Chisoxfn

QUOTE(Sonik22 @ Jul 23, 2006 -> 03:49 PM) wait so this isn't for sure yet, cuz i dont know if i like this move The White Sox post game guy reported it but nothing has been announced as official.

QUOTE(CySox @ Jul 23, 2006 -> 03:41 PM) No, I always thought Rongey was an idiot. I personally can't stand him, and I think he is one of the worst pre/post game guys the sox have had. I wish we could bring back the guy from last year. His names escapes me right now... That i understand. But from here on out the site is trying to do away with posts calling anyone an idiot because it really doesn't say much. If you just say I don't think too highly of Rongey because he is one of the worse pre/post game guys the Sox have had, imo.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jul 23, 2006 -> 03:37 PM) He'd know better than anyone else. Great research Thanks, just finished it up with all of his starts. Only reason I looked is I remember a few Dodgers saying how he's really good to pitch to but I also remember someone telling me that he always catches the really bad players (some fan called into the Dodger station and whoever the Dodger radio guy was brought up this info about who he actually caught). QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Jul 23, 2006 -> 03:43 PM) I liked that guy too. The Dodge people gave him a car to drive around during the season, and he always gave them airtime and a lot of pub. With all the mentions, he deserved better than the Neon they let him use. Bryan Dolgin is the guy you are thinking of. QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Jul 23, 2006 -> 03:41 PM) Back-up catcher ERA;s can be deceiving no question. Sandy's has generally been higher than the team's ERA for his entire career however. The White Sox have always thought very highly of him, and think he's a future major league manager. IIRC they tried to get him to retire a couple years ago, and make him a coach or manager somewhere in the organization. Ya, I know the organization has always raved about Sandy. He is a veteran that fits in very well and goes about his business in a professional way yet he's still willing to help out the young kids too.

QUOTE(CySox @ Jul 23, 2006 -> 03:35 PM) please change the title of this thread. It is not official that Alomar is back. The only source we have is Chris Rongy, speculating that we got Alomar. No need for that one thing on Rongey. He's just reporting info, no reason to get person with him. Consider this a warning.

Alomar's last start was in June. 6/28: Odalis Perez, 6 runs in 4.1 innings (no other runs allowed) 6/18: Aaron Sele gave up 5 runs in 4 innings (no other runs allowed) 6/2: Seo started and gave up 3 runs in 4 innings (making a start for Perez who was just demoted); Baez gave up 5 runs in the 9th inning of that game 5/26: Brett Tomko gave up 6 runs in 4.2 innings (pen gave up 4 runs, but the relievers of that game are both no longer with the DOdgers and had ERA's over 6). 5/13: Sele gives up 2 runs in 7 innings, but Baez gives up 4 runs (2 earned) 5/4: Tomko throws 7 shutout innings with Saito coming in and giving up 3 runs in relief 5/1: Penny gives up 3 runs in 6 innings (no other runs given up) I want to point out that Alomar has caught just once since May 1st for one of the Dodgers front line starters and most of his starters came from a combo of Perez (whose awful), Tomko (who has pitched surprisingly decent and was alright in Alomar's starts) and Sele (who had one good and one bad with Alomar Jr). Most of the runs allowed came from Baez who has been terrible with whoever caught up. Just trying to show kind of why he's catcher ERA is so high. 4/19: Penny gives up 2 runs, Baez gives up 3 (none earned) 4/12: Tomko gives up 5 runs; Two relievers give up 4 (Brazoban and Kuo, both have been hit hard whenever they have pitched in the majors) 4/9: Penny gives up 1 run in 7 innings; Lance Carter gives up 1 run 4/5: Perez gives up 7 runs in 3 innings (as mentioned before he has been horrible with whoever has caught him); Carter and a rookie who was demoted each gave up 1 run a piece the rest of the game 4/3: Lowe was rocked on opening day giving up 7 runs; Kuo and Osaria gave up 3 (both are young rookies making a debut) Thats all the games he started in and I think as a whole you can see Penny pitched very well when Alomar Jr. caught and Tomko/Sele each were solid enough with him (one not so good, one solid to good start) while Perez, Baez and a few other guys that have stunk with whoever is catching have really hurt his ERA. That and opening day start by Lowe where he was pitching sick, IIRC.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Jul 23, 2006 -> 03:27 PM) Chris Stewart, hopefully. We'd look for another vet first. Stewart is next year's plan and will also get some experience this September. Obviously if we couldn't find anything else, than Stewart would be up this year.

Decided just to merge it into one large thread. May be against my better judgement. Has anyone other than Rongey reported this?

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Jul 23, 2006 -> 03:12 PM) In what way is this an upgrade over Widger? Better offensively, neither are great defensively, but Alomar is the much more savvy veteran, imo. I realize Widge is a veteran as well, but he's not nearly as respected around the baseball world as Sandy is.

Guys, I'm going to close this thread since its turning more so into Alomar talk and that would be a better fit in the Alomar thread. Maybe its a bad idea and I thought about merging them into one thread, but both moves should have some discussion.

The main reason Stewart isn't about to get called up is because he isn't near as experienced of a game caller nor does he have much of a relationship with our current MLB pitchers. Alomar Jr on the other hand is familiar with at least a few of our starters and while some don't think he's the best game caller, he is a savvy vet whose a good fit in the clubhouse and pretty smart.

I remember saying Sandy a few weeks ago and I like this move. He's familiar with the clubhouse, calls a decent game and is a pretty good hitter against lefties. Of course he isn't that good defensively. Oh and I'm sure he won't cost us much prospect wise.

Sox Acquire Alomar Jr., Designate Widger for Assignment By Jason Gage Soxtalk.com Soxtalk.com has learned that backup catcher Chris Widger was designated for assignment following Sunday’s game against the Texas Rangers. Chris Rongey of the Score has reported that the White Sox have acquired backup catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. from the Los Angeles Dodgers to replace Widger. A former rookie of the year and three time all star, Alomar, saw his playing time drop in LA following the acquisition of Toby Hall and Mark Hendrickson. He has spent parts of 4 seasons with the Sox, most recently in 04 and is a career .274 hitter over his 18 year MLB career. Alomar Jr. may not be the flashy name people expected, but he hits LHP better than Pierzynski (or Widger) and will be able to provide a veteran presence in the clubhouse. He was batting .323 with 9 RBI in 27 games and is batting .500 off lefties (9 for 18). After playing a key role off the bench in 05, Widger struggled behind and at the plate for the club in 06, batting .184 in 27 games while posting a 5.36 CERA (Catchers ERA). While this move was primarily made to upgrade the club's lineup against LHP, it will also serve as an attempt to shake up the roster and break up the comfort level of the Sox. It is unclear who the White Sox traded to the Dodgers, but Soxtalk.com will have its sister site FutureSox.com give information on the prospect(s) involved as soon as the details of the trade are released.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Jul 23, 2006 -> 02:45 PM) Wasn't Freddy Garcia traded for at like 5:05 or 6:05 on a Sunday? Ya, it was a later Sunday trade because I remember coming home for our families Sunday night dinner (we'd always have dinner during baseball season by bbq'in and watching Sunday night baseball with my dad and grandpa) and being absolutely shocked that we made the move. I also remember how pumped up I got that season after he made his first start (man did he have dominating stuff). Shows what I know, Cheat says Saturday so I'm guessing he looked it up. I swear it was a Sunday, but maybe I'm confusing trades or something

QUOTE(fathom @ Jul 23, 2006 -> 02:28 PM) Why would Texas get rid of him. With everything going on between the teams, I can't imagine us trading with them. Also, from what I've heard in the past, the Rangers have asked for a lot in return for Laird. Laird was pretty highly touted. He went to high school out my way (same school Ian Kennedy and Crosby and a few others went to) and there is no way the Rangers are going to move him for anything but pretty well thought of prospects. Laird would start for a lot of teams, imo.

Way to go Big Jon, keep it up and now its time for Count to take his turn and give us another quality start.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jul 23, 2006 -> 02:20 PM) Hernandez, as in Livan? I think the two possible bigger acquisitions would be Tejada or Crawford. I am not sure, but I was thinking Roberto.

Javy Lopez just returned to play yesterday after missing about 5 games. He's hitting .308 vs LHP on the season and .312 over the past 3 seasons. QUOTE(CySox @ Jul 23, 2006 -> 02:16 PM) JASON SCHMIDT!!!!???? DONTRELLE WILLIS!!!!!!!????? I don't think Schmidt is getting dealt, but you can bet your butt he was trying hard for Dontrell. I have no idea what the talks were in terms of players discussed but Kenny wanted him pretty bad.

Also, might as well throw this in here, but apparently Levine interviewed Kenny today and Levine asked him if there is a chance that on August 1st we'd be talking about Linebrink, Soriano, or Hernandez. Kenny responded to that by saying "I'm looking for something bigger than that". I guess thats no surprise since Kenny is always looking to make the big move, but isn't just going to make a big move cause if that isn't out there he'll make the small one or the best one he can.

QUOTE(Felix @ Jul 23, 2006 -> 01:59 PM) And the fact that he's making 8.5 million this year, which would probably be around what, 3 mil for the rest of the year? I wouldn't give that to a backup. But if that means they could get Cabrerra or Hawkins thrown into the mix and Kenny wants those guys I could see it working.

QUOTE(Young Gun @ Jul 23, 2006 -> 01:50 PM) Jason, how do you find the catchers ERA? ESPN has it if you look at Widger's fielding stats.

QUOTE(Young Gun @ Jul 23, 2006 -> 01:50 PM) So all indications are pointing towards Stewart? Stewart is plan B from what I know. He's not getting called up unless plan A doesn't come through (and for all I know there is a Plan B or C ahead of Stewart as well in terms of major league options).

QUOTE(JimH @ Jul 23, 2006 -> 01:41 PM) I am thinking the same thing Jason. Although I do believe the Orioles would be quite happy to get anything for Lopez. It appears that Stewart is the backup plan so this should add to what Jim is saying. Working on a writeup right now. Rumor: Widger Designated For Assignment By Jason Gage Soxtalk.com has learned that backup catcher Chris Widger was designated for assignment following Sunday’s game against the Texas Rangers. Widger struggled behind the plate and at the plate for the club in 06, batting .184 in 27 games while posting a 5.36 CERA (Catchers ERA). It is unclear who will replace Widger, but our sources say that Ken Williams is working on bringing in a veteran catcher. Ozzie Guillen backed up these sources in his post game press conference by stating that GM Ken Williams was working on adding a bat and a veteran catcher. If the trade or signing Williams is working on fails to be completed, Chris Stewart would be called up from AAA Charlotte. Stewart, 24, is batting .266 with 3 HR and 22 RBI in 71 games with the Knights and would not be considered a major offensive upgrade to Widger. However, Stewart is the most advanced signal caller in the system and possesses a strong arm and rates out as an above average defensive catcher. Please check back with Soxtalk.com as we will be updating this story as we find out more.

QUOTE(JimH @ Jul 23, 2006 -> 01:37 PM) DFA'd and per a phone call I got from the ballpark (actually was related to sports memorabilia, ha!) KW is working on something for the backup catcher. Whether he gets it done or Stewart gets called up, not certain. My guess, emphasis on guess, Javy Lopez from Baltimore. Again, just my guess. Did not hear that. I wonder if something like Lopez and a reliever would be in order. I think if you took Lopez you could get Hawkins for them and if we were willing to accept most of the salaries wouldn't have to give up much in return.

I've sent an email to see if there is any talk of a promotion down in Charlotte.

Widge did some nice things for us this year, but really struggled behind the plate this year (in terms of calling the game) and was just as bad at the plate. However, I should note that part of the pitching problems have to be the pitchers failing to execute the pitches. Either way, it wasn't working this year for Widge and I'll be curious to see whose coming (whether its Stewart or we just picked someone up).