June 25, 200520 yr I remember back in April-May I had no doubt in my mind it was Tad Iguchi. Now, I'm not sure. Everyone has there own thing -- Pods has speed, Paulie has power, Tad's got a nice average, Aaron is mighty clutch. I'm not really sure which one is the most valuable. In the words of Tony Kornheiser, WHO YOU GOT?
June 25, 200520 yr I'd give that distinction to the team. The Sox attack has been very balanced this month.
June 25, 200520 yr That's the beauty of having a balanced lineup. We have a wealth of guys that can do damage. If I had to single one guy out, I might argue Aaron Rowand or Carl Everett. I know, I'm crazy, but it just seems like these two come up with big hits all the time. But if that's the criteria, you could put together some good arguments for Iguchi and Pierzynski, too.
June 25, 200520 yr QUOTE(FLsouthsider @ Jun 24, 2005 -> 11:37 PM) That's the beauty of having a balanced lineup. We have a wealth of guys that can do damage. If I had to single one guy out, I might argue Aaron Rowand or Carl Everett. I know, I'm crazy, but it just seems like these two come up with big hits all the time. But if that's the criteria, you could put together some good arguments for Iguchi and Pierzynski, too. Yeah, I agree an Carl and ARow. I don't remember the exact numbers, but Farmer said they both have something like 15 RBIs in their last 15 games.
June 25, 200520 yr Because of the way the question was phrased...who is the "Best" offensive player, the only answer that is possible right now is Paul Konerko. Right now, Konerko is 15th in the big leagues with 52 RBI's. No one else on the Sox is even in the top 30. Konerko also leads the team in runs scored, with 44...Pods is a close 2nd at 42, but the same guy is leading in runs scored and RBI's. Now, on top of that, this is not even the first year for Paulie to lead the team in the 2 main offensive categories; he was 10th in baseball last year with 117 RBI's, and 3rd on the team with 84 runs scored (although both Podsednik and Dye scored more runs last year.) If the question was "Who is the most valuable offensive player"...that's a much different question, because it takes into account speed, timely hitting, etc, and Everett, Rowand and Pods become factors, but in terms of simply who the best offensive player is, it's hard not to say it's the guy leading the team in runs scored and driven in.
June 25, 200520 yr I like ARow... even though I thought it was strange to see how poorly he hits with the bases loaded..
June 25, 200520 yr How about Frank Thomas? He's arguably the best power hitter and he'll get on base more than anyone else on the team.
June 25, 200520 yr QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jun 25, 2005 -> 02:09 AM) Because of the way the question was phrased...who is the "Best" offensive player, the only answer that is possible right now is Paul Konerko. Right now, Konerko is 15th in the big leagues with 52 RBI's. No one else on the Sox is even in the top 30. Konerko also leads the team in runs scored, with 44...Pods is a close 2nd at 42, but the same guy is leading in runs scored and RBI's. Now, on top of that, this is not even the first year for Paulie to lead the team in the 2 main offensive categories; he was 10th in baseball last year with 117 RBI's, and 3rd on the team with 84 runs scored (although both Podsednik and Dye scored more runs last year.) If the question was "Who is the most valuable offensive player"...that's a much different question, because it takes into account speed, timely hitting, etc, and Everett, Rowand and Pods become factors, but in terms of simply who the best offensive player is, it's hard not to say it's the guy leading the team in runs scored and driven in. Great post. I would not have thought of good old number 14 but using your definition of best, I have to agree. If I had to nominate the poster child of Smart Ball 2005, I'd go with Rowand or Pods.
June 25, 200520 yr My vote goes for Frank. Notice how there aren't any more "This offense sucks" threads since he's been back? He makes the offense seem more condifent IMO. He works the opposing pitcher, makes the hitters around him better and for God's sake he's Frank Thomas, the best Sox hitter of all time.
June 25, 200520 yr Frank without a doubt. He hits for incredible power, draws a ton of walks, intimidates the other teams pitchers to the point where they pitch the entire linup differently, and he can also hit a sac fly if you need it. Offensively, Frank can do it all except run.
June 25, 200520 yr QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Jun 25, 2005 -> 08:38 AM) Offensively, Frank can do it all except run. I heard when he came back he still could outrun Paulie even with his bad ankle.
June 25, 200520 yr If Frank had been playing all season long I'd have no second thoughts about naming him "the best". However, even though he's been playing at a high level since his return, he hasn't been doing it for 3 months. The only guy that's been doing it since the start of the season is Paulie. Even through his horrible slump from mid-April to mid-May he was still drawing walks and moving runners along. When he's hitting he's doing that plus a whole lot more. Ask this question again in September and, barring an injury, I'll more-than-likely be changing my vote to the Big Hurt.
June 25, 200520 yr Actually, it's Podsednik. Podssednik does so much for our hitters by diverting attention and can do so much with his speed.
June 25, 200520 yr QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Jun 25, 2005 -> 11:55 AM) Cliff Politte by FAR, have you seen the guys stats this year??? Yea he's batting 1.000! I'm changing MY vote! Edited June 25, 200520 yr by BuehrleTheAce
June 25, 200520 yr Frank and Pods. They are both table setters actually. Frank is always in 2-0, 3-1 counts and gets on base so much. He's been the man and Podz has clearly been better than advertised at the dish.
June 25, 200520 yr Just a BTW for the Dye haters... .269 BA 12 2B 14 HR 39 RBI Dye is now at a point I consider offensively solid. A 275 average and I'm happy with Dye
June 25, 200520 yr QUOTE(Capn12 @ Jun 25, 2005 -> 09:59 AM) Just a BTW for the Dye haters... .269 BA 12 2B 14 HR 39 RBI Dye is now at a point I consider offensively solid. A 275 average and I'm happy with Dye He's been en fuego for a while now.
June 25, 200520 yr I'll eat a little crow on Dye. THe RBI's are still a bit low and he has 11 solo homers but his average and homer totals are respectable now.
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