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Lets see Carl get the job done here. Carlos did his job and earlier in the game Willie did his thing for small ball. You can see the Sox must of gotten a lashing. Hopefully it pays off. Come on Carl, get the run home.

Another thing to note: Add someone like Hairston, Roberts (Brian or Dave), or Randy Wynn and now Uribe and Timo are on the bench. This will make this team a lot better. I have this same reasoning to why I would like to see the Sox add a starter like Tony Armas, moving Scho to the bullpen, thus really improving the pen.

List Randy Wynn as another option I'd really like. He can play CF, gets on base at a good clip and is a good baserunner. He is also signed another year I think. Seattle is obviously selling and you could acquire him and maybe Hasagewa (i know he's struggled this year) for probably not too much, maybe Arnie Munoz or maybe a package including Stewart or Grilli and a lower level guy. Wynn struggled early in the year and the M's will move him so Reed has a spot. .282 AVG, .352 OBP, 5 HR, 42 RBI, 13 SB 6 CS Only negative about Wynn is that he strikes out a good amount, although this seasons totals are lower then previous years. He stole 27 bases (8 CS) two years ago, and 23 (5 CS) last year. That is a pretty good %.

I'm going to start a little bandwagon and its called the keep willie at 2nd base bandwagon. First off, Willie Harris has tremendous speed. I think Ozzie, Santana and Cora should all take a more agressive approach with his speed, ala all the running he did when he reached base early in tonights Tigers game. For those that knock Willie offensively, all I want to say is he has a .354 OBP. Thats right at the major league average for a leadoff hitter and to me is pretty impressive for a guy without much major league experience. Aside from that, minus his one major slump, he has hti for a decent average. He also does what all very good and protypical leadoff hitters are asked to do and thats see a lot of pitches. Every game he works the counts deep and does whatever it takes to get on. He's a good bunter and on top of all of this, plays good defense. He has good range in the infield and an accurate arm. Willie should not be what the Sox replace. The Sox should bring in a bat in RF, not even a protypical RF bat, that can reach base and hit with Willie, either #1 or #2 and provide from there. Heck, if the Sox aren't super confident with Willie, move him to the 9 hole, and then have Rowand in the 2 hole with whoever the Sox get hitting in the leadoff spot (whether Hairston, Roberts, or someone else). That gives you after the 1st inning, 3 speedy guys that can manufacture and execute. Frankly a 1-2 with Harris and another fast guy puts pressure on the defenses and should reach base. Their is nothing to be mad about when it comes to Willie. He is reaching base and thats what you ask for out of a leadoff guy. However, the Sox need to be more agressive with him, maybe a guy like Hairston could teach him a thing or two as well. Its not like the Sox need to acquire a power bat, they need another bat that can get on base, even if that person plays RF, a typical power spot. Uribe should be relegated to the bench. He doesn't do what Willie does when it comes to seeing pitches, reaching base, etc. Nor does he have Willie's speed. I like Juan and all, but this team doesn't need him, it needs Willie and another guy atop the lineup. The Sox could also add a CF and move Rowand to RF. This CF could be a typical leadoff guy. One guy I will put out their is Dave Roberts. He may very well be on the block, although the Dodgers wouldn't likely make a deal with Roberts unless thy get a bat as well. He hasn't been hitting great as of late, but if he is healthy (pending a physical of course) he'd be a great addition and provide some speed and real smarts that would be great with Willie at the top of the lineup. And to think what a guy like that could teach Willie is just awesome.

To me the biggest thing of not having Maggs and Frank is what this team now does. If they had the two, they wouldn't of added Carl Everett. Instead they woudl of had the chips to add that big name starter, possibly Randy Johnson, and with an offense already in check to be very good, their wouldn't of been too many questionmarks. Now they are stretched out more thin and you have to wonder whether tis worth dealing everything to get someone like Johnson or not. Personally I think the team should try and get a starter, but not one thats talked about as much, someone like Tony Armas Jr.

No, he's been compared to that, but his command is nowhere near that, nor is his stuff as good as Buehrle. Mark may not have amazing stuff, but he has excellent command of all his pitches and has a great idea how to pitch. Stewart is nowhere near at that level, although he has some decent pitches. His command just isn't all that good, at least not as good as it needs to be for a finesse pitcher.

Problem is the Pads wouldn't. Pads want to add pieces, not give away their top young talent. They are probably the frontrunnres for the Wildcard in the NL and their is no way they will give up Burroughs, who is a very good 3rd baseman and will only get better.

Loaiza sucks becuase he is balless this year. He continues to go out after the Sox score some runs and he just gives the runs right back as the opponents score more, erasing what the Sox just did.

Ya, saw him play a few weeks ago. The guy has as bright of a future as anyone in the system, minus Sweeney and Anderson. Talent wise he has everything but the strong arm, although his arm is accurate. I'd probably compare his arm to Johnny Damon, who also has a subpar major league arm. Offensively, I know Cerb compares him to Mike Cameron. A guy who may not hit for a very high average, but will go get balls in CF, and while he strikes out, will also draw his fair share of walks. Personally I think he should be capable of hitting for a better average and better power. I'm incredibly high on Young and wouldn't deal him too easily. He's an incredible athlete and while he's 21 now, he had a setback because he broke his leg when entering the organization or something along those lines. He played his high school ball for a pretty prolific high school if I remember and was also a good high school football player (receiver).

Ya, I'm implying that: 1. No team will put a claim on Kendall, because I don't think anyone wants to eat his contract. 2. If a team did put on a claim, then the Pirates would not pull him back and would make the team eat the contract. Because of reason #2, a team like the Twins or any other smaller market team, wouldn't claim Kendall to prevent him from going to the Sox (not that I'm saying the Sox are going after him) because I think they know, if they put on the claim, they are now on the hook for his contract. I think another guy that this will happen to is Jose Contreras of the Yanks. Don't expect him to stay in New York and I could see it as a very realistic option that he will be in Chicago. Call it a gut feeling or whatever, but I could see something go down where they get Munoz or something decent for Contreras and pick up some of his contract.

Well, I'm going to write a quick post talking about some players that could be available in a trade and that could have some value still. This should help when talking about trades and what not, since the deadline is coming up and maybe some names get mentioned. Their are the untouchables: Anderson Sweeney McCarthy - To me these 3 can't be dealt unless a team is giving up a top line player that will be in Chicago for more then this year. The next guys have good value and could be had, although doesn't necessarily mean they should be dealt: - Arnie Munoz, LHP - Felix Diaz, RHP - Joe Borchard, OF The next list consists of lower level talent that will have some value, but obviously their value hasn't peaked and typically with lower level talent, you have to give up a little extra to get something valuable in return. I think the Sox have a lot of players that could turn into valuable pieces, both in trade and in terms of potential of helping the Sox at the major league level in the next few years. - Mike Spidale, OF - Chris Young, OF - Thomas Brice, OF - Andy Gonzalez, IF - Pedro Lopez, IF - Robert Valido, IF - Micah Schnurstein, IF - Casey Rogowski, IF Next is a group of players in Charlotte that could be had and could have some value. They may not make it in the majors, but all these guys have a shot, and could interest a team or two, but not for a stud player: - Jason Grilli, RHP - Josh Stewart, RHP - Dave Sanders, LHP - Wilson Valdez, SS - Bryant Nelson, 2B - Ryan Hankins, C It will be interesting to see what happens. My preference is to use one or two of the veteran Charlotte guys, like Stewart, Grilli, Sanders and package them with one or two lower to mid level guys (maybe a Ruddy Yan type player) and try to go that way. I'd try to keep that lower level group around, on the most part, because those guys should have much higher trade value at a latter point and plenty also have the talent and ability to help the Sox at the major league level. You also have a lot of younger pitchers that could be available, but I'm not one to deal anymore mionr league pitching. The Sox are thin in that regards already and the group of Ryan Rodriguez, BMAC, Sean Tracey, Lumsden, Whisler, Brian Miller, Daniel Haigwood, Rafael Flores, Gio Gonzalez should be capable of producing some serious major league talent/potential, imo. I'm sure I forgot some names. Plus Wing and Honel on the DL, but both are talented. I'm not as high on Honel as many, but I'm very high on Wing, and if both of them get heatlhy, that definately gives the Sox some legitimate pitching prospects.

Well to be called up in September, you must be on the 40 man roster. I think the Sox have an opening on the roster, which was created when Kelly Wunsch was waived. At the same time, I also think their was another two openings when Jon Rauch and Gary Majewski were dealt, plus of course Jeremy Reed. So the Sox may actually have a decent number of openings on the roster. It really only comes into effect that after a certain amount of time in the minors, if your not on the 40 man roster, you are available for the Rule V draft or something along those lines. And then of course, your not eligible to be play at the major league level till placed on the 40 man roster.

To be honest, I'm not sure. Right now I don't even know whether he'll be starting or pitching long relief. Either the Intimidators are going to demote one of their starters to the pen, go with a 6 man rotation, or promote one of their guys. It should be interesting to see. I have to think a move will be made because no one deserves being demoted.

One other thing to note about Stewart is he's bene pitching his ass of as of late. His previous two starts were very good as well. Stewart and Wunsch are a few guys that could also be used as bait. I also don't think Wusnch will be up again with the Sox. He is off the 40 man roster now and I think their was definately a reason they did that. They know he will be gone, but thats not to say another team wouldn't be interested in him.

After seeing that, I agree, I'd pass up on Cat if thats true.

By the way LDF, don't know if you saw this on the FS board or not, but I figured I'd post it here cause I know you follow the minors, but FutureSox is gonna start to cover minor leagues from a national perspective as well I watched Tracey a few times and your right about his range, but when the ball is hit to him he looks pretty good. Would be a pretty solid first baseman. He has a nice pure swing though.

They won't want Crede, unless they plan on moving Tracy to 1st and are going to give up on Sexson (ie Unload him and not pay his contract). Chad Tracey is no slouch defensively either. However, if they wanted Crede, I'd be willing to do a package involving Crede, Sweeney or Borchard, and another prospect. They could take it or leave it and if they wanted more I'd tell em to Go "F*ck" themselves. I'd also try to get Hilly in the deal, and I'd assume he could be had. That would mean making it two extra prospects.

This squad's fundementals blow

Hairston was moved to right field this year because Brian Roberts is playing 2nd base. Right now I wouldn't write off the Sox acquiring two guys for the top of the order. If they acquired Roberts, he would play 2nd base, while Catalanato would play RF. This gives the Sox a rejuvanated 1-2 in the lineup. I don't think Hairston would cost too much cause he's owed some money. Maybe someone like Ruddy Yan and another mid-level guy. Cat may be a little more expensive, trade wise, but it could still be done without givnig up one of the top guys...obviously. The question is will Harris or Uribe be part of either deal, cause I could see Toronto taking one or the other. I still like Harris, so I think it would be great to have him and Hairston together. New lineup Hairston Catalanato Lee Everett Konerko Jose Arow Crede Burke

If someone put a claim on Kendall, I guarantee the Bucs just let it pass through or maybe, just maybe ask for something in return, although I don't think they would get too much. I also don't see the Sox willnig to do something along those lines. Kendall is one of thsoe players that should pass through waivers, meaning, he will be eligible to be acquired past the July 31st trade deadline.

I think he has enough pitches, but will of coures have to continue to hone those pitches. I wouldn't count out him going with a cutter. From the prospects I've talked to, it seems the Sox organization is very high on that pitch (as well as the changeup) and are trying to teach it to quite a few of their players.

I don't think the Sox will be moving their, unless Charlotte wants the Sox out. The logic is that Bristol, Kanny, Charlotte, and Winston Salem are all relatively close. Charlotte, WS, and Kanny are within an hour and a half of each other (CHarlotte to Kanny is onlye like half an hour). Bristol is a few hour drive, but not too far. Still, the players if in Indianapolis would be incredibly close, but scouting would become more expensive as they wouldn't have much of a proximity anymore, imo.

This is Josh Fields, the pitcher for the Barons.

I've read part of it folks, and its pretty damn badass.

Josh Fields Ascent in the White Sox Organization By Jason Gage July 29, 2004 FutureSox.com Josh Fields has come a long way since being drafted in the 23rd round of the 2001 amateur draft. Since then Fields, out of Mesa Community College, has done nothing but succeed at the minor league level, leading to his quick run through the organization, which has consisted of stops in Bristol (2001), Kannapolis (2002), Winston-Salem (2002/2003), and currently, double-A Birmingham, where his success has continued...MORE