fathom

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ May 31, 2006 -> 06:26 PM) Wait we weren't trying to win a World Series in 2003-2004? I think that is news to Kenny Williams. We didn't have a 100 million dollar payroll during those seasons, and we hadn't traded our top prospect in order to put together a world-class pitching staff. Of course, KW was going for the WS that season. However, I think the organization would have been thrilled with a trip to the playoffs. This year, I don't think they'd be like the fat girl at the prom. Rather, instead of just being in the playoffs, they want to win it all.

QUOTE(J-MAN @ May 31, 2006 -> 06:03 PM) I remember when Joe Crede came up and played good defense and couldn't hit for squatt - If we had given up on him as fast as people want to give up on Brian Anderson where would we be now? We weren't in World Series or bust mode when Crede was breaking into the majors. Also, Crede was a much more accomplished minor league player than Anderson was.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ May 31, 2006 -> 04:39 PM) Thats baseball though. Sometimes you get the breaks, sometimes you dont. He had a bad game, so did Konerko. Plus that was the best I have seen us against CC in quite some time. We definitely put ourselves into good hitting situations last night. I haven't seen our hitters consistently miss as many good pitches to hit in a game as I did in last night's game. As you said, that's baseball. QUOTE(RockRaines @ May 31, 2006 -> 04:39 PM) Well look at Polite's numbers, im sure he will end the season around his career avg. BMAC is serviceable as a righty, and Jenks is lights out. Thornton is better than Marte was, Cotts will regress a bit, which is expected, and Nelson is old, but still needs some work to reach what he could do. Im not really that worried about the pen. I would say that our biggest worry right now should be CF. Mackowiak's been hitting well recently, but his defense has also potentially cost us a couple of games. Anderson is just pathetic at the plate, and we can't keep having such a black hole at the bottom of the order.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ May 31, 2006 -> 04:35 PM) Not hitting the ball isnt exactly bad fundamentals. If those guys would have connected on their swings in the 9th, we would have been saying it was the best fundamentally sound game all year. s***, Cintron taking 2nd base was about as good as it gets after a failed attempt at moving the runner over. A lot of people have pointed to Iguchi's failed bunt attempt as a big turning point in the game. We're giving up a lot of outs on bunt attempts this season without successfully advancing the runners.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ May 31, 2006 -> 04:25 PM) Anyone who has watched Clifford, Cotts, McCarthy and the rest at times this year should know that we have some problems in the pen. Cliff is never going to match what he did last year and Cotts more than likely won't this year either, that's a problem. Cliff was big for this team last year and so far this season he has been just horrid, he looks like he has zero confidence right now. We have no righty set-up man. It's a stunning development that no one saw coming this offseason.

QUOTE(KevHead0881 @ May 31, 2006 -> 02:47 PM) I highly doubt that the Twins would be willing to help us out...at least not without us paying a heavy price. Like you said, I think every team in baseball will listen to a trade offer from KW. KW is definitely not afraid to offer some of his top talent in a trade. I would hope he wouldn't have to give up one of our top 5 guys for someone like him though.

How about Lew Ford? He's struggled a bit this year, but we all know he's a tough out and a very good defensive player. The Twins don't have much need for him now, as they're playing Kubel in the outfield, and Stewart will be off the DL soon.

QUOTE(jphat007 @ May 31, 2006 -> 02:05 AM) You do realize that AJP would likely have swung at the first pitch too. Well, if either AJP or Cintron is swinging at first pitch, I'd much rather it be AJP. That's quite an obvious statement though, so there's no reason to discuss it more. We lost, Buehrle couldn't hold on to a 3 run lead, and we saw what happens when some of our key cogs struggle. I know KW and Ozzie are seeing the same players that we are falter almost every time they get in the game. Tough choices ahead.

QUOTE(JimH @ May 31, 2006 -> 02:05 AM) Please see the part about needing someone to steal a base if the runner couldn't be moved over, that wouldn't have been Pierzynski. It was not managing, it was poor execution and Guillen will once again let his players know about it. I understand the stealing thing. However, I think you would agree that the best plan would have been to take enough pitches for Pods to try and get into 2nd base. But like you said, Cintron had a terrible plan at the plate, and it was a big factor in the overall outcome. What do you think should be done about Anderson?

QUOTE(Sox It To Em @ May 31, 2006 -> 02:05 AM) I know. Must be nice for them to actually receive offensive contributions from their CF and SS. The offensive contributions they're receiving from Guillen and Granderson absolutely demolish the contributions we've gotten from Anderson and Uribe.

QUOTE(JimH @ May 31, 2006 -> 02:01 AM) It wasn't managing, as much as you like to blame it on that. It was poor execution by a number of players. All I know is that I've been less than impressed with Cintron's approach at the plate. AJP is one of our toughest outs...and he was on the bench to end the game. Of course, in the end, it's the execution which wins or loses the game. If we had Pods, Mackowiak, and AJP go 1-2-3 to end the game, you wouldn't have heard a word from me about the managing that inning.

QUOTE(jphat007 @ May 31, 2006 -> 01:58 AM) Mack is our pinch hitter. Plus, Mack is .296 with RISP, AJ is .195. I have no problem with Mackowiak batting, but Cintron's the one who should have never been hitting in that situation.

QUOTE(JimH @ May 31, 2006 -> 01:55 AM) What? How do you not have AJP bat for either Anderson or Ozuna?

QUOTE(jphat007 @ May 31, 2006 -> 01:54 AM) Who would you pinch hit him for? I don't think the fielding would woufk. You have him bat for Ozuna. Mackowiak would have still been on the bench, so you don't have to worry about that. Of course....this was another example of why Gload is absolutely worthless on this team.

QUOTE(jphat007 @ May 31, 2006 -> 01:52 AM) Terrible execution game. Paul, Cintron, etc. Terrible managing in the 9th keeping our best lefty on the bench.

I'm sure glad we kept AJP on the bench in the 9th.

SWING THE f***ING BAT! You can't take that there.

Why Cintron over AJP, Mackowiak, and Gload? Gload is twice the hitter that Cintron is.

Wow...some huge stones by Pods there. Great AB.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ May 31, 2006 -> 01:43 AM) If Freddy pitches like he did last outing, Ozzie should get his best defenders bleacher seats. Probably no shock to people on here, but I hate our chances tomorrow.

Some great relief by Thornton.

QUOTE(jphat007 @ May 31, 2006 -> 01:41 AM) That's quite a scary middle infield defense, and not in a good way. Agreed....and Ozzie usually likes to have his best defense in the field for when Garcia pitches.

One of the worst innings of our season. We better be seeing Pods lead off the inning, and AJP batting in the 9th off of Wickman.

Sure seems like we've had a ton of hittable pitches tonight.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ May 31, 2006 -> 01:31 AM) I think if Lidge got out of Houston, and into the AL, he would be awesome. ^^^^^