Flash Tizzle

QUOTE(fathom @ May 29, 2007 -> 08:14 PM) Just pray that they either start playing well or they fall 10 games or so behind the Tigers/Indians. The last thing we want to see is a team that can't catch the leaders who won't trade their impending free agents. Everyone knows that's exactly what will happen. We'll be somewhere around 6 games out of the division lead, and 5 out with 5 teams to jump in the wildcard standings. Oh, and if anyone is dealt, I'll expect a great package. I don't even care if it's unrealistic. Don't draft well, you have to take advantage of midseason trades for the sake of your franchises future.

Where's our Boof Bonser?

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ May 29, 2007 -> 07:12 PM) In 1997 the White Sox had 7 of the first 62 picks in the draft. I'm not going to hold my breath. Even with past failures, I'd love for atleast two additional picks within the first 40. Any more and the problem becomes distributing money around.

QUOTE(caulfield12 @ May 29, 2007 -> 06:56 PM) Because they are the most "under the radar" you can possibly get...and their firings don't satisfy the "bloodlust" of the average fan in Kankakee or Peoria that goes to one or two White Sox games per year and probably doesn't even know the starting line-up of the White Sox. For instance, take Radcliff and Jim Rantz. WHO? Two huge reasons the Twins have finished ahead of the White Sox in four of the last five years with significantly smaller budgets. We'd be much better off to double the salary of either of those guys and let them remake our scouting department (like Dayton Moore is doing in KC with Braves' network scouts) than paying millions to Cintron, Pods and Mackowiak. http://www.citypages.com/databank/27/1346/article14739.asp Even with all my critcism directed towards the organization's player development, I believe they've been under poor direction. Including Williams. This entire philosophy of "drafting safe players to perhaps trade them" is ridiculous, IMO. It shouldn't even enter the minds of scouts. First and foremost concern should be drafting to help the ballclub. I'm just thankful Hahn finally realized the Lance Broadways and Kyle McCulloch of the worlds won't work any more in this league; in this division. Sure, they're good for anchoring a rotation as a #4/#5 position; but we already have a collection of pitchers who fit that mold. That's why I believe it all begins June 7th. Either the beginning of the end, or an indication we have people who have changed their methods for identifying talent. We're going to need it in the following seasons.

QUOTE(caulfield12 @ May 29, 2007 -> 06:51 PM) I think Liriano/Bonser/Nathan takes the cake there. Remarkably, for such a devastating deal they've rebounded quickly. It's not unreasonable to suggest the trade may have cost them a chance at two division titles. Not bad considering the players involved. In an odd way, San Francisco actually benefited from their absence with a medicore record which led to the drafting of Lincecum. Now, let's see whether Young's absence will be voided with additional prospects in the coming seasons. Not in the same manner as SF, but in terms of making up for a past mistake.

QUOTE(briguy27 @ May 29, 2007 -> 05:56 PM) w/o a doubt it was the todd ritchie deal. he was like 1-11 for us That trade set the White Sox back several years. And while it's impossible to guess whether Williams may have overlooked Colon (among other deals) if Wells and Fogg remained on the club, those two would have been welcomed additions to the 02' rotation; 03' as well.

http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/news/artic...7&fext=.jsp Emboldened is direct proof of an organizational shift in drafting pitchers. I feel somewhat more confident they won't throw away their first pick. Although this discussion of "hard nosed" players and "intangibles" freightens me. I also love how Merkin mentions the organization's "abundance of outfield prospects," as if that's supposed to mean they're all highly talented.

QUOTE(fathom @ May 28, 2007 -> 09:32 PM) I think it's great that Fields is getting some time at SS. This should be an obvious indication we're past the "don't move Fields to another position because it'll decrease his value" phase. Concern now is whether he's handling himself well, defensively. I find it interesting the move happened now. And that it didn't even involve a move to LF. Uribe may not even be on this club entering August. Now all Williams has to worry about is our OF, 2B, bullpen, rotation, and whether Fields to SS means Crede will play out remaining arbitration season here. Good luck in that.

QUOTE(WSoxMatt @ May 28, 2007 -> 05:37 PM) I watched the Twins post gameon FSN North and I guess in AJs 1st AB, he tagged 1st base awefully close to JMs foot...then after the 2nd groundout (DP), again Gardy felt he had the whole base to hit and damn near clipped JMs foot again...I guess that was Gardy protecting his MVP but I would be surprised to see AJ plunked in the right situation later in the series I wouldn't either. Neither would I be surprised if, after Pierzynski were plunked, the umpires immediately warned both benches for the remainder of the series. Of course, from HBP onwards both games will be close, and when Guillen does instruct a pitcher to hit someone (probably Morneau) it'll immediately come back to haunt us.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ May 28, 2007 -> 05:11 PM) I don't see how people can slam Masset. He has some nice secondary stuff and as a starter he has an above average fastball that sustains its velocity and life late into games. I'm not slamming Masset. He's not the one who sold fans on a fastball with additional velocity.

QUOTE(BearSox @ May 28, 2007 -> 05:05 PM) Actually, that is correct, as Massett throwing 93-94 is just a tic below Jenks' 95-96... And you actually believe that's what Williams meant?

QUOTE(BearSox @ May 28, 2007 -> 04:59 PM) can anyone answer my question? Where was Day's awesome slider? The same mystical land where Masset's 'tick below Jenks' fastball lives.

QUOTE(Heads22 @ May 28, 2007 -> 04:45 PM) Which would you prefer, a greater focus on improving our drafting or our international scouting? Both. We shouldn't be choosing one over another until atleast one proves itself valuable. Early rounds, devote money to projectable picks; not safe ones. Accept the risk of failure for the possibility whomever selected has a high ceiling. That's more a shift in philosophy than anything else. Avoid terms such as "#4,#5 starter" or "athlete." These have been attached to recent draft choices, none of which have proved useful. International scouting obviously needs to improve. You know all the reasons.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ May 28, 2007 -> 04:39 PM) Whatever you say Dusty, I guess American pitchers just aren't good enough. That Peavy guy sucks since he was born within our borders. The difference is overseas draft position doesn't matter. It all depends upon dedication and whether you're willing to spend the money to search for and sign available players. And I realize Peavey was drafted in the later rounds. Problem is, you can't count on drafting a Peavey late; so why bother? Venezuela is vital because of Guillen and our World Series championship. We need every advantage possible. I'd like to see an article similar to that of Omar Minaya which suggests our club has dedicated a five million dollar facility.

QUOTE(Heads22 @ May 28, 2007 -> 04:33 PM) LOL, you just don't quit, do you? You'll have to settle for Eggy and Gio's five combined Cy Youngs. Honestly, what else can be said for having two tremendous selling points. Play for country idol Ozzie Guillen; and play for a recent World Series team. Hernandez decided on Seattle in part because Garcia played for them. There should be a monopoly on outgoing talent. I'm going to hold you up on the five cy youngs between them.

QUOTE(Heads22 @ May 28, 2007 -> 04:26 PM) Day should not pitch for this team again this year. Williams is desperate. He decided to call-up the reliever with the best-stuff over someone such as Prinz who is the more complete pitcher. Day's presence just reminded everyone who forgot that instant success and White Sox prospects don't go together.

QUOTE(fathom @ May 28, 2007 -> 04:18 PM) I don't think people understand how bad the hitting in AA and AAA is this season. The people at BA constantly talk about how it's the weakest they've seen in a decade at least. Even so, we're not exactly in a position to give up starting pitching prospects. Especially considering Williams' stance on long term deals and the complete lack of international scouting. De Los Santos nonwithstanding. I've held a belief that a legitimate ace should be on this ballclub by 2010. Preferably from Venezuela. If we can't take advantage of the 2005 World Series and Guillen's popularity, whomever is working out there deserves to be fired. If Fields, Anderson, Sweeney, etc. haven't improved for next season, when their presence could be vital to obtaining other players, then it may be time to gut everything sooner.

And why the hell does WGN decide to play a two minute reel of Torii Hunter embarrassing our ballclub?

QUOTE(fathom @ May 28, 2007 -> 04:10 PM) Our minor league system sucks. Not only is the talent minimal, but we don't prepare these guys to be major league ready. Basically every prospect we call up is going to be an ineffective prospect. At least we know that Gio can dominate one team in AA though. We should trade him now while his value is high. Even if someone were to suggest Day isn't ready, which he isn't, atleast there should be evidence of his DEVASTATING 48SO in 28innings stuff. I didn't see anything overwhelming. Gonzalez damn well better produce immediately in the majors. He's probably the front runner to replace Buehrle for next season.

QUOTE(Heads22 @ May 28, 2007 -> 04:05 PM) No more Dewon Day. Please. No more ineffective prospects. Please. I sure didn't see the 70 rated slider last inning, either. Did one Twin swing and miss?

Anyone find it rather cryptic how Hawk/DJ have been discussing prospects for several inning. As if they're attempting to sell us on the future.

This has become embarrassing very quickly. And you people wonder why I criticize the White Sox organization and their inability to produce major league talent. No one can produce immediately.

QUOTE(fathom @ May 28, 2007 -> 03:41 PM) I just have such a bad feeling it will be Buehrle and Garland that are gone. Don't worry though, Floyd and Gio are ready to come up and lead us to a 5th place AL Central finish. I believe it's inevitable the White Sox will experience a two/three year stretch where they're consistently under .500. If this season ends poorly, you have to ask yourself whether it's reasonable to expect the White Sox to compete in 2008. Or 2009. If dangling Garland happens to give the White Sox a reasonable package, Williams would be a fool not to consider. We haven't even discussed the roster yet. Who'll replace Dye? Or Iguchi? Can Erstad possibly return for 6 million dollars if incentives are reached?

Even with his struggles, I'd rather take a chance with Wilson than have Williams drastically overpay for a legitimate LFer. We're replacing Ozuna, afterall. He'll be an acceptable option against lefthanders for the meantime. If not, let him go. No problem.

It's just easier if I copy thewizardofoz's post from Southsidesox. AAA: W fields: 1-3, 1 BB, 1 K, .284 anderson: 0-4, 1 K, .276 owens: 1-3, 1 BB, .287 sweeney: 0-3, 1 BB, .269 gonzalez: 1-3, 1 HR, 1 BB, .242 broadway: 6.2 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 2 K, 2 BB, 3.45 ERA prinz: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 HR, 0 K, 1 BB, 0.68 ERA A+: L cunningham: 1-4, .288 schnurstein: 0-4, .299 armstrong: 2-4, 1 HR, .269 orlando: 1-3, .280 allen: 2-3, .217 richard: 5.0 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 HR, 5 K, 5 BB, 3.03 ERA A: W shelby: 1-5, .267 carter: 1-5, .307 allen: 2-5, .261 cruz: 1-4, .286 hernandez: 1-3, 1 2B, .304 gilbert: 1-3, 1 2B, .240 faustino: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 8 K, 2 BB, 2.08 ERA wesley: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 HR, 0 K, 1 BB, 0.79 ERA