beck72

I can see why Bos would want Kelly [One of their LHP Jones walked 4 guys in row, including the winning run, in a loss this week]. They might want to get rid of Bellhorn but I don't see the Sox biting. If Bos had some young SP [AA or AAA] or a potential closer then I could see a deal.

More recent history: Sox restoring tradition to the White Sox, having ex-players return as coaches, and rewarding productive players with multi year contracts. These other guys were basically 1 year rentals who did OK but nothing to break the bank on. Sure the Sox made some bad decisions letting some long time players go in the 90's. [Ventura the prime example] But mgmt seems to have learned from that, knowing having players who have come up through the minors, who have played well, should get rewarded with cash and security [buehrle, Lee, Garland, Marte -though these last two came up w/ other teams]. I think this means the team will re-sign Maggs [even at Vlad money], as he's a guy to build around with his all-around play. Plus, he's a guy who came up through the minors with the Sox. There are some bragging rights in holding onto him for the organization as a whole. Bottom line, mgmt seems to be showing some loyalty to long time players. This hasn't always been the case. It's right to call them to the mat when they don't show loyalty, it's also right to give them credit when it's due. I think it's due.

Isn't recent history more important in deciding whether or not Maggs will be re-signed than looking back at who wasn't resigned in the early 90's? I think it is. And recent history [the last few years] the team has shown a willingness to spend. The point is whether Maggs will or will not be re-signed, just for monetary reasons. I think he will because it's best for the team.

I disagree about the history of JR not spending money. He's gone after big names like Albert Belle, David Wells and Bartolo Colon. Last year getting Alomar, Everett etal, cost the team money by going for the short term win. I also checked the new numbers on the 2004 payroll. The Sox have the 5th highest in the AL. Not exactly cheap The Sox will spend money when the need and fit is right.

Rewarding solid, consistent production is a good thing. The young OF's in the system could also be traded for young pitching in the future. If the Sox stick with paying position players the big bucks, they'll need cheap young talented pitching to win.

SS seemed to overthrow in the first 2 innings. He had good stuff, just missed on a few pitches, fell behind and then was wild trying to throw heat. When he slowed things down, working his sinker and change, the Yanks weren't hitting him hard [innings 3, 4 and 5]. SS was helped by good d, particularly Crede at 3b. The 6th inning he was over 100 pitches and was lucky to get out with only the Posado homer. Garland should learn from SS not to try and throw too hard today, let his ball sink. More starts like this from SS and we'll be fine.

I agree pitching a future starter in the bullpen is a good idea. But not in the high wire position as closer.

Loaiza struggled when he tried to be too fine with his offspeed stuff. It looked like he was tiring in the 5th [getting near his pitch count limit]. Yet when he got in trouble [the 5th, 1st and 3rd, 1 out] he threw heat and they couldn't touch him. He pitched a 1,2, 3 6th by throwing heat as well. He needs to throw his FB more to set up his cutter. Overall, pretty decent outing. PS. The umps called a pretty tight zone [for both teams]

Even though I wasn't a "grizzled veteran" there by any means, the garbage there was unbearable. Plus, the graphics here are better. And if I wanted to curse, I'd at least have the option. How are the posts on politics here? Center-left, center-right, center?

No way should he have opened the 9th with Cotts. Two RH hitters were due up--Randa and Harvey--both with HR power. A veteran RH guy like Mike Jackson or Takatsu would have made sense. Yet both were shaky in the spring. Adkins and Politte were the guys throwing the best in spring.

Good to be here. MLB.com isn't what it used to be.

While the Sox don't have a staff ready for the World Series, it's serviceable enough to stay within striking distance of 1st by the trading deadline. Then they can add an arm or two for the playoff push. Until then, Guillen just has to find some bullpen guys he can rely on, through trial and error. Koch did look better. Even the pitch to Santiago was inside on the hands, but a strike. Only Marte looked horrible.

Of course Ozzie's moves in the 9th will be second guessed. It's the nature of managing a major league club. My first reaction was Politte shouldn't have started the 9th, after already pitching 1 1/3 innings. After a night's sleep, though, I know it's not that unusual for managers to have relievers go 2+ innings. Guys like LaTroy Hawkins, Foulke, and Mariano Rivera often go 2+ innings. [Espec. for big games and when there are days off coming up]. It didn't work out for Guillen and Politte. [it may be too early in the season to have bullpen guys stretch out, but I can see going with whoever is hot for 2 innings later in the year when they're loose] Koch starting the 9th wouldn't have been a bad idea, with RH hitters Randa and Harvey coming up. But what's done is done. A loss like this hurts. But I don't think Ozzie will let it affect this team like it would have stayed and lingered with last year's team.

My idea of success isn't making money. Mine is getting to the playoffs and winning the pennant with a team capable of winning the World Series. But to each his, or her, own.

I too am new here. Though I see some familiar names from mlb.com. Hello to all. Here's to a successful Sox season

Trade SS.The Yankees could use Schoeney as a possible 5th starter [not likely] or definitely in the bullpen. The Yanks have some young arms that are close to being ready for the majors that the Sox could use now. [scott Proctor, a guy who has hit 100 mph, who last year made the conversion from starter to relief--was traded with Bubba Crosby for Ventura from LA last year] or Jorge DePaula, a SP. Proctor would be good "Koch insurance". If the Sox trade SS and his $1.5 mill salary they could afford to get Ramon Ortiz or Aaron Sele from Ana. [Ana is supposedly willing to eat much of his $8 mill salary]