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A White Sox Blog Chronicling The Mess Over On 35th.
Tuesday, June 29, 2004
Twins Strength of Schedule
Big series for the Sox? Not really. It’s the end of June, they are without one of their best players, and are tied in the loss column. One other thing, according to ESPN.com the Twins have played the 28th most difficult schedule in baseball so far this year. This is a bigger series for the Twins than the Sox. The Sox strength of schedule so far by the way is 12th.
Stirring It Up
I loved the intro when Shingo entered the game on Saturday. Moreover I loved the gong sound effect that played when he got a strike on a batter. I suggested to one of my guys on 35th that they put a gigantic gong on the left field concourse and use that instead of a canned sound effect. It probably wouldn’t go over well with the politically correct crowd, but that ain’t exactly the group that frequents the Cell anyway.
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Mariotti On The Loose
This unfortunate incident last week at the Cell gave Mariotti the opportunity on his radio show this morning to unleash a vicious attack on the Sox and the south side of Chicago yet again. Mariotti called the Cell a “hell hole” and said he wouldn’t take his kids there. He went so far as to say the Sox should get out of “the area”. The area being the south side where he says that “element” of fans is prevalent.
Basically, it was typical Jay. What’s interesting is that Mac, Jurko, and Harry are raking Mariotti over the coals for his comments on their show. Great stuff with McNeil bringing up Mariotti’s failed radio career and his vendetta against Reinsdorf among other things.
I have no doubt that McNeil’s venom for Mariotti is genuine, many of Mariotti’s colleagues reportedly despise him. Just odd that ESPN radio management would let McNeil go on a diatribe against a teammate. Reinsdorf must have them eating out of his hands again. This can only mean good things for that 35th street operation.
Monday, June 28, 2004
Stretch
Quick thought, what are the odds that Hawk loves this trade? Hell, what are the odds that Hawk engineered this trade?
Garcia At a Price
The Garcia deal has far too much potential downside for me to embrace it. Garcia has top-of-the-rotation stuff, but doesn’t always pitch like a #1 or #2 while Reed should be an offensive cornerstone well into the next decade and Olivo barring something unforeseen will be an every day catcher for at least the next five or six years. Even if they sign Garcia after this year the chances are that will come at the expense of Ordonez. As much as I don’t like the idea of paying him $14 million a year, I like that better than giving Garcia $10 million a year.
The only positive I see in this deal is that it could, emphasize could, signal a change in the way they do business on 35th. I’ll examine that possibility in my next post. In the meantime, for some interesting opinions on the trade check out the discussion over at Baseball Primer.
The Cubs
It's really getting tiresome slapping that sorry bunch around every season. Not only that, squeezing this series in every year messes up the schedule. Time to ditch these rivalry games and put the Cubs on the "every three years" timetable like every other NL team. The only thing to like about this annual beating is watching all those northside rubes scurrying into the Cell and giving the Chairman all that money to see their heroes get their brains beat out.
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Garcia
One thing to know about the Garcia trade it's probably a one season, win now sort of deal. Just like Colon last season. Don't believe all that nonsense about Garcia resigning because he and Ozzie are best buds. This outfit doesn't sign veteran pitchers to long term deals. It seems to be company policy. This is a one year shot.
Another is they gave Seattle three players who all might be starting for the Ms by the end of the season. So next season the Ms will have three good, young, cheap players out of this and this outfit will have nothing to show for it.
That said, I love Kenny's "screw the future" act. I want to win this thing now and Garcia can be a huge asset to that end. I don't care what sort of a mess the organization is after we win. I just want to win one. Besides, the organization will be a mess anyway. They operate best in such chaos. I'm just glad to see Kenny staying aggressive after last summer's deals didn't get us there. I still remember Schu in 2000 holding on to all those golden arms in the minors when help was needed for the playoffs. Four years later, the three-and-out vs. Seattle and a jittery Jon Garland is all we have to show for Schu's patience with his prize prospects.
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Another is they gave Seattle three players who all might be starting for the Ms by the end of the season. So next season the Ms will have three good, young, cheap players out of this and this outfit will have nothing to show for it.
That said, I love Kenny's "screw the future" act. I want to win this thing now and Garcia can be a huge asset to that end. I don't care what sort of a mess the organization is after we win. I just want to win one. Besides, the organization will be a mess anyway. They operate best in such chaos. I'm just glad to see Kenny staying aggressive after last summer's deals didn't get us there. I still remember Schu in 2000 holding on to all those golden arms in the minors when help was needed for the playoffs. Four years later, the three-and-out vs. Seattle and a jittery Jon Garland is all we have to show for Schu's patience with his prize prospects.
Saturday, June 26, 2004
Russ Ortiz
Schoenweis on the DL has Williams stepping up his efforts to get another starter. Rumors have them talking to the Braves about Russ Ortiz with Jon Rauch and top prospects, Winston-Salem outfielders Brian Anderson and Ryan Sweeney mentioned as bait.
Whoa, that sure seems like a lot for a guy like Ortiz. I’m not entirely sure he’d pitch better than Rauch. Ortiz’s 4.19 ERA doesn’t translate well to the A.L. especially pitching at the Cell. Jamie Moyer’s name also comes up in the article and we feel he’d be a terrible fit at the Cell based on his 18(!) homers given up in 92 innings pitching in the pitcher friendly environs of Safeco Field. Here’s hoping Williams doesn’t panic.
Sox/Cubs Thoughts From 35th
Observations, basically a whole lot of nothing occurred to me while sitting in my right field seat today.
- The support the Cubs enjoy is best summed up as widespread, but shallow.
- People who wear Wrigley Field gear need things explained extra slowly.
- Ten years from now we’re going to look at the Sox pitching staff and wonder what were we thinking.
- Didn’t see one fight in the stands today. How bad does that make those Tuesday half price nights.
- Channel 7 estimated the crowd split as 2/3 Cubs fans. Impossible to tell of course, but when you can beatdown Sox fans and praise Cubs fans in one fell swoop, you do it.
- The scoreboard reminded me of what a key role Derrick Lee played in the Marlins incredible come back against the Cubs in last year’s NLCS during his first AB.
- Six home runs for Carlos Lee has been as big a problem as bullpen depth.
- Over 77,000 people total at the Cell have seen Uribe look like knucklehead on pop ups on two different occasions this year. Can’t think of a more random occurrence.
- Remember when Sammy was thought to have as good a chance as anyone to break Hank Aaron’s record?
Friday, June 25, 2004
One Tired Act
I understand Jay Marriotti is an act, but the reason I read him is that I’m fascinated by how transparent he makes it.
Thursday, June 24, 2004
What About The Bullpen?
All the focus has been on the 5th starter, but the more chilling indictment on Kenny Williams and his farm system in my opinion is that they don’t have a pitcher better than Mike Jackson. It’s been 3 ½ years under Williams' watch and I don’t think it’s too much to ask of the system to be able to produce a mediocre middle reliever.
U.S. Coors Field Update
Through 35 games at the renovated Cell, the Sox and their opponents are on pace to hit 261 homers and score 921 runs which would represent a 19.1% increase in homers over last year and a 24.1% increase in runs over last year. Yikes.
Alomar’s Best Friend
Carlton, Maddux, Buehrle. What do these three have in common? They all employ/employed a personal catcher. When you win multiple Cy Young awards and were regarded as the best pitcher in the league you are allowed ridiculous idiosyncrasies like the personal catcher. Mark Buehrle isn’t good enough to have a personal catcher. With a lefty on the mound last night it was almost criminal for Guillen not to start Olivo. Olivo is only hitting .462/.488/.949 against lefties in 39 AB’s with 5 HR’s.
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
Ozzie as Figurehead?
Ozzie in today’s Tribune:
"I wish we could go to a four-man rotation because I'm tired of 21/2 months trying to get the fifth starter"
Hmm? I found this quote interesting, I don’t know what to make of it. It sounds more like what a player would say than a manager. Maybe it’s the subtleties of the English language that eluded Ozzie at the time, maybe these decisions are never made by the manager alone, or maybe Guillen doesn’t have a say in going to a four-man rotation. I bring it up because I’ve heard street talk from around 35th that Guillen is being guided through his rookie season as a manager by a triumvirate consisting of G.M. Kenny Williams, pitching coach Don Cooper, and believe it or not, Sox announcer Hawk Harrelson.
If true, I don’t know if it’s good or bad. Just different, but not inconsistent with the way this bunch conducts its business.
Sunday, June 20, 2004
Sunday Note
Hey Bud, D.C. Already Has a Team
Bud Selig and his crew appear headed toward disaster once again as they move closer to placing the Expos in Washington D.C. I haven’t heard one convincing argument for a team in D.C. Supporters of it always come back to the lame “it’s the nation’s capitol” argument. D.C. has tried its hand at major league baseball twice and each time failed to support it. And what about the Orioles, Washington’s real team? Why is Selig willing to forsake the stability of that franchise when there are so many better choices for the Expos to move to?
In fact, if the Expos do end up in D.C., that would only strengthen Steinbrenner by eliminating the Orioles as any kind of a threat in his division. The best idea I’ve heard is to put the Expos in New Jersey to cut into Big Stein’s piece of the pie a bit.
The Washington Expos would guarantee MLB two teams in the lower half of revenues and Steinbrenner fewer worries. Does Bud really want that?
Saturday, June 19, 2004
When 14 Isn't Enough
The confidence 35th Street Mess had in Arnie to fill the fifth starter’s role looks like it was misplaced after tonight’s debacle. Maybe his performance can be attributed to a case of the jitters more likely though it was his below-average fastball that did him in.
The reports I’ve read about Munoz labeled him as a finesses lefty but a fastball that was consistently in the low 80-MPH range? That was surprising. Almost as surprising as how few of his supposedly devastating curveballs he threw.
I wonder how good a handler of pitchers Sandy Alomar is. He often escapes criticism in this area because of his veteran status, but you may remember in a series last month after Cotts gave up a homer to Josh Phelps on a change-up after throwing two fastballs by him, Hawk was highly critical of Alomar’s pitch selection.
His catcher ERA doesn’t reveal him to be poor in this regard as it’s mostly in-line with the other Sox catchers on the roster during his 3+ years here (it was .89-of-a-run higher than Olivo’s last year.) Maybe I’m just bitter and looking for an excuse. I’ll tell you what it would not be the first time I felt that way after a Sox loss.
National Anthems
Anyone catch the performances of “The Star Spangled Banner” and “Oh Canada” before tonight’s game? The singer put way too much drama in them. A note to future anthem singers, you will never get a recording contract singing an anthem before a sporting event. Do us all a favor, sing them in under ten minutes and exit the field, floor, or ice. Thanks.
Upgrading The Rotation: Garcia or Bust?
With Arnie Munoz making his debut tonight and Freddy Garcia drawing trade interest from several teams, let’s take a look at what other pitchers might be available to upgrade the Sox rotation.
It appears that Munoz will be the last chance for the Sox minor league system to improve the rotation. The diminutive lefty has pitched well, as a reliever, throughout his minor league career and has dominated this season at Birmingham, his first as a starter. I like what I’ve seen from Munoz and think he could fill the fifth starter’s role capably, but to think he could solve the team’s real problem and pitch like a second or third starter is irrational.
Kris Benson and Jamie Moyer are two guys who are on the trade block. Benson, a former top pick in the draft, has never fulfilled his potential with the Pirates in part because of injury. The 29-year-old right-hander is closer to a back-of-the-rotation pitcher than middle, but might be worth taking a flyer on because of his untapped potential.
Moyer is old, real old. He’s put together some nice numbers this year but they’re deceiving as 70.6% of his innings this year have come at Safeco. Moyer pitching at U.S. Cellular Field would be a disaster.
There’s wild talk out there that the Brewers would be willing to part with Ben Sheets if the right deal came along because Sheets is eligible for arbitration after this season.
With the outcry the Brewers endured this winter over cutting payroll despite having a publicly financed stadium I find it difficult to believe management would deal Sheets.
Sheets notwithstanding, Freddy Garcia is by far the best starter available and the cost of acquiring him in terms of players will be prohibitive. A smarter tact by Williams might be to improve the staff as a whole by getting the lesser starter in Benson, who will come cheaply as part of a Pirate salary purge, and another set-up man to improve the bullpen depth. The problem with this is there aren’t too many quality set-up men either.
Cubs Plan Further Decays Lakeview
If this plan gets passed, the neighborhood is no longer Lakeview or Wrigleyville even. It’s Tribuneville. Hopefully our city fathers will stand up to the corporate behemoth and say get lost.
Friday, June 18, 2004
Ordonez Eyes Return vs. Tribe
The Sun-Times says Ordonez wants back in next week against the Indians. Trainer Herm Schneider is rightfully cautious:
'"We want to do it right the first time, not the third time," Schneider said. "We don't want to have him come back, then lose him for another 15 days. We have to make sure it's right."
Schneider goes on to say . . .
'"When he comes back, he will be ready for right field," Schneider said. '"Frank [Thomas] is our designated hitter. My job is to get [Ordonez] back as our right fielder."'
Wow, even the trainer in this group understands what's going on. Schneider, Bossard, The Sox have the most essential "non-essential" baseball people in the majors.
Remember, organizations win championships.
Thursday, June 17, 2004
They’ll Want To Throw This One Back . . .
Fishing for bullpen help, Florida traded a marginal middle-infield prospect named Wilson Valdez to the Sox for Billy Koch and $2 million. Koch has roughly $3.8 million left on his contract this year.
That the Marlins are willing to pay about $1.8 million to have Koch in their bullpen the rest of the year is jaw-dropping. From the Sox point of view, it gives Williams an additional $1.8 million to play with this year. This could come in especially handy with the rumors today that the Yankees are in the Freddy Garcia sweepstakes. The Yankees can’t match the best deal the Sox can offer, they simply don’t have the prospects. Now Williams will be able to afford to take on whatever is left of Garcia’s $8 million this year.
It’s a good night to be a Sox fan despite losing a tough one. Oh and thanks for nothing, Billy.
And We Thought The Chairman Was Cutthroat at The Negotiating Table . . .
Watching Josh Beckett mow down the Sox in his 3 2/3 innings before being taken out due to injury, we couldn’t help but think about how tough a negotiator Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria must be. Ya see, Loria cut Beckett’s salary from $1.725 million in 2003 to $1.51 million this year. After his big negotiating win, we hear Loria received a congratulatory call - collect - from the Chairman.
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
Top Pick Fields Signs
The bonus is a reported $1.55 million and he’ll report to Winston-Salem. I say Fields ultimately replaces Konerko in 2006.
Lee’s The One To Deal
Congrats to Carlos Lee on extending his hit streak to 28 games last night. Now deal him. He’s a decent player, but makes too much money for his production and plays a position that can be capably filled by Jeremy Reed. Reed would give the Sox another lefty hitter and be a guy who’ll get on base in front of Thomas, Ordonez, etc...
With that Bavasi dude in Seattle, whose decisions never cease to amaze me, Lee could be used as bait to acquire Freddy Garcia. The Sox don’t need a 5th starter, they need a 2nd or 3rd, and Lee is the kind of “name” player Bavasi can sell to his fans as a way of saying we’re not rebuilding, just retooling for 2005. Without Lee, the Sox would free up another $7.5 million, making re-signing Ordonez easier. It’s a win-win situation for everyone. It just takes a little outside the box thinking on the part of Kenny Williams.
Mariotti Not a Fan of “Us vs. Them” Ad Campaign
Imagine my surprise when I turned to Jay Mariotti’s column today only to find Jay using the Sox latest advertising campaign as an opportunity to bash the organization yet again. Shocking.
From Jay:
'“Cool isn't manufactured. It's discovered.
By winning games, divisions, pennants, world championships.”'
Well, that explains Wrigley.
And Sun-Times employees are worried that overstating circulation numbers hurt the paper’s credibility? Yikes.
Tuesday, June 15, 2004
Art Kusyner Press Watch
We know there are a lot of fans of Sox bullpen coach Art Kusyner who visit this site so we endeavor to keep them up to date on any and all Kusyner mentions in the press.
In an article in today’s Tribune, Shingo Takatsu’s interpreter, Hiroshi Abei, this to say about the rough and tumble Kusyner:
‘"He's a very important person in the bullpen," Abei said, offering a polite answer before adding: "He's like a refrigerator in the house. You've got to have one."’
Here’s the breakdown by paper on Kusyner mentions this year:
Tribune: 2
Sun-Times: 1
Southtown: 1
Daily Herald: 0
Interestingly, all of the Kusyner stories have appeared the day after an off day. We won’t rest until Art gets pubbed up on a game day.
Ordonez Leaving: The Good and Bad
No matter what your opinion is on re-signing Maggs, you'll find a reasonable argument for it in this discussion over at Baseball Primer.
Yesterday’s Papers (Or Stuff We Missed)
From Ron Rapoport’s column:
“Police wrote 240 citations and made 25 arrests outside Wrigley Field in the hours surrounding the Cubs' 13 May home games, reports the Associated Press. In 13 games last May, there were 110 citations and four arrests.”
35th Street Mess’s Take: Truthfully, the Cubs have been nothing but trouble for the good people of the lakeview neighborhood. It’s time for a Chicago institution like the Tribune Company to step up and take responsibility, and action, to prevent any further decaying of this wonderfully historic Chicago neighborhood.
Mike Imrem wrote that the circuses surrounding a Sox game these days resembles those at a Bulls game.
35th Street Mess’s Take: We missed this column by Imrem because, well, we don’t normally read him and this article is a perfect example why. Is this good, is it bad? He doesn’t really give an opinion.
Monday, June 14, 2004
Confab On The Fan Deck
Anyone catch Ordonez and Kenny Williams sitting next to one another on the fan deck during part yesterday’s game? One of our guys on 35th tells us this was part of a larger “business” discussion the two had. Interesting to say the least. I’m just surprised this took place so publicly. Normally this bunch operates out of a corner booth in a south suburban Denny’s.
Frank Crushing The Ball Batting Third
Take a look at the numbers Thomas has produced when he’s batted third this year:
.373/.500/.864, 59 AB, 8 HR, 14 BB
I hope Guillen is flexible enough to put Ordonez in the fourth spot when he returns from the DL.
New Sox Mascot
The Sox unveiled their latest attempt at this mascot thing yesterday with something called Southpaw.
I guess this is okay, but my idea for a Sox mascot would be a little different. How about a costume of the script Sox logo with back hair that chain smokes?
Sunday, June 13, 2004
Sunday Note
Schuerholz To Blame For Lack of Braves Post-Season Success
While I thought that Hawk Harrelson and Darrin Jackson were going to strain something the last couple of days bending of backwards to tell the world what a great Manager Bobby Cox is, Cox gets too much blame for Atlanta’s numerous post-season failures.
Braves G.M. John Schuerholz assembled arguably the best starting pitching staffs in the last 30 years. Unfortunately for him, really Cox since he takes most of the heat, World Championships have failed to follow in the numbers one would think. “Baseball people” have told us over and over again that pitching wins. Do you need a terrific 4th or good 5th starter if you already have three Hall-of-Fame type pitchers at the top of the rotation? Of course not. At least not when you have holes in the bullpen or in need of an extra bat or two in the line-up. During the Braves division title run, Schuerholz has decided to spend resources to strengthen strength instead of fortifying a weakness. The Braves problems in their post-season failures stem from them not being a balanced team.
Something to remember when you hear the tired cliché, “you can never have enough starting pitching.”
Saturday, June 12, 2004
Don't Blame Williams, He Asked ...
From Today's Trib:
'The Sox are on pace to hit 240 home runs, which would be the most in franchise history. But Williams says the reason is not the reconfiguration of the upper-deck roof.
"That was one of the first questions I asked the designers and architects," he said. "I did not want to see the park play any differently, and they assured us it wouldn't."'
Let's see ... an employee of a company would never tell you what you wanted to hear in order for that company to get a big piece of that U.S. Cellular money. Especially when what your asking about is something that's very difficult to predict.
Very amusing on Williams part.
Friday, June 11, 2004
Ordonez and Sox Still Talking
Beltran rumored to be headed to 35th
Lousy game. Lousy umpiring. Nice finish.
Found this on White Sox.com.
So Ordonez believes his agent is still talking to the White Sox and a report has the Sox as frontrunners for Beltran? Have to wonder if these two stories are linked? If they sign Ordonez does the likelihood of them dealing for Beltran go up or down?
As always just when you think you have this group pegged they throw you for a loop.
Draft Picks Sign
The Sox announced the signing of 21 of their picks today. including their supplemental choices left-handed pitchers, Tyler Lumsden and Gio Gonzalez.
One of the more interesting signees is 5th round pick high school outfielder Brandon Allen. Allen is a left-handed hitter with excellent power potential who was thought to be headed to the University of Houston to play linebacker.
Thursday, June 10, 2004
Press Release From 35th
White Sox executive and former baseball super-agent, Dennis Gilbert, awarded honorary degree from William Howard Taft University recognizing philanthropic efforts
Our Take: We don’t think there is an organization in baseball that keeps its fans better informed about what’s happening with its executives than this one. 35th Street Mess congratulates Mr. Gilbert on receiving this honor.
Don’t Mess With The Chairman
Bob Snyder the General Manager of ESPN Radio was fired yesterday in part, Robert Feder writes, because he ticked off Reinsdorf.
35th Street Mess has no idea what kind of hypnotic powers Reinsdorf has on people, all we know is he gets his way most of the time and we love it. We suggest fans of the Jay Mariotti show tape the next few.
Barry: Don’t Worry, Kenny is The Man
Today in the Daily Herald, our favorite Cubs columnist Barry Rozner (wonder when Barry will be invited to sing during the 7th inning stretch?) writes that Kenny Williams will get another starter.
That might be comforting for some, but I worry about the propensity Williams has shown to overpay when he desperately needs a starter. Regardless of what is said about a deal being a good one because it won a division, there are only two types of trades, good ones and bad ones. Dealing Jeremy Reed for three or four months of Freddy Garcia for example would likely be a bad one even if it guarantees the Sox the A.L. Central.
Last Night’s 5th, What Was That?
Some of Guillen’s decisions regarding when he takes a pitcher out have been curious all year but he hasn’t gotten burned badly – until last night.
I’m trying to understand why Guillen left a struggling Jon Garland in to start the 5th inning after the Sox cut a 6-run deficit in half in the bottom of the 4th. It just isn’t often that you see a starting pitcher give up 8 earned runs in four innings being sent out for another try. To make it worse, Garland was asked to retire Bobby Abreau and Jim Thome to begin the inning. Abreau had already homered twice in the game. This is the exact reason Neil Cotts is on the team. It was truly a Bevington-esque decision by Oz.
It seems like Guillen doesn’t place much, or even any, importance on game-turning situations in the middle of a game. One thing he has shown however is an ability to learn from his mistakes and with last night’s comeback falling short I’m thinking (hoping) we’ll see Guillen realize you can lose a game in the 5th just as easily as you can in the 9th.
Wednesday, June 09, 2004
A Sox Commercial With a Message
Have to applaud the Sox for their new TV ad. In political terms it’s an ad meant to fire up their base which I think is a good strategy. In any event, it’s a heck of a lot better than the recent campaign with ads trumpeting $1 hot dog night and kids running the bases.
To think the guy whose eye-stabbingly bad idea that was kept in his job for over 12 years. What an outfit this is.
Coors Field East?
After last night’s wild win against the Phillies I thought it would be interesting to revisit how the newly renovated U.S. Cellular Field was playing. So far this year at the cell, homers are up by 8.7% and runs are up 14.7% over last year.
This has the makings to be one crazy offensive summer on 35th and the chairman could not be happier.
Filling In For Ordonez
Sox RF’ers filling in since Ordonez’s injury have compiled the following stats:
.289/.357/.368, 38 AB, 5 RBI's
Not too bad all things considered. At least they are getting on base. By the way, the Sox record is 5-6 without Maggs.
Mariotti Says Sox Need Closer To Get To October
The usual thoughtless analysis from Jay. He must have too many jobs to be familiar with Damaso Marte. That’s if you agree with his premise that closers are that important in the first place, which I don’t.
Tuesday, June 08, 2004
Report: Gonzalez & Sox Agree To Terms
Jason Gage over at Futuresox.com reports that the Sox have agreed to terms with their third pick, pitcher Gio Gonzalez on a deal worth $850,000. Gonzalez is likely to start at Kannapolis.
This would be terrific news as some viewed Gonzalez as a difficult sign.
Monday, June 07, 2004
2004 Sox Draft
Let's take a look at the Sox first 6 picks ...
#18 Josh Fields 3B Oklahoma State R/R: A 3-4-5 type hitter in a lineup. Should develop into a solid defensive third baseman.
#34 Tyler Lumsden P Clemson L/L: Polished lefty who can throw four pitches for strikes.
#38 Gio Gonzalez P Florida H.S. L/L: Throws 90-94 MPH, excellent curve, advanced for high school pitcher. First round talent.
#53 Wes Whisler P/1B UCLA L/L: Features a low 90's fastball and a sharp breaking curve, fluid motion. Once highly regarded as a hitter, but regressed over the last two years.
#59 Donny Lucy C Stanford R/R: Athletic catcher with good power potential. Good upside
#69 Ray Liotta P Gulf Coast CC L/R: Strong athletic pitcher who doesn't possess over powering stuff (86-87 MPH), similar to Andy Pettitte. Could develop into an innings-eater.
He'd Probably Solve The 5th Starter Conundrum
Baseball America speculates that Long Beach State star pitcher Jared Weaver might slip out of the first round of today's draft because of the money he is demanding. As late as last week Weaver was thought to be going first to the Padres.
Should the Sox take him if he falls to 18? Absolutely. The chairman has reportedly given Williams the okay to spend a modest amount on a mid-season acquisition and Weaver should be pitching in the majors by August if he signs right away.
It will take somewhere in the neighborhood of 3 million or more to sign him and he is being represented by Reinsdorf nemesis Scott Boras so there's a lot going against this.
All things considered, if the Sox do pass on Weaver, they'll be making a huge mistake.
Sunday, June 06, 2004
Hump Dome Operations Crew Dirty Tricking Them (Again)?
From the Associated Press:
"Minnesota took a 6-3 lead in the bottom of the eighth on rookie Joe Mauer's three-run homer. In the ninth, the Tigers rallied for two runs and had the tying run on first with one out when Rondell White hit a deep drive to left.
But Lew Ford made the catch on the warning track for the second out, and Joe Nathan struck out Bobby Higginson to end it.
After the game, Trammell went public with what other teams have grumbled about in the past, saying the Metrodome's ventilation system was blowing air through its outfield vents in the ninth inning to help prevent Detroit home runs.
"We almost made a comeback then and had the issue of whether or not those blowers were on," Trammell said. "It seemed like those air conditioners were blowing straight in our face in the top of the ninth. There was definitely a difference in the air conditioner in the ninth inning. There was no question that there was some air blowing in the ninth inning."
Detroit also lost a potential go-ahead homer in the ninth inning Friday when Ford caught Omar Infante's fly ball on the warning track in left.
The Tigers said a flag in the left-field upper deck was flapping as though it were windy Sunday, and they saw a piece of tape stuck to a vent behind home plate that was fluttering while the Twins were hitting, implying that the Twins -- who scored all their runs on three homers -- were being aided on offense and defense."
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"Minnesota took a 6-3 lead in the bottom of the eighth on rookie Joe Mauer's three-run homer. In the ninth, the Tigers rallied for two runs and had the tying run on first with one out when Rondell White hit a deep drive to left.
But Lew Ford made the catch on the warning track for the second out, and Joe Nathan struck out Bobby Higginson to end it.
After the game, Trammell went public with what other teams have grumbled about in the past, saying the Metrodome's ventilation system was blowing air through its outfield vents in the ninth inning to help prevent Detroit home runs.
"We almost made a comeback then and had the issue of whether or not those blowers were on," Trammell said. "It seemed like those air conditioners were blowing straight in our face in the top of the ninth. There was definitely a difference in the air conditioner in the ninth inning. There was no question that there was some air blowing in the ninth inning."
Detroit also lost a potential go-ahead homer in the ninth inning Friday when Ford caught Omar Infante's fly ball on the warning track in left.
The Tigers said a flag in the left-field upper deck was flapping as though it were windy Sunday, and they saw a piece of tape stuck to a vent behind home plate that was fluttering while the Twins were hitting, implying that the Twins -- who scored all their runs on three homers -- were being aided on offense and defense."
Our Curse of The Billy Goat
The Sox bullpen is pretty good, honest. It’s a bullpen that has to be managed correctly though. We’ll be kind to Ozzie and assume he was sending a message to Koch-suppoter-until-the-bitter-end Kenny Williams tonight by letting Billy embarrass himself. Message being something like, “Get this guy off my roster.”
Going forward, Guillen has to do a better job of recognizing things like batter/pitcher matchups and pitchers who are throwing well.
N.Y. Daily News: Ordonez and Sox To Part Ways
In today’s New York Daily News Bill Madden writes:
“His public denials to the contrary, Ordonez is heading for an eventual parting with the White Sox after contract negotiations with Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf broke down last weekend. The sides were close to agreement on a four-year extension in the $50-million range, but Reinsdorf wanted to defer so much of it that the deal was quashed.”
Everyone pretty much knew that contract negotiations with Ordonez, or rather the chairman, wouldn’t be easy, they never are. It’s part of what makes following this group so exciting. The inability to trade Maggs due to the injury makes me wonder if Reinsdorf won’t head back to the bargaining table though. Reinsdorf would have a very difficult time letting an asset like the non-pitcher Ordonez go and receive only draft choices in return. It’s not the way he normally does business.
By the way, why is the Chicago media lagging New York’s in reporting this story?
Sunday Note
Interleague Play Doesn’t Go Far Enough
If Bud Selig’s had a spine he would ditch the gimmick that is interleague play in favor of a radical division realignment that combined both leagues with the goal of creating regional rivalries.
For example, imagine the buzz a division that included the Sox, Cubs, Cardinals, Royals and Brewers would generate in the midwest. Certainly the traditionalists go would take to the airwaves across the country decrying the breakup of the American and National Leagues, but that shouldn’t matter. The fact is the Sox/Cubs games are the most anticipated of the year here. Rangers/Astros, Yankees/Mets, Dodgers/Angels and A’s/Giants are also marquee matchups.
The thought of these teams competing in September for divisional titles makes one think that the NFL might not have a lock on most of these cities local media for baseball’s most important month. That should be enough of a reason to demolish the current leagues.
Baseball has been resuscitated in the last couple of years and now is the time to raise the interest in the sport to the next level.
Saturday, June 05, 2004
Borchard Going Nowhere
It may just be posturing, but in an article discussing the availability of Freddy Garcia in today’s Daily Herald, Kenny Williams said Joe Borchard is going nowhere.
Hard to believe that Williams would forsake a chance to bolster the starting staff because of Joe Borchard. Then again, with Bill Bavasi at the helm of the Mariners the Sox may be able to keep Borchard and acquire Garcia.
Is Neil Cotts Williams’ primary trade bait?
Friday, June 04, 2004
In Defense of Hal Vickery
Incredibly, one of the Sox blogs (not worthy of linking) has taken White Sox Interactive Columnist Hal Vickery to task for failing to engage a message board troll in debate over one of Vickery’s columns.
We know Hal Vickery. We know he’s a reasonable man who undoubtedly would have responded to the reader’s critique in a reasonable manner had he sent him an e-mail instead of attempting to rope him into some sort of tit-for-tat message board fiasco.
Vickery deserves credit for trying to elevate the conversation while staying above the fray.
Just our $0.02.
Thursday, June 03, 2004
Anonymous GM: Sox Likeliest To Nab Garcia
From today’s Seattle Times:
“One GM predicted the White Sox as the likeliest trade partner, suggesting young pitcher Jon Rauch and/or outfielders Aaron Rowand and Joe Borchard, a former Stanford quarterback, as possible returns. He also mentioned the Phillies and small-market teams Twins and Reds as darkhorses if they get pennant fever.”
Garcia for spare parts and/or prospect/suspect/prospect again Borchard? I can’t believe the Twins wouldn’t enter the bidding if for no other reason than drive up his price for the Sox. We shall see.
Wednesday, June 02, 2004
Ordonez Out 4 to 7 Weeks
The strange story surrounding Maggs’ injury took a turn for the worse tonight as it’s reported that he’ll be out a minimum of 4 to 7 weeks. If surgery is needed on his knee it will be longer. Jaime Burke will be recalled to take his spot on the roster.
Have to ask, why is Jamie Burke being recalled instead of Joe Borchard or Jeremy Reed? The silver lining is maybe with a third catcher on the roster Guillen won’t subject us to critical late inning AB’s from Alomar.
What Will Happen First ...
Guillen deciding to pinch hit for Alomar or Alomar's retirement?
How many times will we have to see Sandy Alomar bat in a critical situation late in a game when Olivo is on the bench?
Ugh.
Green Seats
Imagine how bad watching a game at the Oakland Coliseum would be if they had blue seats instead of green ones.
Bad things happen to the Sox on the west coast as we all know, but at least in Anaheim and Seattle there are things the director of the telecast can show that will divert our attention from the dreadful action on the field. Anaheim is filled with smiley, happy people and how about that terrific fake rock thing in center that The Disney added when it owned the team? Outstanding. In Seattle, you have Mount Rainier in the distance, the retractable roof, and people loving their Starbucks coffee watching America’s pastime. Beautiful.
In Oakland it’s green seats and Bobby Kielty.
Moneyball’s Jeremy Brown
This is not a criticism of the great Billy Beane. I know that doesn’t go over well with his legions of followers on the net. Just an interesting item.
Jeremy Brown who was a prominent figure in the book Moneyball, as an example of how the A’s draft philosophy differs from the norm, is struggling at Class AA Midland this year.
The A’s drafted Brown with the 35th pick in the 2002 draft, much higher than where most teams rated him, largely because of his ability to get on base at the University of Alabama and because he came cheaply ($375,000). In his first 55 games at Class A Visalia, Brown made Billy Beane look like a genius hitting to a tune of .310/.444/.545. Since those 55 games however he has regressed:
2002 Advance A-Ball: .286/.487/.321
2003 Double-A: .275/.388/.391
2004 Double-A: .225/.316/.386
Far from the feather in Beane's cap he was made out to be in the book, Brown appears to be a wasted pick -- along with a wasted chapter.
Tuesday, June 01, 2004
What About Laumann?
From Whitesox.com:
"For the 25th year, the White Sox draft will carry Duane Shaffer's imprint. He currently serves as the senior director of player personnel but can remember scouting players as far back as the '80s."
What about Doug Laumann though? Laumann ran the successful drafts of 03 & 02. He remains with the organization as a special assignment scout. It's disheartening to see that he will be taking a lesser role at best in the upcoming talent hunt.
We wonder why he was demoted . . .
That said, it's good to see that they kept it in-house by going back to Shaffer. The last thing this bunch needs is an outside opinion.
Whats Our Take, You Asked?
Our cell was blown up the last couple of days by our crew asking what we thought of Jon Rauch leaving before the end of the game on Saturday.
Here it is: same old, same old on 35th. Perfect example of why it's a mess over there. In other words, it's a non-story.
