SoxFest questions fans should ask

manage to post something about SoxFest 2 minutes before I put my SoxFest question up?


Rest assured, if I get the chance, I will ask one of the questions posited here.

It is the age old question of Castro vs Pierzynski.

Last season Ramon Castro obviously hit a lot better than AJ Pierzynski, posting a better wOBA in limited PAs against both lefties and righties. In his career, Castro has a .353 wOBA against lefties and a .313 wOBA against righties compared to Pierzynski’s .297 and .330. Since most defensive metrics (read: every single one that I’ve seen) rate Castro’s defense above Pierzynski’s, why didn’t Castro get more playing time last season? Ozzie has shown that he’s willing to play the hot bat, and Castro’s was certainly hotter. If he were to go for true talent level over streakiness, Castro wins there too.

So I guess the easiest way to phrase this question is: how do you justify starting a struggling playing like Pierzynski over a hot bat like Castro’s, and why not platoon them to always get the best available offense from that position?

(To be diplomatic,) Adam Dunn looks fairly uncomfortable in the field, both at corner OF spots and at first base. Given the reports that Dunn will play the field on occasion, how much did Dunn’s negative fielding value factor into the contract for a man who will spend most of his time at DH?

Also, with Viciedo now being quite well blocked at first and at DH, and looking uncomfortable at third, is there any merit to the rumors that he could be converted to outfield? If so, it seems unlikely that he’d see any time in the majors this season with the roster as it currently stands. Do you think the best way to maximize your value here would be to rush Dayan to the majors as a RF and move Carlos Quentin, or to leave the young Cuban (who is getting paid $5MM over the course of the next two seasons) in the minors for another year?

Will this administration ever bring the Hamburglar to justice?

sale #6 on the pitchers list, morel #33 on the hitters list.

1. Kenny, We joke about how you’ve said “you can’t buy a dollar’s worth of stuff when you only have .50”. This offseason it appears many .50 pieces have turned into dollars. What changed?"

2. Ozzie, the tweeting by your son has been tough to defend and seems to have caused unnecessary distractions. At what point do you say “enough is enough”?

3. Ozzie, what’s the plan for Chris Sale this year? Is he starting until Peavy returns or will he start the year the same place he ended last year – in the bullpen?

4. Kenny, when did you assess that the “DH by committee” had failed and a significant upgrade was needed?

5. Ozzie, where do you plan to hit Dunn, 3rd or 4th? Does his career OBP when in the 3 slot factor into your decision?

1) Do you have any plans to try to work out a contract extension with EJackson?
2) How comfortable are you with Morel at 3B long term?
3) What kind of value does Joey Cora bring to the team as a bench coach, and do you see him as being ready to take a head manager position with some other team?

My burning questions have been tackled above, especially the “what is with your son’s tweets?” and “Where are we pitching Sale?”

I would have a few questions for Kenny if I could attend. I’d especially be interested in the state of our free agents next year.

1. If they have a good year, how quick will you be to resign Alexei Ramirez or Buehrle, or is that a decision that will be more affected by the team/payroll situation after this year?

2. How has the recession impacted your ability to work with the payroll?

For Ozzie:

3. How can we perform better against the Twins this year to win the division?

(Sorry if my questions sound a bit noobish; this is the first year I’m following SoxFest in depth.)

1. You’ve mentioned before the mental toll your job takes on you. Have you been able to find ways improve your coping with these stresses? My wife recommends tea and yoga.

2. Curious about Ozzie’s contract: on what aspects will you be evaluating his performance, and what would it take for him to get an early extension? (I’d be interested as to whether he’d give a diplomatic answer, or would be direct about nixing the off-field bullshit)

What hallucinogenic drugs were you taking when you acquired Scott Linebrink?

this link where we can submit questions for SoxFest online. I don’t know if they’re going to filter them and offer up softballs for the panelists or just pick randomly and risk getting something from Jim that will make Ozzie cry.

If you’re looking for somewhere to put that hard hitting question for Bacon about fried oreos, it seems as good a place as any.

http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/cws/community/soxfest_schedule.jsp

shoulda paid the guy.