Have I been misled in thinking this guy isn't the answer at SS? Was it wrong of me to think the Sox should have shopped Konerko to free up money for Edgar Renteria and a cheaper pitcher? Is it just that I've missed the fact that Juan Uribe can in fact hit .275 and stay away from long dead slumps and still be a productive hitter while slumping?

 

What's the story on Uribe? Is he, or isn't he?

Good power, excellent range, and a cannon at short.

 

I can see how one can question him being our everyday starter, but I believe it's his time.

Uribe will always be a streaky player.

 

As Hawk said, with a swing that ugly, we need to be happy with whatever numbers he produces. He'll go on tears, but he'll also slump with the worst of em'. Thus is the nature of Juan Uribe. IMO, Complimented with the right SS/2B, it would be one of the better middile infields in the AL.

uribe swing reminds me of belle i love this kind and im stoked he is a sox.

Uribe will always be a streaky player.

 

As Hawk said, with a swing that ugly, we need to be happy with whatever numbers he produces.  He'll go on tears, but he'll also slump with the worst of em'.  Thus is the nature of Juan Uribe.  IMO, Complimented with the right SS/2B, it would be one of the better middile infields in the AL.

It is already one of the better middle infields.

Hes a guy that needs to hit to right and center first. When he does this he hits a hell of a lot better. When he purposely pulls the ball with his step in the bucket approach he is done. If he looks center away and then pulls the mistake pitch in, then he will be a star. That is the difference between when Uribe hits and when Uribe slumps.

All I know is, I was dead sick of watching Jose Valentin at shortstop. I never minded him at the plate. But, his fielding skills were horrible, as if anyone who watches every Sox game doesn't know this.

 

I think Uribe will find his home at SS once he gets into the groove as an everyday player, rather than all this platooning stuff. His bat was hot and cold last year - no doubt. But if you want to compare him defensively to Valentin - Uribe will be a vast improvement, and I really don't think that's wishful thinking.

i'm comfortable w/ him, i think he just needs to play, same w/ willie. at least we can count on good d. altho a lot of those hispanic influences kenny spoke of when uribe was brought here are now gone. i.e. c lee, maggs, valentin, sandy, even robbie i guess. but i think he'll be fine.

All I know is, I was dead sick of watching Jose Valentin at shortstop.  I never minded him at the plate.  But, his fielding skills were horrible, as if anyone who watches every Sox game doesn't know this. 

 

I think Uribe will find his home at SS once he gets into the groove as an everyday player, rather than all this platooning stuff.  His bat was hot and cold last year - no doubt.  But if you want to compare him defensively to Valentin - Uribe will be a vast improvement, and I really don't think that's wishful thinking.

Never minded him at the plate? What'd he hit last season like .220 something last season with a zillion K's? Ugh.

 

Juan Uribe is an upgrade over Valentin in every facet of the game on both sides of the plate.

All I know is, I was dead sick of watching Jose Valentin at shortstop.  I never minded him at the plate.  But, his fielding skills were horrible, as if anyone who watches every Sox game doesn't know this. 

 

I think Uribe will find his home at SS once he gets into the groove as an everyday player, rather than all this platooning stuff.  His bat was hot and cold last year - no doubt.  But if you want to compare him defensively to Valentin - Uribe will be a vast improvement, and I really don't think that's wishful thinking.

I was actually the complete opposite. I didn't mind his fielding even though he did make quite a few errors but when he got homer happy and went on those look strikeout streaks, that is when he really angered me.

I was actually the complete opposite.  I didn't mind his fielding even though he did make quite a few errors but when he got homer happy and went on those look strikeout streaks, that is when he really angered me.

I can think of 2 different times he K'ed 7 times in a row. He was Fugly at the plate.

Good points. I guess I was referring more to the many times he did hit some clutch late-inning homers that either tied games or ultimately won them. But, yeah - his strikeout streaks were bad. I won't miss him. Good riddance.

I didn't mind Valentin on the field so much either. It seemed to me that the errors he made weren't from oversight as much as trying to make the big defensive play. Pity he wasn't very good at succeeding too often.

Good points.  I guess I was referring more to the many times he did hit some clutch late-inning homers that either tied games or ultimately won them.  But, yeah - his strikeout streaks were bad.  I won't miss him.  Good riddance.

Fair enough. There is no denying he came up with his share of clutch hits for us.....

I can think of 2 different times he K'ed 7 times in a row.  He was Fugly at the plate.

I'm with ya Nuke. I hated watching the guy at the plate. It was strikeout or homer, that was it essentially. The guy had no idea what the count was or how to recognize a break pitching.

 

The league finally figured it out last year and his average took an even bigger hit.

 

Defensively he was eh. Was a lot better the past two years then he was the first two years with the Sox. Uribe is a better all around shortstop though and has lots of upside.

 

I think we'll see .275, 28, 85 out of Juan this year. I think he's on the verge of breaking out, but this won't quite be that year. I think he has at least one 35 HR season in him, maybe even a 40 HR season as he matures.

I think we'll see .275, 28, 85 out of Juan this year.  I think he's on the verge of breaking out, but this won't quite be that year.  I think he has at least one 35 HR season in him, maybe even a 40 HR season as he matures.

28 HR's I love the DIRECT number you got there MR. GAGE...

 

I too agree Juan is gonna hit around 30.... and if he hits 28 im gonna buy you a coke.... seriously, im gonna send a 24 pack ur way jason.

If we get 80+ RBI and 25+ HRs out of our super infielder, I'd be very happy. I think Uribe has the ability to do so, and even moreso, I'm happy that I dont have to see JosE6 strikeout for us again.

If Uribe produces like he did last year, he's one of the best SS's in the league, even if he goes 0 for July.

 

But he sucked before last year. So what's he going to be in 2005? Who knows?