witesoxfan

QUOTE (SouthsideDon48 @ Mar 16, 2009 -> 01:50 AM) That's why it's best to have Wise lead off and use BA as a late-inning defensive replacement. If the Sox decides to go with a platoon, then they can have Anderson bat 9th, (then we'd have a problem with leadoff) and we can use Wise as a late-inning pinch-hitter/pinch-runner. People are grossly undervaluing the speed Wise brings to the lineup. We have too many slow station-to-station runners that we really need some quicker guys on the bases that can potentially steal bases. With the way this team is made up, we might have no choice but to use Wise as our leadoff hitter, because who else is going to do it? It has been said that Ozzie doesn't want to stress Getz out in the leadoff role, so who else is it going to be? Alexei? He's better in the middle of the order around #6 for his rbi potential. CF: Wise 2B: Getz LF: Quentin RF: Dye DH: Thome 1B: Konerko SS: Alexei C: AJ 3B: Fields I like that lineup. But there's not really any place for Anderson on there, Anderson can't hit lead-off, so if Anderson was in the lineup and batting 9th, then who will hit 1st? Now without Wise at lead-off (Wise is way better than Owens), what else can we do? We don't have much flexibility, and we won't have much flexibility as long as we have guys like Thome on the team. The speed element helped us in the past with the likes of Timo and Ozuna, and the Sox is a better team having that speed element in the 25-man roster and in 2009 it comes in the form of Wise. Wise is a terrible defender in LF...how do you think he's going to fare in CF? He's not even that fast either. And on top of that, the dude can't draw a walk to save his life. 23 walks in 504 career plate appearances, 8 walks in 143 last season (which is above his career norm and is still not good). It's amazing that in what amounts to like a one month span - June and July, where he got 52 plate appearances, a few select bats in August and September, 1 game in the postseason, and Spring Training against pitchers who aren't working at 100% - that Dewayne Wise has gone from AAA afterthought to leading off the season and playing CF for the White Sox. Something doesn't click, and having Wise lead off would be an Erstadian mistake. QUOTE (Y2HH @ Mar 16, 2009 -> 10:04 AM) Fixed. Not sure what good a bat in CF is going to do, I've always struggled catching balls with bats.

QUOTE (beck72 @ Mar 14, 2009 -> 09:52 PM) Welcome aboard It looks like the are trying Alexei #2. I haven't seen him bunt much or move runners over. We'll see how it goes. At least we know he's going to make contact. Bunting and moving runners over is completely overrated. It gets beaten to death, but if your #2 hitter is a damn good hitter, let him hit and keep the rally going. If you HAVE to play for one run, as in you are down by 1 late in the game, then yes, it makes sense, but that will happen once every 3-5 games or so. That said... QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Mar 16, 2009 -> 10:28 AM) I don't think Ramirez should hit second. His OBP is fairly low. He really doesn't work counts, and since the White Sox probably won't have a guy ahead of him who will get into scoring position by himself very often, he would be forced to give himself up too much. Keep him lower in the line-up and let him rip. I agree completely with this. The Sox don't seem to have a good enough leadoff hitter to justify having Alexei hit 2nd.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Mar 15, 2009 -> 07:58 AM) I don't know how anyone could say BA cannot hit major league pitching. He's been given one chance to do it, really. In 2006, playing on a defending World Champion he was thrown into the role. He didn't hit, but a lot of guys don't hit initially. He started to hit a little bit that year. He hit about .300 in July/August, and then KW made one of his worst moves in stunting his growth in bringing in a washed up Erstad. Since then, BA hasn't been given consistent time. 2007, with the team as bad as it was, would have been a great opportunity to get him consistent major league ABs, but for some reason Erstad had to play as did Owens and Pods, who was certainly on the way out. BA has a ton of talent. With the other options being Wise and Owens, giving him a legitimate shot at playing everyday, now that he has adjusted his attitude a bit should be a no brainer IMO. Unless KW goes outside the organization for a CF or moves Ramirez to CF and plays Beckham at SS, BA behind Wise and/or Owens is just dumb. Agree 100% with this, although to be fair I believe Anderson had wrist surgery in 2007 and missed a huge chunk of the year, which is why Owens was given a chance.

QUOTE (rangercal @ Mar 14, 2009 -> 11:50 PM) I'd say having Andre Johnson helps open up the running game too lol. Probably even better than Rashied Davis would. LOL, yeah I was kind of getting at that when talking about the passing game. He is a part of it.

cache cleaning time

QUOTE (DrunkBomber @ Mar 14, 2009 -> 11:03 PM) I think the top of the list should be Slaton, Forte and then Johnson based on the offensive lines and recent history of the Texans and Bears running games. I also think Stewart should have been ahead of McFadden and that Mendenhall should be last on this list with Choice and Jones down there as well. eh, a washed up Ahman Green averaged 4 yards a carry over 74 carries, and Slaton averaged 4.8. I'd say the Texans OLine is just fine. It's a completely different scheme than that of the Bears, but if Matt Forte had a line of that caliber or any semblence of a passing game opposite him, he probably would have run for 1500 yards.

QUOTE (wilmot825 @ Mar 14, 2009 -> 10:41 PM) From multiple replays, after Swisher left his feet he was about 2 or 3 strides away from that ball. Anderson is way faster than Swish...so I'm just saying. He may have made a catch like he did to end Game 163. I wouldn't go as far as saying way faster, but he is faster and gets much better reads. I think he gets to that ball. QUOTE (SouthsideDon48 @ Mar 14, 2009 -> 11:06 PM) Brian Anderson cannot hit major league pitching as an everyday hitter in the majors. There are a lot of guys that can't hit major league pitching. I think, at the very least, Anderson could put up a .725 OPS with gold glove defense in CF, and that's easily the best option the Sox have.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Mar 12, 2009 -> 02:57 PM) The Brewers' radio announcers thought that Owens really "blistered" the ball to the opposite field, lol. Why he can't do that more consistently, instead of patented 4-3 Thome PO, is beyond me... I'm pretty sure that Owens patented teh 4-3 putout. He does it way more often than Jim Thome does.

I would very much like to see Darin Erstad back on this team.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Mar 7, 2009 -> 08:09 AM) Well, no matter how we "spin" it, as Viciedo/Marquez for Swisher, it's going to be remembered for how Swisher and Marquez do respectfully...and perhaps for continued CF problems in Chicago as well. Not necessarily. People don't remember the Podsednik and Vizcaino for Lee trade solely because of those players involved, but because of the money it saved, which allowed the Sox to sign more players that filled more holes. On the surface, the Brewers destroyed the Sox in the trade itself, but no White Sox fans give a crap.

When he's throwing it well, Gavin's best pitch is his changeup.

QUOTE (T R U @ Mar 8, 2009 -> 03:53 AM) 35 year old head case just joined the Buffalo Bills. Funny that the Patriots, Jets and Dolphins are the ones celebrating. Funny, when I think of headcases, I don't think of 1000/10 guys. I generally think of guys like Brandon Lloyd or Ben Troupe, who have all the talent in the world, yet either know it and can't perform on the field, or simply cannot learn it and are merely athletes in a football player's body. I guarantee Belichick is not happy about this.

QUOTE (T R U @ Mar 8, 2009 -> 12:59 AM) Believe me, I am LOLing at this too The Bills now have 2 WRs and 1 RB (who has been in trouble, no doubt) better than the Dolphins. The Bills easily have the best outside receivers in the division now, and have some weird sort of depth (amazing what happens when Josh Reed becomes your #3 receiver and Roscoe Parrish is your #4 and you can choose from Steve Johnson, James Hardy, and any minor signings and draft picks they make for the #5 receiver). I won't argue coaching or front office personell, because I feel it's quite obvious that the Bills are in last in that regard, assuming Rex Ryan is atleast average. With as much offensive talent as they have, it's still a very realistic possibility that they could make the playoffs. I will also call your ass out and say that you #1 - would realize that TO would easily be the best receiver on the Dolphins #2 - would have said that this would have been a perfect high reward signing for the Dolphins if they had signed him, because I do not recall you making a negative comment towards either a free agent signing or draft pick, give 1 or 2, ever. Not that it applies particularily, but TO has made the playoffs - in large part because of his presence - the last two times he has made a team change. That has nothing to do with the Bills chances next year, but they jumped enormously with this signing. once again, LOL YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

QUOTE (T R U @ Mar 7, 2009 -> 04:49 PM) Best news ever Hopefully he tears them up now too LOL

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QUOTE (lvjeremylv @ Mar 7, 2009 -> 08:58 AM) Yes, I do think there's a better than good chance they were using. You don't go from being mediocre at best (Cotts & Hermanson, as Politte had some success before 2005 like you pointed out) to absolutely lights out, then back to mediocre at best unless you're cutting corners somewhere. Just doesn't happen. 2005 was the first year that suspensions were in line for positive tests, and none of them tested positive. None of them have tested positive afterwards either. Neal Cotts did have a solid background. He had a K/9 of 11.1 in AA the year he was called up and a 2.17 ERA. He was an absolutely dominant pitcher when he had any control of his pitches. That was all because of the hitch in his delivery, and he no longer has that. I don't get why you don't understand that. I also assume that the 39 innings that Hermanson had with the Giants in 03 where he had a 3.00 ERA in 39 innings is because he was using as well. Get real, Hermanson was a pitcher with very solid stuff who pitched well over a 3 month period. That happens too. To suggest that those two were using is absolute blasphemy and an insult.

QUOTE (lvjeremylv @ Mar 7, 2009 -> 02:55 AM) And spare me the "bullpens are fickle from year to year" and "this happens all the time" garbage. Look at their stats before 2005, and their stats after 2005, and tell me it doesn't at least look suspicious. Bullpens ARE fickle from year to year. Neal Cotts has never had anything more than a 92 MPH fastball and a mediocre curve. He was good in 2005 because the hitch in his delivery made it appear as though the ball was coming out much faster, and it was hard to pick up. He stopped doing that sometime during the 2006 season, perhaps because it hurt, and he got his s*** lit up. It's pretty simple. Hermanson had always been a very solid pitcher and he had some pretty solid years with the Expos and Cardinals as I seem to recall (don't have B-R open). He was an absolutely dynamite reliever for 3 months and was then just a very solid reliever. Cliff Politte had a couple solid seasons with the Phillies and Blue Jays, and had a fantastic season with the Sox. When you have a 98 MPH fastball, you can have years like that. He was probably the best reliever in baseball that season. There are 3 perfectly reasonable explanations for those 3 pitchers. Do you still think they were taking PEDs?

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Mar 5, 2009 -> 03:15 PM) Or he could just sign the recently released Dave Roberts. That'd be fun, right? Right? atleast Roberts can draw a walk

QUOTE (lvjeremylv @ Mar 5, 2009 -> 12:57 AM) Frank > Harold. That is all. would have sworn he was talking about Tony Phillips. Dude was part of the 120/120 club. Look it up.

QUOTE (SoxFan101 @ Mar 5, 2009 -> 03:10 AM) I dont know if this actually makes sense but, Im going to say Richard has the chance to make a bigger impact for sure, but as a relief pitcher. If we are comparing them as starters only, I think Broadway has a better shot to stick. Not sure how I understand that Richard is a worse SP prospect than Broadway when Richard has a better fastball and better secondary pitches as well. I agree that Richard is going to be a fantastic reliever, just color me confused with this statement.

Scrubs. Don't care what role I would play.

QUOTE (JoeBatterz @ Mar 4, 2009 -> 05:43 PM) True, I overlooked him given that he did not play here. Looking at announcers, how does Ed Farmer factor in when adding his playing time to his radio duties. Also, from the Dodgers perspective, I guess Vin Scully might have been around longer than Lasorda as well. Scully has done more than just Dodgers games though. I honestly still think about Tommy Lasorda any time I think about the Dodgers. I also don't think Ed Farmer is well-renowned simply because he doesn't do anything nationally regarding the White Sox. Any time there is a Sox game on WGN, Hawk is calling it, and he has been for years. I have no doubt that people think about Hawk when they think about the Sox.

QUOTE (SouthsideDon48 @ Mar 4, 2009 -> 11:59 AM) I'm not siding with anyone here, but think how much it might help the team if Viciedo plays on the Sox as some sort of super-utility player. Since it seems like he'll have trouble winning a starting job, Viciedo can prove valuable to the team if he can play 1b/3b/lf/rf/dh. That way, all the regulars like Jermaine, Quentin, Fields, Konerko, and Thome will play everyday except for the occasional day off, which is when Viciedo will fill in. That's 5 positions, so if we assume that out of 10 games, that each of the 5 starters play 9, and take 1 day off every 10 games, then Viciedo can play 5 games out of every 10 games, or something like that. That's exactly why I love super-utility players, especially if they're good. The Sox just need to have Viciedo play a couple of those positions in spring training to see if he can even play those positions, though. Even if he got every one of those players' days off, he would still only be looking at something around 70-80 games, which hurts the rest of the bench because none of them get any playing time and, by moving around the diamond so much, then hurts his development as the main priority with Viciedo should be defense at 3B or in the OF. The biggest value Viciedo brings to the Sox right now is at 3B, so there is no reason they shouldn't keep him there for ST and all of his time at Birmingham/Charlotte. If he proves he absolutely can't handle it, then you consider a move to the outfield. If he can't do that, then, and only then, does he end up at 1B.

ultra improvement?

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Mar 2, 2009 -> 08:33 PM) In real fairness, it was Fields job to lose anyway but here's a recent article. Fields strengthens case for third base. I'm a big Fields fan and I know he's gonna surprise alot of people this season. (ima go on a limb and say he gets "around" the .780-.810 ops mark) The only thing I hate is that Wise is really getting Ozizie's praise. Unless they take BA and Wise, (let Owens go on waivers/will probably be back with us to AAA) I do not want to see Wise on this roster, let alone starting in CF on opening day. I do prefer him over Owens, despite JO being younger. It's not really going out on a limb predicting that he'll repeat his rookie year. Going out on a limb would be predicting that he puts up an .850+ OPS. Going out on a limb would also be predicting the exact opposite, but you obviously do not feel that way.