fathom

Ozzie better have a tight leash on Garcia tonight. If he allows 3 runs, he should be pulled.

QUOTE(LVSoxFan @ Sep 8, 2006 -> 09:57 PM) I think there's been more injuries than we've been told. My baseball nut coworker said right away after Buehrle's slide started: he's hurt. And I don't buy that Jose just decided one day to throw sidearm only, for the hell of it. Freddy's just a mystery, that's for sure. A mystery an injury would explain. And Thome's been kinda quiet second half, wouldn't you say? Well, if these players are injured and not telling Ozzie, then shame on Ozzie for not communicating well with his players. Buehrle hasn't lost 5 mph...he was throwing 88 mph last night, which is high for him. Look at how some other teams we're competing with have lost core players for an extended period of time.

QUOTE(WCSox @ Sep 8, 2006 -> 08:56 PM) This is the major problem. It's difficult to play like a champion when your back hurts like hell every time you throw a ball or swing a bat. I just don't buy into the injury excuse right now. We've had great luck avoiding injuries this year, and I guarantee Mark Buehrle and Jose Contreras aren't the only players with sore backs after 140 games into the season. Here's a question I have for people: what's with posters saying they turn the game off, especially in a close game like the Boston series? I'm just as pissed off as anyone else about how the game is progressing, but if you're going to invest 3 hours watching the game, why not just finish watching it and hope for the best?

Mackowiak at 3B tonight

I don't like how people argue Ozzie knows how to handle his players, and that's why he's tougher on guys like McCarthy and Anderson than he is Garcia and Pods. Last time I checked, Garcia and Pods are getting worse as the season goes on. This team is so tight on the field, and they just don't look like they're having any fun at all.

QUOTE(WCSox @ Sep 8, 2006 -> 05:53 PM) This is what I would do... 1. Trade Freddy for mid-level prospects or whatever, trying to eat as little of that $10 million as possible. Move B-Mac into his spot in '07. 2. Dump Pods and give Sweeney a shot in LF, possibly platooning with Mackowiak. 3. Pick up Buehrle's option for next season. I'm not convinced that he's healthy right now (he's had back problems recently), so I don't think that he's lost it. 4. Keep Anderson in CF. 5. Keep Uribe at SS. 6. Look to trade for a leadoff hitter with speed. Where is the leadoff hitter going to play, as you have all the positions covered? Also, why would you platoon Sweeney with Mackowiak? That doesn't make much sense. I do agree 100 pct with you that we need to dump Freddy, no matter what we get in return. It's too bad we didn't do that at the trade deadline. QUOTE(WCSox @ Sep 8, 2006 -> 05:56 PM) But it may be necessary if Sweeney doesn't hit. HOW ABOUT THE SOX ACQUIRE A 4TH OUTFIELDER WHO CAN PLAY NUMEROUS OUTFIELD POSITIONS AND BAT RIGHTY!!!!!

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Sep 8, 2006 -> 05:50 PM) And wastes a ton of talent in the process. More than likely that's true, but if KW/Ozzie are stupid and go out and try to get someone like Hunter to play CF, then I wouldn't mind having someone with Anderson's ability on the bench. I always thought Rowand would have been an amazing 4th outfielder that would play against LHP.

QUOTE(StrangeSox @ Sep 8, 2006 -> 05:43 PM) So where does BA go? Becomes a perfect 4th outfielder who can provide a righty bat off the bench and terrific defense at all three positions.

QUOTE(SleepyWhiteSox @ Sep 8, 2006 -> 04:51 PM) Yes. Yes, it is. I question if they watch the games. I'll take "people who are still stuck in 2005 for $1000 Alex".

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Sep 8, 2006 -> 03:38 PM) huh, never knew that. He is still a better player than PODS, maybe even when drunk. There's absolutely no one that will disagree with you (well, maybe one person might). I can't see the Reds trading Freel now that they've given up Lopez (their other potential leadoff hitter).

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Sep 8, 2006 -> 03:35 PM) I have no idea, in fact I wasnt aware of any. I know he's had one DUI, but I'm 100 pct confident in saying that this guy has/had some major substance abuse issues.

QUOTE(GreatScott82 @ Sep 8, 2006 -> 03:06 PM) WOw that would be tremendous! I love sarcasm!! Good one buddy. I agree that we probably wont get Tejada, but your saying Crawford is out of the question then? I love Sweeney and Anderson out there and all but having them both out there at the same time could be a disaster. Not defensively, but they can be offensive liabilities. I suppose if you bring Lugo over he can spell some of the leadoff problems. And yes that would be more 'realistic'. We don't have the pieces to get Crawford.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Sep 8, 2006 -> 02:59 PM) priceless. You know somewhere there is a fan from another team wanting to trade a used jock strap for Crede and their fans think the Sox would go for it. Thankfully, Crede decided to become a power hitter this season. After Ozzie told him that he had to decide if he wanted to be a speed hitter or a power hitter, Crede decided to step it up and hit for power. Ozzie really is a saint.

I will predict right now we will sign either Julio Lugo or Juan Pierre this offseason.

QUOTE(Flash Tizzle @ Sep 8, 2006 -> 02:15 PM) Hell no, I wouldn't trade Vazquez. Even during his "five and dive" period, he still showed an ability to dominate AL lineups for 5 innings. Garcia's domination of American League lineups consists of 5 inning, 3 ER games. Who doesn't expect Garcia to be shelled tomorrow? It's practically guaranteed. I'll be extremely pissed if we get rid of a starter, and it's not Garcia.

QUOTE(Flash Tizzle @ Sep 8, 2006 -> 02:12 PM) Close won't be enough. Do you realize what we're up against concerning Minnesota and Detroit? Their pitching rotations may actually be BETTER in coming years with upcoming prospects. We can't stand pat. Garcia's ass needs to go. There's one point. Others discussed within the article, ideally SS, LF, need to be addressed. Righthanded bat off the bench who could patrol all OF positions will be sought. These options are not exampling of a huge overhaul by any means, but more than a simple touchup is needed. No way are the Indians going to be as bad as they were in the 1st half again. They have a strong base in their 4 main starting pitchers, and I'm sure they'll try to upgrade their bullpen this offseason.

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Sep 8, 2006 -> 03:32 AM) I have 2 more games on my Ozzie plan, Saturday against CC Fatabia and then Detroit. Yikes. Maybe we can have Uribe play winter ball so he can get more ABs and get better. He is currently hitting 1 freakin point higher than the guy everyone calls out as being so bad in the field we need to platoon him with something. Uribes BA .232 Andersons .231 This is also Uribe's worst defensive year since he's been with the Sox.

I'm looking forward to facing Marte for the next 10 years.

No one excels in a 7 run game like David Riske.

22 more games for this team to decide if they want to make the playoffs, or be known as massive underachievers. And please Hawk, don't insult our intelligence by saying you'd rather have Ozzie than any other manager. We are clearly the 4th best team in our division since the ASB.

QUOTE(GOD @ Sep 8, 2006 -> 02:52 AM) your missing the point. At this point in the season we can't just give up on games like we have done tonight since the 6th inning. Yes you can. The chances of a comeback are extremely slim. QUOTE(BearSox @ Sep 8, 2006 -> 02:53 AM) I thought mr. pessimism never made jokes. I think my title of Mr. Pessimism has been overthrown by numerous people on this site.

QUOTE(GOD @ Sep 8, 2006 -> 02:50 AM) I know the game is probably over but why is Ozzie pulling the good starters. I mean you never know and at this point we neeed every game. We have one good starter in this game tonight. I'm happy he was pulled, no reason to risk injury. QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Sep 8, 2006 -> 02:50 AM) No way, he would have given up a lot more. Ozzie being the manager probably saved him 4 or 5 runs. I love how Ozzie gets all the credit for trusting his pitchers and leaving them in for so long. However, those same people who say how great he handles the starters seem to neglect that all those innings pitched could easily be leading to the fatigue we've seen.

QUOTE(GoRowand33 @ Sep 8, 2006 -> 02:49 AM) what'd he say Basically what I just said. He said KW should have upgraded in LF, and he questioned why is Ozzie already talking about how he's to blame if they don't miss the playoffs. It wasn't a "bashing" article at all.

QUOTE(SleepyWhiteSox @ Sep 8, 2006 -> 02:48 AM) And that's all Ozzie's fault. Do you honestly think Buehrle would have given up those runs if jerry manuel was still the manager?? Haha...well played

QUOTE(BigSqwert @ Sep 8, 2006 -> 02:48 AM) Give it a rest Hawk. How dare Mariotti question why didn't KW upgrade the offense or why is Ozzie talking in the media like this team isn't going to make the playoffs.