Spring Training Game #13: White Sox vs. Giants (SS) -- John Danks vs. Jonathan Sanchez

by The Wizard on Mar 8, 2008 1:17 PM CST in Game Threads

Time: 2:05 p.m. CT, TV: CSN, MLB.tv, Radio: WSCR AM-670, MLB.radio (Live Boxscore; MLB Gameday)

Sox: Swisher, CF; Cabrera, SS; Thome, DH; Konerko, 1B; Pierzynski, C; Crede, 3B; Uribe, 2B; Anderson, LF; Negron, RF

Giants (SS): Roberts, LF; Frandsen, 2B; Rowand, CF; Molina, C; Ortmeier, 1B; Leone, 3B; Schierholtz, RF; McClain, DH; Ochoa, SS

*****

Ozzie on Jason Bourgeois:

"I like the way he plays,'' Guillen said. "He's got a lot of speed and can play center field and other positions. I like those types of players.''

***** In other news,

Jim has a puzzle for you to complete and a tidbit about Mark Buehrle.
Teddy Greenstein says Farmer needs to let Stone talk, while Chris DeLuca sees Vin Scully potential and raves about the insight of both. Stone OK, but Farmer? Does 'We're down 4-0. A slam ties the game' qualify for insight?
Sal Baxamusa on the danger of using small sample sizes (hat-tip THT).

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Comments

Wiz, you don't happen to know

if today's game is on MLB Radio, do you? I'm stuck at work, and that sure would be a treat.

by palehose67 on Mar 8, 2008 1:22 PM CST reply actions

I don't see an audio link

at the scoreboard; I see an MLB.tv link

but since the game is on WSCR, maybe they'll have it on MLB radio (don't see why not?)
if I see something I'll let you know

by The Wizard on Mar 8, 2008 1:29 PM CST up reply actions

I didn't realize

that it was on WSCR today. The reception isn't great in my office, but it will do. Many thanks, Wiz.

by palehose67 on Mar 8, 2008 1:33 PM CST up reply actions

here you go, MLB Radio link

MLB.radio

by The Wizard on Mar 8, 2008 1:40 PM CST up reply actions

Perfect.

Thanks again.

by palehose67 on Mar 8, 2008 1:41 PM CST up reply actions

I see SF @ CWS at 'Today's Games' at MLB Radio

by The Wizard on Mar 8, 2008 1:37 PM CST up reply actions

Get with the now, Palehose

It's all about the AM broadcasts!

Or maybe the subject should be "get with the then"?

Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos.

by rhythm on Mar 8, 2008 1:32 PM CST up reply actions

It's funny that you say that because

just last week I was looking for a new AM/FM Walkman so I can listen to games outside in the summer. I was in Best Buy, and they essentially sold one kind of AM/FM Walkman. I'm just an old man....

by palehose67 on Mar 8, 2008 1:35 PM CST up reply actions

Re. Farmer:

Good to see him openly criticized in the media. I thought I was one of the few that intensely dislike his entire persona and broadcasting abilities.
I HOPE Farmer is on the hot seat. I very much doubt it though. He sucks up to Reinsdorf way too much.
Re. the "slam ties it" comment, different game but in the B (2nd) game, we were down 7 - 0 and 9 - 0 and if Farmer was doing the game (and I'm serious, he really would have said this), it would have been "TWO SLAMS in this half of the inning........."

The guy is putrid.

Was that a ground out to 2nd for Owens?

by ballyb on Mar 8, 2008 1:35 PM CST reply actions

to be clear

personally I'm OK (like?) farmer's pbp, I just don't see the insight

maybe I like it because hawk has gotten so bad and farmer is my only other free choice
same with farmer & singleton, I can't stand hawk and dj's sucking...

by The Wizard on Mar 8, 2008 1:46 PM CST up reply actions

He accuses Farmer of boxing Stone out, but let's remember this was Stone's first day on the job, a job he took on short notice (I think). It seems natural that Farmer would drive the broadcast for a while, until Stone figures out how he will fit in with the incumbent's style.

I can't argue with your knocks on Farmer, but there are those of us who could listen to him tell the same stories over and over forever. I'm one of them.

by GhostOfRooney on Mar 8, 2008 10:59 PM CST up reply actions

btw, stone said yesterday his next sox game

will be on the 15th, so I assume there'll be someone else at his place?

by The Wizard on Mar 8, 2008 1:57 PM CST reply actions

links fixed

by The Wizard on Mar 8, 2008 2:17 PM CST reply actions

Sanchez trying to fix control problems

with new delivery today.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Mar 8, 2008 2:17 PM CST reply actions

forgot the link

http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080307&content_id=2411576&vkey=spt 2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=sf

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Mar 8, 2008 2:18 PM CST up reply actions

ha!

by The Wizard on Mar 8, 2008 2:25 PM CST up reply actions

oh yes, hands in front of his chest

[MLB.com]:

Jonathan Sanchez will try a new delivery when he faces the Chicago White Sox at Tucson, Ariz. The left-hander will begin his motion with his hands in front of his chest instead of by his waist. The Giants hope that this will solve command problems for Sanchez, who owns an 18.00 ERA and has walked four in three innings this spring.

by The Wizard on Mar 8, 2008 2:25 PM CST up reply actions

How does Danks look??

by onlysoxfaninboston on Mar 8, 2008 2:38 PM CST reply actions

Cabrera has visibly less range in the the hole

than Uribe

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Mar 8, 2008 3:05 PM CST reply actions

So why doesn't anyone value Uribe then?

If it wasn't for his Tasmanian Devil corkscrew swing, he might have some value.

by SSH2005 on Mar 8, 2008 3:06 PM CST up reply actions

Uribe - Cabrera

If Uribe really does have more range and were going to play them both anyways, why not just put Uribe at SS and Cabrera at 2B?
Cabrera's bat is pretty decent for a 2B, and with Uribe about the true only candidate for 2B after Richar's injury / visa fiasco we are going to be stuck with his bat in the line up anyways.
Might as well put him at SS where he might be useful.

by Grinder in Training on Mar 8, 2008 3:08 PM CST up reply actions

Field generals don't play second

Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on Mar 8, 2008 3:10 PM CST up reply actions

Great for defense, bad for offense?

Are you sure that A-Ram or Richar couldn't put up a higher OPS than Uribe?

by SSH2005 on Mar 8, 2008 3:10 PM CST up reply actions

I was gonna say the same

That's two balls now to his right that should have been kept in the infield.

by 3E8 on Mar 8, 2008 3:08 PM CST up reply actions

When I was in Tucson...

...my dad said, "I thought this guy was supposed to be better." And it's not like he's into defensive metrics or anything.

I think a lot of people are going to be saying the same thing this year.

Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on Mar 8, 2008 3:16 PM CST up reply actions

Ocab vs. Uribe (Fielding bible)

Cabrera

Shortstop
			GROUND DP				PLAYS				PLUS/MINUS
			GIDP				Expected Outs		Outs Made		To His	Straight	To His
Year	Team	Inn	Opps	GIDP	Pct	Rank	GB	Air	GB	Air	Right	On	Left	GB	Air	Total	Rank
2005	LAA	1240.2	128	75	.586	19	307	111	314	111	-8	0	+16	+7	0	+7	12
2006	LAA	1320.2	150	91	.607	15	327	119	317	117	-18	-6	+13	-10	-2	-12	28
2007	LAA	1330.2	153	99	.647	5	353	107	353	109	-8	+4	+4	0	+2	+2	16
Total		11676.1	431	265	.615	14	987	337	984	337	-34	-2	+33	-3	0	-3	19

Uribe

Shortstop
			GROUND DP				PLAYS				PLUS/MINUS
			GIDP				Expected Outs		Outs Made		To His	Straight	To His
Year	Team	Inn	Opps	GIDP	Pct	Rank	GB	Air	GB	Air	Right	On	Left	GB	Air	Total	Rank
2005	CWS	1293.1	149	89	.597	15	361	125	364	131	+12	-2	-7	+3	+6	+9	9
2006	CWS	1130.0	130	77	.592	18	320	106	320	109	+10	+2	-12	0	+3	+3	15
2007	CWS	1305.1	152	91	.599	21	392	128	380	133	-2	-5	-5	-12	+5	-7	24
Total		6525.1	431	257	.596	21	1073	359	1064	373	+20	-5	-24	-9	+14	+5	14

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Mar 8, 2008 3:36 PM CST up reply actions

Cabrera

Defensive positioning against righties should be shaded well towards the hole

by 3E8 on Mar 8, 2008 3:43 PM CST up reply actions

I was going to say something like that...

I was actually going to say that Uribe should play SS against Lefties, and Cabrera play SS against Righties. Heh.

"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 Mar 8, 2008 7:34 PM CST up reply actions

Uribe's trend not encouraging

Few people know I am fueled creatively by my massive hatred of immigrants.

by winningugly on Mar 8, 2008 8:58 PM CST up reply actions

Shading to the hole

He's already going to have to cheat to the hole to cover for Field's lack of range, looking at these stats he should stand directly behind him.

You think we could trade him for Garland and play Uribe at SS?

"We're actually doing some different things at the top of the lineup, but our key is Jerry Owens being our center fielder and our leadoff guy" - JD

by ChicagoPete on Mar 9, 2008 6:38 AM CST up reply actions

DJ read Moneyball

Speaking about the importance of OBP several times so far

by 3E8 on Mar 8, 2008 3:09 PM CST reply actions

I just finished it myself not five minutes ago

Fascinating read.

I just got tired of hanging out at this web site and only understanding a portion of what was being discussed.

Liked the chapters about Hatteberg.

I'll hang up and listen to your answer.

by Hazymania on Mar 8, 2008 3:43 PM CST up reply actions

It is in an interesting read...

But Beane gets praised for his successes and rarely gets knocked down for his failures. Jeremy Brown so far has not been able to contribute at the MLB level. Several other high draft picks have as well. Just goes to show that you can improve your chances of landing a successful player, but you can never predict success every time.

I liked the Hatteberg chapters, as well as the Bradford and Brown chapters. I found the backstory of Billy Beane less interesting, but I do find it somewhat tragic that Billy Beane was such a pompous ass with so much skill wasted on the field. I think he has a knack for finding talent, and not only thru statistics. If he were given the money, he could successfully land a pennant in the AL West every 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 Mar 8, 2008 7:40 PM CST up reply actions

If you want to talk about tragic

How about Mike Magnante, getting cut just days before his pension would have kicked in.

Yeah he made better than 5 million in his career, but you still feel a little bad for guys like that.

I'll hang up and listen to your answer.

by Hazymania on Mar 8, 2008 9:28 PM CST up reply actions

How bad was Linebrink?

by stanchar on Mar 8, 2008 4:51 PM CST reply actions

I tuned to WSCR but there was no Sox game there

from the trib schedule I thought there would be

anyone else? did I tune to the wrong station?

by The Wizard on Mar 8, 2008 4:52 PM CST reply actions

My apologies if this has been discussed...

but with Quentin and Owens hurt, could the Sox possibly justify leaving the two of them in AAA and have Anderson start the year in CF?

I haven't paid as much attention to these Spring Training games as I should, but there seem to be some non-artificial story-lines developing -- to add to the 3rd OF spot, second-base doesn't look to be Richar's anymore. If Richar doesn't win the second-base job he'd go back to AAA, right? That would probably open the door for Bourgeois (as a bench player -- not as a starter), who is continuing his (relatively) good hitting from last season and is showing how useless it was to give Pablo Ozuna a guaranteed contract.

I'll admit that I'd be much happier if they went with Anderson rather than Owens is CF, but that would render the Quentin move pointless -- he's got nothing left to do in AAA.

by CWSKeith on Mar 8, 2008 5:29 PM CST reply actions

I don't know the defense numbers

and those are certainly critical to a CF debate, but in terms of offense, Jesse is going to far outstrip BA. Brian just isn't and will continue to not manage to be major league caliber at the plate from my perspective.

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on Mar 8, 2008 5:59 PM CST up reply actions

As I alluded to...

I think I've seen parts of about two games this spring. Accounting and PolySci have consumed me this semester -- have things not changed a whole lot with Anderson (re: his swing)? To be fair to Anderson, I believe ZiPS has Anderson over Owens offensively, and if he were to hit his 75th percentile (I think that would be something like .265/.325/.420), he'd probably be a perfectly average baseball player.

I have the solution -- the Sox should just go out say "to hell with Quentin, Owens and Anderson" and sign Barry Bonds. Sure, the Sox would be the worst team in the league defensively and on the basepaths, but damn would they hit the longball. The outfield would most likely crack the century mark all by themselves.

by CWSKeith on Mar 8, 2008 6:10 PM CST up reply actions

I told larry I really had nothing to compare to

it was just my observation of BA's swing. His batspeed is poor and his mechanics are off...DJ keeps saying that he's trying to go the other way and move runners along, but I'm pretty sure that awkward swing is his normal one. Larry seemed to agree. I've officially given up on him, fwiw.

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on Mar 8, 2008 7:59 PM CST up reply actions

Still...

Owens is such a slappy hitter that even if he's at the top of his game, how much better is his bat than Anderson's? Even if Anderson never pans out, I'm sure he could still put up a .650 OPS just like Owens.

by SSH2005 on Mar 8, 2008 11:38 PM CST up reply actions

i've said before

and nothing so far has changed my opinion: BA and jerry are probably about the same player in terms of overall value. the problem is that, while they would likely put up about the same OPS, jerry's would be a bit more valuable on offense because it's more OBP-based (or perhaps i should say less destructive, considering both will be replacement level or below). i just don't see BA being able to put up much above .300. BA obviously plays a superior outfield, but jerry can cover ground about as well and only really will get beat by BA's arm. flip a coin.

by larry on Mar 9, 2008 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions

I just got my BP08

and I wanted to note that PECOTA has Javy pegged for the 10th best PERA and 13th best VORP amongst starters...isn't that legit number one status? This is totally my personal hobby horse.

And, surprise, PECOTA hates Buehrle, pegging him for a -31 change in VORP from last years 49.3.

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on Mar 8, 2008 6:05 PM CST reply actions

FWIW

Zips has Anderson better at the dish (although Zips think they both will suck) than Owens.

I'd just like to see Swisher in CF and neither BA or Owens starting.

by madvillian on Mar 8, 2008 6:36 PM CST up reply actions

When has PECOTA ever like Buehrle?

"There is not a liberal America and a conservative America. There is the United States of America."

by Tdogg on Mar 8, 2008 6:57 PM CST up reply actions

Right.

Always hating on Buehrle and slobbering over Vasquez. Last year they did pretty well on Javy, but Buehrle has some sort of voodoo magic going on that PECOTA just doesn't recognize. His stuff isn't overpowering and he doesn't exactly miss a lot of bats. He is something of a mystery, but aside from an awful 2006, he is amazingly consistent.

"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 Mar 8, 2008 7:42 PM CST up reply actions