beck72

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Mar 2, 2007 -> 08:59 PM) You can't tell me the Sox players don't mind any of Ozzie's act. Konerko, who re-upped for 5 yrs knowing full well what Ozzie is all about, showed by signing the deal he doesn't care about Ozzie's comments. Konerko knows he isn't a target for Ozzie's media rants. The key is why. He doesn't disrespect certain players because of the way those players go about their business.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Mar 2, 2007 -> 08:58 PM) Why because his classy, veteran players refuse to speak out against their manager? How would that work out for Thome or Konerko? Maybe it's because they have two things Ozzie doesn't, class and Humility. I'm not saying Ozzie is classy. Far from it. But for all his outspokenness, and foot in mouth comments, I don't think it hurts the team. Would Konerko sign a long term deal, and have guys like Dye and Thome around and want to stick around if Ozzie was hurting the team so much with his comment?

If Ozzie is ripping them publicly, he must have seen things behind the scenes that would be cause for concern on both Anderson and Bmac--something that affected their playing more than just some Freddy and some smoke. Not that he should. He should keep it private. Yet vets like AJ, Buehrle, Konerko, Thome, and Dye don't seem to mind or think he's out of line. They seem more amused by Ozzie when reporters give them Ozzie quotes, than think he's out of line.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Feb 25, 2007 -> 11:51 AM) Saw this on a FoxSports Team Report; Does he really make THAT much of an impact for this team when he's playing well do you think? I think so. If it's Tad, Dye, Thome or PK, who doesn't want to hit with runners on base? With Pods on base, pitchers have to pitch to the other hitters far more carefully. Not to mention how the pitchers have to hold Pods on and alter their pitching to keep him from stealing.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Feb 19, 2007 -> 02:06 PM) Thought about it some more last night. I guess the only thing that I really don't understand is Iguchi. Like a few others have said, we just dont have any other options. IMO, if KW is going to have 1 public stance--ie, 'we'll talk with FA's after the yr'--he has to apply it to everyone. That doesn't mean the sox can't float an offer to the player's agent during the yr and see if they bite--which Tad might but Dye and Mark would be silly to. But you have one policy, and apply it to everyone at least publicly.

QUOTE(klaus kinski @ Feb 19, 2007 -> 03:51 AM) I completely agree. I dont recall many other teams crying about $ every time they open their mouths. I'm sick of the stance this organization takes and I'm sick of his pompous attitude. Really, this team's stars are aging or will be gone after this year. Tell us what plan there is, other than to make millions of $, of course. The sox have their "3 year" and "5 year board" up the team's MLB site. Haven't you seen it? Seriously though, KW has said that he had many of the players he was looking for on his "board" he acquired. With the sox pitching probably set for many years, they can focus on having the right blend of position players. Yet the sox are going to win or lose based on their pitching. BTW, seeing how the only "star" position player likely gone is Dye, do you want the sox to sign him to a four yr deal worth say $60 mill, which is what some team will likely give him? I'm sorry, but spending that kind of money on a corner OFer in his 34-37 age isn't wise when the sox already have Konerko signed through 2010 and Thome through 2009. Aren't those two big bats pretty decent to build around? The sox could use another young position player who could hit leadoff or #2. Except there aren't many guys like that available. That's what I'd like to see the sox use their money and/or minor league talent to acquire.

QUOTE(mmmmmbeeer @ Feb 19, 2007 -> 06:45 AM) This is precisely what I was thinking too. In addition to offering incentive for performance, he's also already dismissed any of the circus media crap pending FA's, and their franchises, have to deal with. There will be no sideshow concerning deals being signed this spring nor this season. KW is now on the record not only with the players, but also with the media, explaining the White Sox stance concerning contract negotiations. I agree. KW certainly seems to be taking the heat off these guys, by telling the media he wants them to test the market. KW has learned from the "Buerhle Soxfest media circus" to be the one to take the questions, and take the shots from fans--[which, judging by a lot of the talk around here, is working well]. Instead of his players being asked the same damn FA question all season long, they can play ball for 2007.

Brian Cashman wants to wait until the offseason to sign Mariano Rivera--where Mariano can also test the market. Yet he doesn't get the same drubbing KW is getting. The trend is going to be that smart GM's are going to wait to know what other teams are offering before just throwing out numbers. IMO, Cashman and Kw are going to be ahead of the curve with regard to player contracts, just like they are with stockpiling arms.

I don't have any real problem with what KW said. The pending FA's aren't going to jump at the sox offers anyway after the ridiculous numbers that were tossed around this offseason. All of the sox Fa's should test the market and see what they can get. All KW has to do is tell the agents "Come back to us after you get an offer" and the sox would still have a legitimate chance to re-sign them---[though Dye and Mark should get huge offers that the sox probably won't match]. The Sox telling the players and agents that 'we like you to come back but we aren't going to break the bank' isn't insulting--it's a realistic stance.

For most of the so-called "experts" around the league, this is what they're missing with the sox pitching. Instead of getting washed-up, mediocre at best veterans, the sox are looking to win with young pitchers who have a lot of talent, natural ability, and hunger to pitch in the bigs. The pundits will go for the names of known guys over the young guys every time. That's why most experts will say the Cubs improved their pitching more than the Sox. For 2007. Lilly, Marquis and Cotts are known guys. Which group will pitch better in 2007? That may be a toss up. But for the long term, the sox group of arms will no doubt best the Cubs overpaid and mediocre bunch. The track record of young pitchers coming into both leagues and making an immediate, positive impact in recents yrs has been pretty solid. Esp, in the AL which is a tougher league. The tigers, Red Sox, A's have had those young pitchers to keep them in the pennant chase. The same should apply to the White sox.

QUOTE(fathom @ Feb 13, 2007 -> 03:54 PM) I guess I was watching a different game when I saw Pods half-ass it to first base on almost every ball he hit. If the reason he couldn't run through the base was due to his "injury", then he should have not been playing. There's nothing less productive than a speed player without speed. If he was dogging it like you said, then Ozzie would have chewed him out. Ozzie publicly said that Pods was too hard on himself. His lack of effort was never mentioned [that I am aware of] by Walker, Ozzie or KW as a big reason he sucked last yr.

QUOTE(Jordan4life_2007 @ Feb 13, 2007 -> 02:19 PM) No, but you have to keep in mind that Pods has become pretty much the most hated White Sox player of this decade. I'm tempted to have Deploderer make me a Kalapse-like sig with a Pods baseball card that says on the front of it "I hate you to motherf***er!" IMO, the Pods "hate" is overblown [maybe not around here] and definitely unwarranted. The guy was horrible last yr. No doubt. But Ozzie was the guy who kept putting him out there, because the sox didn't have many other options. For all Pods faults and "suckiness", by all accounts, he's trying. If he was loafing it and couldn't care less, than the hate might be warranted. But the guy is out there giving effort. I'd like an upgrade for the leadoff spot, sure. But there weren't many options this offseason and even fewer now. I still think a healthy Pods would be more like his 2005 1st half. But health is the key. And he'll be starting 2007 off already in a hole. But does that mean he should be worthy of all the hate? No. It's not like the sox are paying Pods like Kerry Wood when he was hurt all the time and stealing the cubs money.

To the original question, I think the 2007 season will depend on the starters pitching the way they should and the bullpen shutting the door. My guess the pitching will be near the top of the AL again like in 2005. The Sox have depth both in the rotation and bullpen that wasn't there in 2006. The offense should be fine. And the sox have some talent to trade in case they need a few missing pieces.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Jan 28, 2007 -> 10:12 PM) Really? I know you're not the most keen on the projection systsems, but the average of the more respectable ones (per SouthSideSox) have Anderson at a .253/.317/.410 line and Erstad at a .260/.317/.364 line. That's not to say that these things are right on, but I agree with the general point that should be obvious, that Erstad's power at this point in his career is more or less totally sapped, while Anderson still has a ceiling of ~.450. And this is what I don't understand. How does Darin Erstad playing more games in CF (aferall, there are more righty pitchers than lefty, so if they did a strict platoon, Erstad would see a lot more PT) equate to more wins than Anderson in CF? Does Erstad's grind, grit, and his 'little things'-ness really overcome his lesser defense in CF and lesser power at the plate? Again -- you may not believe that Erstad>Anderson, and I understand that you're telling me that it's what the Sox as an organization think. I'm just struggling to understand why Erstad is viewed as a potential starter, not as a nice bench player ala Gload last season. Erstad was told he'd be seeing a lot of PT from all accounts. Those AB's have to come from either LF or CF. We know the amount of AB's Gload got. The sox must think he can give them equal or better than what BA can. If Erstad's healthy, that isn't a big stretch. That is only this season. Long term, BA >>> Erstad. But in 2007.....Ozzie himself said that BA wasn't his Cfer. That it's open. I think the issues with BA are far beyond trying to light a fire under him. He needs to perform with the bat or he'll be out. Power isn't what the sox need from either Erstad or BA. Better AB's than what BA gave in 2006. No more of those 3 pitch AB's, where he looks overmatched. I believe BA will improve on his decent 2nd half. But he will likely need a very strong spring and April in order to be the starter. A few missteps and the sox will likely have a quick hook on Brian.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Jan 28, 2007 -> 06:27 PM) You can't just throw out those ABs. He's an injury prone player who chose to try and play through an injury. His OBP is close to .320 in his last 700 ABs. That's not good, any way you want to spin it. Erstad's career numbers are boosted by a year in 2000 in which he hit .355. You think it's not at all unlikely that he can slug .415, despite the fact that he hasn't done that since 2000? And you also don't think it will hurt BA's development to come off the bench as a late inning sub? So, sporadic ABs are going to help him as a young player? Hah... I guess I must be the only one who thinks it's the total opposite. I'm glad you used the word "might", because I find it very difficult to make the case that Erstad is quite clearly the better option in CF. Anderson is almost definitely the better defender at this point, and if given consistent ABs, I would bet that BA would easily outperform Erstad. Erstad's 'ceiling' is extremely limited; if we could get a 2004 like year out of him, we should consider ourselves quite lucky. Anderson has to hit to play CF. If he can hit .275, he should be out there. But if he can't Erstad will likely see a lot of time. As far as who is the better "option" in CF, it depends on what the sox are looking for. And with all the 'BA has to prove himself talk' coming from Ozzie, the glove alone won't cut it. BA has the better glove. But the better bat? You would have a hard time making the case that BA will outhit a healthy Erstad in 2007. Not to mention who could work counts, put the ball in play, etc. If he's healthy, [and that's a big if] Erstad should outhit BA. That says nothing about BA's ceiling, though. Just that it would be hard to see BA hitting .275, .280 this yr. Ozzie will keep BA on a short chain and if he has other options for CF, BA won't be getting those consistent AB's. Coming off the bench would hurt BA's development. I never said it wouldn't. Yet the sox care more about winning games then making sure BA gets consistent AB's. That was the point I made. I don't know what to expect from Erstad. At worst, he can play LF until Pods is back and take over Gload's role. At best, he can put up some decent numbers like .290 avg and an OBP near .350. I know he's not the long term answer for the sox in CF. The sox shouldn't and can't depend on him for that. But what they get from him is extra, [along with a solid work ethic and dedication to the game.] The $750 k deal with the $250 k buyout shows that.

QUOTE(CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Jan 28, 2007 -> 12:18 PM) Thank you. Injuring himself while training is not a good sign. I also hope Erstad has quit the chewing tobacco for health reasons. With his history of injuries he's got to consider any unhealthy habit can be a contributing factor to overall health. If the sox start 2007 with a trio of Anderson, Erstad and Sweeney in LF and CF, and they are doing well, Pods very well could be the odd man out. Both Pods and Anderson need to step up or the sox will find replacements.

Kenny stated the amateur scouting dep't needed improvement--the guys who draft High school, and college guys. Those guys are different than the scouts who look at Danks, et al who are in the minor leagues.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Jan 28, 2007 -> 04:09 AM) Not to nitpick, but the last time he had a .350 OBP was 2000, and although he's moving to a hitters park, he doesn't strike me as the type of hitter who will greatly benefit from moving to the Cell. In fact, the bigger dimensions at LA probably benefited the a 'slap' hitter like Erstad. The risk also becomes much more significant if you think of the harm it might do to Brian Anderson's development (to no fault of Erstad himself, but of Ozzie). I want Anderson to get 500+ uninterupted ABs before I decide whether or not he can hit major league pitching. With this signing, if Anderson comes out and hits .190 in April, he's not going to be the starter -- he's going to be a platoon mate, and that's going to do nothing but harm to his progression. At this point in Erstad's career, I don't think you can make the argument that the Sox would benefit significantly from having Erstad take ABs away from Anderson against righties. His last 700 ABs have been worse than 2006 Scott Podsednik -- he's been awful. I can handle Erstad being our opening day LFer and filling in for Pods while he heals, but if at any point Erstad is taking away ABs from Anderson, it becomes a bad move. Erstad's last 700 ab's haven't been awful. He was hitting .289/.355/.399 at the all star break in '05--hitting #1 and #2 in the lineup and playing everyday. Erstad then hurt his hip in late '05, played everyday, and tailed off to his .273 avg and /.329 obp line The sox [i believe rightly so] aren't worried about Anderson's progression and development. They want production at this point so they can make the playoffs. If Erstad hits near his career numbers [not an unlikely scenario], I'd expect Brian to play a lot of defense late in games in Lf and/ or CF. While it would hurt his development, the team goals of winning games come first. While Anderson projects to be better than Erstad the next 10 years, Erstad might outperform him in the short term. Brian has to show he can put together quality AB's and outhit erstad. We all know he can field. And it might not even be Brian who's the odd man out if Erstad is healthy and hitting. Pods hitting and playing defense like he did last yr won't see a lot of time.

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Jan 28, 2007 -> 12:07 AM) If he's completely healthy, and he can stay completely healthy, then he could be the Aaron Rowand to this team. If he's hurt, I really don't like the spot the Sox are in. The risk the sox have taken with Erstad is very minimal. At worst he provides a major league bat as insurance in LF until Pods is ready and gives Sweeney/ Fields/ another 1/3 to a 1/2 season to develop in AAA. At best, he stays healthy and moves between LF and CF [giving Pods time off and Brian some rest vs tough RHP] while hitting close to .290 with an OBP of .350 +.

QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Jan 27, 2007 -> 04:10 PM) But his .276 OBP and .310 SLG% against him isn't surprising. That's why you don't look at one stat while evaluating a hitter, especially batting average. Thank you. I guess the larger point was missed, that he hits some of the key AL Central SP's pretty well

Sometimes MArk is too honest. He should just say "Let's worry about 2007" and leave it at that. The more he talks about 2008, the more questions he'll get from the media. The reality is if the sox have a very good alternative to Mark in either Danks or Gio, why pay Mark the $16 mill + a yr for 5, 6 yrs he'll likely get on the open market. Mark knows it. KW knows it. And the fans should know it by now.

FWIW, If you look at Erstad's splits, he has done very well vs. teams like the Twins, Tigers, and Indians. He has hit better than .300 in his career vs SP's like Rogers, Robertson, Bonderman, Westbrook, Sabathia, Silva. Even his .276 avg vs. Johan Santana is a little surprising. And to those who said Erstad hasn't hit for a few yrs, he hit very well the 1st half of 2005. He hit something like .287/.355/.399 before the ASB. I'd be interested to see if he got injured in the 2nd half of 2005. He was brutal the 2nd half, with an avg of like .230 and OBP of .270. Looking back, Erstad hurt his hip on Aug. 4, 2005--though he slumped in July for undisclosed reasons. He was day to day, and played hurt from Aug. on. http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpag...MLB&id=2252 If he's healthy, Erstad should help the sox. For the money he's getting, it's well worth the risk

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jan 26, 2007 -> 05:25 PM) He simply does not contribute much with the bat at all and has not done so for several years. He's been tolerable for that team because of his defensive performances, but he's also been a big part of the reason why they haven't been able to put together an offense around Vlad since their WS run. To pin the lack of power production on Erstad is ridiculous. His game isn't predicated on hitting the long ball. The Angels have had too many low SLG guys throughout their lineup. That's the GM's fault, not Erstad's. IMo, this is a low risk, high reward deal. Erstad has always been an intense, hard working guy. Expecting him to hit near his career norms if healthy isn't a big stretch.

For the sox to get Aybar in a deal for Crede, the angels would have to add a major league piece. Either a bullpen arm, or a guy like Figgins. Getting strictly prospects for Crede would make the sox far weaker in 2007, even with Fields/ Mack/ Cintron/ Figgins taking over at 3b. Aybar probably wouldn't replace Uribe in 2007. Though he could push him mid yr if Uribe was struggling. The sox do need a long term SS. There are few and far between that have the type of ceiling as Aybar. It would make sense from the angels Point of view. I'm not sure from the sox POV though

QUOTE(beautox @ Jan 13, 2007 -> 08:48 PM) I like Getz alot, he has an excellent glove and eye if he can bring that average and power up a bit(if hes at charlotte that should help some) he could be Iguchi's successor and maybe leadoff and if not possibly a utility inf. The sox need his avg and OBP skills. Hitting for power is not Getz's M.O. That he has always walked more than he strikes out shows he can handle the bat as well. That would be very important for the sox. Probably not as a leadoff man right away. But hitting 8th or 9th