flavum

Um...yeah.

Trout certainly would have been considered the more aggressive pick, considering that's what their new drafting philosophy is supposedly. They were probably wanting a leadoff hitter that's closer to the big leagues than some high school player. Well, that high school player is now in AA, and Mitchell is at Winston-Salem. Yes, I know he missed a year, but still. I'm just not feeling Mitchell will be anything. Hope I'm wrong, but it's still going to take a couple years to find out.

April 18 - June 1 the Sox have three long road trips. 30 road/13 home. They had their chance to get some padding, and now they've blown it. If they come home from Boston on June 1st at 31-27, I'll take it.

On the bright side, they got the game in and won't have to call up Jeff Marquez to start a game next week.

With Pierre, you try to have him steal, then try to move him over by hitting to the right side. I just don't understand giving up an out there.

Stefan Gartrell was outrighted to Charlotte, dropping him from the 40-man, which is now at 37.

Could've had Trout. Instead, we take another college football player with a long swing.

Oh great, tonight they all wear 42. Not confusing at all.

If they get rained out tonight, they'll probably play a doubleheader on Sunday. Then the question is---what will they do with the rotation? They might be forced to start Marquez, Harrell, or Dolsi the last game in Tampa. Peavy ready for 5 innings?

Once again, do what you want, but it better work. If this team doesn't make the playoffs, Kenny and Ozzie have to go.

The problem with the bullpen isn't the arms--it's the roles. I feel very confident that if they give Santos a shot at closer, he'll thrive. The first step is to get Thornton back to his old role. And I'm sure I'm in the minority, but I think Chris Sale needs to go down to the minors and start. It's not a penalty for having a 7+ ERA. It's just that they probably don't need three lefties in the pen if Thornton isn't the closer. Let's develop Sale as a starter the right way. Let him go down to Birmingham and build up innings, so he's ready to go next year when the rotation will have an opening or two. I had suggested Anthony Carter come up, but that's probably premature. But how about a Brian Bruney or a Josh Kinney for middle relief for now? Once Peavy comes back, you can have Humber and Pena in long relief. Ohman and Bruney (or another righty) in mid-relief. Thornton and Crain setting up. And Santos closing. I think this is the best bullpen setup given who they have in the organization. All is not lost with the bullpen. They just need to put the puzzle pieces in the right order.

I think the off day will give them some clarity. Santos has to close. They'll figure it out.

It could be early May, but I'm assuming it's 80 pitches tonight. 90 next time on the 18th. 100 pitches on the 23rd in the minors. And then it's a go on the 29th vs Baltimore. Isn't there a limit on the amount of time on a rehab assignment?

I think 72 pitches is ok. No idea where his velocity is at. I think he's going to have 2 more rehab outings, and then he'll be up around the 29th. Home vs Baltimore for a return?

Through 6: 72 pitches, 55 strikes 2 runs on 8 hits. His pitch count was supposed to be 80 tonight, so we'll see if he goes back out. edit: he's done for the night.

Is Jim Gallagher a late bloomer prospect, or just a guy?

I had no problem pulling Danks today with well over 100 pitches and a 3 run lead. Buehrle at 99 pitches, and a 1-0 lead...that was a mistake, despite what some radio postgame host might tell you.

Through 5: 59 pitches, 44 strikes 2 runs on 6 hits

Peavy just gave up a lead off homer in the 5th.

at Charlotte through 4 innings: 49 pitches, 36 strikes 1 run on 5 hits, 2 K

J4L-- I'm giving Ozzie and Kenny the benefit of the doubt, because I absolutely believe both should be fired if the Sox don't make the playoffs this year of "all-in". Plenty of time to figure this out and there's plenty of talent on this team, but at the end of the season they have to be on top of the standings, or it's time to make organizational changes.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Apr 13, 2011 -> 05:55 PM) Makes perfect sense. We are 2 1/2 and 2 games up on the Twins and Tigers respectively despite our bullpen doing everything it can to cost us games, so you want to send Sale down and call up some average right-handed relief prospect who isn't ready for the majors. I'm sure that will solve our bullpen problems and help us maintain our lead over our real rivals. Yes. I want a decent arm to be in middle relief. Thornton and Crain in setup roles, where they belong. And Santos to close, because he has closer stuff and a closer demeanor. I think Sale is best served starting in the minors, and I'm not changing my opinion.

Chet is listening to B&B. They used Linebrink goo left over.

Just going with pitchers in the Sox organization, this is the pitching staff I'm looking forward to: Starters: Danks, Peavy, Buehrle, Jackson, Floyd Bullpen: Humber--long relief Pena-- long relief and slop Ohman--LOOGY and slop Carter-- inning here and there and setup when Crain and Thornton are taxed Thornton--lefty setup Crain--righty setup Santos--CLOSER I want Sale to be in the minors starting and I'm going to be consistent about this the rest of the season.

New White Sox closer, Lori Moreland.