The Torpedo Boat weighs in on the Cabrera trade

by The Wizard on Feb 21, 2008 4:02 PM CST in Quotes Comment 122 comments

"Yeah, [the Cabrera trade] was a shock, not a shock, but I heard the news and I was like, `Wait a second, they just signed me to a contract and then they made the trade,' `' Uribe said through translator/coach Omer Munoz. "But I talked to a lot of people and everything was fine after that.''

Make no mistake about it, however, Uribe wants the starting job at second.

"They don't have to worry about my attitude,'' Uribe said. "Whatever they need me to do. I've never had one problem anywhere I've been. I'm here to work hard and win that second base job. If not, whatever job they give me.''

and:

"First of all, I have no control over who the starter is,’’ Uribe said. "I’m going to do everything I can in my power to be the starting second baseman. That’s what I like to do, I like to start and be a difference-maker.’’

Can Ozzie say no? [assuming Profundo isn't traded] ***** In other news,

Jim's swaggerific post.
BTB's quick BABIP look.
BP's Clay Davenport on Winter's best pitching performers. Oneli gets a small mention. Someone else too.
MLBTR's players out of options list.
Where do pitches go in the strike zone? (hat-tip Tango).
StatSpeak: Advantages of Home Field Advantage (hat-tip Tango).

0 recs | Comment 122 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

oh come on

shouldn't that be "the torpedo boat weighs in on the cabrera trade"?

punnery opportunity missed!

by thatshortkid on Feb 21, 2008 4:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

haha, yeah it should!

and it will!

by The Wizard on Feb 21, 2008 4:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

At least it resolves our

thin talent at second base

So instead of a big splash, there were ripples -- enough to change the tide, Williams believes

by Brush Back on Feb 21, 2008 4:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Nicely done.

by palehose67 on Feb 21, 2008 4:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Any pictures of Alexei Ramirez yet?

by CWSKeith on Feb 21, 2008 5:02 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

outkast

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Feb 21, 2008 5:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Like a kid on Christmas morning

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Feb 21, 2008 5:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

kinda looks like Snoop Dogg

Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos.

by rhythm on Feb 21, 2008 6:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Why is Ramirez's build being compared to...

Soriano? He looks way skinnier than Soriano to me. Soriano is wiry but he's also muscular. Ramirez just looks anorexic.

by SSH2005 on Feb 22, 2008 1:03 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

They are listed

as the exact same height and weight. I think what's throwing you off is that everything he's wearing in these pics from helmet to pants is like two sizes too big.

by 3E8 on Feb 22, 2008 1:18 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

white sox signed tomo ohka

mlbtraderumors.com

by Jbasic89 on Feb 21, 2008 5:06 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Swishalicious!

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

by colintj on Feb 21, 2008 5:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

The difference

between Swisher's swagger and BA's cockiness is that .075 in batting average.

Show mercy. I get to watch the Rangers.

by Tim from Texas on Feb 22, 2008 8:49 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

pods chances

[psaunders@denverpost.com]:

Today, Hurdle spelled out what Podsednik must do to make the team.

"He's got to be able to play center field, go get the ball," Hurdle said. "He's got to put the barrel on the ball, move it around, put it on the ground, stay healthy, steal some bases."

by The Wizard on Feb 21, 2008 6:19 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

is that supposed to mean something

will that guarantee him a job or something?

by Jbasic89 on Feb 21, 2008 9:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Tomo Ohka...........

A flyball pitcher. Might be entertaining to watch the Tigers take batting practice off him at THE CELL.

by stanchar on Feb 21, 2008 8:53 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

No post tonight

Ozzie and the players kept quiet on the big meeting, so the beat writers couldn't come up with anything interesting, and neither can I....

Gonzo, Gregor, and Cowley decided it would be fun to write about Uribe today, while Cabrera is amenable to a contract extension. D'oh!

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Feb 22, 2008 12:52 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

2nd base

Richar is late reporting and he's being shitlisted aleady, and it seems like someone has had a talk with Uribe and told him everything's gonna be alright - he seems awfully confident about his playing time. This looks like last year's CF spring training "competition" redux.

"Swisher's versatility allows us to give Owens a chance to come back and show he's ready to be that sparkplug like Podsednik was a couple of years ago." - KW

by ChicagoPete on Feb 22, 2008 6:41 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

noticed the same thing

and ozzie has a boner for ozuna as well, so richar could be S.O.L.

12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Feb 22, 2008 7:17 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Guess he should show up on time then.

You would think a guy fighting for a starting job for the first time would do everything in his power to show up early, let alone just on time. I know if I'm fighting for an MLB job I'd be there early.

by Grinder in Training on Feb 22, 2008 7:21 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Word! No excuse Danny boy!

For a guy who didn't do all that much last year against 2 guys who perform when they needed/wanted to, you would think he would get his ass into camp early to impress people.

Why all the hating on Pablo Ozuna? Sure his fielding skills aren't the greatest, but he is quick on the pads, and he does get on base.

"I have no idea of what the rotation might be, ... Ask me tomorrow."

by rangerjae on Feb 22, 2008 7:38 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

wheres the hating?

just said ozzie has a boner for ozuna.

12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Feb 22, 2008 7:48 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Not specifically here

But I read a lot of Pablo bashing here and other sites.

I think Pablo gives a lot of effort.

''If my [stuff] sells papers every day and we win, well, I want to be on the front page every day, as long as I don't rape anybody"

by rangerjae on Feb 22, 2008 8:15 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

So did Pods and Erstad...

Next time, Bhoov, do some research.

by Chiburb on Feb 22, 2008 8:58 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

But Pablo is on the team

Those two are not

''If my [stuff] sells papers every day and we win, well, I want to be on the front page every day, as long as I don't rape anybody"

by rangerjae on Feb 22, 2008 9:15 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Pablo

Secret Weapon though he be, doesn't have the skills to be a starter.

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

by colintj on Feb 22, 2008 3:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think Ozuna

Will get most of his time in LF and 3B. I think an Owens/Ozuna platoon is really pretty likely in LF. It does seem like Uribe will be starting at 2B...ugh.

by hitlesswonder on Feb 22, 2008 7:36 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

carlos quentin?

12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Feb 22, 2008 7:48 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

3B?

Wasn't that tried in '05 and Pablo wasn't up to it? And that was the original reason for getting Rob Mack?

Next time, Bhoov, do some research.

by Chiburb on Feb 22, 2008 8:59 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yep...

1st and 3rd - that's why he was in center... oh the bad memories of that

So instead of a big splash, there were ripples -- enough to change the tide, Williams believes

by Brush Back on Feb 22, 2008 9:05 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Rob Mac bad bad bad

in CF

''If my [stuff] sells papers every day and we win, well, I want to be on the front page every day, as long as I don't rape anybody"

by rangerjae on Feb 22, 2008 9:41 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Why would we want Juan at 2nd?

One of the primary reasons for replacing him was his bat - moving him to 2nd only moves the issue over. To me the position should be between Pablo, Alexei and Danny. Juan should remain as the backup to 2nd, SS, and 3rd.
Unless he suddenly found out how to improve his hitting.
...Of course, when he's on, he can carry this team....

So instead of a big splash, there were ripples -- enough to change the tide, Williams believes

by Brush Back on Feb 22, 2008 8:13 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

very annoying

This org will bench a prospect in a heartbeat, but they're in love with their downsloping vets.

At least with the youngsters there's a CHANCE that they might exceed expectations. With clowns like Erstad and Pods and Uribe, you've got a long track record so you know exactly what you're going to get. But the Sox act in the opposite fashion - they think that half a bad season from a youngster is enough to gauge what the rest of their career will look like, but with the vets they always pray that they'll recapture magic and play like they did at their peak 3 or 4 years ago. If Uribe starts at 2B in April, that's total bullshit.

"Swisher's versatility allows us to give Owens a chance to come back and show he's ready to be that sparkplug like Podsednik was a couple of years ago." - KW

by ChicagoPete on Feb 22, 2008 9:57 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

because juan is a worse hitter

than pablo, alexei, and danny? am i missing something here?

it's not a particularly difficult argument to make that juan uribe is the best player of that bunch, ignominious company though it may be. he's certainly the best fielder and his bat is roughly the same or better. weren't you the same people who were whining last year that the best player didn't win an open competition? now people want to change those rules to the best player who isn't older than danny richar? bullshit, eh.

at any rate, getting up in arms at this point over who you think is playing 2B based upon tea leaves reading is pretty silly. it's february 22.

by larry on Feb 22, 2008 10:10 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Once again

I am going to jump on your bandwagon here. Here we go again.... 8 zillion posts on what Ozzie is definitely going to do and who should or should not start before the team has played 1 freaking ST game.

I want Danny or Alex to win the job but it wouldnt be the worst thing in the world with a Cab-Uribe up the middle. In fact the pitching staff may love it.

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

by Tdogg on Feb 22, 2008 10:25 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

people are allowed to speculate

and ozzie isnt tough to figure out.

12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Feb 22, 2008 10:32 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

it gets rather tiresome

to read the repetitious "erstad and pods will definitely be back in 2008" or "this team doesn't give young players a chance" or "i hate juan uribe" posts. we got it the first fifteen times. your venting quota has been exceeded. move on until something actually happens.

by larry on Feb 22, 2008 10:38 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

you're not telling me

my venting quota has been exceeded, are you?

12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Feb 22, 2008 10:42 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

so long as you're venting about something

that actually has a basis in fact - you know, say, something other than the "this team will pass over young players in a minute based soley upon brian anderson and blithely ignoring josh fields, john danks, jerry owens, boone logan, gavin floyd and so on.

by larry on Feb 22, 2008 10:48 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i havent vented though

i just dont really care when other people vent about something thats been talked about, i just ignore it.

12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Feb 22, 2008 10:56 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

ignore such things long enough

and you get a comments section that is predominated by garbage like this:

http://blogs.suntimes.com/whitesox/2008/02/thome_checks_in.html#comments

the best sox offensive player definitely needs to retire. 150 OPS+ says it all. done. i've seen sites degenerate before. i'd like to keep this a place where sox fans intelligently discuss the team and baseball.

by larry on Feb 22, 2008 11:25 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

larry, or shall I say, Mr . Stalin,

I am occasioanlly weary of "paying for the same real estate twice" re: going over the same old ground, but it's like any other media - if you don't like it, turn the channel (or the other cheek). I don't see how we would ever turn into just another blog, already.

It's supposed to be fun.

Jeff Cox: I'm going to call you "FN".

by winningugly on Feb 22, 2008 2:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

spend enough time on the internet

and you'll see how quickly things can get spiral out of control. cheat does a good job but informal sanctions work just as well here as in real life.

and the problem with "changing the channel" is that there isn't another channel - at least not that i've found - where one can discuss white sox baseball with other intelligent and informed fans without lots of schlock interspersed. i'm not particularly interested in wading through the same unimaginative screeds over and over. that's neither fun or interesting. it's one of the primary reasons i now rarely read or post over at john sickels' site. i'd like SSS to maintain a generally higher level of discourse because there isn't another place like it.

by larry on Feb 22, 2008 3:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree, but in the end,

the Sox and their movements/potential/strategy are not an infinite universe, either. So things get repeated.

I do believe if we Sox fans are not getting either Sox or tail we go insane, so my advice, sir, (not that you need it) is go get some tail, man. Worked for me last week.

Jeff Cox: I'm going to call you "FN".

by winningugly on Feb 22, 2008 3:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

there's nothing wrong with some repetition

but there comes a point where everything gets tired. especially when it's the same people posting it over and over. juan uribe is fat. yeah, we know. SSH liked eduardo perez a lot. check. darin erstad isn't a good baseball player. 10-4. i realize this is the internet and we don't get the same body language feedback from people but we all need to know when to say when. my jerry owens joke-telling days are done. fun for a while but it's over. unless we're adding some new twists or info, some stuff needs to be retired not retreaded. these are especially lean times and we all will run afoul of it at some point but we don't want to be like tv talking heads who just repeat the same thing louder and louder in the belief that this somehow makes it better.

by larry on Feb 22, 2008 3:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Eduardo Perez...

He may very well have been a good option against lefties instead of Thome. We will never know...

by SSH2005 on Feb 22, 2008 4:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

he retired

seems like he was cooked, either physically or mentally. good thought but you can't make a man play.

by larry on Feb 22, 2008 4:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, probably...

but Eduardo Perez's lefty split in 2006 (the season before he signed with the White Sox and then retired) looks pretty good...

169 PA / .275 AVG / .331 OBP / .503 SLG / .834 OPS

Had Perez wanted to play, it wouldn't have been a shock if he topped Thome's 2007 lefty split of...

169 PA / .196 AVG / .314 OBP / .350 SLG / .663 OPS

That is just putrid. Thome still shouldn't face any lefties this season. Maybe against lefties, Ozzie will rest Thome, stick Swisher at DH, Quentin in LF, and Ramirez (if he's on the roster) or Anderson (if he's still around) in CF?

by SSH2005 on Feb 22, 2008 4:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

thome will be platooning some

they've pretty much said that. and ozzie now has some options to do it.

perez, by the way, is busy trying to resucitate baseball in PR. we'll see how successful he is.

by larry on Feb 22, 2008 4:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry to extend the thought

cause it's obvious to me that the subject is dead, and in principle I agree that rehashing the same crap is boring (I especially like and agree with your comment about talking heads and repetition/talking louder), but... you aren't the ultimate authority on when a topic is dead or not.

Also, I don't agree with you telling someone to pipe down just because you think something has been said enough, it seems like too much of a power trip. Plus, maybe someone else wants to hear it? (I know that may be a stretch)

In addition, I'm assuming that new posters and passer-by types aren't checking the back logs of posts and may bring up a dead topic from time to time. I realize that you have a good memory and most likely aren't speaking to them with your comments, but I wanted to just put it out there for the record.

In summary, I agree with you that many topics are dead and don't need to be brought up, but I don't agree that you should be telling people not to bring them up again. I apologize for just creating a Catch-22, but then again you are under no obligation to consider my opinion.

I'll pipe down now ;)

Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos.

by rhythm on Feb 22, 2008 4:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

8 zillion?

where?

12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Feb 22, 2008 10:33 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Cmon Deac

You get the point. I know people want to speculate.. cool. But folks write things like they are foregone conclusions. The Pods-Erstad argument was a perfect example. Even when folks says Ozzie or KW are not hard to read I don't believe that is accurate either.

All Im saying is these points have been made over and over again. Lets see a few games and then start the bitch fest.

And yeah Richar is dumb as hell for messing up the Visa thing.

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

by Tdogg on Feb 22, 2008 11:21 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

or how mike myers' option was totally

getting picked up. after he posted an ERA in excess of 11.00. yup, this team doesn't look at performance. they just make decisions based upon age.

by larry on Feb 22, 2008 11:27 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I thought for sure that he would be back...

especially because his option was only for $1.1 million. I just assumed that Kenny and Ozzie thought Myers would bounce back the next year. Thankfully, I was wrong.

by SSH2005 on Feb 22, 2008 11:30 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

If you can't get up in arms

What's the point of being on SSS...

My real point was KW replaces Juan to improve the bat, obviously we still have an issue if the bat is now being moved over to a different postion. Or at least we have potentially have an issue - hopefully one of the other 3 shows they can hit on a consistant bases - and by consistent I don't mean once every 10 at bats, unless they are getting hit or taking a bunch of walks. (And hopefully they can show some solid defense too.)

In regards to defense - I agree, if I'm a pitcher, I wouldn't be too upset with those 2 taking care of the middle.

So instead of a big splash, there were ripples -- enough to change the tide, Williams believes

by Brush Back on Feb 22, 2008 11:20 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The Legend continues to work his spell

"The guy showed up to spring training and was waiting outside the complex on the day pitchers and catchers were supposed to report. This may not sound like much to the old timers, but in the days of visa hang-ups, and not so fond memories of Pedro Martinez making up excuses not to go to Ft. Myers and Red Sox spring training, it is refreshing to know that the guy who plays the hardest, practices the hardest as well. A real lunch-pail kind of player. Kudos."

I thought lunch-pail-kind-of-player label was only reserved for erstad.

link

by onlysoxfaninboston on Feb 22, 2008 8:45 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Uribe has a slight edge in the competition for 2B?

According to the Chicago Sun Times, Juan Uribe "has a slight edge" in the competition for the White Sox's starting job at second base.
He'll be battling Danny Richar, Pablo Ozuna and Alexei Ramirez for the gig now that Orlando Cabrera has replaced him as the team's shortstop. "I have no control over who the starter is,'' Uribe said. ''I'm going to do everything in my power to be the starting second baseman. That's what I like to do. I like to start and be a difference maker.''

Source: Chicago Sun-Times

by SSH2005 on Feb 22, 2008 10:09 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Has Richar made it to camp yet?

Or is he still having visa problems? If Richar isn't even in Tucson yet, I could see where Uribe would have the "slight" edge in camp. :)

by Tony82087 on Feb 22, 2008 10:42 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

not yet

pretty fucking dumb move to make if you want a job.

by larry on Feb 22, 2008 10:49 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

P*ssing Ozzie off

is no way to earn a starting job.

Does Richar still have options left? I'm assuming he does - but not sure.

If he doesn't win the 2B job, do you think they'll send him down? With Ozuna, Uribe and Ramirez on the club, you would have to think so...but maybe they ship Ramirez down instead?

Ozuna screws this all up....

"Jenks, who was never afraid to say "no" to a hamburger..."

by BobbySouthSide on Feb 22, 2008 10:57 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

ramirez isn't making the team

my guess was and remains (because nothing has happened yet) that only 2 of those 4 are on the opening day roster. we'll see how things start to shake out once ST starts for all teams. uribe is on the block for anyone who wants to take the salary - he's one serious (i.e., more than two months out) injury away from being the SS or 2B for another team. richar should probably show up to work if he wants a major league job. ozuna is on the roster. ramirez would have to be utterly spectacular to make the roster.

and richar has options.

by larry on Feb 22, 2008 11:04 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Ozuna

I may have missed it, but have there been any reports on his recovery? If his injury is still nagging, wouldn't he be most likely to start the season in AAA (rehab)? I don't see him as worthy of a spot if he's lost any speed (opinion).

Next time, Bhoov, do some research.

by Chiburb on Feb 22, 2008 11:20 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i didn't say anything about him being worthy

guaranteed contract. he's on the bench. and he was playing in the DR. he's physically able to play baseball.

by larry on Feb 22, 2008 11:29 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Bench

I agree with you. Not sure how the bench looks if Uribe isn't traded?

Uribe
Ozuna
Hall
Gonzo/Owens
Anderson

"Jenks, who was never afraid to say "no" to a hamburger..."

by BobbySouthSide on Feb 22, 2008 11:20 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

gonzalez plays for cleveland

by larry on Feb 22, 2008 11:32 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

tear

12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Feb 22, 2008 11:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

What the....

...why did I say Gonzo? I meant Quintin...my brain is fried from work. sorry

"Jenks, who was never afraid to say "no" to a hamburger..."

by BobbySouthSide on Feb 22, 2008 1:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Let bygones be bygones...but

From Buster Olney:

>* Heard this: Gio Gonzalez, the pitcher acquired by Oakland in the Nick Swisher deal, is making a strong first impression in the Athletics' camp, and so are the three primary position players acquired in the winter trades -- Carlos Gonzalez, Ryan Sweeney and Aaron Cunningham. Here is a video clip of Cunningham from last summer.

Gonzalez shined in his first workout, writes Susan Slusser.

by BoKnows on Feb 22, 2008 11:07 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Just once I want to read

In one of those stories involving a trade. "Yeah his first bullpen session, he sucked."

Now that would be a funny "fluff" piece.

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

by Tdogg on Feb 22, 2008 11:16 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i was gonna say the same thing

no one is going to say anything bad about any player right now. hell, mac hits a player in BP and there's nary a word about mac maybe having some control issues.

by larry on Feb 22, 2008 11:30 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

anyone with

some sort of talent probably looks good in spring because no one has seen baseball in so long, hahahaha

12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Feb 22, 2008 11:38 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

question

do the spring training photo's on the chicagosports website for the sox not work for anyone else or is it just me?

12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Feb 22, 2008 11:42 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Regarding these visas:

Why doesn't the team have someone (in the players' countries) handle getting the necessary paperwork for these guys, or at least make sure they're on some schedule? Seems like a no brainer, chump change considering the problems it can create.

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Feb 22, 2008 11:52 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

who says they don't?

you kinda sorta need the player to, you know, be involved in the process.

by larry on Feb 22, 2008 11:56 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

since you seem unfamiliar with the process

getting a visa isn't just paperwork. you need to actually go to the embassy/consulate in person, fingerprinted, interviewed, etc. and you need to set up your appointment pretty far in advance these days. and "you" need to do this, not your representative.

by larry on Feb 22, 2008 11:59 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

these are supposed to be men

who you would think should be able to do simple tasks themselves, on time....

12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Feb 22, 2008 12:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

well

they need to be told about the simple tasks and what timeframes and so on. but the sox (and every major league organization) do just that. they've got immigration attorneys in all these countries to take care of things and shepherd players through the process. but, as someone who deals with clients every day, the old chestnut about leading a horse to water comes to mind. people don't return your calls, emails, letters. you tell them what the deadlines are and they ignore you or forget. we can't do a lot for our clients but they need to do a little, too. you can bet the problem was that danny just ignored his shepherd and didn't get the appointment set up in time.

by larry on Feb 22, 2008 12:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

yep

12/12/07- We'll miss you Andy Gonzalez

by The Deacon on Feb 22, 2008 12:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Just think there are ways

to make it more orderly, more of a sure thing. Have someone in the home country arrange for a date to head to the "county seat," handhold the player and make things happen.

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Feb 22, 2008 12:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i'm not sure what more you think they can do

an attorney can't just set up the appointment, kidnap the player on the appointed date and take them to the embassy. guess what happens when you don't show up to the visa appointment? ya think the US embassy, with waiting lists and lines going around the block, is keen to get you another right away? what does that do for the credibility of the lawyer setting it up? the player has to agree to the appointment and has to show up. danny didn't do one or both. nothing the team can do about it.

by larry on Feb 22, 2008 12:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Come on, Larry.

This guy's celebrity in the DR. It's like Angelina Jolie getting a visa in the US. You think she has to stand in the regular line? He's not "Joe Fuck the Ragman." Shouldn't happen this way, and my guess is there's someone to blame in addition to Richar, which is my point.

And give me a break -- "the credibility of the lawyer?"

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Feb 22, 2008 12:27 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

To Larry.

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Feb 22, 2008 12:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

yes

you've certainly illustrated how intimately familiar you are with the visa process. clearly the same process for an american to get a visa to go abroad as it is for a dominican to get a work visa for the united states. apples to apples. eyes rolling. seriously, i've tried to enlighten you about the process. if you can't get past your preconceived notion of how things must be, whatever.

by larry on Feb 22, 2008 12:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

larry's right

I came here on a student visa that I had to renew every two years. Each time I did so, I had to make an appointment with the U.S. embassy "back home" and make sure all of my paperwork was in order. The embassy would then take at least a few days to approve the visa, since the ultimate decision was made in Foggy Bottom. Baseball players apply for non-immigrant visas with work permits, and from what I understand the renewal process is fairly similar. It's not a rubber-stamp by any means and you can't ignore things until the last minute. One year I missed 5 days of classes (well, I wouldn't say I missed them) because of delays in getting the renewal approved.

by Winning is Fung on Feb 22, 2008 12:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

If I may approach the bench your honor

Allow me to use the "braindead Dominican" defense.

Richar's a kid, and he's got his first year of major league money in his pocket, and he's probably down there partying his ass off with tres chicas on his lap. Ozzie himself admits he did the same crap every spring, and on top of that he's bragging that he was so hungover with the Expos that he passed out on the bench.

Uribe's proven himself to be a knucklehead many times over. To throw Richar under the bus for being a knucklehead ain't right. At least he has a chance to have an OBP above .250, I don't need to see another season of Uribe at the plate.

Out of sheer boredom, I propose a poll on the opening day 2B. I predict it'll be Uribe, regardless what the ST stats look like.

"Swisher's versatility allows us to give Owens a chance to come back and show he's ready to be that sparkplug like Podsednik was a couple of years ago." - KW

by ChicagoPete on Feb 22, 2008 12:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

ah yes

the "you did it so you can't penalize me for doing it" argument. always effective. players shouldn't learn from the mistakes of others. just let them repeat them with no consequences.

by larry on Feb 22, 2008 12:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Let's just cut these kids some slack

They're athletes in prime condition in their early 20s with a lot of money in their pocket, women hanging all over them, hell yes they're gonna go out and have fun. I'd be more worried about a Josh Fields who goes to his hotel room and reads the bible. It's especially hypocritical for Ozzie to be giving them a hard time.

"Swisher's versatility allows us to give Owens a chance to come back and show he's ready to be that sparkplug like Podsednik was a couple of years ago." - KW

by ChicagoPete on Feb 22, 2008 1:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i don't care about that

it ain't hard to get a visa, especially these days when - despite the somewhat more onerous process - it's a heck of a lot easier for an organization/their representative in the capital to stay in contact with a player. it isn't too much to expect an employee to arrive to work on-time, especially when they're in a competition for a position. this is the sort of crap that got richar sidetracked with the d-backs. he's almost 25. it's time to act like it. danny isn't some superstar who can screw around, rest on his talent, and expect to have a job. he isn't that good.

by larry on Feb 22, 2008 1:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

He's still not in camp today

A friend of mine in Tucson said rumors were going around that the team doesn't know when he will show up because of the Visa mess.

He should have used American Express...buh, dum, bum.

"Jenks, who was never afraid to say "no" to a hamburger..."

by BobbySouthSide on Feb 22, 2008 1:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

unless something happens today

which seems doubtful, he's probably looking at tuesday at best. this is how you lose a job. beyond dumb. it sounds like maybe i'm in the minority here but this is just unacceptable. he should be in ozzie's - and the white sox' - doghouse for this. he's known for five months when he needed to report. it's this sort of stuff that's a proxy for other things - attention to detail, work ethic, attitude, ability to take direction, etc. it's sounds like the start of a joke: four dominicans are competing for a job and three show up.... [yes, i know ramirez is cuban but he has DR residency].

by larry on Feb 22, 2008 1:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

My point precisely

They knew what they were getting when they traded for this knucklehead, and now they get all upset when he acts like a knucklehead. He's apparently got some talent, and his projections look a helluva lot better then Uribe's. We've all seen what Uribe can (and can't) do, no mas por favor.

"Swisher's versatility allows us to give Owens a chance to come back and show he's ready to be that sparkplug like Podsednik was a couple of years ago." - KW

by ChicagoPete on Feb 22, 2008 2:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

no, that's not your point. it's mine.

you're saying they shouldn't get upset. i'm saying they have every right to.

by larry on Feb 22, 2008 2:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

crede update

Joe Crede did try taking batting practice on Friday, but the White Sox third baseman had to shut it down early with his injured left hand bothering him.

Crede was plunked on the hand Thursday, and was taken for X-Rays by head trainer Herm Schneider. Those X-Rays came back negative, but didn't change the fact that the badly swollen hand now needed a few days off.
The immediate plan is allow Crede to go through drills and workouts, but put the bat down for a few days until the hands feels better.

http://blogs.suntimes.com/whitesox/2008/02/crede_update.html#more

by larry on Feb 22, 2008 12:43 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Cheat. What happened to the projections???

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Feb 22, 2008 1:12 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Ozzie on the Mike North show

He is going to have a closed door meeting with Uribe to explain why they traded for Cabrera. He wants him to try to play everyday. ( Expect Richar to be at AAA this year)

If Crede plays well they will make a move with Fields. He said he knows its not fair, but he is here to win and that is what he has to do. ( Take this as if Crede's isn't traded he will start and Fields will be in AAA ). Then he says its up to both of them to play well. Again he is going to have a closed door with Crede and Fields.

Floyd and Javy are throwing the ball the best so far.

#####################

If Fields and Richar are both at AAA. I will vomit.

by southsideirish71 on Feb 22, 2008 1:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Oh and the kicker

"It would be oustanding if Owens can play CF." but he will look to start Quentin and Swisher against CC on opening day. Ozzie Guillen

Hopefully his facination with bantam weight track stars who cant get on base can finally die this year.

by southsideirish71 on Feb 22, 2008 1:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Fields Confidence Will Be shot

if he is sent back for even the one year of Crede. Crede's back probably will give out at some point, so that is why Williams will keep Uribe.

I could see Fields (high value now) and Anderson (organization looking to dump him) being shipped out for some prospects.

All really sad.

"Jenks, who was never afraid to say "no" to a hamburger..."

by BobbySouthSide on Feb 22, 2008 1:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

If they move Fields

And keep Crede for the year. In 2009 its a retread or crap out at 3rd. Boras wont negotiate a long term deal and if Crede plays well he will ask for a silly amount. We have nothing at all in our system to replace Fields.

by southsideirish71 on Feb 22, 2008 1:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

True, but...

...I don't see how you can move Fields back to the Minors without doing some damage. His value is high now and I could see the Sox moving him.

There isn't anything out there next year in FA's though (2009 FA):

Third basemen
Casey Blake (35)
Hank Blalock (28) - $6.2MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Joe Crede (31)
Morgan Ensberg (33)
Nomar Garciaparra (35)
Wes Helms (33) - $3.75MM club option for '09
Chipper Jones (37) - $8-11MM vesting option for '09
Dallas McPherson (27)

"Jenks, who was never afraid to say "no" to a hamburger..."

by BobbySouthSide on Feb 22, 2008 2:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

yup, the sox are going to trade fields now

we really need some actual baseball. this is getting ridiculous.

by larry on Feb 22, 2008 2:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Quite to the contrary

according to my tea leaves, some interesting comments will show up around 3:45 PM CST, causing quite an excellent exchange of ideas, despite the lack of actual baseball.

Unfortunately, I will be out to lunch at that time and will not be able to participate.

Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos.

by rhythm on Feb 22, 2008 2:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Also, the Sox will trade fields at some point

aren't they moving to Glendale for Spring Training? nyuk, nyuk nyuk

As for Josh Fields, the tea leaves tell me that he will either be traded, left to explore free agency, or retire a member of the Sox. The leaves didn't give me any indication of when one of these scenarios might play out, so stay tuned.

Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos.

by rhythm on Feb 22, 2008 2:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I got home late last night

So I don't know if anyone else heard this, but Levine was on 1000 last night reporting from Sox camp and said Swisher would be spending most of his time in left and JO would be patrolling center.

I don't know if it's just lip service by a beat reporter that's trying to fill time or not, but Levine always seems to be fairly credible.

Take it for what it's worth.

I'll hang up and listen to your answer.

by Hazymania on Feb 22, 2008 1:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

still waiting on that konerko trade, bruce

;)

by larry on Feb 22, 2008 1:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Things change Larry.

Remember you laughed at some of us who thought it was POSSIBLE that Owens started in CF this year.

Yep, things change.

"All this has done is put the Tigers in a better position to contend with us."

by ballyb on Feb 22, 2008 2:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i'm still laughing

owens isn't starting in CF. at best he'll platoon.

and i was joking about bruce. notice the ;)?

by larry on Feb 22, 2008 2:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I hope you are right larry

but remember Ozzie did have Owens leading off most games after his second call up last year.

How do you fuck a nut?!

by omnipotent grab on Feb 22, 2008 2:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i recall andy gonzalez playing, too

whoop de doo. absolutely nothing has changed. waiting for some actual baseball to be played and until mid-march is prudent before getting your panties in a bundle about an uninformative interview with ozzie or a bunch of process stories from sportswriters. owens is a very likely candidate to be on the opening day team. just like he was five months ago. and he's very likely to be platooning with someone(s). just like he was five months ago. i'm yawning here. the richar screw-up is amusing but we need some baseball.

by larry on Feb 22, 2008 2:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Quentin is going to be the odd man out

The 4th OF. Only on this team would a true 4th OF like Owens start over a guy who can actually give us a good offensive and defensive LF like Quentin.

This crap about OBP was smoke and mirrors. The bantam weight track star with his .310 OBP will be our leadoff hitter because of some mythical theory of ozzie ball.

by southsideirish71 on Feb 22, 2008 1:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

How about I hang myself?

All these rumors make me want to end either my life or someone elses, preferably Ozzies. Fields is getting traded or hes going back to AAA, along with Richar while Uribe is starting at second and Jerry Lee is playing center while Quentin is the 4th OF.

Wow Ozzie you suck if any of these do happen.

How do you fuck a nut?!

by omnipotent grab on Feb 22, 2008 2:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

christ

seriously, what is it that people expected ozzie to say? this is such a non-issue. think about it, people. ozzie, according to what was posted, said next to nothing. and what he did say was nothing new.

by larry on Feb 22, 2008 2:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Feel the optimism!

That's the spirit.

Sheesh, we all really need to get lives, although you might not want to come to the store with us if you're just going to end yours anyways.

I will echo a sentiment expressed earlier - IT'S FEB. 22!!! Bitch and complain about the lineup when the regular season starts in 6 weeks and we actually know who is playing where.

Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos.

by rhythm on Feb 22, 2008 2:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

no need to wait til April

Last spring, it was apparent that Erstad was the everyday CF by March 7th.

"Swisher's versatility allows us to give Owens a chance to come back and show he's ready to be that sparkplug like Podsednik was a couple of years ago." - KW

by ChicagoPete on Feb 22, 2008 2:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Despite the obviously bad numbers

compared to BAs.

How do you fuck a nut?!

by omnipotent grab on Feb 22, 2008 2:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Just got a little frustrated

now that baseball is back all we seem to be hearing is negative. With exception to the Danks news of course, I really am hoping the cutter makes his second year a good one.

How do you fuck a nut?!

by omnipotent grab on Feb 22, 2008 2:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Wait...

There IS a life store???

Oh man, and here I've just been going to the death store all these years!

I'll hang up and listen to your answer.

by Hazymania on Feb 22, 2008 2:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I now feel dumber

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

by Tdogg on Feb 22, 2008 2:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Sorry I haven't read the posts most

of the day (actually working today), but it seems the season had better start soon - and some guys on this site ought to get some tail soon - lots of pointed comments.

Can't we all just get along? For at least another month or so?

Jeff Cox: I'm going to call you "FN".

by winningugly on Feb 22, 2008 3:03 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

as was stated elsewhere

it ain't just ST for the players. we've got to get our bitching and carping at one another back in game form as well. think of this as shaking out the cobwebs.

so to join the fray: your statement is terrible, mine is obviously better (here's why, duh), and we're going to continue this back-and-forth until the formatting shoves the comment up against the right-hand border, turning a 4 sentence comment into 3-6in of screen real estate.

ah, that felt good. i can almost taste the peanuts and beer now. i think i might even hear the awkward silences of our tv and radio broadcasts off in the distance. maybe we need split into 'A' and 'B' threads to mix the usual suspects and the yearly flood of newcomers to get our chops back and see who has what after the winter off?

by thatshortkid on Feb 23, 2008 2:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

hmmm

"maybe we need split into 'A' and 'B' threads to mix the usual suspects and the yearly flood of newcomers to get our chops back and see who has what after the winter off?"

Brilliant!!!

I'll hang up and listen to your answer.

by Hazymania on Feb 23, 2008 11:09 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

congratulations!

So Ugly finally got laid - does your asshole still hurt?

;-) spring training

"Swisher's versatility allows us to give Owens a chance to come back and show he's ready to be that sparkplug like Podsednik was a couple of years ago." - KW

by ChicagoPete on Feb 23, 2008 9:32 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs