Jeff Liefer

Haven't posted in a looong time. But I'm going today and I am nervous as hell. Torture won't end until I know we are out of this sudden death scenario! Go Gavin!

I could definitly use some more "pie".

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Jan 29, 2007 -> 11:46 AM) All I know was Billy Koch was supposed to throw 98 as well. KW can project all he wants. I'd rather wait until spring to see what they will bring in 2007. The bullpen could be excellent. It also could be horrendous. Most likely it will fall somewhere in between. Health will play a key factor obviously. Koch was such a pile of crap. If dead arm is a true ailment, then he was living proof.

QUOTE(rpmahr @ Jan 27, 2007 -> 09:35 PM) and who do they have for pitching other than CC Let's see, Cliff Lee, Jake Westbrook, Paul Byrd (always good for a few wins), Foulke. Don't be surprised if the team runs away with it. It's impossible to predict anything right now.

Great article. I agree with Gammons on the Cooper factor. It's clearly not luck that these unproven players have their breakout years with us. I'm excited about this power bullpen. I also think Floyd could shock the world with an above average season next year. Hell it took Garland awhile to get it right after being a top draft pick. Come to the White Sox, good things happen.

There's a lot of skeptics out there but that's okay- at least you explained where you're coming from. I do agree with you that there is not a correct expectation out there yet, but there are aspects of this team to be excited about. I don't have a clue as to whether the White Sox will be in the post-season or not by evaluating the roster we have, but there are 162 games...how can you predict what's going to take place over that long of a stretch by looking at a roster? It's impossible. The only thing you can do is assemble a group of players that could possibly get you through the season alive. The White Sox have these players; a majority of which that have proven themself before (2005). Just my two cents on the roster: Pierzynski/Hall: Two quality backstops...A.J. is a proven leader and great hitter while Hall is going to be a luxury against LHP for us. Hall is possibly the best backup we've had in quite some time. What a great signing. Konerko/Thome: Paulie is Paulie. I don't have to say more. Thome gets alot of criticism for being older and not staying as hot in the second half of the season. I'm not worried, this guy gets hot- he's still as dangerous as he's always been..and it will happen. Iguchi- Definitly a solid and reliable second baseman. His two seasons here have been above average and consistent. I wouldn't mind seeing him leadoff if Pods is out... Uribe/Cintron- Not the best shortstops in baseball but far from below average..Uribe has hit for good power the past three years and his defense is well appreciated. Cintron is a decent backup, if Uribe is out for a few days even a week or two I don't shudder at the fact of playing Cintron. Crede- So his health is in question...He's not going to mess up his contract year. He'll gut it out and have another productive year. Duplicating last years numbers doesn't seem improbable for the slugger. Podsednik/Erstad/Anderson/Sweeney- The shuffle of LF/CF is going to make this season interesting. Pods and Erstad have both been great baseball players at times during their career. Podsednik more recently. I expect Pods will be OK when healthy. He needs to keep the legs fresh and get on base, clearly. Erstad makes a nice backup. I always liked him. He could suprise because he's healthy again. Anderson will improve gradually, but not enough to even think about him being a consistent contributor. Oh well, we have no choice. Sweeney's very young, but I see him eventually winning an outfield job-in 2008. Dye- J.D. has been amazing for us these past two years. I think he'll drop off from last years rediculously piled stats but it's fair to think his numbers will rest somewhere between 2005's and 2006's. Mackowiak/Ozuna- Always good for a breather. Ozuna's been a pleasent surprise, Mackowiak never really did anything, but we have enough outfield help where he won't be playing much. As for 3rd base, I'd personally rather see Fields in when Crede's hurt (only if he's out for a week or more). Offense- In general, fans of other teams would die to have a lineup like this (unless you're a Yankee fan I suppose)...we're going to be okay in production here, you can count on that. I'm sick of all this leadoff hitter and centerfield talk. So the lineup isn't PERFECT- it's still very good! Starting Pitchers- Buehrle/Count/Garland/Vazquez/Floyd? Haeger? Danks (prolly not)?- You need to realize we have four proven pitchers that have all had great amounts of success in the past. They had a down year and Vazquez just got careless in the 6th inning...It's going to be better. Last year was just one of those problems that had to occur for Cooper and co. to learn how to fix it. It'll be fine. The fifth starter spot is wide open, but I give Floyd and Haeger just as much of a chance as we did for McCarthy. Haeger is looking potentially solid for this role. I like the idea of mixing it up with a knuckleballer at our 5 spot. It may be crazy enough to workout and get us some wins. Relief- I really like what's going on in our pen. I was always a Cotts fan but I think bringing in Aardsma is a good idea. He has all of the pitches to turn into another one of Cooper's prodigies (see Thorton/Contreras). Thorton still has his rocket arm, as does Bobby (not to mention the hammer curve). MacDougal was a success last year, just needs to keep his arm from falling off with that violent delivery. Masset is hyped but I have a crazy feeling he'll live up to it. Logan should be better this time around. It'll be great to see what Coop does with Sisco. He's got a load of talent and I think this could be a key to our season. If Sisco turns out like Thorton then we have four guys (Jenks/Thorton/MacDougal/Sisco) that can split time in the late innings. The youth will keep this bullpen fresh. Very very attractive part of our strategy right here with the young talented arms. Overall- Don't fret. Stay positive. These guys know a thing about winning a ballgame or two. Be happy you're not a Royals fan. What's up with that Gil Meche deal?

I'm pretty sure I took my first piss in a White Sox bathroom between innings as a toddler...I barely remember Old Comiskey, but the first memories I have are Sox memories...born and raised.

I honestly think there's nothing to worry about with the current roster. The lineup is incredibly overpowering and our rotation still has a core of pitchers that have proven they can be dominant at the major league level. The young pitching that was added to the bullpen will allow our starters to rest more than last year and things should be OK. I don't think this team is a thing different than the one you saw at the beginning of last year. Last year's team was stacked, but ran out of gas. This time around I think everyone's being a little wiser, including Ozzie. They're going to be fine for the long run and win over 90 games and capture the division. And for all of the Buehrle doubters, be ready for a career year. He's too much of a leader to just slip off the face of the earth again. Be more optimistic...we're not going to win the World Series every year.