fathom

QUOTE (Jimbo's Drinker @ May 4, 2009 -> 07:41 PM) I wish I never had to see Pods ever again With Greinke's control, it's a prime opportunity for the vintage called 3rd.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ May 4, 2009 -> 07:35 PM) Getz 2b Nix 3b Quentin lf Thome DH Konerko 1b Pierzynski c Ramirez ss Podsednik rf Lillibridge cf Haha, Lillibridge has a f***ing lucky charm up his ass so far this season to keep getting into the lineup. With all the minor injuries, this is the worst lineup in the American League by far.

QUOTE (Jimmywins1 @ May 4, 2009 -> 06:10 PM) And if Thornton doesn't have a booboo, he's 3-1 with a nicer ERA. Fatty has been pretty damn solid so far. Agreed, one bad start. His game against Tampa was the best 5 innings, 5 run outing you'll ever see. He's thrown the ball infinitely better than Gavin has so far this year.

At least we get to see the renovated home of the Royals.

What are the Sox hitting with RISP this year? I know Dye has been absolutely terible (2 for 20 range), while PK seems to have been great with RISP. Quentin's around .250, even though it seems like he's stranded a gazillion runners on base.

QUOTE (The Ginger Kid @ May 4, 2009 -> 05:58 PM) I think he's found his form again and will do great this season, cy young stuff. But after him is there anyone else in that rotation that scares you? Not me. I think they're doomed to mediocrity. Leyland is so overrated. Galarraga's a quality starter. If Bonderman returns and can be in the 4.5 ERA range, then the Tigers have a great chance to win this division.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ May 4, 2009 -> 01:07 PM) The offense should get better. Getz should calm the leadoff discussion. Anorexei should start hitting. Thome will do better. They won't be the 1927 Yankees, but should be good enough. Its all going to come down to pitching. I hope Linebrink and Dotel can hold up all season, because the reinforcements don't appear too promising at least to help this year. Alexei's actually hitting the ball with a lot more authority than he was the first few weeks. He just has to stop trying to pull every freaking pitch.

This is one of those games that even if we lose, but Colon looks solid, it could be considered an ok night.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ May 4, 2009 -> 11:09 AM) The worst possible outcome for the organization is winning 70 games, finishing last. Going 81-81 and competing all the way to the end is the 2nd best case scenario, behind actually winning the division. Yeah, it just killed this team in 2007 and the subsequent 2008 season. This should be the last year on the Sox for anyone associated with 2005 besides for Buehrle and Konerko (due to contract). Dye and Jenks don't look like they'll fit in for 2009 (10 million plus would be too much for either). KW's moves last offseason sure made it seem like he was focused on the 2010-2011-2012 Sox season instead of the 2009, so he should stick to the plan if things don't pan out the first 4 months. BTW, according to Baseball America, Birmingham is the 2nd most exciting minor league team in the country this year. Just an interesting tidbit I heard yesterday.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 4, 2009 -> 10:47 AM) If he could actually catch a baseball, it would be a nice reason to put him into the line up. All of baseball knows he's more of an offensive player than a defensive player. Our offense is in a huge funk, and he's easily one of our 5 best offensive players. If you're not going to play him against Greinke, then it's really just a waste of a roster spot. Go get someone who can play 1B better defensively and/or hit LHP better if you're not comfortable playing him at 3B. Hopefully Nix can look competent at the plate against a RHP.

FREE WILSON BETEMIT

Just remembered that we didn't retaliate at all tonight. That's pathetic

JPN, how would you describe Beckham's speed?

QUOTE (SoxAce @ May 4, 2009 -> 04:18 AM) If our offense sucks like this, then I would rather see us go all out on defense. Nix and Lillibridge at 2B and SS respectively is as good (outstanding actually) as it gets. If you can't score, save your pitcher some runs. You put Alexei in CF, and for the love of God you put Quentin in RF. I'm sure Getz can handle LF. (can't be any worse than Pods) Pleeeeeease get well soon Brian Anderson. Why does everyone think Lillibridge is great defensively? And as well as Nix played tonight, the love for him on this site is crazy right now.

The relief has been amazing. Have we lost a game this year that we had the lead in the 7th inning and on? The middle relievers aren't there to try and win games for the Sox. They're there to save the main 4 in the bullpen from having to pitch in blowout games.

QUOTE (daggins @ May 4, 2009 -> 04:11 AM) Betemit can play third the way a three legged dog can chase a car. That's never stopped Ozzie from playing certain players at certain positions. Betemit isn't good defensively at 3rd base, but he seems more comfortable there than at 1st base.

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ May 4, 2009 -> 03:08 AM) Rate the off season moves now The Vazquez trade was fine...anyone with a brain knew that he would be traded. The Swisher trade was pathetic the second it was announced, and it looks even worse now. I do enjoy watching Betemit bat against RHP though.

QUOTE (daggins @ May 4, 2009 -> 03:07 AM) I was half joking and half not. I'm not one to give up after April. It is kind of hilarious how awful some of the lineups we're putting out there have been. KW has no one to blame but himself. When you do nothing during the offseason to upgrade your MLB roster, this is what's going to happen. A few injuries, and you're resorting to an outfield with Lillibridge and Podsednik. I never thought I'd miss DWise as much as I do.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ May 4, 2009 -> 04:02 AM) Our defense didn't help at all...Fields had a ball go right past him he didn't make a play on, Lillibridge is an embarassment in CF (from all standpoints) and Betemit can't even seem to play 1B at an "adequate" level. There's just no reason at all he shouldn't have snared that ball Nix threw from deep in the hole. None. When did Fields not make a play?

No no no! You traded Swisher to get Betemit as a possible replacement for Josh Fields if he struggled. If you don't play Betemit at 3rd base then, it makes a terrible trade even worse. Getz doesn't have the arm to play 3rd base.

QUOTE (BearSox @ May 4, 2009 -> 02:52 AM) Right now Ramirez is the best SS on the MLB club, and I'm not sure anyone is sold of Beckham's ability to play SS. Plus, he is actually starting to hit now. Getz was said to be able to play the OF last year as well, and Nix showed he has some GG caliber D at second. Plus, he had the best approach and AB's of anyone on the team tonight... however, with the lineup we put out there tonight, that's like being the tallest midget. Right now I'd rather keep Ramirez at SS and see how Getz does in CF rather than Ramirez in CF with Getz/Lillibridge/Nix at SS. Getz's value as a 2nd baseman is so much more than as a CF. People need to realize that certain players on our team can only be considered above average players if they're at a particular situation. If you put Beckham at 3B, his offense can no longer be considered a plus.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ May 4, 2009 -> 03:52 AM) Does Nix play SS? I really liked his bat. Honestly, can't see why he wouldn't be able to at a semi-decent level. It's not like Alexei is giving us anything significant defensively at SS (his range to his left is good, to his right is terrible). With Getz showing that he can definitely be a 2nd baseman at the MLB level, KW's going to have to make a decision sooner than later about where Alexei's going to play and where Beckham will play when he comes up.

QUOTE (daggins @ May 4, 2009 -> 03:50 AM) Thats what I forsee, sadly. So now I must do the unthinkable - root for an AL central team to do really well and shut the Sox out. It goes against every impulse in my body - waves of nausea even now - but its the Sox only hope. Way, way too early to start with that thought process. Give this team another 40 games, and then you can start possibly considering this.

QUOTE (daggins @ May 4, 2009 -> 03:43 AM) Which is a shame, i'd almost rather be out of it and trade some players than be in the hunt with a mediocre team. Absolutely, going 80-82 this season would be the worst possible outcome for this organization.

So Ozzie wants Getz to get some playing time at 3rd base in the upcoming weeks. Shouldn't we worry a lot more about CF than 3B, a position that Betemit can play?