WCSox

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jul 2, 2008 -> 09:10 AM) Yeah, it's almost bizarre how often we score two or less runs for him. I seem to remember Mike Sirotka getting no run support back in early 2000, but he still finished with 15 wins. That said, he wasn't nearly as effective as Danks is this year. Danks has a good shot a missing double-digit wins this year, considering that he'll be limited in September. Oh, and getting back to the topic, Quentin and Dye should at least be there as reserves. Jenks has a decent shot as well. Danks and Linebrink should be there as well, but won't be.

QUOTE (TCQ @ Jul 2, 2008 -> 11:04 AM) Agreed proves nepotism is alive and well As does Chip Caray. Eraser Head almost sounded like he was rooting AGAINST the Sox in the WS. There seemed to be a complete lack of enthusiasm on his part whenever the Sox won a game. His "moral outrage" directed towards Randy Moss' fake moon of Packers fans in the '04 playoffs was ridiculous as well.

QUOTE (TCQ @ Jul 2, 2008 -> 11:07 AM) Grinder Rule no. 75 no excuses play like a champion. Fixed I want to kick back, have a couple of beers, and watch baseball tonight. And I want the Sox to step up and stick it to Sabathia. Therefore, a rainout would suck IMO.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jul 2, 2008 -> 10:07 AM) Part of the fact that we don't bunt much in that situation is a function of our team, and not of our strategy. It's worse strategy to ask Paulie, Jimmy, or Jermaine to bunt than to just let them do what they are capable of actually doing. Like Hawk says, you find out what your guys can't do, and don't ask them to do it. Unfortunately, I don't see enough of Jimmy trying to hit the ball the other way with RISP. While I don't expect him to bunt, I don't like Chris Rongey's retarded excuse of, "They pay him to hit home runs."

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jul 2, 2008 -> 06:59 AM) Good thing Wise hit for BA. Thats all I have to say about that. If Wise keeps performing well at the plate and on the bases, one has to wonder if either BA or Ozuna is going to get sent down. While it may be odd to have five outfielders on the roster (although Swish could be considered a 1B), I don't see the point in keeping Ozuna around if Wise has significant offensive value and BA has significant defensive value. Another option would be to go with the standard 11 pitchers until the rosters expand in September. F'n awesome win last night. (And an important one, as Sabathia's on the mound tonight.) Last year's team would've folded after Blake homered in the 10th. This team may not have the magic of '05, but there's something special going on.

QUOTE (Frankensteiner @ Jul 1, 2008 -> 10:45 AM) To me, everything depends on his health. If he can throw low 90s again there's no way he wouldn't win a spot in our rotation. 2004-2005 Garcia is as good or better than anyone on this current staff, especially when you factor in postseason performance. It's highly doubtful he's completely healthy, though. And even if he were completely healthy and throwing in the low '90s again, he hasn't pitched an actual ML game in over a year. He wouldn't be ready until September at the earliest. That said, the Sox would be foolish to not send a scout down there to watch his workout. Given Freddy's history with the team and his family ties to Ozzie, there's a very slight chance that he could take Loaiza's position down the stretch.

QUOTE (DBAH0 @ Jul 1, 2008 -> 09:41 AM) Just on that, do people consider Konerko to be the face of the franchise, or Buehrle? Because I'd be inclined to go with Mark myself, but that's JMHO. Isn't Paulie technically supposed to be the captain? Both are pretty much de facto equal faces of the franchise, IMO. Given's Paulie's status in the organization and with the fans, it's pretty much inconceivable that he'd be dealt (especially to an AL contender) while the Sox are in first place. Even if he's injured and hitting like crap, that would be a massively bad PR move.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jul 1, 2008 -> 09:11 AM) I still say if I were making the move Anderson would be down in the minors. However, if chosing between Ozuna and Uribe, I go with Ozuna as he can provide something off the bench that our regular players can't provide. Uribe doesn't really do that as we won't see him come into the games as a defensive replacement at any of the three key infield positions (not that he isn't good, its just that the guys the Sox have there are very very good as is). I also am not a big Wise fan, although he's made some solid plays in his short time up with the Sox. I'd rather keep Uribe as an insurance policy, in case O-Cab or Alexei were to go down. Assuming he's healthy, Fields would be the guy to replace Crede if his back acted up again. I don't see Ozuna as an every-day 3B. That said, I can understand why one might want Ozuna's bat and base-stealing over Uribe's offensive "skills." The decision between BA and Wise is an interesting one. I'd favor BA as a 4th outfielder because of his glove, although he could use more at-bats in the minors. His swing still looks awful at times. If it were up to me, I'd do what I could to keep Uribe and Ozuna around and remove Wise to make room for Paulie when he returns. It'll be interesting to see what happens when Loaiza is able to return. I would assume that Russell goes back down, but who knows. Getting back to the Uribe-to-the-Orioles scenario, I think that it would literally take a deal involving Brian Roberts to make it worthwhile. Uribe won't get Kenny anything of value in return, so the Sox have pretty much zero incentive to deal him.

Not sure that I'd give Crede an F for defense. Dude has made some stellar plays with his glove. But I agree that his back seems to be messing with his throwing mechanics. I'll hate to see him leave this winter, but it's the right thing to do. I'd bump Thome and Swish up to C's. Both have been hammering the ball lately and Thome is still sporting good overall power and OBP numbers. Swish was dreadful early on, but played CF better than we thought possible and has been a real sparkplug in the clubhouse. I'd also give Massett and Alexei B's. Both have been better than expected, but I wouldn't say that either has been excellent. Other than that, I pretty much agree. It's amazing what a difference a year can make. I don't think that more than 3 or 4 players could've been legitimately put in the A category last year.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jul 1, 2008 -> 08:27 AM) Some reporter on ESPN First Take was on talking about some rumors about the Sox dealing Konerko and that Boston is very interested. Apparently the belief in Boston is that Ortiz will be out for the season. However, for the most part the rumors she was talking about sounded like a bunch of crap. Did indicate that the Sox may be looking to acquire pitching. I really don't think there was any legitimate inside info regarding these rumors though. Why in the heck would the Sox deal the face of their franchise to a competitive team when they're in first place? That doesn't make any sense. Neither does dealing the best defensive infielder in the organization for an A-baller or fringe prospect when, again, the Sox are in first place. This isn't exactly the time to be throwing away a good insurance policy for a fringe minor-leaguer.

QUOTE (YASNY @ Jun 30, 2008 -> 08:41 AM) Defensively, he's above average. That's what I meant to say.

QUOTE (YASNY @ Jun 30, 2008 -> 09:24 AM) Bingo! Brian Anderson has grown up. According to a friend of my sister's, Anderson wasn't a very mature person at the U of A, either. I'm glad that he's (apparently) grown up. While it's still unknown if he'll become an every-day ML player, it's way too early to give up on this guy. Especially when he's the only above-average ML-ready CF in the organization.

QUOTE (YASNY @ Jun 30, 2008 -> 05:14 AM) though I'd hate to see Anderson shipped out or down. I think I value good defense more than the average fan and BA certainly supplies that. Unless Kenny traded for somebody like Taveras, I agree. And with Taveras currently sporting a .301 OBP, I don't see him helping us that much. BA is maddening at the plate at times, but is a really good 4th outfielder and has the occasional game like last night. I agree that Wise or Ozuna would be the one to go if Kenny made a deal, as both are the 5th options in the outfield and infield, respectively.

I'm all for HRs, but they still leave way too many people on base. IIRC, Dye and Thome were on 2nd a 3rd with nobody out last night and neither were driven in. They definitely need to work on their situational hitting, especially bunting.

QUOTE (Wanne @ Jun 29, 2008 -> 07:51 PM) I know Lou is arch enemy's manager...but I really like Lou. He's funny as s***....and not too shabby a manager. +1 QUOTE (ChiSox35 @ Jun 29, 2008 -> 08:54 PM) Interleague play helped wreck us last year. 10-5 with three sweeps is probably not the best we could have done (Rockies), but I'll take it and run. Agreed. Outside of the Rockies series, I'm pretty happy. Splitting six games with the best team in the NL isn't bad at all. QUOTE (YASNY @ Jun 30, 2008 -> 02:48 AM) Before Alexi took over at 2B, there were two undeniable facts: 1. Uribe was playing a fantastic 2B defensively. 2. Alexi was somewhat shaky out there. Even Ozzie, who knows something about playing middle infield, made several comments about Alexi's defense at the time. Now Alexi has settled in and got comfortable and his many and varied skills are rising to the surface. He's turned out to be a rare find and kudoes to the Sox for stepping up and sign him. But until, he actually showed he could be a good defensive 2B, he was an unknown quantity. Alexei is much less of a defensive downgrade that I thought he'd be. And I really like having Juan as a defensively-solid 4th infielder.

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Jun 29, 2008 -> 07:56 PM) I am thinking Jim Thome can still hit the fastball after that homer on Sunday night versus the Cubbies Where was that earlier this year? JT

QUOTE (bmags @ Jun 29, 2008 -> 07:40 PM) man, this home field phenomenon this year is crazy. It's like the NBA playoffs all over again. Way to finish and way to carry the momentum into July.

QUOTE (Reddy @ Jun 29, 2008 -> 02:11 PM) terrible meaning 2 bad starts out of his last 10? Sure, if you ignore how bad he was for most of last year. I'm not trying to throw Jose under the bus, but rather point out that I wouldn't expect him to pitch as consistently well has he did for the first two months.

QUOTE (Reddy @ Jun 29, 2008 -> 01:27 PM) honestly i think vaz and the count will be alright. this cubs sox thing did NOT help Vaz's head at ALL. i think now that it's over and done with it will be interesting to see where he goes from there. and Count, he's fine and he will be fine. he's been incredible for us this year, i think before we all wouldve been happy with a high 4's era out of him. Vazquez has a history of not pitching well in big games. His best year for the Sox was last season, when nothing of consequence was on the line. Some hypothesize that he has confidence issues. Maybe, maybe not, but it's something to keep in mind. Jose is streaky and you never know what you're going to get out of him. He looked dominant earlier this year, and has looked terrible in more recent outings. Who knows how he'll pitch down the stretch.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Jun 29, 2008 -> 01:03 PM) And who are you kicking out of the rotation? Nobody yet, but to say that the rotation is "solid" at this point isn't exactly accurate. I don't think that anybody feels confident in Javy or Jose at this point. Hopefully that changes soon.

QUOTE (Maxwell @ Jun 29, 2008 -> 09:58 AM) The bullpen & starting pitching seem solid to me. I'm not sure about the starting pitching at this point. Vazquez and Contreras have sucked lately. As much as I'd love to have somebody like Grady Sizemore, somebody like Sabathia or Rich Harden might be a better option (threoretically speaking, as I know that neither Sizemore nor Sabathia would end up on the Sox).

So apparently the problems aren't with Cubs fans, but morons who happens to be Cubs fans. QUOTE (South Side Fireworks Man @ Jun 29, 2008 -> 09:43 AM) BTW, winning two games does not atone for losing four. Apparently you've forgotten that the Sox won 2/3 in LA in between these two series. Or does that not count because there's no anger to be spewed at Dodgers fans? The Sox lost a series last weekend, won a series earlier this week, and won a series this weekend. I'd say that the momentum has shifted and that the Sox are back on the right track.

QUOTE (kyyle23 @ Jun 29, 2008 -> 10:36 AM) Its easy to say "yeah, these are games against teams we will never play again, its irrelevant". But at the same time you look at the Sox pitiful record vs the NL last year and you can make a case that the team would have been a little bit more competitive down the stretch if they had held their own like they usually did. Meh, the Sox had so many problems last year that even a winning record against the NL wouldn't have helped them. But agreed that it's certainly nice that they've been a lot better in interleague play this year. They've had a lot of "cookie" games against the Pirates, Giants, and Dodgers and have done a great job of taking advantage of the relatively weak competition (the Rockies notwithstanding). That's going to help them tremendously over the long term. Even if they lose tonight, they'll still have won 4 out of the past 6 and taken a series against the best team in the NL.

QUOTE (shipps @ Jun 29, 2008 -> 10:22 AM) Yeah thats right ,you live in Oregon and you wouldnt understand. I grew up in Park Forest and lived in the south 'burbs for 11 years, eastern Iowa for 4 years, and northern Indiana for 7 years. I understand the rivalry quite a bit more than you seem to think.

QUOTE (shipps @ Jun 29, 2008 -> 11:14 AM) Did you not read my post?I gave you the reason why I have to have the Sox win all three against the Cubs. Yes, because a bunch of Cubs fans whose team hasn't won a championship in 100 years are going to illogically give you grief if the Sox only take 1/2 series and 2/6 overall against them this year. One would think that the Sox winning the WS three years ago would've upped the ante somewhat, but apparently a large number of Cubs fans are still stuck in 1999 and believe that the results of two interleague series mean something important.