scenario

Last year was actually his first full season as a catcher. In 2006, he caught 7 games, played 22 at 1B, and 4 at DH In 2007, he caught 12 games, played 67 at 1B, and 24 at DH In 2008, he caught 82 games, played one at 1B, and 39 at DH Somewhere buried in the archives of "WhiteSox Weekly" on the SCORE website is a very nice radio interview Ronge did with Flowers the week after we acquired him. He talks about his development as a catcher in the interview.

QUOTE (Jenksy Cat @ Feb 22, 2009 -> 06:40 PM) yes, they are both white. And bat left-handed.

I'm assuming the injury requiring the surgery was the result of that infamous play in spring training, where Ozzie had him playing 1B. If so... are there any financial implications for the Sox?

I picture the small market teams struggling more than Detroit. It's large enough to keep going despite the struggles of auto-related businesses. To put it in perspective, in 2008, the Tigers drew over 39,000 per game (average)... 9th in MLB and only about 1,000 per game less than the Cubs. So, as long as they don't go back to sucking for long periods of time, they should draw. But your post is interesting. I can imagine we could eventually see some shifting of franchises from diminishing to growing markets.

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Feb 20, 2009 -> 08:00 PM) I have heard, but more importantly seen with my own eyes the love affair the organization with Owens. You really think so? I'm not so sure. When he got healthy and was starting to hit in Charlotte, the team had a chance to call him up and didn't... calling up Wise instead. And Owens was surprised when it happened. He was under the impression he was getting called up when he was healthy.

I've thought several times in the past that Lasik might be helpful to Konerko too. Seems every year he has more difficulty getting his timing down early. And I can't help but think it may have something to do with his vision.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Feb 19, 2009 -> 11:11 AM) How old does Greg Oden look? Put a little gray in his hair and he could probably get "senior" discounts.

Nice article about Contreras in the SunTimes on Thursday. Hell to heal to hill Not expected back till after All-Star break, motivated Contreras could break camp in rotation February 19, 2009 BY CHRIS DE LUCA GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Watching Jose Contreras walk limp-free down the long hallway to the White Sox' clubhouse at Camelback Ranch was worth a double take Wednesday. Contreras has no business being here, and he certainly has no business looking so, well, normal. The last time we saw Contreras wearing a Sox uniform in 2008 was Aug. 9. He was sprawled near the first-base line, punching the turf after rupturing his left Achilles tendon. Manager Ozzie Guillen recalls racing to Contreras' side and hearing the veteran pitcher mumbling in Spanish. ''He said he couldn't feel his legs,'' Guillen said Wednesday. ''I thought his career was over.'' The original prognosis was nine months to a year for a pitcher suffering such an injury to return to the mound. Figure in Contreras' age -- he turned 37 on Dec. 6 -- and there was little hope he would be a viable option for the 2009 Sox. Shortly after surgery to repair the tendon -- suffered while trying to cover first base on a grounder to the right side -- Contreras remembers his 8-year-old daughter, Naylenis, studying the balky cast on her father's leg. ''She started crying because she thought I wouldn't be able to play anymore,'' Contreras said through interpreter Omer Munoz, a Sox staffer. ''I thought: I want to make her proud and come back sooner.'' That was the first big piece of motivation. The next came a few weeks later. Contreras, who usually does his best work in September and is 3-1 with a 3.09 ERA in four postseason starts for the Sox, was sitting in the visitors' clubhouse at Tropicana Field before Game 1 of the American League Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays. His teammates streamed out of the clubhouse, and Contreras felt horribly alone. ''I felt like they were going to war, and I couldn't do anything to help,'' Contreras said. ''I wanted to help, but I couldn't. I was just sitting there. That was one of the worst feelings ever. And that was one of the big things that motivated me to work harder and come back sooner than people thought I could.'' The last chunk of motivation came in the last few days, when Guillen announced Contreras was a candidate for one of the two open spots in his rotation. ''It feels really good because Ozzie is giving me more of a reason to work harder,'' Contreras said. ''He's motivating me even more. He's giving me a vote of confidence that I can be one of the five guys breaking camp.'' Wait a minute. The best-case scenario in the offseason suggested Contreras might be an option after the All-Star break. Now Guillen is talking about breaking camp with the veteran right-hander back in his rotation. Is this reality or lip service? ''He is in the mix, yes,'' Guillen insisted. ''We are not going to rush him to get back. He will dictate what move we're going to make. Of course he's in the mix, and that's good news.'' Should Contreras back up his big talk -- and after dropping 30 pounds, he certainly deserves the benefit of the doubt -- the Sox' rotation suddenly doesn't look so suspect. Mark Buehrle, Gavin Floyd and John Danks have the top three spots nailed down. Say Contreras secures a spot. That leaves the fifth spot as a battle among veteran Bartolo Colon -- coming off surgery to remove bone chips in his throwing elbow -- and a crop of capable young prospects. Guillen realizes this is all hard to believe. ''Not too many people come back from that injury that quick and that good,'' Guillen said. ''Another player proves me wrong. I never thought I was going to manage this kid again.'' Unbelievable work ethic When reports started trickling in over the winter from bench coach Joey Cora, who was training with Contreras in Florida, Guillen refused to believe. So Cora used his cell phone to record Contreras running and sent the images to Guillen. Guillen immediately called Cora and said: ''OK, tell him to stop. I don't want him hurting himself.'' Contreras was too far into his comeback at that point. He recently bought a house in Fort Myers, Fla., and severed ties with his longtime personal trainer, Miguel Valdez, an old friend from Cuba who used to draw a $500,000 annual salary but is suing the star pitcher. Contreras began working with a physical therapist recommended by Sox trainer Herm Schneider. Contreras also eliminated meat from his diet, switching to more fish. And the player who always was known for his tough training rituals stepped up everything a few notches. ''His work ethic? Off the charts,'' general manager Ken Williams said. ''You should have seen when he and 'El Duque' [Orlando Hernandez] were together. Oh, my God, it was crazy.'' Contreras knows he has a long road ahead. He expects to be pitching off a mound by March 1 and facing hitters by the middle of March. He's determined to break camp with the Sox. If he does, he'll be their biggest acquisition entering the season. ''I thought I was going to have problems even being able to walk again,'' Contreras said. ''When I saw the big scar and cast, I thought it was going to be difficult.'' Entering the final year of a three-year contract that calls for a $10million salary whether he plays or not, why not take it slow? The money is the same. ''Baseball is my life,'' Contreras said. ''I thank God and the White Sox that I have work for this year with the way the economy is right now. People don't have jobs, and I still have a job. I played 10 years in Cuba, and I was making $10 a month. The last five years there, I got a $5 raise to $15 a month. ''Money is not everything. It's the pride I have, and feeling so happy to be in the big leagues. Economically, my family and I are doing great. When I cross the line, it's with my heart that I pitch.'' Just before leaving for Arizona, Contreras had a visit in Florida with Naylenis, who hadn't seen much of her dad during his grueling offseason workout program. ''She saw I was walking and doing fine,'' Contreras said with a big smile. ''And she said, 'I'm even prouder that you are my dad.' That was incredible. I won't ever forget what she said to me.''

Just found this quote from a USA Today article... Q. What was the process that went into writing this book — because the season you're documenting was nearly seven years ago? A. My senior year in college, it looked like I was going to get drafted, so a lot of my friends and family said, "Document what this is like, it's going to be such an interesting experience for you." I think they were saying that because they realized it was going to be a short-lived experience for me. So I went out there keeping this journal. I kept a very detailed account of what was going on. And the season (at Provo) ended, I got cut and my career was over — and it wasn't until a couple of years passed and I realized what a special experience this had been for me. I watched to see what happened to the guys I played with — all kinds of things. And as the years passed, I started thinking about it, and it was actually when Bobby Jenks recorded the last out in 2005 World Series and he was the hero that I thought this is such an interesting situation. I wrote a manuscript and handed it to a friend of mine who writes for Sports Illustrated and he loved it, and things started rolling from there. Q. Are you worried about how people will respond to this? People have already started talking about it and some people say what you wrote isn't true. Bobby Jenks says he wouldn't be able to pick you out of a crowd. A. Guys like Bobby Jenks won't remember me. We spent in grand total less than a day together. Little blips of a half-an-hour here or an hour there. As I say in the book, for most of these Angels minor leaguers, I was just another name on a list of former teammates. For others, I'm sure they do remember me. I've stayed in touch with some of my former teammates. There's going to be a wide range of responses. ----------------------------------------- So... McCarthy went from college to Provo, all after the regular full minor league season began... and then got cut at the end of the season. And Jenks was playing a full season of baseball in California and Arkansas. I'm still trying to figure out where they crossed paths.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Feb 18, 2009 -> 10:49 AM) This probably occurred in spring training, but it really is a non story. ARod 6 years ago, now Jenks 7 years ago when he admittedly was not what he was supposed to be. Mickey Mantle was admired for playing hungover. It's unlikely McCarthy ever participated in an Angels spring training. He played in college (at Yale) in 2002. Their season ends around April 25th. Then after getting drafted, he was assigned to a rookie league that began play in late June. Meanwhile, Jenks was in a full season league that year that started in early April. So, where would their paths have crossed? Jenks said he has never met the guy and has no idea who he is. So, it seems like McCarthy is simply embellishing things he may have heard and acting like he was there... which appears to be a lie designed to help sell his book... and nothing more.

Don't start off by assuming that the story has any credibility. McCarthy pitched a career grand total of 26 innings in the Pioneer (rookie) League after being drafted in 2002. He was a late round draft pick who played 1/2 season in the minors... period... in Provo, Utah... before leaving baseball. Meanwhile, in 2002, Jenks spent half a season in California (high A-ball) and the other half in Arkansas (AA)... two places McCarthy never even got close to. Jenks' rookie league year was 2000. And he didn't even play rookie ball in the same city McCarthy did. So... different years... PLUS different cities. In other words, not only have they NEVER played together... it's unlikely that they ever even MET.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Feb 17, 2009 -> 07:33 PM) I'm not entirely sure. Maybe because being a White Sox "top prospect" hasn't been as meaningful this decade. Part of it will be that he will turn 24 this season, so he's a bit older or at the same age as the players around him. Perhaps because he was undrafted, despite being the son of a former major leaguer. ??? He was a 5th round pick. The 165th overall player taken in the 2006 draft. And he'll be 23 for almost his entire AA season (doesn't turn 24 until August)... which means he's on target age-wise for the league he'll be in. For example, there was only ONE position player on the Barons this year younger than Shelby will be.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Feb 17, 2009 -> 02:32 PM) I guess you can add Shelby to the mix, but I've yet to figure out exactly where he fits in with the future White Sox. He's not a corner outfielder, 2B would seem to be taken and I don't think he'll ever be the defensive stud that Anderson, Lillibridge and/or Jord. Danks could be. Shelby and Getz are the players that I see having the hardest time being starters in the future, at least long-term with the White Sox. I'm not sure why you seem so down on Shelby (I gather that from this and earlier posts). What's not to like? IMO the kid is the full package... speed and power. In a poll of Carolina League managers, Shelby was selected the most exciting offensive player in the league. And the Sox seem to have committed him to playing LF and not 2B, but you're not buying it. Why?

QUOTE (iamshack @ Feb 17, 2009 -> 01:30 PM) I think the "old" moniker comes from having guys that have been with the team for a few years...it tends to make the team seem a bit stale. The Angels will be praised for bringing on Bobby Abreu, but JD, Pauly and AJ will be considered "aging." Good points. And the Phils replace Pat Burrell (who is about 6 months younger than Konerko and about 2 months older than AJ) with Raul Ibanez (36) and no mention of age either. Oh well. It always seems to be our team's advantage to play with a chip on their shoulder, so I shouldn't complain if media guys help us out there, eh?

QUOTE (GREEDY @ Feb 17, 2009 -> 12:17 PM) I agree 100% with his analysis. With that being said "power rankings" are retarded. I agree power rankings at this point in the season are completely pointless. But I just scratch my head reading some media experts analysis of our team as 'aging'... with 'guys on the downside'... etc., while giving other teams with players the same age or older a pass. On most rosters in baseball, Konerko (just about to turn 33 in March) and AJ (just turned 32) would not be considered 'old' guys. But I guess guys like JD Drew, Mike Lowell, David Ortiz, Posada, Jeter, ARod, Damon, Matsui, Derrek Lee, Soriano, Eric Byrnes, Carlos Delgado, Maggs (and most of Detroit's roster), Vlad, Torii Hunter, the list goes on and on... (who btw are all older than either Paulie or AJ)... don't age. And in what bizarre twisted parallel universe do the Cardinals, Reds, Orioles, and Giants rank ahead of the WhiteSox?

Good for Jose... the weight loss will help reduce the stress on his injured foot. Might help accelerate his rehab.

Seems amazing to me that the Yankees could actually have a lower team salary after signing CC, Texeira, and Burnett. But then I noticed that just by dumping Giambi ($23M), Abreu ($16M), and Pavano ($11M), they cut $50M from last year's payroll. Wow. Talk about cutting fat. Losing those three guys was like financial liposuction.

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Feb 15, 2009 -> 11:36 PM) Good for Buehrle. Granted, I don't believe it, but if he held true to his word, good for him. By the time his contract is done in 2011, he will have made over 60 million in baseball, and thats just from base salary. He is already a World Champion, and wants to be a responsible father. Could anyone fault him? ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ If that's what Mark wants... more power to him. But let's win one more World Series first so he could go out in style.

QUOTE (AWhiteSoxinNJ @ Feb 14, 2009 -> 07:01 PM) Is being in last place this season a bold perdiction? Last place? That would be perdition, not perdiction. -------------------------- per⋅di⋅tion 1. a state of final spiritual ruin; loss of the soul; damnation. 2. the future state of the wicked. 3. hell; the abode of Satan and the forces of evil 4. utter destruction or ruin. 5. Obsolete

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Feb 15, 2009 -> 12:11 PM) At least now I know how to pronounce his 1st name, it's Die Ann . Actually if someone pronounces it correctly, it sounds like Die On... but I'm sure alot of people in the media will screw it up.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Feb 15, 2009 -> 10:16 AM) Can anyone picture the Sox putting Owens on waivers ? If (a.) Owens gets hurt again... and (b.) Anderson has a good spring... and (c.) one of the second base guys starts looking like a viable leadoff option... then yes. And although that sounds like alot of conditions... I don't think any of them are a stretch. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if they all happen.

QUOTE (Greg Hibbard @ Feb 12, 2009 -> 10:44 AM) He's asking somewhat unproven breakout stars to sustain apparently unsustainable levels, and asking AAAA (my term for major/minor 'tweener like Betimet) and AAA caliber players to rise to occasions they haven't been asked to rise to before. How is that any different than what most teams (other than the Yankees, RedSox, and Mets) do? For example... how often do the Twins or Tribe go out and sign up big name free agents? They don't. They 'ask AAA caliber players to rise to occasions they haven't been asked to rise to before'... practically every year. The key to making this work, of course, is the quality of the young guys being called up. ----------------------- The only thing that makes me really nervous this year is the pitching situation. With the 4&5 slots up for grabs, we REALLY can't afford to have any regression from the top 3. That's why the starting pitching is KW's biggest gamble this year IMO. I'm not losing any sleep over the offense at all. But the pitching...? I'm pretty anxious to see how guys look in S/T.

QUOTE (joesaiditstrue @ Feb 11, 2009 -> 11:14 PM) I thought that was OPS+ VORP, i think the other guy is correct? Yep. Sorry. Wasn't thinking when I was typing. Here's the definition from Keith Woolner: Quantifying Replacement Level (VORP) With the preceding ideas about replacement value in mind, I've designed a measure called VORP -- Value Over Replacement Player. We define a replacement level player as one who hits as far below the league positional average as the league backups do relative to league average, who plays average defense for the position, and is a breakeven base-stealer and baserunner. VORP is the number of runs contributed beyond what a replacement level player would contribute if given the same percentage of team plate appearances. How Do We Define Replacement Level? Replacement level is the *expected* level of performance the average team can obtain if it needs to replace a starting player at minimal cost. Individual replacements can perform above or below the expected level, but that does not change what the expectation was at the time of the decision. Specific teams may have better-than replacement level players available in their own systems. This does not change the concept of replacement level -- it shows that team context is important when evaluating particular decisions. If *all* teams had better-than replacement-level players easily available, then that would indicate that your level is set too low.

QUOTE (tommy @ Feb 11, 2009 -> 11:05 PM) VORP stands for Value over replaced player? Does that mean, Owens is projected to score 27 less runs then whoever he is replacing? VORP compares a player to a league-average player at his position.

Here's a link to a Q&A from a book titled Legal Muscle that helps clarify the legal issues related to steroid use/sales, etc.