ILMOU

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 3, 2009 -> 11:02 AM) He's in Birmingham. Yes, and until he's ready, Beckham should lead off after he arrives.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jun 3, 2009 -> 07:45 AM) http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-0...,0,565998.story Personnel matters: Second baseman Chris Getz probably won't return to the starting lineup until Thursday. Getz showed improvement from a right ankle bruise but won't play Wednesday night because Oakland is starting left-hander Josh Outman. I must continue to beat a dead horse on this - Chris Getz' numbers are vitually identical, if not slightly better, against lefties throughout a substantial MiLB career. There is NO need to platoon him. If this is really Ozzie's mindset on the subject, someone needs to pull him aside. KW? Anyone??

QUOTE (TheBigHurt @ Jun 2, 2009 -> 03:03 PM) Obviously I wasn't questioning his post. I'm not too bright on the sarcasm, sometimes.

QUOTE (TheBigHurt @ Jun 2, 2009 -> 01:05 PM) MADNESS??? Yes, you don't put a lesser defensive player in the most important defensive position, unless you absolutely have to.

QUOTE (Felix @ Jun 1, 2009 -> 01:41 PM) I fully agree. I'm tired of going to the Dome for each series and seeing the Sox lay and egg. It'd be nice for once to see the Sox actually play well in the Dome, but I'm not holding my breath. The mojo, the mental edge that the Twins had over the Sox for so long was exorcised when we won game 163. Home or road, we'll kick their butts this year.

QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ Jun 2, 2009 -> 12:38 PM) I was at the game. Jenks was getting warm for most of the bottom of the 8th, and only sat down after the lead got to 4 and it thus wasn't a save situation. You could even see him (jokingly) making angry gestures towards the field after the walk brought in the 6th run. It was nothing more than that in my opinion. As for the game, it was a good one to be at and a nice win. I about froze my rear end off since the temperature dropped 25 degrees during my drive to the stadium, but at least the rain held off. Bobby's no dummy. He knows that a three run lead against a no-hit bunch like the A's is as easy as a save gets. He also knows that another 40 save season guarantees more $ in next year's arbitration. He has to get to 13-14 saves at the 54 game mark to stay on target, so he's obviously very close.

QUOTE (Cubano @ Jun 2, 2009 -> 12:11 PM) I got the numbers from here: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/st...&pid=493364 Believe me it does not bother me Beckham or anybody else will block him. If Viciedo produces, the Sox will find him a position. Once again, Viciedo needs to pull the ball more often to increase his power numbers. It is nice to hit to the opposing field, but he needs to pull the ball and be better defensively. ^^^^^^ Average now at .274, and his K rate has dropped some. He needs to take some walks, but also start hitting for power, which is a delicate balance. However, the progress has been steady, and he seems to be adjusting to American ball. I'd guess it's about 50-50 whether he winds up at 3b or in the outfield.

My man-love for Peoria Jim continues to blossom. Next big milestones are Killebrew, etc., but also 1000 career extra base hits - he's at 978, so he should get there by August. Looking at the Sox teams of the near future, 2010 and 2011, I think we should try to keep him in the fold if he's still productive at the end of this season. He'd probably sign on the cheap, because: A. he's close to home B. he must realize that the team's prospects are very good for getting him his first WS ring. We'll need his lefty power bat at least until Allen is ready, so I'm thinking a one year deal with a second year option if incentives are met. He'll get his #600 next year, and he may pass Sosa, Griffey (who has just a few dingers left IMO), etc. in '11, and retire #6 all time, as a White Sox, behind only Bonds, Aaron, Ruth, Mays and ARoid. If you believe that Jimmy has done it the "right way", in the minds of many, he'll be #4 all time.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Jun 2, 2009 -> 09:11 AM) I thought he was only adequate defensively last year at second too. Though I will say, his arm did allow them to turn a lot of DP's they otherwise would not have, that was a big plus. Well, we can debate how good he's been at SS (considering he's in his first year in MLB at the position, and played mostly OF in Cuba, IMHO he's doing pretty darn well), but my main point is that he's currently the best defensive SS on out team, and in our organization.

QUOTE (Jimbo's Drinker @ Jun 2, 2009 -> 11:04 AM) No I said yesterday would get in. Today looks ugh The forecast is for a few showers, 30%. There's only a smattering of rain in the whole radar area. What-choo talkin' 'bout Willis??

QUOTE (qwerty @ Jun 2, 2009 -> 02:41 AM) The sox brass, in my opinion, are not worried about blocking viciedo with beckham. If and when viciedo does come around offensively, something can and will be worked out when the time calls for it (a move to either first or a corner). Agreed. Viciedo will come around offensively (it's happening now), and he just turned 20, playing in AA. But his D is not major league ready either. Beckham will stay at third long-term and Viciedo will learn the corner outfield IF Dayan can't get it done at 3B. If Dayan does improve his D, Beckham will eventually move to 2B, which shouldn't be a daunting transition.

QUOTE (shipps @ Jun 2, 2009 -> 07:58 AM) Ozzie is VERY vocal on Ramirez being our shortstop for the future. Which he has been playing stellar at so far this year I might add. ^^^^^^ These continual postings about moving Lexi off the SS position are madness!! The guy's playing terrific D at the premium defensive position and we don't have anyone else who can play it as well. Not Beckham, and probably not Nix (if Nix was this phenom shortstop who just can't hit much, he'd be playing there instead of 2B, because plenty of team's will still go the light hitting/great D route at SS.) Lexi's starting to hit and is thriving in the 2hole. He's our SS of the present and the near future, at least. You don't move him to CF or anywhere else because of a perceived "logjam". These things will work themselves out.

QUOTE (joesaiditstrue @ Jun 1, 2009 -> 07:49 AM) I wouldn't mind watching Alexei play 3B, I think he could handle it well Lexi's handling SS very, very, well, thank you. Sure, he's had a few stinkers, and it was frustrating watching him lose that popup in the sun yesterday, but overall he looks pretty darn slick out there. When you have a guy who's succeeding defensively at the most important position, you don't move him. If there's any legit concerns about GB, it would be with the fielding - 9 errors between AA and AAA in just over 40 games. He may well be better for us at 2B or 3B, long term. Right now, it's a competition between Fields, Getz, and perhaps Nix to hold their position on the team, and this competition might be helping to improve the play of each - not a bad thing.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ May 30, 2009 -> 01:41 PM) Could still be useful to us though. Even as a reliever. Agreed. I like the idea of making him a long reliever/6th starter. He might put a bit more on the heater if he's only going 2-3 innings at a time. It's no time to factor his $10M salary into any decision, that's a sunk cost.

QUOTE (Heads22 @ May 27, 2009 -> 04:08 PM) Nix starting at the "Appalachian State is HOT! HOT!" hot corner. Podsednik lf Ramirez ss Dye rf Thome dh Konerko 1b Pierzynski c Anderson cf Getz 2b Nix 3b Floyd p I like this lineup, and it's our best overall defense. Good R-L balance. Should be used frequently until the return of Q.

QUOTE (kyyle23 @ May 27, 2009 -> 09:29 AM) I believe Pujols has it, and Thome has had it for a while. It's ruined them, clearly.

QUOTE (BearSox @ May 27, 2009 -> 08:51 AM) Personally, I wouldn't be oppossed to shutting down Quentin for the rest of the year. I think getting him 100% for next year should be our top priority for the future. I really don't see this year being worth having Quentin playing through pain and not getting completely healthy. I say the sooner we get Quentin 100% the better. That's loser talk, sorry. This year ain't over by a long shot. Rest him, yes, but if he can play, play him!

QUOTE (everafan @ May 27, 2009 -> 07:40 AM) How about Alexei with 3 BBs and a hit? That might be the most remarkable. The GIDP he had was hit hard so it was just bad luck. Thome also hit the ball really hard and GIDP'd. Three walks in one game for Lexi is a very positive sign. I was hoping that he'd exhibit more patience from the 2 hole, and so far, that seems to be the case. I think he's going to have a big year, still. If we can get Q healthy again, the offense will be solid.

QUOTE (Jimbo's Drinker @ May 26, 2009 -> 10:31 AM) A good start from Colon will go a long way in the grand scheme of things. I have confidence in other starters to sustain a nice winnning streak. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ This. The acquisition of a stud veteran righty (like Oswalt, Peavy) could provide a mentor for Floyd, the way it seems that Buehrle is a mentor for Danks, Richard. Danks has shown some of guttiness and intangibles as Buehrle's, and Richard's looking better as a starter, for some reason. If such an acquisition happens, I can see lots of winning streaks ahead, but I'm thinking I might want to work a deal without Richard. He may be a competent fifth starter long term, and he'll remain cheap.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ May 1, 2009 -> 08:10 AM) Preview No more weather excuses. Hopefully no flashy lights in the OF excuses. *cough* GO YOU WHITE SOX!!! Those are some pathetic numbers vs. Buehrle by some of the Rangers core: Young, Kinsler, Blalock. With Hamilton out and Bradley gone, if form holds, MB could sail. I think Mark had a pretty good game against them a little more than two years ago.

QUOTE (MHizzle85 @ Apr 26, 2009 -> 09:36 AM) Today's Lineup: Lillibridge Fields Quentin Thome Dye PK AJ BA Alexei Getz hurting?

Glad we got out of it. Nice way to screw MB out of better stats, Octavio.

QUOTE (JorgeFabregas @ Apr 18, 2009 -> 06:44 PM) Hawk is now calling him The Corkmeister... Can Corkster be far behind?

QUOTE (fathom @ Apr 18, 2009 -> 04:37 PM) To be fair to Ozzie, there aren't sliders in the minors from LHP like what Liriano and Kazmir will throw. If he starts going with these types of lineups against Horacio Ramirez-esque LHP, then I'll worry. Well, sure, Getz will face tougher pitchers and pitches, but there's nothing (at this point) to say he can't adjust, because he has a good eye, and he'll learn to lay off those pitches that usually wind up low and away. Whether he does or not, and whether he can learn from early mistakes, are things the team needs to know about him - the sooner the better. If Lillibridge had shown at any higher level of MiLB or MLB that he murdered lefties that would be one thing, but the guy hasn't earned the AB's he'll get with a platoon. On this team, Lilli should be a once-every-two weeks-off-day-provider for the middle infield and CF, and a pinch runner.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Apr 18, 2009 -> 04:21 PM) And we wonder why veteran left handed hitters are so god awful against lefties, that's going to happen when they get no big league experience against them early in their careers. If Getz is going to sit in favor of the god awful Brent Lillibridge every time the Sox go up against a left handed starter then Chris is going to struggle to hit lefty relievers late in games that he starts. Even without looking at splits it's obvious that Chris Getz is a MUCH better bet than Lillibridge against a lefty starter even if he is a left handed hitter because he's a much more skilled/polished offensive talent. (and then there's the whole "Getz actually hit lefties better than righties in the minors" thing) To be fair, the minor league splits are very close, but your point is well made. There are many good reasons NOT to designate a player as a platoon guy, when it's unnecessary, and you've hit on a big one. Somebody really needs to get in Ozzie's or Walk's ear on playing Getz every day, but it will probably only happen when Lilli sucks his way back to the minors. Actually though, it'll probably be a needless platoon with Nix at that point. How many games are we going to lose in the meantime from lousy "table-setting" against lefties? Who knows?