Odds and Ends

[AddisonStSox]

Per WhiteSox.com's Notes Article:

 

Link

 

Fine-tuning: Joe Borchard finally might have a full-fledged, healthy chance to earn a roster spot as the fourth outfielder/pinch-hitter for the 2006 season. Then again, the addition of Mackowiak, who can play all three outfield positions as well as every infield spot but shortstop, could mean the White Sox carry 12 pitchers to start the upcoming campaign. Pablo Ozuna also is a reserve who can play both the infield and the outfield.

 

That final decision ultimately will be made by manager Ozzie Guillen and his staff.

 

"As I look at my [player] board right now, I have 14 names pitching-wise for 12 spots," Williams said. "I'm sure at some point and time [pitching coach Don Cooper] and Ozzie will bring up the notion of our starters consistently going six or seven innings, and that it was hard enough to get our 11th guy work last year.

 

"We might want to carry that 25th spot as a position player," Williams added.

 

Ross Gload, a left-handed-hitting pinch-hitter and exceptional defensive first baseman, and rookie Jerry Owens also figure to battle Borchard for that final position. Williams believes the left-handed specialist role will be filled by Arnie Munoz or Paulino Reynoso from within the system or one of a couple six-year Minor League free agents the team will be bringing to Spring Training.

 

In best Ken Harrelson voice: I looove Kenny Williams.

 

Those worried about Williams making too many changes to a championship roster can now rest a little easier; these reamining roster positions look to be filled from within the organization. As I was predicting/hoping for, not only will Joe Borchard be given every opportunity to compete for a fourth outfielder's roster spot, the left-handed vacancy created by Damaso Marte's departure will sure enough be filled via a competition of sorts in ST. Although I haven't heard Williams and co. comment on Reynoso, I think that's the guy they've fingered as taking that spot. They seem to be awfully high on him and although they say he'll be competing with Munoz and some Minor League free agents, I think he'll be the guy. Also, anyone else get notion Ross Gload fell out of favor with this organization?

 

If I had to guess:

 

Fourth OF: Borchard

Long-Man: McCarthy

LHRP: Reynoso

 

Thoughts?

[RockRaines]

The only real question in my mind is the OF and IF positions. The bullpen is set with the critical situations being handled by our existing staff. But in the event that Uribe goes down, im not sure im comfortable with Pablo filling in. But other than that I like the direction that we are going.

[southsider2k5]

I think the Sox like Munoz over Reynoso, but aren't really thrilled with either guy from what I have read. To me the spot is wide open to the point where a non-roster guy with a great spring has a shot as much as anyone else does.

 

Also right now I think Bajenaru is in the drivers seat for the last RHP spot if we go with 12 pitchers, which is a possibility after the WBC for at least a month or two IMO.

[SoxFanInDallas]

Per WhiteSox.com's Notes Article:

 

Link

In best Ken Harrelson voice: I looove Kenny Williams.

 

Those worried about Williams making too many changes to a championship roster can now rest a little easier; these reamining roster positions look to be filled from within the organization.  As I was predicting/hoping for, not only will Joe Borchard be given every opportunity to compete for a fourth outfielder's roster spot, the left-handed vacancy created by Damaso Marte's departure will sure enough be filled via a competition of sorts in ST.  Although I haven't heard Williams and co. comment on Reynoso, I think that's the guy they've fingered as taking that spot.  They seem to be awfully high on him and although they say he'll be competing with Munoz and some Minor League free agents, I think he'll be the guy.  Also, anyone else get notion Ross Gload fell out of favor with this organization?

 

If I had to guess:

 

Fourth OF: Borchard

Long-Man: McCarthy

LHRP: Reynoso

 

Thoughts?

 

 

I will take this team mentioned. You can NEVER feel completely comfortable with backup in every position, especially if you are keeping an extra pitcher. I would rather be in the situation of needing to scour for a short-stop if Uribe went down than have to scour for another starting pitcher if a pitcher went down.

 

I hope they keep Contreras until at least the trade deadline and keep McCarthy in the pen as insurance of injury to the lineup. I will take a gamble that Uribe is not down for the count for any extensive period of time that Pablo or RM could take over for a few games.

[heirdog]

I think the Sox like Munoz over Reynoso, but aren't really thrilled with either guy from what I have read.  To me the spot is wide open to the point where a non-roster guy with a great spring has a shot as much as anyone else does.

 

Also right now I think Bajenaru is in the drivers seat for the last RHP spot if we go with 12 pitchers, which is a possibility after the WBC for at least a month or two IMO.

 

As long as its not Kevin Walker, I am fine with it. I think our 25th spot will be dictated by injuries...Hermanson's back, Crede's back, Thome's back/elbow

 

Ozuna (IF and pinch runner), Mackowiak (super utility), Widger (back-up catcher) are locks and then I think it will be Borchard (4th OF). If we carry a 14th position player, it will be the injury necessity...Pedro Lopez (SS/2B).

 

Gload only plays first and Mackowiak can easily play 1B and both hit lefty so Gload is as good as gone unless he has a Pablo-like spring and bats .550

[maggsmaggs]

Reynoso is Damaso Marte x 2, walks nearly a hitter per inning. This guy is nowhere near the major leagues. Munoz can get buy because of his dynamic curve. I would rather him be the second lefty.

[Heads22]

Eww....no Reynoso yet.

[NorthSideSox72]

Gload only plays first and Mackowiak can easily play 1B and both hit lefty so Gload is as good as gone unless he has a Pablo-like spring and bats .550

 

Actually, Gload plays corner OF as well. He even played 3 games there in 2005 (2 in RF, one in LF) with the Sox. He is a solid defender at 1B or in the OF, with the exception of a weak arm.

 

Between Borch and Gload, unless Gload has an outstanding spring and Borch falls apart, I think it will be Borch at the 4th slot. We already have 3 guys who can play 1B pretty well, and Borch has more power and can play CF in a pinch. Gload, though, is a much more disciplined hitter. We'll have to see. It's the battle of the last chances for these two former fast-movers in the organization - one gets on the roster, the other is probably done in the organization (traded or released).

 

Don't write off Gload just yet!

[CWSGuy406]

The Sox had trouble enough finding innings for Vizcaino last year, I don't think you need another lefty in the bullpen, especially if that lefty isn't any good (shades of Kevin Walker).

 

Personally, I'd go with the six starters, Jenks, Cotts, Politte, Hermanson, and Baj/Munoz, and have both Gload + Borchard on the big league roster.

 

EDIT: Actually, Vizcaino got 70 innings last year... but, with McCarthy on the roster, he could take a lot of those 'mop-up' innings.

Edited December 29, 2005 by CWSGuy406

[heirdog]

Actually, Gload plays corner OF as well.  He even played 3 games there in 2005 (2 in RF, one in LF) with the Sox.  He is a solid defender at 1B or in the OF, with the exception of a weak arm.

 

Between Borch and Gload, unless Gload has an outstanding spring and Borch falls apart, I think it will be Borch at the 4th slot.  We already have 3 guys who can play 1B pretty well, and Borch has more power and can play CF in a pinch.  Gload, though, is a much more disciplined hitter.  We'll have to see.  It's the battle of the last chances for these two former fast-movers in the organization - one gets on the roster, the other is probably done in the organization (traded or released).

 

Don't write off Gload just yet!

 

Gload is a fast mover in this organization? I know he got some PT at the end of 2004 but I hardly call him an organizational favorite. Also, he is like 30 years old so I think he was a late bloomer if anything. I respectfully disagree with your assessment of Gload's OF defense. He is not fast and he has a weak arm so what else is left? He can catch the ball when he is under it???? Sounds like a prototypical "hide me in left field every so often" type guy.

[RockRaines]

Don't write off Gload just yet!

Dude, he is written off, any talk of Borchard, and their signing of Thome guarantees him no playing time. Who needs 3 1B????

[Guest JimH]

Dude, he is written off, any talk of Borchard, and their signing of Thome guarantees him no playing time.  Who needs 3 1B????

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Not to mention Mackowiak can play 1B so they've really got that spot covered.

 

If they only carry 11 pitchers, another multipurpose player would be nice.

[Balta1701]

Actually, Gload plays corner OF as well.  He even played 3 games there in 2005 (2 in RF, one in LF) with the Sox.  He is a solid defender at 1B or in the OF, with the exception of a weak arm.

Gload's arm wasn't just week, last year it spent the whole first half of the year wounded and left him on the DL and in the minor leagues.

[RME JICO]

Not to mention Mackowiak can play 1B so they've really got that spot covered.

 

If they only carry 11 pitchers, another multipurpose player would be nice.

 

JD can also play 1B if needed, so I doubt the Sox put another 1B on the roster. It is going to be OF or RP.

[TLAK]

Not to mention Mackowiak can play 1B so they've really got that spot covered.

 

If they only carry 11 pitchers, another multipurpose player would be nice.

Everybody keeps trying to down play this teams lack of depth because Mack can play so many positions. But he can't play them all at once. Your only IF subs are Mackowiak and Ozuna (and one or both could be in the OF that day). If one is in the game you need to either hold the other on the bench in case some thing happens or play the starter on his off day. You could play Thome at 1B and DH Konerko but what other options are there? Think about the 'Sunday' lineup, you need one more Major League IF.

[TLAK]

The Sox had trouble enough finding innings for Vizcaino last year, I don't think you need another lefty in the bullpen, especially if that lefty isn't any good (shades of Kevin Walker).

 

Personally, I'd go with the six starters, Jenks, Cotts, Politte, Hermanson, and Baj/Munoz, and have both Gload + Borchard on the big league roster.

 

EDIT:  Actually, Vizcaino got 70 innings last year...  but, with McCarthy on the roster, he could take a lot of those 'mop-up' innings.

Last years team didn't have a whole lot of 'mop-up' innings, 110 games were decided by 3 runs or less. Every pitcher was in important situations most of the days they appeared. Had the lower end of the bullpen been of poorer qualtity then perhaps there would have been more 'mop-up' opportunities, because they would have been down by 6-7 runs.

 

If the bottom of the bullpen fails then all KW's perceived improvements will not result in as many, or more wins than last years team.

[YASNY]

Everybody keeps trying to down play this teams lack of depth because Mack can play so many positions.  But he can't play them all at once.    Your only IF subs are Mackowiak and Ozuna (and one or both could be in the OF that day).  If one is in the game you need to either hold the other on the bench in case some thing happens or play the starter on his off day. You could play Thome at 1B and DH Konerko but what other options are there?  Think about the 'Sunday' lineup, you need one more Major League IF.

 

Maybe so, but that IF does not need to be a 1B.

[knightni]

But, but... Gload can play the OF! Edited December 30, 2005 by knightni

[YASNY]

But, but... Gload can play the OF!

 

If you want to call it that.

[TLAK]

Maybe so, but that IF does not need to be a 1B.

Agree. Never thought I would say this but a 'Willie Harris' type of a LH hitting infielder with enough speed to pinch run would be helpful.

 

-I don't fault KW for letting Harris go though, had he worked to become a usable shortstop I bet he'd still be on the team.

[beck72]

But in the event that Uribe goes down, im not sure im comfortable with Pablo filling in. 

SS Robert Valido will be in AA to start this yr. His defense is supposed to be major league ready now, which is what the sox would be looking at from him if Uribe went down. While he probably wouldn't hit [though he can bunt and do the little things], he'd likely be better than Ozuna long term.

[beck72]

My take on the roster is that Borchard will be the bench guy, making him the 13th position player. And the sox will carry 12 pitchers, with Munoz, Tracey and Baj fighting for the last spot.

[Al Lopez's Ghost]

But, but... Gload can play the OF!

He is very consistent in picking the ball up after he drops a fly ball, holding the batter to first.

[DBAHO]

SS Robert Valido will be in AA to start this yr. His defense is supposed to be major league ready now, which is what the sox would be looking at from him if Uribe went down. While he probably wouldn't hit [though he can bunt and do the little things], he'd likely be better than Ozuna long term.

We've got Pedro Lopez who was up briefly for us in 2005 to fill that role in case of an injury. I'd say Valido will stay in AA pretty much for all of 2006, but we'll definitely see him at some point in the majors (of course KW could trade him by then).

[DBAHO]

My take on the roster is that Borchard will be the bench guy, making him the 13th position player. And the sox will carry 12 pitchers, with Munoz, Tracey and Baj fighting for the last spot.

Of course if Hermy's back isn't up to it, then 2 of those guys could make it, unless the Sox decided to sign a FA reliever.