Chisoxfn

QUOTE (Reddy @ May 28, 2008 -> 09:13 AM) joe joe single off the outfield wall, followed by an up the middle shot for alexei Sweet, thanks. I think Uribe has lost his job for the time being. Ramirez still has some major holes, but he seems to be doing a lot more than Juan was. Plus, Ramirez has the upside to get better.

Crede got a hit, how did the other guy get on base?

Is that a leadoff single? Who hit it?

QUOTE (Controlled Chaos @ May 28, 2008 -> 10:02 AM) Speaking of minor league system... what is going on with that thread that was closed from Bureau. I found that whole situation very interesting and haven't seen any info since. If it can't be talked about here...can someone PM what's going on. Take a look at the White Sox catch all thread. I discussed why it was removed in there (I think I made the post on Sat/Sun).

QUOTE (maggsmaggs @ May 28, 2008 -> 09:57 AM) The worst thing about our pathetic lineup is our pathetic minor league system that has one player who could be considered major league ready. Josh Fields Lance Broadway I'd say two.

QUOTE (Jenks Heat @ May 28, 2008 -> 09:53 AM) He has done nothing for a month. He could be returning healthy in a few weeks instead he will be out until the All-Star break. That is really bad mangement of personnel. Also Hawk on Monday was chirping about how good of a clubhouse guy Cabrera is. He mustr eally think fans are dumb. Ya, but that was prior to him getting his shot. I think the Sox want to see how he is now that he's had a couple days off and the cortisone. They'll give him a week or so and at that point, if he still looks way off I think they'll consider DL'ing him. I also know that Paulie is the type of guy that utterly refuses to sit out games (he hates not playing). Usually that attitude is a good thing, but in this case it may be detrimental and hopefully Paulie and Ozzie realize this soon and are able to get him on the DL until he's healthy and at that point we'll just have to hope the Sox can win without him (in all honesty, they've already done that this year) and when he comes back in 30 or 60 days, you look at it as you just traded for an all star first baseman (because if he's healthy, he'll be pretty close to that, imo).

I'm thinking the Sox are going to put PK through the tests this week and if he doesn't come out, they'll DL him.

It should be pointed out that Hatteberg did a very good job in 06 & 07 (rock solid numbers, average wise, obp wise, & ops wise). This season he has been worse than anyone on the White Sox offensively though. I don't know if it is injury related or if he's just finished. A good scout who has followed him and can break down the footage should be able to identify that. If he's not swinging any different than the previous years and its more just him being hampered, I wouldn't be opposed to it. However, I suspect his decline has more to do with diminished skills. He's hitting .173 in 34 games.

QUOTE (29andPoplar @ May 28, 2008 -> 08:48 AM) Just a few comments on this topic, first on Hatteberg. There have been criticisms of Thome here regarding bat speed and age. Hatteberg is in the same boat, he's pushing 39 and there's a reason he can't crack a very mediocre Cincinnati lineup playing for a manager who loves veterans. Even if they do end up DL'ing Konerko, they've got Swisher and there are two guys at least who can play 1B in an emergency, those being Dye and Ozuna. That's why you see DeWayne Wise up here now as a fill in ... he adds speed and defensive flexibility. Hatteberg is much more one dimensional. As for Brad Eldred, if strikeouts and bad at bats frustrate you, you will not like him. There's a reason why he's playing in AAA at this point in his career. I agree with you completely regarding Eldred. However, I do think there is a chance Eldred could be duplicating Thome's power numbers and low average to this point of the season. I also believe that there is a far >>> % that Thome would finish the year with much better numbers. Despite my constant belittling of Thome, I will not be at all surprised to see him finish the year with a .260-.265 average, 170K's, and 35 Hr's (and an OBP in the .370+ range). However, it should be said that I personally do not consider those acceptable numbers on a team with a lot of pure sluggers as is. I understand that while I feel this way, that the statheads of the world will say the opposite and gush about what would be a very solid OPS. I prefer to have an OPS driven more on average and slugging than walks and slugging. I will continue to say that hits, not walks, drive in runs (in terms of starting innings, hit or walk, either works great, but to drive in runs you need HITS). Plus when you face very good pitchers (ie, above league average pitchers or even aces) you have a much lower chance (typically) of drawing a walk so being a good hitter becomes even more important (since you can't rely on drawing the walks and are going to have to really have a solid approach to get a hit off a good to great pitcher).

I'd be happy if we got a draft pick for Crede. I thought it was based over the previous two seasons, but I could be 100% wrong on that. And he was so terrible last year that he would have to have one hell of a season to get type A status. Than again, I thought part of the measure was based on other guys at there position (is Crede within the top 30% of 3B, if not, he's not going to get Type A; For Type B you have to be ranked between 31-50% and I do think Crede would fit in that list (but again, last year really hurts him).

Weighed in yesterday at 167.5. I'm quite happy with my progress and when my finger heals up I can begin the strength/weightlifting portion.

This is quite interesting. Hopefully he increases his value and the Sox can trade him for a solid young middle infield prospect.

Skipworth has shown all the ability/athleticism to stay as a catcher. In fact, most things I've read indicate that he grades out as an above average defensive catcher. If he were to move my estimate would be because a team wouldn't want to waste his ability behind the plate, although, personally I consider it a major premium to have a stud catcher who can hit. Just my two cents. Plus I'm not a fan of Alonso. He is slow as dirt now and I can only see him getting slower.

QUOTE (29andPoplar @ May 27, 2008 -> 09:39 AM) Jason I doubt the Cubs want Owens. I can't see Lou wanting him, not until they make the call on Edmonds, at minimum. Murton is a man without a position and that's what keeps him from the majors. I agree the power thing is overrated. For whatever reason Hendry has been very reluctant to part with him. Red Sox have asked about getting him back and Hendry keeps shutting them down. It is a shame he's stuck in AAA though because he can hit. Speaking of wayward Cubbie outfielders, it wouldn't shock me if Corey Patterson gets DFA'd later today. There is no reason for the Reds to hold onto Patterson now that Bruce has been called up. Bruce should get significant playing time and Freel is ahead of Patterson on the depth chart as well. I still believe that Freel is a prime target for the Sox to acquire, if they don't feel that Richar/Ramirez are the guys to start at 2B this year.

Didn't see anyone posts on this, but Ozzie responded: Orlando Cabrera Will be a Free Agent TCSN Errors look bad, especially when tied to a gold glover heading to free agency, which is why Cabrera would make some phone calls to the press box. A perceived poor glove and weakening bat won’t get you much on the open market (actually, it still will, just not a REALLY lot of money. Some teams are stupid like that.) Cabrera being charged with errors on non-routine plays sucks for him. Then again, shouldn’t a gold glove shortshop have high expectations of himself? Nothing is too hard of a play in the minds of the very best. If Cabrera is the very best, which is what his gold glove suggests, then he should be more upset with himself for missing it than the scorekeeper calling it as he sees it. Even so, those things tend to even themselves out. Cabrera’s glove has been far from gold glovish this season … unjust error calls simply make up for the unjust non-calls. If Cabrera is really making these calls … well, his status as a gold glover will be the least of his image problems. Team player? In question.

Fields today is a better prospect than Brandon Wood. Woods swing is much too long and he hasn't been that good of a minor leaguer since his breakout 40+ HR season. He still has a lot of power and raw skills scouts like, but at the same time he's failed to make the necessary adjustments in the minors that will help him be a successful major leaguer and it has shown in his limited time in the majors. Fields has a lot of holes as well, but he has at least produced at the major league level. I still say I wouldn't have any problem moving Fields because I think his value is greater than what his actual production will be (I say this because I still have concerns over his ability to hit for a good enough average and not strike out 170 times). For those more focused on Slugging, I'm sure he'll do fine with that, but I don't have any desire in having a .250/35HR/160 strikeout average fielding 3rd baseman (not given the other parts on the Sox roster). I'd rather try and acquire a prospect with a better all across the board prognosis.

QUOTE (29andPoplar @ May 27, 2008 -> 09:29 AM) Murton is a good hitter no question. However he's shaky in LF and he would be awful in CF. Not to mention Hendry wants a lot for him. I've long been a fan of Matt Murton. He would be a great fit in the Sox lineup, but again, the only way he could slide in is if the Sox were going to use him as a starter against LHP (have him play for Thome) in the long-term. In the shorterm, you'd have to play him at either 1B (with Swisher staying in CF) or in LF (with Quentin moving to CF) and defensively that may not be a good fit. I wouldn't have a problem with his lack of power either, as the Sox have more than enough power and could use a good pure hitter like Murton (good pure hitters are the type of guys that can start a rally off, plus he has enough speed to go 1st to 3rd). Would the Cubs have any interest in a Murton for Owens type of swap. I'm not saying Owens is the right fit in CF for the Cubs, but he could be an option. Value would be poor and I'm sure the Sox would have to give something else up, but again, I can't see how Hendry could have Murton too valued since he's been down in the minors and keeps getting older.

Lax on locks....haa.

I'd have to ask Paulie and see what he thinks is best. If 15 or 30 days off brings him to 100% and right now he's at the best he'll be at during the season (since he won't get rest to let it heal) and it will negatively impact his play (thus keeping his numbers at his current rate) than I'd say DL him and go with Anderson in CF (Swisher at 1B), plus call up Fields and get him plenty of at bats as well (at 1st/DH/3B).

QUOTE (fathom @ May 26, 2008 -> 05:53 PM) KW...please never trade with Beane again. Swisher reminds me of the offensive version of Billy Koch. Both of them are lemons. There is no comparison. Koch's issues had more to do with no longer shooting up while Swisher has just gotten too much of an upper cut going. He's looking a lot better this past week (each game I've noticed the swing getting more and more level). I think we are about to see the Swisher the Sox acquired.

I could give a flying s***. He's a good baseball player and he's going to be a big part of what the Sox do this year. He's also looking freaking stellar as of late. Produce like you have and you can call the press box, fans or whomever the hell else all night long for all I care.

Swisher probably had his best all around game at the plate today (despite not having a bunch of hits, he hit the ball hard to all fields today). I've noticed his swing plane getting much more level and I think he's actually got things figured out and we'll see that.

I always thought Rogers was a White Sox fan.

QUOTE (maggsmaggs @ May 26, 2008 -> 10:25 AM) My ideal situation is that the Sox trade Gooden, Hinrich, 09 first round pick for Brand. Then draft Rose and a lineup of this: PG: Rose SG: Gordon SF: Deng PF: Brand C: Noah Bench (main guys) Noc Thabo Tyrus This would allow Rose to be a have a ton of assist and score a modest 10 PPG. He wouldn't be needed to take over guys, just be a distributor while this talented roster feeds off his athleticism and ball handling skills. This lineup would be very good, your bench would be solid and Tyrus would get a lot of PT. I think if the Bulls go that route it would be very important to bring Duhon back in a bench role. It would be nice to have a veteran PG to help Rose, plus having that guy to provide stability as Rose goes through the growing pains. The only other thing I'd like to do is package Gordon elsewhere, but as long as Hughes/Sef/Noc are able to get a lot of minutes off the bench I'd be fine. I really love the Sefolosha and think he's going to be a huge reason the Bulls end up winning a few championships in the next 7-10 years.

Regardless I'd like to see the Sox take a different approach in the draft and take a boatload of toolsy but raw middle infielders. These are the type of guys that if they develop can be impact guys at SS/2B & CF (all areas of weakness in the Sox system).