Halladay or Wood in the Bronx.

It's Sunday, so if this isn't finalized, I couldn't say. From ESPN's Baltimore team page:
From the Baltimore Sun:
You'll need to click the link to see the rest of the article.

When you'd written "If he gets signed to a longer term, his value goes up and teams are more willing to commit", were you referring to his trade value later on? His value to the team?

I was referring to the fact that the Orioles are looking to slash salary and acquire prospects, but in order for the Red Sox, Braves, Cardinals, etc. to part with multiple good prospects, they'd want Ponson longer than 2 months. Now I realize that the spin some writers are putting on it is that if the O's can afford to sign him, they'll happily keep him, and I'm not saying I know that to be wrong, but I AM saying that I don't think that's necessarily true. They may be signing him to get more for him. Also, even if that's not their intension, once he's signed, the increased offers they receive may prove too tempting.
One other note - The fact that you haven't heard the sox or their brass mention him doesn't mean a thing as to whether or not their pursuing him. I saw Theo interviewed on tv tonight, and he said they want a pitcher who'll be a 'difference maker now and in the future'. (sounds good) But he also said they are playing it close to the vest and would not name names, and mentioned hurting their cause this past off season by talking too much about their intentions.
so, sox fans, stay tuned....

[racosun]

Re: Re: The countdown has bugun...

Originally posted by KenFougere
Boy are you gonna have a L-O-N-G summer . . . if you're counting magic numbers in July!!!

I have a gut feeling that he's been counting magic numbers since early April.

[drillerman]

yup

[Biggerin]

how do you figure out magic numbers? number of games left minus number of games you're ahead of the competition?

[Mattingly]

Originally posted by Biggerin
how do you figure out magic numbers? number of games left minus number of games you're ahead of the competition?

From mlb.com:

Magic Numbers: Determine the number of games yet to be played, add one, then subtract the number of games ahead in the loss column of the standings from the closest opponent. So here's Texas' magic number:

Games remaining (50) +1=51. 51-7=44. The Rangers' magic number to clinch the AL West is 44.

[drillerman]

oh

[KenFougere]

Re: Re: Re: Ponson

Originally posted by Mattingly

Now if you're talking Roy Halladay, he's certainly had a better career.

Of course, if George decided that KC, ChiSox or the Twinkies should have him, I wouldn't mind too much. Don't want to get your false hopes up too much!

Are you kidding, I'd take Roy Halladay over Ponson any day but I don't usually get my way...if I did, King George would own the Mets instead...

[KenFougere]

The countdown has bugun ... probably many months ago!

Originally posted by racosun
I have a gut feeling that he's been counting magic numbers since early April.

Ya, I can picture the days crossed-off {I'm not sure in Red or Darkblue} on the Yankee calendar hanging on the wall next to his computer . . . . . .

[KenFougere]

TOR-ON-TO!

[B][I][SIZE=1][COLOR=blue]
             GO - BLUE JAYS !  [/COLOR][/SIZE][/I][/B] 
[B][I][SIZE=3][COLOR=blue]
             GO - BLUE JAYS !  [/COLOR][/SIZE][/I][/B]
[B][I][SIZE=5][COLOR=blue]
             GO - BLUE JAYS !  [/COLOR][/SIZE][/I][/B]
[B][I][SIZE=7][COLOR=blue]
            GO - BLUE JAYS ! . . .  :D   [/COLOR][/SIZE][/I][/B]

[KenFougere]

O H - C A N A D A !

[B][I][SIZE=3][COLOR=darkred]
Now [u]that's[/u] the Jeff Weaver... 
...we've all come to know and love! _ :laugh  [/COLOR][/SIZE][/I][/B]

[RedSoxFanAtic]

Ponson

Originally posted by Mattingly
Fanatic, not to change the subject too much, but why the major interest in Ponson? Looking at his 1998-2002 stats, he had a 4.74 ERA, hasn't hit 200 innings since 2000, and hasn't had 6 CGs since 2000.

Looking at his 2003 stats, he's got over 130 innings, sub 4 ERA, is 13-5.

Could he possibly be the next Bartolo Colon kind of career year pitcher?

I think Ponson has turned the corner and become a very strong pitcher. He pitches a lot of innings and has been very, very good this year. He's still young, and is just coming into his own. Halladay wasn't very good for awhile at first as well. Anyway, this year Ponson certainly has proven to be a tough pitcher. If we get him he transforms our team. Our rotation becomes much stronger, especially in the playoffs, if we make it. I just think he's the best available.
I also like Scott Sauerbeck, the lefty in the Pirates pen. I also like Scott Williamson, the Reds closer who can also start and throws heat. Jeff Suppan would be a decent back of the rotation addition but wouldn't make th eimpact of a ponson. I'm not sure how I feel about Colon at this point. Maybe the Expos will falter and deal us Vazquez!
Anyway MAttingly, I think your too focused on stats and past performance, and not enough on how good this kid has become. If we get him, you'll become convinced!
by the way, the A's bringing up this kid Harden is not good at all for our wild card chances - I also am hearing they may get Brian Giles as well - not good at all!

[RedSoxFanAtic]

Re: Re: The countdown has bugun...

Originally posted by KenFougere
You gotta be kiddin'?

Boy are you gonna have a L-O-N-G summer . . . if you're counting magic numbers in July!!!

Wouldn't it be funny if the sox took the division and the A's took the wildcard?


Then this magic number stuff would be really funny.

[RedSoxFanAtic]

Re: Re: TOR-ON-TO!

Originally posted by KenFougere

[B][I][SIZE=3][COLOR=red]
I was trying to remember if this was the Blue Jays first win at Yankee Stadium this season..

...No, no ... that's not right, is it? 
No, I'm wrong. 
... OOOh, {silly me} it's the first time they won [u]Five (5) Straight[/u] at Yankee Stadium...
Yup, that's it... ;)
[/COLOR][/SIZE][/I][I][SIZE=3][COLOR=red][/COLOR][/SIZE][/I][SIZE=3][COLOR=red][/COLOR][/SIZE][COLOR=red][/COLOR]

[/B]

and now they have to face Halladay!
Go Bluejays!! And maybe Tony Pena's Royals will rebound and beat the Athletics tonight!

Yanks +24 --
RedSox +18 -3
Athletics +12 -6

[RedSoxFanAtic]

Re: Re: Re: Re: The countdown has bugun...

Originally posted by YankeeMan
Almost as funny as winning the AL pennant, getting "one out away" from the World Championship and then choking in the most heartbreaking manner possible. Now that's funny.

why must you antagonize so?

magic numbers?
bringing up past failures?
are you just trying to make sox fans feel bad? the losses we've suffered have already made us feel bad. Right now though, we're pretty optimistic towards the future. Is that ok with you, if we feel some optimism? I'm only joking about the Yanks not making the playoffs because of your magic number barb obviously aimed to annoy. yes, we know it's not likely.
Jeesh, you'd think the 26 championships you bought would have you more relaxed by now.
That reminds me, how come the yankees have 180 million for a payroll, and the next highest is 120 million?
do you really need to spend 60 million more than anyone else in order to win?
are you in need of that much of an advantage to pull it out? 30% more payroll, minimum, than any other team just to be able to win? what do you think when you lose after all that? what's worse, do you ever think about just how shallow that actually is when you do win? History will know you bought the titles. Once a salary cap is installed, your done.

[Biggerin]

that's actually 50% more