Dick Allen

The day after the JR firing up of the troops for next season speech. Beautiful. Ozzie has every right to be pissed off, and frankly shouldn't be a manager if it didn't bother him. Maybe its makes no sense to some because the Sox can't win anything this year. Eliminated or not, you still have to play with pride and especially against a team that is still in it, have to be bothered by a poor performance. Its kind of like when they flash to the dugout during a loss and you see a bunch of guys laughing it up. This is their job. They get paid to play at their highest level. They get paid more in six months than most get paid in a lifetime. There's a time to watch football, but not right after blowing a 5 run lead and getting blown out to a team that is playing very meaningful games, in the clubhouse. They can all afford TIVO. BTW, 35k in attendance last night with no fireworks show. A lot of Detroit fans.

Ozzie in his postgame said the players were more concerned about their football teams than the baseball game. Seems to me a TV or 2 needs to be removed.

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Sep 26, 2009 -> 09:48 PM) It's truly unbelievable how little accountability you place on the players. We've been told how many times that players quitting was something you would never see from an Ozzie Guillen managed team? I hope KW is serious and dumps whoever he believes quit no matter what their status with the team.

QUOTE (jphat007 @ Sep 26, 2009 -> 08:31 PM) Seriously. If Tony Pena and Scott Linebrink are our main setup guys with Thornton as the closer, we're f***ed next year. In Sept. 2004 if someone told you Dustin Hermanson, Politte and Cotts would be the primary set up guys for Shingo until Shingo failed and Hermanson took over but he would hurt his back and some guy the Angels are about to waive would become the closer, what would you think? Relievers are different than any other player. I think it entirely possible Pena and Linebrink are actually good next year.

QUOTE (santo=dorf @ Sep 26, 2009 -> 09:41 PM) Any more details on Ozzie jawing with fans? Where were they? How long did it go on for? Did the announcers acknowledge it? Were they Sox or Tigers fans? I think it was a guy with a Granderson jersey.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Sep 26, 2009 -> 11:49 AM) There goes our only lefty above A. So what? He's not a major league pitcher and never will be.

QUOTE (WCSox @ Sep 24, 2009 -> 09:20 AM) IMO, this is the biggest red flag. I can't argue with Thornton's results in the setup role, but he doesn't even throw as fast as Bobby did when he was a one-trick pony. All of the really good closers either have a great offspeed pitch or great movement. Thornton has neither, and because of this I'd say that his ceiling as a closer is rather low. He may be effective in that role, but I'd like to see the Sox look elsewhere for the long-term. First off, Thornton's 97 is a lot quicker than most 97s because of his easy motion. Secondly, if you threw Thornton into Jenks' appearances in 2009, there is no doubt in my mind he would have at least 30 saves. Most guys would. Jenks had a bad year. As far as closer stuff, he has a BAA of .217 an OBPA of .273 and strikes out more than one an inning. There is no question his "stuff" is good enough to be a solid closer. The only negative I see in making Thornton Jenks' permanent replacement is what other lefty is available for the Sox. Williams isn't the answer. But maybe a lefty set up guy is part of the package for Jenks.

QUOTE (Princess Dye @ Sep 23, 2009 -> 09:48 AM) Apparently Bradley loved playing in Texas and saw Washington as a father figure and what not. Then he took the big money and signed in Chicago. It at least goes to show there is a fit for him....somewhere. Will Ozzie coddle him? No. But Ozzie seemed to give Carl Everett all the space he needed as well. And Everett was incident free in Texas too, albeit with a different mgr Actually now I'm starting to worry that the nearest parallel is not Everett, but rather a ...less benign.. Frank Thomas. I only say that because of the apparent hypersensitivity. Ozzie and Frank clashed-- and if i'm honest with myself--i would fear a larger version of that clash repeating. When Ozzie does clash with someone, it doesnt get mended. Texas wants no part of Bradley even if the Cubs pay the freight. Apparently he admitted to taking some games off last year with minor injuries for fear of hurting his stats. That didn't go over very will with Texas' management and players. So yet another Bradley bridge burned. The Cubs are going to get rid of him and SD appears to be the only team admitting at this time any interest. Its laid back atmosphere and low pressure environment is probably the only place where Bradley can last more than a season. I suspect he winds up there, but why they would trade for him, I have no idea. If I'm Towers, I'm making the Cubs pay all but the minimum and give them a garbage prospect or I'm waiting for the eventual release. Its only a matter of time when the trouble in SD will start. He's a guy with a ton of talent, but has let being one of the game's all-time biggest jackasses, and that's saying something because there have been some huge strokes that have been MLB players, ruin his career. We should have a thread someday just listing the games biggest douchebags. As for the proposed trade to start this thread, there is a million times more of a chance Linebrink regains his form than Bradley becoming a decent person and/or teammate.

There's been several waiver moves as of late even with teams not in contention. Obviously the Sox felt Egbert had no future in Chicago and wouldn't net anything in trade even as a throw in so he gone. Probably its just simple housecleaning.

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Sep 25, 2009 -> 02:34 AM) Since we are eliminated, Flowers should be in every game for the rest of the year, and we should see more of Lillibridge, Fields, Nunez, Hudson etc.. playing. Maybe Flowers, and you will see Nunez and Hudson, but the other guys? The Sox still have 6 very meaningful games, not for themselves, but they could determine the division champ. and no player is going to make or at least should make a lasting impression over that time. I think the Sox owe it to Minn, Det, and MLB to try to win the games against Det with their best line-ups. The games in Cleveland, let them clear out the bench. Just think how pissed you would be if it were the Sox chasing Minn at the end of the year, and Detroit had 6 games against them and Leyland played all Sept. call-ups.

If Detroit wins tonight, the Sox will be officially eliminated. Det. has 4 games left with Minnesota and a Det victory tonight would guarantee at least one of them would get to 83 wins.

QUOTE (WCSox @ Sep 23, 2009 -> 08:49 PM) Pitching coaches tend to be A LOT more important than hitting coaches. People like Coop, Dave Duncan, and Leo Mazzone have gotten A LOT out of pitchers who aren't all that great. Far fewer hitting coaches have had that the impact that these guys have. Leo Mazzone can't find a job.

According to KW, while Walker is the hitting coach, Cora, Baines, and Ozzie all have imput with the hitters. If Walker must be fired, those three should go with him.

I'm happy he's gone, but Cabrera has made the White Sox his b**** this series.

QUOTE (fathom @ Sep 23, 2009 -> 06:53 PM) Scott Merkin's twitter says : http://twitter.com/scottmerkin/status/4327849217 KW apparently doesn't realize his team has been bad enough they won't have to shell out a #1 pick.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Sep 22, 2009 -> 10:23 PM) According to Cowley he "popped it in stretch", whatever the f*** that means. I can understand him popping the buttons on his shirt, but his calf? Will he be available for the playoffs?

QUOTE (CSF @ Sep 22, 2009 -> 10:19 PM) According to Sox postgame on the Score. Did he eat one?

QUOTE (daggins @ Sep 22, 2009 -> 05:29 PM) While an outfield of Rios and Upton would be pretty sexy defensively, there is a lot of underachieving going on there at the plate. Also I don't think we have the bait to pull that trade off. If Upton ever could get motivated to play up to his potential he would be in the MVP race every year. If he can't play for Madden, I really wonder if he would be better elsewhere, or if he's just a guy everyone will be left with wanting more. Defensively Upton in CF and Rios in RF would be about as good as it gets.

QUOTE (Kenny Hates Prospects @ Sep 22, 2009 -> 02:52 PM) I figured if anyone liked it, it would be you. No, I really have high hopes for the 2010 squad. This division is still going to be trash next year, but the difference is the Sox will be a ton better. The Sox ***SHOULD**** basically walk into the playoffs next season, and if they can get there, our rotation could be the best one in the playoffs. 2010 will be cakewalk. Edit: also the Tigers let Magglio's option vest. They're still paying Bonderman, Willis, etc. and that rotation is definitely top-heavy with little at the bottom. Rodney is a free agent so they'll have to overpay for bullpen arms again, and I believe Lyon is actually a FA too. Zumaya should still be hurt like always. The Royals are the Royals and the Indians traded everyone. The Twins are our only 2010 competition but they'll be in a new park where a lot of their bulls*** won't work anymore. Their rotation isn't as strong as ours by any means and their offense outside of the Big Two will still be pretty lacking. The White Sox have been no better since acquiring Peavy and Rios. Granted Peavy has been hurt so it doesn't count but I cannot see any reason for anyone thinking the Sox are in perfect shape for a cakewalk next year. This is a team that is 11 games under .500 vs. the AL. AJ and Konerko will be a year older. There's no guarantee Rios will be a big contributor. You can't be sure Quentin will be MVP-esque again. The chances of Pods repeating his season this year are slim. Beckham should be better. Dye will probably be gone, but as bad as he was in the second half, he was equally as good in the first half. People are happy Thome is gone, but equaling his production won't be easy. I would take Kubel and Span in a heartbeat. Cuddyer isn't a bad player either. If Minnesota pitches they are going to be good. Detroit's owner doesn't care about cash, he will spend to win. KC should suck, but also should be improved and they had no problem taking the series with the Sox this past weekend, and the Sox were 9-9 against them this season.Cleveland is bad and probably will remain bad for a long time. It seems every time the White Sox are favored to win they fall very short. The bullpen needs to be fixed. Maybe keeping it almost as is could be the answer. But you can't count on it. The Sox will need a RF and another player who could play almost anywhere and DH. They will need Quentin to stay healthy and find his 2008 form. I have a bad feeling if they bring Pods back that he will be the player most of baseball thought he was when he had to call KW for a job. I'm not enamoured with Figgins but if the Sox spend money on him, I won't be upset. The other thing is we have no idea where they are going with payroll. Contreras, Thome, Dye, Dotel, MacDougal,Viciedo's signing bonus all off the books. That's almost $50 million. Maybe Jenks goes., that's $55 million. Peavy and Rios add a lot and several raises. They should have some money to spend. But I thought that last winter.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Sep 22, 2009 -> 10:34 AM) Comparing Pods and Bradley in the OPB category is a losing battle. Bradley takes him, hard. I'm starting to come around to your line of thinking. Bradley would be a tremendous positive influence on the Sox younger players. They will learn how to deflect blame and come up with excuses for everything.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Sep 22, 2009 -> 10:16 AM) No, but adding a guy whose main skill is getting on-base will. It really worked out well for the Cubs...........

Bradley's troubles with the Cubs weren't the first time he's had issues. He's a cancer. If KW acquires him even if the Cubs ate all of his contract, JR should immediately fire KW and release Bradley, but I know there is no way KW takes this guy, even though he was very interested in acquiring him back when he was an Expo.

Saturday night I went to the game and the White Sox wives were collecting food for the homeless. Pods' wife was at my entrance as I was headed to the Jim Beam Club. Quentin's wife was with her and she's pretty hot, but looks like but her compared to Mrs. Pods. OMG.

Who in the world would want Milton Bradley poisoning their team?

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Sep 20, 2009 -> 04:52 PM) The point is simple: Chris Getz is not the best 2b on this roster. Jayson Nix is also a rookie baseball player, who has shown the ability to hit the ball out of the ballpark, and does not rely on hitting it softly in front of a defender and running like hell. The platoon makes sense for the rest of rest year, but when your strength is excellent bat control, your potential at the major league level is limited. Break it down for me: what does Chris Getz do right? How many runs does he contribute to this team? What inherent value comes from his strengths? I've acknowledged how good he is when he gets on base, but just because we have 8 other guys who can hit on a team, doesn't necessitate the need for a ROLEPLAYER (as you said). Chris Getz is not the biggest problem on this team, I never said that, but he's not an ultimate solution fort next year. Its funny you say this about a guy with a .708 OPS in AA: There's no reason to call a 20 year old kid who hits .280 in AA, in his 1st pro season a bust. No reason for it, no truth to it. Viciedo is going to improve very quickly. I wouldn't be suprised to see him get a call-up next September. Yet write off Getz during a rookie year he's had a .692 OPS as a guy who will never hit the ball hard.