An option for SS in 2008

by asinwreck on Aug 2, 2007 9:35 PM CDT Comment 22 comments

In tonight's Braves-Astros game, Edgar Renteria was injured and had to leave the game. For the first time in seven years, Chipper Jones moved over from 3B to SS (and Willie Harris played 3B and immediately made a critical error setting up a grand slam). This got me thinking about the White Sox shortstop situation -- there is a good chance the White Sox will not retain Juan Uribe, Andy Gonzalez doesn't seem like anyone's idea of a regular shortstop, and Danny Richar profiles more as a second baseman.

On the other hand, the Sox have a potential glut at third base. Joe Crede is still under control for next season as he attempts to return from back surgery, and Josh Fields is now auditioning for the job. Instead of assuming that only one of them can make the lineup, or that Fields would have to move to the outfield given a full Crede recovery, what are the odds Crede shifts over to short? His range and glove are well above average at third, and while he wouldn't be a match for Uribe a couple years ago, neither is the Uribe of today. We could have an infield of:

1B Konerko
2B Richar/Gonzalez
SS Crede
3B Fields

I'd rather do that than, say, pick up Royce Clayton, Cristian Guzman, or one of the other mediocrities likely to be available. Then the main challenge would be to rebuild the horrible, horrible outfield situation.

Thoughts?

SouthSideSox is a community driven site. As such, users are able to express their thoughts and opinions in a FanPost, such as this one, which represents the views of this particular fan, but not necessarily the entire community or SouthSideSox editors.

0 recs | Comment 22 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Not really

Chipper was drafted as a SS. I believe Crede has always been a 3B in the minors. I'd rather have Crede play third and Fields at LF if Crede is healthy.

by 35thStreet on Aug 2, 2007 9:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

interesting thought

I have no idea whether Crede would be capable, but keeping his health in mind it wouldn't be the best idea. I reckon he'll take more abuse at SS and if the Sox hope to preserve his trade value they need him to be healthy and they need to showcase him at his best position.

-Jeeves Life in the Cell, a Sweet Home Sports site

by jeeves on Aug 2, 2007 10:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

my thoughts are similar

learning a new position like shortstop could get ugly fast. the trade value should be a consideration; however, looking at the trades made the past few years, it's increasingly obvious that GMs have become frightented turtles. i can't imagine we get much for a rental of an injury prone average player.

by larry on Aug 2, 2007 10:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

hmm

if he's in the top two or three third basemen in terms of runs saved is it too much to think he could be average at ss? actually what might work best is to have a groundball lineup for buehrle and garland and a flyball lineup for danks and gio. the problem is that we won't gain much advantage because we have so little talent in the first place. I think this solution works if you have a glut of talent in the outfield but lack in the infield. we just suck too much to try something fun like this.

by colintj on Aug 2, 2007 10:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

because it is easier

to fix an outfield than an infield, it's not a bad thought to have. i just haven't really heard of a guy being converted into a SS at the age of 30. i'd be interested in any examples.

by larry on Aug 2, 2007 10:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Michael Young is the closest I can think of

moved to SS at 27. But he's average at best defensively.

Go Alex Cintron!! (and take Uribe with you...)

by Nordhagen on Aug 3, 2007 12:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kenny already missed the boat...

He should have traded Garland to the Braves for Yunel Escobar and a couple pitching prospects. Now Garland is going to fuck up his trade value just like Contreras did.

by SSH2005 on Aug 2, 2007 10:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Unfortunately

Two teams have to agree to a trade.

Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on Aug 3, 2007 12:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So that's how it works, huh?

-Jeeves Life in the Cell, a Sweet Home Sports site

by jeeves on Aug 3, 2007 5:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is this Jim Hendry?

Jim, you sure have a serious hard-on for KW.

Can anybody here play this game?

by winningugly on Aug 3, 2007 3:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Which Jim?

Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on Aug 3, 2007 5:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hendry, aka SSH

Sorry to be opaque.

Can anybody here play this game?

by winningugly on Aug 3, 2007 6:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

When Kenny brings back ErstaDL for 2008...

I can't wait to see what BS you guys make up to defend him.

by SSH2005 on Aug 4, 2007 8:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's all about balance, kid

Rip when warranted, praise with discretion. Rip, rip, rip and you risk howling in an empty room.

As the Japanese say, an empty vessel makes the loudest noise....

Can anybody here play this game?

by winningugly on Aug 4, 2007 10:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Crede at SS?

I would love to see that. I think he'd be on the DL after trying to get out of the way of a slide into 2nd base while trying to turn a doudble play. First time.

Glaus played SS in college, and moved to 3B at the majors. He's 30 or so. He played some SS last year.

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on Aug 3, 2007 8:23 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

What about Fields?

Do you think he could make a move to SS. I hear he's a really great A-THA-LETE (benchwarmers)

Xbox live: Marco es DRUNK

by marco054 on Aug 3, 2007 10:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think he has a better chance to not get injured

but I dunno about the glove. he isn't the rangiest of fellows...

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on Aug 3, 2007 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I dont know much about his range

but i thought his biggest criticism was that he didn't have quick reflexes like Crede on balls down the line.

Xbox live: Marco es DRUNK

by marco054 on Aug 3, 2007 1:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good ole Joe, been good knowin' ya

Unfortunately, I think Joe is gone - he just doesn't fit with this team next year, and he's too expensive.

Moving Fields to LF would be a big mistake, he's still learning 3B and you'd just be setting back his development. No way you could play Crede at SS, too much contact and weird torquing for someone with a bad back.

Joe is too big an injury risk for his $5mm/yr. It doesn't make sense to keep him for trade value either - if we couldn't get anything for JD, what would we get for JC?

The only reason to keep him would be if they thought there'd be a massive PR hit from releasing him. But keeping him for one year and sending Fields back to AAA makes no sense, we're certainly not going to extend a Boras client.

I always love speed

by ChicagoPete on Aug 3, 2007 1:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Well, we're being asked to postulate

on the efficacy of moving Joe to the quarterback of the infield, not whether or not he stays with the team (I think the assumption for the sake of argument is he stays).

That being said, as a former Little League shortstop I feel I am eminently qualified to say that, though intriguing from a roster utilization perspective, I'd have to agree with the larry/Pete opinion - you usually move away from SS as you get older, not into it. With the dearth of talent we have at ANY position I might look at a few scatter-armed fireballer SP's who might hit a lick and see if we can train them to field the position (Gavin Floyd? Sisco, the first left-handed SS? Aardvark?)

Gotta think outside the box - or at least move the lines a little - in dire circumstances, so let's keep brainstorming. Keep it up, asinwreck!

Can anybody here play this game?

by winningugly on Aug 3, 2007 3:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs