29andPoplar

Agree and I have been saying the same thing. Nothing against Josh but let's face it, he's not doing well either. Also we do not know what the problem is the last four days. Clearly he's not healthy at the moment or there are other issues keeping him out of the lineup. After a night's sleep on this, the silver lining is the pitching. It's been good, very good actually. They are in this thing, right now Cleveland is a mess and people are calling for Wedge to get fired. Not a good atmosphere there, and Detroit has problems too. Minnesota is playing well but that's to be expected, they have less ups and downs. There are no impact bats in the minors at the moment and I took Williams' comments to mean there are no trades available either. So it's Walker or lineup changes. Since Ozzie has said time and time again Walker won't get fired, either he goes back on his word or the lineup gets changed.

Of course he is boxed in. If he could have pulled a deal today, he would have. He just better hope the team stays in 1st or at the very least afloat until a trade opportunity opens up. The guys who are struggling may turn it around somewhat but this offense as constructed will be prone to long dry spells. In the meantime the only weapon Guillen has is benching guys or firing Walker. Therefore it is likely he will bench 1-2 guys. Tuesday I see Crede on the bench for Ozuna and Konerko on the bench although Swisher is just as bad. The only name that's out there for the taking is Lofton but obviously been there, done that.

It is very good they have a day off tomorrow. I was waiting for the Guillen explosion, sure enough it happened. At the moment, the only possible move I see is Konerko to the DL. I am not sure the trade market is open at this point.

I understand what you're saying ... but the two (Guillen and Williams) are not on the same page at the moment. Guillen wants changes, Williams is preaching patience. Williams apparently does not feel changes are necessary and/or he knows there's nothing available.

Couldn't have said it better. Nicely stated. Maybe there will be a surprise transaction but I think this is a motivational ploy. These guys are too comfortable and something needs to get done. Konerko's AB in the 9th wasn't good, if Ozuna wasn't doing some heads up baserunning he wouldn't have even made 3rd. Crede didn't get it done and Swisher is dazed and confused at the moment.

Thanks Rock, I thought I was the only one who felt that way.

You go girl.

Well, lots of people here have been subjected to decisions they haven't liked. Everyone else gets over it so I'm sure you will too. The good news is, this will be more fodder for your blog. Inquiring minds want to know. Anyways, it's just a decision that was made, apparently. Sort of like you remaining anonymous.

Cabrera SS Ramirez 2B Quentin LF Dye RF Konerko DH Crede 3B Hall C Anderson CF Swisher 1B

I agree, I think he's got to be in there tonight. DH is a good option.

Wise is being sent out today, isn't he?

It's one big giant conspiracy I tell you. My God, it's the last day in May, tune down the angst. Lots of things can and probably will happen.

No doubt about it, but what do you do there? I mean, those guys aren't going anywhere, they aren't going to be traded. I hate to say they're proven players but they are. So, you make an incremental improvement and that's at leadoff. I guess I'm grasping at straws like others here, based on giving up only 6 hits tonight and still losing the game.

Yes. Speed isn't the prereq for a leadoff hitter, it's getting on base, taking pitches, driving the pitcher crazy, etc. Speed is a plus, yes, and if a guy can not only get on but be a threat to steal, so much the better. Not to mention a guy who can play multiple positions for the Ozzie flexibility factor you mentioned is another plus. That's why I keep coming back to Freel, and frankly I don't care if he likes leprauchans or not. Can he make the team better, I believe he can. The question is do Williams and Guillen agree, because me posting it on a message board means nothing. But that type of player is what they need at the top. Everything starts at the top.

That's the exact point. Now look out there and tell me who plays 2B (the only position arguable a true offensive hole based on history of performance). There are two. Ray Durham and Ryan Freel. Both would hit better, or are highly likely to hit better than what we have at 2B, even with this surge by Ramirez. So let's suppose you go out and get one of them, plug them in at 2B and leadoff. What are you giving up on defense, for a team that relies on good pitching no less? Without watching either Durham or Freel play 2B much lately, it is safe to say Uribe and quite possibly Ramirez give you better defense at 2B. So it comes down to this, are you willing to sacrifice defense for offense to get the leadoff hitter with contact ability and speed? That is the exact question they are mulling. Durham for sure is available, Freel is very likely available.

It's simple, somebody would have to go to make room. Let's face it, they are valuing defense at 2B and that's why Uribe has been in there until he got hurt. Now you have Ramirez playing well so maybe they stick with him. The question that needs to be answered by Sox brass is at what point do you value some extra offense over defense? If you're at that point, you swap out Uribe and bring in another all purpose player who hits for contact. Problem is, I don't think they will dump Uribe, if one of your middle infielders or even Crede gets hurt he can step in. They value his defense, perhaps over value it, but that's their mindset. My guess is, for now, they stick with what they have. You can pinch hit Ozuna for Thome in late situations but frankly I don't see that happening.

Yes that's true. He did some very good things and also struck out a ton. If there's a change, it needs to come from outside. The team needs more guys who can work counts, put the ball in play, etc. Nothing against Fields but a guy who strikes out a whole bunch is not what's needed.

I believe Josh Fields is nicked up again at Charlotte. Not in the lineup again tonight. Not sure what the issue is but I'm sure some of the minor league people here can find out.

Jason, you made the right call here. I inquired behind the scenes and was told Bureau did not know the extent of SoxTalk's audience nor the ramifications of some of his technically incorrect statements. The statement of Regier getting fired was clearly wrong, and some of the frills and dressings he added were, shall we say, unnecessary. He tried to supply good information to fans and his emotions got the best of him. He was really concerned about proving his status or validity here, or whatever one would like to call it. He is better off not posting stuff and hey, so be it. He has his job to think of. As for "Cheat", he's been anonymous for years. The guy who runs that networks of blogs ... at least his identity is in the open, unlike the mango tree dweller. Not surprising at all that an anonymous blogger would throw anyone or any website under the bus, it's easy when you're anonymous. You are not anonymous Jason, and you did the right thing here.

I can't believe you're saying they're in the playoffs already by the end of May. Absolutely everything is going their way at home right now. Things tend to even out. The good news is they aren't running away with anything, the other teams are within striking distance. Plus, unless I'm wrong, it seems like they've played a lot of home games vs. road games. All that said ... the Rockies should be ashamed of themselves. Blowing an 8 run lead is mind boggling.

I'm not big on these batting order discussions but I will say this ... all of it is due to not having a true leadoff hitter ... a guy who can get on base at a .370+ clip and can disrupt the rhythm of the pitcher once he's on. They are not easy to find, but not trying to rain on the parade while the team is playing well, but it is Kenny Williams' fault for not finding and acquiring that guy. We were told all along what a good #2 hitter Cabrera is and that he is mediocre in the leadoff spot. Right now I believe it's not so much a case of where Cabrera is hitting, it is more due to the likehood he'd start hitting in general. He's warming up now. This guy is not a .220 hitter. Quentin at the #3 spot is a no brainer, seeing as he's been the team's best hitter and that's where your best hitter belongs. Swisher is down in the order now because Guillen is trying to take the pressure off him. I'm not sure where he hit in Oakland but I would guess it was in more of a traditional RBI spot. Until he starts warming up, and there have been a few signs he is (better at bats), to me it's best to leave him low in the order. But very frankly everything starts at the top. The team has no true leadoff hitter, it's been more of a case of who they can shoehorn into the #1 spot. I would bet if one were to ask Kenny Williams about the leadoff spot, he would agree and then say "where is such a player found, is such a player available, and where would he play?". But if Tailgunner Joe Cowley is to be believed, it is pretty obvious Williams' first priority is finding a leadoff guy who can play 2B.

Understandable. Not that it matters much but he's been very ordinary in AAA for Oakland. However it's only the end of May. I have my doubts about him. Small stature and a lot of torque on that arm with that curveball. To be honest I wasn't upset about giving up any of the three. DLS worried me the most but I knew he had some minor elbow issues which can turn into major elbow issues as we've just seen. Sweeney is playing well and good for him. Despite Swisher's struggles I think he'll bring more to this team over the next several years than anything they gave up. The key is restocking the pitching prospects in the draft and also making astute deals for pitchers who haven't lived up to their rep elsewhere.

What's also interesting to note is the White Sox minor league people were handling DLS with kid gloves last year, he had some minor elbow issues, quite possibly the year before as well. Pitching prospects are one huge roll of the dice.

Not only that, but the experience gained by playing on a team fighting for a division win is a developmental experience in and of itself. The Twins organization is a perfect example. They feel it's important to stress chemistry, winning as a team. So you're absolutely right, the promotion can wait.

Fair enough. He has potential as we agree upon so let's just hope he continues to make progress in all aspects of the game.