beck72

QUOTE(StrangeSox @ Mar 31, 2007 -> 11:24 AM) No one thought that the Bears could win the Superbowl and that they'd get walked all over by Indy. Look what happened. Sometimes you're the underdog because you're just not as good. Garland is good and will get us some wins. But when has Javy ever proven himself? When has Buehrle shown that he's rebounded from his 2nd half performance? No one is quite sure how old Contreras is and how long his arm can hold up. Our bullpen should be good, but there's a lot of inexperience there. It sounds like you believe the sox are lacking the talent to win. I disagree. If a world series was won or lost on paper, the yanks or red sox would win every year. Or the Twins would never make the playoffs if we only looked at the opening day roster. I don't think the football analogy holds for baseball. Teams can add pieces during the year that can help a team win a world series. If by the deadline the sox are missing a player or two, they can add them. And the sox will know what they need at the time in order for them to make the playoffs. Because once a baseball team gets to the playoffs, they have as good a chance to win the WS as the "better and more talented" teams on paper like the Red Sox, Yanks, etc. It's a matter of what team is playing the best ball come the playoffs. I agree the sox have questions about their pitching. Yet they have less than other AL contenders. Mark has had one off 1/2 yr in his career. Jose works as hard as any SP out there and should be very good for the next two years. He hasn't had any injury concerns this spring and few in his career. Javy has always been durable and is being looked at as the #4 starter [though he has the potential to be a 1, 2 or 3]. The 5th spot is a tossup though Danks or someone else should get the some some wins from that spot. And the bullpen is inexperienced in spots 4-6, not the most important back half with Jenks, Thornton and MacDougal.

QUOTE(Flash Tizzle @ Mar 30, 2007 -> 10:55 PM) Floyd might have been an ideal acquisition under different pretenses. But as it were, the goal in dealing Garcia should have been receiving the best possible package. I just don't believe including Floyd (especially) and Gonzalez alone accomplishes this without an additional prospect added in. I'm of the mind that we need to wait a bit to find out if the sox did get the best deal possible or not. Once we see how well Floyd and Gio do for the sox, then we'll know. But, IMO all the talk about Floyd being a bust for the sox is premature. Right now it doesn't look good for 2007, which most people thought [myself included] Floyd would be helping the sox from the start of 2007. Yet few people saw both Danks and Masset making the sox this spring in the Bmac trade. And things can change in a hurry. Sometimes things balance out. And I'm not trying to rehash the Garcia trade all over again. But one big thing not mentioned much is the fact that KW pretty much had to deal Freddy to the NL. [which I remember KW mentioning in the media] If the Sox wanted to win in 2007, why deal Freddy to a contending AL team that the sox might have to face in the playoffs? Could the sox have gotten a better deal from the Yanks or Red Sox? Maybe. But the sox not wanting to improve the competition limited the options available, and the possible packages as well.

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Mar 31, 2007 -> 05:31 AM) They flat out choked because the pitching died, as well as the offense. Case closed. I think that's where the majority of experts are getting the 4th place type finishes for the 2007 sox. If you believe the sox pitching and lineup will be more like the 2nd half, the one that played under .500, then you go with the other, younger teams like the Twins and Indians. Not to mention the Tigers. IMO, the sox are being vastly underrated. And the rotation isn't being given the credit it deserves. It's like people around the league are writing off Garland, Javy, Buehrle and Contreras as washed up has beens. And the bullpen additions are being overlooked. The offense should be decent enough. It's the pitching

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Mar 30, 2007 -> 11:45 PM) Francouer refused to play for any team but the Braves, he threatened not to sign with any team that drafted him because of how badly he wanted to play for his hometown team. There wasn't much scouting involved. I could see Jordan Danks talking up how he'd like to play with his brother on the sox. The Danks family has already mentioned how they'd love the sox to sign Jordan when he's ready in two yrs.

QUOTE(Flash Tizzle @ Mar 30, 2007 -> 04:45 AM) I'll keep these quotes handy in the future when people try to distance Williams from Floyd's failures. For all the criticism about what the sox got for Freddy, esp in Floyd, I still like KW's ways about trying to improve the club. I'd much rather Williams take a few gambles on pitchers who have a big upside once in a while, than to go for the "safe" picks. Guys like McCulloch and Broadway are safe picks. Yet their upsides are not that high. It's easy to see Floyd's failures and say, "See he still sucks". Its' harder to wait a bit and see if there's any talent that can help the sox. Whether Floyd and the sox can harness his talent, who knows. But IMO it's still too early to throw him away. Trading for 'young, unproven in the bigs' type pitchers like Floyd goes along with a decent draft strategy--which IMO isn't that great. I'd like to see the sox go for some HS arms with great stuff rather than just college arms who are "productive".

The biggest thing the sox have going for them is health. And a big reason for optimism coming out of a horrible looking spring training. Outside of Hall, the sox have been healthy. Esp. the pitchers. And the sox still have decent options in case of injury as well. A lot of other teams have injuries coming out of spring. Look at the Yanks who have to have Pavano as their opening day SP.

Thome was the only regular hitting today. The K's I'm not concerned about. Let's wait until the regular season starts before we get worried about either the pitching or hitting. Let's keep everyone healthy for Monday.

QUOTE(Capn12 @ Mar 29, 2007 -> 09:39 AM) Heh, subconscious slip there Beck? won't even say what part... If the sox have to flip guys around, might as well start the year with experienced bullpen arms. The biggest thing is the sox have options. And it seems the young guys are the options, at least for the bullpen. Logan was the biggest surprise of not coming north. And seeing how he handled things last year [iIRC, Boone himself said he flipped out] Ozzie and the sox staff have seemed to have gone with guys who can "handle" the pressure of being in the bigs. Danks seems to fit that mold. As well as Masset, Sisco and Aardsma.

QUOTE(Mr. Showtime @ Mar 29, 2007 -> 03:19 AM) I'm not really mad one way or the other here. I just could've swore Ozzie made it clear Logan was on the team. Either way, I feel as if the bullpen pieces will be changing a few times this season. I think that's the key here. Guys will be moved depending on performance--during the regular season. The Sox don't have to wait for Cotts and Cliff to "turn it around". They'll have options at the ready in AAA.

Logan and Aarsdma for the last two spots. I can see both Sisco and Floyd being starters in AAA. Maybe Haeger stays in the pen in Charlotte, where he'd come up with the sox.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Mar 27, 2007 -> 05:56 PM) Erstad and Podsednik were handed jobs this Spring, neither of them earned it. Erstad hit .300 in 70 ab's --by far the most on the team this spring. A case can be made for Pods being handed a job but Erstad proved himself.

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ Mar 27, 2007 -> 12:55 PM) And to refer to both Pods and Erstad as proven veterans is stretching, I'd say. At most, they've both just proven that they're not very good. Look at their major league stats, and how many AB's they've had in the bigs. They've had struggles. But they have proven they can have success in the bigs.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Mar 27, 2007 -> 12:36 PM) To me, Erstad's getting those AB's to try and justify him getting that starting spot when he doesn't deserve it. Hell isn't BA even outproducing him in spring training so far stats wise? And sure injuries have been a big problem for Erstad. But he's only posted a +.700 OPS season twice since 2000. Compare that to Iguchi in the #2 hole who's had OPS's of .780 and .774. What if moving Gooch down the order doesn't work and he struggles? Do you move him back up to the #2 spot, and what does that mean for Erstad? Best case scenario for Erstad IMHO he puts up something close to his 2004 numbers, .295/.346/.400. I just don't think there's a great chance of that happening. Two things: 1] The sox must think Erstad is doing well enough for Cf and the #2 spot to justify him starting. It's not like the sox are paying him $10 mill a yr and have to get him in the lineup. 2] Iguchi can always be moved back to the #2 hole. If Erstad gets hurt or sucks, so be it. At least he was given the chance to play everyday. Few other teams were going to give him a shot. And he's being paid Ben Davis money. He can always be moved to the Ross Gload role for 1b and pnich hitting. Erstad will have to hit and play a decent OF--which he is doing now. If he doesn't keep it up, the sox have options to replace him. Yet the possibility that Erstad may hit near his 2004 numbers is too good to pass up.

QUOTE(EvilJester99 @ Mar 27, 2007 -> 04:55 AM) On Chicago Baseball tonight, they were talking that supposedly LA Angels wants to trade Jose Molina. It was mentioned that Kenny would probably see what could be worked out.... I remember seeing Jose Molina's name come up in an ESPN article of bats that were supposedly available via trade.

QUOTE(Capn12 @ Mar 27, 2007 -> 12:21 PM) I'm just sold on the fact that Erstad in LF, BA in CF is our best OF option. Now, and before anyone even says it, yes I know that gives us zero options at leadoff, I'm just saying thats my best OF. that's what it may come down to if Pods can't better his .220 2nd half avg, with Erstad in the leadoff spot. I'm not totally convinced Erstad can play CF on a regular basis myself. Yet to start the year, it makes the most sense. The sox have given the vets the benefit of the doubt until they prove they can't hack it. Then it's up to BA to keep working until the chance opens up.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Mar 27, 2007 -> 12:07 PM) What I think I take issue is this; Are the Sox that much of a better team with Erstad at #2 and Iguchi at #6 or #7, instead of Iguchi at #2 and BA down near the bottom of the order? What if BA comes on as expected, and that helps you in the long - term as well? How has Erstad justified becoming a starting OF on what he has produced over the past 4-5 seasons? Pods was always going to start because he's our leadoff hitter, that was never going to change. Erstad's biggest issues have been injuries. If he's healthy--and moving around AZ in LF and CF, getting in his 70 ab's--the most on the team, it seems he is--Erstad must have proven to the sox he's ready to start opening day. All the opening day lineup is is a start. Nothing is set in stone. Changes can be made if things come up. The sox still have Iguchi for the #2 hole. And Anderson for CF everyday. Yet IMO, having Erstad for LF instead of Ozuna, and Anderson for CF instead of Mackowiak are much better long term options in case of injuries to either Pods or Erstad.

QUOTE(Capn12 @ Mar 27, 2007 -> 11:44 AM) Fixed that for you there. Pods is more proven than BA. If Pods struggles, he'll be replaced. No one will get a free pass for hitting .220. The sox are probably thinking--and I'm of the same mind--that Pods will hit more like his first half of 2005 than his 2006. If not, they've got another option in Erstad for LF and BA for center.

"I've definitely brought this upon myself, so I deserve to have to do what I'm doing," Anderson said. "I shouldn't have had anything handed to me." I give credit for Brian understanding what is going on. When a guy has two veterans ahead of him--[and most importantly for the Sox, two top of the order guys; if the sox only needed a number 8 hitter, Brian would be fine in CF]--and is coming off a horrible year when he was given a lot of time to develop--more than most teams who expect to make the playoffs--he's got to battle day in and day out. One good spring by a 25 yr old 2nd yr player isn't going to outdo years of proven production by two veterans. The right call is having Pods and Erstad as starters to start the year. Anderson will be given the next shot if one of the two get hurt or suck. I remember reading a few days ago quotes from Ozzie saying he thought BA would be a superstar in this league. That kind of talk goes against the prevailing thought that Ozzie has it "out" for Anderson.

I can't wait for the games to start. All this moaning, groaning, backseat managing and would be GMing is getting old. Everything will be decided on the field.

From today's Daily Southtown: "Guillen confirmed that Nick Masset is a lock for the bullpen, leaving David Aardsma, Charlie Haeger, Gavin Floyd, Andrew Sisco, Boone Logan and Adam Russell competing for two spots. Sisco allowed one run in 1 1/3 innings in Saturday's "A" game vs. Arizona, while Aardsma gave up three runs on six hits in the minor league game." IMO, the two remaining bullpen guys will be Sisco and Haeger. Sisco has had a decent enough spring and has proven he can get major league hitters out, esp in 2005. And he can go more than 1 inning at a time. Boone is a one inning guy. Haeger has the versatility that no one else in this mix has. He can pitch 3,4 innings and eat innings. And he's proven in 2006 he can handle throwing in the bigs. The sox had said going into spring that his knuckler probably wasn't going to do much in ARIz. They should go by his September 2006 rather than his March 2007. Floyd hasn't thrown from the bullpen. He and Russell should be starting in AAA. Aarsdma and Logan then would be the sox first two bullpen call up options.

QUOTE(Jordan4life_2007 @ Mar 24, 2007 -> 09:05 AM) I'll be quite dissapointed if Danks is the 5th starter. I just don't feel he's ready. I don't care what he's done this spring. I'd still rather go with Floyd, who has major league experience. I know, "What has Floyd proven at the major league level?" Well, not a whole lot. I'd just as soon give him another chance at the start. If he bombs, call somebody else up. If the sox are going to be true to their word--that the guy who threw the ball the best would be the 5th starter--then they go with that guy no matter what age, experience, etc. So far it's Danks, as Russell hasn't faced the same pressure and starts that Floyd, danks and Haeger have. Now, if Russell has two more starts and goes 5 innings each while giving up 1, 2 runs, and Danks has a setback or two..... The sox should go with the best, young ST pitcher. Then be ready for a quick hook if that pitcher bombs.

I had thought the sox might trade Anderson at one point. Yet the need him in AAA as insurance in case one of Pods or Erstad go down or are ineffective. They won't get the return value for BA they would need to. Anderson, even if he starts in AAA, will have an impact on the sox this year.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Mar 18, 2007 -> 12:38 AM) I remember that Bukvich was KC's closer once (and was a shrewd acquisition in that year's EA Sports Baseball game ), but has never really done anything since then. He shouldn't be in the mix, especially ahead of Aardsma, who at least recently has a record of success at the major league level, which is why the Sox traded for him in the 1st place. But Aardsma needs more outings like he had today if he wants to make this pen. And it saddens me a bit, that we didn't sign a lefty reliever in the off-season, although there weren't many good ones available this off-season. Hopefully if Logan gets a chance, he can run with it this time. Both Sisco and Logan are better than any lefty bullpen arms the sox could have paid far too many millions of dollars to. QUOTE(shoota @ Mar 17, 2007 -> 10:53 PM) Ronge should have asked Coop why Sisco, Aardsma and especially Floyd haven't experienced a pitching epiphany yet this spring. Sisco has thrown decent this spring

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Mar 17, 2007 -> 05:02 PM) Bukvich is nothing, he's a career scrub and will not be making the team out of spring training. He's pitched well but he's not very good at baseball and there are like 12 better options than his 350 pound ass. I'm relaying what I heard Cooper say. and that he's in the mix.