Punch and Judy Garland

Yeah its hard to say. Wasn't there one out when Ozuna ran? A-Rod showed later the advantage of the two out steal as you don't have to peer in for the double play. How many feet did our guys have to get thrown out by for us to consider puttiing the red light up? I agreed with Ozuna coming in so that he could score on a gapper and that is a normal running situation but all night we showed that Posada had us beat by 6 feet

I thought we should have kept him but it looks like its worked out for us and him for him to go to Oakland where he is THE MAN in a lineup again. Early in the year it appeared that Thome was vastly superior and even though Rowand isn't hitting well you could actually make an argument that Thome/Anderson vs. Thomas/Rowand is a near wash. Kind of strange it worked out that way

Yeah it really is an issue that would hurt us in a series against a team like New York, the Mets, or even the Angels. The Red Sox and A's don't really run so its not as big of a deal but a team like the Yankees has a plethora of speed so it really shows our weakness there. Great win tonight but our problems cna't be ingored or covered up by a great win like tonight

I've decided to make a thread dedicated to a systematic problem the 06 White Sox have had: basepath problems. We have had a terrible time stopping the running game of the other team and we are certainly willing to run into outs even when there is ample evidence that running is not the best play. In fact, it's no longer one of the "little things", its moved on to being a legitimate issue. Tonight, the Yankees ran on us pretty much at will. No surprise given that Contreras and Garcia couldn't stop half the guys here from running. While they have altered their stride a bit and held the ball longer at times throughout this year, there has been no increase in positive results to the eye anyways. My bone of contention, while realizing that you do want to keep some focus on the hitter, is that we aren't doing everything we can to stop the run. There have not been nearly enough throws over by Garcia and Conteras. Second, and much more important, we don't pitch out NEARLY enough. You don't want to do it all the time but if you have a great basestealer and an 0-1 count, its worth taking a shot. We just don't utilize the pitchout how we should. My second major gripe is with our Ozzie Ball running. I like stealing bases as much or more than anyone but we looked dumb out there tonight. Clearly Posada was showing off a good arm tonight and the Yankee pitchers were quick to the plate as we sent guys with good but unspectacular speed towards second and ending our innings. Where is the hit and run? If you are struggling to get rallies going and you aren't able to steal bases, putting a guy in motion is a great way to hedge your bets. Yet we don't do this very much. It would be wise with a guy like Cintron who can handle the bat well

QUOTE(greg775 @ Aug 7, 2006 -> 09:28 PM) Also you act like our bullpen is clutch. Our bullpen has been average at best. I think Ozzie should have gone with McCarthy against Figgins even if you'd rather have Figgins hit righty. That said, I'm not going to kill him for it either because we don't know if it would have worked out that way but I do think it was a mistake. It doesn't make him a bad manager though although I hope he is open to the idea of relying on his bullpen a bit more.

Well if Florida really is worried about the CBA having a minimum salary structure, then they were likely the team who last night asked for a negotiating window. If they can work out dollars with Soriano, I would not be surprised if Soriano is a Marlin in a week or two

If Soriano was sent to the Marlins after today, would he have to clear waivers with all AL teams first? He clearly wouldn't do that but he'd clear with all teams below the Marlins in the NL if possible.

its the same oliver perez, he was shipped with bay for Giles originally. It always seems that every Padres deal ends with me feeling they got ripped a bit (although the Cameron trade worked well)

yeah let's not pretend that Mike Macdougal is the ticket back to the series. Its debatable if his arm will hold up even to September. That said, unless you can dump Vazquez on someone or if you can add an outfielder without giving up Mac or the entire farm, we're probably better off trying to fix this from within

Can't hurt to ask if you are the Braves. Jones is a terrific player. I don't blame the BoSox for passing though. Would the Astros be asking for Joe Crede in return in a White Sox deal? Me thinks they might ask for him thinking they could have Huff move to the OF

Stark reports any Oswalt talk is dead. I was just throwing out our name on Lidge since Kenny likes to go back to guys he once wanted, or at least it seemed we wanted Lidge. You are right baout the salary thing and you would be hard-pressed to name many times where the White Sox paid part salary to give a guy away. In fact, we tend to operate the opposite where we give up more talent to pay less money in trades (alomar and everett come to mind). I would not doubt though that the Sox put in a call on Brad Lidge just to find out the price or if its true that he won't be an Astro tomorrow. I think that fantasy owners have to be lining up for Dan Wheeler right now.

We were once interested in Brad Lidge but I have to think the price would be such (current big league talent) that unles they'd do Vazquez for Lidge that we won't be in it

I doubt Milwaukee can get a pick since Bell would likely accept arbitration unless he though SD would give him multiple years in the offseason. I guess with Weeks and Hardy out that they wanted another infielder but unless they play Koskie at second and Hall at short (and I don't know off the top of my head if Koskie can play second, it seems odd)

Ehh. He's not very good but at least the Reds are trying. Maybe this ends the Joe Mays era

Yeah now that Dmitri Young is back they don't really need a huge move to upgrade over Monroe. Of course, Thames recent funk might give them some concern sinc eits bad timing but I would probably stand pat if I were them after the Casey trade. Just like us last year, why fix something that is runnign great and should be expected to continue to do so

The guy started 2-10 one year. He has a track record and I'm confident that he'll find himself here in August. I realize the sky is falling around here but I really do think that he will end up with his era in the high 3's, get his wins, and have a normal season when its all said and done

I couldn't be less worried about Mark. He'll be just fine

it's tought though because we don't know if Shoppach can play every day and hit and also, Vic Martinez is suddenly a normal hitting first baseman whereas he was the first or second best hitting catcher.

Choo is really really good but I thought he has a 2 year military service to complete after this year which would certainly hurt his prospect status. I recall him homering in a Futures Game as well

From what I have heard, there is no way to guarantee what will happen be it college or minors. Some gain in college by maturing with a lighter workload whereas some benefit by the better instruction of the minors. I think in the end with the college-HS debate, there reall is no significant advantage either way so the player is best doing what is right for his family at the time

if you offer 5/65 with a no trade, you'll get him if you are the Nats. Otherwise I think Soriano would ask for more money or would just wait until the offseason thinking he could get more

Try to convince me that Javy Vazquez is a better starter than Brandon TODAY. Its just not true. Forget potential, this guy is already one of our 5 best starters and we need to stretch him out and f'n use him

While I wouldn't trade Crede in all likelihood mainly because of what it would do to the lockerroom (its something more for an offseason than midseason) don't count on White Sox lifers just because he's one fo your favorites. Don't forget who his agent is....

this is the 2003-2004 softball team and it really has been all year

my third game this year. Looking to make it my most sober effort. Should be a goodie but you better get a walk and a blast early on Johan if you want to beat him