beck72

Not much new most o fthe way through. Said they were working on pitching schedules from now until opening day. Said Danks was throwing well. But that Floyd and Haeger were still in the race for the 5th starters spot. What was new was the talk of the bullpen when Ronge asked about the race for the final bullpen spots after the 1st 3 back end guys [wanted 7 guys but sounded like he'd get overruled]. Said Masset, Sisco, Logan, Bucvich [sp?] and Haeger were right there for the final spots. No mention of Aardsma. Don't know much about Bucvich's options. But what are his stats for ST? I'm sure the sox would keep the bullpen pretty stocked in AAA. That way, guys could build up stats and trade value [ala Javier Lopez last yr].

If Pods comes north with the sox opening day, Anderson will start the yr in AAA. That way, Anderson can continue working on his new hitting approach, the sox can give him a little smackdown/ reality check, and still be only a phone call away in case Erstad or Pods get hurt again [which the odds say one of the two will be at some point in the season]. BA should help the sox before this yr's out, even if he starts in AAA. How BA accepts a demotion will be very telling to his future with the Sox. Will he work harder and keep quiet about his situation? Or will he whine and pout? If he pouts and complains in AAA he won't be around the sox after this year. Of course, BA in AAA will mean Luis Terrero makes the club, to hit vs LHP and as a late inning replacement for Erstad in CF.

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Mar 12, 2007 -> 10:38 PM) I'll add another prediction, one of Cintron and Ozuna doesn't make the team and is traded for essentially anything. Mackowiak has a ton of value to the team with his multiple positions and bat off of the bench, and Perez is such a solid bat to have sub in for Thome on a semi-regular basis and perhaps even get in a little outfield (like 5-10 games at most), along with occasionally giving Konerko a day off too. Cintron is about the only thing the Sox have for a backup SS - aside from Crede and Dye of course - so that leads me to believe it could easily be Ozuna. Just a feeling, and there are arguments for keeping him above even a Perez - namely the whole sparkplug factor and leadoff hitter against lefties - but I'm not sure how big of a factor that is. The other move that could happen is Podsednik getting traded. Ozzie loves him more than Dergan, but he is seriously the outcast on this team right now. He just doesn't fit anywhere at all, and I hope his DL stint is extended well into May if he's going to remain on the team. Mack's biggest value was his OF versatility. Yet with Erstad around to play LF and CF, IMO, MAck's not as needed as Cintron, who can play 3b, SS and 2b. Ozuna also gives the sox some versatility with his IF spots and LF, and his running and RH bat for LHP. I could see Perez sticking around. Pods should prove he's healthy for some teams and get something of value. Yet Pods will be given a chance to help the sox before or if he's dealt.

QUOTE(mmmmmbeeer @ Mar 12, 2007 -> 05:13 PM) Agreed...it seems Danks has a much better mental make-up than Floyd. After seeing each of them interviewed, just based on the way they responded to questions and such, Floyd seemed very uncomfortable. His demeanor didn't scream "confidence", while Danks certainly has that edge. I just find it odd that this whole article fails to mention Floyd's spring #'s. From what I've seen, he hasn't been doing well. His "annointment" took place as soon as that trade went down, it's his spot to lose and I honestly can't believe he hasn't already lost it. Well, if Danks gets lit up Tues. and Floyd throws well, who's to say the two can't swap spots. IMO, it's still way to early to say who is the #5 SP. And the sox should publicly give everyone encouragement, esp those who will pitch in AAA to start the yr. The sox may need a few of those arms this year--hopefully not many though. The battle for the 5th spot should go down to the last week.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Mar 11, 2007 -> 12:07 PM) Backup CF, if Anderson doesn't make the team, if you could acquire him cheaply? Reed would make sense. Esp. as he's been playing all 3 OF spots this spring. Besides BA, the sox don't have a reliable guy to play above avg. CF defense. Erstad has lost some steps for sure. If you can acquire Reed for not much--his value has gone way down--the sox should do it if they think he can hit in the bigs. Like you said, even if he's in AAA, he's a better bet to play in the bigs for longer than Jerry Owens. QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Mar 11, 2007 -> 12:23 PM) I'd still pass. The bullpen is going to have Jenks, Thornton, MacDougal as the definites. I still see 3 places up for grabs b/w Haeger, Aardsma, Masset, Sisco and Logan. Looking at that, only 1 of the lefties and 2 of the righties should make the team. I don't know if there's going to be a guaranteed spot for Haeger there like a lot of people are speculating right now, I think it's still very much in the air. So for the moment, unless the Sox brass definitely know who's going to make it, I'd rather keep Aardsma. You still have to remember in all of this, the bullpen was a major reason for our downfall last season. With aardsma, it all depends on what they sox think his ceiling is. Will he be a reliable bullpen arm, an 8th and 9th inning guy? If he can develop into a 8th or 9th inning guy, the sox should keep him by all means. Chances are, he'll be in AAA to start the yr though. And will be needed in case of injury. Yet he could be a Sean Tracey type on the sox if he stays in AAA for the yr. You also have to factor in with an Rowand acquisition, Mackowiak would likely be traded. You have to figure the sox could get an arm or two for the AAA bullpen in such a deal.

Let me ask this question, if the deal is Aardsma and a prospect or two like Tracey,---not Logan--what do people say? The Phills would probably want someone with more experience than Logan, seeing how they have like 3 spots in the pen to fill. Right now, Aardsma looks like he could be the odd man out in the bullpen--esp. if the sox only take 11 pitchers. Haeger should be the long man in the pen--he's the only guy suited for it and it won't hurt his development. He had his AAA yr as a SP. That means even if the sox traded Aarsdma, they would have either Logan or Masset in AAA as the first bullpen arm to be called up.

If Danks wins the 5th spot, and then comes north and gets lit up, he seems the type to be able to go to AAA to work on his stuff w/o it harming him. If Danks was rushed up, though he earned the spot with his strong spring, he seems very capable of learning from his mistakes. I'm not too worried if Danks does take the 5th spot and then needs to go back to AAA. From what the sox have said about Danks' maturity, I don't think the sox would be worried either. The best man will get the 5th spot. IMO, Haeger seems a lock to make the pen. He's got the versatility to be the long man and pitch in the 5th, 6th innings. No one else seems to have that ability to go 3 innings--besides Floyd if he's not the 5th starter. Yet if Floyd isn't the 5th starter, he should be in AAA throwing every 5th day as a SP. That would make the last spot a competition between Masset, Aardsma, and Logan. Hard to say who gets the nod there.

QUOTE(Heads22 @ Mar 10, 2007 -> 09:29 PM) I was wrong, the triple was to left. So Owens was the guy being "nonchalant" going after the ball according to Chris and Ed.

QUOTE(Heads22 @ Mar 10, 2007 -> 09:26 PM) I want to say right.... . Do you know who's in RF?

Was Scutaro's hit to the left or right field corner? The announcers said the fielder was non-chalant getting the ball back and allowed the 2b to be a 3b.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Mar 10, 2007 -> 01:37 PM) I read somewhere where the Phillies plan was to trade Rowand and trade for Alex Rios. I'd rather have Rios than Rowand. KW should give Toronto a call if they don't want Anderson on the team. I thought about Rios as well. Though they'd want starting pitching rather than bullpen help

QUOTE(maggsmaggs @ Mar 10, 2007 -> 03:10 PM) Danks as the #5 and Josh Fields starts the year in the majors. Anderson is not hitting again and Fields can play LF, I am confident of that, but that means Erstad would be in center field, which would make our outfield D horrible. It will be interesting. Has Fields played much LF this spring? I haven't noticed.

Looks like Philly has heard the sox-rowand rumors as well. Note the end of the peice after the Phills bullpen gave up 11 runs in the last two games, with Manuel saying the Phills still need 2-3 bullpen arms. If the Phills want quantity, a deal involving Logan, and Tracey + makes sense. http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/sports/16874400.htm

As spring is nearing its midpoint, a few things are starting to shake out. And I see a few surprises that we could see before spring ends. One is that Mackowiak could be dealt. I don't see him getting a lot of AB's, and not more than his 250 some ab's in 2006. Certainly not in the IF. Cintron backs up 3b, SS and 2b, and Ozuna will see time before Mack. And he hasn't played a lot of LF in his career. With Erstad playing well in LF, and some in CF, Mack won't see much time there either. And if Dye went down in RF, Sweeney would likely be called up to fill his spot anyway. A NL team could use his versatility, which was probably overblown anyway as he played for the Pirates. Two, Danks takes the 5th spot. If he performs like he has, throwing strikes and getting outs, the other guys would be hard pressed to beat him. With some of the best AL Central hitters being left handed, Danks has an advantage there as well. Third, a bullpen arm could be dealt, such as a Boone Logan or Aarsdma. Yet this would likely only happen if the sox could improve their 2007 lineup, which would be hard to do [the possible Rowand acquisition would be one of the few options that would qualify]. With Sisco looking like the 2007 version of Matt Thornton, he seems to have the 2nd lefty in the pen locked up. And Logan's value would never be higher after his very solid 2006 year in AAA. Aardsma may be the odd man out. If Danks takes the 5th spot, then Haeger or Floyd would likely take a bullpen job. Seeing how Aarsdma was acquired before the sox got Nick Masset, he may not have a spot in the sox pen. Any other surprises that we could see? People winning roster spots, trades, etc?

QUOTE(Heads22 @ Mar 10, 2007 -> 05:27 AM) Apparently, Brian will never be the equal in the outfield or grinderness until he impales himself on something to one up Rowand. I'm sick and f***ing tired of the Rowand worship because he didn't know where the wall was. I'm not saying Anderson is the answer, but for the love of God, people, Row is gone. Throughout this whole thread, there has been no "Rowand worship". The media is reporting [again] that the sox have interest in bringing him back. Some people are responding that they'd rather have him than BA [and from Ozzie's comments about BA, esp. with BMac 'picking the wrong friend', there is no Sox love for BA. BA himself said he needs to fix his swing or he'll be packing groceries somewhere. The sox might not be convinced he can make those fixes. There must also be something more to BA that rubs the sox the wrong way, whether it's his attitude/ cockiness whatever. When the sox rave about Sweeney's attitude, and seem to back him at every step, they treat BA in a far different way. I like BA and think he'll improve. But is he a fit for the 2007 sox, where the sox need some offense and consistent AB's at the bottom of the lineup, to offset the .250 avg and sub .300 obp of Uribe, AND in the long term? Time will tell. But a struggling BA this spring makes this sox fan nervous, and probably some on the sox staff.

QUOTE(Flash Tizzle @ Mar 10, 2007 -> 02:31 AM) So, when Rowand's contract expires after 2007, who exactly will replace him? It's ridiculous to trade Anderson because we couldn't possibly receive anything of value. Considering all the faith Williams and his staff have put into Anderson, they should atleast give him an opportunity. They're the ones who would appear foolish dealing Rowand and Young, then again reacquiring Rowand because the one OF you kept turned out bad. I could see Anderson going to AAA. You're right. Anderson might not get much value, Though some teams could use him. And I think the sox would be able to sign Aaron pretty quickly to a deal. Then mid-yr Anderson could be dealt. Yet with the Rowand talk, getting him back doesn't seem that far fetched. And I don't think KW really cares about looking "foolish". They dealt Young to get stronger SP. And Vazquez should make the deal look better this yr. KW and the coaching staff want a stronger bottom of the order this yr and an extra dose of speed. Anderson still might not make that happen this yr. Rowand would. If Anderson doesn't pan out--and spending more time in AAA would allow him to work on his hitting--it's not a complete waste. The sox were trying to work in a young hitter into a repeating world series champion team, while getting a LHP power bat and a strong SP.

If the sox could get Rowand back for Logan and change, the sox would do it in a heartbeat. I wonder if the Sox would give up Aardsma as part of a package, though Logan wouldn't be included. If Rowand came back, Anderson would then be dealt, probably to FLA for some young arms. Rowand would give the sox some speed and consistent AB's at the bottom of the lineup [esp vs LHP which the sox were horrible last yr against and have a lot more to face again this yr]. Anderson's bat is still a question mark, not to mention Uribe's bat. Uribe's glove is needed more than Anderson's, and the sox have few options at SS. Rowand in CF would stabilize the OF. Erstad isn't a long term option in CF, but could help in LF. QUOTE(vandy125 @ Mar 9, 2007 -> 05:43 PM) ^^^^^^^^ Totally agree. The love affair with Rowand is nauseating now. This will be my only post in this thread because I want to see it disappear. Rowand is NOT coming back to the White Sox. We got another grinder player, and his name is Erstad. IMO, there is absolutely no point or reason for Rowand with Erstad around. I wouldn't be so sure. The sox may have Erstad. But they only have 1 true CFer and Anderson's it. Anderson's defense is very good. But his bat is still a big question mark. If the Sox could get Rowand for a decent price--why overpay for him---it makes sense for the lineup and the defense. The bottom of the order could get very ugly with Uribe and Anderson down there. Rowand hitting 8th or 9th would make the offense that much stronger. Esp. vs LHP. Erstad will see a lot of time in LF, some time in CF even with Rowand. Not to mention getting Gload's AB's. Depending too much on Erstad is a very risky proposition.

If Floyd and Haeger are close, Floyd gets the 5th spot. Mostly because Haeger has pitched out of the bullpen before. Floyd hasn't. Catchers would have the same problem with Haeger whether he's starting or coming into a game w/ runners on. I don't think the passed balls will be an issue. The biggest question is whether he can get major league hitters out with his stuff. And he probably can.

Maybe I'm missing something besides the North interview. But Guillen's comments about Bmac came 13 minutes into the 16 minute interview. From the audio, you can tell it was something he was mad about when brought up. And then he let loose. But it wasn't like Ozzie was just trying to get his name in the papers, or seeking to rip on BMac. What seemed to rile Ozzie up the most was the comments about the clubhouse. And also thrown in there by Ozzie was something about BMac talking bad about Cooper. My biggest beef was Ozzie's comment about Anderson.

QUOTE(Flash Tizzle @ Mar 3, 2007 -> 01:44 AM) LOL, are you serious? Can you speak for Williams? I'm willing to believe his attitude played a part, but not enough to alone pull the trigger on a trade. I'm sure there wouldn't be ONE general manager willing to pass on Delmon Young if he were released. That's because most people within baseball care about winning games, not fostering intangibles and clubhouse chemistry. Give me the talented prospect with the poor attitude over a hard nosed, major leage average 'grinder.' KW's philosophy got him the 2005 WS. That's not to say a guy like Delmon couldn't be given a break. But if the guy's an ass, KW and the sox don't want a part of him. KW has made many public statements to that effect, on having the right mix of players, not necessarily the most talented team on paper. And I don't think BMac's attitude had much to do with him being traded. KW has had Danks and Masset on his radar for a while

QUOTE(shoota @ Mar 3, 2007 -> 01:20 AM) Whether or not BMac and BA were irresponsible outside of work should not have diminished their playing time. [i]Guillen's most important job is to win, and he jeopardized his team's ability to win by punishing those two with reduced playing time.[/i] If Guillen had not approved of the after-work business of BMac and BA, he should have told them to change how they spend their free time. If the two players continued to act in a way Guillen believed was irresponsible, they should have been fined. There is no excuse for Guillen to hurt the team's chances at winning and repeating as Champions. Both BA and Bmac had reduced playing time because they were very inconsistent, and downright horrible at times. Bmac could not be depended on for long stretches and had many chances to succeed. BA did better in the 2nd half. Yet hardly enough to play every game no matter the circumstance. It sounds like BMac was told to stop by the sox, based on BMac's comments. Maybe it's just me, but a fine brings a lot of unwanted attention from around baseball, and could hurt the players value and careers. Trying to keep issues in house and quiet seems like a far better way to go about the "partying" issue. Sorry, but blaming Ozzie for the sox not repeating because he didn't play Bmac and BA?! I'd go with guys who weren't playing well but trying and going about their business in a professional way over guys who weren't playing well and "being irresponsible". Sounds like what Ozzie did.

QUOTE(Flash Tizzle @ Mar 2, 2007 -> 10:17 PM) If information comes out concerning McCarthy's attitude, and our management's displeasure with it, it makes me wonder about future young talent on this ballclub. Will we be patient with a potential superstar if he doesn't get along with our manager, or other teammates? How would we have handled Delmon Yountg throwing a bat at an umpire? I'm not willing to believe Williams traded Brandon because of his attitude alone, but you have to imagine it factored in. With KW and Jerry around, a guy like Young would have been dealt away, no matter how much pure talent the guy has. Kw wants guys who have the desire and intangibles to win if not the natural talent and ability. There might be something to the Bmac attitude. But if Bmac was serious about 'changing his ways', KW would probably have stuck w/ him. But more than likely, the combined talents of Danks and Masset bettering what BMac alone could do over the course of their careers was the most important factor.

QUOTE(G&T @ Mar 2, 2007 -> 11:35 PM) End of interview Admits being irresponsible but changed his habits when the Sox asked him to slow down. He doesn't know why he and BA being friends is bad. He thinks being traded is a baseball move, all of this is hindsight. The fact that Bmac himself "admits to being irresponsible" and that the sox had to ask him to "slow down" is very important to this discussion. Sure Ozzie overreacts and talks way too much. But if BMac had the results the sox expected of him--to be a reliable bullpen arm--he would have slack cut to him. [Though, IIRC not a hint of this talk came out last yr. And I don't know a coach worth a damn who'd coddle BMac and not focus on the negative if he was having trouble being "irresponsible".] Ozzie probably got mad that BMac dissed the "old, married" players and went off on BMac. It doesn't help anything. And makes Ozzie look stupid and unprofessional. But I can see where Ozzie is coming from. And in an odd sort of way, protecting his "old" players like PK and Thome who are being responsible. If Anderson was out with Bmac being "irresponsible" as well, when Ba was hitting .167, Ozzie has a legitimate beef about BA not deserving playing time. And that Ba shouldn't expect CF handed to him this yr. From the sounds of Ba himself, he admitted that he had some things he needed to change.

QUOTE(shoota @ Mar 3, 2007 -> 12:34 AM) Konerko signed after the 2005 Championship season. It'd be understandable if Konerko had a change of opinion of Guillen after witnessing his manager's disrespect of his players from 2006-present. Paul had two yrs of Ozzie--more than enough to know how Ozzie can affect a team. Ozzie just didn't start talking out of his --- the last yr.

QUOTE(jphat007 @ Mar 2, 2007 -> 09:06 PM) Show me some evidence of those some. I can show you tons that say they do. That's all we can go on. Everything else is conjecture and BS Some players back Ozzie for sure. Some probably have no use for him but don't want to make any public comments so that there would be retribution for bad mouthing their boss. I'm sure some players do get tired of Ozzie's act, though there won't be evidence in the media