beck72

Can you provide me with a link where he's stated this? Pitt has been very eager to shed his salary, even putting Kendall as part of a package for teams wanting Benson [widely reported]. I would think any loyalty to Pitt or the NL wouldn't be a big deal, if the right situation [playing for a good team, the everyday C, being wanted and appreciated by an organization, playing under a sound and stable management team --Guillen + KW] came up. The sox would be a good fit for his style of play under Ozzie Guillen. With the way he's been disrespected by Pitt, if Kendall is the "gamer" he's supposed to be, even changing leagues wouldn't be a big deal. I Rod was even more opposed to changing leagues and he did it in 2003 to sign w/ FLA.

I like Carl at DH. He scares me in the OF. The last few games with Gload in LF and Timo in RF, show me Ozzie doesn't want to sacrifice defense for offense. Esp. after their plays saved runs. Carl's injuries this year [ankle, hamstring] probably will keep him at DH.

The sox will need the entire offense to step up and replace what Maggs and frank gave the sox, esp by doing the small things like making contact, hitting to the opposite field, bunting, hit and runs, etc. I've really liked how the Sox have gone about their hitting the last 3 wins. Players haven't been trying to do too much. They continue what they've been doing, against good pitchers, the Sox should be OK. Yet OK isn't enough for winning games in the playoffs. The Sox have enough power guys like Lee, PK, Carl, Jose, Crede. What they need is a guy to hit for a high avg. and who has a high OBP. If someone can get on base in front of the 3,4, 5, and 6 hitters, these power guys will see better pitches. I've said it before, but it now makes even more sense--the Sox should do everything they can to get Jason Kendall. He'd fit right in at the leadoff spot, or bat #2 if Harris leads off. He makes Rowand/ Uribe/ Harris better by dropping them down in the lineup; allows the Sox to go with defense in RF with Joe B/ Timo Perez; allows Carl to stay at DH; takes pressure off the middle guys by having them hit with a man on base; could be traded for w/o giving up a lot of prospects; could be locked in for 3 yrs, at a salary of $7-8 mill per, [with Pitt taking on 30-40% of his contract, likley]; and he'd still fit if Maggs or Frank come back late in the year. His salary can fit with the Sox for the next few years. If Pitt can take on 40% of his salary, he'd be owed $7 mill a yr for the next 3 yrs. [More than capable of being absorbed with a team payroll of $70-75 mill in 2005] With the Sox not set at C, Kendall could help now and for the future. Though it would mean not likely re-signing Maggs, Borchard or Brian Anderson would likely be ready to replace his OF spot. The Sox weren't likely to resign Maggs at anything more than $12 mill before his injury. They most likley won't now, seeing how he won't be around for the pennant run, and how other teams will pay him more than $13 mill/ yr. This year, the Sox could make do with a RF of Borchard/ Timo with a .300 hitter like Kendall at another position if Maggs is indeed done for the year. The sox could live with a .250 avg in Rf as long as they get strong defense, provided someone else picks up the higher avg. If Maggs does make it back, the sox are that much stronger. With young position players like Uribe, Harris, Crede, and Borchard not making a lot of money, and the Sox set at SP pitching and the bullpen [shingo and Politte will be due raises], the Sox could spend money at the C position. Kendall shouldn't cost much in terms of prospects b/c of his contract. Which is a big consideration. Sweeney, Borchard and anderson should be kept. But a package like Arnie Munoz, Mike spidale and Ben Davis might be able to land Kendall. Getting guys like Beltran, Finley and even a Frank Catalanotto would probably cost more or better prospects than Kendall. The Sox must continue doing the little things to manufacture runs like they have the past 3 wins. Anyone they acquire must help the sox in this department, someone who doesn't adversely affect the chemistry they have built throughout the year [like taking a position from an everyday player], someone who adds to what the Sox need. No one out there fits that requirement better than Kendall, with his .320 avg and .400 OBP.

Here's my take on a few things: 1] no to Robbie alomar. He isn't an upgrade over Willie or uribe. 2] Bautista? Not sure. Whoever the Sox get should be able to contribute if/when Maggs comes back, either in a position or from the bench. A solid OBP guy should be traded for though to help replace Maggs and Frank. 3] Harris is fine and will come back to hit .290-.300 for the season, with a .370 + OBP. The way he's seeing pitches, hitting LHP [that AB vs. Sabathia where he lined the 1B up the middle shows he can play everyday] and fielding, he deserves to be playing almost everyday. Uribe should be the utility IF giving guys a rest. Willie is tentative on the bases, but will get better.

Strong starting pitching, a solid bullpen, timely situational hitting, patience at the plate vs. tough pitchers, strong defense---all against an improved Cle. team that had played the sox tough this year. These were two big wins, definitely a great start to the 2nd half where the sox play AL Central teams a lot. I esp. liked how almost all the hitters tried to hit to the opposite field when the ball was pitched outside, in both games. Instead of swinging for the fences, guys just put the ball in play. With Frank out, and Maggs uncertain, the sox don't need guys trying to be heroes. They need guys to be role players, put the ball in play, move runners over, bunt, steal, hit and run. When the Sox play like this, they don't have to worry if the Twins are winning or losing. They take care of business and they'll be in the playoffs. The Sox should overtake the twins if they maintain the approach they had in Cle--getting up for each game, not taking an opponent for granted, making adjustments to the pitchers from at bat to at bat, doing what's best for the team. This is the kind of winning baseball that will carry them into October.

No. But the point is they sent him down when Liecster? probably won't do as well as Beltran did, esp in stranding runners. A key bullpen stat

That's up to Ozzie to take him out before too much damage has been done. [And the guys coming in have to be able to strand runners as well]. IMO, it's harder to find guys who pitch well w/ runners on base. This is a good trait for a rookie to have.

Nicely put.

I just used the Cubs as an example of how teams can undervalue a relievers contributions. Beltran walked a lot of guys, but he gave up less hits than a "normal" pen guy.

Ozzie can't afford to let Cotts struggle and "learn" to get out of jams he has made. Esp. not now in late July in a pennant race. The best way to handle Neal is to put him in when runners are on [where he's proven successful] and take him out the first sign of trouble [usually when he starts on inning]

Then he shouldn't start many innings. Or Ozzie have an even quicker hook once a guy gets on.

The Cubs must not think it's important. They sent down Beltran though he stranded all 10 guys who were on base when he came in. [at least through Sun's games]. Teams should pull guys like Cotts and Beltran once they put guys on base to start innings.

Interesting. Even the NYY are only 5 games over .500. Another telling stat is the Sox record vs. AL Central teams--as of 7-22, 4:30 pm--which is 17-8. The Sox keep up this pace and they'll win the Central. [Minn's poor record vs. over .500 teams, and less games vs AL central teams in the 2nd half should add to the Sox lead if they take care of the teams they should--Det, Cle, KC]

I know, Neal's ERA is the highest of the bunch. Yet he's leading the staff in one of the most important stats of all----stranding inherited runners. Neal has only allowed 3 inherited runners to score out of the 18 guys who have been on base when he's come in. Tom Gordon is even behind Cotts' 83% rate, allowing 5 runners to score and saving 18 [a 78% rate]. These guys who strand runners are the unsung heroes of the bullpen, yet aren't talked about much. [This is one reason I like my "Sports Weekly" for just this stat] This stat was very surprising, given Cotts' high ERA of 5.87. But Neal has been the most successful White Sox pitcher in this regard. The Sox should be putting Cotts' out there when runners are on, rather than starting innings. Wunsch last year had a low ERA. Yet allowed a lot of inherited runners to score. [something like a 50% rate]. Another surprising stat on Cotts was that RH batters were only hitting .219 against him, while Left handers were hitting .280. [i wouldn't be surprised if Wunsch came up, if healthy, or a LHP was traded for to strengthen the 'pen]. Marte [13 stranded and 6 scored] and Politte [12 stranded and 7 allowed to score] have been decent. Shingo [esp when used in set up] was stellar as well [9 stranded, 1 allowed to score]. Mike Jackson has been the least successful man in the 'pen in stranding inherited runners. He's allowed 9 runners to score and only stranded 7 for a 44% rate. Whoever replaces Jackson [via trade hopefully, or call up Jeff Bajenaru] should be very solid in stranding inherited runners like Cotts.

Definitely the way to go

Crede will hit. With him playing solid d, and no other person to take his place, Crede won't sit.

Most relievers who don't throw strikes will get hurt. [Though the first batter fouled off a lot of pitches- he was behind like 3-0 to start].

Marte didn't have it last night, no doubt. But he's still one of the best LH relievers in baseball.

This was a game the sox would have been very lucky to win. The fact they made a game of it to come back and tie it was big.

Willie put it together early in the year. He was even hitting when he was playing CF. But the minute he slumped he sat. With Uribe swinging at anything in the zone, Ozzie should stick with Willie. One thing not mentioned is how fresh Willie will be for the 2nd half. Many guys around the league now are getting tired from everyday play, esp. some young guys not used to the long season. Some guys on Cle [all stars like Belliard, Victor Martinez] are slumping. Harris could be a big key down the stretch.

LA would trade Mota for a top SP. The Sox don't have one to trade

Willie looks confident up there, taking close pitches and swinging at strikes. The more pitches he sees, the better he'll hit. He'll come around

LA reportedly wants another SP for Mota. Pavano would be nice. I wonder if the Ozzie connection would bear any fruit. He has to have some insight into the ex Marlin players. If FLA falls out of contention anything is possible. Yet I still think another top of the order guy is needed. Kendall in my dreams. Catalanotto in reality.

I haven't seen Loaiza throw inside all day. All he's thrown are cutters to the outside of the plate. The Sox should be down by more than just one run.

"Loaiza Regains All-Star Form; Sox Get to Mulder for Series Split" Much has been made about Esteban's lack of velocity. But what he hasn't been doing is throwing his FB's inside, and up. He's been nibbling on the outisde corner, and grooving balls down the middle. If he uses his FB he'll have success today. The Sox hitters should be up for Mulder today. They'll be the difference today. Saving a series split would be huge and the players know it. Esp. after how poorly they've done there in recent years. I don't expect to see a lot of HR's. But more small ball, just making contact, if the Sox cut down their swings. Best case scenario, the Sox get to Mulder early and pick apart the A's middle relief core.