elrockinMT

Frank Thomas for Wednesday. I'll be watching on ESPN

Jose Valentin for September 2nd versus the Bosox.

If the Twins and Royals lost today then life is good for the Sox. It gives us some breathing room. The next two games with the Bosox will be fun. I think we can beat their pitching since Martinez won't pitch. You just have to keep it close against their starters and then get to the bullpen and blow them away.

I like Sullivan too, but Hummell is a good player and I am sorry to see him with the Reds.

I think the trade for Sullivan was good, but I was sorry to see it was Hummell that we gave up. I think he can contribute as a sub like Graffy. Hopefully Miles can do it too. If we gave up Hummell to the Reds and he plays short do we now think that Jose Valentin will be back as the everyday SS?

The Twins really are desperate. Orosco is good for one batter every once in awhile and the Twinks probably think they got themselves a roalids reliever or something.

Great Falls is still in the running for a playoff spot. The last three games of the Pioneer League season are here in Billings. I plan on going to the games and see how the rookies look. I have noted that Mario Valenzuela is with the team on a rehab assignment. I'll see what I can find and post on the youngsters. The problem I had with the site started when I was out of town for two-weeks down in Texas. I was able to log onto my e-mail from a computer loaned to me, but missed the reason the soxnet had gone down and had always logged on through the home page.

I think this division is ours to lose now. The hitters are hitting, the pitchers are pitching and we even have defense. Leading by a 1 1/2 game margin and ready to rock and roll in September. This will be fun. Wednesday we are on ESPN versus Boston and I'll be there in front of the old RCA.

Fellow SoxTalk posters I must apologize and ask for forgiveness. I thought the soxtalk site was down since I couldn't log onto soxnet. I haven't posted for quite awhile. I ask for your understanding and ask if I may rejoin the conversations and at least pretend I have something positive to add as we work through this September stretch.

The Sox management needs to be thinking about next season. You have to be concerned not only about tomorrows game, but the long term as well. I would like us to consider signing all the players we just traded for and our potential FA's. I hate the idea of building up a team for this year only. They leave and we have lost those players plus the prospects we traded for them.

He does need the day off to clear his head, but I agree that he and PK could be switched around in their roles from time to time. Konerko is the better fielder, but Frank works hard at it too.

The firt time I have ever seen anything from the Sox actually saying that the organization is now talking about Wright being better suited for the bullpen was today. Probably they have been discussing the issue obviously but to actually hear someone quoted is interesting. Maybe they will now see how he works out of the pen. Wright says he is willing to do it. We will need a fifth starter and if not Wright, who? A trade or another call up? Porzio is not the answer and maybe not Josh Stewart either. I mentioned in another post my surprise that Manuel let Wright and Ginter, both righties, pitch to Olerud. I thought Wunsch would have been brought in when Danny started to fade. I was sure that Giner was going to be taken out with the sacks full and Olerud at bat, but NOOOOOO... We have three lefties in the pen, why not use them when the situation demands it?

The Twinks have to be a worry. They lost tonight so at least they didn't gain on the Sox, but of course KC won. We could easily be in 1st place by Tuesday, if we can beat Seattle Sunday and keep trouncing the Royals. Being home at Comiskey has got to help. I bet the stands are packed for those 3 games.

That's a good question to ask. I didn't know if we had any wins with Wright on the mound. Porzio was a 1-1 situation I believe. Didn't we beat the Tribe in the first game he pitched like 4-3. He went 5 innings that time.

That's what we are here for to pick each other up. We are a team just like the real players. I am going to by off line for about 12 days as I will be away on the road and not have access to my computer. Keep us in the game... I'll be checking out the sports page and ESPN while I am away.

I love having Harold Baines around too. I think he and Walker complement each other and they also believe in the Hriniak approach to hitting.

It's ok Roman. Losing is frustrating especially getting beat 10-0 by the smirking Mariners. I think they are the only one's I hate as much as the Twinkies. Wright did not look good and I can't truthfully say he has ever looked good this year. There must have been some close games or the no decision ones where he pitched well? But with a record of 0-5 the no decisions don't pop up in my mind at all. Danny Wright has got to learn how to pitch at the big league level and how to go after the hitter. He plays around too much and fall behind and always goes 5-8 pitches per hitter. Garland learned no Danny has to learn also. I hope he can do it this year, but we can't afford to keep fooling around with that #5 starter. Wright might get one more chance, but I would like to see Cotts given an opportunity. I really had to question Manuel allowing the righty (first Danny and then Ginter) to pitch to Olerud. We have three lefties in the pen why not use them?

I watched on WGN hoping to see a continuation of the Sox winning ways, but it never happens for me. The team goes on a winning streak and when I get to see a game they lose. Tonight it was not pretty. Danny does exactly what you mentioned. Everytime he is going 5-6 and 7 pitches to a hitter instead of coming right after them. He is supposed to have good stuff, but I didn't see it tonight. I am supposing he gets another crack at it, but all in all we need someone else in the 5th starters position. Maybe Danny's injury has left him behind in his development this year, I just don't know, but 0-5 is not acceptable when we are fighting for a championship.

I am hoping that Dan Wright is one motivated ballplayer tonight. Remember he was sent down to the minors because of his inconsistency and this after a 14 win season in 2002. He has to know there are no more excuses. He must show FIRE!. I will be watching tonight on WGN.

Great Falls White Sox may have gotten shut out, but look at Ricardo Nanita 3 for 3 and a .392 BA. I think we may have a prospect there.

Amazing isn't it? I also read the trade breakdown and how the Yankees trade their best pitching prospect to the Reds and it mentions the fact the Yanks system hasn't produced a big league arm for years. Once again it's money that buys a championship in NY and I am predicting the Yanks fall from power soon.

When you ask about players being on the "40 man roster" and the big league teams "25 man roster" are you asking about the same thing? I always thought the 40 man roster was those players that the team protected, and included the actual team roster and 15 minor leaguers we didn't want to lose. The 25 man roster was the group playing for the big league team. Please explain why Cotts is not on the 40 man roster already? There must be a rule that I am not aware of and I am confuced about the questions concerning adding someone to the 40 man roster. Thanks!

WGN will be airing the Sox-Mariners gme Saturday night at 9:05 PM CDT. I'll be watching. Interesting to see if in fact Wright does pitch on Saturday night. We need to get the karma flowing folks. See you on TV

Gary Glover was the one out of options and that's one of the reasons he was traded. Ginter will most likely get sent down if Wright is brought back up. Just my humble opinion though. I doubt you will see anyone get released.

Get the Mariners in a let down mode becasue of no trades and they just might not have that extra edge. The Sox on the other hand are playing like winners. As long as our hitters are hot and don't try and hit everything they see into Puget Sound we can win against Seattle. Pitching matchups are good. Don't know how Wright will do, but maybe he has had a wake up call by being sent down.