Ozzie Guillen wants Captain Dunkin (aka Juan Uribe) to get on base

by The Wizard on Jul 18, 2007 2:01 PM CDT in Quotes Comment 116 comments

Ozzie on Uribe and his SS plans:

"I talked to him in Spring Training and said, 'We need you to get on base and steal more bases.' He's got from now until the end of the season to show he can do that."

The team has a $5 million option for Uribe in 2008, but Guillen readily admits there are not a great deal of viable choices to replace him. Depending on what the White Sox decide to do with Tadahito Iguchi, Minor Leaguer Danny Richar could move into a starting role. Guillen also plans to give Andy Gonzalez some time at shortstop during the final two months.

*****

In other news, the Sox plan to convert righty Adam Russell (AA-Birmingham) to a reliever and Baseball America has its Top 25. Gio is #24. And Phil Rogers praises Ehren Wassermann's "grit and mental toughness." He also says there is "almost no doubt" the Brewers will trade for a starting pitcher.

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Just because

the Brewers hate Yovani Gallardo enough to do it?

Potential starters for the Brewers:

Sheets
Capuano
Suppan
Bush
Vargas
Gallardo
Villanueva
Parra

Even without Sheets, I don't see a crying need when I look at that list. Melvin's not stupid enough to bump any of those guys for the likes of Kyle Lohse (a Rogers suggestion, not mine!). I think this is a reach.

by jackie hayes on Jul 18, 2007 2:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

you trust that group

to hold off the cubs and win you a playoff series (or three)? you must be a gambling man.

if i were the brewers, there's no question i'd be looking. i wouldn't break the bank (nothing even close to the infamous r. johnson deal) but if they're not trying to get some help, their GM should be fired.

Free Ehren Wasserman!

by larry on Jul 18, 2007 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree...

here. If I ran the Brewers, I'd at least ask Williams what he wanted for Garland and Vazquez. Having all those young starters means that the Brewers can afford to walk away if the asking price is too high, but they certainly should be at least looking.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jul 18, 2007 2:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

the problem is sheets

if he's out for the rest of the regular season - pretty much what you have to assume right now - the difference between him and his replacement will likely be pretty close to the gap they have with the cubs right now. they've got a thin margin for error here.

Free Ehren Wasserman!

by larry on Jul 18, 2007 2:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

4-6 weeks?

thats at least 6 and upwards of 10 starts?

by colintj on Jul 18, 2007 3:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Brewers

no longer have enough minor league talent to get a deal done for Garland or Vazquez from what I can tell, though we could get some pretty interesting pieces in return for Contreras. Honestly, though, I'm not sure Jose is going to be all that much better in the NL anyway and I don't know if the Brewers will be that interested in finding out.

by colintj on Jul 18, 2007 5:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's fine

to kick the tires on a trade. But Rogers is suggesting they'll get some starter no matter what. Huh? Look at the names he throws out -- Lohse, Kennedy, Wright? Not unless the Brewers are looking to downgrade. Dontrelle, Garland, Vazquez, maybe Contreras (at least in the eyes of some) could be upgrades over Vargas, say. But otherwise, why bother? And given the cost of Contreras in years and money, and the likely cost of the rest in prospects, I don't see the sense in such a move.

by jackie hayes on Jul 18, 2007 3:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, okay.

You have to take pretty much everything Phil Rogers says with a huge grain of salt - in fact, just assume it's wrong.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jul 18, 2007 3:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

downgrade?

not sure about that. all those guys you mention have better ERAs than capuano, suppan and bush. will that hold up? who knows. but that's why you deal. the money the brewers would get from a playoff run would likely offset a lot/all of what you're citing. i don't think there's any question the brewers need to add a starter. maybe the price will be too high and scare them off. but they're not going to the playoffs with that rotation as is.

Free Ehren Wasserman!

by larry on Jul 18, 2007 3:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know.

It won't.

Or maybe it will. Anyone can have a lucky year. But if you'd give away prospects and bump Vargas or Gallardo in the hope that Jamey Wright might suddenly not be that guy who's been barely clinging to a major league rotation by his fingernails for years, who's walked more guys than he's k'd, just because he has a flukey low era in only 31 ip -- I'll just have to disagree.

Remember, the real Jason Marquis'll resurface eventually.

by jackie hayes on Jul 18, 2007 4:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree...

Especially since the Brewer's can't afford to deal cheap talent given their payroll. Gallardo is as good or better than anyone on the market and the Brewers can't afford to deal any top prospects for Garland or Vazquez let alone pay them next season.

I find it much more believable that the Mariners will trade for a starter, and they have the prospects to make a trade without moving Jones.

by hitlesswonder on Jul 18, 2007 2:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

"Captain Dunkin...?"

The Sox (Greg Walker?) have totally fucked up Uribe. In exchange for a couple of walks, they've totally sapped any of the power that Uribe had, and it seems fairly obvious to me why Uribe is currently sitting on a .331 slugging percentage -- any and all power he has is coming from his arms. He's stepping with his front foot as the pitch is thrown -- any momentum from his lower half is totally negated, and all the power he has is because he's "throwing" his arms at the ball.

If I go to Soxfest this year, I'm going to ask why the Greg Walker went away from the timing mechanism 'foot tap' with Uribe. That was the best month (September of '05, when it was reportedly implemented) we'd ever seen from Uribe -- he hit .292/.364/.615 in 96 ABs. More important than the line, though, he was looking good at the plate. Those sliders down and away that he'd normally hack over he would take for balls because he saw the ball get deeper into the zone.

I'm not saying Uribe is ever going to be a great or even average hitter, but you can't tell me with a straight face that Uribe should be sitting today with all of 15 extra basehits.

by CWSKeith on Jul 18, 2007 2:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Walt Hriniak!!!

Either way, Uribe's usefulness is over. He needs to be replaced somehow.

by SSH2005 on Jul 18, 2007 2:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah...

I don't know how coachable Uribe is (either in willingness or ability to learn), but it's clear he's gone away from something that worked, however briefly. It's hard not to place some blame on Walker for that. At this point, how can they not try that again? I don't get it.

by hitlesswonder on Jul 18, 2007 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The only reason

Walker gets any blame is that he decided to change the timing mechanism in ST of 06. Walk decided that the Ozuna spread stance would keep Uribes lower body quiet. And that was a failure. Then this year, he had project Uribe where he specifically worked with Uribe man to man, and it has been a disaster.

Hrniak should be brought in for certain types of players to work with him. Hrniak should work with Uribe, because of prior success. I would love to see Hrniak work with Sweeney. I think Walt can make him a more complete hitter. Maybe Anderson, but that is about that. Hrniak is a good hitting coach for a certain type of hitter.

I would like to see Rudy from Texas hired this offseason to replace Walk. That is my pie in the sky replacement.

by southsideirish71 on Jul 18, 2007 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

How old is Hrniak?

by ballyb on Jul 18, 2007 2:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well lets put it this way

When he was hatched, the Germans had control of most of Europe.

He cant work full time. But he can be brought in as a project instructor. Maybe have him at ST to get the fundamentals down with some hitters. Then when we get on the east coast, have him show up to give a refresher course.

For me candidates for the Hrniak class
Uribe(hopefully he is gone)
Sweeney
Anderson ( he will probably be gone)
Fields

by southsideirish71 on Jul 18, 2007 2:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think Sweeney uses the Lau swing at all

I don't know if giving him that kind of advice won't weird up his swing. Besides he's hit two homers of late, so maybe he's fixing himself.

by colintj on Jul 18, 2007 3:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm referering to Uribe play in the field

he misses plays he wouldn't normally miss

it's like he has overloaded on doughnuts (hence the Captain Dunkin)

a poor choice of words?

shall I change the title boys?

by The Wizard on Jul 18, 2007 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No retreat!

Be a man! Stand up for yourself! He looks like crap in the field and at the plate, and is not svelte in doing so. Hammer away!

I'll be dead before all of you

by winningugly on Jul 18, 2007 3:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't you mean...

hamBURGER away?

Half of my life, spent doing time for some other fucker's crime. The other half found me stumbling around, drunk on burgundy wine.

by Toonderstrook on Jul 18, 2007 3:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey, post-Birthday boy

You West yet?

By the way, anyone watching Twinks/Tigs on ESPN? Nice game.

And, SSH, Royals lead Botox 6-4. You always have a shot as long as you're breathing, bro.

I'll be dead before all of you

by winningugly on Jul 18, 2007 7:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

OK, I was concerned I hammered too much

I'll be dead before all of you

don't bet on it!

by The Wizard on Jul 18, 2007 8:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's not just donuts!

by colintj on Jul 18, 2007 7:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

haha!

juan's swinging a mean paddle!

by The Wizard on Jul 18, 2007 8:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

from beyond the box score's cyril morong

how bad was the sox offense in the first half [sorry for length but i think it's all worth it].

After 81 games, the White Sox were last in the AL in runs scored per game with 3.95. The next lowest is the Royals at 4.44. So the Sox are about half a run below the next worst team. The league average is 4.87, so the Sox are about .9 runs below average and they scored only 81% of the runs per game that the average team did (take the Sox out and the other teams are scoring 4.93 runs per game, almost a run more). That would tie for 10th worst from 1993-2006. The 2003 Dodgers were the worst, scoring on 73% of the league average (from the Lee Sinins Complete Baseball Encyclopedia). Of course, the Dodgers have an excuse: they play in a bad hitters park. The White Sox can't make that claim.

The Sox tream OPS is .722 at home and only .678 on the road (as of now). After 81 games, the Sox were last in batting average (.237, 13th was .257), last in OBP (.312, 13th was .323), last in SLG (.370, 13th was .387), and last in OPS (.682, 13th was .710). Their team OPS was 90.4% of the league average. That would be tied for 10th also from 1993-2006.

Getting back to runs per game in the AL this year, the standard deviation of runs per game in the AL for the other 13 teams is .42. So the Sox are a full standard deviation below the next worst team.

They have scored 43 runs in their last 7 games since the the half way mark, so maybe things will pick up (although they were shut out twice). Their team OPS is up to .699, too. Their OPS has been about .896 in those 7 games.

Free Ehren Wasserman!

by larry on Jul 18, 2007 3:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

link

http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/story/2007/7/14/152151/506

Free Ehren Wasserman!

by larry on Jul 18, 2007 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

As

I said in December-- it would be the offense which we would be targeting as our chief(understated) concern....little did I know that the bullpen would come on to make a moderate challenge of this assertion.

by dantesox on Jul 18, 2007 3:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cause for optimism..

The hitting and bullpen have been so bad, they almost have to improve for 2008. Of course the starting pitching is likely to drop off....

by hitlesswonder on Jul 18, 2007 3:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't worry

We already know that excuse - its the fatigue from either knowing they had to pitch with little offensive output (last years excuse from the '05 run - after all, look at Detroit this year), with the added twist of the extra innings as a result of the bullpen (the new twist on it).

White Sox baseball, let the kids learn to play

by Brush Back on Jul 18, 2007 4:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

except of course

for the fact that they're not on pace to throw extra innings. They're on pace to throw an average number of innings for them. Buerhle for example is on pace to throw 217 IP which is actually less than his average year.

by bhoov on Jul 18, 2007 4:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Post ASB hitting so far

Dye hitting .370 with 4 homers and a 1.245 OPS

Thank you Jermaine, you might convince someone to give us a good prospect after all.

On the other side of things.

Uribe is hitting a . as in point .080. with a .195 OPS.

by southsideirish71 on Jul 18, 2007 4:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The Rockies are now...

starting Ubaldo Jimenez over Taylor Buchholz against the Nationals tomorrow. More showcasing or is it just because Buchholz sucks?

by SSH2005 on Jul 18, 2007 4:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Russell's spot

The more interesting question to me is who takes Russell's spot in the B-ham rotation? Rodriguez, Richard and McCullough have almost exactly the same stats at W-S.

Does Fautino get skipped a level and promoted to AA? He's scheduleds to pitch tonight and would be on exactly 4 days rest when Russell's spot come back up.

by bhoov on Jul 18, 2007 5:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I think Fautino should get a shot

if he struggles, you just replace him with some guy you call up at high a.

by colintj on Jul 18, 2007 6:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Profundo!!!!!!

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/whitesox/cs-070718soxbrite,1,1965260.story?c oll=cs-home-headlines

"Uribe [has given] us a lot of great things," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "If he wants to come back, he has to give us better results for on-base percentage. I talked to him in spring training and said we need you to get on base and steal more bases. He has from now until the end of the season to show he can do that."

"I love the kid. Uribe doesn't know how much talent he has," Guillen said. "This kid can be one of the best players in the game at that position. What happened in his mind was [trying to hit] RBIs and home runs."

by southsideirish71 on Jul 18, 2007 5:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I'd rather...

trade for a good SS prospect and instantly stick him at SS before wasting $5 million on Uribe. Use that $5 million towards Rowand's salary or another outfielder.

by SSH2005 on Jul 18, 2007 5:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If you can spot a SS

and pry it from one of the few teams that have one, more power to you.

by colintj on Jul 18, 2007 6:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

cubs just dumped

Izturis. Not sure I'd want him though.

by ruffster on Jul 19, 2007 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Um, no.

I'd probably rather see Alex Cintron.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jul 19, 2007 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

but I remember the trib guys

speaking about itzuris like he was some kind of god last year!

by The Wizard on Jul 19, 2007 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like the Russell move...

We have an influx of young starters and probably no room for Russell in our rotation. Also, we have an overload of garbage relievers so this move makes sense. Maybe Russell is one of those guys who loses some of the velocity off his fastball after the first few innings and would be better suited as a reliever.

by SSH2005 on Jul 18, 2007 5:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

long-planned move

maybe would have helped more if they'd decided to do this out of ST.

Free Ehren Wasserman!

by larry on Jul 18, 2007 5:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's a short term move, too

which is interesting. If he's already at AA, he could very well be on the big league team by the end of the year and definitely by next year.

by colintj on Jul 18, 2007 6:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Russell

In September, in might be best to call him up and get him together with Cooper again. His stuff was very nasty in Spring Training from a couple of different arm angles. Here's to hoping a move to the bullpen will get his fastball up to that mid-90s (with good movement) that we all saw in Arizona.

Also, one more general comment on Uribe. For the past couple years there have been various people saying that the Sox should get rid of Uribe. I didn't necessarily have a problem with that, but nobody ever brought up a viable replacement that made sense financially and sensibly, all while giving the Sox a 'for sure' upgrade. The names that people brought up either didn't make sense (Furcal -- this was before Hu had established himself) or were, at best, lateral moves (someone -- probably at Soxtalk -- said the Sox should trade for Cesar Izturis).

by CWSKeith on Jul 18, 2007 6:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Cheat already has it listed on this site

To me its Escobar or Hu. You figure out what the pricetag is, and you pay it. We have nothing in the system that can play SS everyday. And its one of the most important possitions for our team. We cant have Uribe getting bigger this offseason for 5 million, playing medicore defense with a bad bat.

by southsideirish71 on Jul 18, 2007 7:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

ordonez with the 2-run double of johan

didn't ozzie/walker tell you to pencil in a loss magglio?

by The Wizard on Jul 18, 2007 8:14 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

followed by a 15 pitch AB by guillen

take notes greg

by The Wizard on Jul 18, 2007 8:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Greg's version

Pull baseball son. If you dont pull it, you are cheating your swing.

Get around on the ball, dip your back shoulder, swing hard, in fact swing so hard you nearly fall over if its not a fastball. Dont worry, pitchers cant throw low and away all day. Just like BP they will throw you something down the middle. Swing hard, and dont cheat your swing.

by southsideirish71 on Jul 18, 2007 8:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

"PULL IT, SON!!!"

by SSH2005 on Jul 18, 2007 8:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

OT: AL East Race

Am I the only one hoping Boston pisses away their lead? Not that I need a month-and-a-half of ESPN breaking down every pitch of every Yankee and Red Sox game. There were a lot of Red Sox fans doing nothing but gloating during the first half, so I'd love to see them 'brought down a peg'.

That, and I want to see A-Rod go continue his tear and win MVP.

by CWSKeith on Jul 18, 2007 8:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Considering that last year

Our downfall started with a home boston series. Sure I want them to go down. Especially how over the top they are on papelboner and Dice-K.

by southsideirish71 on Jul 18, 2007 8:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i hate them

feel like they whine to much, I usually back the Yanks in the playofs because I find the core of Posada, Jeter, Rivera and Torre all to be class acts.

I really think they catch them, I don't know why but the Royals give the Red Sox all types of fits, I think they rocked Papelbon, may have been Timlin, last year

by tubesox on Jul 18, 2007 8:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

don't watch espn

and you won't develop irrational hates; then you can focus on rational ones, like for the indians.

Free Ehren Wasserman!

by larry on Jul 18, 2007 9:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

not so much espn

had biddies from college who between them and the pats make me despise text messages

by tubesox on Jul 18, 2007 9:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope it happens..

And not just for the dramah....

I'll be in Maine for two weeks starting next week and Boston sports media (which is what you get there) can be pretty insufferable. I was there in 2005 when the White Sox played the Red Sox during the regular season. The Boston radio announcers were OK, but were actually more concerned about giving updates on the Yankees game than saying anything much about Chicago. And the postgame analysis by the sportstalk radio guys was incredibly dismissive of the White Sox -- I specifically remember them agreeing that Chicago would be lucky to make the playoffs and if they did they would be "one and done". I enjoyed specifically remembering that during the wild card series as well.

Anyway, I'll like listening to the radio there a lot more if the Boston starts to slip a little and I get to hear some hysteria over the airwaves.

by hitlesswonder on Jul 18, 2007 9:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

sounds like sports radio

in every city.

Free Ehren Wasserman!

by larry on Jul 18, 2007 9:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You mean

Sports radio everywhere is dismissive of the White Sox? Certainly true in Chicago...

Of course, you're right that it's all a bunch of windbaggery that needs less attention paid to it. But I have to admit that I enjoyed hubris getting its reward in the 2005 postseason.

by hitlesswonder on Jul 18, 2007 9:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

everyone was dismissive of the sox in 2005

and not without some reason, i'd add. and, yes, idiotic windbaggery is the staple of sports radio - and sports commentary in general.

Free Ehren Wasserman!

by larry on Jul 18, 2007 10:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The more coverage Bos-NY get

the less actual baseball gets. And that's a shame. Because the Central has been a dogfight for three years now, playoff atmosphere between teams in May, and they hardly get any time. Bah.

by colintj on Jul 18, 2007 9:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah

espn wouldn't cover a playoff atmosphere game in the central division. oh, wait, i'm watching one right now. ;)

Free Ehren Wasserman!

by larry on Jul 18, 2007 9:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

that was obvious, lol

but i'm pretty sure my point still stands.

by colintj on Jul 18, 2007 10:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

weeks in a deal

I think the thought of Gallardo coming is nuts, but any chance a package of Jose and Tadahito brings us maybe Jeremy Jeffress and Weeks. I still see this as a long shot, but they can't win the Central if Weeks keeps hitting like Uribe, and their the only contending team tht may need a 2nd baseman?

by tubesox on Jul 18, 2007 8:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I was thinking about that

As of today, Weeks is no longer their "everyday" second baseman per Ned Yost. He's partially hurt, but he's also only hitting .217.

It would be a tough deal to construct considering Milwaukee isn't exactly a team that can add a lot of cash to their payroll. I'm sure they' be able to take on Iguchi's contract but there's no way they could afford both Contreras and Suppan making $10 million each.

So what else would Milwaukee want? Iguchi figures to be an upgrade at 2nd for the Brewers for the rest of this season, but there's no way Melvin would do Weeks for Iguchi straight up. Their bullpen is stacked, so adding Thorton or MacDougal to the deal doesn't seem to make a whole lot of sense. I also can't see the Sox taking on enough cash to make a Contreras + Iguchi for Weeks deal work.

by CWSKeith on Jul 18, 2007 9:01 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

they lose

Koskie and Jenkins off the books next year, plus Sheets only goes up 1 million and Suppan only goes up from 6 to 8 million, in 2009-10 he makes 12.5, which make me believe they would be open to a starter with a year on his deal. Probably makes Vazquez a non possibility, but I don't want to deal him anyway.

I was thinking they would want something in the pen, but they get Grant Balfour back soon as well.

by tubesox on Jul 18, 2007 9:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

best owners in baseball?

from a poll of 464 players (couldn't vote for their team's owner)

JR was 7th, with 2% of the vote; wasn't among those considered worst owner, either.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/baseball/mlb/07/18/poll0723/

Free Ehren Wasserman!

by larry on Jul 18, 2007 9:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Our dynamic duo in Charlotte tonight.

Pods and Erstad combined, 1-10, 3 K's, 0 BB.

The 1 hit? A bunt single by Erstad in his 1st AB.

by ballyb on Jul 18, 2007 9:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Just a thought on the Double-Fisted Duo

All due respect - but how about Erstad & Pods being forced to stay in the minors until they can put up numbers that would be deserving of promotion to the majors? Wouldn't a .350 OBP and .800 OPS at AAA be a more than reasonable expectation for a major league starter in the OF?

by ChicagoPete on Jul 19, 2007 7:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Picky, picky, picky.

by ballyb on Jul 19, 2007 8:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Who cares...

They could both put up great numbers in AAA but still likely suck balls in the majors.

by SSH2005 on Jul 19, 2007 8:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Uhhh, yeah

Pods might be able to do that at AAA, but Erstad? We'd never see him again, ever - wouldn't that be a blessing.

How this guy stays in baseball is beyond me. Someone should tell Cowley to goad Gary Sheffield into talking about Erstad when we go to Detroit next week. Now THAT would be a good interview.

by ChicagoPete on Jul 19, 2007 8:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Suck Balls

Let's leave the Hawk/Erstad relationship out of this, OK?

President - Johnny Dickshot Fan Club

by tailgater on Jul 19, 2007 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

"Erstad is just a baseball player, DJ...

A SEXY ONE!!!"

by SSH2005 on Jul 19, 2007 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

catchers anyone?

ranking the top 10 prospects. francisco hernandez gets an honorable mention!

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=6467

Free Ehren Wasserman!

by larry on Jul 18, 2007 9:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

goldstein's disclaimer

was pretty telling. if the cubs don't think much of Soto, we should really offer them something, because he's pretty much as good as it's going to get. i mean, if he's not ready now as far as they're concerned, when is he going to be?

i really wish we'd drafted mitch canham, actually.

by colintj on Jul 19, 2007 2:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also from the minors...

Gavin Floyd with a fantastic start -- eight innings, ten Ks. He needs to be up here by August to see if he can be counted on for the rotation next season, even if nothing more than 4th or 5th starter.

Carlos Vasquez is also someone interesting to look at -- he's been hell on righties this year with a GB/FB ratio at about 4-to-1 and a WHIP of about .50. It's funny that he might end up being the best player moved in the Cotts-Aardsma deal.

Provided the Sox do things correctly, these next two months can help determine who makes next seasons bullpen. There are several candidates who might be ready to compete for a bullpen spot in 2008 -- among those are Adam Russell, former top prospect Carlos Torres, Oneli Perez, the afformentioned Vasquez and the recently called up Ehren Wassermann.

Basically, I still don't see a need to spend a heckuva lot of cash on next season's bullpen.

by CWSKeith on Jul 18, 2007 9:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

i think one competent

journeyman type guys absolutely needs to be brought in. someone who isn't going to light (er, extinguish) the world on fire but is dependable. other than that, work from within. i know i'm probably in the minority but i think aardsma will be fine. with jenks, thornton, macdougal, haeger, russell, wasserman, perez, torres, vasquez, logan, and a host of others, i think we can put something together.

Free Ehren Wasserman!

by larry on Jul 18, 2007 9:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

like the idea

but please no IRON Mike Jackson types

by tubesox on Jul 18, 2007 9:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Spot on analysis

I think the Sox can fill 2 or 3 positions in the bullpen in-house as you say. Unless he's injured, I have some hope Mac can come back and at least provide a 4 something ERA out of the pen. He's never been this bad before. And I'm ready write Haeger in after 4 innings of work right now.

But they absolutely need to bring in one righty that they feel confident can set up Jenks and close in an emergency. Basically, someone like MacDougal was supposed to be. If that means paying $3M -$4M in FA money, that's fine.

by hitlesswonder on Jul 18, 2007 9:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

shoot

haeger should have been here from day 1. i was sold on him last year.

my budget for a FA/trade is $3.5 million. you can certainly get one dependable reliever for that.

Free Ehren Wasserman!

by larry on Jul 18, 2007 9:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

actually, i pretty much agree with you

that aardsma will be fine. so will thornton and jenks. that's 3, at least, so out of the 10 or so other arms, i figure 3 should show up. of course, that's what we said this year. i can't believe they've all sucked. there's so many of them!

by colintj on Jul 19, 2007 2:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

joe mauer bunts better than jerry owens

Free Ehren Wasserman!

by larry on Jul 18, 2007 9:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Pure luck.

Has nothing to do with learning how to the game is played and proper techniques while in the minors.

by ballyb on Jul 18, 2007 9:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well he was brought up in the Twins minor league

they teach those fundamentals and such. We are worried about home run poses and how far they can pull a baseball.

If KW really wants to backup what he said at the Ozzie Guillen press conference a few years back. They need to completely overhaul our minor league system. They need to have one vision, and one way of teaching from Rookie through AAA. They need to then start to teach our hitters a line drive swing. Fundamental baseball, bunting, hitting behind the runner, running the bases smart, making contact with 2 strikes. To me, the guys we have in the minors have talent, I just think they were failed in their preparation. Its kind of a coincidence when every right handed prospect has the same identical hole in their swing.

by southsideirish71 on Jul 18, 2007 9:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

twins are dropping like flies

Free Ehren Wasserman!

by larry on Jul 18, 2007 9:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Do the LAA need a starter?

I hadn't really been paying attention, but Colon has a 6.30 ERA and Ervin Santana has just been sent to the minors with a 6.22 ERA in 19 starts (surprised me). They've still got Lackey, Escobar, Weaver the good, and they're calling up Saunders and pulling Mosley out of the pen. But, I wonder if they'd be interested in a starter? We know Stoneman liked Garland in the past. The only problem is that I don't know that I'd want anyone that Stoneman would be willing to give up.

But, just to be really speculative, the 2nd place Mariners might be in the market for a pitcher as well...and both teams could also use a DH/OF bat I think. So, get to it KW -- get a bidding war going and package a SP and Dye for a C/SS/OF or something.

by hitlesswonder on Jul 19, 2007 12:28 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

it seems like all the angels' prospects

have some kind of obvious flaw that's reared its head post-hype. at the same time, if aybar is ready to play defense, he can't be any worse than uribe with the bat, right?

by colintj on Jul 19, 2007 3:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wonder if Brandon Wood's lost favor

He'd crank a lot of homers in the Cell.

by asinwreck on Jul 19, 2007 6:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I dn. He's cut his K rate, which was the thing

everyone was hassling him for, and increased his walk rate. He's yet to repeat a league and he's hitting some line drives. It looks like he's had some bad luck with his BABIP, too. His translated line at Salt Lake will probably suck, but there's some things to like there.

by colintj on Jul 19, 2007 2:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

3E8 brought up the Ms a few days ago...

They seem to make a lot of sense as they only have three starters they can really count on. Obviously the guy I'd be looking at with Seattle is their catching prospect Jeff Clement, but I don't think Seattle would part with him.

As bad as Contreras has been, I really seem to think there are some teams still interested in him, especially if the Sox would be willing to eat a couple million on his contract. You just hope he can go out against Boston and throw six or seven innings of two-run baseball while hitting 91-92 on the gun.

by CWSKeith on Jul 19, 2007 12:37 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Clement...

He had enough of a struggle last season that there have to be at least some doubts about him. Plus, I've read (I can't remember where so probably not from a reputable source) that while he has power, his defense and batspeed are questionable.

In fact, this is a very interesting read. It's enough to make you think Clement shouldn't be the only/main piece in trade moving Garland. Dye and Contreras for Clement, fine by me (I guess). But I really wonder if Clement will hit major league pitching.

I think Wladimir Balentien would be a better target. The same scout who ripped Clement said Balentien reminded him of a young Magglio Ordonez.

by hitlesswonder on Jul 19, 2007 12:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I believe Clement was playing through an

injury last season. Which might explain some of his struggles. But you are right about his defense. Everyone says it's good enough just to get by. Clement is blocked by Jojima, but I'm sure he could be moved to 1B/DH (how long are Sexson/Broussard signed?). Balentien is raking and there was a recent debate on minorleagueball where it seems like the consensus was that he isn't too far behind Jones. Triunfel is intriguing too but very very raw and we need middle infield help now. The M's have 'spects that are blocked at positions we are totally barren.

by 3E8 on Jul 19, 2007 1:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually, I'd say we have some time to bring along

a SS or C. An A+ player now could be ready by 2009, if he's a top prospect and he's promoted aggressively.

by colintj on Jul 19, 2007 2:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

if either the Ms or the Angels make a move

for starting pitching, the other one will, too. i don't know how you play that if you're kenny GM but my eye is certainly looking to the north and the west coast for our trading partners.

Free Ehren Wasserman!

by larry on Jul 19, 2007 11:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And even though the Strib

is speculating that Nathan might be traded for a bat there is no way anyone in our division (save KC, who fleeced us) is trading with us. And the East is having its own issues (though I'd still like to look at Toronto, who ought to be selling).

So, by process of elimination (and the compelling statements by larry) I agree - W by NW.

I'll be dead before all of you

by winningugly on Jul 19, 2007 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fleece is somewhat strong, isn't it.

by ballyb on Jul 19, 2007 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I love Ross Gload...

but he didn't have much trade value at all. To me, that was a reason to keep him, but if the Sox had to trade him away, getting a live but erratic arm in return was okay.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jul 19, 2007 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I stick with "fleeced"

because we got substraction by addition (of Sisco). I couldn't stand the move then and can't stand it now.

I liked Gload - wouldn't he look good as a 3rd-4th OF right about now? I mean, if his hammy was healthy.

I'll be dead before all of you

by winningugly on Jul 19, 2007 2:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

But even with Gload right now...

we would still suck. Kenny needs some starting outfielders for 2008. Gload wouldn't have fit the bill for 2008 and Mackowiak can do everything that Gload can do anyways.

by SSH2005 on Jul 19, 2007 3:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not saying he's a savior

I'm saying that we received no utility for him - I have a hard time believing Sisco will amount to anything except a player in the Sox Fantasy Team of Old Timers at age 34.

I'll be dead before all of you

by winningugly on Jul 19, 2007 3:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And also...

regarding Ervin Santana -- I know his home/away splits are whack, but I'd love to see the Sox try to buy low on him. The Angels could certainly use a bat right now -- Reggie Willits is fading a bit after his hot start and they're playing without a DH (Morales has been there, although I'm not sure if he's ready quite yet).

If Kenny plays his cards right, these next two weeks could be pretty big for the future of the White Sox. Dye's getting hot at the right time, injuries and ineffectiveness is punching some holes in contending teams...

by CWSKeith on Jul 19, 2007 12:46 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Good plan :)

Buying low on Santana would be fine with me. He may not be a great fit for Cell (leads the league in HRs allowed). But if it somehow doesn't cost Garland it would be a good gamble I think.

I've read Willits is dinged up and they're hoping he'll come back around, but you're right -- LAA could use a DH I think. Jermaine and a starter really seem like a good fit for me. If LAA had a different GM I could actually see it happening.

by hitlesswonder on Jul 19, 2007 12:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not sold on J. Owens......

but given the fact that we are out of it (sorry optimists) I don't see how the organization can justify sitting Owens in favor of Pods/Erstad given that Owens (in 32 PA) is .286/.375.
The only half decent argument for getting Pods/Erstad in the lineup is to hope for some miracle 10 days hot streak to influence a contender to give up a marginal prospect for either player.

by stanchar on Jul 19, 2007 10:26 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The 32 plate appearances....

are post All-Star break.

by stanchar on Jul 19, 2007 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

A lot of people...

hate Owens, but I don't see what the harm could be in allowing him to play most of the time for the rest of the season.

The worst-case (and most likely) scenario is that he continues to stink, and the Sox find someone else to play center field next year.

But that's if I ran the team. Ken Williams probably wants to give Erstad every chance to prove that he can help the team next year. I've said it before, and I'll say it again - Sox fans need to steel themselves to the idea that Erstad will be playing center field and batting leadoff on Opening Day next year. It's not what I want to see, but I'd be surprised if the team let him go at the end of the year.

As for Podsednik, God knows what the team expects from him. He should have been non-tendered last winter, and he should be released right now. He's absolutely worthless to this team.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jul 19, 2007 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well.....

here's a scenario.

Dye and Mackowiak are traded and then the Aug/Sep OF is Owens LF/Erstad CF/Sweeney RF with Terrero/Gonzalez getting some spot starts. At least that's what I hope this would be...meaning Pods is out in the cold.

by stanchar on Jul 19, 2007 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Brian Anderson is

probably going to be a town drunk in Charlotte - the way he's been treated and now with his injuries.

Even this website - some of his staunchest supporters - never mention him.

by ballyb on Jul 19, 2007 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Whether or not you like him...

the fact is that he's extremely unlikely to play for the Sox, ever again. The Sox are likely hoping that he can put together a few decent weeks in Charlotte, at which point he'll be dealt for a journeyman minor leaguer. To speculate on his future with the Sox seems pointless.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Jul 19, 2007 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs