beck72

There's a flu bug going around the Sox as well. That also has to factor in who is physically ready to play or not. Overall though, the bench has to get some playing time. Few regulars are going to play 162 games nor should they. I want the sox players as fresh as possible during Aug. and Sept. when most runs for the playoffs are made. I can hear the argument, that 'in order to make the playoffs, the sox need to win before Aug and Sept.'. If the Sox were playing poorly, and losing, then the Sox regulars would see far more playing time, in order to break out of slumps, etc. Yet now's the time when the sox are playing well and winning games, to get the bench involved, and keep the regulars fresh.

QUOTE(TLAK @ Apr 12, 2005 -> 11:35 AM) A very good post. This team has a small margin between winning and losing. They have to do almost everything right to win. I think that is very true when the sox are playing a team that doesn't beat itself like the Twins. When the sox play teams that kick the ball around, and aren't fundamentally sound, then their margin for error increases and they can still win.

QUOTE(Tannerfan @ Apr 11, 2005 -> 06:48 PM) But the reality is that Crede is one of those guys who for whatever reason could not make the jump from the minors to The Show. He is not a major league player, period. Replace him with Ozuna now. *Too soon to say that. *Wrong *Not going to happen anytime soon. --For the JCSG members, we can make exceptions to the "I told you so" rule for certain people

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Apr 11, 2005 -> 06:08 PM) Being that this is his 5th pro season, I think Ozuna is prime for a breakout. When he was traded for Edgar Renteria, someone thought he was going to turn out. I am one of those supporters. Not to be biased, but I am always in the frame of mind of not wanting to keep around a player who is going to leave the team anyway, and is basically not even playing for a contract. Not sure of the logic. Is Crede not ready for a breakout, because it's his 4th yr? So the Sox should keep Joe around for 2006 when it's his 5th yr? Crede IS playing for a contract, and for his future. As a player who hasn't put together a decent full year [a good 2nd half in 2003], Crede has a lot riding on 2005. He has a lot of motivation to do well. Does Ozuna have more?! I doubt it, as any 30 yr old making his MLB debut on a team's roster won't likely get an "all-star type contract" any time soon. A guy fulfilling his "potential" and who put up big numbers in the minors like Crede could though.

QUOTE(T R U @ Apr 11, 2005 -> 05:41 PM) Yeah thats true too, but Fields isnt too far off from the ML's from what its looking like, we wouldnt be in a bad situation if Crede starts producing and Fields is ready.. We could get something in a trade possibly.. Any Sox players in the organization doing well is a positive.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Apr 11, 2005 -> 05:38 PM) while you are at it, include Jon Rauch, Joe Borchard, and Danny Wright into your "never will be a good player" fan club. A "support group" is different than a "fan club"----but the Crede "group" is a little tongue in cheek. Feel free to start your own club or group though.

QUOTE(T R U @ Apr 11, 2005 -> 05:34 PM) I think the reason we drafted Fields was because of the unsureness about Crede Probably true. Yet the sox had little depth at 3b.

QUOTE(tonyho7476 @ Apr 11, 2005 -> 05:33 PM) Do I get a pin to wear? Sure. But you have to make your own.

I'm one of those people who think Joe could post numbers like .270/.320/.465, with 20 HR's and 70 rbi's. Seeing how he's had to make some adjustments in his swing [pretty significant ones at that], and still boasted some good power numbers since late 2002 without those changes, if he works out the kinks he should be a very solid major league player. I know Joe Crede hasn't lived up to the hype [which, given his awards and numbers in the minors, maybe deserved at the time]. But count me among those who want to see this kid do well, especially as others start up the "dump Joe" chants. Whether Joe gets his act together this season, who knows. If he doesn't improve on his 2004 year, the sox should probably look for help at 3B. I just know Joe seems like a guy who should get more support than I've seen. He's a quiet professional who works hard, doesn't let his struggles at the plate affect his defense, and has the skills to help this team win a lot of games in 2005. With that said, count me as the first member of the "Joe Crede Support Group". Meetings are on an "as needed" basis [probably after an 0-4 day with 3 k's and an error in the field, or multiple "Crede sucks" threads]. And members should refrain from saying "I told you so" to non-members if Joe has a break out year. So who's with me?

Freddy should be sharper, and Millwood should be easier to hit. The sox get the first win of the series today and can enjoy the offday Tuesday.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Apr 9, 2005 -> 01:19 PM) That would be your usual pre - season let's build em up article. Now, if only the guys lived up to half of Razor's hype, most would be in Chicago by the end of the year

If the Sox are counting on Joe Crede to carry them, or need him to, they're in a s***load of trouble. The sox need him to have a .250 avg, and hit with some power while playing solid defense at 3B. He should be able to do this. I know everyone is worried after 4 games, as he's hitting under .100. But can we let the "trade talk" rest a little, drop the torches and pitchforks, and put away the tar and feathers until after April or so?!?!

QUOTE(YASNY @ Apr 9, 2005 -> 10:57 AM) It is reassuring to have Hermanson available in case Shingo faulters. Most teams expected to fight for the playoffs would be completely screwed if their closers get hurt/ go into the tank---Boston, the Yanks, Angels, Twins, Rangers. That the sox could probably get by with little drop off if Shingo can't get the job done is very encouraging.

http://www.al.com/barons/birminghamnews/in...65333176060.xml New-look team high on potential Thursday, April 07, 2005 DOUG SEGREST News staff writer Razor Shines looks down the 2005 Birmingham Barons roster and sees it loaded with prospects. Abundant prospects mean great potential. But in the world of the Southern League, potential doesn't always equal good results. "We're young," Shines said. "We'll have seven people on the field who've never played higher than Single-A. But I tell you what, opposing teams better tighten their cleats when they play us." The 47-year-old Shines returns for his second season with the Double-A Barons. Last year, the Texan led the club to a 73-66 record, the second-half Western Division title and a team-best fifth straight postseason. That came after boldly predicting the Barons would be a cinch to return to the playoffs. The new-look Barons open the season tonight in Jacksonville against the Suns, a Los Angeles Dodgers farm team. The first pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. CDT. While Shines avoids any hype for his team, he's quick to praise his personnel. What the Barons lack in Double-A experience, they make up for in promise: Pitcher Jim Bullard - "He's going to get the ball opening night," Shines said. "He could've easily been our best pitcher last year." Bullard went 8-4 as a part-time starter last year. "Truth is, he should be in (Triple-A) Charlotte," Shines said of Bullard. Pitcher Kris Honel - The right-hander pitched only six innings before shutting down the 2004 season with arm trouble. Now, "he's good as it gets," Shines said. Pitcher Corwin Malone - The former UAB football signee and Thomasville native hasn't pitched in two years and is coming back from Tommy John surgery. "I'm telling you right now, this guy is back - and he's the real deal," the manager said. Pitcher Sean Tracey - "This guy is explosive. He gets the baseball in his hand and fears no one." Third baseman Josh Fields -The former Oklahoma State quarterback was Chicago's first-round pick last summer. "He's single and he's got a lot of money. He's an outstanding baseball talent, as well. He has the chance to be really good," Shines said. First baseman Casey Rogowski - "I'm going to put the pressure on him right now. He's going to carry the load offensively. He's going to have the kind of year you haven't seen here in a long time." Outfielder Jerry Owens - The speedster stole 30 bases in Savannah last year. "They say two-thirds of the world is covered by water. Jerry Owens covers the other third." Outfielder Ryan Sweeney - "A lot of people believe he has what it takes to be a Major League superstar," Shines said.

Most importantly, a lot of these teams don't have decent backup options if their closers fail. The Sox have a few. After watching Hermanson throw against the Twins, he'd be first in line if shingo doesn't improve. But I think Shingo will be alright, as long as he can throw his slow stuff for strikes.

QUOTE(aboz56 @ Apr 8, 2005 -> 03:39 PM) Not early in the season with plenty of off-days. My thinking is that only cotts is the long man in the pen. A starter gets rocked and the bullpen is taxed for a while, even this early in the season. Adkins or even walker up would help keep the bullpen fresh.

--Keeping 12 pitchers makes more sense than keeping Willie as a backup for 2b, in order to keep the bullpen fresh --The Sox are better prepared than other teams the closer goes down/ is ineffective [like the Dodgers w/ Gagne, or Mariano] --The sox aren't hurting themselves, making stupid mistakes [just look at Jose Valentin's week--makes a key error to blow a game, and helps win another one with his bat--yet the team is still at .500 with his contributions] --the bullpen should keep the games close once the starters leave --Freddy looks stronger than last year when he was throwing mostly breaking pitches --AJ is finding a groove with the SP's, likes calling breaking pitches when hitters are looking for fastballs --Iguchi has better base stealing abilities/ speed than I thought --A healthy Frank in the #3 hole would complete this lineup

QUOTE(Gene Honda Civic @ Apr 7, 2005 -> 01:07 AM) I don't think Rowand commands the zone as well as Iguchi does... Rowand's a great hitter, but he's a swing and miss guy. That's not the type of player Ozzie wants in that spot. If we had a different manager, I'd be more inclined to have Rowand in the 2 spot, but Ozzies probably going to do a lot of hit0and-running and stealing with Iggy in the box. Good points. ARow would hit 2nd for teams like Boston, Oak or Toronto, who don't play small ball at all.

QUOTE(TLAK @ Apr 7, 2005 -> 12:20 AM) I've long held a theory that if you had a baseball team where everybody just did their job, no heroics or bonehead plays, you'd be tough to beat. That's what the sox seem to be building for, esp with the defense and pitching. When the hitting picks up, that's where the wins will come from.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Apr 5, 2005 -> 03:34 PM) does anyone have the record of the sox in one run games over the past couple of year, or 1-0 games. i believe we had a losing record in 1-run games. Not last yr. I think the Sox were like 27-19 in 1 run games in 2004

QUOTE(TheBigHurt35 @ Apr 5, 2005 -> 03:09 PM) This team doesn't have the power of the '00-'03 squads to be able to "play comeback" in the late innings. The Twins teams of recent yrs shows how to stage comebacks without power guys [even though the Sox have enough guys who can hit late inning HR's, far more than the Twins ever did]. The twins staged comebacks for two big reasons--they had a great bullpen and manufactured runs. The bullpen kept them in games, giving the Twins time to chip away at leads. And the Twins didn't rely on HR's to put runs on the board. The 2005 Sox should be better in both respects. Thus they should be better prepared to comeback and win games they've been trailing

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...-home-headlines With the new FUNdamentals area providing an opening extending from left-center to the foul pole, will this prevent some HR's from balls hit that way? Seems some hitters may be thinking that way from the article. I was thinking the same thing when I saw the construction photos when it was being built, that it might allow some wind to blow back toward the plate. We'll know somewhat if HR's numbers dip at the Cell and stay the same elsewhere.

QUOTE(Capn12 @ Apr 5, 2005 -> 03:13 AM) I'll admit, I havent read al lthe way through this thread as of yet, but heres one thing that stuck out to me i nthe Colorado game, and yeah it could of already been said: Even if Miles eventually made the hall of fame, I'd like the Uribe trade. The Sox needed a SS like Uribe. The Sox are set at 2b with Iguchi and Harris.

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Apr 5, 2005 -> 12:33 AM) I have not read through any of the game threads, etc. And I have little idea other then MB pitched his ass off, and Shingo got the save. But I will say this, and people that were there or watched, help me out here. Is this not the kind of game that last year, we found ways to lose? 1-0... not the 11-0 or 12-2 crap... the one run, squeaker, mentally tough kind of games... Let's hope this continues, because the mental makeup of a team can go a long ways to win games like these... The sox want to be a team that doesn't hurt itself [ie, make stupid mistakes on the bases and in the field, and waste prime scoring opportunities]. That way they can put themselves in position to win close games. With a very strong bullpen, the sox can be tied and still win games late, or hold onto a 1 run lead. The last few years the sox would need more than 1 run if they were leading late, or would be hoping for a HR if they were losing. Even if the sox were down a run or two, they don't have to wait on the HR in order to stage a comeback. If think the sox will be a mentally stronger team if they play like this. Late inning pressure situations won't affect them, if they play more close games. And if the sox can mount comebacks with the small ball, they'll realize that they're not out of any game until the last of the 9th

QUOTE(YASNY @ Apr 5, 2005 -> 11:56 AM) Here's a little more of the quote. What I posted earlier was all I had seen to that point. This spins things in a slightly different direction. I think PK's comments weren't based on talking w/ Mark. Just supposing the foot is hurting him. If the foot was hurting him, I think the sox would take it easy on him.