beck72

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Sep 14, 2005 -> 08:52 PM) this was based on the previous comment of trading contreras and my position has always been of getting rid of El Puke, he is done. My rotation would be Mark John Wash Freddy BMAC Trade the hottest SP down the stretch who finally seems to have harnessed his potential, for Washburn who likely will get a 3, 4 yr deal for close to $24 mill? The sox should and probably will try to sign Garland to a 3 yr deal. Not Washburn. And the sox can use the money to get AJ signed to a similar deal.

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Sep 14, 2005 -> 08:47 PM) Lets look over what he has done since the Allstar break. El Duque is 2-6 with a 5.34 ERA post allstar break. Is this a slump, or is this a body of work over a period of time. in the month of september he has a 1-1 record with a 7.56ERA. The trend is getting worse not better. Back on track is one thing. These are Jason Grilli/Felix Diaz/Danny Wright numbers we are talking about though. The 5th starter black hole last year remember. We have a 6 game lead, not a 15 game lead. We havent won a thing yet. You put your horses out to win the division first then you worry about peoples feelings later. If we were so worried about feelings, Shingo would be still closing and Billy Koch would of never been traded. We are talking about an old pitcher who has a history of arm problems. In all those years he did well in the playoffs he didnt limp into them. You sit El Duque and you go with the hot hand. A six game lead is a lot different than a 2 or 3 game lead in mid Sept. Hernandez is different than Grilli/ diaz/ Wright. He's a proven big game winner. He should be afforded some leeway. [Not a lot as he's struggled big time for a while now]. But some leeway. Like Ozzie has done. Put him on notice, but give him support as well. If the sox were to blow their lead [which correct me if I'm wrong, you have been seriously worried about], El Duque wouldn't be the sole or the biggest reason.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Sep 14, 2005 -> 08:10 PM) So your saying you want Mark-Jon-Jose-Freddy-Bmac-AND WASHBURN???? I dont think any of those 6 would go for that..... Plus, Washburn would get the kind of contract that should go to Garland. Not exactly how the sox should "take care of their own".

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Sep 14, 2005 -> 08:10 PM) Personally, I think I still like the idea of a 6 man rotation right now...actively force the other starters to get some extra rest, especially since we just used up our last off day before the end of the season. Except that one bad outing from any of the six guys and the pen is used up. IMO, keeping it a 5 man rotation, but limiting the SP's to under 100 pitches [like the sox have been doing] could help give them that rest.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Sep 14, 2005 -> 08:02 PM) So in other words, you can think of 1 reason. yes

I think Ozzie trying to get El Duque on track is a good thing. No doubt he's scuffling. But this late in the yr, with the postseason right around the corner, why start a big uproar sticking El Duque in the pen behind a rookie. Everyone knows Orlando will be in the pen come the playoffs. As long as he can keep the sox in some games, and not get lit up each time out, throwing him out there isn't the worst thing in the world. [the flip side--the sox put bmac out there, he gets lit up and the pen gets used up] Ozzie has stuck with the veteran hitters during slumps. Sometimes veteran pitchers should be given some leeway as well. IMO, this is one of those times. Now, if the sox had a 2 game lead....that's different. Put the best guy out there regardless

QUOTE(YASNY @ Sep 14, 2005 -> 04:47 PM) Man, I've got to see a link before I believe that. I have read nothing of the kind about BMac. The article was more about his personal life, not really about how he is on the field. I recall it saying something about how he harps about things [kind of outspoken once people get to know him]. But he was different on the field.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Sep 14, 2005 -> 07:25 PM) there is no reason for us to not go after Washburn as our additional starter. I could think of two reasons--El duque and bmac.

QUOTE(Beastly @ Sep 13, 2005 -> 11:55 PM) Vizcaino has gotten better. I mean in his outing's he's cut down the amount of earned runs that bothered me early on in the year. Even in the games where they were up by 5 or so. I agree. Viz has thrown a lot better. I was just saying that I'd rather have BMac on the roster. That Viz would also be on if Marte stays gone would be fine with me

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Sep 13, 2005 -> 11:40 PM) I knew I was forgetting someone. My original post was me saying Bmac has no guarantee cause they are only going to carry 11 pitchers. Gload or Harris will be on the post-season roster, I guarantee you that much. I retyped the post out when I was forgetting a name and couldn't think of who it was so I assumed I must of had it right (horrid assumption). In that case my original assumption is right, Bmac still needs to beat out Duque. I was wondering who BMac would replace before this Marte development. I was thinking Viz. but either way, BMac would look really good in the bullpen in the playoffs. Having a solid guy who could be ready to log 2, 3 innings at a time [El Duque scares me coming out of the pen] might be key in the playoffs, so the entire pen isn't used up. I haven't even thought about who the other 14 guys on the offense will be yet. I'm just looking for the 9 starters to get going and the sox will be in decent shape

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Sep 13, 2005 -> 11:34 PM) I wouldn't guarantee that as of yet. It looks that way though, unless they decide to go with Bajenaru or someone like Arnie Munoz (I'd expect to see him called up, at least potentially). As of now I think Duque/Garcia/Garland/Buehrle/Contreras/Viz/Cotts/Hermy/Jenks/Probably Bmac Cliff makes it 11.

QUOTE(Beastly @ Sep 13, 2005 -> 11:30 PM) I would believe once this bulls*** gets figured out, he'll be on the playoff roster. All things being equal [no attitude problems, injuries etc] Vizcaino is about the only guy Marte could replace. I'd rather see BMac being the 11th pitcher on the playoff roster than Marte. Esp. seeing how both he and Jenks have much better splits vs LH hitters than RH hitters. Add in the fact that Marte may have burned some bridges, "losing" him isn't that big a deal. In fact, it may bring the team closer if Marte is a bit of a head case.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Sep 13, 2005 -> 11:20 PM) I'm not necessarily blaming Ozzie. But if you give him the credit for Garland, I think it would only be fair to give him some of the blame for Marte. The only issue I have with Ozzie's use of Marte is he really seemed to overwork him. When he came back from the DL against Cleveland I believe, Ozzie had him in the game or warming up for six or seven games in a row. Give the guy a break, he is coming back from a sore arm. And if Ozzie just cared about the results, how come he was using Marte before Cotts up until he basically kicked Marte off the team? Cotts has been far more effective. As far as what goes on between the two of them off the field, I have no idea. It just doesn't seem like Marte could have done something that would warrant a suspension for the rest of the season. IMO, I don't think Ozzie is getting most of the credit for Garland's turnaround. Nor should he. I think its a combination of Jon maturing, mirroring Marks success and having AJ around being aggressive in calling games. I don't think Ozzie has overworked Marte. Cliff and Neal, now.....that's a different story. though torre sure works the hell out of Sturtze, Gordon and Rivera. I think Neal and Cliff could have been getting some rest so they can be sharp for the playoffs. I agree, what's been said publicly doesn't wash--Marte doesn't seem to deserve the "punishment". Marte must have done something very detrimental to the team for him to be banished for the yr, though

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Sep 13, 2005 -> 11:18 PM) We all know this is not a good time for this to all be happening, we can all agree on that. However, we all know much Oz and Kenny gush over team chemistry and such. Why would they let something like this happen if it wasnt a big deal? I refuse to beleive Ozzies ego made this decision, sorry. I agree. Sciosca showed last yr w/ Jose Guillen that he wouldn't let stats decide who would play for him in the playoffs. Ozzie may be sticking to principle on this one. If true, and Marte crossed some lines that we don't know about [not just hiding an injury], chances are he'd have most of the players support.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Sep 13, 2005 -> 11:00 PM) That's right. Hawk always gives Ozzie a lot of the credit for Garland's success. I think if you give him that credit, you have to say he has absolutely ruined Marte. Marte was one of the most dominating relief pitchers in baseball before Ozzie took over. He seems to be very quiet. Sometimes loudmouths like Ozzie make guys with Marte's type of personality very uncomfortable. Saying Ozzie "ruined" Marte is pretty farfetched. Marte didn't throw the ball like he did in the past, for whatever reason. A pitching coach has far more chances to "ruin" a pitcher. Ozzie, like the rest of us, just care about the results. And the results haven't been there. Instead of attacking hitters, he looks like he's going around them. But to blame that on Ozzie?! Doesn't make sense to me. But one thing is for sure, there's more to the story behind the scenes.

With Marte gone for the yr, whether it's injury or attitude, it makes Bmac the 11th pitcher for the playoff roster. His numbers vs LH hitters, like Bobby Jenks, are much better than vs RH hitters. The way Bmac has thrown the last two games, he could come up big in the playoffs. Congrats bud!

Don't know if this has been reported, but Offman on the score said Marte's gone for the year. My guess is it's a situation like Jose Guillen on the Angels last yr rather than an injury. If he's a problem, Ozzie would rather lose without him than win with him. My guess is the players would be of the same mindset

PK has shown this yr he deserves a long term contract. His bat, solid d, and leadership is needed by this team. No way will the sox say goodbye to Frank AND PK. Leaving Carl Everett as the big bat. Now, if PK was itching to go to DH.....But that isn't happening. So Overbay is out. Or unless PK wants $12, 13 mill a yr for 4 yrs

The sox just need to keep everyone healthy. Seeing how the other AL playoff teams have problems [health wise and lineup wise], the sox have just as much chance as anyone to win in the playoffs. They'll be fine. It's how they play once the real season starts. With the vets they have, I'm not too concerned.

QUOTE(SoxFan562004 @ Sep 10, 2005 -> 03:39 PM) I wonder if Ozzie is going to let Pods face lefties in the playoffs or not. yes. The sox will want to have their best players out there--offensively and defensively. Pods will play

QUOTE(Frank the Tank 35 @ Sep 10, 2005 -> 08:34 AM) Is it just me, or does it seem like Bobby is Ozzie's whipping boy? I seem to remember Jenks getting put in for multiple innings several times when the Sox went to extras yet never getting a win from it. Ozzie treats Jenks pretty well in the media. Early on, Jenks was used in non-save situations, blowouts, etc to get his feet wet, build up his confidence etc. Now he's throwing when the game's on the line

QUOTE(SoxFanForever @ Sep 10, 2005 -> 08:09 AM) I wish he pitched about half what he did tonight. Thanks for Oz for burnin him for the series while Cotts gets a third of a f***ing inning. Bobby Jenks 45 pitches Neal Cotts 2 pitches I see a little bit of a problem there. Marte's problems probably have Ozzie spooked, so he doesn't want to burn out Neal.

With Washburn being a LHP, I see it as nothing more than Pods getting a day off. Like Ozzie has said in the past, he likes his players to get the whole day off. With 2 day games in a row following the Fri. night game, it makes sense.

QUOTE(Antonio Osuna @ Sep 3, 2005 -> 04:50 PM) Reality check: 2-0 does not a "strong September" make. Who said it did? This is about the last 3 WS champs who did have strong Sept. The Sox keep up this kind of play [12-3 and 9-1 wins] and it'll be a strong Sept.

QUOTE(Felix @ Sep 3, 2005 -> 03:08 PM) "on a team that's a little down now" Before the Sox series, their offense was scoring runs by the tons, yet now, they are inable to score more than 4 in 2 games. And Detroit isnt that bad a team IMO. Detroit's pitching has been down for a bit now. They were among the top five in ERA. Seeing how they were near .500 for a while, they are in a "down" mode now