ILMOU

QUOTE (fathom @ Oct 31, 2008 -> 10:56 AM) First half of the season I would agree with you, as I thought he was GG caliber. I thought he was terrible defensively in the second half of the season. He had some lapses of concentration. Nowhere near terrible.

QUOTE (fathom @ Oct 31, 2008 -> 10:47 AM) His defense was brutal this season according to defensive statistics, and I thought he lacked concentration an awful lot during the 2nd half of the season. Ramirez is not efficient at diving for grounders, as he seems like he should have better range than he actually does. Ramirez's best asset at 2nd was his ability to turn the double play. Defensive statistics are essentially worthless. A guy that "hogs" pop-up outs (like Uribe) will appear to have a better range factor, for instance. If you watched Alexei play all year, as I assume you did, I can't believe you'd make such a statement. Alexei will be fine at SS - better than fine.

QUOTE (knightni @ Oct 22, 2008 -> 07:57 AM) Oh yeah. And... Don Wakamatsu. Bill "Na-Ha" Nahorodny, Milt May?

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Oct 20, 2008 -> 12:07 PM) I know this has been said before, but I could really see the Sox brining back Freddy Garcia on a one year, incentive based deal, with maybe an option for '10. Freddy needs somewhere he can prove himself, the Sox need a stopgap while Contreras is out and some of the kids can mature into these spots. It's low-cost, low-risk and feel-good. I think you have an excellent point, it's a real possibility.

QUOTE (Frank the Tank 35 @ Oct 17, 2008 -> 09:22 PM) We'll probably make one big FA signing, one decent sized trade, and then the rest would be buy-low/filler type acquisitions. That sounds about right to me. Maybe two trades. Things may fall like dominoes after the Texiera situation is resolved.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Oct 17, 2008 -> 11:46 PM) I'm not a big Count fan. He's too old, injury or not. He may be too old/injured to be an effective starter again. I'm going to go out on a limb and say he becomes an effective reliever in the 2nd half of '09, helping us to our second WS this decade! He could be very tough in that role.

QUOTE (Paint it Black @ Oct 17, 2008 -> 07:30 PM) The Brian Roberts name is intriguing. IMO, a lineup with Roberts and Furcal (if somehow both could be signed) at the top of the order would excite me. Hell, I'd be so excited, I'd break out my Kenny Williams life-size doll. Realistically, though, that ain't happenin' unless Reinsdorf ponies up like never before. I'd be ecstatic if we got either, because it solves the lead-off dilemma we've had since '05.

QUOTE (Cubano @ Oct 10, 2008 -> 08:04 PM) I live in the Washington D.C. metro area. I go to the Orioles and Nats games. I root for the Nats because the Senators had a long history with cubans players. I also have several minor league teams around. I watch MLB through Direct TV MLB package and I watch cuban baseball with another dish. I can say I am lucky. The Cuban Senators http://espn.go.com/page2/wash/s/2002/0311/1349361.html Do you guys think cuban baseball players deserve to live like this? Look at this house: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/26/sports/b...all/26cuba.html How about those Havana Cubans? http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/hi...p100.jsp?idx=92 http://www.cubanball.com/minorlg.html History of Cuban baseball This is a very good site. The guy that mantains it is from my home state. http://www.cubanball.com/timeline.html Martin Dihigo The greatest cuban player of all time is Martin Dihigo. He could not play in the Majors because he was black. “He was the greatest all-around player I know. I say he was the best player of all-time, black or white. He could do it all.” — Buck Leonard http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers/d...playerId=492563 Cristóbal Torriente A left-handed power hitter who excelled in both his native Cuba as well as the Negro leagues, Cristóbal Torriente starred as a center fielder for the Chicago American Giants from 1918 to 1925, leading the club to three consecutive Negro National League titles (1920 to 1922). The notorious bad-ball hitter excelled in the field as well, teaming in Chicago with Jelly Gardner and Dave Malarcher to form one of the best defensive outfields in history. Perhaps Torriente's greatest acclaim came in Cuba during the winter of 1920, when, as a member of the Almendares club, he outplayed Babe Ruth, barnstorming with the New York Giants, in a nine-game series. http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers/d...playerId=506640 José Méndez Pitcher José Méndez was likely the first internationally-known Cuban baseball star. The dark-complexioned Méndez, nicknamed Black Diamond, was noted for his blazing fastball and sharp curve. John McGraw and Pop Lloyd raved about Méndez's skill on the mound. The author of a 10-inning perfect game as a member of the Cuban Stars in 1909, his career spanned from 1908 to 1926. As a player-manager with the Kansas City Monarchs, he led the Negro National League team to three consecutive pennants, from 1923 to 1925. http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers/d...playerId=506634 Atanasio Perez Atanasio Tony Pérez Rigal was a fixture on Cincinnati's Big Red Machine clubs of the 1970s. A native Cuban, he left a job in a Havana sugar cane factory to sign with the Reds' organization. In 1967 he notched the first of seven 100-RBI campaigns, concluding his career with 1,652 RBI over 23 major league seasons. Respected for his clutch hitting, he belted three home runs in the 1975 World Series, including a key two-run shot in Game Seven, one of two World Championships he earned. http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers/d...playerId=120404 Alejandro Pompez The son of Cuban immigrants, Alejandro Pompez owned the Cuban Stars of the Eastern Colored League, and later the New York Cubans of the Negro National League. Following the demise of the Negro leagues, Pompez was hired as a scout for the New York and San Francisco Giants, where for 25 years he worked to open the door for Caribbean players to enter the major leagues. He helped sign future stars such as Orlando Cepeda, Juan Marichal and the Alou brothers. His expertise on African-American baseball history was confirmed in 1971 when he was asked to serve on the Hall of Fame's Committee on Negro Leagues. http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers/d...playerId=506635 Minnie Minoso and Luis Tiant should be in the HOF. Thanks for all the info, Cubano. Great stuff.

QUOTE (santo=dorf @ Oct 10, 2008 -> 05:43 AM) ....and yet they still won the division. Why are people so focused on breaking them up and trying to acquire fast, but perhaps not as talented, baseball players? We should focus more on our holes at 3rd, CF, and pitching. Agreed. Regarding your hot stove selections, however, we definitely don't want Willy Taveras. That's just speed for the sake of speed, with little benefit. Plus, he's become an attitude issue as well, falling out of favor here in Colorado.

QUOTE (beck72 @ Oct 11, 2008 -> 12:41 PM) How so? Getz' M.O. is supposedly making contact, walking as much as striking out, being able to situational hit, having on OBP about 60 points higher than avg, with some ability to steal bases, and decent defense. Getz may not hit .280 right away. But a comparison to Cintron?! Not likely. Agreed. NOT a statistical liability in the 2 or 9 hole, depending on his performance. He COULD be the ideal 2 hitter we haven't had since the early days of Tadahito. Kind of a lefty Theriot. We'll see. Regardless, I think KW knows better than anyone that 2B is traditionally the easiest position to fill. Heck, our last two came neither from trade, nor the farm system, nor from conventional FA, but from Japan and Cuba. I'm thinking his highest priorities are 3B, CF, an upgrade over Javy in the rotation, and one more good bullpen arm. In no particular order, and completely dependent on his gut feelings about the potential contributions of guys like Wise, Fields, Owens, BA, Richard, Broadway, Russell etc. Maybe Contreras or Poreda fills one of the pitching priorities by mid-season, but KW probably won't count on it. I see either Konerko or Dye + Fields, other prospects, in a trade. It will be tough to say goodbye to either, given their huge contributions to the team's success. I'll bet KW'd love to have Uribe back as the backup for the infield, but he probably agrees with most of us, and doesn't want him as a starter. He's going to have to wait to see what the market offers JU. On more thing - people need to stop talking about Buehrle and Jenks like they're greybeards or something. They're still part of our (relatively) youthful core at (barely) 30 and 28 entering next season. Sure, Buehrle's logged a lot of innings in his career, but he's not going to lose the intangibles that make him a winner anytime soon. Among these are: He's smart, He's a fast worker, which helps to keep the defense on their toes He doesn't overthink an at bat, but he has a plan for every batter He leads the universe in double-play grounders He's an excellent fielder He's excellent at holding runners, easily our best His ability to pickoff runners is virtually nonpareil He's a very positive influence on youngsters like Danks and Richard, and soon Poreda He keeps himself in shape and is consistently healthy He doesn't rely on power, so age should be less of a factor HE'S GOT BALLS! MB's going to win his 250th game when he's 38 or so, hopefully in a Sox uni. Big Bad Bobby is very, very good, looking at the meaningful statistics in his young career. Seeing the way he was bringin' it in game 3 last week, I have very few doubts about him.

The losses of Gio, Sweeney aren't that big a deal if that's all it took to get Swisher. However, I have a feeling that DLS will be a stud, and Billy Beane knows it. This trade will be regarded as a DISASTER for the Sox in a few years and MAYBE gets us to 78-82 wins. Get used to 4th place.

QUOTE(SoxAce @ Sep 2, 2007 -> 01:47 AM) Bourgeois (the one who the organization hates) 2-4, BB, R, 2B Wing was outstanding. As previously stated had a no-no thru 7. 7.2 IP 1 H 0 R 0 ER 2 BB 6 SO Russell was horrid. Why does the org not see this guy as a prospect? Is he really much different from relatively late-bloomers like Theriot and Fontenot for the Scrubs? Has Russell done anything to deserve a promotion, besides continuing to be large? Any idea of Wing's potential to be a MLB prospect? Just looking for some insight from the "experts" DLS IS the future - hopefully a starter in '09

QUOTE(Vance Law @ Aug 28, 2007 -> 07:40 PM) AJ has hit 3rd when Thome's out and 5th otherwise for the purpose of separating the lefty and righty hitters. This is why Fields is hitting second, rather than 6th which would otherwise be a better spot for him. I understand why AJ his hit higher with Thome out, and to break up the righties, I just don't agree with it. His run production has never justified it. I want to see the players in the positions they're going to be (or should eventually be) playing - that means Richar in 2 hole, Fields in the 5th or 6th.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Aug 28, 2007 -> 12:35 PM) That lineup is still so slllllooooowwwww. I actually prefer richar batting #2. I also like Richar in the 2 hole potentially, and I'd like to see him get some time there over the next month instead of Fields. Josh is a middle-of-order run producer (highest RBI to plate appearance ratio on team, by far, while batting 2nd primarily), and breaks up some of the slowness of the other sluggers. I believe that Garland will be the trade bait that KW uses to try and get Furcal, Edgar Renteria (or is he a FA?), or possibly Lastings Milledge. It's wishful that prospects like Broadway/Sweeney could land one of these guys. I'm also assuming we go after Hunter or Rowand big time. Thome is TERRIBLE against lefties and should be platooned, even though I think his patience at the plate sets a good example for the others. Assuming it's a shortstop that becomes our leadoff, I would like to see the lineup against righties as: 1. Furcal/Renteria - SS 2. Richar - also want to see if Jason Bourgeois can get it done, or platoon with Danny, as Richar may suck against lefties - if neither can get it done there's always another 2B available 3. Thome 4. Konerko 5. Dye 6. Rowand/Hunter 7. Fields - LF 8. AJ - (When will Ozzie learn he's NOT a run producer? - batting him 3rd or 5th is ridiculous) 9. Crede - 3B One of the Sox main goals for the offseason should be fielding a more effective lineup against lefties, and I propose the following: I would like to see if Fields can play RF as well as left (I know that's asking a lot for a guy learning new positions, but I think he has the arm for it as a former QB), which would allow easier platooning of Thome unless a righty 4th outfielder who can play RF is acquired. The lineup becomes: Furcal Ozuna -LF Dye - DH - could help preserve his health, and I'd like see him fulltime DH in '09 Konerko Fields - RF Rowand/Hunter Crede AJ/Hall/other RH catcher Bourgeois/Richar/other 2B The lineup is little faster than the one vs. righties, with Pablo replacing JD in the OF and Thome in the lineup. I just don't see Jerry Owens belonging on a MLB roster except as a pinch-runner, 25th man. Comments?

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Aug 8, 2007 -> 03:05 PM) I'd just keep him in AA for the rest of the year and perhaps bring him up as a September call-up in a relief role. I sure hope he gets called up in Sept. - I've been dying to see him pitch. I've seen the praise for his curve and changeup - considering that he only started throwing a change in ST, I'd say that he's making excellent progress. I've also seen that he averages perhaps 93 on the heater, but is it straight or does it move nicely? Given that he does give up a few dingers, maybe it's a little straighter than we'd like. Other than his size, I don't see any other negatives. He seems to have made good strides with his control as well. DLS will hopefully be ready by '09. One hit every two innings is a sick stat at any level. If those two succeed, the Sox should be a serious contender at that time. Maybe too many holes to fill for '08, but I've been wrong before.

QUOTE(michelangelosmonkey @ Aug 8, 2007 -> 01:23 PM) Thome is not a good hitter, he is a GREAT hitter. Our biggest problem with him is keeping him healthy I love Peoria Jim as much as the next guy, but he's only a GREAT hitter against righties. He's far more likely to have success against righty closers than lefty set-up guys. I like the idea of signing Dye, regardless of the rest of the outfield situation, because I believe he could transition nicely to DH in '09. Jim should probably be hitting only righties starting next year - his numbers against lefties have been mediocre at best for quite awhile.

QUOTE(WCSox @ Aug 8, 2007 -> 01:50 PM) Another "Ozzie's a big, stupid poopie-head" post. Awesome. Ozzie has his good points certainly, as it pertains to accountability and motivation, but I'm not crazy about his in-game strategy. His love of bunting probably needs it's own thread.

QUOTE(29andPoplar @ Aug 3, 2007 -> 03:45 PM) He was pulled after 90 pitches a few nights ago and that seems to be about his limit. This is a young guy who still needs to fill out, get stronger, etc. I like how they're handling him up to now. Hi folks new to the board. Who says Gio needs to get bigger and stronger? Baseball America's latest Prospect Hot Sheet has him up to 6 feet tall now "6. Gio Gonzalez, lhp, Double-A Birmingham (White Sox) The six-foot lefthander continues to state his case as the top prospect in the White Sox farm system, leading the minor leagues with 158 strikeouts in 122 1/3 innings. In his last three starts, Gonzalez has thrown 19 2/3 innings, allowing just two runs and compiling a 26-to-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio." They also gave him 10 extra strikeouts for good measure.

QUOTE(Friend of Nordhagen @ May 29, 2007 -> 05:46 PM) Couldn't agree more. Our outfield -- RIGHT NOW -- needs a young player who can hit, run and field. THAT player is in Arizona, and he's named Chris Young. He'll get better, too. In his place is the guy who has been rewarded for mediocrity. IF -- and it's a big IF -- the signing of that turd to an $11 million deal prevents us from signing guys who actually have ACHIEVED things for this team -- and are critical to its makeup (Buehrle, Garland) -- the trade becomes even worse. And just so I'm totally clear about my position: I don't think Vazquez has underachieved. I think this is who he is, and has been, for about 6 years now. His stuff isn't excellent. The view to the contrary is a myth. Here's why: if you continue to hang off-speed pitches -- that is, throw curveballs that don't curve and sliders that don't slide -- you're not underachieving. Your stuff just isn't that consistently good. That's the guy I see. I get angry just thinking about that trade. I did the day it happened. And I do right now. Hi folks, new to the board. You nailed it on Vazquez, Nordy! The guy just doesn't know how to win consistently, and his hanging offspeed pitches and wheelhouse fastballs are thrown in the worst situations. A Sox team that won 90 games last year went 13-18 in games Javy started. The year before, he posted a losing record, 11-14 and 4.42 ERA in one of the worst and lightest hitting divisions in recent memory, the 2005 NL West. This guy has been living off his reputation as much as any pitcher in baseball. His ability to hold a one or two run lead in the middle to late innings is virtually noinexistent. He pitches well when given a huge lead, but who doesn't. He seldom closes the door after being given a lead. There's a reason he's 102-108. The best thing about the guy is his durability. I could go on and on, but I'll just get angrier about the trade. CYoung is just the type of dynamic multi-tool right-handed young outfielder the Sox need now and going forward. I also dreaded this trade the day it happened. It's the only one I've REALLY hated in the later KW era. After he took off the training wheels, I've been a big fan of KW generally. The trades where all players turned out to be crap really don't matter. Now, Nordy, I'm also worried that Javy's re-signing will lead to the deparature of Buehrle and/or Garland as the dominoes fall. We'll see how the season turn out, but instead of riding the Javy express to a 3rd straight disappointment in '08, KW needs to trade his ass this offseason, and re-sign Mark and Jon (Vazquez can't be traded until the offseason according to his contract, I believe). Will KW let his ego get in the way of common sense and keep our wagon hitched to this loser for the rest of his contract?