Dick Allen

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 22, 2009 -> 02:31 PM) That's my point...they were SO far out of the zone, not even Anderson, Ramirez or Vladmir Guerrero would have swung at them. That won't continue...looking at his at-bats, you would think opposing pitchers were seeing Pujols or Hanley Ramirez at the plate. You're really reaching.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 22, 2009 -> 02:22 PM) That's not what I said at all. I never said he should swing at balls out of the strike zone. He does enough of that without my advising him to do so. What I said was that he was seeing a disproportionate number of balls on the first pitch...or even the second pitch, and that this would turn around and eventually he would have to hit his way on base. Logical?? It's a statistical anomaly. If you look at the pitch pattern to BA in every game he's started, probably 75-80% of his first two pitches are balls. That's not going to hold up. Look, I would be glad to be "proven wrong" about BA, but I've watched baseball my entire life...and I just don't see it happening with him as a starting/regular major league CFer. He has all the tools, but there were many prospects you could have said the same thing about. Kenny Williams, in fact, was a much better prospect and had even better overall tools than BA when he reached the majors. We can wish and blindly hope all we want for someone to succeed...I just don't see it happening. Any player that gets thrown strikes the first 2 pitches instead of balls will have his strikeout rate increase. Its an encouraging sign BA wasn't swinging at those pitches, rather than the dire fate you have predicted.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 22, 2009 -> 02:06 PM) We won of our first two games and people were harder (much harder) on DeWayne Wise. I think your quote could actually be attributable moreso to the feeling/s people had about what would happen if Wise weren't in the line-up. As soon as Brian Anderson rips a fastball with no movement that's right over the middle of the plate, then I might give him the benefit of the doubt for 2-3 more games, which, once again, is more lenience than Wise got. Not to mention the bigger fact that we don't have any pitchers to replace Contreras with, so we have to get more offense on those nights when he starts. Everyone was bad, and in a game or two, there will be threads dedicated to "what's wrong with Josh Fields???" too. You have ripped BA for not swinging at balls. It is crazy. Your "logic" is as soon as pitchers see he's not swinging at the first couple of pitches, they will throw strikes and his strikeout rate will skyrocket". That made zero sense. He's supposed to swing at pitches out of the strike zone in order to strike out less? Give the BA bashing a rest. While maybe he deserves a little ball busting, you have taken it to another level and are ruining your reputation as a good poster. The Sox somehow won 3 out of 4 in TB with BA in CF, and would have swept if the bullpen held. It must be a miracle. Maybe the Sox should have soxtalk favorite Josh Kroeger come up and see what he can do in CF. He's got his average up to .179 in Charlotte.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 22, 2009 -> 01:52 PM) Because Anderson, at the least...should learn how to hit the ball to the right side of the infield if he's not going to be able to get a hit in those critical situations. Had he done that, Josh Fields' flyball to RF would have been and 2nd RBI of the inning. Yes, it was a team loss...but I am looking for some signs of positive progression in BA with RISP, that's it. That's at least 2 Sox losses where they lost by at least 7 runs this season we can pin on BA. When the Sox get rid of him they may never lose.

Carlton Fisk was hitting .202 on June 1, 1983. He wound up 2nd or 3rd in MVP voting. I don't understand the need to bash Contreras right now. He most likely was going to struggle just as Colon will probably get knocked around a little bit. They are both coming off injuries, are a little older, and had a less than full spring training. Patience. Its not like the Sox have better options. Egbert gets brought up with an ERA over 6.00 and he promptly now has an ERA of 18.00. Richard has been hot and cold. I think its best to give these guys another month and if either is struggling then make some sort of adjustment. Hopefully someone, somewhere in the organization will have shown they can get the job done by then.

QUOTE (Princess Dye @ Apr 21, 2009 -> 12:07 AM) I'm as harsh a critic of Brian as can be, and yet if he wants to keep taking walks and slapping singles... while bringing that CF defense, great. I dont need more extra base power on the team. Lillibridge I just want as utility for right now. What I do fear though is that BA's getting an abnormal amount of first pitch balls for some reason, and when the league adjusts his OBP will revert. Very much hope that fear does not come to be. What will happen if he starts swinging at pitcher's pitches the first pitch is everyone complaining that he takes pitches out of the strike zone now will start complaining that he swings at everything. That's pretty much guaranteed. He has a long swing right now, there's no question. Supposedly its really short in BP but he hasn't been able to bring it to the game. Once that happens, if that happens, the term "BA fanboy" will go away.

BA has a real long swing right now.

Hawk said you can't pitch around everybody. If Jerry Manuel pitched to Markakis and the same thing happened, 6 years later we would be hearing about it.

QUOTE (fathom @ Apr 21, 2009 -> 09:29 PM) Looking at the teams he's going to be facing, how long do you give him to get into a groove? The thing is, it's probably a mute argument, as I can't see KW or Ozzie ever pulling him rotation unless he's hurt. How many innings did he pitch during spring training? Considering he didn't throw off a mound until a little while before that and had not pitched since August, he's not going to be in mid season form. Maybe they should move him to the bullpen until he gets sharp, or maybe he gets his act together soon. I really don't know. All I know is its pretty unrealistic to thing he would be real sharp right now.

QUOTE (fathom @ Apr 21, 2009 -> 09:27 PM) 17-26, 5.26 ERA from 2007 to now He literally has not had a swing and miss on his forkball tonight. I've never seen that from him. He's thrown about 4 that barely made the dirt. Its going to take some time.

QUOTE (Brian @ Apr 21, 2009 -> 09:26 PM) EVerything is away to lefties. Everything. Jose has nothing left, IMO. Thank you for 05. Do you really expect him to be sharp right now? He was out for 6 months then had less than half of spring training. He'll be fine as long as he stays healthy. He's having control problems.

Viciedo with a walk tonight. His first in US professional baseball.

QUOTE (CanOfCorn @ Apr 21, 2009 -> 03:37 PM) Yes, I did see the #'s Huff put up last season. One season does not lead me to believe he's a good baseball player, though. JMO. Luke Scott...there's just something missing. Can't put my finger on it, but even when I saw him at Round Rock. He's just...I don't know. Batting Year Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS 2000 TB 39 122 12 35 7 0 4 14 5 18 0 0 .287 .318 .443 .760 2001 TB 111 411 42 102 25 1 8 45 23 72 1 3 .248 .288 .372 .660 2002 TB 113 454 67 142 25 0 23 59 37 55 4 1 .313 .364 .520 .884 2003 TB 162 636 91 198 47 3 34 107 53 80 2 3 .311 .367 .555 .922 2004 TB 157 600 92 178 27 2 29 104 56 74 5 1 .297 .360 .493 .853 2005 TB 154 575 70 150 26 2 22 92 49 88 8 7 .261 .321 .428 .749 2006 TB 63 230 26 65 15 1 8 28 24 25 0 0 .283 .348 .461 .809 2006 HOU 68 224 31 56 10 1 13 38 26 39 0 0 .250 .341 .478 .819 2007 BAL 151 550 68 154 34 5 15 72 48 87 1 1 .280 .337 .442 .778 2008 BAL 154 598 96 182 48 2 32 108 53 89 4 0 .304 .360 .552 .912 2009 BAL 13 49 4 13 4 0 1 11 8 9 0 1 .265 .368 .408 .777 Career 1185 4449 599 1275 268 17 189 678 382 636 25 17 .287 .344 .482 .826 Aubrey Huff has been a pretty good hitter for a while.

http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/news/press...sp&c_id=cws

QUOTE (SoxFan562004 @ Apr 21, 2009 -> 12:56 PM) I'm sure he'll be picked up by someone else due to his talent, but unless his head takes a complete 180 it will be another team that he teases He'll easily clear waivers, whether the Sox want to bother sending him back to Charlotte or not is another matter. I would imagine they have had enough and the Mike MacDougal era with the White Sox is ova.(Although you would wonder why they would DFA him instead of just releasing him if that were the case unless maybe they think they can throw him into a potential trade to offset costs) Its too bad because he has a ton of talent. Some guys just can't be fixed.

QUOTE (kyyle23 @ Apr 21, 2009 -> 12:48 PM) who takes his place? I think its Egbert.

DFA'd today.

I used to sneak into Blackhawks and Bulls games when I was in high school, but other than that, I pay my way.

If Jenks went, I sure hope he was able to eliminate before hand. Cowley's blog: The distinct grinding sound in the back of his throat was a clear message that the hocker was coming up into his mouth, ready to be discarded. With the media surrounding him minutes after recording save No. 3 on the young season, Bobby Jenks didn't have a cup and certainly didn't want to use the floor of the visiting clubhouse of Tropicana Field as a destination of his loogie-art. So, Jenks pulled back the White Sox warm-up he was wearing, and spit inside his chest area of the shirt. Then another. Then he grabbed the collar of the warm-up, and blew his nose into it. All before one question was asked. Sure it was a scene right out of "Animal House.'' As a matter of fact, the only thing missing from the moment was Dean Wormer looking at Jenks and saying, "Mr. Blutarsky ... zero point zero.'' That's where pitching coach Don Cooper comes in. "Is that all he did?'' Cooper asked, when the subject of his closer came up. "Bobby's got ... I mean how do I word this? Bobby's got a problem holding poop in sometimes. I know there are a couple times where he's been driving around, no bathroom available and he has to find the closest woods, a parking lot, the side of a Walgreens. That's what comes to mind when I think of Bobby. "I want to say he had a problem in someone's swimming pool, but again, I haven't heard of it being a problem lately.'' The details of whose pool it was are sketchy at best. But when one teammate was asked about it he did say, "The sad thing is it wasn't an accident.'' "Isn't that what you want from your closer, a guy that can handle difficult situations on the field and off the field?'' Cooper said. "So, he's not the most hygiene-conscious guy. Isn't that what a closer is all about?'' So what if he makes teammates uncomfortable off the field, because on the field, when that bullpen door opens in the ninth inning, they know what they have. "That's the type of guy that when he gets out there it's just extreme confidence,'' outfielder Brian Anderson said. "You've got the confidence that there will be a guy throwing four-plus pitches for strikes, not to mention that if he has to throw 100 he probably still could. He defines the closers' role. "As far as the other stuff, Bobby does whatever. It's all relative I guess, because he gets on me for doing things he feels are gross, like biting my nails. I have to remind him sometimes, 'You're really going to call me out on that when you do some of the stuff that you do?' '' Jenks did say that he gets on Anderson when he bites his nails "right after they were in his nose.'' As far as the rest of his clubhouse behavior? "Bad habits are easy to form, and you're around each other so much that you see everyone's little quirks,'' Jenks said. "As far as me spitting on my warm-up the other night, well, why not? If it's there.'' The fact is there are no complaints about Jenks once he takes the mound. Sure, there are still those that want to point out the drop in his velocity and strikeouts the past two seasons, forgetting that the former minor-league starter can pitch, not just throw, and has now opted to be more efficient than intimidating. Why have a six-pitch at-bat throwing fastballs near 100, when he can get a hitter to groundout on two pitches with an Uncle Charlie that drops from 12 to 6? "I want to sit you as quickly as possible,'' Jenks said. "Going out there 60, 70 times it could wear you down by September. Going out there and being efficient early, that's something you have to learn the more you do it. The goal is to be better at the end. "It just takes time to learn that. Greg Maddux didn't become Greg Maddux his first two years.'' But what the Sox and his teammates really like about Jenks is he knows who he is and is comfortable with it. He's not walking around with delusions of still being a starter. He's a closer, period. "It never crosses my mind,'' Jenks said. "The hardest thing for me to get a grasp on is knowing I'll never get to hit again, not that I won't ever be starting again. This is what I do.'' That sums it up perfectly. There's your closer Sox fans - a blue collar, barrel-chested, perfect fit for the South Side, closer. Embrace him. And then make sure to wash your hands right after that. I don't care how good Bobby Jenks is. Some of that stuff is just gross. s***ting in someone's pool isn't funny.

QUOTE (kyyle23 @ Apr 21, 2009 -> 08:43 AM) I seem to remember Contreras starting off the year last year pretty damn good. I also remember him being named the number 1 pitcher in the playoffs/World series in 2005, where it was particularly cold and rainy. why are you talking about Football? stay on the subject Its a lot easier to pitch in the cold than hit in the cold. I think Contreras struggling is because he's had a long layoff and is in the middle of his "spring training". The cold weather should help him. The pitcher has the advantage the colder it is.

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Apr 21, 2009 -> 08:26 AM) The things you say sometimes... There is no way Alexei will be sent to Birmingham. Viciedo is hitting .238 through 42 AB's. He only has 8 strikeouts so that isnt that alarming. Far too early to be saying he is "struggling mightily". And there is nothing to your "Seems that most Latin players really struggle in April in the cold weather" comment. I would say .238 with no walks and only 1 double and 0 other extra base hits in AA is struggling for someone who a lot thought would be on the White Sox opening day roster. That said, I wouldn't be alarmed. I do think there might be something to the weather, especially with Viciedo. He probably had never played a game where the temperature was below 60 degrees in his life until this month. I'm sure there's an adjustment, not only to the weather, but the culture, etc. I think and hope he will be alright. I would think the majority of Latin players have learned to play in the cold, but guys like Alexei and Viciedo haven't really been exposed to it very long and their adjustment period is just beginning. Its a very different feeling standing at the plate when there's a 25 degree wind chill vs. 80 degrees. At least we can hope its the weather, because if its anything else, it could be troublesome.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 21, 2009 -> 06:32 AM) 1) Can we really argue that ST assist totals create a theorem that BA has a "great" or "plus" arm? 2) I never, once....on any message board...have said that Anderson doesn't play "good/great" defense. I just don't believe his throwing arm (or Rowand's for that matter) were/are so great. Anderson's is stronger than Rowand...and he doesn't overthrow so many balls into the mound or balls that bouce 5-6 times b4 they get to home plate, but he's just not very accurate usually. 3) If he doesn't swing at the first couple of pitches...good MLB pitchers will pick up on that and carve him apart. In the Rays' series, I suppose we can just go with another theory that BA "got lucky" never to receive first pitch strikes and got ahead in counts and was able to get some walks and a few scratch singles. Relying on that to continue won't/can't be a "new" offensive theory...as BA down 0-1 or 0-2 usually equals death by lethal injection for baserunners. His arm is plenty strong enough. I don't see opponents taking extra bases they shouldn't take because of him and if they try like Pena in Tampa the other night, they pay the price. Is it possible that he's taking pitches at the beginning of the count because they are pitches not to his liking? Why should he swing at a pitch he isn't going to be able to hit very hard when he has no strikes on him? Even if it is a strike, if its not in his wheelhouse with no strikes on you why swing? This makes no sense. He's not going up to the plate with the intention of taking the first couple of pitches. That's insane. If pitchers pick up that they will have to throw strikes to BA to get him to swing, his K rate isn't going higher, its going to go much lower.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 20, 2009 -> 08:14 PM) When is the last time that assists from the outfield measured anything, usually, but the worst outfield arms or defenders that were constantly challenged by opposing 3B coaches like Carlos Lee or Alphonso Soriano? C'mon. I realize Rowand and Anderson are like Immortals to some here, but this is getting ridiculous...above-average arm strength has magically morphed into something more than it is. Brian Anderson has all of 4 outfield assists in 244 games played in his career. Lance Johnson had 11 assists in 1991 and 1992. One Dog had one of the worst arms in the history of the game...rivaling Juan Pierre, Jerry Owens, Scott Podsednik and Johnny Damon. To have a "plus" arm on the traditional scouting scale, you'd have to be at 60+. There is no way that Brian Anderson has a plus arm...maybe 50 or 55, but not a 60 or above for his position. So you are saying assists don't measure anything then mention the number of assists Anderson has. That coupled with your observation that because he has been taking pitches that are balls is going to cause his strikeout rate to rise makes me wonder if you can really objectively look at Brian Anderson. While Anderson might not have the traditional "gun" in the OF, it is plenty strong enough. He is also very accurate and gets himself in position to make the proper throws. I really don't think his defense is something even his biggest detractors can argue.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Apr 20, 2009 -> 08:10 PM) Q's hair looks too much like Blagojevich. It looks like a Moe Howard do

QUOTE (scenario @ Apr 20, 2009 -> 02:45 PM) Who would you rather take that the risk of losing... Nix or Owens? I don't think KW would lose any shut-eye if he lost either one.