witesoxfan

Honestly wondering, should I just stay out of this thread?

QUOTE (Tmar @ Apr 15, 2008 -> 04:13 PM) f***, they played a day game? bish

I also know that Konerko has been with the Sox (and quite frankly in the majors) forever, and I like to say he plays older than he really is...but he's only 32 too, and he's a pretty damn good hitter. I see his power fading away in a few years, but his contract runs out after 2010, and he should still be atleast an average regular at 1B at that point in time. It's also a bit ironic that people want to lock Crede up to a long term deal, yet want to dump Konerko to get younger...he's 2 years older than Joe and has been a much better player over the course of his career. Crede's back issue is, IMO, a bit more severe than the hip issue Konerko has, though neither is something to bat an eye at. I really, really don't want to see Crede here long term, unless it's something somewhat reasonable for the level of player he is (and that would be like a 4 year deal with the ability to opt out after 2 if he doesn't reach something like, say, 800 PAs...a very reasonable number should he stay healthy, yet unachievable if his back goes out early in the contract). And I really don't want to see that either. Crede's not really a player you build around, and I think signing him to a contract extension could have a similar effect to giving Contreras a contract extension.

QUOTE (Jenks Heat @ Apr 15, 2008 -> 01:15 PM) What does that mean? It's a play on words with the names Canseco and Quentin

QUOTE (WCSox @ Apr 15, 2008 -> 11:59 AM) So you don't think that they'll buy out his contract? He'd have to have 1,100 plate appearances combined from last and this year for that to happen. I guess it's possible. I'd look to let him walk next year (he'll be 39 next August), but that's just me. The Phillies are including $5.5 mill, so that means the Sox have Thome for $7.5 mill next year with a $3 mill buyout; essentially, a savings of $4.5 million isn't worth losing a potential 35 homers.

QUOTE (the People's Champ @ Apr 15, 2008 -> 12:07 PM) Boy I remember when we had Scott Fletcher at 2B, he sure could catch the ball, but he started losing his bat. Ended up batting around .200. So they started playing Joey Cora in his place. Man that was a big mistake. He must have cost us at least 5 games that one year cause he couldn't throw the ball to first base. I'm pretty sure it was '91. Yeah I'd definately take the defense over 30 or 40 points in a batting average any day of the week. Especially from someone with World Series experience. You are making reference to the same Joey Cora who, 2 years later, was the starting 2Bman for the AL West champions, right? And then was the 2Bman the next year for a team leading the AL Central when the strike occurred, right? His bat, poor as it was, also probably contributed to a couple more wins that Fletcher's wouldn't have. The Sox currently have about 4 options for 2B (Uribe, Richar, and Alexei are each 1, and then I'm counting Bourgeois and Pablo as half options each), and they all have their flaws. However, if Richar can come up and put a .725 OPS together with about a .340 OBP and play halfway decent defense, I imagine that would be an upgrade over Uribe. Unless Uribe gets hot anytime soon, the Sox should be looking to replace him, even with his fantastic defense. I'd love him as a superutility player, but as a starter, he just doesn't cut it for me.

I like both of those jerseys. At the same time, it's hard for me not to like anything that involves anything White Sox on clothing

QUOTE (jackie hayes @ Apr 15, 2008 -> 12:18 PM) I don't think they'll win, though they could well finish out of the basement. I would like to see Greinke keep rolling. I enjoy watching him pitch, and besides, I'm a sucker for a good comeback story. Greinke's pretty incredible, isn't he?

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Apr 15, 2008 -> 08:12 AM) NO team who has started 0-7 has ever made the playoffs FWIW Perhaps I'm wrong, but I also don't think a team with two illegal Cuban immigrants on the opening day roster has ever lost a World Series either, but I'm not quite about to crown the 2008 White Sox World Champions. I personally think that's more coincidence then anything else. The Sox lost 7 in a row in 2005, they just so happened to do it at a different time of year. Now, if you said something like the Tigers bullpen blows, or their rotation is full of s***, or that the other teams in the division are also pretty damn good, then I'd lend that a bit more credence.

If the Sox finished in 4th and the Royals won the division, that would be fine. If the Sox finished 2nd and the Royals won the division, I would tear the doors off my car. Besides, I don't see the Royals has having nearly enough offense to win the division. When you have Miguel Olivo DHing - even against a lefty - it speaks volumes about how mediocre you are offensively. They barely hit 100 homers last year, and I'd be surprised if they cracked 130 this year, even with the addition of Guillen and Gordon and Butler with considerable MLB experience under their belt. In the AL, you have to score runs to win ballgames in the regular season. I don't see them doing that nearly enough.

If Uribe continues hitting anywhere near the Mendoza line within the next 2-4 weeks, and Richar is healthy and feeling well, he should be given a shot to take the 2B job from Uribe. There would be no excuse not to. I understand right now that Uribe is the Sox best option for 2B considering both offense and defense, but he's not the Sox most talented 2B, and you should give shots to those who are more talented.

QUOTE (WCSox @ Apr 15, 2008 -> 09:55 AM) I'm a big Thome guy (even back when he was with the hated Tribe), but I'm going to be pissed if he's in a Sox uniform next year. Prepare to be pissed

QUOTE (BigEdWalsh @ Apr 15, 2008 -> 09:57 AM) Rather! This is ridiculous, but he needed a day off any way. That umpire, I forget his name should be suspended too, just because. I do hope they start cracking down on poor umpiring. Either that, or they already do and it just never gets any press. The umpires britches are a bit too big for their bottom's right now.

QUOTE (rangercal @ Apr 14, 2008 -> 10:37 PM) Link or it never happened. Personally, I'd like to know how he knows what went on in the clubhouse, but proving both would be nice.

QUOTE (joejoedairy @ Apr 14, 2008 -> 10:23 PM) Ok maybe not fields, but thome shouldn't be playing anymore anymore? as in the Sox should just cut him or trade him or bench him? That might be the most ridiculous idea I've ever heard on here. You are talking about a hitter that will, almost certainly, make or break the Sox year.

QUOTE (BearSox @ Apr 14, 2008 -> 11:12 PM) I remember the good old days with Valentine out there at SS butchering balls hit to him... God, for some reason I love those good old memories. Damn, it doesn't seem like he has been gone for over 4 years now. It seems like just yesterday he was playing for us. dont you ever...EVER call him Valentine again!!!

um...a bar?

QUOTE (joejoedairy @ Apr 14, 2008 -> 10:17 PM) Swinging for the fences has killed the sox for two years now Last year overall suckage did. In 2006, having no leadoff hitter in the second half and terrible pitching did. Swinging for the fences has never hurt the Sox as badly as people really want to believe.

QUOTE (joejoedairy @ Apr 14, 2008 -> 10:11 PM) Jim Thome is killing the sox. Fields should be the DH no

QUOTE (TLAK @ Apr 14, 2008 -> 09:59 PM) I appreciate your thoughts. But I think the White Sox could have used an Owens type tonight. Put Swisher's on base at bats down the order and perhaps some chaos from Owens in front of Cabrera and they might have scored a couple runs. Its hard to win with a station to station team unless they bash, they only have one way to win right now. See, I disagree with the "only one way to win" completely. The Sox can draw two walks in a row and then get a single; they can hit a homer; they can get a single and put a ball into the gap and then hit a flyball. There are a lot of ways this team can win ballgames. The best part is that if they get down by say 5-6 runs, they still aren't out of a game. If you put Owens in the lineup, I think they lose a bit of that ability. I say you stick with this lineup until it gets sour. Then you can try and make a change. Until then, let them rake and take the occasional dud like tonight.

QUOTE (fathom @ Apr 14, 2008 -> 09:58 PM) Swisher was a freaking beast tonight. He impressed the hell out of me. Loved the move from the start, and it's only getting better and better. It's awesome that the Sox have him locked up through 2012, because I'm going to enjoy every year of it.

I actually saw this thread and got a boner

QUOTE (BearSox @ Apr 14, 2008 -> 05:08 PM) 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. And neither Tony nor I have said otherwise. In fact, I noted in my post that late in a game when you are down a run, using smallball really isn't the worst idea. It's generally easier to get a run in via smallball than it is via home run...it's just much more inefficient. I also ask who you would have bunt for a hit in this lineup. Cabrera is the only obvious one to me that's a starter, and Pablo isn't bad either, but I don't think you are about to see Thome bunt it, not when with one swing of the bat he can put a run on the board. We've seen as fans twice where a home run can win a game in a pitcher's duel, and I'm thinking only in regard to Freddy's one-hitter against the Twins - a Jacque Jones homer being the only hit - and Anthony Reyes' one-hitter against the Sox - a Jim Thome homer. Why wouldn't you swing for the fences if that one swing can generate 1 run, and that's all you need to win a game? Sure, don't have Pablo Ozuna swing for the fences, but I hope that Konerko, Thome, Dye...players of the ilk...take a shot at a homer every time they go up to bat.

QUOTE (the People's Champ @ Apr 14, 2008 -> 03:17 PM) First of all, Brian Anderson is currently on the roster, so he has nothing to do with this topic. and Secondly sure everything is working fine right now, we have timely hitting, lots of 2 out RBI, plenty of power. But what happens when that all comes to a screeching halt?? You have to start manufacturing runs, the same credo that '05 team lived by. And to manufacture runs its kind of hard to do when you are waiting to string 3 hits together to do it. I'd forgotten about Alexei...he needs playing time. All the same, if Owens is on the roster, he'll likely take playing time away from Anderson, and from everything I've ever seen, Anderson is the superior athlete and player. There's a reason why Anderson is relevant in any discussion regarding Jerry Owens. I will also call bulls*** on that manufacturing runs. What's the need to manufacture runs when you can just score 7 runs a game? Now, when the time calls for it and you need one run late in the game, that's a completely different story. But manufacturing runs should a last resort move that only happens when absolutely necessary, not when at any given time nearly anyone in the lineup can "manufacture" a run or two with one swing of the bat. I believe Ozzie has learned this, because he really doesn't bunt much anymore. Not only that, but the 2005 Sox HIT 200 HOME RUNS AND LIVED BY THE HOME RUN IN THE POSTSEASON. Some people seem to think the Sox were just some scrappy team that hit 100 homers all season...well that's only a half truth, because they were scrappy - and by scrappy, I mean the offense sucked but, as has been said before, scored just enough runs to win. The fact remains that they lived and died by the homer that entire season, and if they hit, say, 40 fewer homers as a team, they don't make the postseason. They may have only won 85 games for all I care. Also, this line... ...is complete BS. Yeah, when you hit 3 singles in a row, but I haven't seen this team put together 3 singles all season, and yet, still 2nd in the majors, 1st in the AL in runs scored. How's it work? Because if you manufacture a run, you have to have someone on base, someone to get them over, and someone to get them in. With this offense, you hit the ball and trot slowly around the bases. It's much less time consuming and much more efficient. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a station to station offense that gets on base and hits doubles and homers. Ask the Yankees or Red Sox how it's worked for them the past few years. I think they'll recommend it. Yet the Royals and Pirates think it's cute to steal bases and manufacture runs; how good have they been? This offense is built to absolutely destroy the ball, and that would, in turn, mean there's no need for Jerry Owens anywhere near the major league roster. He should be the 26th man and the 5th outfielder (if you aren't counting Alexei, Pablo, and Toby Hall)

QUOTE (the People's Champ @ Apr 14, 2008 -> 12:45 PM) It would have to be Owens right? I mean as station to station as we are right now we need someone who can come in and pinch run in a late inning situation. Perhaps steal a base. The White Sox are second in the MLB in runs scored. I think station to station is working just fine and that stealing bases is overrated by a few people. It has it's value, but why would you try and mess with something that's working so damn well right now? Owens wouldn't bring much that this team needs...sure he brings speed, but he also brings no power, a bat that's less than great, and mediocre defense in the outfield with one of the weakest outfield arms in the system. I'll gladly take Brian Anderson - who has better power and all-around defense (which is more important than the power) who himself has a bit of speed - over Jerry Owens on the bench. And, if I may ask a serious question...what exactly is wrong with a station-to-station offense? Sure it's slow, but one guy isn't going to change that, and right now, it's producing like mad.