Friend of Nordhagen

QUOTE(BigSqwert @ Jul 26, 2006 -> 01:26 PM) And this is the day after Ozzie praises the Twins and their defense in his post game interview. That's only for the Twins, my friend. Our style works for us. By the way, we've lost 11 out of our last 14.

QUOTE(BigSqwert @ Jul 26, 2006 -> 01:25 PM) A natural center fielder to say the least. Also, Oz keeps running him out there with Cintron in the middle-infield. These guys are still working on, how you say, their communication.

QUOTE(chisoxfan79 @ Jul 26, 2006 -> 01:24 PM) Gooch would have had that Strange that Mack broke back on that one. He's usually right on it.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jul 26, 2006 -> 01:21 PM) I'm loving our chances of Garcia vs Bedard. Over-under on Tejada home runs: 6.

QUOTE(AbeFroman @ Jul 26, 2006 -> 01:20 PM) woah... we are off to a really negative thread already Blame it on Gopher Buehrle. Maybe he'll settle down.

Thome with the patented "fake-bat-flip-fool-the-ump-I-just-struck-out-looking" move.

QUOTE(Jake @ Jul 24, 2006 -> 10:06 PM) COOP WILL WIN! HE MUST WIN! HE WILL SAVE OUR STAFF! WE WILL WIN!!!!!11!!1!!! Indeed. Coop will fix it.[/color]

QUOTE(SoxFan101 @ Jul 21, 2006 -> 03:53 PM) I didnt mind it at all. I dont mind when Zambrano gets excited either only when he endlessly grabs his balls. Yes, Carlos is a world-class groin-grabber. In fact, if groin-grabbing were a sport, Carlos Zambrano would be Olympic champion.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jul 21, 2006 -> 04:47 PM) I'd trade Garcia for any reliever as long as it meant we also got a pretty good prospect in return. Garcia is a proven commodity and I wouldn't deal him for nothing. If all we are getting is a Tom Gordon in return than i say thanks but no thanks. If we get a guy that can help us now, plus a good arm for the Future (since Kenny likes knowing he has 6 starters and thats a good thing) than its a viable move. Tom Gordon isn't going to get this team into the post-season, 5 quality starting pitchers will (I understand moving Bmac to the rotation and replacing Freddy may help that cause, but Freddy is more proven and Brandon going out and starting for a while would be rough on the pen since he wouldn't have near the durability or stamina needed to go deep into games). Not sure if this one's been tossed out, but Vazquez for Gordon straight-up. I know there's some sentiment here for trying to secure some future pieces for one of our five starters, but I'd actually do that deal. I have no idea if Philadelphia would -- probably not given that the investment in Vazquez is for more dough. But Gordon on this team would be a difference-maker -- gives us the best bullpen in the league, I think, with 7, 8 and 9 lined up. McCarthy moves into the rotation, Riske slides back to the 7th inning. Despite all of our troubles lately, I really think that a lockdown bullpen will be the single biggest key down the stretch. It's so helpful to the mindset of a team, and it helps tremondously on the road.

QUOTE(VAfan @ Jul 19, 2006 -> 08:35 PM) Because this topic goes beyond tonight's game, I'm posting it as a general thread. Tonight was a perfect example of stubborn Ozzie trying to get more out of his starting pitcher than was possible if we were going to win the ballgame. They put up a very telling stat on ESPN. Hitters are only .228 against Vazquez the first two times through the lineup. They are hitting .361 the third time through. Tonight, the Tigers got all 5 runs the third time through. The strategy to win the ballgame would be to have someone up -- Tracey or McCarthy -- to come in for Vazquez as soon as he starts running into trouble after the 5th inning, or after we reach that critical third time through the lineup. Tonight, he should have been yanked after the first two guys reached in the 6th. Why do we have a long man like McCarthy if we aren't going to use him? He faced two batters. He could have been brought in to start the 6th inning, frankly, and we would have been in a much better place to win the game 2-0. Of course, part of the fault has to go to AJ Pierzynski or whomever called for Vazquez to throw whatever that slow gopher pitch was that Monroe hit for the slam. Every time he threw that pitch tonight, someone hit it hard. It never should have been called, especially not with the bases loaded and a 1-run lead. We have a good bullpen, Ozzie, and some shakey starters. You need to readjust your philosophy to nurse the confidence of the starters back to where it should be. Leaving them in to get beat, IMHO, is not the best choice, especially for a mental midget like Vazquez. Last year, the starters were great, and by going long, they made the bullpen even stronger. This year, the bullpen should be used earlier to rest and rehabilitate the starters. Javier Vazquez. For Tom Gordon. And nothing more. And we'll pay this joker's salary. And pay Philly $17 million dollars. And wash Pat Gillick's car for 12 years. And we'll do it yesterday. Please. All Vazquez does -- for $9 million a year -- is run up high pitch counts and consistently fail to execute big pitches. This guy is a joke. He's a complete joke. He can't even save our pen because it usually takes him 110 pitches to get through 6 innnings. But here's the thing: there's no surprise in any of this. This is who he is. He's been this guy for about 4 years now. Guess we just suck it up or trick some dumbass to take him off our hands. What a major waste. Hope Arizona enjoys Chris Young.

QUOTE(Frankensteiner @ Jul 7, 2006 -> 09:49 PM) Is anyone at least remotely concerned that one of our top two pitchers now has a 4 ERA (this coupled with 3 other starters who also have 4+ ERAs)? We've got the worst pitching staff of any of the current playoff teams. Think what it would be if we didn't have "the best pitching coach in the game." Maybe it's time to earn that reputation again.

QUOTE(BigSqwert @ Jul 7, 2006 -> 09:29 PM) My bad. I'll PM you with each idea for a post and get your approval before I actually post it. Not for long. Pretty soon everyone will rate them accordingly -- middle-of-the-road all the way.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Jun 15, 2006 -> 01:59 PM) I want to punch him when he says multitasking. PLus those rooms just remind you how s***ty their motels are. I want to punch EVERYONE when he says that. But I'd start with him.

QUOTE(bmags @ Jun 13, 2006 -> 06:20 PM) why aren't we managers yet? Speak for yourself, bmags. I'm currently managing the Cubs AA team at West Tenn.

Dye looking slow out there. That's happened a few times this year.

QUOTE(henry wiggins @ Jun 13, 2006 -> 10:52 AM) Yeah, I read somewhere that Garcia comes in and naps in the clubhouse prior to his starts on days when he pitches. If you're going to have AJ field a lot of Freddy's plays, in addition to calling the game and playing his own position, then I think you have to propose a percentage of Freddy's salary be given to AJ. And maybe some to Iguchi too. If that's done, I think this is a plan worthy of consideration by the great minds on the Sox. And I hope that when they adopt it, they give you the credit for coming up with it. Oh Wiggins, that's kind, but I see it as a real team approach, just like AJ and Tadahito splitting Freddy's plays at first. Perhaps Freddy can give part of his pre-game nap to those two, as well.

QUOTE(henry wiggins @ Jun 12, 2006 -> 04:31 PM) I think you're right! I wonder how Freddy's going to take the news that he has to play every day -- or do you think that Ozzie will let him start at first base only every 5th day, consistent with the rotation Freddy's used to? And once at first base, will Freddy be able to go into the 7th inning or later? Because I don't think he knows what the 8th and 9th innings look like this year, from the field. I'm just saying. I think the real question here is if Freddy will be awake for the first inning. Most of the time, he's pretty sleepy in the early going. You can get away with that as a pitcher, but not at first. So I propose that AJ cover first on all grounders hit during the first innning, except the ones hit to Iguchi, who should just run over from his position and take those unassisted. This approach will have an initially unseen benefit: Tadahito will lead the league in putouts, becoming the first Japanese second baseman to ever do so. Bud Selig will make a special presentation on Opening Day next year, honoring number 15 for a great accomplishment. I really believe in this plan.

The multiple arm angles is a bit of Cuban tradition. Luis Tiant was quite effective that way. Of course, El Duque has been quite an artist with this approach, too.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Jun 9, 2006 -> 01:45 AM) Darin Erstad's splits over the past 6 seasons. 2001 - .258/.331/.360 2002 - .283/.313/.389 2003 - .252/.309/.333 2004 - .295/.346/.400 2005 - .273/.325/.371 2006 - .238/.279/.350 None of those 6 seasons are higher than his career OPS of .757. The fact is Brady Clark, Ryan Church etc. are much better options than Erstad, who's overpaid, injury prone, and will be very lucky to get a 1/3rd of what he's making now, next season. Now, see, DBAHO, that's some actual analysis, and it makes sense (although Dye's OPS was down in the years before we got him). Anyway, I've actually thought that Erstad's status might allow us to get him a little more cheaply on a rental basis. And, again, with our bullpen being first priority, that was definitely something to consider. Plus, yeah, he has intangibles that our team seems to lack this year. But it seems for naught now. I like Church in theory, but what's going on with him this year? And is he really a centerfielder? I just haven't seen him enough to say -- and I know you're a big backer -- so what's the scoop? Like I say, the Clark idea seems to make some sense. That would be a good one to pull off.

QUOTE(YASNY @ Jun 9, 2006 -> 01:38 AM) Mercy. The only real problem I had with the Erstad idea was that he's a lefty and we need a RH hitting OF'er. I believe Dye has 1 gold glove, btw. Mercy, indeed.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Jun 8, 2006 -> 07:30 PM) Haha, what the f*** did you expect them to say? "Yeah losing Darin for the rest of the year is really a blessing in diguise I mean his replacement (Juan Rivera) is actually the superior player in this case. It's a great day for Angels baseball we lose the old, slow and bad Darin Erstad, HORRAY!!" "Two teams -- with and without Ersty I mean when we do have him we have an automatic out in the lineup but with him on the DL we don't have to see him go up there and suck for 4 ABs a game." Please, please never compare the great hitter in Jermaine Dye to that mediocre s*** offensive player by the name of Erstad. I guess we should do this this in order: (1) Jermaine Dye was the World Series MVP last year. He's having a really good year this year. And I'm not comparing who's having a better year this year. All I've been pointing out -- again, I'm having to say this to you (which is unreal) -- are players to monitor until the trade deadline. (2) Breathe deeply. Take a look to your right shoulder. Take a look over to left shoulder. Remove both of the chips that you seem to have brought to this discussion. (3) Here are some numbers for you to think about (if you're able): So let's keep in mind that what I said (and I know that can be difficult to follow when your goal is to prove your blinding baseball acumen and not to have a civil discussion -- which I've now abandoned, thanks to your attitude) was that Erstad's injury history was similar to Dye's (Remember, that's what I said, right, genius?). Here are some numbers. Again, these aren't diatribes or vitriol, so try to make an adjustment in your impressive knee-jerk approach: 2002: Games played -- Dye: 131. Erstad: 150 2003: Games played -- Dye: 65. Erstad: 67 2004: Games played -- Dye: 137. Erstad: 125 (all before we took the plunge on Dye) Total games played -- Dye: 333. Erstad: 342. Oh, and last year, too: 2005: Games played -- Dye 145. Erstad: 153 How's it look so far? Okay, now on to the batting statistics. They've both played 10 years, according to Who's Who in Baseball. Here are numbers from ESPN (you know what that is, right?): Dye's career OPS is .814, his career average is .274 and his career obp is .337. Erstad's career OPS is .757, his career average is .287 and his career obp is .341. So Dye has a higher OPS. Erstad has a higher average and OBP. Coming into this year, Dye had 192 career home runs (but he had 31 less BEFORE we took a flyer on him, and that was the point, right?). Erstad had 114. But Erstad had 278 doubles to Dye's 247, and 30 triples to Dye's 20. And he had 169 stolen bases to Dye's 34. He has 2 Gold Gloves in centerfield. Dye has 0 in right field. But Dye has a World Series ring. But, oops, so does Erstad. And Dye has 3 errors this year in 48 games in RF, while Erstad had 0 errors in 22 game in CF. Chew on those, big boy. I'm sure you'll spin all this in some impressive direction. Or maybe you'll just lash out at Erstad. I guess the evidence would point that way. Yours is an awesome talent for obfuscation. Anyway, all I did was propose a guy who could be a target. He's hurt, and it looks like he won't come back. But your big proposal was to stick with Anderson, which I thought was good to a point, too. But I wasn't prepared to pretend that would be enough. And guess what? Here we are, two weeks later, and it's not. For what it's worth, I like the Brady Clark idea that's been making the rounds. That makes sense, in large part because it probably isn't going to cost a ton. And I've also mentioned Marlon Byrd (weeks ago), who now is making an appearance in the newspapers. I guess you like Clark, but I haven't heard one other constructive idea from you. Is it someone better? Great. Why don't you say where Josh Fields, or Ray Liotta, or Tyler Lumsden, or Ryan Sweeney -- or some combination of them -- should be headed? In short, I'm not the general manager, but in the interest in having a discussion with other White Sox fans, I like to think about ways our team could go, even if they're riskier. I thought that was the point of this board. And with our bullpen in the state it's in, with that being the first priority, our team needs to be creative about centerfield. What are you interested in? I guess it's just terming players as "s***" and dismissing other posters. So be it. But let's be clear that's what you're about. It'll make life easier going forward.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Jun 8, 2006 -> 10:42 AM) How many times did I say this guy would be gone for the season? 4? 5? It's ridiculous that his name was ever even mentioned. Really? Ridiculous? You might want to ask Mike Scioscia about that, since he says in this very article: "He gives us a defensive presence in center field … and when you factor in the intangibles, it's a big void," Scioscia said. Or maybe you weren't aware of these comments from Adam Kennedy, in a recent Peter Gammons blog note: "We are," Adam Kennedy says, "two teams -- with and without Ersty." In short, he's a hell of a player. I think we were all aware of his injury history. We should be familiar with such a history -- because it's pretty similar to Jermaine Dye's before we got him. You know Dye, right? The guy you believe is the best rightfielder in the league? In any event, Erstad's problems staying healthy is why he was mentioned -- by me, anyway -- as someone to MONITOR while we waited on Anderson. Well, it looks like the monitoring of both is coming to an end. Turn the page.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Jun 7, 2006 -> 02:14 AM) We are getting into June and they may be tied with the Cardinals for first place later today. The already weak Cardinals who now don't have Pujols. And the rest of their division is the mediocre Brewers, the mediocre Astros, and the horrible Cubs and Pirates. The Reds have gotten off to hot starts before, but this one is different and they aren't going away....they have better pitching this time and much worse competition. Okay. I don' t advocate getting Griffey. But, my reluctant friends, are you ready to say that a "middle" solution to CF is a possibility? And if that's the case, please, please, please, stop nit-picking about the shortcomings of the possible solutions (bad arm, sometimes injured, older than you want), provided that they come relatively cheaply. Seriously. Cut the crap. If you want to pay more, tell us who you're willing to sacrifice. If you're going to stick with Anderson, tell us for how many at--bats. 250? 300? All year? Needs: (1) Bullpen. First and last. (2) CF. And stop pretending otherwise. Anderson's a prospect, and a good one. I'm a fan. He even has a spot on this team. But let's get someone who can play every day, be adequate in center (which no one, save Anderson, is on the current roster), and succeed occasionally offensively (which, nearly 200 at-bats later -- counting last year -- BA is not). Just cut the garbage about how each possible guy has some pitfall. Let's solve the problem, as best we can, and move forward.

Right now, we have a staff full of guys who appear incapable of pitching through the slightest adversity.

QUOTE(ottawa_sox @ Jun 1, 2006 -> 09:20 PM) Barry Bonds Let me add a word of support for Barry Bonds as White Sox analyst. His future pairing with Ed Farmer will produce tremendous awkward and surly interactions, as these two jokesters vie to be RadioTopDog.