Chisoxfn

Welcome aboard or welcome back. I see you ahve two posts and I don't know whether both came today or if you made one a while back since you said you have frequented the board in the past. I think their are at least a few of us on the board that have been puzzled at the way the Sox have handled their 5th starter situation. With Diaz they seemed incredibly impatient. In Diaz first start he retired like 12 batters in a row while struggling with homers. However, he wasn't pitching on his normal rest (had too much because the Sox messed with his schedule for some reason) and then his 2nd start was on 3 days rest (I don't blame them for this) but Diaz battled and was beaten by a very good Cleveland offense that was red hot at the time. Diaz didn't pitch great, but he did show some guts by staying out their and helping the team by adding a few extra innings. The Sox then sent him down instead of at least giving him another start. I saw some good things out of Diaz and felt they should of at least given it a shot, especially because I was never a fan of Rauch and if your going to use Cotts in the starters role then you have to be willing to let him go out their and slowly build up his pitch count and then move him into the rotation or let him do this over a few weeks out of the rotation. I think the Sox decided they just didn't want Wunsch out of the pen and that for the time being Cotts was a more valuable asset there. They will stretch Cotts out in spring training and he will probably be a part of the rotation. I think they are taking the Mark Buehrle approach with him. A year out of the pen to get him some seasoning and then inserting him into the rotation.

Just watch it will be like a 4 hour game

Looking awesome cheat. They have been pinned

Guys just agree that one of you likes Nomar one of you doesn't and realize I'm sure you've all agreed on things in the past.

Want to say welcome aboard. The problem is coaches can ruin a pitcher. I heard on todays Angel broadcast that Scott Shields had a 271 pitch performance (it may of been 261) back in college. That is absolutely insane and thats the type of work scouts have to find out about. Sounds to me like a player where college could be best for him. He may add a little to his fastball and prove that he can flat pitch and improve his draft status. Typically prep pitchers without a very good fastball don't go too high. I'm going to have something up in the morning on the sandwich rounds. Its taking me longer then I thought cause I'm writing up reports on quite a few players. I have no doubt the Sox will be taking a lot of college playesr early because they are easier to sign and the Sox will also probably pick a few guys earlier then they are expected to go because they have a lot of picks early which means more money to be spent. The good thing is the Sox have never been all that stingy when it comes to giving their picks signing bonuses (One thing I will credit JR for).

Great Stuff Dan.

I thought it was 21, but he may be 22 now. I was going off memory too, thinking he doesn't turn 22 till later in the year. Ok checked, he's 21..turns 22 on June 21st.

U beat me to the punch

Thats if the Sox offer him arbitration.

I don't think so because he must of already cleared earlier this season.

Typically it could be true, but Krukie wrote it.

Studly outing for BMAC. Good to see him back on track. Thats one of the best pitching performance by any pitcher in the organization this season.

Ya, this article is a little outdated. Their was some speculation in the article. Now its going to be Kelly until the Sox need a 5th starter. If Borchard or Reed come up it will be for Maggs (thats if he is placed on the DL).

I love Wing's slider, but your right, Munoz is the best in the organization right now and he may just be major league ready. He has AAA experience as a reliever and has been downright nasty as a starter. The Sox should limit his pitch count and watch his innings carefully over the course of the season, but he's a stud. Right now I'd say he's a top 3 prospect in our organization with Reed and Anderson with him and Sweeney just outside.

I'd guess so, thats assuming Maggs is placed on the disabled list.

Check out the article I just wrote on Munoz thats in the FutureSox forum. I am almost positive he is the guy.

Jon Rauch Optioned to Charlotte; Dransfeldt Recalled By Jason Gage May 30, 2004 FutureSox.com As previously noted in an earlier FutureSox report, Jon Rauch was optioned back to Charlotte following his start on Saturday. The problem was Rauch left the team and was driving back to meet up with his family before the game was over. This upset both some of the players and Ken Williams who has made it well known that the Sox won't tolerate Rauch's actions nor does he ever expect him to pitch for the White Sox again. Today the White Sox recalled Kelly Dransfeldt from Charlotte. Dransfeldt has played in 7 games for the White Sox and is hitting .333. He had a game winning pinch hit single earlier in the year for the White Sox. With the Knights Dransfeldt was hitting .290 with 2 HR and 11 RBI. He is capable of playing any of the infield positions. Dransfeldt will likely be optioned back to Chicago the next time the Sox need a 5th starter, which is scheduled to be June 12th.

Arnie Munoz Winning Streak Halted at 12 By Jason Gage May 30, 2004 FutureSox.com The Sox best pitching prospect's (with Honel and Wing out) Southern League winning streak came to an end on Saturday when the Jacksonville Suns defeated Munoz and the Barons 3-2. Munoz gave up a run in each of the third, fourth and sixth innings. Munoz still shares the Southern League wins record which sits at 12. Despite the loss, Munoz, 21, is one of the brightest pitching prospects in an organization that lacks starting prospects at the higher levels. This lack of top flight prospects at the higher levels has been shown by the lack of success from the 5th starters in Chicago. Its been from Dan Wright, Felix Diaz and yesterday it was Jon Rauch. Now it may be Munoz who could get the next chance for the White Sox. However, that opportunity is still a little more of a week away as the Sox will not use their fifth starter until June 12th. Despite making only 10 starts in his minor league career, you could say he's ready for the show. He spent last season as one of the youngest players in AAA with the Charlotte Knights. This season he rejoined Birmingham as the Sox made him a starter, not because they thought it was his future, but because it would allow him to focus more on his secondary pitches. Out of the pen Munoz relied heavily on his outstanding curveball. Now Munoz throws a good changeup and slider along with his fastball which is clocked between 86-89 MPH. Munoz future looks bright and surprisingly its as a starter. Some question whether his small frame can handle the heavy workload of a major league starter, but with the way he has pitched (6-1 with a 1.98 ERA), you have to look the other way and expect the best. Other Notes: Joe Borchard did not play in yesterdays Knights game due to a minor league injury, most likely a hamstring. He was available to pinch hit and is day to day.

Thats why I think you'll see the Sox take almost all college playesr early on because typically they are easier and cheaper to sign. You'll also see them overdraft (reach).

Welcome aboard Marty34 I think the New York media has been going off the rumor that came up a month or so ago when the Sox were supposedly close. However, if thats what the Sox offered that is a very fair offer.

You don't give up a top top prospect for Livan Hernandez, but for Ben Sheets you do it. For Freddy Garcia, you probably do it as well.

If Borchard hadn't tweakes his hammy I would guess the Sox would of called him up because he could fill in while Maggs is out.

I think because of off days June 12th is the next time the 5th starter goes. But your right, it will definately be interesting and I think we all have to admit KW is unique in his approach that he wants to make a trade well before the deadline and I don't blame him. If you have a problem and have tried some solutions (although I think they could of handled them better) then you make the move to better the club.

Plus the Sox could pencil in Sheets with Garland, Scho, and Buehrle for the next few years which at least gives you a little leeway if Elo goes elsewhere at the end of the season. I think the Sox know this is a big year. If they can win then they can up their payroll, continue to build back a fan base and probably get enough money to give Maggs his deal as well. The Sox will pull off their deal for a starter now and then I think late they will pick up another player (whose got an ending contract) to help for the stretch run and hopefully give the team all the weapons it needs to win it all. Speaking of the Brewers, I'm glad the Sox got Wilder in the organization. He did a great job in Milwaulkee.