29andPoplar

This is an interesting observation. Part of it in my opinion is the Sun Times editors, who love controversey. They were all over Cowley about not reporting the blow up doll thing first. He was on the radio and said he disagreed with his editors running Slezak's story. But Cowley is not called Tailgunner Joe for nothing. He is always taking shots at people who don't cooperate with him and he soft soaps people who do cooperate, not unlike any beat reporter/writer. Kenny Williams and Cowley have an uneasy but peaceful relationship, it's much better than it used to be but Williams is wary of Cowley and does not like all this clubhouse crap getting out. No GM does. But it today's media, that's the way it is. Cowley is extremely competitive and he'll print whatever he thinks is good for Cowley. But that's his job.

Well I would disagree he won't adjust his swing. I agree he has tremendous potential. He did adjust his bunt "swing" to the butcher boy, so he has shown the ability to adjust. There have been other times too when he hits the ball to the right side in the appropriate situation, which (to me) made the huge swing on the hit and run more frustrating to me, and to the two Sox announcers as well for what that's worth. All that said, I like Ramirez and have been encouraged by his progress, particularly recently. I am impressed with his defense at 2B and I didn't expect it to be as good as I'm seeing.

Not nitpicking Rock, just not making excuses for him either. It's the big leagues, they were mistakes so let's call them mistakes. Hit and runs are the same everywhere in baseball. If the coaches haven't emphasized what they expect from him on a hit and run, then the coaches are at fault too. Interestingly, the two White Sox announcers and the Cleveland announcers commented on his huge swing on that play, noting he should know it's a contact play and to cut down on the swing.

Well, yes, he's made some very good instinctual plays but some brain cramp plays as well. He had a huge cut on a hit and run the other night and Crede was thrown out by a mile. He should know to shorten his swing. Also, he forgot how many outs there were the other night. I agree he's in the midst of an adjustment period and maybe some of this is nervousness or being over anxious. Hopefully that's the case. It's clear he is talented but there have been a number of fundamental errors anyone at the MLB level shouldn't be making. That said he's not the only one making those mistakes on this team but I'm just focusing on Ramirez in this thread.

Just a few comments on this topic, first on Hatteberg. There have been criticisms of Thome here regarding bat speed and age. Hatteberg is in the same boat, he's pushing 39 and there's a reason he can't crack a very mediocre Cincinnati lineup playing for a manager who loves veterans. Even if they do end up DL'ing Konerko, they've got Swisher and there are two guys at least who can play 1B in an emergency, those being Dye and Ozuna. That's why you see DeWayne Wise up here now as a fill in ... he adds speed and defensive flexibility. Hatteberg is much more one dimensional. As for Brad Eldred, if strikeouts and bad at bats frustrate you, you will not like him. There's a reason why he's playing in AAA at this point in his career.

Happened to talk to Bob today, he says as official scorer he gets calls all the time from players and coaches. His main concern is getting the call correct so he'll always review the play to make sure. But knowing Bob's personality, he is not one to be browbeaten into changing a call. He says mostly when it's about the White Sox, one of the coaches will call and it's not a big deal, he says it has been like that for decades. Players call too, but generally less than the coaches. He said Cabrera probably had a different protocal in Anahiem and guys who take pride in their defense (and their numbers) make more of an issue about it, but he said it's rarely if ever contentious. Further he said these guys stand to make a lot of bonus money for winning Gold Gloves or finishing high in the voting. So there's the monetary factor as well. Lastly he said people would be surprised about which players in the past have called contesting scoring decisions. So, Bob isn't taking this personally. To me, this is just a case of two proud guys bumping heads (Guillen and Cabrera). It happens all the time, as fans we probably hear about 5% of incidents like this. It is obvious though that Cabrera isn't comfortable here for whatever reason and his stay here will almost certainly be 2008 only. Until he leaves, I hope he does great. Expect to see more from Cowley on this in terms of potshots at Cabrera. Sun Times editors love this stuff and Cowley has been known to be vindictive. As for Dotel and Allen Thomas ... another case of a new guy getting used to how the White Sox like to run things. This is not the first time Allen Thomas has had a dust up with a player and I'm sure it's not the first time Dotel got testy in his career. In closing, there is nothing wrong with a little controversey. It happens a lot, we just don't hear about all of it.

Maybe tomorrow for the day game. Put DeWayne Wise in there for a start vs. Westbrook.

I bet they give this cortisone shot about 7-10 days to work. Not sure how long it takes to kick in. Hmmm, that puts the timing into June, when players start to become available.

How do you like that routine of Konerko unstrapping and restrapping the batting gloves after every pitch? And yet Freel is the nut case.

I thought it was his top hand, i.e. his right hand?

Great stuff. So it's fair to expect this whole year to be a struggle for him, quite possibly very subpar numbers wise.

Jason I doubt the Cubs want Owens. I can't see Lou wanting him, not until they make the call on Edmonds, at minimum. Murton is a man without a position and that's what keeps him from the majors. I agree the power thing is overrated. For whatever reason Hendry has been very reluctant to part with him. Red Sox have asked about getting him back and Hendry keeps shutting them down. It is a shame he's stuck in AAA though because he can hit. Speaking of wayward Cubbie outfielders, it wouldn't shock me if Corey Patterson gets DFA'd later today.

Murton is a good hitter no question. However he's shaky in LF and he would be awful in CF. Not to mention Hendry wants a lot for him.

Here is my take on this. Yes, it is selfish if he's calling Rosenberg in the press box during games. Knowing Bob, Cabrera wouldn't get too far with the argument anyways. As for trading him ... my thought is this ... he has been sub par thus far and I think he will only get better for the rest of the year. This guy is not a .220 hitter. The trade market is dead right now so it doesn't make much sense calling for trades as teams will stick with what they've got for a few weeks more at minimum. Not to mention the team hasn't been playing great but they're in first place. Lots of guys underachieving but still in first place, I think they should wait a bit on personnel moves with the exception of fixing the 2B hole if the right guy is available. Oh by the way, long live Schallers Pump. Oldest saloon in Chicago and one of the best.

Shouldn't have anything to do with it, as it's his left shoulder that was surgically repaired and he throws right handed.

I share your thoughts about Fields but the reality is he has a long way to go, especially with strike zone judgement. I realize most on this site are anxious to annoint him something special but if he continues with all these strikeouts and lack of strike zone judgement, everyone will be sorely disappointed and on his case. Flame away but in my opinion if you can trade him and get a really good return, you do it. But they will keep him due to the uncertainty of Crede, which I completely understand. I just think they should look for a better long term solution at 3B. As for Bourgeois, yes, he has been a disappointment. He started out strong in spring but the last 10 days he was with the big league camp, his play was uneven, both offensively and defensively. This is a guy that people were up in arms about, in terms of not being added to the 40 man. So far, he's showing he's right where he belongs, in the minor leagues. That said, I hope he turns it on because his skillset is needed ... speed, contact hitting, versatility.

Good analysis but here's the thing. Those close to him say bat speed is not the issue and he himself says it's not the issue. I think he's trying to hard, pressing, which has long been a bad habit of his. He also hasn't been quite as willing to draw walks, he could have many more by now but he's trying to hit his way out of this. He does not do well vs. lefties that's for sure but with Konerko out their options are limited. I don't think he's done, he will come out of this and start producing. Krod is nasty with that down and in pitch, Thome is not the only guy he gets with that. And yes I know more than one pitcher have made Thome look bad this year. Besides, really, who do you go and get right now, in May? Seattle doesn't want Thome, they just need their players to start playing better. Right now they're the worst team in the league.

Jason ... it's a long year and tomorrow is another day.

Can't wait for the 9th inning and expect to get it done. Go get 'em tomorrow. Nice game by Floyd though, except for that brain cramp inning.

I loved how he only gave up three runs tonight. Kept his team in the game.

Hopefully not. Nice job by Gavin tonight except for that one brain cramp inning.

Totally agree it's being analyzed more than it deserves. If Cowley is to be believed, KW is looking for a 2B who can lead off. He mentioned Figgins, I don't see why LAA makes that deal. Then there's Durham which is a possibility but the White Sox won't give anyone off their 25 man to get him, nor should they unless it's Uribe. Scouring the other rosters ... it's Freel. He hasnt' played much 2B lately but he's not bad there.

I agree that Freel likes to drinky drinky but lots of players did (do) that. As you say if the leadership is strong enough it wouldn't be a problem. Sheer speculation on this though. Reds are in the basement but only 6-7 out and it's still May. I think their new GM wants to wait and evaluate.

DeWayne Wise. "What's Happenin' DeWayne?"

That's a good point about Weaver. Both Owens and Bourgeois have been disappointing in Charlotte, they're both hitting under .230 . Wise can pinch run and be a lefty bat off the bench. It just gives them more flexibility but yeah, they're a little thin in the infield. We will definitely see Ramirez pretty much every day here for a while.