Just curious to see what everyone thinks about Gload's and Borchard's chances of making the team if the Sox only go with 11 pitchers. It seems like most people think they are locks. I know numbers aren't everything, but it is hard not to notice how good Sweeney and Fields have been batting.

 

Here are their numbers with Owens thrown in:

                  AB  R  H  BI  AVG   OBP   SLG    OPS      

 R Sweeney rf     11  4  6  2  .545  .583  1.090  1.673, 2 HR, BB  

 J Fields 3b       8  2  4  3  .500  .500  1.500  2.000, 2 2B, 2 HR

 R Gload 1b        9  2  3  0  .333  .455   .444   .899, 2B, 2 BB, SB

 J Borchard rf    13  2  2  0  .154  .214   .154   .368, BB

 J Owens lf       11  3  1  0  .091  .231   .273   .504, 3B, 2 BB, SB

Would it be better to have Sweeney, Fields, and Owens start in Charlotte to give them more ABs instead of having them on the bench in the bigs?

 

or

 

Do you bring one of two of these guys up if they continue to tear it up in Spring Training?

I think Gload is a lock to make the team, Borchard I'm not too sure about. I do think Borchard is more MLB ready than Owens, Sweeney or Fields but I don't think Ozzie likes his "all or nothing" approach to hitting.

Edited March 8, 200620 yr by mr_genius

Sweeney needs more time in the minors without a shadow of a doubt. In fact he may not even be ready for 2007. Needs to actually prove he can hit for some power.

 

Fields needs to improve on his plate discipline and to continue to improve his fielding at Charlotte. He'll probably be ready for 2007, but will there be a spot for him?

 

Owens is the wildcard of course. I think it's definitely more beneficial for him to get regular AB's for Charlotte instead of him sitting on the pine in the majors. Remember he's only been in the minors for 2 seasons.

I think Borchard and Gload are total locks if the Sox decide to go with 11 pitchers. It's nice to see that Owens, Fields and Sweeney are all having good springs so far. But no way any of them makes the team now. It would be a lot better for them to play everyday in the minors and prove that they can do what they're currently doing consistently.

I don't think Sweeney or Fields have a shot at making the roster opening day. Neither is fully developed, and Sweeney still needs to work on his power, while Fields needs to improve his plate discipline. As for Owens, I always thought that he would have to have an amazing ST while Anderson completely sucked, and it doesn't look like thats happening.

 

I wouldn't say Gload and Borchard are locks, but I think they are pretty damn close.

It's nice to see that Owens,  Fields and Sweeney are all having good springs so far.

                  AB  R  H  BI  AVG   OBP   SLG    OPS      
J Owens lf       11  3  1  0  .091  .231   .273   .504, 3B, 2 BB, SB

Edited March 8, 200620 yr by Felix

I think everyone is seeing that Owens is not the huge superstar that was portrayed in the offseason. He is still very raw, and needs to learn to adjust to pitchers in AAA.

Gload is never a lock on this team it seems.

I think everyone is seeing that Owens is not the huge superstar that was portrayed in the offseason.  He is still very raw, and needs to learn to adjust to pitchers in AAA.

 

I certainly didn't think that this offseason, but for the people who did, what has Owens done that would change their minds? 11 ST Abs?

Borchard and Gload are out of options, and bringing up one of Sweeney, Fields, or Owens is insane.

The arbitration clocks on all three of Sweeney, Fields, and Owens still have yet to start. There is simply no good reason to rush those guys to the big leagues.

 

At least give them a few months in AAA. For their own sake as much as the team's.

Gload is never a lock on this team it seems.

 

Nor should he be. He's pretty bad.

 

EDIT: Oops. I misread it. Thought you were talking about Borchard. Gload should be a lock.

 

Edited March 8, 200620 yr by KevHead0881

Nor should he be.  He's pretty bad.

 

EDIT:  Oops.  I misread it.  Thought you were talking about Borchard.  Gload should be a lock.

 

Why should Gload be a lock? The guy had no position on defense. He plays 1B, we already have 2 guys who can play that position. We need a backup OF'er who can play defense. The only option is Borchard.

Both Gload and Borchard are out of minor-league options, so you can pretty much bank on at least one of them on the major-league roster. That said, I'm really not thrilled with carrying one, let alone both, of them if neither has shown they can consistently get it done in spring training.

 

An interesting name to throw around for s*** and giggles would be Richard Hidalgo. I know he's up there in age, his play is on a steady decline, and he just left the O's because he was promised only a bench spot, but, if he can be had at the right price, and he'd be willing to sit on the bench for the defending world champions before trying his hand in Japan, he'd be an ideal fourth outfielder. His defensive play leaves a lot to be desired, but, at least we know he can hit major league pitching and could spell either Podsednik or Dye without looking completely lost.

Why should Gload be a lock?  The guy had no position on defense.  He plays 1B, we already have 2 guys who can play that position.  We need a backup OF'er who can play defense.  The only option is Borchard.

 

Well, first of all, Gload can play a little outfield. Not very well, but Borchard is nothing special out there either. And at the very least, Gload has a resemblence of a major league hitter, something I can't say for Borchard. The only way a guy like Borchard will have any success offensively is if he's playing almost everyday. And since we're talking about the 5th outfielder spot, Borchard's probably won't see a ton of action. Believe me, I'm not the biggest Gload fan around here. But as a pinch hitter and an occasional corner outfielder, he'll be serviceable.

Well, first of all, Gload can play a little outfield.  Not very well, but Borchard is nothing special out there either.

I couldnt disagree with you more. Gload plays no OF, not on this team. As far as pinch hitters go, before I would send up either one of these guys, I would send up Mack, Cintron and Ozuna. So if their role is mainly an OF fill in, you have to choose the player who can actually play the OF, that is joe.

gload has no value to this team

I couldnt disagree with you more.  Gload plays no OF, not on this team.  As far as pinch hitters go, before I would send up either one of these guys, I would send up Mack, Cintron and Ozuna.  So if their role is mainly an OF fill in, you have to choose the player who can actually play the OF, that is joe.

 

Like I said, I don't think much of Gload. I just think that little of Borchard. I guess saying that Gload should be a lock was too strong. Ultimately, if we are just looking for somebody to fill the defensive need in the OF, I'd prefer we find somebody else all together.

 

Either way, we got a strong bench regardless, especially with Cintron aboard. I ain't gonna make a big stink over the 5th OF spot.

Looks like Gload is gone. He has to be with the trade of Cintron.

Looks like Gload is gone.  He has to be with the trade of Cintron.

 

Good for Gload, let him have a shot at playing elsewhere.

Good for Gload, let him have a shot at playing elsewhere.

 

I agree. He can have some real value on another team. The Sox are just too loaded right now.

Like I said, I don't think much of Gload.  I just think that little of Borchard.  I guess saying that Gload should be a lock was too strong.  Ultimately, if we are just looking for somebody to fill the defensive need in the OF, I'd prefer we find somebody else all together.

 

Either way, we got a strong bench regardless, especially with Cintron aboard.  I ain't gonna make a big stink over the 5th OF spot.

Fair enough. These guys are the last off the bench regardless.

Like I said, I don't think much of Gload.  I just think that little of Borchard.  I guess saying that Gload should be a lock was too strong.  Ultimately, if we are just looking for somebody to fill the defensive need in the OF, I'd prefer we find somebody else all together.

 

Either way, we got a strong bench regardless, especially with Cintron aboard.  I ain't gonna make a big stink over the 5th OF spot.

 

I think Borchard's versatility and defense will win out over Gload. Borchard is a solid, if not great, outfielder. Gload is a butcher in the OF and we have Konerko, Thome and Mackowiak that can play 1B. Gload's a good hitter, but I believe Ozzie will value Borchard's defense and versatility more than Gload's bat.

I think Borchard's versatility and defense will win out over Gload.  Borchard is a solid, if not great, outfielder.  Gload is a butcher in the OF and we have Konerko, Thome and Mackowiak that can play 1B.  Gload's a good hitter, but I believe Ozzie will value Borchard's defense and versatility more than Gload's bat.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

^^^^^

I couldnt disagree with you more.  Gload plays no OF, not on this team.  As far as pinch hitters go, before I would send up either one of these guys, I would send up Mack, Cintron and Ozuna.  So if their role is mainly an OF fill in, you have to choose the player who can actually play the OF, that is joe.

 

You'd send up Ozuna to the plate before Gload?

 

:banghead