Thanks for setting me straight on this issue. That's why people with actual medical knowledge should post here more often. 

 

I"m still worried on whether or not Hermanson can be an effective reliever.  Unless epidural injections allow him a fluid delivery, he'll still have a drastic drop in velocity.

 

It just seems so painful for Hermanson to pitch. I can't see how his back's going to get any better, as it's been like 8 months since his back started to bother him. I think the back problem really hurts his follow-through, which prevents him from getting any movement on his splitter and flattens out his slider.

Marte closed a few games did he not, I also think it bounced between Shingo and Hermanson for at least a week to 10 days, Hermanson closed some games after Jenks was called up, etc.

 

Guillen has always said he'd do it this way, if he thinks there's a better match up he'll use it.

 

Hey, almost identical posts! And you are right. Guillen is never afraid to go to a matchup. He used Marte in the 9th at times at the end of the year.

Edited March 24, 200620 yr by jphat007

But predict doom and gloom. Cool by me.

 

Give it up. I got it the first 1,000 times you said it. I just hate the idea of closer-by-committee, and not for one second do I think Ozzie is going to go with it.

Hey, almost identical posts! And you are right. Guillen is never afraid to go to a matchup. He used Marte in the 9th at times at the end of the year.

 

I can only remember one time (at Toronto) where Marte was brought in to get the final out of the game. I always said that Ozzie deserves a ton of credit for the way he handled the closer position last year. Manuel would have allowed Shingo to give up 500 foot homers for probably another month more than Ozzie did.

Give it up.  I got it the first 1,000 times you said it.  I just hate the idea of closer-by-committee, and not for one second do I think Ozzie is going to go with it.

 

- Give it up?

- I got it the first 1,000 times you said it.

 

Now there's a concept, except it might be the first 1,000,000 times you said it.

Don Cooper is on ESPN 1000 and he said that they were disappointed in Jenks for showing up to camp out of shape. He also said that he wants to see Jenks throwing strikes. He isn't really worried about velocity right now.

Also, our bullpen was much, much, much deeper last season. This allowed Ozzie to save Marte for later in the games, and Cotts could come in around the 6th or 7th to get some big outs. Hopefully McCarthy and Logan can be counted on to get some crucial outs prior to the 8th inning.

 

FWIW, I still believe we're going to make the playoffs. My biggest concern, besides the closer position, is making sure that Contreras rebounds from his elbow position. I just hope he's not scared to pitch from the 3/4 arm position now.

I just hate the idea of closer-by-committee, and not for one second do I think Ozzie is going to go with it.

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Well none of us know for sure but I do believe your thinking is possibly off base in this instance. Among guys we will see closing games this year IMO will be Jenks, Cotts, McCarthy, Politte, and if they get another hard throwing RHP like Cruz, he will close out the odd game or two as well.

- Give it up?

- I got it the first 1,000 times you said it.

 

Now there's a concept, except it might be the first 1,000,000 times you said it.

 

What the hell are you talking about? The closer-by-committee thing was the first negative thing I've said about our outlook all offseason. I could care less if you just responded to my posts with your 100 percent optimistic approach or else. However, you've been responding to everyone else's posts like they're completely wrong just because they mention a concern about something.

Well none of us know for sure but I do believe your thinking is possibly off base in this instance.  Among guys we will see closing games this year IMO will be Jenks, Cotts, McCarthy, Politte, and if they get another hard throwing RHP like Cruz, he will close out the odd game or two as well.

 

JimH....I mean out of the gate, I think Ozzie will give Jenks every possibility to be "the" closer. I think he's doing a very smart thing by challenging Jenks the way he is. This type of challenge can be very effective, especially since Jenks has yet to get his first big baseball contract extension. He still has to prove himself in this league to start making his millions. If Jenks does struggle, then I'm sure Ozzie will make some changes, and I'll be proud of him for not being passive.

What the hell are you talking about?  The closer-by-committee thing was the first negative thing I've said about our outlook all offseason.  I could care less if you just responded to my posts with your 100 percent optimistic approach or else.  However, you've been responding to everyone else's posts like they're completely wrong just because they mention a concern about something.

 

LOL. Right. Not liked you jumped to conclusions on the injury outlook or anything.

 

Anybody know if Pods will be back by the all star break?

This debate is a matter of semantics...

 

I consider Closer by Committee™ to be a club that doesn't necessarily have any viable closer options, i.e. 2003 Red Sox the Brandon Lyon experiment.

 

The 2005 White Sox didn't fit this definition. Yes, Ozzie used different guys to close out games. But the thing he did best, was put the right guys in high-leverage situations. He didn't fall into the Closer-gets-the-last-three-outs-in-a-win trap. He used his best guys when they were needed most, sometimes that was in the ninth, sometimes it was the 8th. Perhaps most importantly, after his misuse of the pen in the third game of the season, he almost always had one bullet left in the chamber.

Anybody know if Pods will be back by the all star break? 

 

Wow, didn't we have like a 20 page thread where a dozen people or so said we were only concerned that he would miss like the first 3 games? Personally, I know I never said that he was going to miss half of the season, etc. All I ever said was that I didn't think he was going to be able to play by opening day. Luckily, he was able to start getting his cuts only a few days after the team gave him a second test to determine if the shoulder was damaged.

 

Now, lets get Contreras back and throwing at a comfortable arm angle without fear of having his elbow flare up again.

JimH....I mean out of the gate, I think Ozzie will give Jenks every possibility to be "the" closer.  I think he's doing a very smart thing by challenging Jenks the way he is.  This type of challenge can be very effective, especially since Jenks has yet to get his first big baseball contract extension.  He still has to prove himself in this league to start making his millions.  If Jenks does struggle, then I'm sure Ozzie will make some changes, and I'll be proud of him for not being passive.

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Yes, agree, good post and good point about Guillen challenging. Ideally he'd like to have "the guy" and yet he also wants to give guys confidence and let them strut their stuff. Definitely I can see Cotts getting a chance to finish 10-15 games this year but we'll see.

Looking back on it, we sure were spoiled with the contributions that Jenks gave us last season. These inconsistencies shouldn't be surprising, but he was remarkably consistent for the Sox last year in the closer role.

This debate is a matter of semantics...

 

I consider Closer by Committee™ to be a club that doesn't necessarily have any viable closer options, i.e. 2003 Red Sox the Brandon Lyon experiment.

 

The 2005 White Sox didn't fit this definition. Yes, Ozzie used different guys to close out games. But the thing he did best, was put the right guys in high-leverage situations. He didn't fall into the Closer-gets-the-last-three-outs-in-a-win trap. He used his best guys when they were needed most, sometimes that was in the ninth, sometimes it was the 8th. Perhaps most importantly, after his misuse of the pen in the third game of the season, he almost always had one bullet left in the chamber.

 

Who would you describe as viable closer options as the ballclub is currently put together?

 

Jenks, Politte, Cotts? just Jenks and Cotts?

Who would you describe as viable closer options as the ballclub is currently put together?

 

Jenks, Politte, Cotts? just Jenks and Cotts?

 

I'm going to assume you left out Logan because he's an obvious candidate?

Who would you describe as viable closer options as the ballclub is currently put together?

 

Jenks, Politte, Cotts? just Jenks and Cotts?

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Jenks and Cotts. Politte sucks as a closer and has even admitted it himself.

Maybe Fathom and JP should just start their own thread where they can fight like little girls about the same points over and over.

 

 

BTW Sweeney still rakes. Im excited if Quickman likes him, he hates every prospect.

Maybe Fathom and JP should just start their own thread where they can fight like little girls about the same points over and over.

BTW Sweeney still rakes.  Im excited if Quickman likes him, he hates every prospect.

I'm worried. Can you imagine TQ's outrage when Sweeney is traded for Juan Cruz?

 

Oh man.

BTW Sweeney still rakes.  Im excited if Quickman likes him, he hates every prospect.

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Agreed, he has to be good if Quickman likes him. I'm excited now.

 

I'm worried. Can you imagine TQ's outrage when Sweeney is traded for Juan Cruz?

 

Oh man. 

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Edited March 24, 200620 yr by SSH2005

Recap | Box score

Did the Sox ever give any thought into developing Sweeney into a 1b in case Konerko didn't come back?

Recap  |  Box score

 

Looks like Lumsden will make the start tommorow.... thats good I can finally get to see this kid with a supposed golden arm.

Looks like Lumsden will make the start tommorow.... thats good I can finally get to see this kid with a supposed golden arm.

not many more ST games left to see these guys. But who cares, the fewer the ST games the closer the season gets here