Chisoxfn

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ May 12, 2007 -> 08:44 PM) If Thome can come back strong,(HUGE question mark at this time) and just 1 of Kong-Dye-Crede get really hot, its a whole new team. The pitching has been outstanding, and if it does stay like this, missing the playoffs would be a huge disappointment. As it stands, this team IMO should have 22, 23 wins. It's stunning how the Sox are 3 games above .500, and the combo of Kong-Dye-Crede are batting a combined .202. Even without the offense, I think this team should have a couple more wins (although I also admit the Sox have stolen a game or two). But ya, I think it will be a different team and I do think they have had better approaches at the plate as of late (still not good ones though).

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ May 12, 2007 -> 08:29 PM) I care. I agree it's damn near impossible but for any team, let alone the Sox to bat this bad all season, but how long is it going to go on? You and I both know it will catch up to them, and if this was any other team but the Royals, we are probably talking about a series loss right now. As I said my original post, a win is a win, and thats all you can ask for. However, the O still isn't showing much life, and squeeking out W's against the Royals, at home, is only going to go so far. I think its a valid concern (when these guys are going to figure it out) and I have actually said I would have no problem with the Sox making a move for a new hitting coach (if there is someone out there that they like). Even though I personally dont' think Walker is the problem, however, I do think it could just be one of those things where the players have heard it from Walker for a long time and they simply need to hear it from another voice so to speak. Thome comes back, Dye/Konerko get even semi productive and we are talking about an entirely different offense (still not an amazing one, but a much better one). Mix that in with an acquisition at the trade deadline (if its necessary) or a couple more roster moves and I think they will be just fine. I am very confident if the pitching keeps up (stays healthy and keeps pitching strong) we'll see this team in the playoffs and than getting fitted for some nice fancy rings during the off-season.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ May 12, 2007 -> 08:29 PM) People have been wanting to boot Uribe out the door for the past couple winters. I really don't know why... there's no readily available option who is clearly better than Uribe. If that happened to show up, great, but that player better be a great defender. I don't think people understand just how many runs Uribe saves with his glove -- he's arguably the best defensive SS in the AL. I agree with you and to make an upgrade at SS not only do I want the guy to be good defensively, he needs to be a pretty darn good hitter (preferably a top of the order guy, simply because I always want Ozzie to have a couple speed options to keep him happy and prevent him from trying to have guys like Paulie or AJ stealing a few times a season). So unless they are able to get a Furcal or Rollins (and financially those guys don't make sense) or even a Cabrera (whose a darn good 2 hole hitter) I don't really see an upgrade (barring Arod moving back to SS or us getting one of the other big bopping SS's, but again I don't see that making financial sense). Basically put, I expect Juan to sign a multi year deal sometime this season (or off-season). I think the key will be Juan putting in the work (because we know despite the ocassional negative comment, both Ozzie and Kenny love Juan).

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ May 12, 2007 -> 08:23 PM) He could stay in the 2 Hole for a bit just becasue of the lack of options we have, but it won't work for an extended amount of time. The low OBP will eventually show up from Uribe, and we already have enough problems getting guys on base. He'll likely see a lot of fastballs, especially if the middle bats get going (plus insert a healthy Thome in there).

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ May 12, 2007 -> 08:21 PM) At this point, I am just happy getting W's. You take them any way you can get them. With that said, playing like we have the last two nights is going to get us no where. I am rarely negitive after a win, but once agian, the pitching is just masking the offensive struggles. The bats need to wake up, quick, because these types of games aren't going to work against the Yanks... Who cares...no team is going to hit this bad all season. I'll take the pitching, you can buy bats a lot easier, plus there is no way Dye/Konerko stay this bad. I wouldn't be surprised if Crede struggled (wish he wouldn't, but I'm less confident about him) plus Thome should be fine and Pyrz has proven he's a pretty consistent .270 plus hitter (at the very least). I'm impressed, they continue to find ways to win and have had great starting pitching and I expect us to get strong pitching all season and better offensive play and that is a recipe for a world series type of ball club.

QUOTE(Heads22 @ May 12, 2007 -> 08:19 PM) Baseball Tonight also claimed Ozuna as a starting caliber LF tonight. I saw them say how he has made an adjustment to the outfield (the segment where they were talking about guys moving from IF to OF) but nowhere in that segment did I ever see them claim he was a starting outfielder (however I may have missed an earlier segment that insinuated such). But I want Ozuna starting at 2nd right now (I'm a big Ozuna guy because I think he does a lot of things that help teams win, more so at 2nd than LF). Especially if Zuna would start hitting more like he did the past two years.

QUOTE(danman31 @ May 12, 2007 -> 06:22 PM) Toby Hall is on rehab tonight in Charlotte. hitless so far.

QUOTE(santo=dorf @ May 12, 2007 -> 08:14 PM) Prove it. How come he wasn't signed until the end of January? Derrek Lee is by FAR a better first baseman than Grinderstad. Just look at the improvement of Aramis Ramirez. Injuries. No one would be stupid enough to question his defensive prowess. Plus, while I like Erstad he's a horrific offensive solution over at first (where I think its a near must to have a power hitter). And I have heard many a former player comment on Erstad being the best in the biz (from Mark Grace to most of the experts on Baseball Tonight) to a couple people I know around baseball (and obviously Derek Lee is the other name that comes up).

QUOTE(BearSox @ May 12, 2007 -> 08:03 PM) He has a team option for 08. If he keeps this up, he will stay in the 2-hole, and that option will be picked up. But that is a BIG IF, no a HUGE IF. Uribe is known as an incredibly streaky hitter. His option will be picked up regardless. He adds an assload of value to a team thats built on pitching (especially with the Sox having a lot of ground ball pitchers). Plus you have the organizations lack of middle infield talent and the fact that they will already be looking for a replacement for Iguchi. QUOTE(DBAH0 @ May 12, 2007 -> 08:05 PM) I'm sort of wondering about Iguchi's long - term future here at the moment. I saw that Chris Burke got demoted to AAA, and he would be someone who could be an ideal #2 hitter for us in the years to come if we could acquire him on the cheap. I want to sign Ichiro in the off-season though, and for that to happen our chances would increase if the Gooch stayed around here as well. So it's something KW's gotta weigh up here. Of course it's too early to make decisions about players etc. based on this season. I know a lot of people here love Chris Burke, but why would the Sox be super interested in having a guy that can't cut it with a weak offensive team like the Astros (I think Burke is a very good defensive player and I don't mind his long term prognosis as a prospect, but by all means I don't necessarily consider him a sure fire answer for the 2 hole). However I know I've cursed and thought Iguchi was done at other points of his brief career (because he can have such an ugly, long, slow swing but somehow has found a way to get by).

QUOTE(Heads22 @ May 12, 2007 -> 08:11 PM) So yeah, turns out Terrero is a pretty decent baserunner. That's what I took from the tenth inning. He's got decent speed, but its not like he did anything amazing (took an extra base on a wild pitch that a cripple could of taken second from and he damn near went into no mans land at second and got picked off. So I can't say whether he's a "good runner", but he has solid speed.

QUOTE(santo=dorf @ May 12, 2007 -> 08:06 PM) Seriously Jason. Erstad's glove over Lee's (both Travis and Derrek,) Helton's, Meinteizixziacaiz, and Pujols. Ummmm, no. Derek Lee is good, but no, Erstad is the best in the game over there. Mient is very good too and while I think Pujols is one of the best first baseman in the game there is no way I'd take him defensively over Erstad over a full season...NONE. A, no first baseman has the range Erstad has B, only one first baseman picks it as good as Erstad (Lee, who I think is the best when it comes to picking it and making the stretch) C, super soft hands (Erstad ranks amongst the very best). You can go back to saying how I rave about all Angels former Angels but I could give a crap, the majority of scouts/experts in baseball would back what I say about Erstad.

QUOTE(caulfield12 @ May 12, 2007 -> 08:06 PM) He hit it hard up the middle and the Royals had him played perfectly. I think the benching Iguchi for Gonzalez controversy will be the next board topic, lol. I can't imagine keeping Terrero over Sweeney after tonight. Even if you have Sweeney, Cintron and Mack on the bench in some situations...you go with your best players. Sweeney should be starting for us for the next 10-15 years (yes, he's that freaking good). Beautiful swing, great athlete and he'll be a premiere defensive left fielder (he's pretty good out there, plus most left fielders are pathetic defensively). He is just flat out impressive for someone his age and I think he plays up to his competition and sooner or later he'll improve when it comes to turning on inside pitches (like the way he turned on that pitch today) and develop 20 plus HR power to go with a high average.

Uribe makes plays almost no other shortstop makes. However, last year he didn't have near as good of a season (he was bad offensively and while still better than most defensively, he wasn't his usual self). I also stick to my theory that there isn't another shortstop in baseball that would have been able to make both plays that he made against the Astros in game 4 (the running catch into the stands and than having the gun to make the throw to first in time and get the final out).

QUOTE(caulfield12 @ May 12, 2007 -> 07:55 PM) We used Gload quite a few times in the late innings over the years. It's a non-issue for Erstad to go over there, Ozzie just doesn't want to move him out of CF to LF. And judging by the jumps he gets out there I have no problem with that. However, I think its assinine for people to actually be concerned about Erstad playing first (no other first baseman in baseball touches Erstad...the guy is a freaking stud defensively at first).

QUOTE(Hanky Panky @ May 12, 2007 -> 07:42 PM) I was worried about us going into the 11th w/Erstad having to play 1st base. I'm sure glad that didn't happen. I wouldn't be concerned, Erstad is the best defensive first baseman in the majors.

He's better than Iguchi who just looks horrid right now.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ May 10, 2007 -> 08:49 PM) Buehrle on Danks- "[i taught him] everything he knows, except when he gave up a hit." I may just cry if Buehrle signs elsewhere. I love the way he handles himself.

f*** QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ May 10, 2007 -> 08:29 PM) Ben Gordon disappeared in the second half. This doesn't need to be said, but when he's not scoring, he's useless. He absolutely got dominated by Billups and Hamilton, blowing right by him no problem. Sefolosha was, at the very least, going to play defense. Something had to be switched up. The Bulls' offense against that zone in the second half was worse than the Marquette offense I watched all year. Something had to change... nobody was in the middle of the zone. Whatever. Hopefully the Knicks pick allows us to take a good back-to-the-basket player. I'd love Horford or Hibbert. If I'm in charge I get a new guard (moving Gordon or Noc) and than get a big by swinging the other guy in a deal while using the Knicks pick to get another big guy (we also try to use PJ in a sign and trade as well to help balance salaries) and clearly we release Sweetney and consider moving Duhon if possible.

I freaking hate those things. People look like idiots with them hanging in there ear but I admit they are good for those that have to talk on the phone a lot when they drive.

QUOTE(Flash Tizzle @ May 8, 2007 -> 04:56 PM) I wonder if teams are worried this brings more accountability to their draft selections. In the past selections were quick, on the telephone, and without much public fanfare or media attention. Now, more than any other year, you'll have thousands more fans tuning in to watch who their team will select. Most not even familiar with one solitary name in the draft. If their team's first round selection doesn't reach the majors, experiences setbacks, etc. the criticism should naturally increase simply because more are exposed to the draft. This will especially be true for the Top 10. I can imagine future Sportscenter pieces involving someone's fall from grace. There will inevitably be an opening shot of said person placing on a hat of whichever team drafted them. What I enjoy the most concerning this draft is there is NO f***ing way Chris Berman is involved. In fact, ESPN would be smart to hire experienced draft writers outside their organization. Aside from Keith Law and Jim Callis, I can't think of anyone who understands what a team's needs are and whether player A or B fulfills them. BA has a partnership with ESPN (or I think they do) so I'd imagine you'd get a lot of Baseball America coverage and thats a good thing because they are hands down great at what they do (even if there are a few flaws).

QUOTE(RockRaines @ May 10, 2007 -> 06:54 AM) Sweeney is ready for this level. He is that good. He needs to keep producing and make them keep him here. He will hit .260 or so and will continue to improve and having him up now not only is better than the other options but if he develops quicker than expected he could turn into a nice asset sooner rather than later. I really want him to stay up and get a lot of AB's and hopefully he'll continue to impress and never see the minors again.

QUOTE(Brian @ May 9, 2007 -> 05:35 PM) Anyone see in the Suntimes today that when Thome comes back, Sweeney will be sent down because "He needs to play everyday." WHAT?? Why can't we send Terrero back down and play Sweeney everyday? Ozzie wants to keep Terrero because "he can play all the OF positions." Um, can't Ryan as well? I want Ryan to play everyday....in fact I'm hoping he never goes back down (ie plays good enough that they find a way to get him boatloads of at bats the rest of the year, even if it means less of Pods/Mack and to a lesser extent Erstad.

Bout time...he should have won a couple games sooner (so should have Garland). Congrats though...I think it will be the first of many.

I just want to inform everyone that I've closed the front page and began my reconstruction using a new database (its something I've been planning on doing for a while) and I'm shooting for a Mid June relaunch. The front page will not only contain White Sox related news, but also minor league news (from FutureSox) and other Chicago Sports stories. It will also have a specific area for the networks two podcasts (Bulls Chat and The SouthSide Report).

I have Rowand on my fantasy team.