southpaw121505

It sounds like were in the same boat Game. It is unfortunate that you can't target both of our goals. The last month or so I've been going more towards the abs approach, and its worked great for burning my beer belly off the only problem is im starting to lose weight overall which I dont want. Tough call but I'm leaning towards a bulking approach and biting the bullet on the abs. I've been on a 3 days a week full body lifting program and I can't decide if I want to switch it up to some split (4 days alternating upper/lower, or one body part a day) or stick with the 3 days. Seems like were on the same page for the most part but your post def. helps, appreciate the input. Jim, looked into that book and seems like it covers the nutritional side as well which I think I need more than anything

The thing is, he'd be really valuable if you knew his deal. Therefore you'd use him at the appropriate time. If you didn't know his deal and you used him as a closer in a one run game, it obviously wouldn't work out.

This is somewhat of a spin-off from the diet pills thread since we started going down this route, but I thought this was worthy of it's own topic. I have some specific questions that id appreciate advice or tips on. I've been doing my own research but I've found it more effective doing trial and error so that's why I'd appreciate input from others. I'll ask a few specific questions to my situation and goals. I'm tall and lanky but still have a layer of fat on my stomach from my recently destroyed beer belly. I want to add bulk to my arms, chest, legs, etc, but I also want to get the rest of that fat off and get some ab action going. It's tough to add bulk/strength when Im also trying to watch my stomach and burn fat there. Any advice on how to go about this? What to eat, what not to eat, workout routines, etc. Any input is appreciated, thanks in advance.

That question just shows how crazy the game is, and especially relief pitching. Those numbers would be terrible, but if used properly that guy could be extremely valuable. Any late inning situation where you have a lead and the 3 outs are more valuable than the one run he would help. Any game heading into the 9th with a 2 run lead would be a win. Can he go multiple innings? Close the door in the 8th and 9th if you are up by 3.

Just my opinion, but I'd guess one or more of those position players will not be on the roster. Especially Weeks and Hardy if they are paid that much. If we ever pull the plug on Weeks do we even have a solid plan B in the organization? Can we move the Hurricane back to 2b please?

Weaver AND DiFelice, pick two of Parra,CV, and Bush. The one that stays has a few more shots before swapping roles with McClung if they don't shape up. At this point we have to try something different

good thing that win last night really got us going

Why? They aren't in any position to win with him anytime soon. I'd think with how desperate they are for some young bats a package of Gamel and Gwynn would nicely fill two holes for them and a high potential arm like Jeffress would help justify them moving an arm of his quality. I actually like that deal for both sides. I love Gamel but do we really want yet another bat that we have to somehow hide his glove somewhere?

I'm a drug mule. No really, I deliver drugs(medicine) for a dealer(pharmacy). Did you Platteville guys play baseball by any chance? I played my freshmen year there in 04. I only stayed there a year and a half

I agree that they aren't as bad as they are performing now. But, how long do we trot them out there and wait for it while were consistently getting short, poor starts? I have high hopes for Parra but maybe he just isn't ready to consistently give us 6 every 5th day. I don't know, I hate sitting on my hands while were getting abused and there are some guys who might give us a few good starts compared to the daily feeling that we aren't going to win unless Sheets is pitching.

Id swap Weaver and Defelice for Parra and Villanueva right now. Our rotation is pathetic and is going to destroy the bullpen eventually. This team is pretty embarassing right now. Good teams don't play this piss poor and just sit back and watch it, our offense and starting pitching has been a joke all year, except for Sheets. I don't care if you think our current options are slightly better, something needs to be done now if for no other reason to send a message to some guys to get their act together.

I was going to make a thread in the minor leagues section but I'll see if I get any response here first. I'm a dork about it and like to edit the batting stances to be as realistic as possible. Anyone have any insight on Laporta, Escobar, Gamel or any of our prospects as far as their batting stances or anything like that? Also, what pitches do some of the prospects have? (Pena, Jeffess, etc) I never play RTTS because of the ridiculous roster moves that are made. I prefer franchise and have full control of my roster and line-up, etc

I like to add a scoop of protein powder to my oatmeal. I make the oatmeal, then add a scoop and top it off with a little more milk, stir it up good, you barely taste the difference.

Absolutely. Also I'd add that drinking water as soon as you wake up followed by breakfast is a good way to boost your metabolism. I forgot where I read it but they recommend drinking at least 16 ounces of water first thing out of bed.

I think these two paragraphs are closely related. I don't have a problem with the line-up. I actually expect them to get really hot at some point, and keep us in the race, only to fall short due to a lack of quality starts. So thats my point, no matter how good our line-up is, can we REALLY COMPETE with one good pitcher this year, and then relying on Gallardo as one good pitcher next year. I'd rather trade a few position players and take a potential hit in offense if it adds better pitching. Especially having guys like Escobar and LaPorta being pretty close next year.

I don't know man, I think you guys are overlooking the question he's asking. Is this nucleus good enough even down the road, at their best. No one expects a magic bullet or whatever you want to call it, but I do think we need to have the right types of players to build a complete team, not a home run derby no defense/pitching team. For example, if we can get a nice deal for Hardy that maybe brings some pitching and let Escobar play it might be worth it, even with the offense we may lose. I also totally agree with building around Hart and Braun, I'm not saying trade Prince now but I would not be opposed to listening to offers as soon as this off-season. If we got a good starting pitcher and an almost ready catcher, I'd pull the trigger as soon as this off-season. Call me crazy all you want, and I love Prince, but if he's not hitting for power and driving in runs he brings nothing to the table. I want to add that me thinking this way has nothing to do with the last 3 games or this season at all. Even before the season, as excited as I was, I was already wondering if this core would be good enough, not this year, but any year they are together. I think we all have been excited to have a competitive team that we've totally been sold on this being "the" nucleus that would get us into the play-offs and beyond. I think it's obvious we need better starting pitching to be really competitive, even more so next year with Sheets gone. If we have to trade some of our mlb position players to improve our pitching I don't see that as re-building at all. I don't know, I love this line-up, I love this team. But, I do have some serious doubts and I totally agree with the original poster that some of our strengths (mashing) might be offset by our lack of defense/pitching and inability to consistantly get on base for said mashing. Sorry for the length of the post and thanks for those of you who read it all.

I was thinking the same thing. With our track record of drafting and developing position players, why not trade a few prospects now and still have time to re-stock and replace them and develop them to replace our current big leaguers? I don't want a rental player, but if we could get a guy like Lincecum, or even Cain, I'd pounce. I'd give them Gamel or LaPorta(not both) and then maybe Escobar and one or two more depending on who it is. This is the type of move I could see DM doing because it helps us this year with Gallardo being out, but also helps us going forward with losing Sheets. Gallardo, Lincecum, Parra, CV makes me happy.

I was just coming to say the same exact thing. That was hilarious how pumped he was

Totally fooled the ump as well I guess. The ump leaving the game has to be related to this pitch, somehow. Ok probably not, but it's fun to think it is

I really like Cameron. I've been so anxious to see him out there. Does he not just look the part of an awesome CF? I think he will be a huge upgrade defensively over Kapler. Anything extra he provides with the bat his gravy. This line-up will not stay this cold for long and adding one more solid bat and the ripple effect of that making our bench stronger MIGHT just give us a boost and get us going. Even the emotional boost of having Sheets and Cam back MIGHT get us going. Hopefully

I hope you are right. Maybe, just maybe that will rub off on the rest of the guys. Our line up is full of guys that have power the other way yet they all try to pull every freaking pitch. Especially Bill Hall and Braun, they are both so good when they drive the ball to right center, it makes them much harder to pitch to.

whether he blows this or not, you cant blame yost. this is the right move

man ive missed that home run stroke from the big fella, that a beaufiful sight or what?

If Rickie doesn't start hitting by the time Cameron comes back I'd have Cameron lead off and see if moving Rickie somewhere lower in the order can't get him going. I'd be ok with him 2nd and Hardy 7th, or vice versa. Cameron has led off before, takes pitches, will take walks. He might be more suited to lead off and Rickie might be more suited lower in the order. Maybe the "lead off" mentality is making Rickie hold back and not go after pitches he might normally pounce on. I agree with the others that said he needs to go the other way more. It's so frustrating because he (not just him) has the power to drive the ball with authority the other way if they'd just commit to it.

gagne has looked good lately