Chisoxfn

QUOTE(IndySoxFan @ Apr 6, 2008 -> 07:12 PM) i am starting to like uribe at 2b Anyone that will ever tell me that Richar, Ramirez or anyone else is better at 2B than Uribe (defensively) is nuts. He was a stud at SS defensively and moving him over to 2B will instantly make him a premiere defensive 2B (he also has the best arm of any 2B in baseball and its not even close). I can say that because Furcal was the only SS who had a better arm than he had.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Apr 6, 2008 -> 07:12 PM) It's 9-2. I know you put your best defensive team in the game late, but if they blow a 9-2 lead, they had a bigger problem then Ram being in the field. He should be hitting here for Juan, and Anderson should be hitting for Swisher. Why pull Uribe though, who just had an off day? I just don't think you'll see much of Ramirez (its also why he'll be down in the minors soon enough and he should still learn just from being on the major league bench).

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Apr 6, 2008 -> 07:10 PM) Man, I hope Crede keeps proving me wrong, its great to see. And Quentin in the lineup really makes it 100 percent more dangerous. Crede made those poor throws but he really looks healthy and he's a pretty solid offensive player (won't have a great OPS or a great OBP, but he will hit for power and knock in runs down in the order all while saving a boatload of runs). And I love Quentin, he really has a tremendous approach up there.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Apr 6, 2008 -> 07:10 PM) Get Ram and Anderson in this game Oz. Who does Ram replace? He's not that good of a defensive outfielder and Uribe already had a day off and is a stud defensively. I could see giving Cabrera some time off (whose a stud defensively) and sliding Uribe over to SS with Ram playing 2B but thats it (and that obviously makes the defense worse). Or are you implying playing Ramirez in CF, Quentin in LF, BA in RF (with Swish and Dye coming out).

Still plenty of baseball to play, but this is just an awesome game. Crede made two errors but aside from that its been a thing of beauty to watch. Uribe has been stellar at 2B and that was a nice flip by OC on the double play. Solid baserunning by the Sox tonight too. Lets keep it up and close this thing out over the next two innings. I also think now would be a good time to pull JD and play BA.

Nice quick inning.

Swisher...BOMB!!!!

QUOTE(BearSox @ Apr 6, 2008 -> 03:28 PM) That's why we wait after we see how Richar does in 2-3 weeks at Charlotte. 2-3 weeks at Charlotte really doesn't prove much as he still hasn't proved he can hit major league hitting. Personally I think the Sox will do this, if Uribe plays mediocre they'll wait to give Richar his chance and at that point if Richar pans out awesome, if not and neither is really playing that good they will consider making a move for a 2nd baseman (since if Richar doesn't pan out they don't really have one in the system, sans Getz, who is considered more of a utility guy).

QUOTE(TitoMB345 @ Apr 6, 2008 -> 03:21 PM) His chance to prove us was two years ago, and he clearly has changed his swing since then. I don't think that 2006 campaign is a good enough evaluation. And I'm not saying to rotate them for the whole season, or even that long, I just think BA deserves as many starts as Quetin gets in the first 2-3 weeks of the season. It's just how it should be to evalute the talent we have. I don't agree with the way BA has been handled by this organization, and I don't think I ever will. That's just how its gonna be, I guess. Hopefully Quetin just keeps producing, I guess, and BA is traded to a team that needs an ace centerfielder (defensivly) with a bat that appears to be workable (based on his spring). I complain more than anyone about the way the Sox have handled young players and while I griped a lot about Brian Anderson and the way he was handled early in his career in Chicago the more I ended up finding out the more I realized why. He worked hard this off-season, but last year in limited play his swing hadn't been fixed. It definitely looked improved this season but lets not forget he's had good springs in the past. I will say that I was impressed with hearing about his new attitude and about his improved swing. That said why not show off that improved swing down in AAA if need be. Carlos Quentin is better. He's more talented almost all the way across the board with BA being better defensively (since he can play a better CF, in fact, an outstanding CF). But BA put himself in that spot and now after having two different chances (he had a chance last spring to earn a starting job but again had a poor attitude and Erstad started over him; yes Ozzie liked the veteran but had BA showed up last year with this seasons attitude he'd have gotten a chance). After that you aren't going to get handed s*** and now he's going to have to wait his turn. I will say I wish he wasn't hurt the 2nd half of last year because it was horrid watching guys like Owens/Gonzalez/Terrero/Erstad/Pods actually play cause none of those guys are even close to being as talented as BA. This season, I can safely say that Swisher/Dye/Quentin are all more talented and thus I can't b**** one bit about BA not playing. The only gripe I have is to Owens or BA being the 4th. BA provides the better defense while Owens provides a great pinch runner of the bench. BA could always stay up when Owens comes back as the defensive guy with JO being the runner (Alexei to the minors) but I really would like BA to get consistent AB's and continue to work on his new swing.

QUOTE(BearSox @ Apr 6, 2008 -> 11:59 AM) hopefully we can somehow ditch Uribe by the time Richar is ready, and let Richar start at 2B for us. Also, I can't remember if I said it in this thread or not, but we should really consider sending Ramirez down to get everyday AB's and playing time at SS and calling up one of Rouse or Bourgeois who would be better suited for bench roles. I wouldn't get rid of Uribe until we see that Richar is healthy and productive. Plus it really doesn't hurt to have a bench player with the infield defense of Uribe at your hands for late inning defensive replacements (Juan would also be a solid pinch hitter in the right situation because he is great at getting the timely sac fly as well as laying down a sac bunt).

QUOTE(BearSox @ Apr 6, 2008 -> 07:06 AM) Swisher leaves a lot to be desired out there in CF, IMO, but he's a hell of a lot better then Owens at playing CF Honestly, I can't see how anyone can say that based on the way he's played this season. I'm not saying it will hold up (its a small sample size) but he has looked very good out there. He's not the best CFer in baseball, but so far this year he's been better than average (very good reads, good routes, making all the plays and than some).

QUOTE(Steve9347 @ Apr 6, 2008 -> 07:02 AM) Yeah, he looks good in the lineup... plus, I don't know when the Sox have had a cannon like that in their outfield. Surgically repaired what?? I am 100% against Jerry Owens being anything more than a 4th outfielder upon his return from the DL. I thought Swisher leading off was a waste of his power, but the dude is always getting on base. I love it. I also believe he is a plus defender in centerfield. What a talent! Quentin - Swisher - Dye is fine with me for awhile. If the Sox really want a leadoff hitter with speed, trade for one that plays 2nd and slide Swisher to a run production spot.

QUOTE(WCSox @ Apr 6, 2008 -> 02:25 PM) I have to disagree with this. We've already won the series, so if Ozzie wants to rest a starter or two, tonight is the night to do it. The fact that it's on national TV shouldn't matter. I wouldn't have a problem with Ozzie playing our usual lineup, but I definitely don't want to see Bobby or Linebrink out there tonight. Those guys need a day off. If you want to rest a starter, don't do it against the big dogs in the division, where a win is considered more important (because you add a win to your count and give a big AL contender a loss). If there is ever a time to go for the sweep, tonight would be that night. Plus you are going up against the teams ace and have your very own ace on the mound so why not try to make a statement that last season is gone and this season is here.

QUOTE(TitoMB345 @ Apr 6, 2008 -> 10:58 AM) I can justify it by saying he's still extremely young, and we have other young players that need to be given a chance too. I've always been a fan of the theory that we need to put the best team on the field at all times, and I can't say that we have that right now, ONLY because BA hasn't been given his fair chance. Why not let Brian and Quetin rotate for a few weeks, and see what we have? If Quetin out-performs, fine, let him have it, I'd be fine with that, but I think its pretty agreed upon that Brian seems to have turned the corner. I just want to see what the kid can do at this level. Besides, if he can do well, maybe next year we have an outfield of Swisher-BA-Quetin. That's probably even the best solution now with how old Dye is getting (although, he is raking at the plate right now). IF you have the two of them rotating you are really asking for them to both fail as neither would truly be given an opportunity. The reality is Brian Anderson had a full season to prove himself and he didn't. Now he's going to have to have a few things go his way (on top of doing nothing but busting his ass) to get a second shot at starting every day (and he better make the most of it if that chance happens again in Chicago). I'm not saying BA can't be a good player, but there is no way you could possibly make a case for sitting Carlos Quentin over him. Quentin has better tools, is patient at the plate and projects to be such a better player (not to mention he already is a better player). IT may not be fair, but when you have two other veterans who are locks to start (Dye/Swisher) than BA is just going to be the odd man out (I will say that I would see the point if Owens was starting every day and BA was just stuck behind him with the Sox not having Quentin).

Titans blew the lead in extras and lost the game. Rubber game tomorrow and I'll be there. I'd love to take two of three at UCI. Titans got a young squad and the past week a couple of there super freshman seemed to start to pick things up (rotation has been shaky though and they still haven't really found a closer).

Daniel Cortes is the 57th ranked prospect by Baseball America. Cortes is a Royal but was drafted by the White Sox and traded along with Tyler Lumsden to the Royals for MacDougall. The interest thing is Lumsden was the key piece (he was having a tremendous minor league season at the time of the deal) but Cortes, who was a sleeper of FutureSox's has really turned into the big player of that deal. He's a big righty who gets great sink on a good fastball. Just wanted to point it out, since people will be talking about Gio/DSL (pitchers the Sox have traded) but realistically Cortes has just as good of a chance as the other and Cortes has a very better pitchers build (ranked 3 spots ahead of DSL in the top 100).

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Apr 5, 2008 -> 04:28 PM) On principle you could get me to be willing to deal Fields if all those things happened...but seriously, do you think that even the first contract related clause for Crede is going to happen with his agent? And on top of that, I am struggling to find a team that would be an actual candidate to make the deal you're suggesting. At least a team that wouldn't be making fools of themselves in the process. What teams have spare young pitching? The Dodgers perhaps, especially if Schmidt comes back soon, but the 2 young pitchers they'd be able to move are Billingsly and Kershaw...and while I'd do just about any deal to get Kershaw somehow I don't think they're doing that, and I don't know what to think of Billingsly. The other teams who we thought had pitching but needed bats? The Angels? All their pitchers are hurt. Seattle? They don't have a lot in the way of guys who could step in. The Giants? Why would they give up either of their 2 young pitchers? I just don't see a logical match for this. Not to mention it assumes Boras would take a guy off the FA market. The Giants and Dodgers are the two teams that come to mind and I do think in the right circumstances either team would consider parting with good young pitching. The Giants have two guys that any baseball expert would like a lot (Cain/Linnecum) and the Dodgers have two guys that are well regarded (Billingsley and Kershaw). I find it absolutely impossible to get Kershaw, however, if the Dodgers other starters are doing okay and Schmidt is back they would be able to part with Chad and the Giants would possibly be willing to do a Cain for Fields straight up deal and if the Sox/Giants could expand things somehow I think there is a possibility at Linnecum (of course there are some people who I have heard like Cain more than Linnecum long term). Either way all of the guys discussed are what I would consider high impact arms which are young and cost efficient. I do agree that the scenario may not be super likely, but it is a possibility and its why I continue to be miffed at the fact that people are 100% against trading Fields because in the right circumstance I think it could be a very good move. Of course the very best option...is Crede hits about 15 hr's the first month or two, Fields is just destroying the ball in AAA, Sox get a ridiculous offer for Crede (two top 5 prospects from a team) and promote Fields who keeps raking (all of the rotation is looking good and the prospects are allowed to be developed and slowly integrated into the team.

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Apr 5, 2008 -> 04:18 PM) And I'll still say that trading Fields would be the dumbest move KW has ever made. Lets say June rolls around, Crede is hitting .275 with 12Hr's and playing gold glove defense and has came to the Sox willing to sign an extension. Fields is putting up good numbers in the minors and the Sox biggest weakness is the rotation. A team with pitching to deal comes to the Sox looking at Fields and the Sox are able to get a good mid of the rotation starter (with front of the rotation upside who is young and cheap) for Fields (ie, the deal fills the Sox biggest ML need without making the team older or anything). That is exactly the type of scenario I see going down or at least find possible (I'm hoping Danks/Floyd/Count all kick ass though and that the Sox just have a major luxury). Hell, I'd consider dealing Fields for a couple top notch prospects if a team like the Dodgers or someone else in the NL looking for a 3B got desperate.

QUOTE(LVSoxFan @ Apr 5, 2008 -> 04:02 PM) Jim Thome going OPPOSITE FIELD? Amazing. Floyd was awesome. Way to drive the dagger in, JD! Swisher patrolling CF like a pro. Aaron who? Anyone catch Swish reading the lineup? LOL I was watching Swish today and started getting a comparison in my mind...Jim Edmonds. Don't ask me why I compare things, but Edmonds was over-rated for most of his career defensively but he was still good and I am quickly thinking Swisher is going to be better than any of us would have ever imagined defensively (I know I had serious doubts about him in CF, but he's looked real smooth out there early). Of course there is still a lot of baseball and we'll have to see how he handles CF in his home park, which is not the easiest place to play (due to the swirling winds in CF).

QUOTE(Wanne @ Apr 5, 2008 -> 03:53 PM) Swish has looked great out there and it would be a shame if they messed with this lineup right now and just handed the job back to Owens. I'll take Quentin over Owens any day. As for Carlos...I got to see quite a bit of him early in his career with AZ and when he was with Stanford. Mark Marquess always called him one of the best he's ever had out there. I don't even think he's touched his abilities yet at this level...plus...he's not even 100%. I think he's still getting his timing back, but health wise I am starting to think he's feeling good. Its just a matter of him getting used to everything and getting his baseball skills back. His swing looks pretty smooth and you can just see what a great feel he has for the game (working the count, taking good routes on balls, very strong arm, etc). He looks like a baseball player in the field and at the plate while BA looks like a baseball player in the field (and good god does he look like a player on the field, but at the plate he still looks like a little leaguer, albeit one with above average tools). I will continue to hope for brilliance from Swish/Cabrera/Quentin because if all three do well and the Sox continue to win Ozzie will be hard pressed to go with Owens.

QUOTE(WilliamTell @ Apr 5, 2008 -> 02:13 PM) Another question could be, thinkk either one of them will throw 150 innings this year? I think both of them will.

QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Apr 5, 2008 -> 03:54 PM) I know Swisher made the play and the Sox won the game, but I was wondering why Anderson wasn't in CF as a defensive replacement in the 9th inning today. I am willing to accept Quentin as the 3rd OF but Owens will get the nod over both. Send Ramirez down when Owens comes back, and make him the be in the pinch runner role which apparently Anderson currently has. Running is the best and only thing Owens can do. Hall looked terrible today too. I agree with you. No reason to not have your best defensive CFer out there. Swisher played darn good out there defensively in center, but still, he isn't Brian Anderson in CF (not many are defensively). In fact santo, I agree with everything you said. Ramirez will be well suited to get everday ab's and almost a full season in the minors. He looks to have good tools but he's raw and I think the Sox are better suited using Quentin as the starting outfielder, Owens in a pinch runner type of role and Anderson as a bench guy who comes in for defensive purposes and gets ocassional starts against lefties (realistically there is no way I want Anderson playing over Quentin who is head and shoulders a better baseball player; Anderson has tools but Quentin actually has a legitimate swing). I could also live with Anderson in AAA with Ramirez and Jeff Davannon up at the major league level (solely because I would have no problem with Anderson/Ramirez both getting lots and lots of ab's as opposed to rotting on the bench).

QUOTE(The Bones @ Apr 5, 2008 -> 03:44 PM) Much more fun to be the team scoring runs late in the ball game and shutting the other team down with our bullpen than the other way around like it was all of last year. I really like what I see from these guys so far. The funny part is when the Sox took the lead all I said was maybe get an insurance run but if Gavin can give us a quick 6th this game should be over (thats how much faith I have that the Sox for the most part have the guys to bridge things from the starter to Bobby. If we get games like this out of our 3/4/5 we'll see quite a few games where we turn things over to the pen and put things away (not to mention I can see the pen holding quite a few games which will allow the Sox to pick up come from behind wins). I've long said that in the modern era of baseball the bullpen can actually be more important than the rotation (since pitching tends to be thin throughout baseball, so if you can make up for it with a tremendous bullpen you will find yourself in business). Hopefully the pen proves itself to really deliver (the big if is Mac's confidence/health as well as Dotel's health). Obviously other injuries could happen and those are keys to any team (ie, every team needs to stay healthy for the most part to win).

QUOTE(G&T @ Apr 5, 2008 -> 03:46 PM) When was the last time Bobby converted 3 straight saves? Usually that third try is blown. Do you mean in 3 straight games? Cause he did have that whole 40 some odd no hit innings thing where he was converting saves left and right.

QUOTE(Wanne @ Apr 5, 2008 -> 03:44 PM) Night and Day better. The passion is back! also...Clev losing 6-1 now late. Go A's. The big thing is they got rid of non major leaguers like Terrero, Andy Gonzalez, etc. The only non major leaguer they have left on the club now is Toby Hall. Man, I can't stand having a catcher that not only can't hit, but who can't shut down the running game. The idea behind signing Hall was tremendous, but I wouldn't give him much more than a month to show that he's not the player he was last season (which I'm more than willing to put 100% of the blame on his nasty injury). At that point it will be time to call up Phillips or Lucy who are both head and shoulders above Hall defensively and given Hall's lack of offensive ability I honestly could care less what either Phillips or Lucy could do with the stick. Oh and Swisher has surprised me with his range out in the outfield. He made some nice plays today. I still think ultimately Dye should move to LF with Quentin playing RF (I really hope the more Ozzie sees Quentin the more he realizes just how good of a baseball player Carlos already is and just how good he will be).