Ozzie likes his bullpen

by The Wizard on Feb 7, 2007 1:34 PM CST in Quotes

Ozzie already feels good for this year's bullpen:

"I got better this offseason ... I have. The reason we struggled last year was because we didn't have the bullpen. My bullpen is now strong. You know how many times I would put my arm up and hopefully have guys come in and get the ball to that eighth inning? Whoever I bring in now, I expect to pitch that inning, at least one inning. Last year, it was one guy for a lefty, one guy for a righty because we can't get anyone out. It got so bad last year that I would hear fans at home yell to me, 'Bring in [closer Bobby] Jenks.' And that was in the fifth."

I think I'll wait a bit!

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Comments

There's certainly a lot of potential.

How that potential will translate is another question.

Even if Charlie Haeger doesn't make the team out of Spring Training, I'd be willing to bet that either at least one of Sisco, Masset, or Aardsma struggles early on, or that MacDougal or Jenks gets hurt, so Haeger's a nice insurance policy. I think he'd be really effective when offset against all that heat.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Feb 7, 2007 1:55 PM CST reply actions

ozzie giving up the match-ups!?!?

i don't believe it.

by larry on Feb 7, 2007 2:04 PM CST reply actions

Ozzie says a lot of stuff...

What he does is another matter entirely.

Didn't the Sox use their bullpen the least of any team in majors last season? My recollection is that Ozzie has always been slow to go to the pen, but that once he does he plays strict lefty/righty matchups all the way to the closer. If the bullpen is strong this year, he might be quicker to go to it. But I imagine the matchup thing will stay the same. It will be interesting to see how many lefty relevers the Sox carry out of spring training...if it's 3 we'll know for sure Ozzie will still be playing matchups.

by hitlesswonder on Feb 7, 2007 2:40 PM CST up reply actions

ST

I can't imagine Logan and Sisco both beginning the year in the ML 'pen, and that's the only way I figure we get to three lefties.

I am Dog the Bounty Hunter.

by Toonderstrook on Feb 7, 2007 2:43 PM CST up reply actions

well

i may be off, but once we got mac last year it seemed like either he or thornton took the 8th, and pretty much pitched the whole inning. in prior innings, he did play match-up.

there's no way we'll have three lefties. we barely have two who should be on a major league roster.

by larry on Feb 7, 2007 2:45 PM CST up reply actions

I love this bullpen

Using the bullpen on low side has more to do with his slow hook of starting pitching. I dont buy ozzie says a lot of things.... He has consistently shown that he is inconsistent. A point that has been made by BP for awhile and I love him for it. Sometimes he goes by the book other times he won't. There have been many decisions that others thought Ozzie would not do that he did (even to my surprise). I aint saying he's perfect (certainly bunts too much and IBB drive me crazy) but if he feels his bullpen is stronger and capable of getting multiple outs I fully believe he'll use it that way.

by Tdogg on Feb 7, 2007 3:47 PM CST up reply actions

the ligers picked up bazardo

[MLB.com]

DETROIT -- The Tigers added to their pitching arsenal with a rare pre-Spring Training trade, acquiring right-hander Yorman Bazardo from the Mariners in exchange for outfield prospect Jeff Frazier. The 22-year-old Bazardo joins Detroit's pitching mix on the heels a solid winter of relief work in Venezuela. After going 6-5 with a 3.64 ERA -- fourth lowest in the Texas League -- in 25 starts at Double-A San Antonio last year, he scattered six earned runs over 30 1/3 innings -- good for a 1.78 ERA -- in 21 games out of the bullpen for Venezuelan League champion Aragua. He followed that up with five scoreless innings in two games at the Caribbean Series in Puerto Rico. The Mariners were in a position where they had to trade Bazardo and get what they could. They had designated him for assignment last week when they added Jeff Weaver to the 40-man roster, giving them 10 days to either trade him, release him or outright him to the Minors if no one had claimed him on waivers. His performance in the Caribbean Series, complete with a low-90s fastball and a good curveball, pretty much assured someone was going to claim him.

HEY THIS IS JI
JIM THOME
THE PEORIA POUNDER

by The Wizard on Feb 7, 2007 7:23 PM CST reply actions

fantasy but hadn't seen it mentioned before...

[MLB.com]

After racking up 230-plus innings for four years in a row, Buehrle finally faced some minor injury trouble last year and endured a stretch of more than a month during which it appeared he was tipping his pitches and getting hit hard.

HEY THIS IS JI
JIM THOME
THE PEORIA POUNDER

by The Wizard on Feb 7, 2007 7:38 PM CST reply actions

not sure about the tipping

but wasn't he having some back trouble - which he insisted wasn't causing any problems on the mound.

by larry on Feb 8, 2007 8:48 AM CST up reply actions

expect uribe

to arrive late again this year to spring training.

[White Sox shortstop Uribe delayed for spring training http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2757990}

by jd23 on Feb 7, 2007 10:32 PM CST reply actions

whoops,

sorry bout that
White Sox shortstop Uribe delayed for spring training

by jd23 on Feb 7, 2007 10:33 PM CST up reply actions

A's sign Shannon Stewart to one-year deal...

ESPN.com:

ESPN's Buster Olney reports that the A's and Shannon Stewart have agreed to terms on a one-year deal. The contract could be worth $2.5 million if Stewart reaches incentives.

I still can't believe we wasted $2.9 million on Podsednik. Who would you rather have -- Podsednik for $2.9 million or Shannon Stewart at $2.5 million IF he hits all of his incentives?

by SSH2005 on Feb 8, 2007 9:34 AM CST reply actions

Neither

They both suck at this point.

GO SOX!

by rhythm on Feb 8, 2007 11:07 AM CST up reply actions

I'd actually take Pods

A bunch of defensive stats show Pods being OK in left, enough that I believe he's at least average. Shannon Stewart is like Pods with a significantly worse glove. PECOTA projects Stewart to get on base at a .330 clip. Pods can probably do that. And Stewart is just as likely to be injured as Pods (and by that I mean 100% likely, since Pods already is hurt).

by hitlesswonder on Feb 8, 2007 12:32 PM CST up reply actions

agreed

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Feb 8, 2007 1:06 PM CST up reply actions

I'll take Shannon Stewart...

Athletics signed outfielder Shannon Stewart, who had been with the Twins, to a one-year, $1 million contract.
He can make an extra $1.5 million in incentives. Stewart, who turns 33 later this month, hit .293/.347/.368 in a 2006 season in which foot problems limited him to 44 games. If he can still run around the outfield, he'll likely be a nice part-time player for the A's. What playing time he gets will come at the expense of Dan Johnson and Bobby Kielty.

Podsednik at $2.9 million guaranteed or Shannon Stewart at $1 million guaranteed plus a possible $1.5 million in incentives?

by SSH2005 on Feb 9, 2007 10:56 AM CST up reply actions

your question

is like asking whether you want your shit with caramel or cherries on top. one will taste like caramel shit and the other will taste like cherry shit. but it's still shit.

by larry on Feb 9, 2007 12:24 PM CST up reply actions

Couldn't say it any better myself

A $1.9 million difference for one year isn't going to prevent this team from making any moves. I was kinda sorta with you on the Preston Wilson thing, but I feel no remorse for missing out on a speed guy with two bad feet.

Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on Feb 9, 2007 12:47 PM CST up reply actions

larry, with apologies to

"Blazing Saddles", you use your fingers purdier than a $20 whore.

by winningugly on Feb 9, 2007 5:26 PM CST up reply actions

Cliff Pollite

Ozzie seemed much more smarter with '05's bullpen. Those maricons Pollite and Cotts dropped his IQ plenty.

Speaking of which, has Pollite wound up anywhere? Has he had arm surgery or anything? He completely fell off the map once Sox cut him, pretty sad actually. He had an insane year for us in '05.

by ChicagoPete on Feb 8, 2007 12:41 PM CST reply actions