Dick Allen

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ May 18, 2009 -> 03:08 PM) This is actually true - you can usually tell right from the first batter whether or not Dotel has it that game. This is true. Its very rare Dotel gives up a hit or walk to the first batter and he's able to wiggle out of it. It seems the first batter will tell you almost exactly how Dotel will fare that day.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ May 18, 2009 -> 03:00 PM) And he's hitting something atrocious as his numbers are shooting way back down. I agree with you ont his Dick, however, I also agree something needs to be done as the management did a f***ing horrendous job and right now I see lifeless play and that is un-f***ing-acceptable. Ozzie had a little blow up a week or so ago and they were interviewing JD about it. JD basically rolled his eyes and said the team was used to it, so I think some new "motivation" needs to be worked out. Of course there is the possibility that this team just isn't any good. I would like KW to be bold, but it appears the White Sox front office has gone into hiding and is waiting on the Barons to come up and show they are ready before committing any more money to real players. Its very dissappointing. Maybe this time KW will realize he doesn't have everything figured out. Its tough playing without Quentin, but one thing Carlos hasn't shown he can do yet is stay healthy. You have to expect him to miss time. Thome, Dye, Konerko, you have to expect they will miss time as well, they aren't getting younger. So injuries are no excuse. Its like being shocked Joe Crede has back spasms. This team wasn't set up real well to begin with. Its time KW either gets real aggressive getting better, or real aggressive shedding payroll so he can be a player when some better players become available again. I really don't think the current roster, even when 100% healthy, is in the same class as the better teams in baseball.

QUOTE (Cali @ May 18, 2009 -> 02:58 PM) The Sad thing is that absolutely NOTHING is gonna change... Either that or they will find an even worse player or two to give some playing time. The White Sox cheapness has really caught up to them this season.

How many guys leave the White Sox and go on to become significantly better hitters elsewhere? If there was a guy that hit .220 under Walker but .280-.300 under someone else, and it happened more than once or twice, the Walker bashers might have a point. I really don't see any of that yet, although I'm sure Swisher's name will come up, but one of the reasons the Sox got rid of Swisher was his refusal to listen to Walker. His batting coach is his father.

QUOTE (Jimbo's Drinker @ May 18, 2009 -> 02:44 PM) Josh Fields went 0-for-4 in Monday's loss and is without an extra-base hit since May 5. He does, however, have 11 strikeouts since then. It's completely unacceptable that Fields has 41 strikeouts and just six extra-base hits in 125 at-bats. The White Sox need to turn third base over to Wilson Betemit and see if it provides a boost. Josh Fields is a star. Just read Soxtalk 2007 and spring training 2008. He's can't miss. He's twice the player any replacement would be.

QUOTE (Jenks Heat @ May 18, 2009 -> 02:31 PM) Maybe Cito Gaston was the right call 5 years ago...........he sees to have not missed a beat. Cito emphasises hitting home runs.

QUOTE (fathom @ May 18, 2009 -> 02:23 PM) Time for some changes. Isn't it great that we kept Anderson in the minors for a few pointless games? Were we trying to save money on his flight to Toronto? Maybe he didn't have his passport handy. Silly they didn't call him up.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ May 18, 2009 -> 02:14 PM) Correct. Its Ozzie's call ultimately, but he relies on his coaches to dictate matchups, etc. So what time does Ozzie get to the park? He doesn't do any instruction, Cora runs spring training. Walker tells him when to pinch hit. Cooper tells him when to change pitchers. Why do the Sox pay Ozzie? I think you're wrong. If Ozzie hasn't looked at the book with all the numbers in it and hasn't read the advanced scouting reports, he's the most ill-informed manager of all time. And what about his "managing from the gut" lines he always uses? Maybe that was an example.

QUOTE (tommy @ May 18, 2009 -> 02:04 PM) Dotel with 18 consecutive scoreless appearances dating back to last season. Kiss of death.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ May 18, 2009 -> 01:58 PM) Ozzie relies on his coaches ie: Cooper and Walker to be the first line in those decisions, so yes. Ozzie obviously ultimately can make any call at any time, but he delegates those decisions to his coaches for the most part. Sorry if that looked like "bashing" to you, its just reality. So Walker is in charge of sending in PH. Who sends in PR and makes out the line-up card? Its Ozzie's decision not Walker's.

QUOTE (fathom @ May 18, 2009 -> 02:01 PM) But in that PH spot, it's the perfect chance to use his bat. And you still don't have to have him play defensively as you could have moved Nix to 3rd, Pods to LF and Lillisucks to CF.

Yet another big homer for Mr. Unclutch.

QUOTE (jasonxctf @ May 18, 2009 -> 01:57 PM) i think the reason why Wilson isnt starting is due to defense. When you are only scoring 2-3 runs per game, if lucky, you can't afford to give up another 1-2 in the field at the same time. Probably, but he's been know as a better LH hitter than right during his career and Ozzie rarely uses him from the left side. When its late and you need runs you need to go with a guy that gives you a chance. Fields hasn't been that guy. If you aren't going to use Betemit there, you might as well just release him.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ May 18, 2009 -> 01:52 PM) JD just fist bumped the ump when the ump gave the out sign. Clayton doing his best to keep the team in it, thats the best you can ask from him. 1 run over 7 against Toronto is unreal. Why is Betemit even on the team? Even a 10 year old xbox player would have pinch hit him for Josh in that inning. Walker is supposed to own the matchups for his hitters for Ozzie, he isnt doing his job. So its Walker's fault Ozzie doesn't pinch hit for Fields? Yet another new low in the Greg Walker bashing.

QUOTE (kwolf68 @ May 18, 2009 -> 01:27 PM) You don't think a rebuild would see Link get a shot? He might, but why have your entire bullpen filled with question marks? Trading a guy like Thornton who doesn't make a ton of money, for prospects unless they are sure fire top of the line guys makes no sense. Financial relief and the ability to redistribute funds with the others make sense, but hoping a prospect or 2 pans out to be just as good as the guy you traded is Elton Brand for Tyson Chandler. It really doesn't make sense.

QUOTE (hogan873 @ May 18, 2009 -> 01:23 PM) Well, I hope that this season is now seen as a rebuilding season. We can argue that it's early only so long. And with the team we have, I'm not holding out hope for a surge like last year. If we know it's a rebuilding season and we start seeing some of these exciting players from the minors, the season can hold some interest. I would agree they aren't going to win with their current roster, but some tweaking could make this a .500 or a little better team which would be good enough to compete for a division and let them print playoff tickets so they can hold the season ticketholders hostage again.

QUOTE (Jenks Heat @ May 18, 2009 -> 01:20 PM) The whole pen could get you something. If you are moving Jenks, move Thorton and Dotel as well. Some team would also over pay for Linebrink (i.e. Yankees, Red Sox , cubs) It Really is sad that the thing almost every team needs is the thing the Sox are strongest at right now. I think you would want to keep Thornton around and probably Linebrink if Jenks is sent packing. Dotel is gone after this season. You can't have a horrible bullpen for the next several years and expect anything but tumbleweeds at USCF.

QUOTE (kwolf68 @ May 18, 2009 -> 01:16 PM) How about if Rush just takes the field and they call the game? It'd be far more entertaining. I'm all for that. BTW when Josh Fields falls behind 0 and 1 so far this season, he's hitting .109 with a .292 OPS.

QUOTE (fathom @ May 18, 2009 -> 01:12 PM) I could see KW paying to get prospects. I don't know why anyone would give up decent prospects for half a season of what the White Sox could give them. KW trying to go against the grain, screwed himself this past offseason.

QUOTE (fathom @ May 18, 2009 -> 01:07 PM) This team is likely to finish with a worse record than 2007 if we start unloading people. I don't think they are going to be able to unload much. Not many teams are willing to take on money.

Geddy Lee is taking in the game today from behind the plate.

QUOTE (Baines3 @ May 18, 2009 -> 01:05 PM) I have been a White Sox fan for 33 years and this team is turning out to be one of the worst I have ever seen. 1976,1978,1979,1984,1986,1987,1988,1989,1995,2007 I think are worse.

What is Ozney Guillen's draft prognocation? I'm sure the Sox could give him a sweetheart deal like KW's kid.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ May 18, 2009 -> 12:50 PM) this is f***ing ridiculous. why is Nix a guy who by all accounts could be a gold-glove caliber infielder playing left-f***ing field? Why is f***ing Pods not in left, when Alexei can play f***ing center, and Anderson is healthy? There are traditions and there are White Sox traditions.

Its unfortunate that as bad as Contreras has pitched, the White Sox couldn't upgrade his slot. That is on KW.