BamaDoc

If you substituted Hall into a game late, who would be our emergency third string catcher? Without someone, Ozzie may have his hands tied.

Slow times, but what do people think. Several people mention Haeger, which I love as I remember Wilbur Wood, but I wonder how much the light air will hinder the Knuckler in spring training. Last year springtraining whip was 2.6. He did good late season with Sox but his minor league second half ERA over 5. I think we may go four man rotation primarily early due to days off so ability to pitch some from pen will help. Who wins ?

Birmingham where James Andrews could monitor his progress.

For a platoon player who could play LF, DH occaisionally, pinch hit vs LHP, what about Kevin Mench? Very solid splits vs LHP. For a CF/LF upgrade could Eric Byrnes be available? Both players currently 1 year to free agent possibly dropping what you would have to give up.

I actually like bringing in the former high draft pick who looks like he is going to pan out. The high picks are normally "stuff" guys and someone else has already paid the signing bonus.

I expect Uribe to be in shape and ready.....its a contract year!

And not being a small market team gives us the advantage. If you have a true number one, you have the resources to lock them up and perhaps go to five years. I love our guys but I consider a true one to be a dominating pitcher, perennial CY Young candidate, and healthy.

Deep breath and relax. This is the winter meetings and a lot of what is said is posturing. It may help in negotiating an extension with a starter. Remember last spring when either Garland or Contreras was a goner? Secondly, the free agent market for mediocre pitching has gone nuts. The more stupid contracts given to 4-5 starters actually drives down the value you get for a player who is about to enter free agency as very few teams can now afford to rent a player while giving up cheap talent. What do you think Garcia would ask for on the open market if a free agent today. Worse pitchers are getting 10+ million for 4-5 years. So will you give Freddy a 12-14 million 4-5 year deal after what we saw last summer. (This is not a slam on Freddy but on the market). This team has never wanted to go beyond three years with a pitcher. We have lost some good ones due to that stance but almost all proved to be hurt/ineffective/overpriced by the end of their deals. With a staff ERA going up a run, who would you break this policy for? Contreras has age and health questions. Buerhle is the right age but if last year wasn't a fluke a five year deal could be a disaster. Vasquez you still control for two years. Garland makes the most sense, not as the best ace but from durability,age, and health standpoint. Last,(sorry for the length) I would have liked better or more prospects but Kenny apparently actively explored those options. This is his job and this was apparently the best our staff felt we could do.

Boy it is slow with out my Sox to follow. Many posters have mentioned the number of good lefthanders in our division. Since the hot stove page isn't up yet I am putting this her. I searched the MLB.com stats for top hitters vs LHP. A surprising name came up. He hit close to .350 vs lefties with nearly .400 OBP. 2005 year hit .100 higher vs lefties. Has played outfield last year and 2b,3b in previous years. He has no clubhouse problems, should be very cheap contract wise. I would envision platoon in left field and could spell at other positions. His team needs pitching..........I give you the not flashy but useful Mark DeRosa of Texas. I would love the glamour additions, but they cost a lot in dollars and talent. Some seemingly small additions could be difference makers over an entire season. Platooning with Mack(keeps Mack out of center), Pods(he can't suck that much again and talk about selling at low value), or other addition. I think most or all of our offensive additions will be guys who do the little things well(bunt, hit behind the runners,patient hitters). Any others thoughts?

How many of our players had below average years and how many had above or career years. Dye and Pablo may be the only career year players. If the players revert to their norm where would we be? A normal Buehrle year and we are right in it this year. I am begining to think that I am crazy but several of our players who had bad years that everyone talks of trading for good prospects may in reality have little value. Do you keep Pods and bring in competition or a platoon partner using the logic that he can't possibly suck this bad next year? Uribe and the team in general need to be reached/taught/worked on going with the pitch. If you think our players revert to normal, then you may only need a tweak to the lineup. I still am enamored with Ichiro in right( moving Dye to left). Ichiro is in the last year of contract and thus may not require as much. I am not in a total rebuild mode. We are still a talented team providing we don't have significant pitcher injuries of which we are unaware.

With the exception of Garland, none of our pitchers has had a great year thus it will be hard to get full value for any of them.

QUOTE(whitesoxin @ Aug 31, 2006 -> 01:38 AM) Pauly you are worthless whenever a double play might possibly be in order. Even Juan Uribe got a sac fly earlier. Somehow Some where this to is Ozzie's fault.

Right now!

QUOTE(Jordan4life_2006 @ Aug 30, 2006 -> 03:10 AM) It's amazing how volatile relievers are. It doesn't make any sense. Like last year...Takatsu to Hermanson to Jenks. In the modern era what other team won a championship while transitioning to three closers.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Aug 30, 2006 -> 03:01 AM) Oz has made some real bonehead moves, but this season really fits the old adage "Players make the manager" This reminds me of when Bruce Sutter left the Cardinals and went to Atlanta. The Cardinal manager, Whitey Herzog was asked his feelings " well I just got fifty games dumber."

How the hell is this Ozzie's fault. Should you pitch Jenks every inning of every game? If you can't try to regain these guys confidence now then when. Honestly, you guys would burn out a bullpen in a month. It isn't Ozzies fault they sucked tonight.

I pull him.

Ichiro! Dye to left.

Ichiro!

Does this mean we now give credit to Ozzie going to Riske, or when it works do we call it luck? I agree with you, I can suggest a different move after the first one failed.

Well this is a Risky move.......sorry couldn't help it.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Aug 1, 2006 -> 10:39 PM) Mark...I'm going to wear your jersey tonight at the Angel game..make me proud. Last time my son and I saw you in Aneheim was a great night. We begin again!

Four run lead is made for back of the pen guys.

Why is Contreras still in? 106 pitches starting the inning.

I am worried. This would be huge to nail down.