Dick Allen

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?

Ever since the debacle Friday night, after 2 games they couldn't buy a run, this team has looked invincible.

Gonzalez is speculating Kroger will be brought up. He's been wrong before, but he's probably right this time.

Lillibridge's 1-6 is an improvement from the leadoff spot. Now 2-27 on the year.

QUOTE (daa84 @ Apr 13, 2009 -> 03:07 PM) Fields is due for a long ball He's really been focused on RF, something I've never seen from him before. Maybe he's working on keeping his head on the ball longer, then maybe start airing it out.

Maybe BA takes this opportunity and runs with it. Last year, Owens got hurt and it was a blessing for the Sox. Hopefully, deja vu.

QUOTE (soxfan3530 @ Apr 13, 2009 -> 02:59 PM) hopefully kroger. Nice Matt! He's still looking for his first hit of the season. I wish, and I know it will not happen, they call up Beckham and moved Ramirez to CF.

BTW, the Knights pitching has been awful so far: Individual Stats (Pitching) (click column headers to sort) Player W L ERA G GS CG SHO SV IP H R ER HR HB BB SO WHIP HLD GF Wes Whisler 1 0 4.50 1 1 0 0 0 6.0 9 3 3 0 0 1 2 1.67 0 0 Lance Broadway 0 1 5.40 1 1 0 0 0 5.0 5 4 3 1 1 2 4 1.40 0 0 John Van Benschoten 0 1 5.40 1 1 0 0 0 5.0 2 3 3 1 1 2 6 0.80 0 0 Adam Russell 0 0 0.00 2 0 0 0 1 4.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 5 0.00 0 1 Jack Egbert 0 0 10.12 2 0 0 0 0 2.2 4 3 3 1 0 1 3 1.88 0 1 Kelvin Jimenez 0 0 15.43 1 0 0 0 0 2.1 4 4 4 1 1 2 2 2.57 0 0 Jon Link 0 0 7.71 2 0 0 0 0 2.1 1 2 2 0 0 2 5 1.29 0 1 Randy Williams 0 0 4.50 2 0 0 0 0 2.0 2 1 1 0 0 0 1 1.00 0 1 Ehren Wassermann 0 0 18.00 1 0 0 0 0 2.0 6 5 4 0 0 1 2 3.50 0 0 Jeffrey Marquez 0 1 32.40 1 1 0 0 0 1.2 6 6 6 0 0 1 0 4.20 0 0 Jimmy Gobble 0 0 36.00 1 0 0 0 0 1.0 3 4 4 0 0 2 2 5.00 0 Although the sample size is small, outside of Russell, everyone else has been below average to horrid.

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Apr 13, 2009 -> 02:50 PM) But im talking about the 7th. Come on, were you comfortable seeing him out there after the Tiggers loaded the bases with 1 out the previous inning off him? They had a 4 run lead, I'm sure if a guy or 2 got on, they would have removed him. You cannot blow out your bullpen by the end of April.

If Paulie gets on, he will have a shrug-free day.

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Apr 13, 2009 -> 02:40 PM) Here is the problem with Carrasco, IMO. Not that he is on the team, but that he get's used by Ozzie like this. He's the long man. I would imagine Dotel is unavailable today, so they may be why they had him go an extra inning. He's not that great, but the 11th or 12 man on any staff isn't going to be. He's fine for his role.

QUOTE (tommy @ Apr 13, 2009 -> 02:41 PM) 1-2-3 for DJ. Not bad for a guy who should be replaced by a guy who has an ERA over 30.00 in AAA.

QUOTE (soxfan3530 @ Apr 13, 2009 -> 02:36 PM) A bad career outside of last season's fluke. And Marquez and Egbert sucked in the minors last year and have sucked in the minors this year. Your argument has no merit. But continue.

QUOTE (Melissa1334 @ Apr 13, 2009 -> 02:35 PM) i have always wondered...is it possible that minnesotas pen was full of ped users? look who was in their pen..hawkins, guardado, rincon, and jc romero. romero and rincon were busted and look whats happend to guardado and hawkins..who knows.. I'm pretty sure everyone's bullpen was full of PED users. I would bet the percentage of pitchers using was higher than the percentage of position players. A couple of years ago, everyone was throwing 90. Not anymore.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Apr 13, 2009 -> 02:34 PM) Sample size And what's the sample size for Carrasco's struggles?