Dick Allen

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 3, 2009 -> 09:50 PM) ozzie will try to play him every day, will start him off hitting from 7 down in the lineup. He will move him around and play him at 3rd, 2nd, SS. It sounds like he's taking Betemit's place. Not to pat myself on the back, but I called it, I predicted it, I knew it all the time.......

A guy in Boston, Nick Carfardo, of the Boston Globe, ranked the managers. Now remember he had scouts, front office guys, coaches and players helping him so they obviously know more than anyone of us and this has to be gospel. Hey, at least Ozzie is an upgrade from Jerry Manuel. In March 2008, with the help of scouts, front office people, players, and coaches, this reporter rated the managers 1-30. Here's a revised list, with previous rank in parentheses. 1. Tony La Russa, Cardinals: One of the best player evaluators, he amazingly keeps his team in the race and always maximizes performance. His body of work and current success put him in the top spot (4). 2. Terry Francona, Red Sox: Two championships in five years, and in contention again. Scores high with communication (3). 3. Jim Leyland, Tigers: Made a lot of roster changes after a disappointing '08, but he has the Tigers performing at a high level (1). 4. Bobby Cox, Braves: Probably the most respected manager in the game by his players. A fundamentally sound skipper (2). 5. Joe Torre, Dodgers: Tough times with the Manny Ramírez situation, but he can still take adversity and turn it into a positive (5). 6. Mike Scioscia, Angels: Survived a massive list of injuries to his pitching staff, and free agent losses like Mark Teixeira and Frankie Rodriguez. His teams are always well-prepared (6). 7. Charlie Manuel, Phillies: Easy does it, but he does it. Somehow wins with an average pitching staff. Great teacher of hitting (12). 8. Joe Maddon, Rays: State-of-the-art manager. Smart, innovative, and one of the great communicators (21). 9. Lou Piniella, Cubs: Facing adversity with injuries and underperforming key players. Hasn't changed his style; master motivator (10). 10. Dusty Baker, Reds: Experienced motivator whom players adore. Has the ability to minimize tough situations, as he did for many years managing Barry Bonds in San Francisco (11). 11. Bruce Bochy, Giants: Gets a lot of respect for his in-game maneuvers, knowledge of the game, and general demeanor (7). 12. Ron Gardenhire, Twins: Has a system that emphasizes fundamentals and personal responsibility. Players seem to flourish in the environment he creates (13). 13. Ken Macha, Brewers: Had a solid performance with the A's and has the Brewers near the top in NL Central with a subpar pitching staff (NA). 14. Cito Gaston, Blue Jays: Yep, the Jays are fading, but the two-time World Series winner has done a terrific job through the injuries and a thin roster (NA). 15. Joe Girardi, Yankees: The guy with the highest payroll always has the most to prove. Our panel was impressed with how he took a bad early situation and has regrouped (19). 16. Ozzie Guillen, White Sox: Emotional leader has had to deal with a diverse roster of young and old. Had the high of a championship in 2005, the in-between of last season's early playoff exit, and so far a challenging season with underachieving pitching staff (14). 17. Ron Washington, Rangers: Has advanced from his early days, when he was overwhelmed. An improving roster and farm system helps, and he does a good job juggling lineups and keeping players fresh (28). 18. Jerry Manuel, Mets: Runs the team with a nice, steady hand, but he'll always be judged by whether the Mets make the playoffs, and last year that didn't happen. Not the best tactician in the game or with his bullpen (NA). 19. Trey Hillman, Royals: Like Washington, he has an emerging roster and can teach young players. Has transformed the Royals from hapless to hopeful (29). 20.Eric Wedge, Indians: Tough going since winning Manager of the Year in '07. GM Mark Shapiro has taken responsibility for most of the downturn, but Wedge bears some blame (8). 21. Bud Black, Padres: To have this team around .500 after the misery of '08, and with a challenging roster, Black deserves credit for keeping it together (17). 22. Fredi Gonzalez, Marlins: Loves the teaching aspect, but the rap is he doesn't manage the game well. Works well with younger players (27). 23. John Russell, Pirates: Got his rookie season out of the way and is now considered far more savvy in his second season. Younger players are progressing and the Pirates seem less pathetic (30). 24. Dave Trembley, Orioles: Good communicator and motivator. The recall of catcher Matt Wieters "might make him smarter" according to one American League GM (26). 25. Bob Geren, A's: Poor Geren got a new offense, but injuries have decimated this team again. Hard to judge him when the A's constantly change direction (25). 26. Cecil Cooper, Astros: Has the rap, true or not, that he throws players under the bus in the media and never fully has their trust. On the positive side, he emphasizes discipline (24). 27. Manny Acta, Nationals: Trying to juggle a young rotation, a poor bullpen, and a good lineup in a poor environment (18). 28. Don Wakamatsu, Mariners: Has done a good job changing the culture and making players accountable. Solid during a game, but the sample size is small (NA). 29. A.J. Hinch, Diamondbacks: Former farm director was a controversial selection to replace Bob Melvin because he's never managed. The hope is his knowledge of the young players will lead to success (NA). 30. Jim Tracy, Rockies: A 562-572 record with the Dodgers and Pirates isn't stellar, but he is a good, solid manager who can run a game. Replaced the fired Clint Hurdle, who went 18-28 and had lost the team (NA).

QUOTE (ptatc @ Jun 3, 2009 -> 04:29 PM) The difference is that you don't take a kid who is still learning the professional game and give him too many things to worry about. At the minor league level there is little to no pressure and he is expected to learn once he is here everything will be increased. By the way he is averaging 1 error per game played at 3B in AAA. If he is expected to play the position well, maybe the Sox should let him learn the position before he is brought to the show. Josh Fields didn't learn how to field in the minors. I read here countless times how Robin Ventura couldn't field in the minors, and even Joe Crede. So they didn't learn in the minors.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 3, 2009 -> 02:58 PM) Betemit has 0 options left and would have to be released in that case. Not sure I'd complain. But jerking around Beckham and moving him from position to position when he's just learning to hit big league pitching...poor idea. He's been playing all the positions in the minors. What's the difference? If he can catch the ball and hit better than what's in Chicago, its time to move him up. He's coming up in September anyway.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 3, 2009 -> 02:56 PM) DEWAYNE WISE KILLS RIGHT HANDERS. 4-27 this year Split G GS PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS TB GDP HBP SH SF IBB ROE BAbip tOPS+ vs RHP as LH 184 461 428 92 18 8 13 43 17 1 21 82 .215 .256 .386 .641 165 8 3 7 2 2 9 Career. Yeah, .215 avg. .256 OBP .386 slugging pct. .641 OPS lifetime vs. RHP. He absolutely kills them.

Maybe Beckham comes up for Betemit and rotates between 2B, 3B, and SS. He probably could also play 1B.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jun 3, 2009 -> 02:11 PM) He'd play more if he could stop a baseball with something other than his wrist. That hasn't stopped a lot of guys from playing. He is brutal with the glove, but he couldn't always have been this bad.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jun 3, 2009 -> 01:53 PM) That is the thing that is killing me about Betamit, he isn't hitting either! At least if he was generating runs, you could justify his existence on our roster. With Nix around to play 3B, I'd rather see Lillibridge around than Betemit. Yup, I said it. At least Brent can stop a baseball with a glove. He'd hit if he played more. Its not easy when you are getting 19 AB a month.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jun 3, 2009 -> 01:48 PM) Not to mention he outpreforms pythagaron by a good margin pretty much every year. A lot of that is run differential and the White Sox have a screwy differential due to how the team is built with inconsistent run totals. Ozzie isn't a problem IMO. We would have issues with just about any manager. There are many ways to run a baseball game, and there is more than one correct answer. I think Ozzie does have favorites, but so does everybody including all of us posters. I wish BA would play more, if for the sole reason to find out if he is what he is or if he can be more, and he does help a team if he isn't hitting. Its not like Wise is going to mean more wins. Maybe he still is ill and will play more when he gets better.

QUOTE (scenario @ Jun 3, 2009 -> 01:30 PM) Fill-in the blank with name of manager of your choice and you have your typical manager slam post found on practically every baseball board on the Internet. Yawn. Reality check... the team has won 90 or more games in 3 of the last 4 years. In the bottom line, it's about winning games. And Ozzie's teams consistently outperform their Pythagorean projections. So, if it makes you feel better to rag on him, knock yourself out, but don't expect to influence alot of people to your point of view. If you count playoff victories. They didn't win 90 last year.

QUOTE (Stan Bahnsen @ Jun 3, 2009 -> 01:13 PM) Thank you. I also hate the way BA is being handled NOW, and I'm up for giving him one more shot of sustained, mostly every day AB's. However, I'm completely f***ing SICK of hearing how BA was "mishandled" in '06. He was given a very lengthy and legit shot, and completely blew chunks. We were able to deal with it while the rest of the team hit like the '27 Yankees, but that was unsustainable. And in the first half, the Sox dominated the AL with BA not hitting. Also in 2006 during July and August, BA hit .300. That's something that has long been forgotten. That meant Darin Erstad had to lead off in 2007. There is no question BA wasn't quite ready in 2006, but there is equally no question BA has had a much shorter leash than anyone else since. Brent Lillibridge led off after Ozzie started popping off about him playing in Korea.

Oakland's pitcher has a perfect name for a pitcher.

Pods is definitely better than Owens and Wise. I personally don't think he's better than BA but he will play ahead of him when Quentin comes back. I think its a lock Pods gets hurt eventually. He has every season with the White Sox.

QUOTE (Lemon_44 @ Jun 3, 2009 -> 11:32 AM) Let's face it, neither one of them are very good. It doesn't really matter who is out there. Any production out of either one should be considered icing on the cake. KW's main focus should be on obtaining a legit CF'er. You figure when Quentin comes back that Podsednik will split time with BA or may even be the main guy with BA being a late inning defensive replacement. The thing i don't get is BA has had about 3 good weeks since 2006 and everybody loves him yet Fields has 3 bad weeks and everybody wants to run him out of town. Fields had a slump, 5 for 45, but otherwise has hit a very respectable .285. Many players better than Fields have had longer slumps. Anderson has had a 3 year slump and he supposed to be out there every day . Take away every player's worst 45 AB of the season at this point and tell me what their stats are. The fact is Fields continues to strike out at an alarming rate, does not get on base much, has a low average, and is on a pace for about 6 or 7 home runs. That's something that needs to improve dramatically or its something that needs to be replaced soon if a team wants to win. With Anderson, even if he doesn't hit, he's a good 4th OF who can come in as a defensive replacement and a pinch runner. Fields is a guy who can't play multiple positions, and will never be a late inning defensive replacement so if he can't play every day he really isn't a bench guy because of the amount of pitchers that must be carried in today's game and therefore beomes a AAAA player. No need to replace him yet, but its getting close. If Beckham continues to scorch the ball, and Fields doesn't start hitting with some authority, Josh will have to find an apartment in Charlotte.

Clayton's been hot, maybe now is the time to deal him.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jun 3, 2009 -> 08:44 AM) The interesting line is that Ozzie talks about Jerry saying "yes" to whatever Kenny presented, meaning that this money was NOT in the budget before the Peavy deal was put on the table. http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-0...0,4969578.story Considering what is left on Peavy's contract in length and money, and the negotiation that would most likely have to take place concerning adding to his no trade and/or option year I'm sure getting JR to OK the deal is standard procedure. KW said when asked how they would pay that it "wasn't a stretch".

7 probably will be available.

Where would he play? He can only DH. The White Sox DH has a .900 OPS.

If you're ever at a game, watch Fields take a couple of cuts in the on deck circle. Its very short. He, like a lot of players, can't bring it to the plate for some reason. He's dropping his shoulder which also will lengthen and slow down your swing. Its not something that is uncommon. You can't be thinking about mechanics while hitting or you will not hit. He isn't to the point where that short swing becomes "his" swing. He may never get there.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jun 2, 2009 -> 08:41 AM) And a big time steroider... No thanks. What do you think of Tyler Flowers? If they got Tejada, he would play 3b, but I see no reason to trade anything for him while Beckham is hitting around .500 in AAA if Fields can't get going.

Pods has not done well with the bases loaded as a White Sox.

QUOTE (joesaiditstrue @ Jun 1, 2009 -> 09:39 PM) Jayson has a good eye, good understanding of the strike zone, but one has to wonder if his limited playing time and playing in front of a packed house may have him over thinking a bit tonight If playing in front of big crowds bothers him, he's not someone who could help you make the playoffs. When he played regularly, its when his numbers slipped. He's really not very good, but he's hits some big homers, so you might as well ride him while you can.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jun 1, 2009 -> 09:35 PM) Bring him back next year, yes or no? I'd honestly rather have Dye back as our DH. Make that decision in October. I wouldn't bring back Dye at $11 million. Whichever one wants to DH for $5 million or so is who I would keep. Eventually though I think the Sox need a DH who can play defense. It probably would allow them to keep an extra pitcher.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Jun 1, 2009 -> 09:32 PM) Oh... lol... yeah no. Thome should never bunt under any circumstances, besides, his fly balls are sprayed all over the field. As washed up as he is, Thome has the best HR rate in the AL since he became a White Sox.

The Sox will be in first place at the end of this homestand.