WCSox

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ May 12, 2009 -> 09:31 AM) The big question I have is...can I improve on that $85 million by trading my guys at the deadline this year? If I trade Dye and Dotel at the deadline, that's another $6 million or so I've freed up, and I may potentially have an extra pitcher or two afterwards. If Linebrink stays healthy and has a good year (far from guaranteed, I know), I'd try to move him ASAP as well.

QUOTE (greg775 @ May 11, 2009 -> 09:16 PM) Predictably, KW talking about this in the press leads to Bobby doing something about it, then admitting it when asked by the media. What players admit to throwing behind players? We lead the league in dumb. Baseball probably has to suspend Bobby for his comments. What highly-successful pitcher throws a fastball behind a batter, and then tries to convince everybody that he was aiming for the strike zone? The ump immediately knew what was up and issued the warnings. I don't know about you, but I'd rather that a pitcher intentionally threw behind a hitter than actually plunked a hitter in the back to "send a message." I'm not convinced that MLB will suspend Jenks for admitting that he intentionally missed hitting a batter. More importantly, I find it REALLY strange that Kenny was the one who commanded the pitchers to retaliate. Isn't that the manager's job? And what does this say about Ozzie and Kenny's relationship?

QUOTE (mmmmmbeeer @ May 8, 2009 -> 05:09 PM) Ozzie's demeanor on the field has changed quite a bit since his sensitivity training. I wonder if someone in a position of power sent him a message that if he doesn't cool it he'll be gone. He doesn't argue. He doesn't insist his pitchers protect his hitters. He doesn't talk near as much trash about the opposition or his own players for that matter as he did a couple years ago. I think it's very telling that this had to come from KW. I agree. How often does a GM criticize his pitching staff for not protecting its hitters? It makes you wonder how thin the ice is under Ozzie's feet.

My guess is that Richard goes back into the rotation. MAYBE Poreda comes up at some point if that doesn't work out. I just don't see Kenny trading for anybody this year. Considering that Pods is currently out starting CF, I see no evidence that Kenny will spend anything on a back-of-the-rotation starter.

If the Sox continue on this path, my guess is that Kenny lands one for Dye at the deadline.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ May 5, 2009 -> 11:23 AM) As a 40 year old he put up a .978 OPS for Baltimore, including 24 HR. I'd say he still had some bat speed then. Yeah, and what happened after he was traded back to the Sox? I'm not saying that every player's swing dies at age 40. MOST begin to decline as they approach 40, and even ridiculously-talented hitters like Harold eventually lose bat speed around that age.

This was reported in the Trib and Southtown back in the late '90s. Really sad stuff. I played "catch" with Norton (and James Baldwin) from my hotel room window in the Skydome back in '98, and will never forget that. It's nice to see that a guy can overcome such a screwed-up family situation to not only play major league ball, but be a decent person as well.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ May 5, 2009 -> 11:45 AM) To be fair, Tyler Flowers could very easily become as valuable or more so than Chris Young has been (or was projected to be). That type of power usually doesn't come from a guy behind the plate. All the Sox have to do is hope he can contribute sooner than Saltalamacchia. Yeah, that's definitely possible. And the Sox will be needing a replacement for AJ in the upcoming years. I recall A LOT of people here drooling over Salty a couple of years ago. Ouch...

Mea culpa!

QUOTE (fathom @ May 5, 2009 -> 04:46 AM) Seriously, the Javy trade was to get Flowers, and the rest didn't really mean much. Not to mention unloading Javy's salary, which is above market value in this economy and is a bit high for a guy who can't get it done in pressure situations. After his big-game failures in Chicago and NY, and his average year in Arizona, it's not surprising that Kenny didn't get a Chris Young-type player in return.

QUOTE (CanOfCorn @ May 5, 2009 -> 08:33 AM) KGJ still has one of the most beautiful swings. Unfortunately, the bat head doesn't get through the zone as quick as it once did. Might be all those leg injuries. Players tend to lose significant bat speed as they approach 40. Harold Baines had the bat speed of a Little Leaguer by the time he retired.

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ May 4, 2009 -> 06:29 PM) I am still tying to figure out the Swisher deal. What Nick needed wa s akick in the pants not a trade. From what has been discussed on this board, few in the clubhouse liked Swisher, especially Ozzie. If you're not a good "fit" here, it's not going to work out. Swisher had a favorable contract by last year's standards, but that's changed since the economic downturn. QUOTE (caulfield12 @ May 5, 2009 -> 03:20 AM) This is beginning to feel like the late 80's and late 90's. We're in a transition year. I agree. The combination of an excess of aging, over-paid aging veteran talent and the bad economy gave the organization little choice. Spending now would be a bad idea. Next year, something like $60 million comes off the books and Kenny will be able to negotiate contracts with FAs this winter with a favorable "bad economy discount." Also agree that the Sox need to slash ticket prices soon. But given the financial commitments that the Sox still have, it probably won't happen until next year.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ May 3, 2009 -> 04:32 AM) I think before they move Contreras to the minors, they should try him in the bullpen. Even as much as he has struggled, his ERA is only about 3.00 the first 2 or 3 innings. I think as he builds up strength, he should be able to go longer, but the guy was supposed to be a bullpen guy when he got back in August and he was on the opening day roster in the rotation. Things could be worse. He could be named Oliver Perez. If he needs some time off to build strength, I'd rather that the Sox fabricate an injury and give him a stint or two on the 15-day DL. He can build strength and do some throwing on the side.

I can understand why he'd want to leave. But if he couldn't make it in this organization, with its weak crop of CFs and Chris Getz as his only strong leadoff competition, I doubt that he'll make it elsewhere. He needs to consider a career change.

HOF or not, I can't wait to buy a new Buehrle shirt when I hit the Cell in July.

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Apr 30, 2009 -> 01:48 PM) Man that would be somethin. And you know for a fact Ozzie will run Pods at leadoff. It's a given. And yes Getz is an outstanding 2 hole hitter. His career stats as the 2 guy in the minors is really, really good. (had his best stats in the 2 spot) But if Pods is in the lineup, doesn't that mean that he'll play CF? If that's the case, I'd rather go with Getz leading off and using Pods as a 4th outfielder (and especially a pinch runner).

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Apr 29, 2009 -> 08:50 PM) there are people who fully believe that Thome isn't a Hall of Famer. I find that to be completely absurd. Even more absurd are those who believe that Edgar Martinez IS a HOFer.

I don't see the harm in offering Freddy a minor-league deal. Especially after all he's done for this organization. If he manages to pitch reasonably well in Charlotte, he might be useful in mop-up duty in Chicago.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Apr 29, 2009 -> 03:22 PM) He should have been a banker. Or a member of ACORN. BTW, Herm Schneider's a super-nice guy. Had the pleasure of talking to him for about 20 minutes after a game in 1998.

I'd love to say Lillibridge or Owens, but I don't trust Ozzie to make the right decision.

QUOTE (fathom @ Apr 28, 2009 -> 04:14 PM) BUT WE HAVEN'T HOMERED!!!! Oh, then we're screwed.

Might the Sox actually win a game with just two hits?

QUOTE (fathom @ Apr 28, 2009 -> 04:02 PM) Wow, that was so freaking close. Ozzie is really sticking with Colon a little too long. Yep. There's not much reason to do that with a vet like Colon. This isn't some rookie who hasn't shown that he can pitch out of jams.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Apr 28, 2009 -> 03:55 PM) Ick, that's very old news. That's pretty ridiculous, talk about grasping at straws. Reputations sometimes follow people around for a while. I never head anything negative about Griffey during his Cincy days.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Apr 28, 2009 -> 03:50 PM) People actually thought he'd be a cancer? Griffey is considered to be one of the best clubhouse guys in the game. Who doesn't love the kid? Griffey is said to have whined a lot about diminishing press coverage when A-Rod began to steal his thunder in Seattle. That most likely followed him around for a while.