Marty34

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Apr 20, 2011 -> 10:31 AM) Summarily dismissing hot streaks is unacceptable. No team is going exactly 6-4 in every 10 games. Any team that wins a division or wild card is going to have a hot streak. There is this obsession with the bad points, and then the good get dismissed like they don't really matter. It doesn't work both ways. You can't just wave away 26-5 and obsess about a bad September in the same breahth. Let's put it this way, since the wild card era how I wonder how many teams went 26-5 (or 38-13) in any stretch during the season and failed to make the playoffs? My guess is not many. You're not a good team when that happens.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Apr 20, 2011 -> 02:47 AM) I didn't suggest they needed to have the best minor league system - the Twins don't and haven't for years - but having some semblance of production from your minor league system gives you 6 years of relatively cheap production. First things first, lets hope this time KW hired a farm director and scouts who don't embezzle.

Part of my frustration comes from the feeling that they are 'maxed out'. Core of team is toward the end of their primes and there is little payroll flexibility. Not too mention one of the five worst farm systems in the game. In short, it's hard to see the arrow as anything other than pointing down on this organization.

That includes a 25-5 streak last year, also 43-29 against the NL. So against the teams they are directly competing against for playoff positions for the last 4+ years they have been a sub .500 team. All the while as the payroll continues to balloon. Pathetic outfit.

QUOTE (MuckFinnesota @ Apr 19, 2011 -> 07:42 PM) Travel 8.2 miles north of the Cell, come back to the south side and be grateful for what you have. You can't judge who is a World Series contender is in April. So the drought might continue for many more years - people came out and watched the games before 2005 happened. When you spend the money the Sox have spent, a .510 winning percentage over the last 341 games does not cut it.

Pierre caught stealing, Konerko picked off, and Beckham's bunt. Played with 24 outs tonight.

174-167 in their last 341 games that includes a 25-5 streak.

Just a joke to have Beckham bunt.

QUOTE (Jenksy Cat @ Apr 19, 2011 -> 07:00 PM) Not nearly as bad as assuming your team will have a historically bad bullpen and defense after 16 games. Over their last 340 games they are 174-166. Take out the 25-5 stretch last year, they are 149-161. Not a World Series contender.

QUOTE (Jenksy Cat @ Apr 19, 2011 -> 06:47 PM) When is the scheduled date for the sky to fall? I can't wait to celebrate Quentin's 100th double of the season since that's what he's on pace for. I will never understand being a "fan" and looking at a team like this. Why even watch? Give the team you wait 6 months for to start 3 weeks and the seasons over, teams never go on streaks of like 25-5 or anything. I think it's a bad fan who gets suckered by a 25-5 streak into believing a team is a World Series contender.

QUOTE (MuckFinnesota @ Apr 19, 2011 -> 06:44 PM) At some point, the only way to keep this team together will be to justify the high payroll against the team's performance. Let the record show that you echoed that "the year will end before the trade deadline with a fire sale" so clearly you don't think the team will be kept together. How about this I don't think it should be kept together. I highly doubt Reinsdorf will do another White Flag, meaning if they're within say 6-7 games of a playoff spot they keep the team together.

Why do people care about attendance? Either you want this team kept together or you don't.

Kenny is the teflon GM. 1 playoff victory in 5 years. Featuring a payroll that has increased exponentially in that time.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Apr 19, 2011 -> 01:57 PM) Perhaps they should hire some financial analysts to figure out some better ticket pricing strategies. Sure would make a heck of a lot more sense to fill up the stadium, even if tickets are lowered to $10 or less, than to have the place at 30 or 40% capacity so often. You make up all of that money in concessions. An emphatic no.

QUOTE (johndyce @ Apr 19, 2011 -> 01:41 PM) Completely agree. Someone made the point that he has been playing with house money since 05 and its completely true. You give this guy an open checkbook and this is the s*** that he produces? He has basically traded away the farm for a team that has nowhere to go but down. Beckham is the only player on the team with any true potential and that has demonstrated success. Sale is also promising. That's it. That's what we have to look forward to. At least ticket prices should fall when they sell out Williams has frittered away an amazing amount of resources (players and cash) since 2007.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Apr 19, 2011 -> 01:41 PM) I'm torn on Kenny. What type of GM would thrive in this environment where fans never come out? The Sox MAKE money and lots of it. See Forbes.

I agree with this and don't see it as a bad thing. Williams needs to go too.

Trading for Peavy was a gamble that was worth taking. However, Kenny Williams actions since Peavy's torn lat are indefensible IMO. Can't trade Hudson, can't go "all in" counting on this guy to be healthy.

This team spent significantly more money this year than it did last. I didn't think they improved in the off season, did not see it in spring training, have not seen it through the first 15 games of the season. I don't know if it's panic, but certainly my doubts about the front office spending spree so far have been justified.

The problem isn't that the Sox can't bunt, it's that Guillen puts the bunter in an almost impossible situation. Example: Guillen loves to bunt with runners on 1st & 2nd w/0 out and the lower part of the order up. Most of the time the lead runner is either Quentin or AJ/Castro easy pickings for a force with the first baseman charging. It drives me nuts.

It will never happen, but Teahen and Pierre should platoon in left. Teahen v. RH, Pierre v. LH. Rios leads off v. RH.

Crain's 2 innings of work, so who is the righty setup guy tomorrow? (Santos needs to close.) Pen construction has contributed mightily to its failure.

When the alternative is Buddy Bell, I hope this team starts winning to save Guillen's job.

Against tough righties, have to find a spot for Teahen.

Konerko, Pierre throw Dunn in there too. Worst thing that happened to the Sox was giving KW an open checkbook. Hudson for sure, and more than likely Gonzalez would still be here. Danks Floyd Gonzalez Hudson Buehrle Thornton and Richard in the bullpen, Sale starting in B'Ham.