Flash Tizzle

Quick first inning for the Sox. First three go down in order.

If anyone needs extra AB's they can always go behind the plate. We have an opening.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Mar 26, 2007 -> 02:01 PM) Anderson in LF? He was RF the other day. What happened to the "Anderson won't be a backup" thing? This is a little upsetting. Its like they are putting Anderson and Erstad in the opposite roles they should be in. I'm not sure if that's better or worse than Anderson in AAA and Terrero as the 4th OF. Maybe better because he could more easily become the starter, maybe worse because he won't be getting the playing time. I'm not a fan either, but any role which places Anderson on this ballclub should be viewed as beneficial. That way, he's one step closer to replacing Erstad (inevitable injury) or Podsednik (suckiness).

Where's Hall? I thought he needed more AB's?

QUOTE(ScottyDo @ Mar 26, 2007 -> 01:56 PM) yeah we shouldn't have traded miguel olivo, what were we thinking? And life didn't exist afterwards? Nearly three years has gone by since the trade.

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ Mar 26, 2007 -> 01:43 PM) One or two games a week isn't that big? This is huge, no matter how you slice it. WHAT? We won the World Series in 2005 with Widger as our backup. Just ignore all the other years we didn't do squat without a capable backup catcher. 2005 is the comparison for all things White Sox!

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Mar 26, 2007 -> 01:39 PM) Boy, the depth really isn't there for catchers in our system, is it? I like Donny Lucy, but he isn't ready. Nope, just another glaring hole. Yes, if you can guarantee no one else is injured throughout the season. Which you can't.

QUOTE(ptatc @ Mar 26, 2007 -> 01:28 PM) The advantage here is that he is not the starter. If he can rest and rehab betwwen starts depending on playing time, he may be able to tough it out. The disadvantage here is Hall was a capable backup who was expected to bat against tough LHP within the division. Huge loss.

QUOTE(watchtower41 @ Mar 26, 2007 -> 01:18 PM) I love how 90% of this board is freaking out like the season is over with this injury, yet fail to remember we brought home the hardware with Chris F'n Widger as our back-up. Yes, the same Chris Widger that wins MVPs of the 16" softball tournaments across the country. Sure, and we also brought the hardware home with Timo Perez as our 4th OF. Can we please stop these comparisons to 2005? Yeah, we won the World Series in 2005 without a legitimate backup catcher. How about all the other years without a legitimate back up catcher in which we missed the playoffs? Do they count?

QUOTE(HeGone33 @ Mar 26, 2007 -> 01:16 PM) Chris Widger was the backup when the Sox won the World Series. Enough Said. You find me one backup catcher capable of producing his 2005 numbers. Just don't overpay. And find a team willing to give him up this late in spring training. Good luck.

QUOTE(fathom @ Mar 26, 2007 -> 01:13 PM) Hopefully the vibe gets better once the season starts. It won't. Unless a backup with Hall's potential magically emerges.

Whether anyone believes Guillen is to blame, no one can doubt how much this will hurt us. No minor league depth. No viable options on the market. No way of obtaining a suitable replacement without overpaying. Not good. We're not better for this. That is, unless the team becomes so incredibly inspired from the loss that everyone has career seasons.

I'm not going to entirely blame Guillen here. I didn't hear anyone questioning Toby Hall at 1B during the inning. What's important is, how much experience has Hall had at 1B? Not just major league AB's, but in general; from the minor leagues through spring training. It he knows how to field the position, Guillen can't be blamed. If he had no idea how to field the position, or the proper technique, and was just going out for extra ABs -- it won't look good for Ozzie. With Dye two years ago at SS, it proves to me he is willing to mix and match. Perhaps without much concern to how they field it.

But hey, atleast our minor league depth should make replacing Hall somewhat reasonable. What? There is no depth at the catching position?

Yeah, I'm sure another team will just gladly give away a quality backup catcher. No trades. I'd rather have Wiki Gonzalez than Alomar or Widger. And I'd certaintly rather have Gonzalez than overpaying for someone else. This will probably cost us a few victories. I'm moving my predicted amount of wins from 85 to 82 now. Hall was going to be absolutely vital for our team against the lefthanders within the division. It can't be overstated how devastating this will be. It should have been Podsednik playing first base........

QUOTE(Vance Law @ Mar 26, 2007 -> 11:35 AM) Which would cost more? Which would produce more on the field? ARod Fields Sweeney or Crede Uribe Dye First off, I don't believe you're comparing the right set of players. If Rodriguez were to sign with the Sox, would you expect him to move over to SS considering he's been at third for several years now? Uribe wouldn't be going anywhere in my scenario. IMO, Crede will be gone next season. Whether because of Fields or Rodriguez. Another part of my scenario is resigning Iguchi and trading for Ryan Church. How I figure is even if Anderson does well in the majors (or AAA), we wouldn't have a leadoff hitter and Guillen demands one. So, bye bye Brian. If it means Rodriguez on this ballclub I could stand to lose him. Church/Ozuna Iguchi Thome Rodriguez Konerko Pierzynski Uribe Sweeney Fields Yeah, it probably won't happen exactly like this. But if it were, I wouldn't complain. Much.

What personal goals have you set for the upcoming season? As one of the organization's only second base prospects, do you feel there is any pressure to quickly advance from level to level? Have you personally met Ozzie Guillen? Is he any different from what the media and fans suggest? Which opposing pitcher have you faced several times and dreaded ever having to see again? Many people have an image of a leadoff hitter as someone who is quick, patient and capable of stealing bases. Do you see yourself as a player who posseses these qualities, or is there something different you have in mind for what constitutes a leadoff hitter? Have current (or past) hitting coaches approached you about possibly adding more muscle for additional power? Are there any major league players, either current or from the past, that you've attempted to imitate in any area of your game --anything from batting stance to a set position defensively? Now some lighter questions: As a native of Michigan you're probably a Detroit Tigers fan, right? What musical preferences do you have? Take us through a typical evening following a game at Regions Park? Even as a minor league player, do you find the women are still impressed that you play for a team within the White Sox organization? (I don't know Chris personally, or whether he has a girlfriend, but it should lend an interesting response)

QUOTE(LVSoxFan @ Mar 26, 2007 -> 10:10 AM) I always thought he was a natural obvious choice for the Cubs, honestly. I don't know, I've personally felt Rodriguez would rather remain in the American league to transition to DH in the latter years of any contract. I honestly believe one of Miguel Cabrera, Ichiro Suzuki, or Alex Rodriguez will be a White Sox. And that doesn't mean in 10 years when they're on the tail ends of their careers, but within the immediate future. Realistically, if we contend next year and have a payroll close to 100 million, good chance Dye and Buehrle leave. There's 16.5 million off the books. Add in Crede's 5 million if a deal is in the works. Podsednik's 3 million and Erstad's 1 million hopefully will be as well. That'd be approximately 25.5 million; an amount I'm sure would drop due to raises across the team. Let's estimate around 20 million remains. Definitely enough for Ichiro, but still within the range of Rodriguez as well. I believe any addition of the aforementioned names will allow one/two rookies an opportunity to play in the majors. It'll be interesting to observe how Sweeney and Fields fare in AAA this season. If Sweeney were to showcase more power, and Fields maintains some of the production from last season, it could be those two in LF/RF in 2008. Who knows about Anderson. I'm done trying to predict his future. I wish he would remain with us, but with Williams unpredictable nature and Guillen being Guillen he may be gone by next week.

QUOTE(fathom @ Mar 25, 2007 -> 10:13 PM) The thing about all the young guys we traded for is that only Danks has a legitimate chance to be anything more than a 4th starter in his career. Which, honestly, we have enough of. If Williams deals an additional veteran next offseason for a package anywhere close to the Garcia deal I may lose my mind. Especially if it's similar to this year where a comparable pitcher commands a far better return.

Bad vibe beginning the season. His most important asset was as someone who could handle himself offensively, especially against LHP. Any of the scrubs down in the minors do that? Probably not. Although I'd rather have Wiki Gonzalez over Alomar. And if anyone mentions Widger...........I'll rape you on the spot.

Floyd doesn't deserve a spot in the bullpen. It's ridiculous, and I'm betting such a decision is Williams way of proving the Garcia trade provided us with an immediate piece for 2007. Several of our scouts should be holding their collars, as it is. Some of you will doubt this, but honestly -- is the spring training performances between the two pitchers really that different? In about four more innings pitched Floyd has given up three more earned runs, four more hits, three more walks, and one additional strikeout. Yes, Floyd will limit stolen bases and past balls far better than Haeger; but he won't be as durable, or as better overall. I just hope if the final decision is made to give Floyd a bullpen position, and he's absolutely killing us come midseason, he's sent down to Charlotte until September. The major leagues isn't an area for someone such as Gavin to revive his career. It just irritates me to think about this. Seriously, if Haeger is almost equaling Floyd in Arizona with a knuckleball, what does that say about Gavin?

QUOTE(shoota @ Mar 25, 2007 -> 08:01 PM) Sounds great. Let us know if March 31 is confirmed. It is. Tickets go on sale beginning 10am at Tickermaster.

QUOTE(greasywheels121 @ Mar 25, 2007 -> 05:09 PM) Mencia, by far. They may both steal stuff, but at least when Cook does it, it's funny. I agree. Cook also covers material other than his ethnicity for an entire show. And actually carries stage presence.

Here's the clip I was talking about: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nh_xfJZxvto Three examples.

QUOTE(SoxFan101 @ Mar 25, 2007 -> 04:21 PM) You might not like Cook and he might not have much for new material, but atleast he doesnt steal anything that I know of. That's funny, because he has been accused of stealing material from Louis CK in the past. Search in youtube for several examples. I know there was one that was pretty damning involving someone about to be hit by an automobile, and not knowing how to warn them.