Dick Allen

BTW, is Ozzie questioning everyone's memory? "I don't expect Brian to hit .350," Guillen said. "A lot of people forget we gave Brian all year long [in 2006] and he never [kept the job]. Now he's mature, he's a better player and he knows what he's doing. I don't expect him to be comfortable with being a backup outfielder. He should be better than that. He has an opportunity, and we'll see how he handles it." I seem to recall BA lost his regular gig halfway through his rookie season.

Lastings Milledge can't play for the nasty Nats. Perfect fit for the White Sox. Seriously, I think BA gets a shot, and when Beckham is ready, Alice A. is moving to CF. Why else would they keep Beckham at SS when they know he is a year away at the most from the major leagues?

QUOTE (santo=dorf @ Apr 15, 2009 -> 06:55 AM) There's been people asking him back since last year and Feburary, wll they go their wish. He can be tossed in with Everett and the Alomar brothers jokes now. I don't recall a clamouring for the return of Pods. I never liked him, even when a lot thought he was MVP material with a 700 ops leading the league in CS, but he's worth a minor league contract right now if the only other option is Jerry Owens. Owens, if he came to spring training and just showed he wanted the job, would be the everyday CF right now. He didn't. I think the last place White Sox management wants Jerry Owens right now is on the major league roster because he has done nothing they have asked of him and hasn't earned his way. He'll be gone to Charlotte once Pods is ready IMO. Pods is better than Jerry and Jerry gets taught a lesson. I'm by far the biggest Pods critic on this board. I really would prefer someone better than him, but KW doesn't want to spend any money. At least he will bring in someone better than Owens. Maybe KW is reluctant to bring in a long term answer because he sees Ramirez in CF sooner rather than later. They love Getz, and with Beckham coming fast, he probably feels he just needs to plug the hole until Beckham's ready.

QUOTE (South Side Fireworks Man @ Apr 14, 2009 -> 07:44 PM) Podsednik was signed to take Jerry Owens' place in Charlotte. He's not going to be starting in CF for the Sox anytime soon, and then only if Anderson doesn't produce and Owens doesn't either, and no one else becomes available. I have no problem with this signing, and I think it's great that the Sox can do Pods a favor. I don't think they would sign Pods for Charlotte. I don't think Pods would want to spend his entire summer there. I know they have been disenchanted with Owens and Owens sucked in Charlotte. Jerry is in Chicago until Pods is ready to play IMO. I still think BA will be the starter, but maybe KW is hoping Pods can turn back the clock for a couple of weeks. BTW, all the Kroeger lovers seem to be hiding. He's 0 for 15 for the Knights.

Pods isn't going to be around more than a month or 2. Fields keeps the number.

Mike MacDougal is about as white as anyone can be, he gets the most boos on the White Sox. Wise did not get booed at the games I was at when he wasn't leading off.

QUOTE (Princess Dye @ Apr 14, 2009 -> 01:30 PM) Also just aside from the discussion, Wise was .319/.402 last year at Charlottle. Getz was .302/.366, albeit in many more at-bats. If fans are booing the front office for not preparing us for THIS year, they need to keep on doing it I guess until Getz proves he's a top of the order MLB hitter. My whole view is though that booing is pointless to begin with. Wise was a 30 year old, Getz was not. Brad Eldred had a big year in AAA. Why isn't he the clean up hitter?

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Apr 14, 2009 -> 12:16 PM) Like that game in Oakland back in April of '07. He'll sub for him if he's in CF.

QUOTE (robinventura23 @ Apr 14, 2009 -> 12:09 PM) I agree. Probably a minor league deal so he can go down to Charlotte to get back in shape. Ozzie was quoted as KW told him he was calling up Owens "for a few days". Maybe they think Pods will be ready in a few days as he hasn't played in couple of weeks. I can't see how anyone thinks Pods, when he's not hurt, isn't better than Owens. Pods in CF is a scary thought, but you can say that about several White Sox when they are out on the field. I do know Ozzie would sub defensively for Pods and he probably wouldn't for Owens, so BA might get on the field late in some games he normally would be riding pine in. Hopefully though, its all moot, and BA starts scorching the ball.

Its a minor league contract. There is no risk involved. Pods in CF is scary, but is he worse than the statue of Ken Griffey Jr. out there last season? I would prefer a real CF signed, but the White Sox are sticking with their no money available mode. At least they are upgrading, albeit slightly, until he gets hurt.

As Pods biggest critic, I applaude this move. He sucks, but................. He is better than Owens. He even is better than Wise. Let him get up to speed in Charlotte and when he's ready if BA hasn't taken over, let him play until he comes up lame.

QUOTE (chunk23 @ Apr 13, 2009 -> 09:10 PM) The idea of having a 1b who is capable of a triple is just mind boggling. Really makes me excited. Yes I know Konerko managed a few triples a decade ago. How can any White Sox fan complain about Paul Konerko? Allen will be very lucky to have the career Konerko has had. In fact, the odds are he doesn't.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Apr 14, 2009 -> 10:39 AM) What does Edmonds have against the Sox? He rejected a trade to the White Sox before last season. He put a spin on it saying he had an hour or 2 to decide and couldn't make the decision in that amount of time so he said no without even considering it. Who knows if that is true? I would have loved for the Sox to have signed him a month ago, but with no spring training and the fact that he started last year very slow indicates to me he couldn't help much for a while. I think at this point, signing him would be a waste of money.

The reason BA is still a White Sox is because KW loves him. If Ozzie had to go away for a little while and KW had to manage the team, there is no question who would get the first shot in CF even with everyone healthy. For some reason, Ozzie and KW don't see eye to eye on BA, and KW to his credit lets his manager manage and doesn't tell him who to play. I'm hoping BA can quiet the naysayers. I'm sure plenty will be all over him if he fans his first AB today, but of all the White Sox younger OFs the last couple years, he's the most talented and has had the least amount of opportunity. I think he's a potential stud. I think he will hit enough. I just hope he can stay healthy.

QUOTE (GreatScott82 @ Apr 13, 2009 -> 10:06 PM) KW really needs to address the CF situation sooner or later. I love BA and hope he gets a majority of the playing time, unfortanately he cant hit consistently. . . . How does anyone really know that Anderson cannot hit consistently. He would have to play consistently to show that and he hasn't for 3 years. People forget BA hit right about .300 in July and August of 2006 combined. His September was a trainwreck but his mind is better now. Let him get 5 or 6 starts a week for the next month or so. If he hits like Lillibridge, or Wise or Owens then we all will know once and for all BA is a 4th OF at best. The sad part is the White Sox have not prepared him to play everyday. I'm not making excuses, this is his shot, its up to him, but they have had plenty of opportunity to give him some more experience the past couple of seasons against RHP that wouldn't have hurt them in the standings even if he took an 0fer but didn't. I think he'll start off relatively slow but will get hot in a week or so, and the White Sox days of looking for a CF will be OVA.

At least it appears its BA's job to lose. Per the Tribune: By Mark Gonzales DETROIT - Jerry Owens is scheduled to rejoin the White Sox before Tuesday's game at Detroit, but don't expect him to get an immediate shot at regaining the leadoff/center field job to Dewayne Wise in spring training. The decision to purchase the contract of Owens, 28, who was 1-for-7 at Triple-A Charlotte, was made by general manager Ken Williams, according to manager Ozzie Guillen, after Wise was lost for at least six weeks after separating his right shoulder while making a diving catch of Ramon Santiago's drive. But Brian Anderson, who drew two walks and stole two bases Monday, might get more of a shot at winning more playing time. “Kenny made that decision because we need a center fielder right now," Guillen said of the Owens' promotion. "We’re going to start by keep playing with Brian. ... I have to see how (Owens) was doing because I don’t think he was doing too well in Triple-A, either. "But when I got to the office, Kenny said (Owens) would be coming for the next couple of days and we'll see how he does. I need a true center field. Hopefully Brian does the job, if not, I’ll give Jerry a shot.’’ Williams and Guillen each expressed their disappointment that Owens didn't display more intensity during spring training, but both understood that Owens' personality isn't fiery. Since the third game of the regular season, the center fielder no longer appears part of the leadoff picture. Guillen has employed Chris Getz at the leadoff spot, and speedy Brent Lillibridge ignited a four-run third inning rally with a leadoff double. That's likely to remain in effect for a while unless Anderson can continue to reach base frequently and steal bases. After the game, Wise returned to Chicago to undergo more tests.

QUOTE (TLAK @ Apr 13, 2009 -> 06:25 PM) Look at the pitch Brian swung at against Humber on Saturday. Then resume your arguments. There's not a player in baseball that hasn't looked that bad at one time or another.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 13, 2009 -> 06:10 PM) KW could care less about Charlotte...the only problems he'll have to deal with are complaints about what a horrendous team he has there (in terms of fans and attendance and "atmosphere") if he wants to keep that affiliation with the Sox. We have the worst AAA and best AA team in the minors. It's all about development...winning is secondary at the AA level...especially if the major league team has a competitive/winning atmosphere. Maybe winning would be more important for Nats, Padres, Pirates, Royals, Astros, Orioles, etc., farmhands. I'm sure that if Poreda does well, he will be promoted sometime this season to Charlotte...same with Beckham and Viciedo. It will take longer with Allen, Flowers and Shelby, for sure. I think they all will stay at Birmingham and unless called up to the major leagues sooner and depending on the situation, may get a September call up. Its like Thomas, Fernandez and Ventura skipping AAA. AAA seems to be the parking place for guys who may get called up for a couple weeks at a time for most organizations. It seems the better prospects for the most part, are lower.

QUOTE (fathom @ Apr 13, 2009 -> 05:54 PM) One scout said it's one of the worst IL teams this decade They were interviewing one of the coaches during a spring training game and he said KW signed the best 6 year free agents around, that Charlotte would have a great team this year. It does seem the Sox don't have much in terms of real prospects on that team, probably on purpose. It looks like almost and independent league team.

QUOTE (Paint it Black @ Apr 13, 2009 -> 05:25 PM) I kind of agree, and I find myself fading in and out attention wise so far this year. Stone is wonderful, but Hawk is really starting to irritate me sometimes. On a similar note, does anybody wish they would just broadcast a game without announcers but still have the sounds of the game? I would love that, and I know it sounds odd, but you don't need a play by play guy at the game. About 20 years ago, NBC broadcast an NFL game without any announcers. It was kind of nice at first, but did get old. The only announcer that has ever really annoyed me enough to turn on the radio or just mute it was Tom Dore. He seems like a nice enough guy, I'm sure a lot of people liked his style,and when he called into talk shows or was on other programs, I didn't mind him,but for some reason listening to him do Bulls games was nails on a blackboard to me. Hawk pisses me off sometimes. I don't mind him being a homer, but sometimes I think he takes liberties with fans' baseball intelligence when talking up White Sox players who obviously aren't going to be major leaguers for very long. But overall, I love the Hawk. Anyone who sounds like they are in the middle of giving birth describing a White Sox win in the middle of September when the team is hopelessly out of contention is alright by me. I also think he does have a good baseball mind with some unique ideas. When he's not spewing the company line, he's as interesting as they come.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Apr 13, 2009 -> 05:29 PM) Heres to hoping he just plays a backup role. BA needs his shot. Also, I wish Kroger would have been called up, at least he can hit. Charlotte has had a horrid start. They have 1 guy with a batting average over .250, and 1 guy with an ERA under 4.50, and he's pitched 2 innings. Kroger is 0 for 9 and Owens is 1 for 7 with 3 k's.

Let Anderson play. Its time to find out if he can everyday. The White Sox leadoff hitters are hitting .045 on the season and the team is in first place. As far as Owens, call him up if you must, but if you give him Wise's job, to play against right handers, you're making a big mistake IMO. Anyone called up s/b a back-up unless its someone like Beckham, and we know that isn't happening. The fact that no other team wanted Jerry Owens for nothing should tell you something. I guarantee BA wouldn't make it through waivers.

Its a weird situation when your GM says the guy who everyone knows is a top of the line defender would hit .270 with 25 homers if he played every day, and for some reason can't beat out Dewayne Wise. Then Wise gets hurt and Jerry Owens gets the playing time (speculating) although this benched individual outplayed him in every aspect last season and during spring training. Something has to be up, and if I were BA, if I'm not the man in CF right now, I'm asking to be moved.

QUOTE (SoxFan1 @ Apr 13, 2009 -> 03:40 PM) Or the Angels. Or the Braves. Or the Rangers. Or any local Pony League team.

He said Ozzie said the only way it won't be Owens is if KW makes a trade before tomorrow. Owens will get Wise's playing time. BA will not get his shot. Make a trade,KW if that is the case. For the love of God, Jerry Owens? How many times do you have to pound your head against a wall before you realize it feels better if you don't?