Chisoxfn

Rose jammed his knee late in yesterdays game and is listed as day to day. Tyrus Thomas had a great first half.

Paulie, Buehrle, Ray Ray, and Ventura would all rank ahead of Big Frank for me.

Mine was pretty darn high the year I was born (1983). Now it is much less popular (guess I give my name a bad reputation).

Thorty has the best arm in the pen (and I'm including Bobby Jenks). Jenks has better command and better secondary pitches but until he starts blasting the heat in the upper 90's, I fully believe Thornton has the best arm. I'd use him as the primary closer while he's out, but Dotel is another solid option given his closing experience. Of course we could always claim Borowski and use him in the pen

Gordon is legit. Strong arm and he made some nice defensive plays over at 3B.

The velocity on his fastball is definitely down. I hope Cooper has some tricks up his sleeve to get Jose's fastball back up (maybe it means just throwing more fastballs in his bullpen sessions to strengthen the arm) or giving him an extra day or two of rest for a couple starts (given the all star break approaching, the Sox should be able to alter the rotation to give Jose a few extra days). Than again there is always my preference of trading him (but I realize losing his experience would be huge and the Sox would have to acquire another starter that is better and that will likely cost a lot).

I don't get the concept that this was a lucky win. The Sox hit Davies hard all game and just couldn't come up with a clutch hit. They also had numerous situations with runners on 3rd and less than 2 outs where they couldn't get in the key run. The Royals on the other hand had a couple gift early runs (thanks to Contreras not covering the bag) and not near as many hard hit balls. Both teams definitely played ugly but the reality is that the Sox hit the ball well and could have easily put that game out of reach early on. I'm glad they were able to battle back because had they lost, this would be one of those games where I'd have shaken my head because it would be the type where they beat themselves.

QUOTE (Felix @ Jul 8, 2008 -> 10:15 PM) I'm Alex. I know Heads is one of the other Alex's, but I don't know who the third is. Boz and PA are both Alex's.

Alright Javy, put up a nice big start and hopefully the offense can put up a ton of runs. Don't want to really use the pen today and if he we do, I want it to be because the Sox have a huge lead and are using Russell and the likes.

QUOTE (watchtower41 @ Jul 9, 2008 -> 07:54 AM) where did he get this "FREE" pass? If I remember correctly, most whitesox fans, and especially on this board were helping in the effort to build a raft to ship his ass back to Cuba. Organization excuse?? Nobody even knew about his divorce until the season was over, and even still, that's nobody's business but his own. It's like people expect him to win every time out, otherwise chopping block. He's old. He sucks. Trade him. Then fans forgot he won 16 in a row and continues to be a reliable pitcher when he became the backbone of this rotation early on this year. ETDB will be fine people. It was actually well discussed on here about Jose and his divorce right after his opening start last season (I believe he was served divorce papers that day).

Thome isn't an option. Konerko probably isn't either and the only way the Sox could make the deal work is if one of Thome/Konerko is dealt (and as Thome is a DH not a 1B that means Konerko). I'd obviously make a deal involving Konerko and Texeira but the question is what other parts go (Fields & Poreda would be my guess). If the Sox could get him to ink an extension I'd be all over that deal, but I don't think thats the case nor am I even sure the Braves would do that deal. Braves would only do it if Paulie came back and started hitting good for the next couple weeks. And you have to ask yourself if Paulie is hitting good (which is the only way the Braves would want him) than would it really be that much of an upgrade to get Tex (yes, he's much better than Paulie, but Paulie is at least signed and you can move him in the off-season if he's willing to accept a deal) where as with Tex you'd have him this year and than get draft picks.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Jul 8, 2008 -> 09:27 PM) You and me both. Of course every good start Jose made I sat here hoping somehow we'd dump his ass. I've long said I have absolutely zero faith in Jose and unfortunately I have some fear that he's going to pitch himself out of having any trade value over the 2nd half of the season (thus meaning the Sox can't dump his ass in a trade this off-season). His velocity has been trending downward and it makes him much less effective given his true lack of anything but a fastball/forkball.

QUOTE (tonyho7476 @ Jul 9, 2008 -> 07:18 AM) Listen, I'm hoping that Harden takes a dump...but do you think the Cubs really traded anything good? Good depends on your definition of good. Murton, Patterson and Gallagher will all have extended major league careers as starters. The Cubs didn't have open positions so they aren't really effected by the loss of the talent but the A's will be able to plug all three of these guys into there lineup immediately and in Gallagher's case you are talking about a guy with #2/#3 starter upside (very live arm). Given Harden's injury history, I think you could call the deal a very fair return (especially since all three of the main pieces acquired should immediately become starters in Oakland).

The guys been on the squad for a couple years, I have zero problem with players being upset that he's gone or at least disappointed. They became friends with him. I've had layoffs a few times at the company I work for and in some instances it was my very good friends from work that got axed. I definitely was bummed out about it and said such but it didn't mean I let my work performance suffer and I'm sure the Sox won't let it effect themselves. I also don't think Ozzie needed to make a public statement. I still disagree with this 12 pitcher thing and would have kept Ozuna but thats a whole other argument.

Unless one of the power bats got hurt the Sox wouldn't consider such a move. Mainly because of Ken Williams history with Frank Thomas (ie, the media war the two have had with each other).

QUOTE (Brian @ Jul 8, 2008 -> 04:14 PM) I'm starting to wonder how Beane keeps his job. They are 3.5 games out of the wild card despite completely over-hauling the roster (ie, moving Haren & Swisher). I don't think anyone in baseball would have expected that so he's done a pretty good job getting talent for his above average players who are due to get larger contracts. And this is coming from someone who has always made the statement that Beane is wildly over-rated.

QUOTE (MurcieOne @ Jul 8, 2008 -> 04:35 PM) Bon Voyage Petey Pablo, Group 4 is now completely gone (Harris, Widge, Blum, and Ozuna) Good thing Wise looks just like Wee Willie!!!!

I don't get how you can call Masset a below average reliever. Aside from a handful of below average outings, he's been pretty damn good.

Don't look at me, I assume they wouldn't be that foolish. But I also don't see why you DFA Ozuna if you are going to put Jenks on the DL. I think its smart putting Jenks on the DL anyway, this gives him an extended rest in season which hopefully will prevent him from coming back too soon and reinjuring something. I'm sure we'll call up another pitcher and my guess would be Wasserman. Unless the Sox opted to go with Broadway as a long-man, which could make sense since the Sox want to put Masset in much more of a set-up type of role.

So Ozuna will remain on the roster for at least a bit? Or are they going to call someone else up since Jenks will be on his way to the DL? I know Loaiza was going to have some side-sessions, is he going to be the new guy up?

QUOTE (daa84 @ Jul 8, 2008 -> 03:50 PM) what doesnt make sense? what i meant to say was that even if the sox wanted to get harden (which we clearly dont) or any other player for that matter...we have very little that we could offer that would top the weak crop of players that the cubs gave....maybe poreda anderson and richar are comparable to gallagher murton and patterson, but you can easily make a case for each of those cubs players over the sox players... i was simply commenting on how bad our system is Richar is comparable to Patterson. Fields would be better than Murton (BA would be a little less valuable than Murton). Broadway would be a less valuable than Gallagher. So technically speaking, Richar, Fields, Broadway would be similar value and would net you Harden/Gaudin (if the A's had interest and needs for those particular positions). I'm not concerned about the 4th guy as they didn't make the trade to get the minor leaguer (and the sox could easily inserted in Joe "Somebody" as the 4th guy).

I'll also say this, while Murton/Patterson should have value to Oakland, losing them will have no impact on the Cubs (since they really don't have roster spots). So essentially they are moving Gallagher and Donaldson (minor leaguer who has little importance to the major league roster) and getting back Harden (one of the best pitchers in baseball when healthy) and Gaudin (an upgrade from Gallagher at this point). So they got back two guys who will help upgrade the roster and pitching staff without losing anyone that would help them this year (imo). From that standpoint, you got to call it a pretty good deal. Also, Gallagher (who has the most upside of anyone dealt) still doesn't have the potential or ability to do what Harden does (although I think he can peak as a #2 or #3 starter if all goes well). At the same time, Oakland saves a lot of money and gets a few guys that are major league ready.

QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ Jul 8, 2008 -> 02:31 PM) It is a horrible trade by the A's if Harden can stay healthy. Problem is, he can't. Gaudin could be pretty good in the NL though either way. I have no idea if Josh Donaldson is any good, but giving up Patterson and Murton shouldn't haunt them, but Gallagher could be a very good pitcher. This trade could go in a lot of different directions, but it seems like an odd trade by Oakland. I wonder if something is wrong with Harden, between this deal and the fact that Harden looked really bad on Sunday. It's a big risk by the Cubs, but I guess when you haven't won in a century you might as well try it. Overall, this is a risk for both teams, but could be looked at as a risk worth taking for both teams. This trade will be proclaimed as the steal of the century by the media, but really it could go either way. I'm very surprised and not sure what I think right now to be honest. Gaudin being involved makes it a bit better for the Cubs (as he should be pretty damn solid in the NL).

I should add, I really really like Gallagher. Just has a nice live arm.

I really like Gallagher. He looks to have a good live arm. Patterson is solid with some potential (whether he makes it or not, who knows, compare him a bit to Richar in that sense). Murton can rake and should fit in nicely in Oakland (and be productive). This move definately makes the Cubs rotation much stronger and a healthy Harden (which you have to ask how realistic is such) makes the Cubs a much improved team. Heck, you can make a case that this is a smarter move than the CC one (as a healthy Harden is arguably as good as CC and would be under the Cubs control for longer than CC is the Brewers). However, one Harden injury (which wouldn't be a shocker) and this could turn into a terrible deal for the Cubs. Gaudin is pretty solid though.