I've been a lurker for awhile now, but I figured I sort of had to post in reply to this post. I havent read the entire thread, so excuse me if these points have alreadybeen said.
I've been a Sox fan my whole life even though I'm from New Jersey, as my dad was from Chicago and has raised me a fan of the right team
QUOTE(spiderman @ Aug 30, 2005 -> 07:06 PM)
1) I know the price tag is high, and other teams haven't made significant moves, but Kenny Williams needs to do something to upgrade this lineup - even if just gives Ozzie Guillen another bat off the bench, anything! I realize Dmitri Young (or someone similar to him) isn't going to carry a ballclub, but he could be a contributor - right now, playing non-hitters like Geoff Blum, Juan Uribe, Timo Perez, Joe Crede, etc. from basically 6-9, 7-9 in the lineup regularly puts a lot of pressure on the top 6 hitters to do score most/all of the runs, and those guys aren't the type of players capable of doing that.
Yes, the bottom of the lineup isnt exactly filled with top hitters, but dont undervalue them. Geoff Blum is still coming into his own in a Sox uniform, and is mainly played for his defensive value, and ability to play basically every position in the field (I dont think he's ever played centerfield though, but thats about it). He does have moments of big hitting, but for the most part, he's a non-hitter, yes. He has done well in limited AB's in specific situations, such as with runners on third.
On the other hand, Juan Uribe, while he is mostly a big hit or miss hitter, has been pretty effective out of the bottom of the order. He is tied for 5th in the league in RBI for SS's, and just about every SS above him in that list has many more AB's than he does (Peralta is the only exception). Yes, he has been a below average hitter this year, but he has been getting runs in, one way or another. He also has been pretty successful with sacrifices, and has set up the beginning of the order pretty well in that sense.
Timo Perez.. well.. as much as I dont like him, he has come up pretty good in late inning situations. He has done a decent job getting on when it matters, but why he is still in the majors is still a mystery to me.
And Crede is, similar to Uribe, a big hit or miss hitter most of the time.
So yes, when the bottom of the lineup is cold, they arent going to be doing much of anything, although when they are heated up, they do have potential to score a good amount of runs.
As for Kenny Williams needing to get something done, I agree, but to a point. I dont think the Sox should have gotten Griffey, as I think he is a giant waste of money, especially at the price the Sox would be giving up to get him.
QUOTE(spiderman @ Aug 30, 2005 -> 07:06 PM)
2) As we stand, the offense is pathetic. They do not have a #3 hitter in the lineup, and most of the hitters are #6 or #7 hitters (Dye, Everett, Rowand, Pierzyinski) in a good lineup. They don't usually put up more than a few runs in a game, putting tremendous pressure on the pitching staff to overcome the lack of run production.
In my opinion, either Dye, Everett, or Pierzynski should be the #3 hitter in the Sox lineup, and Rowand should be the #5 hitter. Rowand is hitting .307 out of the #5 spot this year, and has been pretty successful there.
I dont know what you mean by "put up more than a few runs in a game", since they are averaging 4.64 runs per game this year. Thats a bit more than a few, and since the Sox pitching as been great this year, its enough.
QUOTE(spiderman @ Aug 30, 2005 -> 07:06 PM)
3) Mark Buerhle is not an ace - he is a good pitcher, but no more than #2 on a pitching staff.
An ace on a staff is a pitcher who can go out on any given day and shut down the opponent, and is consistant in doing so. Since becoming a starter, Buehrle has never won less than 14 games (he only won 14 games once, all the rest have been 16 wins or higher) and his ERA has only been over 4.00 once (the same year he won 14 games) and has basically pitched 6 innings or more in most of his starts. That is consistancy. He is an ace.
QUOTE(spiderman @ Aug 30, 2005 -> 07:06 PM)
4) Jon Garland is pitching how he did last season in the 2nd half. Not consistent at all.
Garland has to get back into pitching for ground balls. Too many of his pitches have been up in the strike zone, and hitters have been hitting them. To be successful, Garland has to do what Greg Maddux has done throughout his career.. pitch smart and pitch on the corners.
QUOTE(spiderman @ Aug 30, 2005 -> 07:06 PM)
5) Freddy Garcia is the same pitcher he's been over his career - he seems to rise up/down according to his competition.
Garcia is pretty consistant. Almost every start he lets up runs in the first few innings, and then shuts down his opponents until the 6th or 7th inning. Then, in the 6th/7th, he lets up a few more runs.
QUOTE(spiderman @ Aug 30, 2005 -> 07:06 PM)
6) The White Sox need to make a decision about their closer - Hermanson should have the job, but he obviously isn't healthy. The bullpen has pitched well, but down the stretch I think you have to either go with him, or DL him and hope the team makes the playoffs and gets him back healthier OR go with Bobby Jenks down the stretch.
Hermanson has been a great closer for the Sox this year, although he has had control problems. However, the Sox should put him on the DL for the greater part of September, and try Jenks out in the closer spot. If they want to get far into the playoffs, their bullpen will have to be great, and Hermanson is a key part to this Sox bullpen.
QUOTE(spiderman @ Aug 30, 2005 -> 07:06 PM)
- I'm not even sure the White Sox make the playoffs anymore. Sure, they still have a 6.5 game lead, and things could be even worse, but this team doesn't have an ace, is getting up and down performances for Garland, and has a closer who's injured, and haven't been depending on as much. The hitting is just not getting the job done, end of story. If they do make the playoffs, I see a first round, playoff exit.
I'm pretty certain the Sox will still win the AL Central, and they will still win it by at least 5 games. The Sox will be playing most of their games at home for the rest of the year, and will be playing mostly AL Central teams, which they have dominated. Cleveland is a very streaky team, and this just seems to be another of their hot streaks. Throughout the year, they have gone on hot streaks and cold streaks, and the one they are currently on is about to end.
