balfanman

QUOTE (LVSoxFan @ Jul 6, 2010 -> 04:44 PM) Actually here's what he said: Manager Ozzie Guillen sat Beckham for a second consecutive game on Monday, instead going with the hot bat of Brent Lillibridge at second base. ''[beckham] still is my second baseman,'' Guillen said. ''But right now, the way Lillibridge is playing, I'm going to give him a shot. Remember, if Kenny [Williams] or Jerry [Reinsdorf] told me, 'Here it is. That's the development of my ballclub. This is the team for the future .. So give him that shot. And send Beckham down to get his swing back. Now seems like the best time ever, because there's no hole--right now--with Beckham being gone. Therefore I ask again: what are they waiting for? Probably either Visquel or Teahen to get healthy.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jul 6, 2010 -> 04:38 PM) Quentin's out, Rios is playing. Might not be too bad to see a huge thunderstorm, as this is a dreadful lineup. I can't believe the idiots that were calling up the postgame last night saying our offense is fine now. At least we have our best defensive outfield playing tonight. In what will probably be a low scoring game, this could be a good thing. Who is the Sox best career hitter against Weaver anyway?

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Jul 6, 2010 -> 09:29 AM) I DO NOT want to find out. Why not? I believe that DeAza has always produced well in the majors when he's had the opportunity. His major problem has been that he always lands on the disabled list. He most certainly wouldn't be any worse than Kotsay / Jones. If Viciedo is for real and produces offense and is adequate defensively (he just has to be as good as Teahen), then I think that there is room for a DeAza type in the lineup.

QUOTE (Chet Kincaid @ Jul 6, 2010 -> 08:44 AM) I wonder if Alejandro De Aza could put up DeJesus-like numbers if he was given enough playing time in the majors... I think that he very well could. The problem is, like Quentin, could he stay healthy doing it?

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jul 5, 2010 -> 08:17 AM) Did you miss the 9th inning yesterday? Actually, yes I did miss the 9th yesterday, I was called outside and knew that Thornton was coming in so I figured we had the game in the win column. Generally though, is Lillibridge a pretty good fielder? QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jul 5, 2010 -> 08:19 AM) Its 12 AB. If he goes 0-12 with 6 ks his next 12 AB what will people think then? He was awful defensively this year in Charlotte and threw away an easy DP in the 9th yesterday. I would say that his hot streak is over then. This is why I generally trust Kenny, Ozzie, and the other coaches with personnell decisions, even though they are not perfect either. This was all just a thought on my part anyway. I guess that you all now know why I am not a baseball manager!

QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ Jul 5, 2010 -> 02:03 AM) I agree. Maybe he's found a niche as a utility player and figured out how to do it well. Let him keep going at it that way until he proves he is a useful guy off the bench, or that he's just in the midst of a streak of good fortune and still sucks at the end of the day. If you want Beckham in the minors, the plan is still Omar at 2B and Viciedo at 3B, then re-evaluate when Teahen comes back. But idea obviously may have taken a hit tonight. As long as Beckham is still bad, let's ride Lillibridges' streak then. It's not as if we lose anything on defense either. Who knows, it wouldn't be the first time that someone who was a good prospect just a few short years ago suddenly found it. It could be that we really have something here, at least maybe enough that Beckham could be traded to acquire the big bat that places us in a championship conversation.

QUOTE (balfanman @ Jul 2, 2010 -> 09:50 AM) What's up with Target Field? I was under the impression that the ballpark was built for left hand hitters. Just thinking about this again, as we have a similar problem with the Cell. Isn't it true that when hitters come to the Cell that, in general, their batting averages go down while their power numbers increase? Maybe, since Target Field was built for lefties, their mindset changes and it affects their swing.

QUOTE (scenario @ Jul 2, 2010 -> 10:07 AM) Not sure a 27 year old AAA pitcher creates a lot of excitement for trade opportunities, but Torres could probably step right in to several MLB teams starting rotations. Yeah; I realize that he's a little older for a prospect, but don't a lot of pitchers "figure things out" in their late 20's?

QUOTE (scenario @ Jul 1, 2010 -> 05:57 PM) from International League New & Notes KNIGHTS SEND THREE TO ALL-STAR GAME: Charlotte Knights catcher Tyler Flowers, starting right handed pitcher Daniel Hudson and starting right handed pitcher Carlos Torres have been elected to the International League All-Star team. Torres, 27, has been elected to his second consecutive International League All-Star team. The right-handed pitcher continues to have one of the most decorated careers in Charlotte Knights history. This season Torres has compiled a 6-5 record with a 3.04 ERA (33 ER/97.2 IP). He is near the top in the IL in strikeouts (92) and innings pitched (97.2). DON’T CALL HIS NAME, A-LE-JAN-DRO: OF Alejandro De Aza’s 14 game hit streak ended Tuesday as De Aza went 0-4 with two strikeouts in the game. The hitting streak was the longest hitting streak by a Knights player this season. Over the course of the streak De Aza was 26-53 (.490), with two home runs and 11 RBI. He had five hits on 6/28 vs. Buffalo. PUT YOUR COATS ON: Knights outfielder Buck Coats went 1-3 at the plate yesterday with sacrifice fly RBI. Coats has hit safely in 10 straight games and in 17 of his last 18 games. Over his last 18 games he has gone 30-69 (.434) with six doubles, one triple and 10 RBI. TORRES NAMED IL PITCHER OF THE WEEK...AGAIN...AND AGAIN: For the third time this season Charlotte Knights pitcher Carlos Torres has been named the International League’s Pitcher of the Week. This past week Torres went 2-0 in two starts and improved his season record to 6-5. Torres combined to pitch 14.0 innings allowing two runs off eight hits in two starts. He totaled 12 strikeouts and walked only three. Torres has now gone seven consecutive starts without a loss and his 92 strikeouts rank near the top of the International League. The 27-year-old right hander becomes just the 9th person to be named the International League Pitcher of the Week three times in a single season since the award’s inception in 1985. He previously won the award for the weeks of April 8-11 and May 31-June 6. How much have all the recent minor league accolades boosted the trade value of Carlos Torres? How do other organizations, particularly pitching starved orginizations, view him? He doen't seem to have much of a chance with the White Sox, starter or bullpen. Would he help us land the big bat that we need?

QUOTE (fathom @ Jul 2, 2010 -> 09:22 AM) Nope, I think Santana will be better than him. Target Field is going to just destroy Mauer's power numbers. What's up with Target Field? I was under the impression that the ballpark was built for left hand hitters.

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Jun 29, 2010 -> 07:30 AM) De Aza has been ridiculous since returning from the DL. Hell, I wonder if he'd be a better option to DH right now... There are several minor leaguers who would be a better option to dh right now than what the major league club is currently offering, IMHO. I would be all for bringing up De Aza and DFA'ing Jiones. But if they aren't going to dh Viciedo I would doubt that they would bring anyone up to dh.

QUOTE (ptatc @ Jun 20, 2010 -> 10:05 PM) I'm extremely impressed with this analysis. The late forearm turn over as they call it, is the delayed external rotation in a biomechanical model. It put a great deal of stress on the shoulder as the excessive internal rotation forces the humeral head posterior in the shoulder and the subsequent external rotation needed for pitching forces the humeral head anterior. This extra bit of translation causes a gradual stretching of the shoulder joint and eventually loosens the shoulder. This in turn causes increased wear on the shoulder stabilizers such as the labrum, rotator cuff and ligaments. His is not a bad a Strasburg's whose external rotation is further delayed. What ??? Wow, the bolded part really made my brain hurt! Now the italics part is more my speed. Just kidding Ptac; I really appreciate your medical knowledge and your information.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Jun 15, 2010 -> 09:24 AM) AJ Pierzynski is not good enough offensively to have him also spend a considerable amount of time at 1B and DH. He's essentially the same hitter as Mark Kotsay, but he is tolerated at catcher because he calls a good game and it's much harder to find offense at catcher. Beyond that, catchers generally age faster than other players due to the wear and tear on their body from the rigors of catching, and it's entirely possible that's what has gone on this season, so it is very possible that the Sox could be worse offensively with a trio of Pierzynski-Flowers-Castro/Lucy. I didn't necessarily mean to have A.J. be the full time first baseman, maybe share some time with Viciedo if Konerko leaves, or for Konerko himself if he stays. I just thought that A. J. might realize that it is better for him and the Sox if he can become a little more versatile and take a little more time off from behind the dish. I agree that he is somewhat the same hitter as Mark Kotsay, but wouldn't it be more valuable to have your backup first baseman also able to catch rather than play the outfield.

QUOTE (elgonzo4sox @ Jun 14, 2010 -> 10:44 PM) The #1 thing that would drive AJ out of the Sox organization is if he doesn't like the amount of playing time he gets. Right now he catches 1000+ innings per year. The Sox should not bet on Flowers to immediately step up and catch 1000 innings. Better to do it gradually, by signing AJ to an extension. Then bring Flowers up. If Flowers performs well, and Ozzie plays him more, AJ will sit more and start to grumble and eventually demand to "play me or trade me". By not signing AJ, the Sox would be betting that Flowers (or a combo of Flowers and Castro or Lucy?) could step in and catch 1000+ innings. That's a huge gamble with more downside risk than upside potential. I kind of like a form of this idea. At some point, even though A.J likes to play a lot of innings, I think that he is smart enough to realize that DHing more often, or even playing some first base (Konerkos' partial replacement ?) would help to prolong his career and offensive numbers. I wouldn't mind seeing A. J., Flowers, & either Castro or Lucy form a catcher / DH trio. It can't be any worse offensively than what we have now at DH. It gives all 3 catchers adequate playing time, Flowers learns more slowly with experience around him, and it give Ozzie flexibility at the catcher position. JMHO

QUOTE (scenario @ Jun 13, 2010 -> 03:03 PM) One of the problems Flowers had is that he came to spring training with some adjustments to his 'old' (last years) swing that he worked on over the winter. The Sox were unhappy with these changes and were trying to help him get back to his old swing. Not sure what other changes he was trying in May that he's abandoned. So, in other words, we should not be blaming Greg Walker for Flowers problems in May, correct? I'm not trying to place blame on anyone, just trying to avoid blaming someone if it isn't their fault.

QUOTE (3E8 @ Jun 13, 2010 -> 01:42 PM) Link "At the point where I've tried doing it their way this last month, sadly enough the numbers speak for themselves, and that way doesn't totally work," Flowers said. "I have to go back to the old me. I have to go back to my style of hitting, while implementing the little things Walk [White Sox hitting coach Greg Walker] and Kenny talked about. . I'm just trying to clarify something here. Who is the "Their" that he's talking about in the article? I'm asking because I believe that someone on this board has already stated that Flowers had a third party (not associated with the White Sox) try to alter his swing. Without knowing the whole interview, it could be interpreted as Flowers is giving up on the new swing that had nothing to do with Walker, or the Sox; and is going back to his old swing with some added suggestions from Walker & KW. Does anyone know for sure who persuaded him to change his swing?

QUOTE (WCSox @ Jun 10, 2010 -> 11:57 AM) Yeah, he has power in the minors. So did Joe Borchard. I agree that Flowers should be brought up at some point this year, but there's no need to rush a 24-year-old who has been struggling at AAA this year. Let the kid develop. I would leave Flowers in the minors if for no other reason than to build confidence and give Lucy some more major league experience splitting time with Castro at catcher in the bigs. Call up Flowers sometime in August or September if he continues to progress. Then next year you have Flowers as the primary catcher, with Lucy as a backup with at least a little experience.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Jun 9, 2010 -> 11:20 AM) I blame whoever's fault it is that Buehrle, Peavy, & Gavin suck balls this year. I think that this is a good discussion overall. Ozzie seems to be taking most of the blame this season because it is "his" roster. I think that Ozzie mainly had his influence over the offense and while the offense has not exactly been stellar, it has scored more runs on average than last years team ( I believe that someone stated this on another thread). Ozzies' influence, which I believe has mainly been Jaun Pierre and the rotating D.H. ; while not great has been at least servicable and should be good enough to suppport our "vaunted" pitching staff. Therefore, one could argue that Ozzies' part of the equation has at least been adequate. The problem has been the core of our offense and the pitching; areas where I don't believe that Ozzie had as much influence. JMHO For the record, I'm not strongly for or against K. W. or Ozzie, I just want this organization to win consistantly.

QUOTE (ptatc @ May 20, 2010 -> 07:13 AM) Absolutely true. But the problem is the individual players aren't bad defensive players (with the exception of Teahen) but they seem to take turns screwing up. This has ben the 2nd most suprising thing to me with this club so far, Beckham struggling so much has to be #1. I thought, and even discussed I think, on a couple of threads that while I didn't think that we would be the best defensive team in the league, I definitely thought that we would be above average. Maybe I had false expectations but: A.J. = has looked like he's slipped some defensively Pauly = still looks above average to me at first (scooping & throwing anyway) Beckam = seems to have good range for 2nd but I haven't been impressed Ramirez = I thought that he would get more consistant and that hasn't happened Teahen = I wasn't sure what he would hit, but I thought that he was at least better defensively then he has shown. Pierre = about what I expected, not great, but can occaisionally run a ball down. Rios = Just what I expected. Quentin = Looks like he has lost something to me defensively. thought he'd be just a bit better than he's played. Jones = Has looked good defensively to me, wish he could play RF more. Pauly, Pierre, and Rios are the only ones playing to their potential defensively in my opinion. Ramirez, Teahen, and A.J. are the biggest disappointments to me.

I really enjoyed listening to Farmer and Wimpy together, and I listened to almost all of the games on radio. I like Farmer and D.J. too though. I think that they should get rid of "The Hawkeroo" and put D.J back over on television doing play by play with Stoney as the color guy and leave Wimpy and Farmer together on radio.

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ May 18, 2010 -> 03:33 PM) How many Soxtalkers would have really guessed at the beginning of the season that Garcia would be one of our top two pitchers as far as dependability and quality starts? I believe he has had only one subpar game Actually; I can honestly say that I had a lot of faith in Freddy. Say what you want but Freddy is a gamer. I knew that at the very least he would be an extremely effective #5. The sad part is that Freddy is only one of the 2 best starters because most of the others have disappointed.

QUOTE (greg775 @ May 18, 2010 -> 02:32 AM) I read it out of respect and I might learn something. It was long, but he's a good poster as you are. I read it too. I like KHP & Caulfield as posters, their posts are long but usually well thought out and informative, they at least make you think. I can definitely do without the argueing and name calling. Jeesh folks, everyone has their opinion. Can we just discuss things peaceably and learn from others. No one here knows everything but some come off like "know it alls" and everyone else is foolish for having a differing opinion. As always, JMHOpinion.

I am not a minor league expert and really only follow the minors through this board and Future Sox (maybe that does make me smarter than most though ). With the Big league club in the dumpster and many folks here already talking about dumping veterans for prospects, who are some of the prospects from other organizations that you would like to see us acquire? Not necessarily looking for trade proposals, thats seems to lead to argueing about how much our current players are actually worth. I'm really just looking for names that you guys think would be worthy to acquire.

I agree that something needs to be done to shake this team out of its doldrums, but I don't think that changing the hitting coach is a big enough change to do it. I don't know what needs to be done, I just don't think that this is it. But who knows, it might work. Worth a try I guess.

I'm thrilled that we got the sweep, even if we won each game by only one run. In tying to stay positive and look at the bright side of things, wasn't one of the things that was said about the 2005 team was that they won a lot of one run games which helped them to be confident later on that they could win these type of games when it really mattered? Hopefully we are building confidence for our playoff run!