beck72

I'm sure if Young was available Ozzie would want KW to look into it. But the cost would probably be much to high.

QUOTE(TLAK @ Sep 17, 2006 -> 12:53 PM) I think every post you made in this thread has been spot on. The team is playing as hard as it can, I'd add that Ozzie is trying everything he can try but the wins just haven't been coming. Yesterday's line up and relief rotation was exactly what some of the more vocal critics on this board have been calling for, but it didn't work either. We are in for two more gut wrenching weeks, we all need to keep our perspective and remember that it's just baseball. Baseball is a funny game, things can change fast. Thanks. It is just baseball after all. I'd like to put "gut wrenching" into perspective, though. Gut wrenching to me means the time my daughter had a brain hemorrage and we weren't sure if she'd live. Watching to see if your favorite team can make the playoffs just doesn't seem so life and death through that lens.

QUOTE(The Ginger Kid @ Sep 17, 2006 -> 06:19 AM) After tomorrow, we have ten games left before going to the dome. At the end of play last Sunday we trailed the Twins by 1.5, 2 in the loss column. If somehow we can actually win a game in Oakland tomorrow and Byrd outduels Baker in Cleveland, we'll be exactly 2.0 games out. Nothing gained, nothing lost in the loss column. Did anyone seriously expect them to gain ground during this west coast swing? Go home 3-3 with a taste of victory and handle Detroit and Seattle. Go 8-2 and hope the Twins go 6-4 and we go into the dome tied. 2 of 3 wins it. And for what it's worth, the absolutely beautiful thing is that the Sox could go 11-0 before reaching the dome. Will they? f*** no! But they could... I'm surprised no one has jumped on you about drinking the sox kool aid . I'm of the mind that whatever happens, happens. Hopefully the sox pull it out. If not, there will be months to dissect what went wrong and how to improve the 2007 sox. No use kicking your dog/ cat/ ferret or yelling at your girlfriend/ wife/ kids, getting all Jerry Springer like over something you have no control over.

QUOTE(SoCalSouthSider59 @ Sep 17, 2006 -> 03:58 AM) I've been a White Sox fan for 43 of my 47 years, went to my first Sox game in 1964. That's a lot of seasons of ups and downs, close calls and cellar dwellers. We should all consider ourselves very lucky, especially all of you youngsters, that the Sox brought us and the City of Chicago a World Championship last year, something i thought would never happen in my lifetime. I for one am very glad i was wrong there. I'm also very depressed to see all of the Sox negativity on this site, we should all be very proud of our Chicago White Sox, thru the good, and the bad, but i know from much experience how frustrating it can be....... I am disappointed with this season too, i did expect better, but they're still better than those f***ing North Siders, mired in last place in the NL Central, yet still get more respect and more attendance than our beloved Sox......... :fthecubs Don't give up hope yet, and even if they don't make the playoffs this year, hopefully they'll learn from their mistakes, and changes will be made during the off season, that will have them roaring back in 2007....... No obituary here, i plan on being a diehard Sox fan for 43 more years......... Keep the faith, White Sox Nation......... Nice post. People have a hard time looking at things from a historical perspective. Viewing the past two seasons from that lens, we sox fans have never had it so good, despite this season's struggles.

QUOTE(Cuck the Fubs @ Sep 17, 2006 -> 12:40 AM) Yeah, when they should have done this about 2 months ago. I thought the plan was to win in 2006, that you can't win 2008 in 2006, as he said. And Mariotti did bring up a good point, if he is so valueable, why isn't he in the rotation?? BMac is valuable because he could be part of the sox rotation for yrs to come, is young and cheap, whereas the rest of the rotation all make nearly $10 mill each. It's not all about 2006. But '07, '08, '09, 2010, etc. QUOTE(caffeinated @ Sep 17, 2006 -> 12:35 AM) That is right, we needed someone who's health was unquestionable. That is why we got Jim Thome. Thome had an elbow injury that wasn't and hasn't been an issue this yr. Check out how many games Thome missed the last five yrs compared to Frank then come back with a witty response. With the cash Philly threw in, Thome is worth his salary and the talent it cost to acquire him.

QUOTE(WhiteSoxfan1986 @ Sep 17, 2006 -> 12:42 AM) It's too early Nice to hear that from a newbie

QUOTE(WhiteSoxfan1986 @ Sep 16, 2006 -> 11:37 PM) I think we really need to look into trading Crede. His value will probably never be this high again, and we have someone who should be able to fill his role pretty well. No. Trading Crede would be ridiculous

QUOTE(korntownballa @ Sep 16, 2006 -> 11:28 PM) i wish we had frank thomas for this year and the future... just imagine him hitting his 500th in sox uni... KW is dumb Thomas couldn't be counted on to be healthy after the last few yrs. Beane may look brilliant as every other GM took a pass on Frank. KW is as dumb as every other GM in baseball. But Frank's 500k base salary was given for a reason. KW sticks with Frank, he gets hurt, and everyone would say the sox were cheap. Hindsight is 20/20. Thomas isn't the reason the sox are in the situation they are in

QUOTE(Cuck the Fubs @ Sep 16, 2006 -> 11:26 PM) I have to agree w/ an article Mariotti wrote a while back when we had Soriano for McCarthy. Ken Williams said the goal was to win this year. And if McCarthy is so valuable, WHY ISN'T HE IN THE ROTATION!!!?? Join my group!! Hasn't the rotation done its job in Sept, the time its counted the most? And trading a big piece of the future for a 2 month rental in Soriano would have been horrible.

Good lord

QUOTE(SoxHawk1980 @ Sep 16, 2006 -> 03:13 PM) First, they aren't playing "respectable ball" since the ASB. They played well in the first half. That's how they got to be 20 games over .500. They are under .500 since the ASB. Those of us who think the Sox won't make the playoffs are basing that on how the team is playing and has been playing for the last two months. I don't expect that to suddenly change, but I sure hope it does. Second, they may not be "packing it in" but they sure as hell aren't playing with fire and intensity game in and game out. I want this team to fight like it is fighting for its very life, and I'm just not seeing that. Too often I see a lacadaisical effort, followed by a loss, a shoulder shrug and, "oh well, we'll get 'em tomorrow." Pretty soon, there won't be a tomorrow. The sox are losing ball games. But it doesn't mean they aren't giving effort or trying hard to win games. The Sox roster is filled with ball players who throughout their careers are team first guys. They may not get it done. But it doesn't mean KW should go out and completely clean house if they do. Some changes will be coming win or lose. Yet any time a team is 20 games over .500 [for the year--I know what they have done since the ASB], I'd call that respectable. It may not be enough to make the playoffs. But IMO, it's nothing for Sox fans to be embarassed about. Disappointed, no doubt. Embarassed, not a chance.

Interesting no one mentioned the part about Dontrelle Willis. If the Sox parted with Josh Fields and Brian Anderson, I'm sure that would get the Marlins attention. BA is in Ozzie's doghouse for a reason other than his play [as the stats back up BA]. If Sweeney can play CF, and the Red Sox would take Freddy for Coco Crisp, parting with two young players to get a 24 yr old Willis would be semi-reasonable.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Sep 16, 2006 -> 01:31 PM) Anything can happen still, but the next 5 games are absolutely crucial. You'd think we'd have to win 3 or 4 MINIMUM to have any sort of chance of picking up a playoff birth. And last night was just very disappointing for me since we had the favorable pitching matchup. The heart of the order just didn't get the job done at all. But in no way have I given up hope at all. Coming into Oak, IMO, the sox had to win at least 2 of 3. They still have a shot at it. But they have to get the pitching and offense.

I haven't posted much around here. From viewing other posts, and reading who is saying what, I know I'm not alone. Most threads are rehashing the same refrain, from the same people--the 2006 sox suck and are an embarassment. I'm disappointed too that the Sox haven't played up to their promise. Yet they are giving effort, playing respectable ball [21 games over .500], and by all accounts not packing it in. Things could be much worse. But I'm not ready to write the obituary on the 2006 sox just yet. If the sox don't turn it around these next 15 games, there will be plenty of time in the offseason to do just that. And people around here can plan and debate how to improve the 2007 to get back to the world series. Few teams are playing for anything right now. The sox are. I for one am enjoying the race. I wish I was enjoying it more, as there have been more downs than ups. I'm not one to give advice. If people want to say the same things over and over, it's their freedom and right to say whatever they want. I just know the vocal few don't always express what the many think and feel. And I'd like nothing more than a nice run to bring out some of the posters who've been quiet for awhile.

Winning at least 2 of 3 is a must-absolutely no excuses. Getting a nice game from Jon upping his record to 18-4 would be a great start to the weekend. Penn has some nice numbers this yr in the minors. http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/stats...r.php?id=435140

The sox aren't out of it. They could grab either spot. It's a matter of winning games they should, and winning a few they shouldn't.

the sox wouldn't trade Crede for Figgins. It's just the LA writer trying to fill the Angels hole at 3B with Crede. Joe won't be going anywhere for the next two yrs. And likely will be resigned before then. Figgins though could be traded by LA. What they would want or need, and if the sox have a fit, who knows. But Figgins could see a regular role on the Sox with Sweeney and Anderson splitting time in LF and CF. Of course, Mackowiak could be the odd man out. But he has value.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Sep 10, 2006 -> 12:39 PM) The West coast trip looms large. As long as the Sox don't piss their pants out there, they have a shot. I still cling more to the wild card. As bad as Detroit has been, they still have 6or 7 left with KC, a team they have manhandled. I hope the Sox can get on a roll here. History suggests that you don't want to have to win 2 or 3 that final series in Minnesota. Good point about the west coast trip. The sox need to stay at least even out there. The way KC is manhandling teams lately like Minny, the sox, and Boston, the Tigers should have their hands full there

The sox just need to keep winning games. Then they will overtake either the Twins or Tigers in time.

QUOTE(fathom @ Sep 8, 2006 -> 02:46 PM) I will predict right now we will sign either Julio Lugo or Juan Pierre this offseason. Not a chance. Those two will be signed by some desperate team and make more than Jermaine Dye will. QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Sep 8, 2006 -> 02:33 PM) Its pretty obvious, at least to me, that the whole Buehrle problem is his back. Give the guy a winter of rest and strengthening work, and he will be fine. With a stiff back he isn't able to finish any of his pitches and the net effect is that there is not enough of a difference between his change and his fastball, which makes them too close to the same speed, and it makes it much easier to adjust to one if you are looking for the other. When MB was consistantly 90-92 on his fastball and 78-80 on his change, it is much harder to adjust than when his FB is around 85-88. The other thing with his back problem is that because he can't get the good extension to finish his pitches everything is being left up high, where Buehrle is merely mortal as a pitcher. he doesn't have the prue stuff to pitch up in the zone, and he knows it. Quit jumping off of the bandwagon, the kid is going to be back in Chicago next year, and he will be just fine. I agree 100%. Mark is a keeper and should be a White sox for a long time.

This team probably isn't having the fun of the first 3/4 of the 2005 season. This is what repeating as champs is all about. It's a mental and physical grind, not a laugh a minute trip to the park each day. IMO, the key is getting to the playoffs. If the sox can clinch, the pressure will be lessened. Then they can go back to playing more carefree, relaxed ball.

Reason #1 why Mack is in LF vs. Lee: 4 for 6 lifetime http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/bvsp...=4&sort=avg QUOTE(Kalapse @ Sep 7, 2006 -> 11:07 PM) 4th OF and it very well could be. The lack of a starting LFer and leadoff man, maybe. But the lack of a 4th Ofer has cost the sox few games this yr compared to the lack of production at the top of the lineup.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Sep 7, 2006 -> 10:23 PM) Beck- I am curious what the "Playoffs of Bust" are. Is that like a topless show or something? If so, sign me up. Nothing that interesting. Just a show of support for the sox making the playoffs when they were sliding. Still time to sign up [anytime up to the clinch date of getting the division or wild card]. QUOTE(fathom @ Sep 7, 2006 -> 10:49 PM) Exhibit number 200 this season of why it's been inexcusable to not acquire another back-up righty outfielder. The lack of a decent 5th OFer is not the reason the sox find themselves 1/2 game out of making the playoffs. Reason #1 why Mack is in LF vs. Lee: 4 for 6 lifetime http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/bvsp...=4&sort=avg

A good start by Mark will get the sox a win. The offense needs to keep up the timely hitting from Wed.

QUOTE(Molto @ Sep 7, 2006 -> 08:43 PM) And it shouldn't be. Here is the question: does Ryan Sweeney deserve to be in left field more than Rob Mackowiak, Pablo Ozuna or Ross Gload? You can maybe say so for Gload since it'll be risky throwing his glove in the outfield this late, as he's going to have some rough games until he gets situated. But can you honestly say he deserves it, or is more suited, than Ozuna and Mackowiak? Both have hit over .300 all year. Ozuna has been the Sox's best leadoff hitter and main sparkplug and Mackowiak, with all the frustration that goes into him playing centerfield, is a proven hitter who is more than capable of handling left field, especially after roaming a tougher spot in center all year. If Guillen announced today that Sweeney was the starting LF for the rest of the year, that would be pretty dumb. If Sweeney performs, great, but at this time, you can't simply overlook the job the bench players have done all year, so if you're going to take the job from Podsednik, which they should, and give it to ONE person, which they shouldn't do, it should at least go to Ozuna or Mackowiak. I think I've made like 6-7 posts over the past week or so, which probably tops what I had the previous two years combined. Always lurking and observing, never posting. IMO, Guillen is giving Sweeney a chance to take someone's spot--either Lf or CF. It may be a temp thing to kick start Pods and/ or Brian [maybe he's seen stuff that isn't public that we haven't, as Brian seems to be doing alright on O and D]. Sweeney may not be as capable as Ozzie hopes. But if Ryan can play solid d and get some hits, draw walks, make contact, move runners over etc, he could see a lot of time