Flash Tizzle

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ May 9, 2007 -> 01:24 AM) And things will get worse for Minnesota when Santana leaves. It's not a given that Liriano is going to be the same when he comes back from his surgery as well. Santana isn't leaving Minnesota for only draft picks. Either they're retaining him beyond 2008 for a backloaded deal or he'll begin next season on another ballclub. I know teams are willing to let players go for draft picks, but you can't do that with Santana. Comments I've read from Twins fans in the past seem to echo that sentiment. Now, while it may appear foolish to trade him before the beginning of next season (especially considering Liriano's status), if there's no hope of negotiating a long term deal Minnesota may as well trade him. Just imagine what would be necessary to land him. You're talking about a team's top two/three prospects. Look at any National League ballclub. For example -- wouldn't it be worth Minnesota's while to acquire Elbert/Kershaw/additonal piece? You may be losing a perennial Cy-Young, but you're replacing a phenomenal pitcher with two very good pitchers.

QUOTE(sircaffey @ May 8, 2007 -> 10:54 PM) That is undoubtedly what I worry about the most. If this team is just close enough to "compete", but just far enough to claim firesale, we could be f***ed for a long time. I pray that we are either leading, behind 10+ games, or management declares a firesale at 5+ games out. Part of me feels like it's going to take 12+ games out for this management to declare a firesale. Stubborness seems to be a plenty... We're not necessarily in trouble if such stubborness persists. Yes, it's not an ideal situation; but look at it like this: of Buehrle, Dye, Iguchi, there's probably two Type A compensation picks and one Type B. That's five picks with two possibly in the first round, depending upon the teams signing whichever player(s). I'm sure someone will say, "that doesn't help us now;" and it doesn't. The benefit to this is having an opportunity to rebuild the system. I'd rather have prospects further along obtained at the deadline, but if management is delusional and believes 7 games is possible to make up in this division, it's not the end of the world. Don't forget as well there's the likelihood one additional starter and perhaps Crede is traded in the offseason.

QUOTE(WHarris1 @ May 8, 2007 -> 10:39 PM) Oh God I fear how horribly KW will f*** up a firesale. Personally, I hold June 11th as the deciding date to officially declare players for sale. Little more than a month from now. If we're seven or more games out, it may be time for Williams to make a difficult decision -- either have false belief, or restock for 2008 and beyond. I just hope Williams realizes for any player traded, this organization's future relies upon the return package. Fans shouldn't be expecting only a 'B' and 'C' level prospect for Buehrle. I don't even care if people make excuses of "oh well, no one wants a rent-a-player" or "who trades (player) for (return value)." It's what needs to be done to ensure this team competes in the future. And no, I don't expect a Top 10 prospect; but neither do I expect the type of players Williams acquires from scrap heaps. You know, the pitchers or positional players who have had several good seasons in the past and are currently mediocore. Or those players who, because of injury or ineffectiveness, haven't fulfilled their promise. No Gavin Floyd projects. No one who I have to hear ," Coop will fix him."

Wait, I thought when a team's best hitter goes down you're not supposed to do anything offensively? What are Morneau and Hunter doing? Oh, and this game -- next to Chad Durbin's domination -- may be #2 in the number of hanging breaking balls and fat fastballs (in hitters counts) missed. I've never seen Joe Nathan throw as many meatballs as tonight. Bonser was just laying in pitches the first few innings.

Terrible jump from Sweeney. He didn't even enter the picture when the ball reached second base. I know he has better speed than that.

QUOTE(fathom @ May 8, 2007 -> 08:07 PM) No one looks worse against hanging offspeed pitches than Iguchi. I really hope we get a new 2nd baseman this offseason. If there's one assurance from Iguchi departing next season, it's were about guaranteed Type A compensation. The 2B market is him and Castillo deep. One problem is an obvious one -- who replaces him? No one within our system will. Either we're retaining Iguchi, signing a cheap alternative, or trading for someone

....and of course, next pitch in the dirt Iguchi swings at it.

Talk about absolute meat. That 1-0 pitch was it.

This early season struggle better not prevent Dye from receiving Type A compensation at the end of the season. Talk about hurting the team and its future....this is it.

QUOTE(Mr. Showtime @ May 8, 2007 -> 07:40 PM) Is this where I'm supposed to say where's our Morneau? No, there is where you ask where's our major leaguer?

Morneau can apparently catch up to a 92 mph fastball down the middle in a hitters count. Let's see if our hitters can learn the same art.

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I wonder if teams are worried this brings more accountability to their draft selections. In the past selections were quick, on the telephone, and without much public fanfare or media attention. Now, more than any other year, you'll have thousands more fans tuning in to watch who their team will select. Most not even familiar with one solitary name in the draft. If their team's first round selection doesn't reach the majors, experiences setbacks, etc. the criticism should naturally increase simply because more are exposed to the draft. This will especially be true for the Top 10. I can imagine future Sportscenter pieces involving someone's fall from grace. There will inevitably be an opening shot of said person placing on a hat of whichever team drafted them. What I enjoy the most concerning this draft is there is NO f***ing way Chris Berman is involved. In fact, ESPN would be smart to hire experienced draft writers outside their organization. Aside from Keith Law and Jim Callis, I can't think of anyone who understands what a team's needs are and whether player A or B fulfills them.

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ May 8, 2007 -> 05:21 PM) The Sox are old though too Flash. You take 10 or even 6 years off of Thome's body and he might be top 10. Same thing goes for Konerko as well, though he'd be more in the 30-40s range as opposed to the top of the list. I'm obviously not arguing that being old is a good thing, I'm just arguing that the Sox have elite talent as well, it's just on the wrong side of 30. We've both agreed that the Sox are going to have to go into a rebuilding mode within the next 3 years, especially offensively, so the fact that the Sox don't have anyone to build around on this list is completely expected. I agree -- both are elite talents within their respective positions. The problem is estimating how long their production can remain consistent to others within our division. I understand their respective ages, and how few players above 24 are on the list, but the issue is how long they can remain effective in the increasingly competitive American League Central? Thome, especially. If he's experiencing injury problems now, how's it going to be in a few seasons? Konerko's contract extends through 2010; Thome's (under certain circumstances) 2009. And while that lapse in time may not be a concern to many, replacing the production of those two is a concern of mine. Based upon our current composition of minor leaguers, it's not coming from within. It doesn't only begin and end with Konerko and Thome, either. Unless several players emerge from nowhere (which is a possibility), prospects are traded to/from another club, or our payroll remains high, our position in comparison to Detroit/Minnesota/Cleveland is nowhere near as appealing. Including the high payroll figure was only to provide an alternative for a contributing minor league system. It's not something I'd want to fall back upon, obviously. If only Anderson and Fields were only capable of AVERAGE production, it would provide so many more options for the White Sox. Even though Sweeney hasn't exactly proven himself capable of above average production for an OF, atleast he hasn't appeared over matched. Honestly, I really don't believe many understand how much Fields and Anderson struggling has a residual effect throughout the team. If you don't have faith in those two, you can't trade Crede or release Erstad. We'll have enough to worry about with Dye/Buehrle/Iguchi as it is. Whether that is retaining them or finding replacements, the job only becomes more difficult without cheap prospects available. What I am satisified with is is our collection of pitching prospects. When you have replacements available, a team is allowed the opportunity to deal someone such as McCarthy. Hopefully next season we'll have one of the JAGs available so an additional veteran starter may be traded. I agree with you here. Buehrle is traditionally a pitcher PECOTA frowns upon. It's just not going to be for the White Sox unless they're willing to pay him accordingly.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ May 8, 2007 -> 05:04 PM) What a joke. Does Guillen not understand Podsednik has to use his legs in the outfield? He's certaintly not going to DH. He'll be slow regardless of his position in the batting order.

All divisional opponents have atleast one player. Detroit -- Verlander (49), Bonderman (30) Royals -- Gordon (23) Minnesota -- Liriano (46), Morneau (40), Santana (3), Mauer (2) Cleveland -- Martinez (37), Hafner (21), Sabathia (17), Sizemore (5) That's not good. Detroit has an additional two players (Granderson/Guillen) deemed honorable mentions. Unless our payroll remains equal to or above 95+ million these next several seasons, blue-chip production from within the minor league system is a necessity to compete.

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QUOTE(santo=dorf @ May 5, 2007 -> 05:06 PM) With that low of a pitch count, I would've let Garland try to pitch over it. Have him build some confidence. Everytime he sends someone out there, and then immediately pulled it makes it look like he's making a mistake or second doubting himself. Cabrera owns Garland. Low pitchcount or not. It shouldn't be a question of instilling confidence, but winning ballgames.

QUOTE(fathom @ May 5, 2007 -> 05:03 PM) We haven't used our main bullpen guys in ages. Go for the f***ing win Ozzie! Thanks for leaving him in Ozzie for that batter. I hate you! All Cabrera had was a .400+ lifetime average against Garland. That's obviously not important in the 8th inning with a well rested bullpen.

QUOTE(fathom @ May 5, 2007 -> 05:00 PM) It's fine Iguchi, RBI's are overrated. Someone go punch Ozzie before he lets Garland start this inning. He already has an opportunity to win the game. The bullpen should be in.

QUOTE(fathom @ May 5, 2007 -> 04:49 PM) Some more amazing contributions from our bench/DH spot. Please go find a LF/DH KW! He doesn't have to be a superstar....just someone who can hit .200 and maybe get an RBI every week. Don't worry. We can always go into our minor league system and find someone to fulfill those requirements. Right? Right?!

Man, just to score four runs requires an act of Baseball Gods. Garland should know this about the best he'll have.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ May 5, 2007 -> 02:57 PM) One bad game, and he is no longer a major league prospect? Wow. Here's what you do -- go over what I said in those four lines, and try to find out where I said he is no longer a major league prospect.

QUOTE(fathom @ May 5, 2007 -> 03:03 PM) Jermaine Dye has been absolutely horrific with a 3-2 count this year. It's difficult to judge the plate with the sun on dirt meshing together, but it did appear a bit inside.

QUOTE(Greg The Bull Luzinski @ May 5, 2007 -> 02:25 PM) I am going to have to defend Ozzie on this one. Nobody in this line up can hit. He may as well pull names out of a hat to make his batting order. Two problems: Iguchi's OBP is .356. If we're intent on having players on base when Konerko or Dye hit their homeruns, then he's the obvious choice. Not someone allergic to walks in Ozuna. Ozuna at DH? I'd rather have Mackowiak, who atleast has the capability of driving in runs, as our DH tonight. Lefthanders traditionally fare better against Lackey.