Lillian

To return this thread to its original topic; please add Peavy to the list of players for whom the Sox should be hoping for a suitor. His contract is going to get worse next year, and that $22 million option with a $4 million buyout in 2013 is very problematical. I fear that those who argued that he would not be the same pitcher in the A.L., especially away from Petco Park, were right. The Sox need to decide who the core players are going forward, and shed lot's of salary in order to make room for some significant free agent signings. There are almost no players doing really well in the organization. They are going to have to try to acquire some decent prospects and make a few good draft choices, or this organization won't be competitive for years. Here are my core players going forward: John Danks G. Floyd D. Hudson M. Thornton - I don't know how much it would take to resign him, but a dominating lefty reliever is just too valuable to let get away. Sergio Santos Brent Morel Tyler Flowers Jared Mitchell - A very high ceiling prospect who could become a very good lead off hitter Gordon Beckham - I still think that he will make the necessary adjustments, and become a star. Carlos Quentin - He has too much upside to give up on him. Alex Rios - Finally, a true 5 tool centerfielder, and a contract to keep him here for a while Dayan Viciedo - At his age, he does provide some very promising upside Anyone else should be completely expendable. Needs: 1) A serious left handed hitter should be the number one priority. There is not a single good prospect in the entire organization to fill that role. I'm talking about a high OBP, power bat. 2) At least one more good young starter. Too bad that they had to give up Richard, along with all of the salary that they took on in the Peavy "folly". That's a start. What do you think?

There are said to be "a couple of teams" scouting the Sox. What other teams besides the Phillies? For what are they looking?

Forget Mayberry. He's another right handed hitter. This organization needs to find a left handed bat. How about someone like this: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/st...&pid=502126

If the Phillies are ready to part with someone worthwhile, I'm in favor of moving Jenks, whether this team can get back into the race, or not. Let the Sergio Santos era begin!!

It's bad enough that Vizquel was in the lineup. It's worse that he was the DH. First of all, that means that he was the best hitter the Sox had on the bench to fill the role of a purely offensive spot in the lineup. Jeeeez! That's really pathetic. If Omar had to start the game, why wasn't he playing somewhere in the infield? He could have played third, and let Teahen DH. That way he would have at least had a chance to contribute on defense, which is the only thing he still does well. Moreover, it would have provided some rationale, and cover for Ozzie to explain why he was starting. Having him DH makes the decision to start Omar look really bad. It's almost like Guillen is trying to get fired.

QUOTE (justBLAZE @ May 13, 2010 -> 04:53 PM) Originally posted here: here. From looking at these statistics, it simply looks like we are a terrible hitting team. It makes you wonder about the approach of these hitters: Ozzie wanted a athletic, fast lineup and he got that exactly as we excel in stealing bases as a team, we are a decently patient team where it comes to walks, right in the middle of the bunch. Surprisingly for me we strikeout the least out of all baseball teams yet we can't get on base at a decent clip. One conclusion I come to is: terrible approach when it comes to hitting, I don't know who is to blame for this but maybe the 'fire Walker' threads have some basis here. With the White Sox it's constant 'swing for the fences' approach that's why we are up there with HR's but everything else is a pop up or a grounder to infielders. I mean look at the hitting stats other than HRs, absolutely brutal. The hitting philosophy of this team needs a change so we can start scoring runs and winning games. Discuss. If it's really true that you don't hit many home runs when you're trying to hit them, then it would seem that perhaps the Sox aren't swinging for the fences as much as we may think.

QUOTE (Lemon_44 @ May 12, 2010 -> 08:43 PM) his stance used to be more open as well. NOw he's almost lined up directly at the pitcher. I don't know why he, or anyone, changes with something they have been successful with. It's like the young golfer who wins early on in their career and then decide to change their swing only to never be heard from again. Yes, I noticed that as well. That's exactly to what I was referring when I said that his back foot was "especially further from the plate". Moving that back foot even further away from the plate, relative to his front foot, results in his stance becoming much less open. Thanks for the concurring observation.

It appears to me that he has altered his stance as well. He is not in as deep of a crouch as he formerly was. That is to say that his knees are not as bent. He's also standing just a little further away from the plate, especially his back foot. I also noticed today that he did not have the thumb on his top hand extended with his thumb pressed against the bat, as he always did before. He's the only player whom I've ever seen do that, and so I usually notice it. Another change is that he was wearing one of those rubber thumb guards on his left hand. I'm not trying to suggest that any of this is the cause of his problems, but rather simply making an observation. It might be more of an indication that he is searching for answers and experimenting with different things. Why not use the video and try to go back to what he did so successfully before?

Santos seems to have the right make up to be a closer. He certainly has the stuff. It's probably more a question of durability. Why not use whomever matches up best on any given night, taking into account who is rested? Thornton would be an obvious choice on a given night when the hitters due up in the 9th are left handed. That could happen tomorrow and Wednesday, versus the Twins. Matt is not nearly as effective versus right handed hitters, nor when pitching two days in a row. Putz is not 100% yet, and although he's progressing, it would probably not be wise to ask him to close on a nightly basis yet. Santos could be given save opportunities but no more frequently than every other game. Moreover, by not annointing him as "the closer", any potential problems with the pressure would be greatly reduced. If Thornton is going to close on occasion, they're going to need another left handed specialist. Erick Threets was doing very well at Charlotte before going on the DL for a week. He had a pretty good Spring and could be a servicable lefty, when he comes back.

QUOTE (Capn12 @ May 7, 2010 -> 07:59 PM) So with the bases loaded, up 1 run, you are for leaving the pitcher in, who the current batter at the time, Vernon Wells, was lifetime 18 for 36 against? I agree 100%. I couldn't believe it. It was the 8th inning and Mark had thrown close to 100 pitches. Wells not only owns Buerhle, but he's right handed. The Sox have 3 very good right handed relievers in the pen. Why not use Jenks, Santos or Putz? Ozzie is driving me crazy.

As has been stated many times in these threads; They don't need another right handed bat. If they're going to acquire a hitter he has to be left handed. Dye doesn't fit for that reason alone. This year, Sox LH batters have a .250 OBP vs LHP and a .297 OBP vs RHP. Their slugging % is even worse: .218 SLG vs LHP and a .300 SLG vs RHP. Berkman would make sense, if you could get him. Although he is a switch hitter, he's better from the left side. His OBP vs right handers is very impressive, and that could really help a lot.

This may be an interesting read: http://www.royalsreview.com/2010/4/22/1436838/on-alex-gordon How good is Gordon's defense at 3rd? Is he that much better than Teahen?

Many of us have remarked how poorly the Sox do against pitchers whom they're facing for the first time. In addition, Sox offenses have rarely demonstrated an ability to approach any pitcher, familiar or unfamiliar, with a good game plan. The way the Rays came into tonight's game with a very sound game plan against Buehrle, is just the kind of thing to which I'm alluding. Their right handed hitters took away that outside pitch by going the other way. The absence of any similar kind of sound preparation to face either an unfamiliar pitcher, or to just have a game plan, suggests to me that Sox teams are not as prepared as they should be. I just don't see other teams demonstrating the same consistent lack of preparation. Why is it that other teams don't struggle against any pitcher whom they have never seen?

I was one of the first, and most vocal supporters of Jones. I've been screaming that he should be in the outfield and in the lineup everyday, ever since Spring Training. I'm still hoping that he continues to play well, but for a different reason. Now I'm thinking that he might net us a decent prospect at the trade deadline. Let's face it, if Jones has a big year, he'll want more money than the Sox will be willing to give him, and if he has a bad year, well then they won't want him. However, it he's playing well, and with that contract of his, he could help someone who is in serious contention this year. I know that it's too early to be talking about a "white flag" sale, but if this pathetic team doesn't get it going pretty quickly, maybe they should deal anyone of value, who is not under contract for next season. and maybe sooner rather than later. That includes Jenks.

QUOTE (ScottyDo @ Apr 12, 2010 -> 09:14 PM) I think he's behind Jenks, Thornton and Putz right now. Perhaps even Pena. That may be where he is officially, but Santos' stuff is better than Jenks' or Pena's stuff. I'm also impressed with his poise. He looks pretty confident out there.

QUOTE (daggins @ Apr 12, 2010 -> 09:10 PM) There should be no platoon. Jones shoud DH/LF/RF, Kotsay should be an off-the-bench option, and other starters like Q, Kong and Pierre should rotate in when they need a day off. Haven't some of us been "beating this dead horse" enough already? For me it's quite simple; Jones has the capacity to be a big run producing threat and presence in the middle of the order. Kotsay does not have that potential. Who knows what either of them will actally do, but this should be a no brainer. This team needs a power threat in the number 5 spot, and Kotsay is not capable of filling that need. He is a terrific bench player, and left handed pinch hitter, but he's not a middle of the order hitter.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Apr 12, 2010 -> 09:01 PM) Because he keeps giving up hits and putting men on. I'm sorry, Jenks does not have closer stuff IMO. I've been watching this for quite a while now, and he just can't dominate hitters anymore. That ball Gonzales hit was a rocket. But more importantly, does the stuff he's featuring look all that impressive to you people? Now Thornton can dominate, and even Santos' stuff appears to be really almost unhittable. But Bobby doesn't have the velocity, or movement to be a dominate closer. If he keeps throwing like this, I would guess that opposing teams will make the last inning of an awful lot of games very anxiety ridden for many of us.

QUOTE (bmags @ Apr 7, 2010 -> 08:40 AM) this guy thinks andruw jones will hit better than konerko this year? I assume that you were referring to my concern that Konerko no longer provides the presence of a bonafide clean up hitter. I'm not saying that Jones will either, but I think that he has the potential to do so. If he doesn't, I suspect that the Sox will simply have an unfilled void at the number 4 spot in the lineup.

QUOTE (knightni @ Apr 7, 2010 -> 02:13 AM) Jones should be batting 6th or 7th after Rios/AJ instead of Kotsay. If Jones can produce as the clean up hitter, or number 5, then A. J. should bat 6th in order to mix up the lefty, righty hitters. Then I love Rios as the 7th hitter. It provides an opportunity to have an exceptionally good bottom third of the lineup. Rios, with his a legitimate stolen base threat, can function like a lead off hitter for the bottom third of the order. Yet, he can also drive in guys who get on base in the middle of the order. Then Teahen can bat 8th, and Alexei 9th. Ramirez has the ability to drive in the big run, with decent power, but also gives you another guy with decent speed, who functions like another lead off hitter. All three of those guys are at the age when they should be coming into their primes. While the Sox offense may not feature the most intimidating middle of the order, its total depth and versatility is very good. The bottom of their order could be as potent as just about anyone's.

One other point which argues quite strongly for Jones over Kotsay: The upside potential of Jones is far greater than it is for Kotsay. There is a realistic chance that Jones could be a very productive run producer, and that makes playing him worth a shot. Kotsay at his best, would still never be a big run producer.

If you look at Andruw Jones' split stats over the last 5 years, you will discover that he has hit virtually the same vs. right handers and left handers. This includes two outstanding seasons in 2005 and 2006, and three injury plagued years, during which he was in terrible shape. If you believe he is now capable of performing up to reasonable expectations for a guy still in his prime, now in great shape, who has a long stellar career, then platooning him doesn't make any sense. If on the the other hand, you believe that he is finished as he turns 33, then just cut him or trade him for a left handed bat. However platooning him should not be an option. Moreover, as I have previously pointed out, he is still arguably the best center fielder on this team, and therefore should be playing the outfield, and not DHing. I think that Ozzie will eventually play Jones in CF on a pretty regular basis. I suspect that he is just giving Kotsay an opportunity to play because he had a very good Spring. If Jones performs, and Kotsay doesn't, Ozzie will likely return Kotsay to his role as bench player and Jones can bat in the middle of the order. His presence in the lineup could provide the much needed protection for Quentin. That is really the biggest weakness in the Sox offense. There is no one on this team that can stop pitchers from going around Carlos, except for Jones. Konerko would have provided that kind of protection in his prime, but I don't think he can fill that role at this stage of his career.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Feb 22, 2010 -> 09:32 AM) I find it funny that I am reading that Soxtalk is now drinking the Kool-Aid since we passed on Damon. Three days ago we were screwed without Damon, now he's on the Tigers so Jones will be Comeback Player of the Year. While I would have liked Damon on the Sox, I for one, never said that we we're screwed without him. I've been consistently optimistic about Jones, ever since he signed with the Sox.

There is yet another factor which I forgot to mention. Last year was his first year in the American League. As he gets to know the pitchers better, his familiarity with their 'stuff' should help him to improve upon his first half season in the A.L.

QUOTE (bmags @ Feb 22, 2010 -> 07:35 AM) Extrapolating is just not a very good idea to base your projections on. If we extrapolated Jermaine dyes season last year after the all star break he would've been going for a 40 HR season. I mean, extrapolating Beckhams #s for a full season I feel is a lot more reasonable than doing it for a 33 year old injury plagued outfielder who has sucked for 3 years now. Yes, I agree that extrapolating and projecting numbers can be suspect. However, in this case, I think it's valid. Consider the fact that Jones was plagued by a bad hamstring the whole second half of the season. His production was actually even better than his final numbers, which declined when he tried to play through the injury. He ended the first half of the season with a .229 average and a .344 OBP. He hit all 17 of his homers in his first 221 at bats, so if you want to do projections, that works out to 43 homers in a 550 at bat full season. Therefore, the projection I made earlier is actually quite conservative. Doesn't it make sense to consider all of these kinds of factors when trying to determine what kind of expectations we should have for Jones? In the final analysis, aren't we always extrapolating when we form our expectations for any player?

Let me reiterate; I'll settle for his slugging production from last year, projected over the whole season. His projected numbers from half of a season; 36 doubles, 34 homers and 86 RBI's would have topped anyone on the 2009 Sox. Now if he can get his B.A. and OBP up a little to around .250 and .340 respectively, he could provide a real presence in the middle of the order. Isn't that really what this team is missing? I don't understand why some of you think that it's a stretch to assume that he won't be able to at least equal last years power production, considering that he is now in better shape, and apparently recovered from his injuries. Moreover, he improves the defense, if he takes either Pierre's or Quentin's place in the outfield, which I'd like to see. If this works, Jones could do more for the offense than Damon would have likely done. With Damon, Jones wouldn't have seen enough playing time to have an impact. I love this move, and for half a million dollars, it could turn out to be the best move of the off season, and maybe one of the best in quite a while. I'm rootin' for him.