BearSox

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Apr 14, 2008 -> 03:49 PM) This is the only time when I wish 2005 didn't happen. People saw one too many ESPN montages of the "small ball" Sox, and got the idea that because the Sox won the series in 2005, and there wasn't a superstar in the lineup, thats how you win ball games. The fascination with "Small Ball" is amazing. Some of my favorite Earl Weaver lines. "Forget about the bunt unless there is no other choice. Look instead to Dr. Longball and his assistant, Dr. Three-Hit." "The minute you hit a homer, you have a run, no questions asked. With anything else, you aren't guaranteed a run." "On a home run, nothing can go wrong" "The power of the home run is so elementary that I fail to comprehend why people try to outsmart this game in other ways" "If you play for one run, that's all you'll get." While "small ball" is overrated by some, it is underrated as well. Of course it's nice to get 7 runs a game, but thats not always the case. If there is a pitching duel going on, and 1 run might be the difference, why do nothing but swing for the long ball? Your facing the other teams ace, so a homer is unlikely to come easy. You got a guy with some speed at bat with the 3B back, why would you want that guy to swing for the fences, when the other team is giving him an easy single with the bunt? If the guy gets on with a bunt single, that opens up a ton of possibilities. Perhaps a hit and run, or maybe a sac bunt to get the guy in scoring position. While you shouldn't live by this, it is a very important part of the game at times.

QUOTE (WCSox @ Apr 14, 2008 -> 03:39 PM) Competent defense at 2B is very important. Almost as important as 3B and a hell of a lot more important than 1B, LF, or RF. Richar is a competent defender (at least), and will only get better out there. QUOTE (WCSox @ Apr 14, 2008 -> 03:39 PM) LOL at you drinking the Cabrera Kool-Aid. What did you expect him to say about Richar? "Meh, he's OK"? Well, if Cabrera wanted to lie, he would have said something along the lines of, "I think he's good and I'm looking forward to playing with him." I find it tough to believe that he'd say as many positive things as he did about Richar if he was just trying to be a good teammate. QUOTE (WCSox @ Apr 14, 2008 -> 03:39 PM) That's your biased opinion. His numbers indicate that he's not much of an improvement over Uribe at all. That's not being biased at all. It's simply watching baseball and being able to tell who sucks and who actually has potential. Anyone who can see talent can see that Richar has so much more offensive potential then Uribe. Plus, based on the numbers, it showed that Richar, who was a rookie getting his first taste of the MLB was able to match, if not do better, then Uribe someone who's been playing in the majors for several years already. QUOTE (WCSox @ Apr 14, 2008 -> 03:39 PM) No, we'd be stupid to yank superior defense for a guy who hit just as poorly at the ML level last year. While I agree that Richar has more upside than Uribe and that he should be starting next season when Uribe is gone, there's no evidence that he's a better player RIGHT NOW. We're trying to win right now, not develop players. And on top of that, the superior offense that Richar may or may not bring to the table this year means a lot less when Crede and Cabrera are slugging it out for the title of "7th best hitter on the team." This team's lineup is a lumber company (Swish, Cabrera, Thome, Paulie, JD, AJ, Crede) and they also have the option of bringing in Fields, if needed. Given that, defense from the #9 hitting 2B is more important than the potential for moderate improvement over Uribe's numbers. No defense can make up for someone who can barely hit .200 with an OBP of less then .300. And the arguement that "well, we have 8 good hitters already, so who cares if one guy can't even break .200" is plain stupid. Richar is someone who can come in and play above average defense and provide us with some offense. Why have an easy out in the lineup if you don't have to? It's idiotic to do that. I could see if Richar couldn't field a damn, but that's not the case here at all.

I don't think Owens should even sniff the MLB roster. If we want speed off the bench, call up Bourgeois who provides plus speed and actually knows how to hit, and is a switch hitter.

Even though I was never a Frank fan, he damn well deserves one once he retires. He also deserves a picture of himself swinging on the fence in left-center as well. There is no denying how great of a hitter he was back in the early 90's. Probably the best in baseball during that time.

QUOTE (WCSox @ Apr 14, 2008 -> 03:52 PM) ALL positions in the middle of the field (SS, 2B, CF) are important defensively. That may be true, but 2B is the least important. And, Richar is better then average. QUOTE (WCSox @ Apr 14, 2008 -> 03:52 PM) Are you kidding me? Cabrera didn't know crap about Richar's capabilities at the time. He most likely said that to be a good "team player", as most people thought that Richar was going to be the starting 2B at the time. lol, your going to feel like an idiot on this one. http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/news/artic...sp&c_id=cws Hell, Cabrera even helped out my points of how I was saying he is going to get better and be good defensively. QUOTE (WCSox @ Apr 14, 2008 -> 03:52 PM) But we're trying to win NOW, and Uribe is clearly better defensively than Richar. And while that shouldn't keep Richar from getting some time at 2B when he's healthy, completely handing over the starting gig at 2B to a player that is inferior defensively and may or may not be better at the plate isn't something that you want to do right now. I'm not saying Richar should play everyday, obviously he needs time to readjust, but from what I've seen... he's already a better hitter then Uribe. And usually offense > defense, especially at a position like 2B. The only positions where you can make a case for defense > offense is CF, SS, C, and maybe 3B. Richar should be given fair chance to win back was thought to be his. It's not like Uribe is lighting up the world offensively, and Richar is good enough defensively to justify getting his chance. Anyone who has an eye for talent would know that Richar has a shot to become a very good player. We'd be stupid to potentially hold back that talent.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Apr 14, 2008 -> 03:33 PM) The White Sox have turned a ton of DPs. Uribe has something to do with that. Get off his back, your arguing about a guy who is currently injured taking his place. The team is in first place playing well.Yeah, the Sox have turned a ton of DP's, thanks to pitchers putting the ball on the ground. Saying that Uribe has been a big reason for all those DP's is asinine. Any 2B worth a damn can turn a DP. And, I don't want Richar to take his place until he's healthy. However, with Uribe not producing, Richar should see plently of playing time once he's healthy. Richar actually has potential to make us better. Uribe can't even hit his weight.

QUOTE (peanut33tillman @ Apr 14, 2008 -> 02:19 PM) I dont see what point you're making, granted Uribe cant hit a lick but based on your assesment Thome I guess shouldnt be in the lineup either as he falls in that sub .200 range as well...Lord, we're 11 games into the season, he's played a great 2B and hell if aint broke don't fix it we got enough boppers on this team anyways... Thome has proven to be one of the best hitters in baseball, and whether he's slumping or not, pitchers don't forget how dangerous he can be. Uribe on the other hand has proven to be garbage with the bat, and hasn't shown any improvement. Horrible comparison.

QUOTE (SoxFan101 @ Apr 14, 2008 -> 02:53 PM) Uribe has done nothing so far to deserve the starting nod at 2B and don't know why anyone wants him to stay there. Granted, he does play good defense but when your batting sub .200 I don't care how good your defense is you aren't deserving a starting spot. I will say that I don't want the team to rush Richar back or anything of that sort, let him get completely healthy and a week or so in the minors before putting Danny back in action. agreed. Plus, it's not like 2B is some crucial defensive position like SS. I remember reading an article after the Garland-Cabrera trade about how high Cabrera is on Richar, and that he was looking forward to playing up the middle with him. Richar might only be "average" now, but he is only getting better. He has very good range from what I've seen and more then enough arm strength. Add that to the fact that Richar adds another lefty bat to lineup, adds more speed, and has already proven to be at least as good of a hitter as Uribe with more potential, there is no reason why he shouldn't see a lot of playing time when he's healthy...

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Apr 14, 2008 -> 02:47 PM) I find it difficult to understand why this team as constructed would want to consider a 13 man pitching staff, especially since it's already carrying a long reliever. some make the case that carrying 12 pitchers is too much. But with our questions, it was almost a neccessity. 13 though, that'd be too much.

most people talk about D, and Richar is no slouch with the golve. He plays an excellent 2B from what I've seen.

I remember reading something like back in the 20's or 30's, the Sox had a brawl with the umpire, and the Umpire pretty much took on the whole team... that would have been something fun to watch.

QUOTE (Heads22 @ Apr 13, 2008 -> 06:10 PM) Not if he keeps producing. It's hard to justify trading a guy playing as well as he is, contract situation be damned. I highly doubt he keeps producing like this for the next 3 months... if he does, then I'll be damned. But odds are he will start to fizz. But, for now lets be happy he's producing and we're winning. Lets cross such a bridge if/when it comes.

QUOTE (DABearSoX @ Apr 13, 2008 -> 04:14 PM) How can you trade a guy that is so clutch....Clutchness wins playoff series...If Joe keeps it up I can't see Kenny trading him away even though the bolded part is false... everyone and their mother know we aren't going to sign Crede long term, not with Boras as his agent. So, unless he is the only one producing in the offense while we are possibly in a playoff race, and Fields is absolute garbage at Charlotte, odds are Crede will be trade bait.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Apr 13, 2008 -> 04:36 PM) FOR THE LAST f***ING TIME, IT'S CHRIS YOUNG the pitcher?

Nice to see Kong finally break out with a good game. And Crede is plain and simply a beast with the bases loaded. It seems everytime the sacks are packed with him at bat, he hits a granny. I still think Fields is the future at 3B, but Crede going like this only raises his trade value. Would have liked to see Javy get the CG shutout though... Chris who?

I'm getting so sick of seeing Uribe and his .176 average and .567 OPS in the lineup everyday... other then that, no complaints.

QUOTE (Greg The Bull Luzinski @ Apr 13, 2008 -> 11:13 AM) If Alexei is only going to play once every two weeks, he may as well be in Triple A. He is not learning anything sitting on the bench next to Joey Cora. agreed. I'd like to see him start at SS for Charlotte, playing everyday. He could be our SS of the not-to-distant future, but first he needs a lot of playing time there. Needs to work on his D. I'd much rather have Bourgouis or Rouse be on the bench then Ramirez.

QUOTE (Reddy @ Apr 13, 2008 -> 09:19 AM) i agree with you man. love that guy. not necessarily everything he did, damn was he cool. If I had to choose which president I would want my back in a fight, it would probably be Jackson... maybe Lincoln, I heard he was actually a very good wrestler.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Apr 13, 2008 -> 08:43 AM) I don't know Hall's background too well, but, Lucy came in as a known project hitting-wise. He played behind Garko in college and only had one full year starting at C. He's been progressing pretty well each year, though not spectacularly. Last year in B-Ham he his .269, .343 OBP, .732 OPS, and was 13-for-14 in SB attempts. If he can put up similar or slightly better numbers in AAA this year, I think that's a good sign he could transition to being AJ's backup for 2009. His OPS has actually gone up at each stop - .662 at Low A, .724 at High A, .733 at AA. That's a sign, to me, that he's still learning and pretty quickly. if the trend continues, and he puts up a .750 to .800 OPS in AAA, I'll be pretty happy. I don't think Lucy will ever be a starter at the major league level. But he plays plus defense, has a little speed, and isn't entirely incompetent with the bat. Sounds like a good, young, cheap backup for 2009 and beyond. Souns like another Chris Stewart to me... except with more upside.

QUOTE (daa84 @ Apr 13, 2008 -> 08:28 AM) hall was probably sub 250 lbs back then too and probably didn't have that piece of crap growing on his chin either.

I was watching the highlight of sweeney's triple a couple days ago, and he's changed his approach. He's off to a good start... bummer about the injury if it is anything serious.

QUOTE (kyyle23 @ Apr 13, 2008 -> 09:08 AM) Well they needed that extra time to show all of the rain delays in the Boston/New york game. No ESPN show is complete without showing Papelbon warming up 16 times. So they just cut out some of that worthless almost-nohitter nonsense and complete domination of the tigers and inserted Papelbon getting up 4 times in 2 hours. It was necessary yep, what I was thinking. They even showed the grounds crew taking off the damn tarp. I just watched the mlb.com highlights of Floyd, and damn. It would be a huge relief for us to see him pitch like this for the rest of the season.

QUOTE (kyyle23 @ Apr 13, 2008 -> 08:56 AM) If I were you I would go browse the MLB.com and ESPN.com highlights. There is one of Floyd striking out Miguel Cabrera on a curveball that is about as sick as they come. Miggy buckled his knees and just started walking to the dugout. He had that curveball all day long. I saw that highlight on sports center last night, and that curve was sick. But I was pissed, I was hoping they'd show more highlights, but they only showed like 2.

since my tivo/cable box is gay and for some reason I can't pick up baseball games on comcast, I was not able to see the game... how sick was Floyd?

QUOTE (zenryan @ Apr 12, 2008 -> 11:50 PM) i think we're due for a Ramirez start. I don't know about anyone else, but I love seeing Ramirez play. He is as about exciting as they come, IMO.