Hey Jim Thome...

[POJO_Risin]

lmfao...see here's the thing...

Rolen...as far as I could tell...wanted out of Philly from the start of the Bowaera...

Thome..."I want to stay in Cleveland..."

They essentially offer nearly the same money...but instead of a sixth year...they give him five...with an option for a sixth...and include a clause saying he can stay with the team after he retires in some capacity...

He then hangs his hat on the sixth year of the deal...

and leaves...

why?

money?

NO...

he wanted to get to the dance...so he went with the team he thought could do it quicker...

ooooops...

Cleveland wins again tonight...five games over...and creepin' up on some teams....

[POJO_Risin]

That's the shit that fries me...

he KNOWS Cleveland can't offer him the money Philly can...

and sticks his bigass foot in his fucking mouth...

fuck him...lying bastard that he is...fuck him...

[TLR]

Originally posted by POJO_Risin
lmfao...see here's the thing...

Rolen...as far as I could tell...wanted out of Philly from the start of the Bowaera...

Thome..."I want to stay in Cleveland..."

They essentially offer nearly the same money...but instead of a sixth year...they give him five...with an option for a sixth...and include a clause saying he can stay with the team after he retires in some capacity...

He then hangs his hat on the sixth year of the deal...

and leaves...

why?

money?

NO...

he wanted to get to the dance...so he went with the team he thought could do it quicker...

ooooops...

Cleveland wins again tonight...five games over...and creepin' up on some teams....

No logical argument I can give to refute what you just said...you are accurate, in my opinion (for whatever THAT'S worth).

[TLR]

Originally posted by POJO_Risin
That's the shit that fries me...

he KNOWS Cleveland can't offer him the money Philly can...

and sticks his bigass foot in his fucking mouth...

fuck him...lying bastard that he is...fuck him...

Ok, ok...help is on the way. I'm sending for you right now. I'll bring you on over here, we'll watch some baseball games (mostly Phillies, of course) together and we'll help with some intensive training and therapy. haha

[POJO_Risin]

LMFAO....the only therapy I need is getting my Tribe back in contention...

they've made great moves...have great young players...offensively...defensively...and pitching...

and should be a contender for years to come...well...until the big-market teams steal them all away...

so we've got four years to get it done...

[TLR]

They need to do what they did before: sign the young guys to long-term deals before they can hit free agency.

Sabathia, Lee

Broussard, Belliard, Lawton, Crisp, Gerut, Sizemore, Hafner, Martinez

The cupboard is far from bare, that's for sure.

GET A CLOSER, DAMMIT!

[POJO_Risin]

I think you'll see them convert one of the power-arm starters into a closer...

or do what they did back in 93 and 94...sign someone...a vet...

that's their next step...

go out and get a #3 starter...a vet...

or go out and get a closer...or both...

Belliard may not be there for the duration...Brandon Phillips is hitting a ton at AAA...and has five tool stuff...if he can keep it together...

and Johnny Peralta...

and we haven't even touched AA and A yet...

They are stacked...did it right this time...

[TLR]

Yep...I didn't even mention Phillips and/or Peralta.

They also have a few young arms rehabbing from what...Tommy John? I'm pissed cuz their names are right on the tip of my tongue and I can't get them to my fingertips...grrrrr.

Maybe right there you'll find your 3-4 starter and/or closer...?

This is a nice change...talking about my favorite sport with someone who has a refreshing touch of knowledge/passion/common sense...kudos.

[twonabomber]

we knew this was gonna happen with Thome and the Phillies...

[POJO_Risin]

LMFAO....and listen to you...knowing that my Philly feelings right now...are in the shitter...

anyways...impressed with your knowledge of the Tribe......more than most people in Cleveland...

The Phillies have to be disenchanted with some of their young guys...

What happened to guys like Hamels, Howard, Madson (he's with the big club isn't he?), and Floyd...

I thought they had big aspirations for all those guys...

[tdfl]

Originally posted by POJO_Risin
LMFAO....and listen to you...knowing that my Philly feelings right now...are in the shitter...

anyways...impressed with your knowledge of the Tribe......more than most people in Cleveland...

The Phillies have to be disenchanted with some of their young guys...

What happened to guys like Hamels, Howard, Madson (he's with the big club isn't he?), and Floyd...

I thought they had big aspirations for all those guys...

For one Madson is on the DL and has had a great season! Utley has been stellar in his role...Hamels is doing well in Clearwater when healthy...Floyd making nice strides from Reading. Howard has no room to advance at first base with your bud Thome there.

This team has problems with consistent pitching. Cormier isnt having the season he had last year...Roberto Hernandez is old and not very reliable. Tim Worrell hasnt been effective as of late. Millwood hasnt played well enough over the past 2 seasons to make anyone believe that he's that great! This team has potential but it it frustrates me to hell that they cant put it all together. Brett Myers has a good game then stinks up the joint 4-5 in a row. Is it Bowa & Kerrigan that cant get this team on the right page? I dunno. I dont blame Wade for not giving up Hamels, Floyd, Madson or Utley.

I'm a huge Phillies fan but if it werent for the damn Marlins we'd at least be just a game behind Atlanta or maybe ahead of Atlanta. You cant discount how they have come back to play this season. Just when you think those dorks are dead!

[POJO_Risin]

No doubt...gotta give props to Bobby Cox...and Leo Mazzone...

they keep getting it done with smoke and mirrors...

[Warham]

The Phillies will never be able to catch the Cubs.

The Giants are falling like a rock as well.

All we gotta do is hold off the Padres.

[alexpgrimes]

Cleveland is now 3 games behind the Twins.. Were creepin' up behind them..

[TLR]

Originally posted by POJO_Risin
LMFAO....and listen to you...knowing that my Philly feelings right now...are in the shitter...

anyways...impressed with your knowledge of the Tribe......more than most people in Cleveland...

The Phillies have to be disenchanted with some of their young guys...

What happened to guys like Hamels, Howard, Madson (he's with the big club isn't he?), and Floyd...

I thought they had big aspirations for all those guys...

Pojo...

I'm a baseball guy...it's my passion. I try to know/learn as much about the game as I can.

To answer your questions:

Hamels: Has had some arm trouble but could be a stud. In A-ball.
Floyd: Another guy who could be a stud. Don't think they ever planned on him arriving this year.
Howard: Putting up big power numbers at AA...path to the bigs is blocked by Thome and an inability to play another spot (reportedly).
Madson: Has been having an outstanding rookie year in the bigs...out right now w/ an injured pinky from running into the OF wall during pre-game BP awhile back.