witesoxfan

If you are a fan of 85 mile an hour fastballs with slow, s***ty curves but with a rubber arm, sign up here! To be honest, Livan could be quite a bit worse than Richard...ERA of 6.87 since May 22.

QUOTE (fathom @ Aug 3, 2008 -> 03:58 PM) Twins have been without Neshek, Cuddyer, and Liriano for most of the season, and their catalyst Casilla is now out. This is where having players in your minors that can come up and contribute right away is extremely important. I actually think the Twins problem this year is that they had better players waiting in the wings but they wanted to go with s***ty veterans instead; in some regard, it was to limit the playing time, and in others, it was probably just a failure in determining how good their own players actually were. How can you defend the Monroe, Livan, and Lamb signings? They signed Adam Everett to start at SS for them, but he's merely a late inning defensive replacement now a days as Nick Punto is their everyday SS (who is apparently a good hitter again, which is a big WTF?!). I also don't think losing Neshek was that big of a loss...Nathan, Reyes, Guerrier, and Crain have all had plenty of success before, though Crain being as good as he has been this shortly after surgery is pretty incredible. And nothing they ever do surprises me with their bullpen...Gardenhire might be the best bullpen manager in all of baseball.

QUOTE (Karko's Throat Skin @ Aug 3, 2008 -> 06:34 PM) I have this feeling that Kenny will be in a corner and resign Crede...further delaying our eventual cleansing and rebuilding. Its amazing that the Sox haven't had to rebuild since the late 1990's but its due and I can't take these 35+ year old hitters anymore. The White Sox have two hitters that are 35 or older; it will be 2 again next year (who are the 2nd and 3rd best hitters on the White Sox right now) as I have very strong doubts as to whether Griffey will be back. If we are getting .900+ OPS's from 35 year olds, I'd like to have a lineup that featured nothing but old dudes, Carlos Quentin, and Alexei Ramirez.

I've never seen someone bail ship on a team as quickly as some (or just one, not sure exactly) in this thread. They are a half game out and are two weeks of hot baseball away from being in first place by 3 games again. In the meantime, the White Sox struggled on a road trip, like 90% of the rest of baseball this year, and the Twins won games at home. Big f'ing deal. I don't see this slide continuing, but they do need to get their s*** together and quickly if they are to remain in the hunt. Two dreadful weeks - which will be hard for this team to do at home - will take them out of the race very quickly.

QUOTE (Brian @ Aug 2, 2008 -> 02:17 PM) If you wanna succeed in sports broadcasting, it helps to be a hot female. The trend continues as I just discovered Carrie Milbank. She does tennis and smaller stuff now but is smoking hot. www.CarrieMilbank.com yes

QUOTE (winninguglyin83 @ Aug 3, 2008 -> 12:34 PM) it's the ultimate vote of no confidence in Fields to sit him for Uribe day after day. nine strikeouts in 20 at bats are the reason. This team's defense has been beyond pitiful in the past 2-3 weeks and people are complaining because instead of putting in a player who is going to hit .250 with a bit of discipline, tons of power and terrible defense, they are putting in a guy who will hit .225 with no discipline, tons of power and fantastic defense. That's a no brainer to me...adding to that, the Sox then have a late inning pinch hitting option against a lefty and Uribe is simply the best option for this team right now at 3B.

QUOTE (jenks45monster @ Aug 3, 2008 -> 01:52 PM) This is merely his 3rd start. You cannot put a guy down like that. He's 24 years old and in his last 9 minor league starts he went 9-0 with a 1.-something ERA. The talent in obviously there. His stuff is pretty solid, just needs to work on location, location, location. Doesn't really worry me at all to be perfectly honest. Probably just nerves. I'd like to give him another chance after working with Buehrle, Danks, and Cooper in spring training of next year. He just needs to get over that big inning that he's had in each start and he could be a pretty solid option for us, IMO. That's obviously not the case seeing as how he has a 2.37 ERA in Charlotte in 6 starts. It's also quite a bit easier to pitch in the minor leagues than in the majors. He deserves another chance at some other point, but he doesn't deserve to be in the rotation this season. He can go pitch for team USA in the Olympics.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Aug 3, 2008 -> 11:23 AM) I've searched everywhere for something that says Philadelphia would pick up part of the vested option. The only thing I have seen so far is Thome had $46 million left on his contract when the Sox acquired him and Philadelphia was sending $22 million to the Sox. I think the Sox will be on the hook for the full option if it vests, which it should if he doesn't get hurt. I've read where people have heard Bruce Levine mention it and I've also seen it here too. It's a supposed handshake agreement; also, whether the money came in at $5.5 a year or $22 mill all at once, the Sox could very easily allocate that to where the Sox would be able to use it at $5.5 mill a year for Thome. That makes enough sense to me.

QUOTE (WCSox @ Aug 3, 2008 -> 10:28 AM) Mine's more like fact than opinion. Unless you've been living under a rock for the past four seasons, you'll note that Thome missed most of '05 with an injury and was either out or limited with injuries for a decent chunk of last season. Thome may have ONLY missed about 15-20 games last season, but he was clearly playing hurt for a couple of weeks and not producing because of it. You'll also note that Ozzie won't even play Thome at 1B during interleague play because he's afraid he'll get hurt. If that isn't "injury-prone," I don't know what is. Like I said before, Thome will most likely garner enough plate appearances over the next two months to trigger the guarantee clause in his option for next year. And since JT has a limited no-trade clause, we're pretty much stuck with him for another year and don't have a choice. I would use a different word than "stuck"...we're "lucky enough to get the money from Philly and have Thome's option vest so that he'll be back in a Sox uniform next year" and don't have a choice.

I'd agree with Richard filling the role. Livan just isn't nearly as crafty as Orlando was and still is, and he just gets the s*** beat out of him now a days. 86 MPH fastball is barely better than Loaiza.

QUOTE (Frankensteiner @ Aug 3, 2008 -> 10:44 AM) The Twins have outplayed the Sox over the last month and a half. We had a 6.5 game lead and it's down to only half a game. It doesn't matter who's in first place right now, just which team looks like will be in first place by the end of September. Given that they've outplayed the Sox recently, and given that I don't really see an end to the Sox pitching struggles, I don't think the Sox can hold them off. But maybe you know something about the pitching that I don't? Clearly nothing is over and the Sox could obviously still win the division. However, it is my opinion that they won't. No, I'm clearly willing to give the pitching some time to correct itself. I also see this as the time of year when the Sox pitching generally always struggles a bit due to the heat. The offense usually comes through too. It was also within the past month or so that built up that 6.5 game lead, and then they lost it; so is the nature of the White Sox entire team. They will click and be among the best teams in the league for a 2 week stretch, and then they'll suck for a week or so. If you catch them when they suck, they look terrible and are very easy to beat. My only major concern at this point is the defensive liabilities that the White Sox now appear to have. Thank God the Sox didn't just let go of Uribe, because without him on the roster, it would be really, really ugly right now. I'll disagree completely; the Sox play any opponent like they are a .500 team, and further, every other team in the AL (outside of New York, who's at about .500, and LA, who is ridiculously good) struggles on the road too, so that's another factor people aren't considering. Point blank, when the Sox are at home, they are almost always the better team. The Twins are also a sub .500 team on the road and a 14 game roadtrip would exhaust any team. I will say that if I had to give my opinion on this, the Sox are going to go into September with about a 4.5 game lead in the division because 16 of the next 19 are at home and they have a day off before the second toughest roadstand (I consider Oakland harder than Boston simply because they always struggle against Oakland and it is so far out west); I'm also a little more optimistic that the pitching will turn around and that I've seen enough of this offense to know that it's inconsistent as s*** but that the Griffey addition will hopefully bring a little more of that to the team.

QUOTE (WhiteSoxfan1986 @ Aug 2, 2008 -> 11:55 PM) Yep, tell the 87 Cardinals and 91 Braves the dome isn't a home field advantage. that's not including how they mess with the air flow of the stadium too

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Aug 1, 2008 -> 02:35 PM) Ron dumbass WHATEVER

How's the old saying go? If the Royals release him, why would your team want him? Something like that. He'd be worth a MLC flyer, and nothing more than that.

QUOTE (forrestg @ Aug 2, 2008 -> 10:01 PM) Thome hits lefties better and Griffey hits right handers better.. About 4 out 5 pitchers we'll face are right handers so Thome doesn't quite make enough plate appearances.. By platooning Thome against lefties and Junior against riighties. We choose whoever we choose from whomever has the best las 2 months.. If Griffey could play a decent first base or maybe if Dye could play first that would open up a lot of possibilities. Neither Swisher nor Konerko have shown they are golden glove fielders at first.. Swisher has the distinction of not being a suitable fielder at 2 positions. Thome's hit lefties better one time in his entire career. The reason anybody would ever question whether Thome is a hall of famer or not is simply because he's is a super-glorified platoon player; his career OPS against lefties is like .750 whereas it's 1.050 against righties. No, a Thome-Griffey platoon would never, ever work.

QUOTE (Frankensteiner @ Aug 2, 2008 -> 05:52 PM) I think the ship has sailed as far as beating out the Twins. Not getting any sort of pitching help at the deadline was the end of this team's division title hopes. I'm not even getting worked up about the games anymore since my expectations for the season have been very much lowered. I'll obviously watch every game and so on but I'm not going to treat every loss like a kick in the balls. On the other hand, I still think there's a chance at a wild card. Boston, New York, and Tampa all have difficult schedules, including a number of games against each other. Plus we've still got a number of games against those teams (which is both good and bad, depending on your perspective). A Twins fan could say, essentially, the exact same thing. And they're not in first either, so it's a little more justified. I'm also curious to see how Blackburn and Perkins handle the extra workload, though the same could be said for the Sox and Floyd and Danks too. I just find it hilarious that people are jumping to conclusions when the Twins have a 6 game, 14 game, and 10 game roadtrips ahead of them. Over the next month and a half or so they'll play around 75% of their games on the road...that could take a toll on them as much as anything. So sit back and f***ing relax...there's 50 or so games left to be played.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Aug 1, 2008 -> 10:24 PM) Travis HGHafner also grew up in North Dakota. and he sucks now too

I found slight concern when I realized the last former #1 overall pick to patrol CF for the White Sox also wore 17. Then I realized that said player also grew up in North Dakota and that's as big of a reason as any as to why he sucks. GRIFFEY

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Aug 1, 2008 -> 09:04 AM) And by the way they'll also be adding an ace to their rotation any day now. we'll see about that...he'll probably be effective but I wouldn't just say ace

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Jul 31, 2008 -> 01:06 PM) Cubs might have guaranteed a WS appearance with the trade for Harden. He has been lights out. Oh, really, so Harden pitches 6 no hit innings...but he's tired and Lou doesn't want him to break a fingernail or get a fissure in his asshole or get chapped lips, so he goes to the bullpen. Who's going to get to an overused and completely tired Marmol or already-been-on-the-DL-once Wood who is fully expected to go back there again? Bobby Howry? Samardzija, who's a rookie that pans out to be a setup guy? You realize someone has to work hard enough to get to these already overworked pitchers. Yeah, I suppose if the Cubs can find a bullpen than can work 2 innings a game for Harden while getting outs, they could be on their way, but they also, you know, have to score runs and prevent the other team from scoring the game leading run late in the game...that's why you have a decent bullpen. FWIW, I'd put the Cubs chances of reaching the playoffs as far better than the Sox reaching the playoffs, but the Sox chances of reaching the World Series as far greater than the Cubs. Even during a period where it's struggling, the Sox bullpen is so much better and so much deeper than the Cubs that it's absolutely hilarious...Kerry Wood would be a middle reliever for the White Sox bullpen, and that's if he stayed healthy enough to do so. As is, Octavio Dotel is moving up a spot because injuries put him there...otherwise, he's pitching out of place, and he's a setup guy (or more) on probably 25 of 30 teams but a 6th/7th inning guy on the Sox - a situational/middle reliever on the White Sox, outside of Linebrink's latest injury stint. The Sox bullpen could actually be the most talented in the majors, but I don't think a veteran figure would hurt, and I think the Masset trade had something to do with that.

QUOTE (knightni @ Jul 31, 2008 -> 05:51 PM) Quality middle relief is nearly impossible to get through waivers. Usually, only someone of the caliber of Mike MacDougal is the level of RP that makes it through. This post is absolutely hilarious. MacDougal was acquired in July...a week before the deadline as a matter of fact. He was fantastic down the stretch...honestly, please find me five relievers who were better in the entire majors with a contending team from July 24th on in 2006 than Mike MacDougal, leverage situations included. It'll be really goddamn hard. Secondly, find me 10 MIDDLE relievers who were better than Scott Sullivan was for the White Sox in 2003. Maybe you don't remember how the Sox lost superstudprospect Tim Hummel in late August of 2003...well, that's how. Sullivan put up an ERA of 3.77, a WHIP of 1.05, and put up pretty damn good peripherals for a middle reliever. The Sox are just fine with finding middle relievers anywhere and anywhere, so don't bring up MacDougal (who turned to s*** in 2007...every other pitcher did too, so I'm not sure why you appear to be singling out MacDougal) or Sullivan in the argument in terms of finding relievers midseason...KW is pretty solid at it.

I'm ready to go on a full fledged assault on the media in regards to the "Sox" debate. I know Yas has mentioned it before, and I've mentioned it several times, but honestly, truthfully, and even brutally, name me the only team that mentions only "Sox" on their uniform. In the same regard, name me the only "Sox" team that mentions the color on their uniform; in the same regard, name me the other "Sox" team and let me know when and how they mention their color ever on their jerseys. It's absolute f***ing bulls*** that the Red Sox are the "Sox" when, in fact, they have "Red Sox" on their uniform, and the White Sox rarely, if ever, have "White Sox" on their uniform, and roughly 99% of the time have JUST "SOX" on their uniform and their hat. Apparently the east coast bias is stupid and bulls*** and (adjective) and (adjective) and (adjective) and (adjective) and whatever the f*** else. I hope the Sox win it again this year and the next year and hopefully Fenway is blown to bits and the Red Sox become the Boston ESPN's so then there is only one Sox. Extreme? Sure, I'm drunk. It seems reasonable enough though.

I think it just dawned on me recently that Ken Griffey Junior is a member of the Chicago White Sox. That's like the next best thing to Barry Bonds, isn't it? or atleast close? right? Regardless, that's still Ken Griffey f***ing Jr in a White Sox uniform tomorrow. Remember that. It may be the first and last time you'll ever see it in your life. He doesn't fit into the current plan, and I hate him in CF, but he's an upgrade to Konerko, who I thought would have done atleast something by now (in case you hadn't noticed, he hasn't...maybe you've gotten an update from Jimbo), and Swisher's an upgrade at 1B. This also actually gets BA more involved late in games, unlike what some apparently think (not naming names though you merely have to look as I mentioned it in the actual trade thread). If he produces an .850 OPS and Konerko/Swisher puts up .750, you have yourself a team with a deep bench and a good lineup. I like this team going forward. I just hope Liriano blows out his arm in 2 weeks. Sadistic, yes...hopeful for a division winner, moreso than the future health of Francisco f***ing Liriano, who can blow his elbow out 22 times and I won't be saddened by one of them...figure out a new way to pitch or continue pitching in AAA. f*** the Twins, celebrate KGJ

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Jul 31, 2008 -> 10:16 AM) Mariners trade LHP Arthur Rhodes to the Marlins for Gaby Hernandez. I'll tell you what, if that was the price it took to get Rhodes I'm glad the Sox stayed way away from that one. I think the Marlins may regret this one. The Marlins seemingly always trade a relatively good prospect to the Mariners for a left handed reliever whenever they are competing. They did the same thing for Randy Villone a couple years ago too.

QUOTE (Kenny Hates Prospects @ Jul 31, 2008 -> 01:30 PM) Zimmerman >>> Lannan IMO ...even though Zim is having a pretty bad year. the Nats have absolutely no need to deal Zimmerman, so that wetdream can be left in bed