beck72

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Aug 22, 2006 -> 07:54 PM) Sweeney better not take time away from Anderson. I really hope we get a good look at Sweeney this season, but in LF. Sweeney in Lf and BA in CF would improve the sox defense. I've had it watching Pods tiptoe after balls, allowing and teams to take an extra base on him, let alone run on his arm. QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Aug 22, 2006 -> 09:02 PM) That is what I am hoping. A Platoon of Eric Byrnes and Sweeney in LF would not put a dent in the payroll really at all, and IMO would be much more effective than Pods. No Byrnes. He's not worth it for under $1 mill let alone his salary

http://www.dailysouthtown.com/southtown/ds.../pro/221sd3.htm I didn't see this anywhere. Having Sweeney come up could spell Anderson in CF I guess, as well as PH, play LF. I'd rather see Ryan in LF over Ozuna vs LHP and he'd would have to be an upgrade over Mack in CF vs RHP.

Looking at this point last yr [8-21], the sox were up 8 1/2 games on Clev. The sox "slide" [going 20-15 .571 ball, from 8-21 to the clinch date 9-28] was more Cleveland playing out of their minds. The sox play solid ball and Det. plays poorly, anything can happen. that's what makes this series big

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Aug 21, 2006 -> 08:57 PM) I hope to god that the Twins dont make the playoffs. If dont matchup well with them at all. The Sox don't match up well vs. them, but the Yanks or A's might.

QUOTE(Jordan4life_2006 @ Aug 21, 2006 -> 08:59 PM) The Tigers would have to do a lot more than fade for them to not atleast get the WC. More like collapse. They were 10 games up not too long ago weren't they?

Detroit's recent slide seems an awful lot like Boston's. Some of their weaknesses are now coming out when they play against a good ball club [and Texas isn't half the team the Yankees are]. And the young players who carried them so far now seem to be hitting a wall. I know 5 1/2 and 6 1/2 games are a lot to make up for both teams. But the Sox seem to match up a lot better vs. Detroit than Minny. I don't see the Twins fading at all. But the Tigers run seems to be coming to a halt. The sox take care of the Tigers and they're right back into it. Minny keeps on winning and has an easier rest of the yr than most teams. IIRC, the Twins play only 20 or so games vs. teams with a winning record. As long as Detroit fades--and the sox 4 game series starting today can do a lot of damage to Detroit's chances---I don't care about the Twins. Even with their injuries, the Twins keep plugging away and don't seem to be fading one bit. As long as the sox win 2 of 3 the rest of the way [i believe the sox are on just that pace from the run vs the Yanks, Tigers and Twins--6-3 overall], the sox should get into the playoffs regardless of what the Tigers and Twins do. But I will root for the Tigers to lose every game the rest of the way.

My take on today's game: A loss won't hurt the Sox. But a win could be HUGE. The Twins absolutely need this game, with their ace going vs. the Sox #5 SP. Yet the sox could lose and still be in decent shape heading into Detroit.

The Sox want to improve LF, and leadoff. But I don't think they'll do it at the expense of a solid SS, who gives gold glove caliber defense and enough hitting. Uribe is due for one of his hot streaks, esp. if his back is in decent enough shape. Is is just me, or does seeing Sweeney hit leadoff in Charlotte seem more than just a coincidence? I think putting Sweeney at leadoff in '07 would be too much pressure for him.

FWIW, Joey Cora played on the same team with Jose Cruz, Jr, in 1997 with Seattle. Cruz Jr, played LF for them.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Aug 17, 2006 -> 11:43 AM) A prospect for Gload I would do. Sign Cruz Jr. to be the backup OF, and Rogowski can be the 1B when rosters expand like you said. Ned Colletti has shown he'll trade prospects to win now. If LA is looking for a LH bat-ie someone who hits RHP well--Gload has done that this yr [and Cruz failed miserably at]. Someone readily available like Cruz, jr. makes sense. Strengthen the bench, esp vs. LHP, and overall OF defense, and get a prospect If PK did go down between now and the end of the yr, Thome would likely play 1b anyway with every game important. And the Sox could then go with Josh Fields as DH. Gload is a luxury at this point and if they could get a decent prospect, I could see a trade happening.

The tidbit about the Dodgers needing a lefty like GLoad is buried near the end. http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...tesox-headlines This seems like speculation. Though why would he throw it out there if Mark hadn't heard something? Dye getting hit by the pitch the other day could have exposed a hole in RF--not to mention getting another OFer who can hit LHP well and play LF opposite of Pods. A guy like Preston Wilson or Jose Cruz Jr,--guys who hav cleared waivers or are free agents and be locked in place prior to a deal for Gload--could play LF vs LHP [and presumably play a better CF than Mack] and be a guy with some pop from the right side off the bench. With rosters expanding in a few weeks, a guy like Rogowski from the minors could give the sox what Gload does now. It depends on what LA would trade for Ross. They certainly are in "win now mode".

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Aug 14, 2006 -> 05:59 PM) You know, out of all the potential "Leadoff hitter/LF" names to come up, that one might actually make the most sense, in that he could be available, the Red Sox have several outfielders already, they need SP, and have money to take on a veteran. A Boston Herald writer mentioned a possible trade for Freddy the other day in the offseason for Theo to do.

With Sweeney being ready by mid 2007 and Brian A, the sox will be set long term in the OF. Dye should also get a 2, 3 yr deal after his option is picked up in 2007. By 2009 or 2010, Dye could be a DH. By that time, a prospect should come along that fills either LF or RF so Dye can DH. Fields won't be getting much time in LF for the White Sox. I don't see the sox having him out there long term or to start the 2007 season. It's more likely he'll be traded for pitching that's near ready for the bigs--think players who had solid seasons in AA ala Lance Broadway or just moved up from high A to AA. His ability to play 3b and LF will only increase his value. Sweeney should start 2007 in AAA and be ready in case of injury. If the sox got a leadoff hitter at SS--unlikely, as Uribe's glove and ability to carry a team with his bat for long stretches, and few leadoff hitters are available that would be a sure fire upgrade at SS, after factoring in avg, OBP, fielding--then Fields could possibly be looked at for LF. Jimmy Rollins isn't the sure fire upgrade over Uribe. If Rollins was a lock .290-.300 hitter, then I'd say trade for him. But he's not. In the short term though, I could see a trade for Coco Crisp. Freddy Garcia could be bait. The Red sox not winning the World Series this yr could go for Torii Hunter in CF and few SP's are available, which they need. IMO, Crisp's 2006 yr is a fluke. And Crisp should rebound to his 2004 and 2005 yrs--.297/.344/.446 and .300/.345/.465 lines playing his normal LF. Crisp would give the sox speed, defense and top of the order hitting. With Fields and Pods being dealt for prospects [getting a SS along with pitching prospects would be nice as Valido hasn't progressed this yr], and Freddy for a major league LFer, the sox would be sitting in good position for 2007 and beyond.

The sox are now in the "no letdown mode" for 4 games. I think they'll be alright, good for 3 of 4 or a sweep. They are taking advantage of teams mistakes and the Royals young guys will make a few a game [errors, pitches grooved down the middle on 2-0, etc]. If the sox losing stretch around the break taught them anything, it's that they must show up every game from here on in, that any team could beat them if they let up. I don't expect a let down one bit. Keep up the pitching, and the offense will come through. Go sox!

A few things to look for: 1] Minor throws a lot of pitches, and can miss the zone. The sox wait him out, make him work, they can get the Det. bullpen by the 5th, 6th inning if not knock him out before. 2] If Freddy can live up to his billing as a big game, 'throws well in the day' pitcher. 3] See if the middle of the lineup comes back strong after an 'off day' on Sat. Thome, PK and Dye have been feasting on pitchers mistakes. A young guy like Minor should give them a few good pitches to hit 4] Pods and Tad vs the RHP Minor. Both hit horribly vs LHP on the year [and went 0-for vs Rogers] and could get back to hitting like they did on Fri. 5] See if the tigers panic a bit [defensive lapses, pitches left up in the zone, not hitting their spots, hitters trying to do too much] Prediction--Sox finish the sweep if the pitching comes through. With a rested pen, the sox should be alright even if Freddy has an off day.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Aug 12, 2006 -> 10:10 PM) I'd also like to add that Brian Anderson better be in cf. He was on Fri. vs the RHP Verlander. I think the sox will go with BA's defense over Mack's offense, esp after BA's big hit on Sat.

Interesting that sweeney hit leadoff. His power numbers sure are rising.

Cruz, Jr.was DFA on Aug. 1st. Isn't the 10 day period up as to what the LAD can do w/ him?

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Aug 11, 2006 -> 11:21 PM) Podsednik managed to reach base 3 times over the past 4 games (15 PAs), I wouldn't exactly call that productive. His OBP has actually dropped 5 points since the beginning of the homestand. Iguchi on the other hand is basically on fire, he went 6-9 in the final 2 games of the series and 8-17 on the homestand including a HR. I'll take Pods Thursday game. He's been slumping and looking horrible. But he came through last night, and looked very good doing it [ie, staying with the pitch, not trying to do too much]. Let's hope he can stick with that approach. I'm one of the 1st guys who say the sox need to look at replacing Pods in the offseason. But the sox will need him now and the next two + months QUOTE(The Ginger Kid @ Aug 11, 2006 -> 11:28 PM) Anybody else think that Cintron might be our starting SS for awhile? No. In another paper Ozzie was asked if Alex was a starting SS and he said he wasn't sure. Ozzie may be trying to light a fire under Uribe's behind. The sox sure can use a sure handed and productive Uribe the next 50 games.

Is it just me, or does it seem really strange that Tad is hitting RHP's at a .329/ .387/ .472 clip?! Stay hot baby!

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Aug 11, 2006 -> 12:42 PM) We just took 2 of 3 from New York (including NY self destructing in game 3, blowing game 1, and nearly blowing game 2) and 2 of 3 from Toronto (including a beating of Roy Halliday), while Kansas City was sweeping the Red Sox (??!!??) Did these teams just get caught at the right time, or is the AL Central better than they are getting credit for? I think the AL central really is going to be the strongest division in the AL for years to come. Even KC has upcoming talent that could put them near .500 before too long. Yet the AL East won't go away. The Red Sox have some nice young arms. But they are feeling the innings starting to add up. They'll be tough for years to come as well. The Yanks still find a way to get it done, even w/o the pitching or prospects. The other East teams don't scare me or seem to have a clue how to build a winner.

The sox very good bench has also allowed the regulars to get some rest. I bet a lot of teams have players really feeling wiped out in the heat of the summer. If the Sox have a solid August and September, the bench players will have played a key part helping to keep the regulars fresh.

A few things I like going into tonight's game: 1] I like the fact the Tigers have lost 2 games in a row and had an off day to think about losing their last game in the late innings 2] The pressure seems to be on the Tigers, as they have to prove to themselves and the league that they can hold onto the division. The sox win 2 of 3 or better and the Tigers could be in for a big end of the year letdown. 3] Verlander hasn't thrown in 10 days 4] The sox won a series vs a very good and hot NYY team that they absolutely had to win 5] Pods and Iguchi are getting on and being productive. With those two on, one of the 3-5 hitters will drive them in

A sweep would be nice. But to make the playoffs, the sox just need to keep winning 2 or every 3, esp. during this tough stretch of teams like Det., Minn. NYY etc.

QUOTE(LVSoxFan @ Aug 10, 2006 -> 08:58 PM) We beat them first game, Freddy shut them down pretty well, Konerko homers off their ace reliever to tie the game which we then win. Last night they probably thought they were sitting pretty being up 7-0 so late and we came screaming back. This IS the Yankees we're talking about, the virtual all-star team, and we got to two of their best pitchers in the last two games (granted it took forever with RJ but we did knock him out). I'd say this ain't a bad way to instill confidence, and maybe the timing is just about right, heading into the Detroit series. Granted, Detroit is the best team in baseball right now, but I think a lot of us (and probably some Sox) view this as almost a fluke season for them; plus, we've beat them more often than not thus far. I guess we'll see tonight, eh? I WILL say a win tonight, with a strong outing by Vasquez, could be just the tonic for us to go on a tear. FINALLY, that is. If the sox can win tonight, getting 2 of 3 from the Yanks should put them in decent shape [momentum wise] to take on the Tigers. Then getting 2 of 3 from them, would be nice. And so on, and so on.......Just keep winning two of each three game series during this tough stretch and the sox will be in fine shape for the last month