WCSox

QUOTE (lostfan @ Apr 16, 2008 -> 09:28 AM) I didn't "anoint" him as anything. I said I could see it, and what he could potentially be. To look at his batting average without any consideration of circumstances and say "he hasn't done crap" is a little extreme and unfair though (mind you, I was saying the same thing about him needing to prove he can play before the season started, against all the hyperbole and outrageous expectations for Quentin and Fields) Basing an argument on "potential" is pretty silly. Rocco Baldelli and Joe Borchard had a lot of potential as well. I like Quentin and think that he may be a really good player one day. But I wouldn't count on him to be valuable over the long-term just yet.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Apr 16, 2008 -> 09:26 AM) All the more reason to not want him learning the job on the fly in the majors. I could see if he was 20, 21, or if he was just completely awful defensively like Ryan Braun. But in baseball terms he's pretty old. No, in baseball terms he's entering the prime of his career. And there's no reason that he can't learn to play an outfield position in his mid-20's. Chipper Jones didn't have a problem making that transition at age 30.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Apr 16, 2008 -> 09:21 AM) Carlos Quentin was/is a five-tool prospect who has shown plenty of power potential in the major leagues. It's not a stretch at all to say that. Once he's fully healthy I, like many people, could see him hitting between 3rd and 5th in this lineup by 2010 as the eventual replacement for Dye. Carlos Quentin has done crap in 2+ years in the majors and isn't a lock to live up to the expectations. You might want to wait for him to play a full season at a reasonably high level before anointing him as a middle-of-the-lineup replacement for Dye.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Apr 16, 2008 -> 09:18 AM) Oh god, wouldn't it. I don't even want him at LF (with this surplus of OFs we currently have) let alone trying to learn RF, at the age of 26. I don't believe that Fields got time at any OF position in the minors.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Apr 16, 2008 -> 09:04 AM) I think that's a bit of a leap. He may, or may not, be able to do that. Perfect example: Pablo Ozuna. He plays a reasonably good 3B, and 2B for that matter. But he's a pretty bad outfielder. Fields has a better arm than Pablo of course, but as far as manning the position goes, the translation cannot be automatically assumed to be successful. Sure, but Fields has already shown that he can play LF (and he'd play it better if he'd get more time there). He's not slow and he doesn't seem to have any serious depth perception issues, so the only thing that could keep him from playing the other corner OF position would be his arm. And as a 3B and former QB, that shouldn't be a problem, either.

QUOTE (Leonard Zelig @ Apr 16, 2008 -> 07:56 AM) WCSox, you've mentioned a couple of time Fields can play RF. What makes you think that? Has he ever played there? Anybody with the arm and athleticism to play 3B and the ability to play LF at a reasonable level can play RF.

QUOTE (scenario @ Apr 16, 2008 -> 08:13 AM) It amazes me that despite the mountains of evidence piled up in the last 20 year that steals do not correlate to wins... and that OBP does... that some people still feel the need for a 'steals guy' at the top of the order. That's true in general, but the combination of decent OBP and steals can be very effective. Pods was certainly a difference-maker during the first half of '05 with a modest (for a leadoff hitter) OBP of .350.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Apr 15, 2008 -> 05:35 PM) I'm intent on trading Fields if Crede is resigned because there is absolutely no need for him on this team. He is a power hitting, high strikeout, average defensive player. Since when have we been short on these guys? 2000? I understand the core of the team continues to age, including many of our power hitters such as Dye, Thome, and Konerko. However, we've just acquired both Swisher and Quentin, who will both be 25-30 HR guys here for many, many years. Konerko's power is going nowhere for a few more years, and he is signed through 2010'. And under the premise of your question, Crede would be re-signed, and he is a 25-30 HR player as well. So power is not something we are going to be lacking. Instead, we should be looking for solid all-around players with good plate discipline and above average defense. So, we're supposed to trade away a guy who can play 3B, as well as LF, RF, and 1B and costs the ML minimum just because he struck out too many times in his first year of significant action against ML pitching? That makes absolutely no sense to me. Even if the Sox do re-sign Crede, Swisher is the only young player left with real power. Quentin a 25-30 HR hitter? Where's your evidence for that? And what happens when the Sox lose Thome and Dye over the next couple of years? Which other young guys are going to step up and fill their shoes? Who in our craphole farm system is going to step up in 2010 with Paulie in last year of his deal? And let's not forget that Crede's back problems are not magically gone forever just because he had surgery. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to move Fields over from LF, RF, or 1B to spell him every once in a while? And if, God forbid, Crede were to need surgery again, wouldn't it be nice to have Fields at our disposal for the ML minimum? IF the Sox can sign Crede and get a semi-stud veteran C or SS in a package for Fields, I'd be all for moving Josh. But moving him because he struck out too many times in less than 400 ML at-bats last year is downright silly, IMO. QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Apr 15, 2008 -> 06:24 PM) I think he'll get Rowand money or more next offseason on the open market. I think he might take $1-2 million less per year to stay in Chicago if he could get the Boras folk to give up some control. A contract like Konerko's for example. I'd like to see it happen, but I'm not holding my breath.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Apr 15, 2008 -> 03:58 PM) IMO, 30+ home run power is more valuable at 3rd base than it is at either 1b, LF, or RF. In other words, if Josh Fields can play adequate defense at 3rd base, then he's more valuable there than at any other position on the diamond. Trading a 30+ home run 3rd baseman should earn you something more valuable than a 30 home run player at 1b, LF, or RF, unless that person also has great speed, great defense, etc. That may be true in theory, but it remains to be seen whether or not the Sox could get a proven #2 starter or something of equally high value in a package for Fields. Also worth considering is that our farm system currently sucks ass and there aren't many players with Fields' power waiting in the wings. The Sox may be desperate for offense once Crede, Thome, and Dye are gone.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Apr 15, 2008 -> 03:41 PM) I absolutely understand the notion that Fields comes at a far cheaper price than Crede, in terms of salary. However, simply because Fields is a player that would be making near the league minimum for a few seasons prior to his arbitration years, and Crede would most-likely be an 8-figure salaried player, that does not mean Fields cannot be traded for a similar player at another position. It seems foolish to me that because we have two solid options at one position, we are somehow locked into letting the more expensive player walk or trading him for quarters on the dollar. Why not explore scenarios whereby Fields could be traded for a similar player at a position of need, for instance second base, first base, perhaps right field, rather than assuming he has to become unblocked at third base with the trade or non-signing of Joe Crede? Why are you so intent on dealing Fields if Crede is re-signed? He'll be cheap for a long time, he has 30+ HR power, and he can play all four of the corner positions. That's the kind of guy that you want to keep around for a while.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Apr 15, 2008 -> 03:44 PM) Well, if you're talking playoffs, that's apples to apples, and it's at best a wash because if one guy had to be chosen, Konerko was the absolute hero of the playoffs. FWIW. Crede hit four homers in the playoffs and drove in 11 runs, including a game-winning single and saved at least a couple of runs in the first two games of the WS with his defense. Konerko was the better hitter, but Crede was by far the best overall position player in October of '05.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Apr 15, 2008 -> 03:12 PM) It's also a bit ironic that people want to lock Crede up to a long term deal, yet want to dump Konerko to get younger...he's 2 years older than Joe and has been a much better player over the course of his career. It probably has something to do with the fact that Joe can play All Star-caliber defense at 3B, while Paulie's limited to 1B and DH. The fact that Crede was downright phenomenal both offensively and defensively down the stretch in '05 is likely a contributing factor as well. I'm not expecting KW to keep Crede around, and would be fine with Fields as our future 3B. But comparing Paulie to Joe is almost comparing apples and oranges.

QUOTE (tonyho7476 @ Apr 15, 2008 -> 01:14 PM) I'm down with Crede getting signed, but it will wait till the off-season, I would assume. Yeah, and see if his back holds up over the course of a full season. If it does, I'd love for him to stick around for another 4-5 years. If they decide to let him walk and go with Fields, I would understand.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Apr 15, 2008 -> 02:23 PM) I've said it several times in several places, and I like saying it...I feel really good about this team right now. Yep. They're basically a hybrid of the '05 and '06 teams. The pitching and hitting isn't as strong, respectively, but the combination of the two is probably good enough to take them to the playoffs.

QUOTE (The Critic @ Apr 15, 2008 -> 12:15 PM) Hawk with another warning track STRETCH. Please, Hawk, just stop. QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ Apr 15, 2008 -> 12:14 PM) Stoney and Farmer are really starting to understand each other better now that we're a couple weeks in, and they are just outstanding to listen to. Stoney are Farmer are outstanding together - very lively and interesting. OTOH, Hawk and DJ almost put me to sleep last night. Is it just me, or are there way more pauses in Hawk and DJ's telecasts this year? Did they go to a Jim Rome commentary workshop or something?

QUOTE (Jenks Heat @ Apr 15, 2008 -> 11:59 AM) 10 pitch inning Danks at 89 pitches, 8 straight retired. He's developing into a really solid #3/#2.

QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ Apr 15, 2008 -> 11:54 AM) The wind kept that one in the yard, and a very nice catch by Carlos. What a pleasant surprise this guy has become. He's definitely earned his spot in the lineup.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Apr 15, 2008 -> 11:24 AM) Putting money towards a 4 year deal for Crede really doesn't make the team that much younger. Crede is still in his early 30s. Thome will be 39 next August. Dumping Thome would also allow JD or PK to move to DH and open up a spot for Fields.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Apr 15, 2008 -> 12:07 PM) The Phillies are including $5.5 mill, so that means the Sox have Thome for $7.5 mill next year with a $3 mill buyout; essentially, a savings of $4.5 million isn't worth losing a potential 35 homers. I didn't realize that the Phillies were paying for Thome's option year. In that case, it might not be a terrible idea. Still, I'd prefer to put the money towards the first year of a four-year deal for Joe. The Sox desperately need to get younger.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Apr 15, 2008 -> 08:14 AM) Prepare to be pissed So you don't think that they'll buy out his contract? He'd have to have 1,100 plate appearances combined from last and this year for that to happen. I guess it's possible. I'd look to let him walk next year (he'll be 39 next August), but that's just me.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Apr 15, 2008 -> 08:32 AM) Uribe's pretty talented too, but he doesn't perform either. If he wants to keep his job, he better start performing. Agreed, but he performs with the glove a lot better than Richar, Ozuna, or Ramirez.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Apr 15, 2008 -> 09:17 AM) I understand right now that Uribe is the Sox best option for 2B considering both offense and defense, but he's not the Sox most talented 2B, and you should give shots to those who are more talented. No, you should give the shots to the people who perform better. "Talent" doesn't mean crap unless it translates into production. Plus, I don't see Richar being ready until late May at the earliest, after being out with an injury and missing part of ST. He'll probably play most the latter half of this month through May in the minors.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Apr 15, 2008 -> 04:55 AM) The pitching was excellent. It was nice to see Mark and the pen pitch well. I feel much better losing a game 2-1 than 10-8. You always have a shot with good pitching.

QUOTE (DBAH0 @ Apr 14, 2008 -> 10:00 PM) Jim Thome was our best hitter last season. Crazy idea to think of getting rid of him just yet. I'm a big Thome guy (even back when he was with the hated Tribe), but I'm going to be pissed if he's in a Sox uniform next year.

QUOTE (jackie hayes @ Apr 15, 2008 -> 07:41 AM) I don't know about that. He was just yelling, he didn't go Milton Bradley on anyone. It just looks worse because he's normally so subdued. Yeah, it's not like he took a swing at the ump. He didn't even bump him. And he was completely justified in arguing, as it was a HORRIBLE call.