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QUOTE(Frankensteiner @ Jul 16, 2006 -> 03:39 PM) At this point, I don't think there's any doubt the Yanks/Red Sox are better. The Tigers probably are, too. I've been saying the same thing you are, though, if we can't acquire an impact starter, we better improve the lineup and try to win slugfests. At the very least, dump one of the starters and open up a spot for McCarthy. I like your ideas for Plan A and Plan B. QUOTE(Gregory Pratt @ Jul 16, 2006 -> 04:18 PM) I'd consider trading Freddy Garcia. I don't see where I've ever said that I wouldn't. But I don't think I'd trade Freddy for a reliever, as our bullpen is one I'm confident in. I like and trust our bullpen, especially now without Politte. I know some people lost their minds after Friday's start and forgot that we'd had about a month of excellent bullpen work going into the start of this series, but I didn't, and I like our Pen as it stands. I truly expect Javier to pitch much better in the second half, and Garland too. There should be no doubt that Buehrle'll be okay, and Contreras, either. Freddy's our weakness because he isn't throwing like he used to, but overall, I don't look at Freddy and say, "We're f***ed!" everytime we go into one of his games. And, a clarification: by "We'll be fine" I meant the point that we had an awful beginning this year, then kicked it up. I think the same'll happen here. We were swept by the Yankees. We'll survive. On a personal note, I think McCarthy is very overrated, and I don't think he ever becomes better than a third starter. I hope he proves me wrong, but I don't look at him and say, "Ace!" If McCarthy's ceiling is as a third starter, that means he'd be pitching better than Freddy Garcia now. I'll certainly take it, wouldn't you?

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Jul 16, 2006 -> 01:18 AM) You can't honestly be serious. It's July f***ing 16th, and the Sox are (*gasp*) 4.5 games back in the division, and are leading the Wild Card by, what, 4 games? There's about 70 games left to be played, and like 13 against Detroit. The race isn't over by a longshot. You're right in that the Tigers don't possess an insurmountable lead, but with the way the Sox have pitched all year, I can understand not having confidence the Sox will win the division. I don't agree with it, but I understand it.

QUOTE(beck72 @ Jul 15, 2006 -> 09:24 PM) And your solution to change the current sox rotation into one that could win the world series is.....? The sox already upgraded its rotation from '05 with a trade of a solid bullpen guy and Chris Young a top prospect. Besides putting Bmac into the rotation, there aren't alot of better options out there. Like it or not, the sox and us fans will have to ride this rotation for this year and see where it takes them Your response admits you agree with my thinking that the performance of the Sox rotation is not good enough to win the World Series. You ask what my solution is to fix the Sox rotation, but instead of answering, I'll ask this: Since you don't believe the performance of the Sox rotation is Championship-caliber, why do you defend and praise it, when you admit its performance is not Championship-caliber?

The Tigers now have a 4.5 game lead on the Sox.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Jul 15, 2006 -> 06:22 PM) KW's not going to put a guy on the roster that Ozzie wouldn't put into a game. I don't understand how people on this board don't want to believe Ozzie's huge influence on the roster. I understand KW likes to flex his muscles every now and then, but he's knows better than to disreguard Ozzie's view on certain players. I never stated KW disregards Ozzie's views on players, or that Ozzie doesn't have influence on the roster. KW's and Ozzie's roster decisions don't have to coincide, and when they don't, KW has the power to trump Ozzie's say.

QUOTE(beck72 @ Jul 15, 2006 -> 04:24 PM) Two games into the 2nd half and the sox are worse than the Cubs, huh?! Jose pitched decent last night, the bullpen blew it. Today MB was rocked [again]. But will they get it back? Probably in time. If not, there isn't an arm out there that could help. The sox will live or die with their SP. The innings the last few yrs may be getting to them. But I'll still take them over most rotations out there. Most rotations won't win the World Series. Only one will, so comparing our shaky rotation to other rotations that won't win the World Series is blemished thinking.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Jul 15, 2006 -> 06:08 PM) That's pretty harsh. Maybe Ozzie's sensitivity training paid off for Tracey. I think Ozzie thought of Tracey after the Texas incident much the same way he felt of Arnie Munoz, a guy who if he struck out every batter he saw this spring would not have been on the White Sox roster. Ozzie might feel that way about Tracey, but KW's opinion trumps Ozzie's.

Good move.

QUOTE(StrangeSox @ Jul 15, 2006 -> 03:25 PM) Mark Buerhle got lit up early. 7ER in 3 innings. Politte also pitched. Thanks.

I missed most of the game. What are the reasons why the Sox are losing big?

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jul 15, 2006 -> 01:10 AM) AJ was fined because AJ had to be fined for something. (Not in my world, in MLB's.) Exactly. Bob Watson is a dim man.

Today's game makes three consecutive starts where Mark Buehrle has been rocked. Has baseball figured out something about Mark Buehrle? Mark needs to adjust back.

QUOTE(jphat007 @ Jul 14, 2006 -> 08:28 PM) If you give up a run the game is in REAL trouble so you cna't think about extras. Gotta do whatever you can do to get out of this. Which is appropriate thinking only if you believe Cotts is more likely than McCarthy to prevent that one run.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Jul 14, 2006 -> 08:21 PM) I'm not going to do this. Smart idea, you've already been disproven.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Jul 14, 2006 -> 08:19 PM) It's not dogging it, it's called running in quick sand. Wrong, Dye wasn't running his fastest.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Jul 14, 2006 -> 08:18 PM) I'm not sure why I read any of your posts to be honest. Cute attempt to avoid the question.

QUOTE(BigSqwert @ Jul 14, 2006 -> 08:17 PM) The Yankee Stadium clock radio blaring Salt N Peppa. Push it.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Jul 14, 2006 -> 08:16 PM) :rolly You disagree?

Dye needs to stop dogging it down the first base line.

"Prior isn't like Kerry Wood. Wood is the one who gets hurt all the time, Prior was only injured because of freak accidents."

QUOTE(Flash Tizzle @ Jul 14, 2006 -> 05:49 PM) I'm very interested in absolutely raping another organization into giving us much more than market value for our mediocre starters, Vazquez or Garcia. We're in a tremendous position -- deal or no deal, our team could continue onwards just fine. It's good once in awhile to be in this position, and not on the other end. If Minaya is overwhelmed by the New York media suggesting he make a move, well, say goodbye to Milledge. Tough s***, otherwise. Don't tell me, "he's not giving him up!!!!11" Why shouldn't we begin there? Is Williams just going to help out Minaya? There's quite a difference between middle relief, which we would have in return, than a starting pitcher. Without question both would probably improve their numbers against National League ballclubs. We shouldn't be in any position to help out a potential National League, World Series contender unless they're willing to help us out. I want our Zambrano for Kazmir, or AJ for Bonser/Liriano/Nathan. Those situations were both brought out of a team dealing from positions of strength (Min), and one organization taking advantage of another's impatience (Tampa). Why shouldn't I expect the same? Quality post.

QUOTE(My Dixie Normus @ Jul 12, 2006 -> 12:54 AM) The Trib failed to report that the Cubs lost another spot this year making it three years in a row that they have fallen. They failed to mention that the Sox went from 27th to 10th from 2004 to 2005. They currently stand at 11th. Spin, spin, spin. I am fine with the sample size and the results. The Sox have grown leaps and bounds and the Cubs continue to fall, not that it matters what they do. Just keep selling out games and the Sox office will continue to reward that loyalty. The Full Report The Tigers earned my respect after Maroth went down and they kept winning without a hiccup.

QUOTE(MichiganBorn @ Jul 11, 2006 -> 11:54 AM) But Thats what Good teams do. Win Close Games, especially against quality/dangerous opponents. Until Detroit can do that I will worry about the White Soxes, Yankees and Red Soxes. The Tigers have been able to come back late in games which is a good sign but I want to see them win a close game against the South Siders or east coast bums. Thats what its going to take to make it into the playoffs and be successful there. Exactly. For you and us both.

Of course there are differences between the two teams, but there are quite a few similarities. And if the 2006 squad fails down the stretch like the 2003 team did, that would likely seal the comparison.

I can't believe the Sox are only 2 games back with as bad as its bullpen and starting pitching has been. I'm looking forward to the second half.