Sox seek lefty to get things just right

[SSH2005]

Sox seek lefty to get things just right

http://www.suntimes.com/output/deluca/cst-spt-deluca051.html

General manager Ken Williams says he is ''99.9 percent done'' adding to the White Sox' roster before spring training opens Feb. 18 in Tucson, Ariz. But manager Ozzie Guillen has one item left on his wish list.

 

''Right now'' Guillen said, ''it's the left-hander.''

 

Who would have thought Damaso Marte would be so tough to replace?

 

When Williams sent Marte to the Pittsburgh Pirates for utilityman Rob Mackowiak in December, Neal Cotts was left as the only left-hander in Guillen's bullpen.

 

''It's not easy to fit into Damaso Marte's spot,'' Guillen said.

 

Really?

 

Marte went from closer material in the first half of last season, compiling a 2.81 ERA, to falling apart in the second half, compiling a 5.03 ERA after the All-Star break. His troubles began in late August and continued into September. His ERA during that month was 12.27, and he allowed five hits and two walks in 3-2/3 innings. Marte lost his nerve against left-handed batters and landed in Guillen's doghouse.

 

But the Sox rebounded from their September swoon and breezed through the postseason with Cotts as the only reliable lefty in the pen.

 

Guillen, however, would feel more comfortable with an extra lefty to set the stage for Cotts and right-handers Cliff Politte, Dustin Hermanson and closer Bobby Jenks in the late innings.

 

The Sox' list of left-handers to battle for the job in camp isn't impressive. Arnie Munoz and Paulino Reynoso are on the 40-man roster, and Chad Bentz, Javier Lopez, Corwin Malone and Steven Randolph have been offered non-roster invites.

 

Expect Williams to continue scouring the scrapheap for an extra lefty.

 

Munoz, 23, will be an interesting pitcher to watch. Once a prized prospect, he has done little to win over Guillen.

 

After working exclusively as a starter in 2004 -- including a failed attempt to become the Sox' fifth starter -- Munoz spent most of 2005 in the bullpen. He went 8-14 with a 4.27 ERA in 40 appearances, including 18 starts, for Class AAA Charlotte.

 

When a fan asked Guillen during SoxFest last weekend whether Munoz had a shot at being that second lefty, Guillen's response sent a pointed message.

 

''He's got a good fastball and good breaking ball, [but] I don't think he has enough guts,'' Guillen said. ''I want him to be more aggressive.''

 

Looks like Munoz has plenty of work ahead of him in Tucson.

 

Mackowiak's versatility allows Guillen to carry 12 pitchers. Of the seven relievers, it makes sense to have more than one left-hander, but it's not a necessity.

 

Cotts held right-handed hitters to a .155 batting average and lefties to a .206 average. Politte was equally successful against lefties and righties (a .182 average against lefties, a .181 mark against righties).

 

''We think Cotts can get out righties and Politte, Hermanson and everyone else can get out lefties,'' catcher A.J. Pierzynski said. ''If you have right-handers who can get lefties and righties out, that's just as valuable because you don't have to waste two pitchers. You can use one guy to get through an inning.''

 

Isn't it dangerous to rely on just one lefty in the pen?

 

''Well, look at Anaheim,'' Pierzynski said, referring to the Angels. ''They won a World Series in '02 without a lefty in their pen. And they went into the playoffs [in 2005] without a lefty in their pen.

 

''Baseball has become so specialized, but if guys are good, they are good. It doesn't matter who they are.''

Anyone who thinks that we won't have a second lefty in the bullpen come opening day has another thing coming.

Edited February 6, 2006 by SSH2005

[rventura23]

Anyone who thinks that we won't have a second lefty in the bullpen come opening day has another thing coming.

 

we better have another one

[beck72]

Sox seek lefty to get things just right

http://www.suntimes.com/output/deluca/cst-spt-deluca051.html

Anyone who thinks that we won't have a second lefty in the bullpen come opening day has another thing coming.

 

Not if the sox have a righty who can get lefties out. If Tracey or Baj can get outs, and do well vs lefties and righties, they'd be better options than one of those lefties with a spring ERA of 10.00

[SSH2005]

Not if the sox have a righty who can get lefties out. If Tracey or Baj can get outs, and do well vs lefties and righties, they'd be better options than one of those lefties with a spring ERA of 10.00

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Read the article. Ozzie doesn't think that way. And it's pretty obvious if you watched the way he used Cotts and Marte last season. Ozzie really buys into the lefty vs. lefty strategy.

 

I'm hoping we can either find a diamond in the rough or that KW can swing a trade for a lefty in ST. I hope he doesn't have to resort to signing Felix Heredia or Buddy Groom.

Edited February 6, 2006 by SSH2005

[nitetrain8601]

I agree about Tracey. I'd like to look at Malone and Reynoso.

[Jordan4life_2007]

I agree with what A.J. said. Everybody wants specialists. If a righty can get lefties out, there shouldn't be a problem.

[Kalapse]

I said it before and I'll say it again. The White Sox will go into the 2006 season with Cotts being the only lefty in the pen, unless by some miracle one of the scrubs we invited to ST puts up a sub 3 ERA in 10+ appearances. I don't really care what Ozzie says in the media or how he handled things last year, this is a new season and it will be based on new philosophies mixed in with the old.

[SSH2005]

I said it before and I'll say it again. The White Sox will go into the 2006 season with Cotts being the only lefty in the pen, unless by some miracle one of the scrubs we invited to ST puts up a sub 3 ERA in 10+ appearances. I don't really care what Ozzie says in the media or how he handled things last year, this is a new season and it will be based on new philosophies mixed in with the old.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

How does Ozzie's past managing style not predict the future? Is he going to completely change his strategy in 2006 and not go lefty-lefty like he did all of last season? I don't buy that. I doubt Ozzie is suddenly going to change his ways just because he doesn't have Marte anymore. Afterall, we all knew Marte absolutely sucked last year and could not be trusted but Ozzie kept using him in key situations anyways.

 

By the way, nice sig.

[Heads22]

Let's take a look at the givens on the roster....I'm sort of rambling here...but still

 

Pitchers B/T Ht Wt DOB (10)

 

56 Mark Buehrle L/L 6-2 220 03/23/79

52 Jose Contreras R/R 6-4 245 12/06/71

46 Neal Cotts L/L 6-2 205 03/25/80

34 Freddy Garcia R/R 6-4 250 06/10/76

20 Jon Garland R/R 6-6 215 09/27/79

32 Dustin Hermanson R/R 6-2 200 12/21/72

45 Bobby Jenks R/R 6-3 270 03/14/81

55 Brandon McCarthy R/R 6-7 190 07/07/83

18 Cliff Politte R/R 5-10 200 02/27/74

33 Javier Vazquez R/R 6-2 215 07/25/76

Catchers B/T Ht Wt DOB (2)

12 A.J. Pierzynski L/R 6-3 240 12/30/76

36 Chris Widger R/R 6-2 215 05/21/71

Infielders B/T Ht Wt DOB (7)

24 Joe Crede R/R 6-1 195 04/26/78

15 Tadahito Iguchi R/R 5-10 185 12/04/74

14 Paul Konerko R/R 6-2 215 03/05/76

10 Rob Mackowiak L/R 5-10 190 06/20/76

38 Pablo Ozuna R/R 5-10 185 08/25/74

25 Jim Thome L/R 6-4 245 08/27/70

5 Juan Uribe R/R 5-11 215 07/22/79

Outfielders B/T Ht Wt DOB (3)

44 Brian Anderson R/R 6-2 205 03/11/82

23 Jermaine Dye R/R 6-5 220 01/28/74

22 Scott Podsednik L/L 6-0 190 03/18/76

 

That leaves us at 22. Even throwing Borch in there gives us 23, but there's a possibility Owens could be there. So basically, there's a battle for the final 3 spots.

 

Remaining spots:

 

Pitchers: (10)

 

57 Jeff Bajenaru R/R 6-1 200 03/21/78

49 Arnie Munoz L/L 5-9 175 06/21/82

61 Paulino Reynoso L/L 6-3 215 08/10/80

50 Sean Tracey L/R 6-3 210 11/14/80

58 Chad Bentz R/L 6-2 210 05/05/80

47 Javier Lopez L/L 6-4 200 07/11/77

71 Corwin Malone R/L 6-3 200 07/03/80

65 Agustin Montero R/R 6-3 210 08/26/77

48 Stephen Randolph L/L 6-3 200 05/01/74

51 Tim Redding R/R 6-0 195 02/12/78

 

Infielders (2)

60 Jorge Velandia R/R 5-9 180 01/12/75

17 Ross Gload L/L 6-0 200 04/05/76

 

Outfielders (3)

27 Joe Borchard S/R 6-5 220 11/25/78

26 Ben Grieve L/R 6-4 215 05/04/76

7 Jerry Owens L/L 6-3 195 02/16/81

 

Three of those fifteen get the last spot. Who do you guys think are the lucky ones?

[Drew]

I agree with what A.J. said.  Everybody wants specialists.  If a righty can get lefties out,  there shouldn't be a problem.

 

If KW can find a good lefty, he should get him, but that we only have Neal Cotts in the bullpen really does not worry me, if everyone we have is getting the job done.

[daa84]

Let's take a look at the givens on the roster....I'm sort of rambling here...but still

 

Pitchers B/T Ht Wt DOB  (10)

 

  56 Mark Buehrle L/L 6-2 220 03/23/79

  52 Jose Contreras R/R 6-4 245 12/06/71

  46 Neal Cotts L/L 6-2 205 03/25/80

  34 Freddy Garcia R/R 6-4 250 06/10/76

  20 Jon Garland R/R 6-6 215 09/27/79

  32 Dustin Hermanson R/R 6-2 200 12/21/72

  45 Bobby Jenks R/R 6-3 270 03/14/81

  55 Brandon McCarthy R/R 6-7 190 07/07/83

  18 Cliff Politte R/R 5-10 200 02/27/74

  33 Javier Vazquez R/R 6-2 215 07/25/76

  Catchers B/T Ht Wt DOB  (2)

  12 A.J. Pierzynski L/R 6-3 240 12/30/76

  36 Chris Widger R/R 6-2 215 05/21/71

  Infielders B/T Ht Wt DOB  (6)

  24 Joe Crede R/R 6-1 195 04/26/78 

  15 Tadahito Iguchi R/R 5-10 185 12/04/74

  14 Paul Konerko R/R 6-2 215 03/05/76 

  10 Rob Mackowiak L/R 5-10 190 06/20/76

  38 Pablo Ozuna R/R 5-10 185 08/25/74

  25 Jim Thome L/R 6-4 245 08/27/70

  5 Juan Uribe R/R 5-11 215 07/22/79

  Outfielders B/T Ht Wt DOB  (3)

  44 Brian Anderson R/R 6-2 205 03/11/82

  23 Jermaine Dye R/R 6-5 220 01/28/74

  22 Scott Podsednik L/L 6-0 190 03/18/76

 

That leaves us at 21. Even throwing Borch in there gives us 22, but there's a possibility Owens could be there. So basically, there's a battle for the final 4 spots.

 

Remaining spots:

 

Pitchers: (10)

 

  57 Jeff Bajenaru R/R 6-1 200 03/21/78 

  49 Arnie Munoz L/L 5-9 175 06/21/82

  61 Paulino Reynoso L/L 6-3 215 08/10/80

  50 Sean Tracey L/R 6-3 210 11/14/80

      58 Chad Bentz R/L 6-2 210 05/05/80

  47 Javier Lopez L/L 6-4 200 07/11/77

  71 Corwin Malone R/L 6-3 200 07/03/80

  65 Agustin Montero R/R 6-3 210 08/26/77

  48 Stephen Randolph L/L 6-3 200 05/01/74

  51 Tim Redding R/R 6-0 195 02/12/78

 

Infielders (2)

      60 Jorge Velandia R/R 5-9 180 01/12/75

  17 Ross Gload L/L 6-0 200 04/05/76

 

Outfielders (3)

      27 Joe Borchard S/R 6-5 220 11/25/78

      26 Ben Grieve L/R 6-4 215 05/04/76

        7 Jerry Owens L/L 6-3 195 02/16/81

 

Four of those fifteen get the last spot. Who do you guys think are the lucky ones?

that brings us to 22, not 21. it sounds like ozzie will carry 12, which i frankly dont agree with. Id rather have a 14th position player who can contribute by pinch running late in the game than a 12th pitcher who is only gonna get into 9-1 games. but if i had to guess ozzie is gonna have 12 pitchers, so ill say borchard makes it, unless they trade him. munoz will be out there and i guess baj. Just a guess though...im not sure why we signed grieve...isnt he just gload without as good of contact, and borchard without the power?

[Jordan4life_2007]

I'm goin Borchard, Grieve, Munoz and Tracey. I would go with Gload. But Mack makes him kinda obsolete. I can't wait for spring training.

[Jordan4life_2007]

If KW can find a good lefty, he should get him, but that we only have Neal Cotts in the bullpen really does not worry me, if everyone we have is getting the job done.

 

Well, yeah, if Kenny can find another quality lefty, that's great. I just don't see the obsession with having two lefties. If we have righties that can get lefties out, what's the problem? The Angels are a perfect example.

[Rowand44]

I'm goin Borchard,  Grieve,  Munoz and Tracey.  I would go with Gload.  But Mack makes him kinda obsolete.  I can't wait for spring training.

That would give us 26 players.

[Jordan4life_2007]

That would give us 26 players.

 

My bad. Take away Grieve then. I think Ozzie is gonna keep the extra pitcher.

[SSH2005]

I'm goin Borchard,  Grieve,  Munoz and Tracey.  I would go with Gload.  But Mack makes him kinda obsolete.  I can't wait for spring training.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

We're not going to keep two extra outfielders since we already have Mackowiak. It's either Borchard or Grieve, not both.

[Heads22]

I missed Uribe....So yah, 3 players.

 

There is very little likely Trace makes it this year.

[Jordan4life_2007]

We're not going to keep two extra outfielders since we already have Mackowiak.  It's either Borchard or Grieve, not both.

 

Yeah. I took away Grieve.

[Kalapse]

Let's take a look at the givens on the roster....I'm sort of rambling here...but still

 

Four of those fifteen get the last spot. Who do you guys think are the lucky ones?

Tracey, Baj and Borch

 

That would give us 25

[Heads22]

Tracey, Baj and Borch

 

That would give us 25

 

I'm thinking TBD lefty, Borch, and Baj/other pitcher.

[Rowand44]

Tracey, Baj and Borch

 

That would give us 25

Those are the 3 I want as well. Tracey needs to be on the team imo as I think he can be one hell of a reliever, Borch shortened his swing a ton last season and atleast would offer us some power off the bench which we don't have a lot of right now and baj would be perfect as the 12th pitcher.

[Kalapse]

I'm thinking TBD lefty, Borch, and Baj/other pitcher.

I'm thinking Sean will light it up in Tucson and earn himself a spot.

[SSH2005]

Borchard, a lefty, and Gload

OR

Borchard, a lefty, and Bajenaru

 

I think Borchard and a lefty are a sure bet to make the roster. I think the last spot will end up being between Gload and Bajenaru. It just depends on whether or not Ozzie wants to go with a 7-man bullpen.

Edited February 6, 2006 by SSH2005

[Jordan4life_2007]

Those are the 3 I want as well.  Tracey needs to be on the team imo as I think he can be one hell of a reliever, Borch shortened his swing a ton last season and atleast would offer us some power off the bench which we don't have a lot of right now and baj would be perfect as the 12th pitcher.

 

I've read a lot of stuff on Tracey. And the one thing everybody seems to agree with is that he would be money in the bullpen.

[Rowand44]

I've read a lot of stuff on Tracey.  And the one thing everybody seems to agree with is that he would be money in the bullpen.

He's a guy with a good hard fastball, he'd be hell on hitters who could only see him for an inning. The one thing he has to master is his control obviously, if he can do that we're looking at a guy who can be a damn good reliever imo.

Edited February 6, 2006 by Rowand44