Balta1701

QUOTE (hogan873 @ May 11, 2010 -> 07:22 AM) I don't think KW needs to be fired or threatened. He needs to be slapped for allowing Ozzie to convince him of the feasability of the rotating DH idea with Mark "Hot Wife" Kotsay being a key player! I think he would have gone harder after Damon or Matsui or some other bat if he hadn't been wowed with Ozzie's plan. Now it may be too late. I keep harping on this but seriously I just can't figure out why people blame this season on the rotating DH spot. We've gotten solid production out of our DH (s), even with Kotsay not being very good, because we haven't rotated it all that much. The problem continues to be...we came into this season counting on first and foremost Carlos Quentin to be a major run producer, and he hasn't done the job. We counted on Gordon Beckham to be at least another good hitter, and he hasn't done the job. We counted on AJ pierzynski to not be godawful and he hasn't done the job. We were hoping Alexei wouldn't get off to another slow start, and that hasn't happened. Hypothetically, if we'd signed another DH like Matsui, you know what would have happened? Jones would have had fewer at bats, because either Jones would have played the field more and probably already gotten hurt, or Jones would have sat on the bench more. They weren't benching Quentin, he's too damn important. Pierre might have been benched more often, but all that does is put Jones up for more of an injury risk.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ May 10, 2010 -> 09:35 PM) It will be an interesting race...Minnesota has been better as a second half "stalking horse" (2006/2009) than when they have a lead and have to hold it. I don't think it's really fair to compare this team to any other previous Minny team. There's every reason to believe they are this good, now that they have re-built Liriano. In fact, there's plenty of reason to think they could get better in the 2nd half, as that catcher they brought up behind Mauer looks like an excellent trade chip if they wanted to go after Heath Bell.

QUOTE (SoxAce @ May 11, 2010 -> 12:51 AM) I am still shocked he is up here, especially with limited abs in AA and not sniffing some AAA at 20 years old. It's a classic Cubs win-now panic move.

QUOTE (Milkman delivers @ May 10, 2010 -> 06:14 PM) I apologize and I'll edit. Works for me. Thanks.

QUOTE (Milkman delivers @ May 10, 2010 -> 06:10 PM) To point out that someone constantly fawns over players from 2005? No, the way you added on the insult.

QUOTE (The Gooch @ May 10, 2010 -> 06:04 PM) I think its pretty much a given that your best pitcher in the bullpen should be the closer. When Jenks was dealing earlier in his career, did we bring him in for the 8th inning in those types of situations? Really, I don't think we did. He went from mop-up or extra innings duty straight into the closer's spot. Look at his game logs...in his first outings prior to his first save, he recorded only 1 hold, he pitched a couple of multi-inning outings, including in extra innings, and he got a fair number of "finished games" where he came in when the team was losing and finished off the 8th inning or came in when the team had a big lead and it wasn't a save situation to finish the game.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ May 10, 2010 -> 06:03 PM) As much as Griffey has meant to the game and has never been accused of cheating, I know this isn't exactly what you want out of a veteran on your team, but its a story that really serves no purpose leaking out of the Seattle clubhouse, except to embarrass him. I wish it never got out. There's clearly a reason why it's getting out now. They're likely getting ready to cut him, and management doesn't want to take a PR hit by having it come as a surprise.

QUOTE (mr_genius @ May 10, 2010 -> 06:07 PM) texsox hasn't voted yet probably Well, it takes a while to load polls on dial-up.

QUOTE (knightni @ May 10, 2010 -> 05:44 PM) First Obama, now Bieber. Reinsdorf's going to be excited to see the ball cap sales figures. White Sox hats. On Dr. Dre in the early 90's. On Justin Beiber in the early 10's.

QUOTE (Milkman delivers @ May 10, 2010 -> 05:37 PM) Edited/removed. Care to ease off there a bit? I know it's frustrating to watch this team, but, well, yeah, that's a bit over the line.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ May 10, 2010 -> 05:22 PM) should be fixed now. I looked at what was pasted, I have no idea where that jumble of address crap came from Correct, working now.

QUOTE (pktmotion @ May 10, 2010 -> 05:16 PM) That's a great point, and I think if they are going to go that route that decision should be made fairly soon. I have a hard time seeing them move Thornton, with the lack of another left handed threat, but he would net a pretty good return. Who do you think closes if Thornton or Putz is moved? In July, if we're selling hard, I'm not sure I really care. That'd be an ideal time to try Santos out in that role if we want to try him there long term. Zero pressure, no one cares if you blow 2 of your first 3 chances if you're already 15 out and Konerko, Rios, Jones, Putz, and Jenks have been sold off.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ May 10, 2010 -> 05:11 PM) I'm waiting for that one vote for dial up. 7 months ago and I was (not that I was paying for it).

QUOTE (pktmotion @ May 10, 2010 -> 05:04 PM) Apologies for the incorrect data. My memory isn't as good as it once was. My point was to illustrate how Santos is fearless/dominant, much like the Jenks of the past. And how I think the White Sox would be better suited to have him close games and keep everyone else in their roles, instead of plugging in Thornton/Putz at closer and subsequently moving up Williams, Linebrink, or Pena. Here's another way to look at it. If we get to July and we're still 10+ games out of the race...either Thornton or Putz are both more valuable as trade-chips if they have 10 saves under their belt than if they don't have any.

Justin Bieber takes questions from CNN viewers. While wearing a white sox hat.

QUOTE (pktmotion @ May 10, 2010 -> 04:54 PM) Maybe the 2 spot does bear a great level of pressure and moving him down would alleviate this, but he's gonna see a lot more fastballs (better pitches) in the 2 spot than if he were hitting 6, 7, or 8. Really, no he isn't. We tested this last year with Podsednik (a base stealing threat who actually got on base at a good clip) in the leadoff spot and Alexei (solid fastball hitter, terrible breaking ball hitter) in the 2 hole. Despite the supposed base stealing threat hitting 1st, and despite offensive guys hitting behind him, our #2 hitter saw the fewest fastballs of any #2 hitter in baseball...because everyone knew that you had to throw breaking stuff to get Alexei out.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ May 10, 2010 -> 04:50 PM) I'm currently using AT&T DSL and they blow. ^

QUOTE (pktmotion @ May 10, 2010 -> 04:43 PM) I think the best move would be to put Santos into the closer role and shifting Bobby to mid-relief/setup. It's unpopular because you'll have people say, he's too young, it'll ruin his development, etc. The man is unhittable, his stuff doesn't merit any inexperience, and he's fearless. Much like Bobby circa 2005. where his dominance ultimately demoted Takatsu, our closer at the time. It's really remarkable how history repeats itself and I hope the White Sox have learned form Bobby Jenks and apply these lessons when dealing with Sergio Santos. The lesson is closers are flash in the pan. Ride them while they're dominant and sell them at the highest trade value. But with our luck the opposite will happen and our team will have another over-paid middle reliever. Incorrect. Bobby neither replaced Takatsu or dominated in the Closer's role in 2005. He was 6/8 in saves in the regular season (only 75%) and blew the save in game 2 of the WS as well. Bobby took over the Closer's role from Hermanson, who's back finally gave out after 4 months in the closing role. Hermanson took over from Takatsu. Bobby only took the closer's role by default, after Hermanson was unable to pitch.

QUOTE (Rex Kicka** @ May 10, 2010 -> 04:27 PM) I believe "Edgar the Homeless Guy" in row 4 did it using a shiv. Alan Greenspan, in the NY Fed offices, with an adjustable-rate mortgage.

QUOTE (fathom @ May 10, 2010 -> 04:11 PM) we can get a better prospect in return. Really, not going to happen. If you're intelligent you could steal someone from low A-ball and have them turn into something useful in 2-3 years, but paying an extra $500k on a guy who looks finished is not likely to be the difference between getting a stud back and a brent Lillibridge back.

Griffey Jr. reportedly missed a pinch-hitting opportunity last week because he was in the clubhouse...asleep. That's the kind of veteran leadership Milton Bradley needs.

QUOTE (WCSox @ May 10, 2010 -> 04:03 PM) In terms of prospects, of course we're not getting anything of value in return. But that $1 million can pay a lot of expenses and employee salaries. I could possibly see that happening and, if we're out of it, I'm not going to raise a stink about it.

The AP may strip Cushing of his ROY award. I'd be fully in favor of that.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ May 10, 2010 -> 03:43 PM) Of course, part of the problem right now might just be that he's pitching like total s*** too. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the pitch that went 3 miles yesterday was a fastball down the middle.

Tracking the spill animated graphic.