Flash Tizzle

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Sep 28, 2006 -> 09:54 PM) Remember if you trade Mark Buehrle, next season you will most likely have 5 RHP's in your rotation, and that can't be good when you have the likes of Justin Morneau and Travis Hafner in your division. You can't base your decision on whether or not to maintain a starter because of several good left handed hitters. Kalapse's comments several posts ago are all points I completely agree with. If Williams can't negotiate a fair deal for an extension OR trade him, I'll be extremely disappointed. It'll once again affirm my position he doesn't know squat about assessing a players value, and when it may be a good time to sell. Business preceds ticket sales here. Sure, regarding prospects he has the right idea. Sell high. I just don't know why the same practice can't be applied to any of our players. And it's not just selling high for anyone; but doing so when a situation is available (such as McCarthy last season) where it's possible to improve immediately AND build for the future. This is what happens with "Winning Now" philosophies. Prospects are traded for veterans, and when the veterans become either too expensive or ineffective no one is available to replace them. How this applies to Buehlre, a home-grown product, involves our "win-now" attitude towards the acquisition of MacDougal. Wouldn't it be dandy if Lumsden pitches for the Royals in 2008 right when Buehrle leaves? Sure would have been nice having that safety net available. And I realize MacDougal has pitched well and remains under our control for awhile. It's just ridiculous what we gave up for an oft-injured relief pitcher....TO A DIVISION RIVAL. Jim Hendry gives teams within his division crap. Williams gives his companions top pitching prospects.

QUOTE(GaelicSoxFan @ Sep 28, 2006 -> 03:32 PM) IMHO, the leadoff hitter for the 2006 Chicago White Sox will be Jerry Owens. He's their top speed prospect. The reasons why they traded for Scott Podsednik are 1. Owens was two years away from being ready for the big leagues and 2. I liked seeing Carlos Lee hitting walkoff grand slams against the Cubs, but he's a member of the 'swing hard in case you hit it' club. /puke If it were up to Guillen Owens probably would be the starting LF next year. However, it's difficult to use your speed when you're not on base. Or atleast the clip you'd expect from a soft hitting leadoff hitter. Anyone willing to project how he'd fare over an entire season? More than likely Podsednik-lite if his last two seasons in AAA are any indication. Perhaps he'd steal more bases with a better CS%, but that doesn't mean much.

QUOTE(Frankensteiner @ Sep 28, 2006 -> 10:50 AM) Flash, your sig is a thing of beauty. LOL. I'm working on resizing it to fit one line. Anyone willing to help?

QUOTE(Felix @ Sep 28, 2006 -> 10:43 AM) Trade AJ, he sucks. In fact, trade everyone on the roster, since they all suck and their minor league counterparts are far superior. And you really need to remove that creepy looking child molester from your avatar.

QUOTE(LVSoxFan @ Sep 28, 2006 -> 10:37 AM) Does Buehrle have a lot of trade value after this awful season for him? It seems with all Williams positive traits, he doesn't know the damn thing about trading players at their peak value. I'm not merely suggesting this due to Buehrle's troubles. I've stated before it was ridiculous (IMO) that not one starter was delt after the World Series. Any reasonable person would have guessed their collective statistics would likely regress; and if it didn't, they were going to command a higher salary the following season. What made it even more difficult to comprehend is f***ing Brandon McCarthy was available to replace whomever was traded. AND Vazquez was acquired. It honestly made too much sense not to trade a WS starter. Our bullpen was noticeably weak -- trading one could have replenished that part of our team as well. How many games has the bullpen cost us? Or an entire season without McCarthy? I can't say these moves would have been the difference between our current standings and a playoff birth, but I believe we'd be better off than our current situation.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Sep 28, 2006 -> 10:17 AM) I was impressed by Stewart tonight as anyone in the game thread saw. The kid threw out Sizemore twice, and once with a knuckler on the hill. To put it in perspective, it would be like Pierzynski's limp Polish arm throwing out two consecutive basestealers off Freddy Garcia. Or actually holding onto a throw during a play at the plate. Considering the difficulty of transfering a knuckleball quickly enough to throw, AND the fact Sizemore was running, I believe we can safely say Pierzynski would have bobbled it.

QUOTE(SoxFanForever @ Sep 27, 2006 -> 10:27 PM) Man after the way B-Mac pitched tonight I am so glad we didn't have him in the rotation. It would have killed our playoff chances. Not moving McCarthy into the rotation midseason is definitely a decision Williams will have to explain to me.

QUOTE(GreatScott82 @ Sep 27, 2006 -> 10:16 PM) BMac for one of the best leadoff hitters in the game... Crawford is what this team needs badly!! I can go one more year with the 5 starters we have. The rotation is getting older, the time is now to go after that World Series again. If KW can some how bring Crawford over for BMac, this team will do it again. I know one thing for certain, 1 of our 6 starters will be dealt. Either for a guy like Rollins, Tejada, Crawford, a major bullpen upgrade..etc... Its up to Kenny to decide what this team's biggest weakness is and how to determine what arm this team can afford to let go to improve the team. But my #1 would be Bmac for Crawford. Unless Wiliams is a moron, he'd immediately realize our pitching (both starters and bullpen) remains the teams most glaring weakness. To this team 2007 and beyond, McCarthy is more valuable than Crawford. What I don't understand is if the current five starters didn't win anything this year, why exactly would you believe they'd magically turn it around? I rather aire on the side of caution and accept their 2006 stats over 2005, with the exclusion of Vazquez; whom performed fairly close to 2005 levels. You may reply, "but this years stats were off from career normals," and to that I'd reply, "so." American League Central is steadily rising towards respectability. No longer are Garland or Buehlre feasting on the lower teams and padding their win totals. Leaving the rotation as is and merely HOPING every starter improves is something that Quasimodo looking goof on the Northside Jim Hendry would do. Don't think like Jim Hendry.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Sep 27, 2006 -> 10:14 PM) Ballgame is called, Sox win YAY I was afraid Guillen may have used Thornton or MacDougal.

That's sort of ridiculous to me. Even with our offday tomorrow, I find it strange both teams are willing to risk injury to players on a wetfield in an meaningless game.

How long has this rain delay been? Considering it's the 8th inning of the series finale, with nothing on the line for either team, why not call this game?

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Sep 27, 2006 -> 01:32 PM) As I said before the bullpen and the rotation should be the first priorities. Not having a shut down bullpen cost us the playoffs this year, and I stand by that fact. Bullpen is an issue, but one I feel can be built up from players within our system. Haegar, Tracey, Logan could all replace current members of the bullpen. As one may imagine, I can't convince anyone of such a trio being the finishing touches of a shut-down bullpen. Unless there's a good garbage heap out there for Williams to look through, I wouldn't feel right paying a large sum of money for a FA RP. Bullpen arms, as we've painfully seen, can be hit-miss season to season. Thornton/Jenks/MacDougal is a solid base to work off of, though. Complimentary pieces can be brought in if we're not willing to use our own pitchers. Other alternative is receiving arms (or prospects capable of relief work) from a current starter in the rotation via trade. If we were to do that, McCarthy would have to be around to replace whomever is gone. Which completely erases any thoughts of Crawford here. It would seem the wiser choice to improve our pitching two fold -- trade Garcia for a package centering around pitching; insert McCarthy into the rotation. This potentially improves production (both in rotation/bullpen) AND saves money. It's win fricken win.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Sep 27, 2006 -> 12:05 PM) The BMac at the end of last year...I basically want a Pujols in exchange for him. He looked as good as any starter in baseball, and given his age, that was dynamite. But if Ozzie permanently damaged him this season...then there's some reason to consider moving him while his value is still high. I just don't want to be caught with BMac doing a Kip Wells/Jon Rauch type collapse because Ozzie screwed him up and we didn't trade him when we saw the warning signs. Don't blame McCarthy's troubles solely on Guillen. It's an organizational issue. -Williams ultimately placed him in the position of long-reliever. -Williams could have forced Guillens hand and traded Garcia midseason, when everyone on this board realized our rotation needed immediate improvement. Honestly, I wouldn't even bother starting McCarthy tonight. Although I find it rather comical how people who were against him starting often said, "oh, it'll take him nearly a month to stretch out and we don't have enough time," yet here he is -- starting in a meaningless game Tracey should be pithcing. Talk about undue stress on an arm. Now, it's undeniable his lack of consistent work made it difficult to sustain success. But it's his duty to rebound. If this season permanently damages his emotionally, well, he doesn't belong in the majors. From his interviews, Brandon always comes across as someone who wouldn't fold to the pressure. I wouldn't worry about this. If you're alluding to a possible injury (ie; mentioning Rauch), again, Guillen shouldn't shoulder the blame. No one should in such an isntance. You couldn't say he's been overworked, and his delivery isn't exactly fluid. QUOTE(RockRaines @ Sep 27, 2006 -> 01:17 PM) Ideally you would maybe want to throw BMAC out for Crawford, and someone else out for Rollins. Have rollins bat #1 and Crawford #2. That is what I ideally would want out of that situation if it was to happen. You would then solve two defensive questions, and two offensive questions, but you would still need to pick up some pitching. What I don't understand is the desire here to dramatically improve the offense, yet neglecting the part of our team most responsible for failing to reach the playoffs -- starting pitching. You're not going to find a pitcher of McCarthy's calibur available on the scrap heap. That is, someone who has the ability to dominate, is cheap, and is coming off a year of misuse by the opposing teams coaching staff/management. Our rotation will remain the same as last seasons, except a year older and more expensive. Wait while I'll puke on my keyboard. I'll have to hear people tell me all offseason how they're "expecting a huge year out of the starters." I just can't deal with that.

No. Young, inexpensive pitchers who've proven themself should be held in higher regard than positional players -- even those of Crawfords stature -- every instance. I've stated my argument before, but because I'm off to class in 4 minutes I'll make it short -- production can be compensated on the field across players. For NOT having to surrender McCarthy, among another prospect, replacements for Podsednik and Uribe (two obvious weak spots) could immediately improve our offense. An offense which doesn't require such an improvement, quite frankly. Ultimately, I believe this board has drastically underrated McCarthy's value to our future. It's easier to replace a LF of Podsednik's stature than a starting pitcher of Garcia's. Want a Carl Crawford? Develop one. Don't complain or say, "everyone would want one." Put some resources into that cesspool some call the minor leagues.

Yeah, game ended. We lost.

Anderson is a perfect candidate to strikeout and give Sabathia a new career total. HERE IT COMES! EDIT: Tie career total. I'm sure he'll break it by nights end.

QUOTE(fathom @ Sep 26, 2006 -> 07:53 PM) Not promising that Fields can actually hit the tough lefties in our division if he platoons next season. I guess I shouldn't be shocked that one of our prospects looks overmatched in the majors. What's embarrassing to watch is his inability to catch up to STRAIGHT fastballs. Sabathia has exclusively thrown him 93-95 fastballs challenging him, and he's failed miserably. When you're looking for them and still can't make contact, it's rather sad. Ryan Garko sure doesn't seem to have a problem catching up to fastballs.

Why can't Josh Fields be Ryan Garko? It seems every prospect promoted within the division contributes immediately except those on our club.

QUOTE(Flash Tizzle @ Sep 26, 2006 -> 06:57 PM) Where's our Ryan Garko?

Talk about the series of futility. Good lord they look terrible.

Where's our Ryan Garko?

Sportscenter sure ripped into our club. According to the anchor (whoever the hell he is), our club watched ESPN rather than the TWins game. They knew their miserable season had finally concluded. No use watching a real team defeat the Royals. There was even a shot of a fan holding up a sign saying, "Ozzie, who's choking now?" with the picture of Guillen from last season. Term "embarrassing" was used at the end of the highlight. Sure was. Now, we can sit back this postseason and reflect on the misery which we were all witness to.

Honestly, I believe 2006 was our season. It was our opportunity to use this VAUNTED starting rotation assembled from God's hands and -- at the least -- obtain a second straight playoff birth. I'm willing to give Williams a pass. No one expected our elimination would occur before October baseball. He did a tremendous job strengthening a rotation and upgrading a stagnant offense. Criticize the Vazquez move, but he's proven himself valuable over the last month. Several occasions against quality opponents. However, this offseason, I'm willing to accept any "building on the fly" scenario. I find it rather troublesome Minnesota continued their success without Liriano. Or Detroit's pitching, even if regression were to occur, have decent pitching prospects available. Cleveland still can't be overlooked and Kansas City has baseball minds running their organization now. I'm just not too optimistic about next year. I don't feel comfortable HOPING Buehrle, Contreras, Garland all improve. Or McCarthy locates his rhythm last observed in September of 2005. If it were my decision, I'd trade Buehrle for a variety of blue-chip SP prospects and bullpen pieces; and Garcia for a lesser of the aforementioned proposal. Perhaps concentrate on a catching or middle infield prospect with whichever team desires Freddy. With McCarthy/Haegar in a rotation, the salary left could be used to sign a shortstop/backupC. My thinking, and I'm certain many disagree, is we're ultimately going to fall short with anything short of a miraculous ressurection within the rotation. Some may BELIEVE that's going to occur, but I'd rather manage under the realm of reality and realize these pitchers don't possess the talent we may have believed. The division from bottom up is steadily progressing towards respectability. No longer can bank on guaranteed wins against Kansas City or Cleveland. Not that we ever did (esp. KC), but the time has past where our division record will reach an absurd, 2005 level. I'll take a mediocre season if it prepares us beyond 07'. If Haegar/McCarthy fail miserably, atleast they're doing it for 18 million less than Buehrle and Garcia. If Buehrle rebounds, let him do it in the national league. I'd rather receive something for him now. And I know someone is bound to mention our payroll, with the addition of a record setting attendance, inspiring Williams to "go for it" another season. I'll entertain such a thought for a brief moment. Go to Cheat's blog. Look at the figures. Applying estimated arbitration numbers and conservative substractions (esp. Garica), we're around 94 million. Still without a backup catcher,legitimate SS, backup IF, RP to replace Riske. Does 6-11 million ultimately cover this? There's not nearly as much money left as people may believe.

Don't tell me again this team hasn't given up. They've imploded. No one can contest this FACT now.