beck72

QUOTE(NUKE_CLEVELAND @ Apr 20, 2005 -> 02:38 PM) I was seriously pissed that we didn't get Clement but so far it seems to be turning out for the better. Lets see how things are later on in the season though before we pass final judgement cause it's still WAY early. I agree it's to early to start "gloating" about signing El Duque. Yet any team who signs SP's to long term deals--Wright, Vazquez [by trade], Clement come to mind of those who interested the Sox--takes a huge risk. Contreras looks iffy. Yet Freddy and El Duque balance it out. Hell, El Duque for two yrs costs what Wright and Clement do for only 1. Health will be the determining factor in who is the "best" deal. I like El Duque because he doesn't rely on his "stuff" to get outs--he gets outs mostly by knowing how to pitch

It seems a lot of Sox talk posters want these "Phillips type bandwagon jumpers". It's like the Sox aren't really a good team unless the national media pays attention. Don't they also know these Phillips types will be the first ones off the bandwagon once the sox lose a few games in a row? I don't care what the experts say. As long as the Sox can beat the better teams of the AL more than they beat the sox [the twins, red sox, yankees, angels etc], we'll know for ourselves how good the sox are.

El Duque has done the best out of the FA arms mentioned that the Sox were seriously interested in--Jaret Wright, Clement. That El Duque held the Twins to 0 runs while facing them the 2nd time shows he's capable of winning a lot if he stays healthy.

As founding member of the Joe Crede support group, I hereby call for all "Crede" jerseys to be unpacked from storage. Now that his hit streak has been extended to 10 games, and his avg is up over .270, jerseys should not be taken off until his hit streak ends, or his avg dips below .270.

QUOTE(Jabroni @ Apr 20, 2005 -> 07:10 AM) Nice response. Don't even try to answer my question. Yeah, I'm really eating crow after only 14 games. Get back to me with Crede's stats at the end of the season. Once again, when did Crede ever have a really good season? Crede has shown he's a solid major league player in spurts. Factor in what he did in the minors, and his solid defense at a tough to fill spot in the field, there's every reason to stick with the kid. The fact that he's had to make major adjustments in his swing [and has seemingly solved it--by Greg walker's words] bodes well for the Sox and Crede's future.

QUOTE(sec159row2 @ Apr 19, 2005 -> 02:34 PM) I fear for september to face the twins and especially the indians... these wins may not happen in sept... The sox are winning these games despite being one of the worst hitting teams in the league. With a healthy Frank at the 3 spot, with the other guys hitting near their career avgs, I fear what this team may look like once the offense gets in gear--scary

QUOTE(NUKE_CLEVELAND @ Apr 19, 2005 -> 03:05 PM) We got a chance to really bury the Royals and Tigers this week and we need to take full advantage of these weak ass teams. The Sox will show some of what they're made of if they can beat [hopefully convincingly] the teams they're supposed to beat. The 3-2 games should be 6-2 as these weak teams make more mistakes than the Twins and Indians.

No way should the sox have won Monday's game. The sox were far from perfect, and struggled. They had 7 hits and 0 walks, and had only 1 man LOB. The twins had 9 hits and 7 walks, with 10 men LOB. The Sox had shaky outing from Jose, and taxed the bullpen a bit. This was always the most annoying aspect about the Twins--they won games in which they played crappy yet still found a way to pull it out. Meanwhile, the sox had to play nearly flawless baseball just to eke out a win. This always clear when the two teams played head to head. This yr though, the Sox are winning games they shouldn't. With the offense really struggling [only Iguchi and Everett are exceeding expectations, with most everyone far below career avgs], the sox shouldn't be 9-4. As long as the Sox continue to play mostly mistake free baseball [which they should, the sox defense and pitching has improved to where they won't hurt themselves too often--Contreras maybe being the exception ], they should contend all yr for the Central and the wild card. The offense is bound to step it up and be more consistent. We know the power is there. The walks and hits will come soon.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Apr 17, 2005 -> 11:04 AM) Good thoughts in this thread, let's keep em coming. My take on the whole deadline scenario is this, I think we'll be trading for a bullpen guy as well. But it won't be a closer, b/w Shingo who I think will come around again and Hermanson the Sox are very well covered there, a lot better then some other teams in this league. If we trade for someone, it will be a lefty specialist. Cotts is struggling right now, although we all still love his potential, and Marte still looks like he hasn't returned to his dominating form of 2002 and 2003 even though he's been better. A guy like Ron Vilionie (I know I didn't spell that right), Joey Eischen, could help this pen even more. It is early to be thinking about the filling needs for deadline deals [in case the unexpected happens like injury, big time flops]. Yet the biggest cost in terms of talent would be starting pitching. A LH bullpen guy, like you said, wouldn't cost much [at least like the recent in season deals the sox have made].

QUOTE(elrockinMT @ Apr 16, 2005 -> 08:17 PM) I am more concerned with the bullpen than the starters. You are absolutely right about our strength from 1 to 5 plus BMac in the minors waiting his turn. I have not been impressed thus far with Shingo, Cotts and Marte. However, Hermanson and Politte haven't been bad at all. Hermy actually has shown me the most, but Politte has done almost as well. It is or would be much easier to upgrade in the bullpen than the starting pitching around the trading deadline. Also, guys from the minors such as Adkins, Bajenaru, Walker, Jenks, etc could get a shot if someone gets hurt. My take is that Shingo has started slow, like last year. His control is off. If he doesn't have his control he is very hittable. I'm not sure what Marte's deal is. If those two come around, with Vizcaino and Dustin lights out, having four go-to guys is rare.

Before last year, Marte was always money when coming into "high pressure situations". For whatever reason, he's been off his game

Looking around both leagues at SP's, few top tier guys are out there that a team could trade for. Yesterday, Sheets and Chris Carpenter signed new deals. For a team in need of a strong starter, this is bad news. Yet with BMac the sox 6th SP, and everybody but Garland locked in for 2006, the sox are in a better position than most teams with playoff hopes. The only guys who could be had via trade would be #4 or #5 type starters. For teams like Boston, the Yankees, Angels, this is all they can hope to get if they need a SP. The other possibility is getting help from the minors, like the Twins. Yet only the top pitching prospects make an impact late in the year. Whatever teams have those top prospects won't be trading them, with the lack of quality arms available. The sox are in a very good spot, having a solid 1-5 and a top prospect waiting in the wings. Hopefully, a few guys from the minors have breakout years as well, to keep the arms a-coming. Stay healthy all.

Looks like Joe should get some restraining orders placed on some guys. This is getting ridiculous. Did he steal away your girlfriends/ wives/ moms?!

If Carl is out for a bit, PK should DH, like he did last yr for Sept. Gload is the better glove at 1b.

Cotts didn't get the job done. Plain and simple. Does one outing show he shouldn't be in the sox bullpen? No. As far as using the bullpen, did guys want to see Viz/ Dustin/ Marte in when the sox are down 3 runs in the 7th inning? Cotts was left in, didn't give up a run in the 7th, and Politte was solid for the 8th. This gives the Sox the best four bullpen guys to pitch Friday with rest. All four could also pitch Sat. as well. Also, Viz/ Dustin/ Marte/ Shingo shouldn't come in to get outs during the 6th inning. that's up to Cotts and Politte. If they can't handle it, then someone else will be brought in. Yet 9 games into the season, is too early

It seems the Sox two biggest question marks in the rotation [Jose and Jon] will be helped by the offseason signings. El Duque will help get Contreras focused, and AJ will help Jon. If Garland listens to AJ and just throws what is called [which is what he did in his first start], then Garland can just throw. It's when Jon has tried to be too fine with his pitches that he's gotten into trouble. Both seem to have issues about trusting their stuff, about thinking too much instead of throwing. If both guys are on track, the sox will be very tough.

QUOTE(YASNY @ Apr 14, 2005 -> 08:49 AM) Winning intra-division road games is HUGE. I don't care if it is only April. Considering these wins are coming against the Twins and Indians make them that much bigger. Especially as 22 of the sox first 28 games are vs AL Central teams. As long as the sox keep this type of play up when they play Det and KC [strong pitching, timely hitting, don't make mistakes to lose games] they'll be alright at home or on the road. Both KC and Det. will make more mistakes then Cle. or the Twins will.

Carl would see the biggest drop off in playing time. Yet he could fill in at LF or Rf [and Pods could play CF] twice a week to keep everyone fresh. Dye started off real strong in '04 and tailed off at the end.

QUOTE(jackie hayes @ Apr 12, 2005 -> 02:40 PM) Sometimes I can't tell if we're more excited about 2005, or bitter about 2004. I'm tired of the scapegoating. This season would be a lot more enjoyable if Ozzie and KW would just let it go. I for one would be perfectly happy if I never see that. I took Ozzie's comment to mean he wanted to see how this team handled adversity/ tough times [which all teams go through during the course of a season--injuries, slumps, illness, etc]. A person's true character is revealed when times are tough, not when things are going well. I didn't think it was directed at last yr's club

I'd like to see the sox get between 5-6 runs a game, and have a team ERA near 4.00. With Rowand, Dye, Crede and Uribe hovering around .200, and Frank due back to give opposing pitchers headaches, the slump shouldn't last long.

QUOTE(ZeroHour @ Apr 12, 2005 -> 01:39 PM) Sox vs ALC 2001: 42-34 2002: 40-36 2003: 42-34 2004: 40-36 total 164-140 22.5 behind twins. A huge factor in why the Sox have been in 2nd place the last few years. The Twins won the games they were supposed to. The sox found ways to lose games they were supposed to win

QUOTE(Credepopsup @ Apr 12, 2005 -> 01:52 PM) Since 2001 - 18 inter league games a year x4 years = 135??? I'm I missing something? Don't know. I'm just putting what was in the paper.

Found this little tidbit on the Twins: "Since the unbalanced schedule debuted in 2001, the Minnesota Twins have yet to post a losing season, mainly because they play so well in their own division. Entering Friday's game against the White Sox, the Twins had a 186-117 record against AL Central teams since 2001 and were 135-137 against the rest of the American League. They also are 70-65 in interleague play during that time period." The sox haven't had nearly the same success. I fully believe how the Sox play vs. the AL Central teams will determine if they win the division. With the Tigers and Indians both improved, they could also win more games vs. the Twins. The Sox 5-2 start [with hopefully a series win vs. the Indians to improve themselves to 6-3 or 7-2, would be a great start toward beating up on the division rivals this year.

QUOTE(YASNY @ Apr 12, 2005 -> 12:05 PM) Too many people are worried about "today's game" and that one only. Ozzie does not have that luxury. He has to "tinker" enough to keep his bench players sharp and his regulars fresh. To complain that Timo is playing in this game, and Ozuna in this and Widger in another is ludicrous. In fact, the moves that Ozzie made were well thought out, as Timo has had success against the pitcher in his game. Podsednik was rested against a tough lefty and AJ was rested on a day game after a night game. I agree. Guys on the bench must get some playing time to help the regulars out. About the only argument people can have about Ozzie's "tinkering" would be if a bench guy helped the sox lose a game---I can't wait to see the "Hang Ozzie" contingent spout off then Seeing how the sox two losses had nothing to do with the bench guys, these complaints are silly.