http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...1,5513219.story

 

Good thing Mcdougal is not going anywhere....I expect a good rebound season from him. If he does rebound, our bullpen will be sick .... and when you can make a game 6 innings long, you should like your chances

Keeping Mac makes sense to me, and I think he will rebound. I'm willing to gamble his trade value by opening the season with him in MR. I think he'll produce and get some hitters out this year, refocused.

Sounds to me like KW is shopping MacD - which I think is a good idea.

 

I was looking at the article stating that Dotel was 100% healthy, and this little KW gem was at the bottom

 

 

Williams believes the Sox have enough upgrades to anoint themselves as a postseason contender after a 90-loss season.

 

"I think we have some of the most balance in the division," Williams said. "We certainly have some stiff competition, but if you went player-to-player, position-by-position, we stack up against anybody in the division.

 

"I will grant the Detroit Tigers are probably going to prove to be the best offensive team in baseball. Aside from that, on an overall balanced level, we just think we're in a position to battle for 162 games with what we have and hopefully come out as a division winner."

 

We have some of the most balance?

 

What exactly is some of the most balance?

Sounds to me like KW is shopping MacD - which I think is a good idea.

 

hmm possibly, but i'm also hoping by saying our rotation is set that it means he's looking for another arm. he just pretty much needs to if we're gonna compete... i seem to recall a certain 5th starter problem this club used to have... hmm...

Detroit will be tough, but man to man we are also a tough team and pitching and defense will make the difference.

I was looking at the article stating that Dotel was 100% healthy, and this little KW gem was at the bottom

We have some of the most balance?

 

What exactly is some of the most balance?

 

Delusional visions of Floyd, Danks, Quentin, Richar, and Contreras...

Sounds to me like KW is shopping MacD - which I think is a good idea.

 

I am torn.

 

Part of me knows that they way relievers go up and down, this might be the bounceback year. His arm hasn't changed at all, and if they could fix him, he is closer material. If he comes back and pitches like last year, he couldn't middle relieve at Great Falls.

I am torn.

 

Part of me knows that they way relievers go up and down, this might be the bounceback year. His arm hasn't changed at all, and if they could fix him, he is closer material. If he comes back and pitches like last year, he couldn't middle relieve at Great Falls.

Most relievers are up and down. Its just that you can see some consistent patterns if you look deeper at the numbers - and MacD's numbers show me a guy who crumbles under pressure. Plus the Sox have a bunch of short/setup/role relievers and no long/middle guy who can go 2 or 3 innings and occasionally start, especially with the risky back end of the rotation. I'd rather have this pen:

 

Jenks

Linebrink

Dotel

Thornton

Logan

Wassermann

Broadway/Masset/Haeger

 

Than this one:

 

Jenks

Linebrink

Dotel

Thornton

Logan

Wassermann

MacDougal

 

We need to sign the shortstop to an extention

Most relievers are up and down. Its just that you can see some consistent patterns if you look deeper at the numbers - and MacD's numbers show me a guy who crumbles under pressure. Plus the Sox have a bunch of short/setup/role relievers and no long/middle guy who can go 2 or 3 innings and occasionally start, especially with the risky back end of the rotation. I'd rather have this pen:

 

Jenks

Linebrink

Dotel

Thornton

Logan

Wassermann

Broadway/Masset/Haeger

 

Than this one:

 

Jenks

Linebrink

Dotel

Thornton

Logan

Wassermann

MacDougal

 

Masset has to make the 25 man, doesn't he? That could be bad news for Ehren/Booner.

 

Masset has to make the 25 man, doesn't he? That could be bad news for Ehren/Booner.

Masset and Floyd both do. That's why I think Masset becomes the long man, or gets released. And if they do add a new starter, than Danks goes to AAA and Floyd stays in the rotation.

 

I think it would be fairly stupid to have Masset be a short reliever and replace either Wassermann or Logan, both of whom are just a lot more reliable and valuable in that role than he would be. Whereas Masset could maybe be worth a shot as that long guy with an occasional start, which none of the rest of that pen can really do. I think if Ehren Wassermann tried to start, his arm would fly off around the 3rd inning.

 

Mac might still have it in him yo be successful. He was limited by injuries and so was Dotel. The cardiac rehabilitation team may have done a good job with both. Let's hope so.

 

The post saying the Sox need to sign the SS to an extension. Does the SS want to? Do the Sox? I am still miffed by the issue with Crede and will continue to grind my teeth, stomp my feet and be generally all mad like.

Edited January 23, 200818 yr by elrockinMT

bye bye masset hound, those 94mph gems belt high and high and over the fence will be missed, by everyone we play. our bullpen could be pretty good boys. Logan and Thornton as lefties, Mac and Dotel as Set up, and Linebrink and Wasserman as the guys who come in to help out Danks and Floyd. Jenks is Jenks. If 3 of the 7 have above average years, 3 of the 7 have average years, and 1 has a below average, were still looking at a top 10 bullpen.

Detroit will be tough, but man to man we are also a tough team and pitching and defense will make the difference.

agreed, which is why i would like to see crede playing 3b instead of fields. there's no comparison, and that's not a knock on josh.

Looking at this SOx team...I think they can be very good, but they have a bunch of guys right on the edge of breaking down. This organization will be the worst in baseball in 2 years, but if we get another Title out of it, I wont give a damn.

 

There is absolutely NO FUTURE in Chicago, but Williams has put together a reasonable present. If we can find someone in the rotation, if our AARP guys stay healthy and we get comeback seasons from some players we count on then this team could make things interesting.

Edited January 23, 200818 yr by kwolf68

This organization will be the worst in baseball in 2 years...

 

There is absolutely NO FUTURE in Chicago....

 

Over-react much?

There is absolutely NO FUTURE in Chicago.

I totally agree. I mean Swisher is 27 (and signed for 4 years with a option for a 5th), Quentin is 25, Fields is 25, Owens is 26, Richar is 24, Danks is 22, Floyd is 24, Jenks is 26, and Buehrle is still only 28, and we've got a top 10 pick in this years draft...no future whatsoever.

I totally agree. I mean Swisher is 27 (and signed for 4 years with a option for a 5th), Quentin is 25, Fields is 25, Owens is 26, Richar is 24, Danks is 22, Floyd is 24, Jenks is 26, and Buehrle is still only 28, and we've got a top 10 pick in this years draft...no future whatsoever.

 

 

 

GOOD POST

 

SOS from KW!

the only reason the farm system sucks is a lot of our young guys are in the majors already

the only reason the farm system sucks is a lot of our young guys are in the majors already

 

Welcome to Soxtalk. I hope you find your stay here enjoyable, enlightening and educational.

Edited January 28, 200818 yr by YASNY

I totally agree. I mean Swisher is 27 (and signed for 4 years with a option for a 5th), Quentin is 25, Fields is 25, Owens is 26, Richar is 24, Danks is 22, Floyd is 24, Jenks is 26, and Buehrle is still only 28, and we've got a top 10 pick in this years draft...no future whatsoever.

 

Good post. All of those guys are under our control for a long time.