beck72

Dye's option will be picked up. His OF defense is average, maybe just a bit over. His bat, clubhouse leadership and presence, clutch play in his 2 yrs, and very cheap 2007 option are a few reasons why he's a very good fit for the sox in 2007. 2008 might be a stretch, though he could move to DH when Thome retires. However, if Dye continues this pace of hitting his contract demands might be too much for the sox to take on. The place to upgrade is in LF. I don't think Dye will switch from RF. Sweeney will probably go there, as long as the sox can get a leadoff hitter at SS. There are few leadoff options from LF around the league. But an improvement in LF over Pods with Brian and Jermaine will be a fine OF defense.

QUOTE(Frankensteiner @ Jul 31, 2006 -> 11:35 PM) Never said it was, but if you look at the 2003 Angels, the 2004 Marlins, and even last year's Red Sox, sometimes that's not enough and you continuously have to keep improving the roster. I never said he won't. I was responding to the quote which suggested this team is good enough to win the World Series this year and next year. I don't think they are. And some of the things you mentioned could have been done now (i.e dump a starter to open a spot for McCarthy) and could have improved the team now. This was exactly what Kenny Williams did to improve the sox after 2005. He didn't stand still and shook up the roster, filling holes where they were definitely needed [powerhitting LH DH, 5th SP, a much deeper bench]. As the roster stands, this team is more than able to repeat. KW will shake up the roster after 2006, win or lose. The Sox are trusting Freddy, Mark and Javy to pitch better in the 2nd half. It's not exactly a blind trust. These are all veterans who know how to pitch and in all likelihood, throw better than what Bmac could give the sox right now after not being stretched out. That's not to say Freddy and Javy could post better numbers than BMac in 2007 after preparing to be a SP in spring. He probably will and a SP will be moved by KW. But a lot of things would have to go right now [bMac being able to go 5, 6, 7 innings after 3 starts tops; taxing the bullpen for the games BMac starts; a SP adjusting to the bullpen] for Bmac to be a definite upgrade.

The sox aren't going to try to ease two rookies into the lineup next yr. With LF the only plausible spot that could be open, one would have to be on the bench. The only way to ease Fields or Sweeney into the bigs though, is to let them play everyday. The struggles of BA show how difficult an adjustment it is for a kid from AAA to become a fulltime player, and how the sox coaching staff needs to adjust as well.

After winning in dramatic fashion on Fri, Ozzie probably was trying to keep the momentum going. That kind of game could snap the sox out of their slump. So him pulling out all the stops including using his bullpen on Sat, makes perfect sense in the short term. Keep playing to win every game for a while to get a little streak going, get the sox confidence back. I'd expect him to do the same on Sun as well. They can't keep using everyone in the bullpen every day. But they haven't been used that much up to this point in the season. IIRC, the sox 'pen has the fewest innings pitched in MLB

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Jul 29, 2006 -> 06:02 PM) Vazquez has always been a competitior,and with his talent, the results don't add up. He's saying the right things, but I'm not convinced he's going to turn it around. He's pitching like he usually has during his career. It is a shame that he'll be missing the Royals though. He does pitch well against them. IMO, JV= KW's biggest bust. They were expecting so much more out of this guy, and what they got was a fifth starter. An extremely highly paid fifth starter which cost the Sox perhaps their finest prospect. Maybe their finest prospect in a while. It's way, way, way too soon to be saying that. The sox have had him for four + months. How long did it take Garland to pitch with confidence? Jose it took 1 1/2 yrs. With other teams paying parts of his salary, Javy's contract is affordable. Instead of overpaying on the FA market for guys like Loaiza, Burnett, Washburn [all guys available after 2005], Javy's not doing that poorly in comparison, and has a better upside than them. Plus you have to wait 5, 10 yrs to see what Young does in his career.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jul 29, 2006 -> 03:20 PM) Why do people think we'd get more for Fields than just Linebrink? Linebrink's innings in the pen the past few years [iIRC over 80 the last three yrs] make him a prime candidate to get injured / lose his stuff. If the pads are all set on trading him, that's a red flag there. But Fields is a guy with good pop and hit for avg who plays a premium position. There are a lot of teams that could use Fields for 3b on their team for the next 10 yrs. The sox should be able to get a top prospect along with Linebrink. Maybe not one as close to the majors as Carrillo though.

QUOTE(RME JICO @ Jul 29, 2006 -> 12:23 PM) Lets just hope that translates to on-field performance. I hope it does. It just seems like it is really good timing with the trading deadline looming. I guess he has one more shot on Sunday to let his arm do the talking. The best part is that Ozzie is going to pull him and Buehrle a lot quicker at the first sign of trouble. That is a huge relief. Javy isn't going anywhere. If he continues his mediocre pitching, then in the offseason he could be gone. But he'll be around this yr And Ozzie should be looking to take these guys out the first sign of trouble. The Sox aren't in the position [a 10 game lead or something] to let these guys work out their problems on the mound. The bullpen IIRC still has pitched the fewest innings in the AL. Get the pen in the games to stop potential blowout innings QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Jul 29, 2006 -> 12:31 PM) I just see a lot of comparisons b/w Javy and Jose Contreras when he first arrived on the Southside. Javy's just gotta learn not to use than DAMN curveball so much (because when he hangs it, you can say buh - bye), and to start trusting his better stuff like his changeball. And that was always the problem with Jose, getting him to trust his fastball, and not use his forkball so often early in the count, so he'd then fall behind hitters. But if Javy doesn't turn it around, we're gonna regret that trade, because of one Chris Young. I agree 100%. Both Jose and Javy have dominating stuff. It's learning how to use it. Javy gets in trouble when he starts trying to trick hitters, with less than his best stuff. It's one thing getting hurt by a good fastball. It's another watching a hanging breaking ball go over the fence. I think Javy has a good chance putting it all together. It took Jose into his mid-30's to harness his stuff. Javy has always had his control, unlike Jose.

http://www.dailysouthtown.com/southtown/ds.../pro/291sd3.htm Vazquez does get a lot of flak for having so much talent and yet getting such mediocre results. But Javy deserves some praise for his comments in today's Southtown. With Javy it seems it's a mental issue with him [whether it's lack of confidence, losing focus, being passive, who knows]. But Javy's saying he is glad Ozzie's showing confidence in him does shows that he gets it. Other manager's might not be so easy on him--Torre wasn't. Nothing should be given to him--whether it's the manager's confidence, a spot in the rotation-he needs to earn it based on his performance. I also like the way he's talking about just concentrating on helping the sox win, and get to the playoffs. That should be his main concern. Forget about the ERA, just get the "W". Good for Javy. Maybe it's just telling the media what they want to hear, or giving the tired old cliches. But him saying the right things is a very good sign, esp. when Javy is struggling the most he's had all year. The sox need him to get through his issues. IMO, there is no physical reason holding him back.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Jul 29, 2006 -> 07:47 AM) How would people feel about Fields for Linebrink and Carillo now? Carrillo would be a very nice fit. He could start 2007 in AAA and soon be up if someone got hurt. It would allow BMac to go into the rotation and trade Freddy probably. With the way Cesar mowed down AA hitters in the southern league, I'm sure the sox noticed his pitching. Linebrink comes, maybe Riske goes. SD is hurting for position prospects-or any other prospects for that matter. Looking at their minor league system, it seems pretty bare. BTW--I see Carrillo is on the DL with a sore right elbow and may be shut down for the yr. That would effect any potential deal [though the "buy low" aspect of getting Carrillo now has some appeal]. With Carrillo being small [175 lbs] getting hurt won't help quiet the questions of his long term effectiveness throwing in the bigs

QUOTE(RME JICO @ Jul 29, 2006 -> 10:05 AM) If Fields does move to LF for 2007, then the Sox will more than likely look for a leadoff hitter at 2B or SS for 2007. The options would be: LF - Pods, SS - Uribe, 2B - Gooch LF - Fields, SS - Uribe, 2B - New leadoff hitter LF - Fields, SS - New leadoff hitter, 2B - Gooch I still don't see Fields in LF [maybe mid- yr at the earliest]. I see Sweeney there before Fields. That would mean Uribe being moved. If the sox could get a leadoff guy like Jimmy Rollins [who's had a down yr] at a reasonable cost. gooch isn't going anywhere. And I don't see Pods hanging around. The ideal thing would be to get a leadoff hitter for LF who would be a defensive upgrade from pods and could hit both LHP and RHP. Yet getting another rookie into the everyday lineup in 2007 is appealing esp if they are ready for the bigs.

I would certainly revisit a deal for Crisp in the offseason. Get him when his value is down

If this is true, and KW talked with the three, and he stands pat, that's a heckava vote of confidence. Whether it works, who knows. But the sox do have the talent. Getting their minds right, and their confidence is key. What better way to instill confidence than giving the players input into personnel decisions.

I was wondering if the trade deadline and the uncertainty surrounding who may or may not be around could have been a distraction. We'll know for sure if the sox start reeling off a few long winning streaks very soon after the deadline passes.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jul 27, 2006 -> 05:33 PM) Anderson should spend his entire time with the White Sox in CF. He's by far our best defensive outfielder, and he's so good it's going to be nearly impossible for us to find someone better. I agree. I'm just saying Brian could adjust to LF if say a Baldelli came aboard. Brian's versatile--another player may not be.

QUOTE(iamshack @ Jul 27, 2006 -> 05:10 PM) This is what he wrote: • Ozzie Guillen says he's happy with his roster. What I've heard is that the Sox are willing to talk about dealing Freddy Garcia, but let's face it, there's only one starting pitcher currently on the market who would represent an upgrade over what the White Sox have in their rotation -- and that's Barry Zito of Oakland. The only pitcher who has thrown well for the White Sox since the All-Star break got yelled at by his manager, as Mike Downey writes. BMac would be an upgrade. The sox would probably deal Freddy for a solid bullpen guy to replace BMac and a very good prospect. Whether there is a team out there willing, who knows. But Freddy is an upgrade over the other arms mentioned--Lieber, Livian, etc. Esp. a team that wants to set up their playoff rotation [ie Mets, STL]. QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Jul 27, 2006 -> 06:12 PM) I forget where I saw the rumor, but supposedly the D'Backs were interested in Jake Westbrook. You think they'd be interested in Garcia? You'd think.

From MLBtrade rumors. http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/ Didn't see the Olney blog myself. "Buster Olney mentioned today in his blog that the White Sox are willing to discuss trades for Freddy Garcia." If anything big happens, I think this goes down.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Jul 27, 2006 -> 03:32 PM) I don't think the Sox will bring in Crawford or Baldelli although either one or both would be tremendous. Anderson has been hitting better lately but he really needs to step up and pick it up on the road. He has 1 home run and 4 RBI on the road this season. To put it in perspective, the White Sox starting CF has the exact same amount of home runs and rbi on the road this season as Carlos Zambrano does for the Cubs. The offense is sputtering, which was pretty easy to see was going to happen. Too many guys were too hot for it to continue. Anderson's bat is needed more than ever, as is some solid performances by the pitching staff. I'll speak for myself in saying Anderson's fine. But Pods is not. The call for a CRawford/ Baldelli type would be to replace Pods, with Anderson possibly moving to LF or staying in CF.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Jul 27, 2006 -> 03:06 PM) Umm, that's pretty excessive, that's one of the top offensive prospects in all of baseball (#1 Sox spect), a young stud arm, another top 5-10 Sox prospect (Broadway is probably the #1 pitching spect in the Sox system now that Lummy is gone) and then you have 2 more pitchers? Naw, they want a lot but they won't be finding anyone who's going to give them anything like that. Considering the D-Rays don't have to trade Crawford, it would have to be a deal that they couldn't refuse, such as a 4 or 5 players for him. Nothing less than BMac IMO would be acceptable for the Drays. They see how much Kazmir means to them. Getting more pitching is the key for them. While Pods could be a decent fill in for them at a cheap price [and a tradeable commodity] and could take the place of Fields in a deal, pitchers like Bmac, Broadway, Phillips, Tracey and Haeger might have to go

QUOTE(rudylaw @ Jul 27, 2006 -> 02:46 PM) I hope that we stop hearing talk about the Sox trading for another releiver. I think that with Riske, MacDougal, Thorton, McCarthy and Jenks our pen is pretty solid. Yes I left Cotts out because he has been pissing me off this year. I think our rotation is where we need the help. What good is Linebrink to us if he gets the ball and we are already down by 4 runs. I think our 2 top priorities need to be a starting pitcher (BMAC perhaps could slide into the rotation) and a new leadoff man/left fielder. I would trade just about anyone to get Carl Crawford on this team. I agree, the bullpen is set up in decent shape. Adding to the rotation basically would mean adding BMac to it rather than via trade. Nothing out there would be much of an upgrade. The sox will probably have to wait out the slump in the rotation. LF is where the sox could upgrade, provided a #1 or a #2 hitter could play there. Crawford would be the absolute ideal and set the sox up for a decade. Though any potential trade would just start with Bmac, Fields and Broadway [and prob. 2 more pitchers]. As the Sox would have to look to upgrade at leadoff and LF in the offseason, why not make a play now for Crawford?

I'm all for moving both MAck and Pods. Mack's let a lot of players take an extra base in the OF, like yesterday letting Castillo turn a 2b into a 3b by not hustling after the ball in Right center. And I haven't seen MAck get a big hit or even make a productive out. Pods platooning with Ozuna and being replaced by Mack in LF for defensive purposes says everything.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Jul 27, 2006 -> 06:20 AM) Since Kenny Williams likes to work under the radar when acquiring players around the deadline I'll just throw a name out there whom I believe fits this description, Rocco Baldelli. I don't know if the D-Rays would even want to move him or if the Sox would want to acquire a player with his injury history and now contract status but I just saw some Devil Rays highlights and I am reminded as to just how much I love the guy. Baldelli may not be available. But I do see KW trying to get the best available right handed hitting Ofer, who can play Lf and possibly CF, and who can hit #1 or #2 in the lineup. Having mack play Cf and Ozuna LF isn't going to cut it defensively or offensively. With Pods basically a platoon player now, upgrading LF and getting new blood at the top of the lineup could be a priority [with little pitching available, better to improve the defense and offense]. If not this yr, then in the offseason, this could be addressed.

QUOTE(iamshack @ Jul 26, 2006 -> 02:38 PM) What on earth that Kenny has ever done would make you think he wouldn't be the one going after Barry Zito? I'm saying it's more likely KW would be the 3rd team involved, as trading away top prospects for a two month rental [he's not going to re-sign Zito for a long term max contract with all the cash locked up w/ the current group] goes against him public statements and actions in previous trades.

QUOTE(BigSqwert @ Jul 26, 2006 -> 02:35 PM) Really? Only 3 or 4 teams could use a very good starting pitcher? Teams that could be involved with the sox in a 3 way, yes. You think the sox want to help another AL team? The NL wild card teams need help getting to the playoffs. Yet most won't mortgage the future for a two month rental in Zito. Ariz. is stacked with prospects so they might be an exception. Teams like the Mets and STL might be more willing to gamble and give up the talent needed to get Zito as they have bigger leads and need help to go deep into the playoffs, not just trying to make the playoffs.

QUOTE(iamshack @ Jul 26, 2006 -> 02:21 PM) As for the Zito speculation, I cannot fathom a scenario wherein the third team involved would be the Mets. Minyana would get CRUCIFIED if he was involved in a deal involving Zito and allowed him to go to Chicago. And I cannot see Kenny being involved in ANY deal where he isn't getting the highest impact player. The Mets and White Sox both have GM's who go after impact players and there just aren't enough impact players for the A's to give up to two teams. If this is true, I imagine it would be a deal where the White Sox get Zito, another team gets Garcia, and we swing Broadway along with the prospects from the other team to the A's for Zito. That third team would HAVE to be a national league team, because there isn't another AL team that would help us acquire Zito AND take on a high-salaried player. I dunno...this sounds pretty difficult to imagine being true... The only teams that could or might be interested in Zito would be STL, Ariz, SD. The dodgers maybe, but they need other help.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Jul 26, 2006 -> 02:08 PM) That's why he got a guy in MacDougall who we'll control until 2009 IIRC. Getting Zito doesn't make any sense to me, when I personally think there's better moves to make. That's why, if this story is correct, I think the Sox could be the 3rd team, not getting Zito, but other useful players