Chisoxfn

QUOTE(3E8 @ May 22, 2005 -> 04:58 PM) Oh okay, then that was a very good change. I thought that was just a funky curveball. It had nice movement. Ya, it was an awesome changeup, Lee was way ahead of it and swung right through it. Only flaw was he didn't throw it the rest of the game. Like I was mentioning with qwerty, I didn't once notice it thrown for a strike the rest of the evening (nor did i see it thrown again). I'm guessing he wasn't very confident in it or was just throwing it all over the place during his bullpen session? Who knows, but I bet you'll see a lot more of it against Texas.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ May 22, 2005 -> 04:56 PM) It amazes me how down on Garcia people have been this year. He has an era under 4, 6 of his 9 starts have been quality starts(I believe Buehrle has the same amount, someone correct me if I'm wrong) Freddy's been very good he just had those two bad starts in a row, besides that he's actually been pretty dominate. Overall Freddy's been the 3rd best starter on the club, ahead of Cont and Duque. Duque the worse while Garland the best. And while Duque was the worse he hasn't been awful by any means, LOL (which is nice to say, although I don't personally think he's pitched as good as his numbers would indicate).

QUOTE(SoxFan101 @ May 22, 2005 -> 04:51 PM) Isnt Kevin Millar a f/a to be... i wouldnt mind us pursuing him... I like Konerko and all but he isnt that good and I dont think he is worth the money he will want 8-10 million. Guys I think we should let go after this season: Everett, Timo, Shingo, Vizcaino, Contreras, and Dye Some of those would have to be in trades and i guess if Dye can play 1B he could stay there.. But I think B-Mac and Brian Anderson should both be starters next year. Also anyone know Sean Casey's contract status... because I think he would be the perfect 1B for us. C: AJ Pieryznski 1B: Durazo/Millar/Casey 2B: Tadahito Iguchi SS: Juan Uribe 3B: Joe Crede(Fields isnt ready yet, although wouldnt mind signed a veteran to a 1 year deal) LF: Scott Podsenick CF: Brian Anderson RF: Aaron Rowand DH: Frank Thomas Starters: 1: Mark Buehrle 2: Freddy Garcia 3: Jon Garland 4: B-Mac 5: El Duque emergency starter: Heath Miller(would be in AAA) bullpen: Politte, Hermy, Marte, Cotts, Baj, ??? basicly we should be shopping for a new 1B and maybe a bullpen arm or two this off-season. I'm assuming your referring to Heath Phillips in AAA? However I'd say Tracey would be the better option.

QUOTE(WHarris1 @ May 22, 2005 -> 03:19 PM) Ah this debate is endless. It's all up to what someone considers an Ace. If people considered Glavine an ace than I consider Buehrle and ace. Buehrle keeps his teams in the games and when necessary can totally shut down an opponent. Getting strikeouts isn't necessarily what makes you an ace, getting wins and keeping your team in the game are. Now is he a top tier ace, no, but he's the ace of this staff. Freddy would be a 2nd tier pitcher and well Jon this season would be a top tier ace. Freddy has the ability to move into that Buehrle area (just needs to get back in his groove and pitch like he did against the cubbies).

QUOTE(BobDylan @ May 22, 2005 -> 04:21 PM) Which Pods are you watching? He actually looked good out there today. But the Pods I've seen all year has just gotten horrid jumps and I've seen quite a few balls land a few feet in front of him that the average to above average cf gets. Maybe part of it is he's learning to get the reads from left field instead of cf, but until today I had not been in the least bit impressed with him. I did really like that running catch he made while dodging Uribe though.

QUOTE(NUKE_CLEVELAND @ May 22, 2005 -> 04:24 PM) We hit 3 homeruns today. I dont think a lack of power is what did us in. What was really a dagger was Lee robbing AJ on that lineout. If that goes by him 2 runs score and big inning commences. Instead it was 2 outs and the end of the inning. That was a really good play. That stopped at least one run and maybe more because you would of had Dye up and Dye just looks really good at the plate as of late.

Prove that I can end my horrible curse of being in attendance at Sox games. I'll be there Tues, Wed, and Thurs

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ May 22, 2005 -> 01:26 PM) Can everyone at least agree that it should be a combination of Walker, Timo, and Vizcaino? No, cause you shouldn't lose Viz for nothing and he has no options left. Viz shouldn't be moved down. If they are going to do something with Viz they better trade him. His season thus far has been nothing like he has pitched for most of his career. Although I guess when you look at his stats a bit more closely he only had 2 good years, last year and than in 2002. But the Sox have the best record in baseball, a month from now, than it may be time to move Viz and add a new reliever.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ May 22, 2005 -> 01:24 PM) If he picks up the phone and just hears the name Brandon he should just hang up. As far as a trade I'm still of the opinion we really dont need to make one. If Viz keeps faultering I think we have good in house options instead of making a deal. All I know is Brandon ain't going anywhere. If the Sox are in it and a month from now Viz is still struggling I'd probably package him and one of the prospects down in Charlotte, if not too (and I'm talking about Munoz/Diaz) for a quality reliever on a team thats out of contention. That team can get a guy like Viz (who when going right is really good) and than would have the shot to develop two guys over the rest of the season that have the ability to turn into solid relievers. Fact is the Sox can't sit around and develop them so its the type of move that would work for both teams. The only other time of move I'd make is for a 3rd baseman (and I mean a good hitting one at that) if Crede is struggling or the offense is showing signs of struggling. If not, I agree with you and would pretty much stand pat.

QUOTE(WHarris1 @ May 22, 2005 -> 01:23 PM) I'm sure GM's are nutting their pants at the prospect of dealing for that package. I think a similar type of package could actually get you a quality reliever from a team out of contention. Hell, I'd like to see Juan Cruz on the southside and if Beane thought he could get 2 quality relievers (even though he'd have to develop Munoz) than I could see something along those lines being accomplished. Probably not for Cruz (bad example) but for that type of reliever.

QUOTE(rangercal @ May 22, 2005 -> 01:20 PM) I agree with you. But out of our 25 top men someone will be left out. Timo , walker and who else? There is no one else. When Duque comes off the DL, Brandon will be back in Charlotte. Only reason that wouldn't be the case is if Brandon is able to get 5 or 6 starts while Duque is on the DL and just kicks ass in those starts. However, if thats the case this team may look a little different anyway due to a trade.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ May 22, 2005 -> 01:17 PM) I understand what you're saying but I just dont want Brandon in the pen. There's no arguing right now how good the backend of the pen is. Slowly but surely Shingo's starting to get his s*** together and neal is fine for what he does. Right now Viz is sucking, though this game really wasn't his fault, it'd be nice to add another bullpen arm somewhere but once again we might be able to do that in house without giving up our spects. I dont know what the hell ozzie and kenny our going to decide but goddamn where the f*** was Brandon when we've needed a starter the last 3 years. I know one thing...there is no way KW is going to be able to acquire any big time player unless he's willing to give up Brandon. Teams are just going to say give us Bmac or no deal when it comes to that type of prospect being on our sidelines. KW needs to stick to a policy of don't even call us if you want Brandon. First off even if he's not in the major leagues, he's the best insurance policy this club has. Pitchers get hurt and having him as a plan B this year is freaking fantastic.

Nick Novak baby. In training camp (and I realize its camp) he's been nailing field goals and has a big time leg for kickoffs.

QUOTE(qwerty @ May 22, 2005 -> 01:11 PM) The only way mccarthy will be in the rotation long term this year is a six man rotation... which will not happen. He'll be in the rotatoin for a long time. Duque isn't that good and when/if he ends up being out (its just a matter of time) than Brandon is going to take over, dominate, and not give up his spot. Fact of the matter is Duque isn't that grand. Now this may not be the time that Brandon takes over the rotation, but odds are its going to happen at some point this year. Anyone that thinks Duque will make it threw this year healthy is crazy (or at least I think they are, LOL).

QUOTE(doUrememberwhen @ May 22, 2005 -> 01:08 PM) Vizc, Walker r both strong candidate. Timo will not be sent down for the simple fact that Ozzie 'ricky retardo' like him too much. Gload and Hurt will both be back and the possibility of a 6 man roto might pop it's head up. The other question is, is Ricky Retardo smart enough to realize that vizc timo and walker r all wastes of space in our dugout, NOT LIKELY. They aren't going to demote Viz. He may be struggling this year but he's also been a long time horse in the pen and I'm sure the Sox are going to stick with it and hope he can pitch out of his struggles. If he can't he'll be moved around the deadline with a prospect for another quality reliever. Viz has proven he's a good major league pitcher, no reason to give up on him now, not yet. He's sucked this year but he's more than capable of just turning it on and dominating for the rest of the year. Hell part of having htis great record is you have the luxury of being a little more patient and allowing guys to get out of funks when they usually woudl have to just riddle on the bench with you sticking with the hot hand (in the end you'll typically wear down that hot hand and end up losing due to too few guys carrying the show). I have no idea if this last paragraph makes any sense, lol.

I like it. Two straight poor seasons for Edinger. I don't know if Brien is the answer, but I like the two rooks the Bears have in camp plus I've always been a fan of Nick Setta (he's got a hell of a leg).

No complaints out of me. I'm happy taking 2 out of 3. Of course I'd be happier with the sweep, but still, win series...you do that and you'll go a long way in this game

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ May 22, 2005 -> 01:01 PM) This is going to be interesting, all of the sudden we have to much depth, great problem to have just makes for interesting decisions. The obvious one is walker, next I'd have to say Timo, I'm probably the biggest Timo supporter here but Willie and Pablo can do to much for this team, play a ton of positions, lay down bunts, pinch run, etc. After that when Ross is ready to go it's going to be real interesting. If Brandon pitches awesome again against Texas then I really don't know what the hell to do. I'll be pissed when it ends up being Willie that gets demoted because the organizatoin has this hard on for Timo.

QUOTE(3E8 @ May 22, 2005 -> 12:52 PM) Any reason why he wasn't throwing change ups? I thought it may have been part of a strategic plan by him to only break them out on the third time through the lineup. But I never saw them. I was waiting for that too, the 3rd time around but wasn't seeing any. Thats why in teh back of my head I had him pretty much pencilled in for 7 after he got Burnitz out (little did I know Ozzie was going rush out there and pull him with Ramirez at the plate).

I'd assume it will be Walker for the 1st of Frank/Gload and then it will be interesting for who goes next. The thing with Viz is he does have good stuff. He just needs to start throwing his fastball for strikes. Once he does that he'll go back to his pretty dominate ways (the guy was a damn good reliever for the Brewcrew and a total workhorse). The Sox still have a plus pen and one game ain't going to tell me otherwise. I'd send Timo down when the 2nd of Gload/Thomas are back up. Or just flat deal Timo for whatever. Timo's worthless in my book, although he is obviously good friends with Uribe.

Shingo actually looked really good today. Well he looked good on 3 of the batters his face...the 1st two and than the final out. His fastball was zipping and damn did he make Burnitz look like a fool. I kind of think Shingo is getting closer.

QUOTE(knightni @ May 22, 2005 -> 12:48 PM) I'd be all for sending Viz back to the NL for a decent prospect, then moving Contreras to the BP after El Duque comes back. Hell no, I ain't moving Count...he's pitched better than Duque.

QUOTE(qwerty @ May 22, 2005 -> 12:44 PM) Ozzie would also not know that since he claims to not look at stats. Ya, but its his bench coaches job to look at those stats and know him. Although I don't think Harold does much anything. Maybe he helps Walker out.

QUOTE(danman31 @ May 22, 2005 -> 12:41 PM) Ding. There was no rational thinking involved in taking BMac out there. He was pitching well and he had just gotten the last batter out. It wasn't like he was losing it. And to put in the same type of pitcher sets it all up for the Cubs. At least give the hitters a change of pace (Cotts). After he got Burnitz I was thinking Bmac was going to go 7. Ramirez had hit it hard but Brandon was rolling and after that you get Corey, Blanco and Prior which isn't all that gouh (especially the way they are hitting). That and Bmac had it on cruise control minus a few pitches he left up in the zone (he pitched good and he's got the ability to pitch even better). It was flat out dumb taking him out, especially because the only time he looked wild that inning was the one pitch he threw to DL (who he was just trying to hammer inside the entire game). Fact was Ozzie had his mind made up long before that and I know what Ozzie was thinking I just don't think it was the right call (and said it to myself right when he made the call).

QUOTE(maggsmaggs @ May 22, 2005 -> 12:27 PM) Every team knows Viz throws only one pitch and all the hitters are aware of this and lay off it when it's low and when it hangs the crush hit. He has been a piece of s*** ever since the start of the year and every time he is in, it seems he lets a run score, whether it be his or someone else's. If Viz could throw his fastball for strikes he'd be a lot more dominate, unfortunately the only thing he throws for strikes is his slider and pitchers just wait for him to leave it up (and he does it far too often) and bam...HR.