Guillen comments on Iguchi

[Iwritecode]

Gee....where is Tony G. when yo uneed him?????? oh yeah.....that's right he's stuck in KC Damn!!

 

juddling

 

It's sad too because he was a great utility backup.

 

He'd rather be a starter on a last place team than be a backup on a contender...

[Guest JimH]

He'd rather be a starter on a last place team than be a backup on a contender...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

$$$$$$$

[Guest JimH]

I'm wondering if the final roster spot doesn't come down to Willie Harris vs. Jamie Burke.

 

Of course, lots of things can happen in spring training and other opportunities arise.

 

Even still ... 11 pitchers, 4 OF, Everett as the DH, 2 catchers, 2 1B, Iguchi, Uribe, Crede. That's 23. For the utility IF let's say Valdez for the sake of discussion. That's 24.

 

So for now it appears to come down to Harris or Burke.

 

If Ozzie carries 12 pitchers both Harris and Burke are on the outside looking in. But I doubt he carries more than 11 arms.

 

The advantage to Harris is he is a safety net for Iguchi, without the utility IF having to step in at 2B. Harris also plays CF and adds speed.

 

The advantage to Burke is he can play 3B, catch, play 1B, and arguably the corner OF spots. He hits right and they need a RH hitter off the bench.

 

There are two keys ... one, does Harris have minor league options left? Two, can either Ozuna or Valdez play 3B?

 

The other issue ... when Thomas comes back the 25th guy gets bumped, and Burke appears to be a guy who they can get through waivers pretty easily.

 

Barring a trade and based on what Ozzie said today about the utility guy needing to play SS, I can definitely see the last spot coming down to Harris or Burke.

[beck72]

I think Ozzie isn't [and shouldn't be] counting on Iguchi to be the backup SS. but if iguchi shows he can play SS, Ozzie won't be hesitant to use him. But that's a long ways off, toward mid season if at all. Ozzie seems intent on making his transition from Japan to the states go smoothly. That should mean having Iguchi concentrate solely on playing 2b. Having him try to play both could make his offense suffer. The Sox don't want that to happen

[Iguana]

History says Valentin should be back by June 

 

you all are wrong. Ozzie is going to surprise us all and become a player manager.

 

[CWSGuy406]

I'm wondering if the final roster spot doesn't come down to Willie Harris vs. Jamie Burke.

 

Of course, lots of things can happen in spring training and other opportunities arise.

 

Even still ... 11 pitchers, 4 OF, Everett as the DH, 2 catchers, 2 1B, Iguchi, Uribe, Crede.  That's 23.  For the utility IF let's say Valdez for the sake of discussion.  That's 24.

 

So for now it appears to come down to Harris or Burke.

 

If Ozzie carries 12 pitchers both Harris and Burke are on the outside looking in.  But I doubt he carries more than 11 arms.

 

The advantage to Harris is he is a safety net for Iguchi, without the utility IF having to step in at 2B.  Harris also plays CF and adds speed.

 

The advantage to Burke is he can play 3B, catch, play 1B, and arguably the corner OF spots.  He hits right and they need a RH hitter off the bench.

 

There are two keys ... one, does Harris have minor league options left?  Two, can either Ozuna or Valdez play 3B?

 

The other issue ... when Thomas comes back the 25th guy gets bumped, and Burke appears to be a guy who they can get through waivers pretty easily.

 

Barring a trade and based on what Ozzie said today about the utility guy needing to play SS, I can definitely see the last spot coming down to Harris or Burke.

 

Maybe it's just me, but I'm getting the feeling more and more that Willie is here to stay -- for now, at least.

 

I think Ozzie likes the fact that he still has a pretty solid replacement incase Iguchi or Podsednik falters, and you know Ozzie will use Harris late in the games to steal a base.

 

As much as everyone here would love for this to happen, I get the feeling 2nd base isn't going to be handed to Iguchi. But who knows...

[ottawa_sox]

QUOTE(JimH @ Feb 22, 2005 -> 08:34 PM)

I'm wondering if the final roster spot doesn't come down to Willie Harris vs. Jamie Burke.

 

Of course, lots of things can happen in spring training and other opportunities arise.

 

Even still ... 11 pitchers, 4 OF, Everett as the DH, 2 catchers, 2 1B, Iguchi, Uribe, Crede. That's 23. For the utility IF let's say Valdez for the sake of discussion. That's 24.

 

So for now it appears to come down to Harris or Burke.

 

If Ozzie carries 12 pitchers both Harris and Burke are on the outside looking in. But I doubt he carries more than 11 arms.

 

The advantage to Harris is he is a safety net for Iguchi, without the utility IF having to step in at 2B. Harris also plays CF and adds speed.

 

The advantage to Burke is he can play 3B, catch, play 1B, and arguably the corner OF spots. He hits right and they need a RH hitter off the bench.

 

There are two keys ... one, does Harris have minor league options left? Two, can either Ozuna or Valdez play 3B?

 

The other issue ... when Thomas comes back the 25th guy gets bumped, and Burke appears to be a guy who they can get through waivers pretty easily.

 

Barring a trade and based on what Ozzie said today about the utility guy needing to play SS, I can definitely see the last spot coming down to Harris or Bu

 

 

Maybe it's just me, but I'm getting the feeling more and more that Willie is here to stay -- for now, at least.

 

I think Ozzie likes the fact that he still has a pretty solid replacement incase Iguchi or Podsednik falters, and you know Ozzie will use Harris late in the games to steal a base.

 

As much as everyone here would love for this to happen, I get the feeling 2nd base isn't going to be handed to Iguchi. But who knows...

 

 

 

I just hope Iguchi impresses enough that he not only takes a stranglehold of 2nd, but that he also changes Ozzie's mind about hitting 9th and moves into the number 2 hole.

[Guest JimH]

Ozzie will use Harris late in the games to steal a base.

 

As much as everyone here would love for this to happen, I get the feeling 2nd base isn't going to be handed to Iguchi.  But who knows...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Keith, not to sound negative but if the White Sox need to rely on Harris to steal a base we are not in the greatest shape.

 

Guillen reiterated today to the press that it's an open competition for 2B. That is, of course, the smart thing to say even if for some reason it's not entirely accurate.

 

It makes perfect sense for Iguchi to be motivated, the same goes for Harris. Harris is still here and him having a good spring gives the White Sox options. As long as he is a White Sox I am rooting for him.

 

C'mon all you stat heads ... I still cannot find the answer to whether Valdez or Ozuna have ever played 3B. That is a key issue in terms of the last couple of roster spots. I don't know for a fact but I'm guessing Guillen does not want his starting SS to be the backup 3B. Uribe is a very key guy in the whole equation, and the more comfortable and settled in he is, the better.

[CWSGuy406]

Keith, not to sound negative but if the White Sox need to rely on Harris to steal a base we are not in the greatest shape.

 

Guillen reiterated today to the press that it's an open competition for 2B.  That is, of course, the smart thing to say even if for some reason it's not entirely accurate.

 

It makes perfect sense for Iguchi to be motivated, the same goes for Harris.  Harris is still here and him having a good spring gives the White Sox options.  As long as he is a White Sox I am rooting for him.

 

C'mon all you stat heads ... I still cannot find the answer to whether Valdez or Ozuna have ever played 3B.  That is a key issue in terms of the last couple of roster spots.  I don't know for a fact but I'm guessing Guillen does not want his starting SS to be the backup 3B.  Uribe is a very key guy in the whole equation, and the more comfortable and settled in he is, the better.

 

I'll get on that -- I'll see if I can come up with something for your last question.

 

And, I attribute being a good base stealer to confidence -- everyone knows Harris is fast enough, now he just needs that confidence. There's a reason they brought in Raines, and you know Podsednik will be teaching Willie (if he hasn't already) the tricks of the trade.

 

EDIT: OK, Jim. I haven't found any minor league database that shows the positions that they played in the minor leagues, but BaseballCube, a pretty reliable place (they have HS stats, college stats, as well as full minor league stats) has Ozuna as played 2B/SS/CF, and Valdez as a 2B/SS.

Edited February 23, 2005 by CWSGuy406

[Texsox]

It's sad too because he was a great utility backup.

 

He'd rather be a starter on a last place team than be a backup on a contender...

 

Pride, I wouldn't want a guy on my team that didn't consider himself a starter.

[DBAHO]

On Valdez, the guy's biggest asset is his arm and defense, so mabe in a pinch he could move over to 3B if he had to. But Burke's ability to play there could give him an edge possibly to make the 25 man roster instead of starting the year in Charlotte depending on how things play out.

[YASNY]

Willie Harris seems to be a square peg trying to fit into a round hole. He just doesn't matchup with what this team needs right now.

[DBAHO]

A quick summary of Iguchi's day and Ozzie not ruling out Willie either;

 

Though Iguchi struggled in his first two batting-cage efforts against Dustin Hermanson, taking more pitches than he hit fair, Guillen seemed pleased with Iguchi's first day.

 

"I like the way he swings the bat and the way he goes about his business," Guillen said. "I like what I see. He looks in shape, he knows what he's doing. I think he was (taught) well in Japan because he went through every drill the right way."

 

"Right now, the Willie situation and him, I have to wait and see. But obviously, Iguchi has to be on the team."

 

Wait and see?

 

"Willie is going to have his at-bats, he's going to play a lot this spring training and he's got to show me what he brings to the table this year," Guillen said. "We'll take it from there. We haven't even started playing the games yet."

 

Guillen half-heartedly suggested Harris might take some ground balls at short, giving the Sox another backup option for Juan Uribe, but neither he nor Harris seemed thrilled at the prospect. Both preferred to focus on the so-called "open competition" at second.

 

"That's all you can ask for," Harris said. "We're both here and both professionals. We're going to go out and compete for the job. We'll see what happens."

[Guest JimH]

On Valdez, the guy's biggest asset is his arm and defense, so mabe in a pinch he could move over to 3B if he had to. But Burke's ability to play there could give him an edge possibly to make the 25 man roster instead of starting the year in Charlotte depending on how things play out.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Here is some info on the topic from the White Sox website:

 

The long and short of it: The utility infielder slot appears to be the lone position battle currently to be played out for the White Sox, with Wilson Valdez and non-roster invite Pablo Ozuna in direct competition. With that duo's inexperience, could Harris increase his value by showing the ability to handle shortstop, along with second and center field?

 

"I don't know, man. I haven't played shortstop in a long time," said Harris, who hasn't played the position since 2001 in the minor leagues. "But you have to do whatever you've gotta do to try and stay at this level and compete at this level. If that's what I have to do, I'll do the best I can."

 

Guillen doubted that Harris could move from second to shortstop, one of the game's toughest positions in Guillen's opinion, having not really played there before. But there's a chance he will take ground balls there over the next few weeks.

 

Valdez or Ozuna could gain an edge by showing the ability to play third base. Guillen said the utility infielder will back up at all positions.