Princess Dye

RE: Fields.... QUOTE(fathom @ Mar 25, 2008 -> 03:05 PM) Unreal. Shame on KW and Ozzie. What a terrible message this sends to our young players (who aren't particularly fond of Ozzie in the first place). Crede's a great fielder. If there's no trade, he's gonna play. Fields would have had to KO him this spring and didnt. Fault them for their overall logic of winning now, fine. But this is in line with it.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Mar 25, 2008 -> 10:10 AM) That makes about zero sense, but ok. What about it makes no sense? Do you actually think that Masset has shown more reliability as a pro than Wasserman? Granted the sample size is not huge for either, but Wasserman, career ERA 2.74 Masset, career ERA 7.09 And compare their ST reliability as well. It's similar, actually. So, again, since you didnt understand: if we're not talking about 23 yr olds, then play the one that has had success. Not difficult to see who has done more as a pro. That's all my point was. Now if you want to list other reasons why Wasserman is a bad fit, by all means. But if you're 'win now,' then go with the guy in his mid-twenties who has contributed to more winning baseball than the other.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Mar 24, 2008 -> 10:47 PM) So if you want an older guy, why talk about his age? simple. Wasserman is older and has shown consistent ability to do something. Get righties. Masset is about as old and yet we're still waiting for any kind of reliability.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Mar 24, 2008 -> 06:16 PM) If Wasserman could go 3 or 4 innings, Masset would be either picked up by another team or a Charlotte Knight. The problem is the Sox have 3 starters capable of being on the ropes in the 3rd or 4th or 5th inning and a bullpen loaded with 1 inning guys. They need someone who can go 3 or 4 in the bullpen, and right now Masset is that guy even though they probably won't be quality innings and his propencity for not wanting to throw strikes will make vendors around the league very happy. any other long relief candidates? I'd be fine with seeing MacDougal in that role til he proves he's a setup guy again.

Will soon turn 26 I felt this way before, but now that I realize his age...this is so needed. He was touted as a velocity guy and we havent even seen that big time. Wasserman older but right now better.

QUOTE(knightni @ Mar 21, 2008 -> 07:42 PM) I can't imagine Hawk saying "Sex Ram" for some reason. i'm dyin here

QUOTE(shipps @ Mar 21, 2008 -> 03:23 PM) No part of this off season has been comfortable as a sox fan this year.It is never going to end.At this point we are not looking at the complete 08' roster of the Chicago Whitesox and I dont think thats a good thing.I wouldnt be suprised if we started out slowly with all these positions not set this late into SP training. if you want to win a championship as a Sox fan, expect no comfortable offseason. In '05 we had similar circumstances. This -- is the only way we can win.

I agree with all of this, although I give pause at the thought that Quentin is pretty much BA's age already.

QUOTE(WHITESOXRANDY @ Mar 20, 2008 -> 11:06 AM) Just saw him play CF. It's not for him. This may really affect Quentin. As is, he's likely starting in AAA. But if BA returns to his usual bad hitting form, we might have to KEEP him up at the majors. They're hoping to answer that question in advance by seeing Ramirez in center, but it hasnt looked good so far. Unless they wanna go the Swisher in CF route. I'm sure they dont wanna.

QUOTE(Kenny Hates Prospects @ Mar 20, 2008 -> 12:02 PM) Fan reaction isn't always the best way to gauge a trade (see how many people went nuts over the McCarthy deal and both Garcia deals). Absolutely and amen. It more often seems the case that fan outrage is likely oversentimentalized loyalty and not a whole picture of the circumstance.

QUOTE(fathom @ Mar 19, 2008 -> 04:28 PM) How do you know that 4.5 million couldn't have been used elsewhere to upgrade this team? they were already willing to spend that much more anyway with Hunter's signing. they had already budgeted more for this year, but instead they couldnt get Hunter and got the cheaper Swisher. so we'll spend more money in a future year when there are attractive options again.

get bent out of shape over bad longterm contracts lets not get bent out of shape over Crede and Uribe who come off the books after this year. it's JR's money, it's monopoly money, who cares.

Ozzie pretty much saying that what has happened in ST isnt going to matter as much as greater philosophy based decisions. This decision I kind of like, although I wish it wouldnt hold back Quentin. Now if that's their line of thinking regarding Massett too... well... i dunno.

from chicagosports.com, just updated Win now, worry later Alexei Ramirez played the final three innings of the Sox's 5-0 loss to San Diego at shortstop. Manager Ozzie Guillen paused for an extended period when asked whether he can give Ramirez enough playing time to carry him on the 25-man roster. Ramirez will start Wednesday in center field. "To tell you the truth, it makes for a tough situation because I don't care if I give him at-bats or not," Guillen said. "I care about winning games this year. And if we think this guy can help us win some games this year, who cares about next year?"

QUOTE(Reddy @ Mar 19, 2008 -> 10:47 AM) thats what he got last year. how bout we give him a full one? Because the potential of being a better club with Crede this year is there. The seemingly remote chance of having a 2005 type scenario where you get better than expected pitching and an expected wallop of power is there. But beyond all that, because you can trade Crede later and NOT stunt Fields' progress. Fields simply doesnt play for a few months, and you potentially get a better player in a Crede trade. The other option is simply giving away Joe now.

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Mar 19, 2008 -> 10:42 AM) What kind of compensation are you going to extract from a team for a pure rental that gains you no compensation of picks. I would say something on the likes of a 24 year old Class A pitcher, or a 25 year old AA pitcher who was a converted OF. Considering the position Crede plays, if he has a dynamite year for a bad Sox team this year, we could get some better prospects than what you speak. He's more likely to fill a need for several teams, so we can have some bidders. Again, that's only if he's at his 2006 numbers. Even if said scenario doesnt happen though, you can bring Fields up at that point anyway and get him a half year of MLB experience. More than half if we're really bad. All adds up to play Crede now.

QUOTE(Reddy @ Mar 19, 2008 -> 10:36 AM) goodness! why didn't i think of that? it's all so easy! How much easier is it to hoard prospects and expect them to develop? lets ask KC Point is you need a balance - free agents and homegrown. We're light on the homegrown right now, no question. But .........If we get a surprise performance from a few starting pitchers, we're in a nice position this year. If not, we can always re-up our farm system at the trade deadline. And still have enough able-bodied veterans for next yr.

QUOTE(SoxWS05 @ Mar 19, 2008 -> 10:34 AM) They have these players called "free agents" every year. We have young talent to build around. A move here, a move there..holes filled. Yeah, the Swisher trade forces JR to spend more on other positions. It also enables that by getting a relatively cheap, proven OF in Swisher.

QUOTE(fathom @ Mar 19, 2008 -> 10:31 AM) Yes, I don't think going to AAA will do him any good. He's not going to see the 95 mph fastballs there that he needs to get more comfortable with. But think about the word "stunt." Does he get worse by being down there? If not, then he plays next year. As pro-fields people are saying, we werent going to win this year anyway, right? Another way of looking at it -- doesnt Crede playing well also have a potential benefit to the farm system? aka trading him at midseason after a strong extended showing? There's more longterm value in getting more arms in the system than there is getting playing time for the 25 yr old Fields.

If you think attempting winning in 2008 is pointless, then you probably believe we'll be bad fast, and Fields will be UP HERE ANYWAY by midseason. Furthermore, does Fields playing in AAA another year really "stunt" his progress? My belief is talent comes to the forefront or it doesnt. He's 25.

QUOTE(fathom @ Mar 19, 2008 -> 10:14 AM) I'd also like to say that I think the Swisher deal was idiotic considering we traded our 3 best prospects for a left fielder when we had traded our best hitting prospect for Quentin, who basically is now blocked from starting. My belief is KW thought Swisher would be able to play CF, but we quickly realized he's a disaster out there. Swisher's age, the length and value of the contract, and that much needed OBP are all reasons to like that trade. People who slam that trade do not mention Swish's age, b/c it's a component in the terms of their own argument. And on top of that, he's shown power and OBP in a pitcher's park already. My belief that trade will soon be seen as Swisher for DLS, if that, but thats me.

QUOTE(fathom @ Mar 19, 2008 -> 09:31 AM) Fields D at 3b is the least of our worries this season. Even if it's adequate, it doesnt match Crede's. Crede's D wins you games in key moments, makes your team better. Fields is the 3b who welp-just-didnt-get-to-that-GW-single. If Fields offense is at its best possible next year, and Crede's is at least slightly above decent.... I dont know that Fields makes you better that way either. Again, it's how much you prize next year. We have already committed to a 2008 run at this thing, so I dont think you complicate that solely to make sure that Fields has come along.

I'm no huge Crede guy, but the pitching staff really is going to need some glovework out there this year. I mean, if the book is already closed on this year, then fine hate on this move. But if we're awful by June, you'll see Fields up and playing anyway, so who cares?

QUOTE(Disco72 @ Mar 18, 2008 -> 03:25 PM) Somebody who knows more than the numbers can correct me, but is it really true that Quentin (395 ABs in 138 games) has had less of a MLB chance than Anderson (416 ABs in 160 games)? It seems they've had relatively equal amount of MLB time to date. For my money, I'll take the players (of Owens, BA, Quentin, etc) that are completely healthy and ready. Anderson has a couple more weeks to keep punching his ticket, but if he continues to perform you have to reward him with a spot on the team. If he really has improved his attitude and his swing, he'd be a major plus to the Sox. Quentin has been hampered with injuries his whole MLB career. That's the difference between his 400 ABs and Anderson's. Anderson has had a 134 game year and hit .225. When healthy, I think Quentin should be up here. Ozzie has said that his current situation is something he'd have played through if it was midseason, so to me that means he's ready to play. If he's still bigtime hampered, then yes he should be down there. Now all that said, we're back to the topic at hand... how much importance does BA's ability to play center factor in? Part of this question, I guess, involves how bad Swish is in CF.

QUOTE(shipps @ Mar 18, 2008 -> 02:57 PM) Iam sorry, but all this Quentin love is exhausting.Its coming from a bunch of people that truly know very little about him.And even if you know every bit about him there is to know there is still too much love for him as if his talent is a sure bet.Stop rushing him into our lineup.The same while you guys are so quick to send any of the other guys to AAA to work on their skill sets.Please spare me. There's nothing wrong with looking at Quentin's AAA stats and wanting to see it get a CHANCE at the MLB level. While healthy. Thats the difference between him and BA. BA, while healthy, has gotten his chance, and then some.