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QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Mar 30, 2009 -> 11:32 AM) Ozzie knows Blanco quite well so if this is true, I'm sure he knows better than anyone else. Also if true, considering Urbina, Ozzie needs to get some new friends in Venezuela. Problem is, Ozzie's got about a zillion friends, apparently. He's one gregarious dude! Bound to be some stinkers in the bunch.

QUOTE (rangercal @ Mar 30, 2009 -> 11:10 AM) but... I will not root for someone on the Sox to suck. Sounds like you are more of a fan of the names on back of a jersey, instead of the logo on front. There IS a time to root for specific members of the team to suck, and that time is Spring Training. Starting on April 6, I hope they're all Babe Ruth.

QUOTE (Cubano @ Mar 29, 2009 -> 09:41 PM) http://cubanballplayers.blogspot.com/2009/...s-may-have.html Only Jose Julio is a big leaguer now. Suarez has to regain his velocity. Good breaking stuffs. He is still very young. Thanks for the info, C. I thought it was strange that the Trib had an article about the scouts' take on AChapman the other day. Are there rumors of his pending departure from the island?

Normally, I wouldn't advance an unsubstantiated rumor, but I heard from a friend that I trust, that perhaps there's another reason that neither the Sox nor Cubs made an offer to Henry Blanco as the backup C. I'm sure many of you are aware that Henry's brother was murdered in Venezuela last December after being kidnapped for ransom - a despicable practice that is all too common for Latin players making big $ in the States. My friend said that there might be more to this, that Henry was possibly involved in gang activity at some time in Venezuela, has the tattoos to prove it, and that his brother's death wasn't merely a money-grab gone bad. Thus, the unreported fear of the GM's is that Henry himself is a target, and would bring an unneeded security risk to the team that signs him. Could all be crap, probably is, but has anyone else heard this? Apologies in advance.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Mar 30, 2009 -> 10:47 AM) I'm a BA fan, and this will be his first legitimate shot since 2006. Its all up to him. If he blows or gets hurt, I will move on. I'm going with BA to be the Quentin of 2009. He won't put up the numbers Quentin did last year, but I think BA will put up the numbers KW thought he would. .270 BA 25 homers. Well, that would be awesome. I hope you're right, DA.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Mar 30, 2009 -> 10:39 AM) I hope he doesn't suck, but I know he will. I can't disagree, and the leadoff idea for him or Ba ins downright scary. Still, it's "pop the cork" time with Owens gone. I want Egbert on the roster after a MacDougal trade. Things could work out after all.

QUOTE (bmags @ Mar 29, 2009 -> 07:23 PM) wide open fields with nothing to block the wind? Because Indiana SUCKS and Iowa BLOWS.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Mar 29, 2009 -> 05:08 PM) Either one throws better than AJ anyway, but both would be saddled with a pitching staff that makes that job tough. It may have been meaningless, but I was slightly encouraged seeing AJ throw two speedsters out with Gavin (the anti-Buehrle when it comes to holding runners) on the mound. Maybe Coop has been able to speed him up a bit (slide step as Stony mentioned), or add a little deception. We'll see. Count's probably too much of an "old dog" for any improvement in this regard.

QUOTE (Cubano @ Mar 29, 2009 -> 05:08 PM) When Viciedo kicked or butted or ate those two balls, many in here jumped into the conclusion he was terrible or he needed to work on his D. Ozzie was the first one taliking BS after seeing Viciedo play for only two days. Then, I wrote. If we are going to judge Viciedo like that, then lets judge everybody in camp with the same magnifying glass. It happened that Betemit looked terrible short after. I was just picking on him to make my point. It could have been other player too. By the way, there is no garantee Viciedo will rock in AAA or AA. I assume he will do. He may be a bomb too. It was nice to see him playing better defense according to some of you because I did not see it later in ST. It was nice to see him hitting against MLB pitchers with certain degree of authority. I do not think two weeks were enough for him. I would have love seeing him more agaisnt MLB pitchers to see how he fared as he grew more confident in ST. Who knows? Viciedo just came to the WS. Therefore, he has to wait in line until his name is called. I wished he had made the team. That is my personal opinion. Overall, I thought the Tank showed good instincts in the field, and could be good at 3B - especially if he avoids the Moon Pies in 'Bama and sheds a few pounds. Like you, Cubano, I just can't wait to see the kid reaching the Concourse at the Cell. I'm going to have to restrain myself. Remember, I'm the idiot who's predicting he'll be the Sox' first 50 home run player.

QUOTE (Princess Dye @ Mar 29, 2009 -> 01:55 PM) i'm fine with 2year if it's cheap as all get out We'll see how Allen and Viciedo are doing in the minors. If they're looking like monsters, no way do you extend Paulie in this economy.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Mar 29, 2009 -> 03:47 PM) By the way, Kroeger was born in Davenport, Iowa, so with Sweeney and now Gilmore, we're getting a disproportionate share of native Iowans on the White Sox these days. Good to see. Why is that good? As a U of I alum, I hate Iowa and everything in it. You know why it's always windy in Illinois, don't you?

QUOTE (BearSox @ Mar 28, 2009 -> 06:43 AM) Also, I'd be surprised if Fields is a long term answer at any position, unless he drastically cuts down on his K's and is able to draw more walks. Well, that's what he's been doing this ST. I'm cautiously optimistic. At least he seems to be addressing the problems.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Mar 28, 2009 -> 01:09 AM) And based on gut feel it's hard to believe no one gets under Buehrle's projected 4.57 mark[/b]. Gut feel, and the fact that Buehrle has only been that bad once in his career. The projection systems might as well admit that they can't predict MB accurately. I'm guessing they undervalue his runner-holding abilities, but I'm not certain.

QUOTE (TheBigHurt @ Mar 26, 2009 -> 07:57 PM) we'd need a damn miracle to win the division unless most are players are hot No miracle needed. We have the best overall pitching in the division.

QUOTE (Jimmywins1 @ Mar 26, 2009 -> 10:40 AM) They're different players than Alexei, they just had the durability to do it, he didn't. It was his first year playing anywhere close to 162 games, in a new country, in a new position. College hoop players hit "the wall" in the NBA because they're not used to the grind. Doesn't matter what age they are. Lexi will be ready this year and be fine playing 150+ games at SS. Cut the guy some slack, James.

QUOTE (PlaySumFnJurny @ Mar 24, 2009 -> 01:55 PM) Hafner = Roider. No doubt in my mind. That wouldn't surprise anyone. Time for him to start his second career as Vin Diesel's stunt double.

QUOTE (scenario @ Mar 24, 2009 -> 04:04 PM) I want MacDougal to continue having a very good spring... in the hope that some team will step up and take him off of our hands. Absolutely. Maybe we can package him with Broadway, and make a more palatable s*** sandwich.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Mar 24, 2009 -> 10:35 AM) Ozzie said in 2006 he didn't care what Anderson hit, he was only concerned with his defense. He was playing great defense and not hitting, when that extended through June, and everyone but Dye stopped hitting and offense from CF was needed, BA rode pine. Its not easy coming up with a world champion taking one its most popular players' place, and BA was a bit immature anyway. I don't disagree about the mixed msgs. from Ozzie, but it's not like he didn't give BA a legit shot. It wasn't exactly a pressure cooker for BA, until he continued to be a liability with the offense struggling post-ASB. The Aaron Rowand to the HOF crowd wasn't too vocal when we stood at 57-29 on July 7th. Bolded part would be a serious understatement. I'm rooting for BA, but he's not under any less pressure now. Probably more, because he won't get another chance (definitely here, and maybe nowhere) if he fails again.

QUOTE (SouthsideDon48 @ Mar 24, 2009 -> 12:03 PM) *If Wise is in the line-up, this is what Ozzie is probably more than likely to do. I don't really have too much of a problem with it because Wise would only be getting half the starts if he was in a platoon with BA anyway. Wise would get ~3/4 of the AB's, because ~75% of starters are right handed. That's too many AB's for that guy.

QUOTE (SouthsideDon48 @ Mar 24, 2009 -> 12:03 PM) What does everyone else think? Good analysis. I don't really mind Fields in the two hole, since he's making an effort to be more patient this spring. What I've heard a ton on this site, and don't understand, however, is the idea that Lexi needs to be down in the order to get RBI's. This is the AL, and if the bottom three in the order (perhaps AJ, Fields, BA) perform as I expect them to, he'll get plenty of RBI opps. plus the increased chances with more PA's and faster runners (BA, Fields, Getz) on base in front of him, vs. Thome, Dye and Konerko last year. Robin Ventura knocked in 100 runs in '91, mostly from the 2-hole. Robin drew many more walks, Lexi will steal some bases, but otherwise their numbers are very similar. I also believe that the extra situational responsibilities that come with the 2 hole will help his patience, and he's smart enough to make the adjustments. I'll continue to beat the dead horse that we don't need to platoon the leadoff position if Getz is the guy. His splits are virtually identical.

QUOTE (Wanne @ Mar 24, 2009 -> 10:12 AM) when has the guy HONESTLY been given a shot with consistant innings and abs since he was pretty much tossed to the wolves after Rowand was dealt his rookie year? Tossed to the wolves?? I think not. He had the low-pressure 9-hole slot on a team with plenty of offense elsewhere. He stunk it up at the plate, plain and simple. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for giving him another shot, but let's not be revisionist on his 2006.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Mar 22, 2009 -> 12:56 PM) http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AlGz...o&type=lgns I think that darned Choo guy (why SEA gave up on him, I'm not sure) will be a pain in our butts for many years to come. Choo will be MORE of a pain in the butt to the Sox if Korea wins tonight. The word is he'll likely get an exemption from mandatory military service if Korea wins the WBC. If they lose, he'll have to return to Korea for ~2 years after the 2010 season. My wife is Korean, so I'll be rooting for them tonight, regardless.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Mar 19, 2009 -> 01:29 PM) I first I saw anything about him considering it (Getz batting leadoff) is in the online trib in the article about Vicedo being sent down. http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseb...,0,323351.story That's encouraging.

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Mar 19, 2009 -> 02:36 PM) He's a spring training hall of famer. If only he can do this consistantly when the season starts. Well, he seems determined to get off to a better start in '09. Let's hope it carries over. Nice bounceback by Danks today.

QUOTE (JPN366 @ Mar 18, 2009 -> 12:47 PM) The Royals also released left Jimmy Gobble. Don't want him - guy's a turkey.