Mackowiak being shopped?

by The Cheat on Mar 20, 2007 11:57 PM CDT in News Comment 26 comments

Yesterday afternoon, I stumbled upon this link proclaiming Rob Mackowiak's available, but couldn't find the source to which it was referring so I didn't bother to post it here. Now the Mark Gonzales and the Trib are also reporting that the Brewers are interested in the Mack's services. I'm neutral on the whole idea of trading Mack, but I'm growing ever more convinced that somebody is getting moved before we break camp.
It also appears that Adam Russell has fully entered the 5th starter derby with articles on both the Sox site and Chicagosports.com. Also in the Trib piece is speculation that Danks could be a candidate for the pen, with Boone Logan getting praise from Ozzie. It's beginning to sound like he'll come north with a spot in the pen.

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I assume that a trade...

would mean that Eduardo Perez would make the roster, which would be great.

Then again, Mackowiak isn't the problem. He's not the one who is limited to the easiest position in all of baseball and is limited with a weak bat and a weak arm.

Sigh... you don't know how much waking up to see a headline "Podsednik Traded" would make me happy.

by CWSKeith on Mar 21, 2007 1:13 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

After knocking out two hits in Tuesday's game back in Tucson, Scott Podsednik echoed Guillen's comments that he should be ready for Opening Day. "From the way I'm feeling, the way I'm running out there, I don't see any reason why I wouldn't be comfortable taking the field on Opening Day," Podsednik said.

I also think it's ridiculous for any reporter to hint that Danks will be in our bullpen -- it's not going to happen, period. I definitely see a trade happening though. If Anderson in in AAA, we need a righty CF'er to platoon with Erstad. I doubt that Kenny wants Luis Terrero starting in CF versus lefties (although, I wouldn't be surprised if Ozzie does).

by SSH2005 on Mar 21, 2007 8:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

On the plus side,

Mackowiak cannot play CF for the Sox if he is a member of the Brewers.

I am confused. Can someone please explain in concrete terms why Podsednik gets so much love and BA gets so little? Is it the hot wife? The tall socks?

Is it just me, or are Ozzie's increasingly rigid managerial tendencies-- read pods, erstad, BA, LRLRLRLRLR-- really starting to grate?

by spengler on Mar 21, 2007 9:11 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

No, it's not just you.

The only hope I have is that KennyGM is smarter than this and will come to the rescue, either by trade or executive order.
We need improved pitching this year, defense helps pitching, BA provides defense.

That'll be my last post on the subject. I'm starting to sound like a broken record, or at least one with a scratch causing the same note to be played over and over and over.
Sorry.

It should be called Bill Veeck Park!

by Chiburb on Mar 21, 2007 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

oh, it's grating

But any manager is going to have annoying traits like that. Neifi Perez didn't play in over 1300 games without help. I hope the Brew Crew front office doesn't pants Kenny again, but is that even possible with Mackowiak as the big trading chip?

by Trade Darin Erstad on Mar 21, 2007 9:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, Podsednik is a grinder. So is Erstad.

BA, on the other hand, couldn't grind coffee beans. Podsednik and Erstad grind coal into diamonds. They steal bases and souls. They don't bother with those flashy "home runs" and "doubles" and "walks" like some other, less-grindy players. They put their head down and run out soft popouts like real men. They're willing to lay down a bunt no matter what the situation. They recognize that you gotta break a few eggs to make an omelette, and by God if they don't throw the whole damn carton in the dirt every time they get up to bat.

And when they manage to get on base, by God, they don't just stand there like fools, waiting for someone else to do the work for them. No, they take matters into their own hands, like they used to in the good old days, and they get thrown out by one thrilling step. It's a throwback to good, old-fashioned baseball, in which you'd be lucky to see your team score three runs.

Boy, it would be nice if other teams would be so polite as to equally handicap the top of their orders. But not our Sox. We've got Ozzie, and our 1-2 hitters will never stay on base long enough to get home. With any luck, we'll lead the league in CS and solo HRs.

(Seriously, I think we're all right other than the tinkerpan situation, which seems more bizarre by the day)

by Dongfang Hong on Mar 21, 2007 11:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Brady

Actually I think Brady Clark would be a good acquisition. With the addition of Erstad and Pods now making the roster, he's just not gonna play enough. And yes I know he should be starting instead of Pods. But that's not happening. So we might as well accept it.

Clark's three year splits against lefties: .280 .370 .402 .772. Although he wasn't as good last year, he was even better against lefties 2 years ago (.403 OBP). I think he's a good bet to post a .350-.380 OBP this year against lefties. He's also supposed to have a pretty good glove. One things for sure he's a lot better than Terrero (or pods for that matter).

by bhoov on Mar 21, 2007 10:36 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Scottie and Clark both had a 2.3 WARP3

last season, and Clark is 33. I have to go with Podsednik on this one.

by Trade Darin Erstad on Mar 21, 2007 10:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Clark...

Will be 34 next month. He's a fine fourth outfielder, but the Sox don't need another fourth outfielder. I'm on record as not being a big Brian Anderson fan, but I don't think Clark brings anything to the table that Anderson doesn't, even in the short term.

I'm not necessarily against Rob Mackowiak, but if they do, they'd better get someone more useful than Brady Clark, like a B+ prospect or something.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Mar 21, 2007 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Spot on...

Clark has an OK career OBP, and I think that might be higher than Anderson could generate. But there's no way to know if last season wasn't the start of a big decline for Clark. I don't think Clark is enough of an upgrade over Anderson to warrant trading Mack. And if the Sox did get him, they'd be in the awkward position having the backup (Clark) be better than two starting OFs (Pods and Erstad). If the Sox want a real OF, just bite the bullet and trade some real talent one (Milledge? Baldelli?...I don't know).

If Mack gets shipped out, I'd rather see the Sox get a decent middle infield prospect in return. I was sort of ewondering Mack wasn't being pencilled in at 2B for the Sox in 2008, replacing Iguchi.

by hitlesswonder on Mar 21, 2007 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have a soft spot for these kind of stories...

In yesterday's intrasquad minor-league game (from whitesox.com), Jim Thome had six ABs...

All six of Thome's at-bats on Tuesday came against Mark Buehrle, who allowed one run on five hits over six innings, striking out four and throwing 85 pitches. Buehrle walked Thome once but handled him the other four at-bats, including a strikeout in the fifth trip to the plate in which he playfully taunted his friend and teammate.
In the sixth head-to-head matchup, Buehrle reportedly started the at-bat by trying to throw the ball by Thome with as much velocity as he could. Buehrle finally tried to use a changeup to ace Thome, who launched a mammoth blast for a home run.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Mar 21, 2007 10:52 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I'd love to see this!

[Scott Reifert]

In Tucson, Mark Buehrle and Jim Thome faced off in the intrasquad game. With Thome batting every inning to increase his AB totals, the left-hander continued to record out after out. Buehrle made sure Jim heard about it, shouting, laughing and egging him on -- all in a good-natured way. Finally, the big bopper had enough. In his final at-bat against Buehrle, he hit a bomb, estimates had it at 450 feet, and he just stood at home plate, bat pointed to right center field in the classic Jim Thome pose.

Jim could never remember showing up someone in that way but everyone agreed that Buehrle had it coming. As Buehrle bowed in respect to Thome, everyone laughed.

by The Wizard on Mar 21, 2007 1:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

White Sox make seven roster moves...

Link:

TUCSON, Ariz. -- Prior to Wednesday's spring training game vs. San Francisco, the Chicago White Sox made the following seven roster moves:

INF Josh Fields, OF Jerry Owens, OF Ryan Sweeney and RHP Sean Tracey were optioned to Class AAA Charlotte;
LHP Gio Gonzalez, C Gustavo Molina and INF Robert Valido were reassigned to minor-league camp.

With the moves, the White Sox have 33 players remaining in camp: 15 pitchers, three catchers, nine infielders and six outfielders.

by SSH2005 on Mar 21, 2007 11:45 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

That's all the easy cuts, then...

The next cuts will be guys who have a legitimate shot at the big club.

The fact that they didn't cut all the way back to 28 puts me more towards the "trade is coming" camp - there's probably a player or two that they don't want to send down until they're sure that there's not room for them.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Mar 21, 2007 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Glad to see BA's still on the team,

though I'm a bit disappointed Sweeney and Fields are heading back, those were obvious moves.

by Dongfang Hong on Mar 21, 2007 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just listing...

15 pitchers -

David Aardsma
Mark Buehrle
Jose Contreras
John Danks
Gavin Floyd
Jon Garland
Charlie Haeger
Bobby Jenks
Boone Logan
Mike MacDougal
Nick Masset
Adam Russell
Andrew Sisco
Matt Thornton
Javier Vazquez

3 catchers -

Wiki Gonzalez (?)
Toby Hall
AJ Pierzynski

9 infielders -

Alex Cintron
Joe Crede
Tadahito Iguchi
Paul Konerko
Pablo Ozuna
Eduardo Perez
Jim Thome
Juan Uribe
Ernie Young (?)

6 outfielders -

Brian Anderson
Jermaine Dye
Darin Erstad
Rob Mackowiak
Scott Podsednik
Luis Terrero

I believe Mackowiak is being listed as an outfielder (although I could be wrong about that), and I'm not sure about Wiki Gonzalez or Ernie Young. Neither of them are going to be on the big league roster unless something goes wrong, though.

After Gonzalez and Young, that leaves 6 more cuts that have to be made from this group. I know who I'd cut, but that won't match with what the team does.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Mar 21, 2007 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What's the hurry?

We don't have a clear choice for a 5th starter and no set outfield.

Hey, there's still 13 days until Opening Day!

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh! Another year of doubt and uncertainty. Great.

Thank God for all those MGD vendors at the park.

President - Johnny Dickshot Fan Club

by tailgater on Mar 21, 2007 12:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

What has to happen?

One thing I havent seen enough of in discussion is what DOES BA need to do for them to A put him on the roster and B start most games.

His spring line to date .303/.385/.545.

What would be final numbers they couldnt deny?

Or does everyone feel it doesnt matter what he does? It will begin this way this year.

On a side note I am extremely happy about the OBP. Not enough mention of him taking a few walks.

by Tdogg on Mar 21, 2007 12:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Not sure why

there's no love for BA when Joe Crede was given ample time to bloom as a pro.

I guess my feeling is DO SOMETHING ALREADY...CRAP OR GET OFF THE POT...MAKE A DECISION AND STICK WITH IT.

I will become violently ill if I have to endure another year of "Outfield Du Jour."

President - Johnny Dickshot Fan Club

by tailgater on Mar 21, 2007 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

unfortunately

it's clear that there's nothing he could have done to win a spot.

by larry on Mar 21, 2007 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

grind

and show more grit out there!

Go Badgers!

by shaftr on Mar 21, 2007 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

On Opening Day he should run out to center and straight into the wall for no reason other than to prove he's a grinder. He can play with a broken and bloodied nose the rest of the game...Ozzie will be so impressed he'll weep like Mike Schmidt announcing his retirement.

President - Johnny Dickshot Fan Club

by tailgater on Mar 21, 2007 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs