29thandPoplar

As mentioned, the Brewers have been following the Sox and the Sox are well acquainted with the young Brewers personnel.

Interesting. Very tough to say if this is good or bad. One thing that is known by those close to the scouting staff, Laumann and Shaffer butted heads big time. In fact Laumann got reassigned or demoted (or however one wants to spin it) a couple years ago. Baseball America had a write up about it too. Laumann is very respected but he did something to piss Shaffer off and he got reassigned. So now it was Shaffer's turn to fall on the sword. I would like to see them come out and say exactly what will be done differently. QUOTE(hitlesswonder @ Jun 24, 2007 -> 03:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> The Sox removed this guy for lousy drafts before Not true. Conflict with Shaffer over assignments and other admin stuff.

QUOTE(danman31 @ Jun 24, 2007 -> 04:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I didn't see this posted elsewhere. Some interesting KW quotes: Link Nothing overly surprising though. Thanks for posting that article dm31. Now its time for him to stop talking and start doing. This was a colossal embarassment, whether it was the Cubs or not.

QUOTE(GreenSox @ Jun 24, 2007 -> 02:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> It wasn't like he was in high demand; he didn't really outplay Anderson in the spring, has signficantly less power, and doesn't get on base well, but Ozzie absolutely loves him. What objective evidence do you guys see that Ozzie cares about getting on base and plate disclinpline? To me, the evidence is overwheliming that speed and hacking ability are more important. Let's take the 2 hole. Iguchi hit .340OBP and double digit homers in 2005. Ozzie immediately starts talking about moving uribe there. He wasn't satisfied with Iguchi. Then this year, he demotes Iguchi for Erstad. Look at today (and yesterday's lineup)....Gonzales hits in the 2 hole. To Ozzie, bunting is key in the 2 hole...with Thome, Konerko and Dye coming up, the 2 holse hitter needs to bunt. Look at the coaches - Joey Cora, Razor Shines...come on. Pitching - Can't let Garland face that reknown hitter Joe Borachard; gotta turn him around....ooops, you mean they can pinch hit for the woeful borchard? Oh well, another L. Baseball, Ozzie-style. Sure I'm second guessing, but doesn't any responsibilty fall on this coaching staff? Here is an idea then, how about stop saying he was signed to be a backup OF when he wasn't? All the Ozzie bashing aside, at least get the story straight. If something completely incorrect is posted here and it's not true, I will state otherwise. If you were down in Tucson you'd know why Erstad came away with the job in CF. I know you people love to look at spring training stats to make your argument and say "BA was robbed of the job". Maybe if fanboy BA spent more time being a pro and learned how to hit situationally and worked a little harder, maybe he would have been given a longer rope. Erstad is not that good and is certainly injury prone but Anderson is pouting in the minor leagues while hitting in the .230's and getting hurt himself. Either way, bad scenario. Here is an idea, why doesn't Kenny Williams go out and either get or develop a legit CF? Chris Young may or not be that great but he and the staff made a big time personnel blunder by annointing "BA" the starting CF. But that is all in the past now, it is up to the front office to fix this nonsense for the future. Not picking on you green but neither Erstad or Anderson lead this team to a repeat WS win. How about lets get better players. Maybe a start is to trade some guys on this woefully underachieving team and identify top talent on other teams farm systems.

QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Jun 24, 2007 -> 12:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Where would've he signed, Colorado? He signed with the Sox in late January. Florida had an offer on the table for him as starting CF. Colorado wanted him to compete for a starting OF job. It came down to Florida and the White Sox.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jun 24, 2007 -> 11:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> True, but as you know, it's a lot easier to replace one coach than 9 players, etc. Agree. However this is well beyond an easy fix. The Shaffer firing is indication they are looking at all facets of how they operate, including scouting, development, instruction, coaching, etc. Not to mention the key element of what kind of team they want to field. You need a SS with smarts, tools, and ability. Uribe isn't. You need a CF who is preferably a 5 tool guy. Erstad is nothing more than a fill in and Anderson just isn't good, no matter what is said here or on other message boards. These players should be developed in house with the occasional need to acquire in trades or FA. Not by needing to raid the Boston farm system by trading lefthanded starters you can't/won't sign. It all comes down to needing better players first and foremost. If you can marginally improve by getting a new hitting coach or a new minor league catching instructor (they did this too by the way) or a new 1st base coach, yes, great. But there are way bigger issues and those issues = players.

QUOTE(GreenSox @ Jun 24, 2007 -> 11:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Erstad was signed to be the fourth outfielder. Again, no he wasn't. He was signed to compete for the starting job, otherwise he wouldn't have signed here.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jun 24, 2007 -> 11:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> This just proves even more than that the needs to go, as he's not getting through to these guys. You may very well be right. However it all depends how you look at it. Maybe it proves the players are incapable and not very bright.

This Leland Maddox guy they're thinking about adding from the Red's scouting operation was reassigned not too long ago from amateur to pro scouting. He is based in Charlotte NC so the Sox obviously know him. He has been with the Reds for 7-8 years and was with the Pirates before that. Supposedly a very respected guy with a good eye for pro talent. Although it is fair to say Cincy hasn't been that good. If this speculation is true then maybe Williams wants to move somebody internally into Shaffer's spot and then add some pro scouting talent. We'll see what happens, I would welcome an outsider coming in for a different perspective.

QUOTE(BearSox @ Jun 23, 2007 -> 10:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> where have you ever heard him say this? I want a source. Well I know you were not asking me but he said it today during an interview with the radio host on 670 and also you'll have to trust on this one, but he says it all the time around the batting cages on the practice fields in Tucson. Other than that I do not have a printed quote handy but maybe the other poster does.

QUOTE(gosox41 @ Jun 23, 2007 -> 09:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> They must not really like Anderson at all because he's a righty and not being called up. It's not that. He's hurt again. Not to mention he's not playing well at all. It's not all a conspiracy theory, it is what it is on the surface.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jun 23, 2007 -> 07:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> It was on Comcast SportsNite I believe on Thursday night. Wait, so Konerko said these three games vs. the Cubs are the only ones that matter the rest of the yr.? Sounds like somethng that's definitely open to interpretation, but I guess it doesn't matter much what he said to be honest.

The one special asst. has been monitoring Seattle, as was reported in the media. Laumann was out on the west coast not long ago, which is about all I know.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jun 23, 2007 -> 06:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I don't know who the Brewers would be targeting. They have better players at every position. Maybe they're interested in Thornton? They're looking at bullpen and anything else that might help. Not to mention they're always interested in monitoring the Cubs. Bottom line is, there are all the contenders out there monitoring the also rans. The Sox have guys available as everyone knows. Whether they'll be moved or not depends on what they'll pony up in trade. Williams has been rather clear, it needs to be somebody who can help in the near future, 2008 I suspect at this point.

QUOTE(BearSox @ Jun 23, 2007 -> 05:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I think MLB Trade Rumors is full of it, and I don't believe any of their rumors. On a side note, with Pods return and his "spark" in the first inning today, with an acquisition like Jaque Jones, the White Sox could make a second half run... I read what was said on that site after reading the post here. It quoted Ken Rosenthal. Do you believe any of what he says? That site is just a collection of media rumors anyways. Rosenthal is the guy who said he talked to Phillies sources who said the Sox could've gotten more for Garcia. Did you believe that? QUOTE(fathom @ Jun 23, 2007 -> 06:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Ah crap, I'm sorry. It was Konerko that said that. Well that's good, so you're not pissed off about that then. I did not see Konerko say that, can you help a fellow fan out? QUOTE(Gregory Pratt @ Jun 23, 2007 -> 06:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Gonzalez is more flexible and Sweeney, more important than anything else, needs to be in the minors working on strength, turning on inside fastballs and making contact. He simply isn't ready. 100% correct.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jun 23, 2007 -> 06:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I heard KW say before this Sox series that this very well could be the last series that really matters for this team. Interesting. Where and when did he say that?

There are all sorts of scouts following the White Sox. Add in Seattle, St. Louis, and Milwaukee. Lots of teams, in addition to those listed above and these there are prob. more.

QUOTE(GreenSox @ Jun 23, 2007 -> 04:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Williams signed Erstad as a backup. It was Guillen who was so turned on by his hacking at everything and not wasting at bats with walks, that he marginalized Anderson, and called ERstad is a .400 hitter when he hits .200 (that's exactly what Guillen said). Guillen is the one who said that Erstad bats leadoff when both ERstad and Pods return. It is true Guillen said Erstad would bat leadoff when they both returned. It is not true Williams signed Erstad as a backup. He was brought in to compete for a starting job. If not, Erstad would not have signed here. Williams and Guillen both mentioned Erstad could occasionally fill in for Konerko and message boards interpreted it as Erstad would be a backup. The only guy who marginalized Anderson was Anderson himself.

QUOTE(DonnyDevito @ Jun 23, 2007 -> 03:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> the longer we go without canning Greg Walker and the longer we go without trades, i know KW doesn't care about this season at all. why is he the only black GM in baseball? anyone know? I suppose I shouldn't ask this, but what difference does it make that Ken Williams is black? Why is it relevant?

To state the obvious, a trade is long overdue. Very disheartening they haven't shaken up this slovenly roster. Among many others, Cintron has been a huge disappointment.

The question is, would Jones fit into the 2008 plans? Maybe. Whoever they get it is almost assured it's someone they want in the 2008 lineup. QUOTE(fathom @ Jun 23, 2007 -> 12:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> In all honesty, I'll be fine if it is him, as long as we don't give up anyone of significance. Yes I would agree ... you don't want to give up much (if anything) for a guy like this.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Jun 23, 2007 -> 10:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I think when we signed him there were reports he threw in the low 90's, but in his 1st outing in either spring training or minor league ball (can't remember off the top of my head) he only threw about the mid 80's I think. Here's a link to an article about the game and Lin's performance. Apparantly he likes to throw inside. http://www.tricities.com/tristate/tri/spor...06-23-0013.html

QUOTE(Elcaballo45 @ Jun 23, 2007 -> 11:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> So Pods is off the DL today?? Who is getting sent down? Anyone have a link on this?? These are the things I need to know. Either Erstad or Dye will be going on the DL. They are apparantly waiting for review of Erstad's MRI per the radio.

QUOTE(RibbieRubarb @ Jun 22, 2007 -> 06:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> First, maybe after you've watched a few more years of baseball you'll know why... But since we don't have that time...As a GM he has never had a losing season and he has a World Championship ring. He deserves the chance to turn the team around for next year. THATS WHY!!!!! Yes I agree with you although this season has been a huge wake up call for him. He grossly miscalculated on this young bullpen, even though it is quite fair to say bullpen miscalculations are very common among general managers. But this bullpen is unbelievably lousy. Now that the scouting director is out the door he is placing more onus upon himself. Which is the way it should be. He and Shaffer have never really gotten along from what I have been told. It is common for a GM to want his own people and Shaffer was a long time Sox guy, tight with Schueler. He better hope his pro scouts are better at identifying talent than Shaffer at amateur talent.

QUOTE(Gregory Pratt @ Jun 22, 2007 -> 05:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Let it go. I have made my point, a point that needed to be made, thank you. Unfortunately it will prob. need to be made again tomorrow and the next day, etc.