29andPoplar

If we were to look at each position and put ourselves in KW's shoes, the question becomes "can I improve over what I've already got?". With Ramirez hitting as good as he is, and how well he's doing defensively at 2B, it's awfully hard to imagine having someone clearly better. His weakness as I see it is plate discipline but he can free swing all he wants if he keeps hitting around .300 . You can always tinker with the bench, most of those parts are interchangeable. Uribe is an insurance policy and at this point I don't see them moving him. Lofton is a fit, but that's been talked to death already. Let's examine pitching. So far so good, but we all know Williams loves to add pitching. There are or will be some mid tier starters available. So the question becomes, will one or more of the starters need a breather? Does Williams go out and get a rental? He is clearly in "all in" mode for 2008. I suspect this becomes a wait-and-see game until about July 15th. Our needs will become clearer and other team's willingness to trade will become clearer as well. But if we're talking a Geoff Blum type addition, my guess continues to be Lofton.

You should also ask Northside about my prediction of how you'd come back to this thread and post from "on high". You are like clockwork, very predictable, I'll give you that. No one is falling all over themselves. Clearly the team needs a shot in the arm, I have said that repeatedly. Not sure where you're coming up with your conclusion that anyone thinks it's a crazy idea, then again, some of the conclusions you come up with are, well, shall we say slightly off kilter. There's a need for a lefthanded hitter with speed. At least Kenny Williams and Ozzie Guillen think so. Well, they brought up DeWayne Wise. Personally I wish they'd gone outside, but DeWayne Wise is a lefthanded hitter with speed. Who knew that Kenny and Ozzie would disagree with your conclusions and agree with others' conclusions. And Ozuna is still here! Uncanny.

Owens started in CF for Charlotte today and got yanked after one at bat. Supposedly the groin again. Yup, I think Williams is working on something. It would be highly uncharacteristic if he wasn't. He keeps preaching patience but he's saying it through clenched teeth.

Ptatc, a question for you. It says it's a Grade One sprain of the oblique. Can you explain what the grade comment means in this situation?

I wonder if after this is over they'll designate Wise for assignment again. Can you do that twice in one year? I think they can but who knows how this will go. Also, it is fair to say this is an indication of how the White Sox are feeling about Jerry Owens. One mans misfortune is another mans opportunity. This looks like Brian Anderson's opportunity and yes, that at bat on Friday was really bad. You could tell when he stepped out of the box he's going "oh no ... oh no ... what now?" By the way you are johnny-on-the-spot with the news lately.

Some interesting information about a few of the players at Great Falls this season: http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs...PORTS/806170318

And here's one about Lucas Harrell, who's on rehab at Bristol: http://www.tricities.com/tri/sports/profes..._harrell/10751/

Here's a nice article about the Bristol White Sox: http://www.tricities.com/tri/sports/profes...ay_night/10750/

I can read just fine northside, just want to make sure the truth is stated. That said I do appreciate you stepping in.

Nothing personal kyyle23, but maybe the ignore function is a good idea since quickman and my responses and perhaps even our mere presence seem to annoy you.

Actually I hope the Mets go on a huge run now. I would be happy for Manuel. They have a lot of talent there but for some reason they totally tuned Randolph out. Watching Baseball Tonight yesterday, it seems the Mets are dysfunctional in their front office structure with reporting relationships and other things. They should've let Randolph go a few weeks ago, supposedly this was a huge distraction on everyone.

I agree with you on Konerko but disagree on Ozuna. Also, breaking news from the minor league section, I guess Fields was put on the DL again, which is a shame. But regardless, he won't be called up.

There seems to be a pack mentality on this board. Watch your back my friend.

Talk about antagonizing. Who are you, a moderator?

Sounds good in theory but the latest buzz was the Orioles starting point was Ramirez, one of either Danks or Floyd, plus another player for Roberts. Emphasis on starting point.

You on the other hand are like 45 going on 32, right? You know exactly what I'm sayin'.

Well I'm not ready to concede a damn thing. This will be playoff like intensity and they need to man up and perform.

Another good point. Possibly he's an option. If they think he is, he'll be here. Pretty sure Cook hits right handed though doesn't he?

We covered this Sat. night while listening to "Shanty". I am not looking forward to it either. I hate these series, I hate all the back-and-forth with the loudmouth Cub fans and it has started already. It is like a pack mentality with those people, they are like sheep bleating and bleating. Unless Williams has a trade up his sleeve, then he needs to bite the bullet and sign the guy he wants. It's painfully obvious, especially after this weekend's games.

Actually you bring up a really good point. If Williams decides to go in house for a solution, he is settling. Settling for something that doesn't really fit. While I realize this isn't grocery shopping and you can't just pluck something off the shelf to fill the team's needs, the fact is this team is in the hunt. When you are 4 games in front in mid June you look to add to your team. Try to win this thing. The pitching has been quite good, the pen is not overworked, those are good signs. The offense is killing this team so it's logical to add to the offense. And while I hope players like Owens and Fields turn out to be good, I would feel a lot better about them if they were mastering AAA. But they are not. Williams' hands may be tied at the moment but he needs to get a catalyst of some sort in here, and soon. Like, this week.

I can see your point. And yet, to me, Eldred is more of the same. The same frustrations we are currently experiencing. But we'll see what they do. I would rather see them swing a deal for Catalanatto for instance.

You know what, I agree. If he were tearing it up in AAA I would say well, why not. But he isn't, he has been very inconsistent. 3-5 one night, 0-4 the next two nights. On base % not that great, I think about .332 or so. On the other hand, looking at the 40 man, there's not much else. They have one spot open so they could bring someone from outside on board. Unless they want to go the DeWayne Wise route again. Frankly, no one they have in the minors fits the bill. They need a contact hitter with speed, preferably a leadoff guy, a veteran guy who can help in a pennant race and a guy who can disrupt the opposition. Is that guy available? If so, they need to get it done. The team is sleepwalking, it is frustrating to everyone and they need a jolt.

Here is what I'm struggling with. Sox fans are frustrated with the all-or-nothing type offense, understandably so. All these strikeouts, big swings, and lack of contact hitting. So the proposed solution? Bring up guys like Brad Eldred and Josh Fields, both of whom are striking out a ton in Triple A. That's not a solution, that's a let's throw something at the wall and see if it sticks. Fields is down to .251 now and Eldred isn't much higher. Striking out once every three times in AAA doesn't scream solution to me. They need to bring someone in from the outside.

Sigh. 1. No one is defending the offense. But there is a reason why Williams approached Lofton, they need a left handed bat, they need speed, they need a guy who walks as much as he strikes out. While it is debateable if that describes Lofton, it certainly does not describe Josh Fields. 2. Yesterday you said no one made the case why Ozuna has value. Then I posted as to why he does, and why he is important to this team. Now you come back with "you guys must be kidding" and mention OPS for a backup guy. Again, his value isn't hinged on OPS, no matter how many times you bring it up. 3. Are you following Fields at all this year, or are you banking on that .244 average he had last year, and all those strikeouts too? You mention how bad the team looked last night while striking out, and your solution is bringing up a guy who has struggled against AAA pitching, and oh, he strikes out once every three at bats. Hmmm. Now that just doesn't seem to make much sense, but maybe it's because I don't have a low number like you do. When they have a bad day vs. a righthanded pitcher, what's your angle then?

If you haven't seen a single response about Ozuna, you're not reading. Try my response on 6/11 5:24 p.m for starters. Fields does not fill a need right now. There is a reason why they're looking at Lofton, they need speed, a left handed hitter, and a veteran who handle a pennant race. None of which Fields is. Ozuna provides speed, a spark, good contact hitting (which is sorely needed on this team), and the ability to play multiple positions. That last part, ability to play multiple positions, is key, and it's been stated by multiple posters but you don't seem to want to get it. You are saying Fields would provide better hitting. Better hitting than what? Based on what, last year? This isn't last year. They don't need another high strikeout guy in the lineup, period. I think you'll just have to get over it. They like Pablo, he is not going to be DFA'd or sent down. With good reason.