Chisoxfn

We are bad against junk ballers. If they throw hard we'll be alright. I do think that changed a bit when we got Jimenez and a few others that seem to be able to do alright against junk stuff and aren't dead fastball hitters.

Nuke is not related to Vince. But Vince's son is over there as well as Nuke.

I am just hoping somehow the Bulls are in that slot by getting lucky in the lottery.

Maybe, but it depends on what kind of experience they have. If they are highschoolers with little experience then they should go slowly. Half a season in Low A, half a season in High A if they prove ready. It takes time. If you do that, then you spend a full season in AA and a full season in AAA, that really isn't that long in the minors, especially if you are a highschooler. If your in college, then its quicker. You start off in A Ball at first. Then you quickly go to AA and if your rocking you'll hit AAA. Some of them will do that all in one years time. It is important not to rush a guy through a level. I understand if its a college player to start them in AA, but highschoolers need to start out slowly. Although many college playesr start in A where you can see how they handle it, if they can then you quickly move them up. Better to put them a bit too low, find out in about two weeks and then move them up, then put them too high. Wait two weeks, see them in a huge slump and let it effect them mentally.

I liked the additions of Koch, Daubach, Alomar, and the getting rid of Clayton and Liefer. Thats talking clubhouse wise. I don't know how Colon is, but I love his addition as well. Koch is going to be a big time leader if you ask me. I think he'll really help lead the bullpen and when the Sox have some of their younger relievers up, he'll kind of take them in his wing.

Well if we had Mark Johnson, we wouldn't be carrying three catchers is what he's implying. The thing is, Mark Johnson isn't a good catcher so it doesn't really matter to me. I really like Koch and I think he's going to only get better and keep getting better till he is either the best closer in the majors or at least one of the top 3. This guy is really good.

Well Webster is so raw. He played a short season so you can't possibly rush him. This guy is an amazing athlete that is still learning a whole lot about the game. He's got to be in A Ball, most likely for the full season, otherwise you'd be putting so much pressure on him. In the case of Reed, he should be in Birmingham either to start the season or rather quickly make it there; as long as he keeps hitting. Prospects just take time. Going a little slow is better then going too fast, imo. I don't think they are going too slow though.

I can't wait. The only dillemma is I may not get to watch the entire opening day came cause I Think I'm gonna watch the Padres play the Giants down in San Diego. Damn, why couldn't that be a night game and the Sox game be a day game, lol. Either way, the Sox are gonna kick some butt. By the way, thanks for those matchups HawknDJ

That was good.

didnt sweeney just sign a long term deal with them last season??? Yep, and there is an outclause that he can leave if he believes the Royals aren't trying to be competitive.

I am interested in that as well. I am hoping Josh can come in and pitch lights out. Heck, just give us a 4.50 ERA or so and I'll be very very happy, cause that on the backend of the rotation would be very good, especially for a guy in his first season. I hope he is tough mentally and can handle a potential failure, cause it isn't going to be easy.

If he's crushing the ball, it will really tempt the Sox to get him up and find a way to either have him leadoff or get a combo of Miles and Jimenez at the top of the order. It may not be until next year though, when Miles is playing full time. Thats as long as Jimenez plays like some of us think he can and earns the shortstop job next season, with a new player taking over second. Right now the favorite for that position has to be Miles after both Harris and Hummel have failed to make the impact people thought they could of made.

JP will keep the bench warm JP is going to relive alomar late in the games we have a big lead in... they are gonna keep him fresh, maybe get him one start a week.... This is going to be weird. I definately see it as a good learning experience for Olivo and it will keep Alomar well rested. Heck, maybe it will work, and then a couple months into the season, maybe even a month, once Olivo is ready to fully split the duty and become more of the starter, then they'll hope that Paul has some value and get something for him, bringing up a different type of player.

Commentary: Pieces in Place for First Place Finish By John Gelsomino March 30, 2003 SoxNet.net Well as the dust settles on spring training, now comes that window of time where predictions become heavy and expectations are still riding that positive spring training buzz. Personally I hate predictions, but as a writer I am almost obligated to put my knowledge and beliefs on the line in predicting the most unpredictable sport where anything can happen. How many people last March predicted that the Anaheim Angels would have shrugged off their ghosts of the past to win a World Series? Not this fan but I was wrong, as are the many that take part in the endeavor of making predictions. As a realistic White Sox fan, very few springs have I come out saying this team does not have a chance to win its division. Sometimes your yearning for baseball over a cold and bitter winter sets up unrealistic thought processes in your head. Your forget about the weaknesses of the last season saying things like the pitching “should” be better and the hitting “will come around.” Then April comes and often times its proven you spoke with your heart instead of your head, as your team begins to position itself in a more realistic position then budding World Series Champ. Well, I pride myself on being realistic and knowledgeable about the game, as most Sox fans do. This being clear, let me put myself on the line and say the White Sox will win the central division in 2003. I made this clear in December when I said the Sox should pursue Bartolo Colon as the final piece, they did that and my prediction remains the same - they should win the division. If history plays a factor, the Sox have it on their side. They won the division in 1983, 1993, and now ten years later have set themselves to repeat the pattern. This is a fine baseball team. The offense is solid and underrated. Consistency will be a key. Second half slumps like Konerko’s last year cannot happen and more from Carlos Lee is essential. The young guys in the lineup have talent and need to show it. D’Angelo Jimenez has a great deal of pressure on him in the leadoff spot, but if his end of the year finish of 2002 is any indication, he could have a good year. I still think leadoff is a big question mark though. The pitching staff has the chance to be as deep and as talented as the staff in ’93. Colon is not only a workhorse but is also a dominating pitcher. What he did in two different leagues last year with two average teams (winning 20 games) cannot be underestimated. Buehrle quietly is becoming one of the best pitchers in the game. His mechanics and pitch variety is terrific and his maturity for his age is amazing. He is the real deal. Jon Garland needs to put it altogether. No one has ever questioned his ability to be very good, but he needs to prove he can stay away from the big inning and be a more consistent pitcher. He did show signs of that in the second half of last year, so hopefully with age -- he is still only 24 -- that will improve. The White Sox hope Esteban Loiaza can impact this team similar to how Cal Eldred stepped forward in 2000, while Josh Stewart will hold the number five spot until Danny Wright returns. The Bullpen looks much improved although don’t underestimate Antonio Osuna’s loss. Next to Damaso Marte, he was the best performer out of that bullpen last year. Hopefully Gary Glover’s return to the pen full time will settle him down and Kelly Wunsch stays tough on lefties. If Tom Gordon can stay healthy he can be a devastating eighth inning pitcher. Billy Koch throws harder and is more wild then Keith Foulke, but his demeanor and presence allows him to fail sometimes and comeback with vengeance. Long relief will be a question and Rick White has to be better then he showed in the spring. The White Sox bench looks as strong as it has in years. Brian Daubach, Armando Rios and Tony Graffanino all bring experience and quality to the Sox' sub list. If Sandy Alomar is the starter, at least for Buehrle and Colon as it seems, then Miguel Olivo and Josh Paul have to perform the other three days of the week. A deep bench and three catchers at the start will allow the Sox to pinch hit for the catch spot without fear of running thin at the position. I will conclude with the prediction of the White Sox having a finish of 93-69, good enough for first place in the American League Central. They will be six better then the Minnesota Twins who will challenge all season and end up at 87-75. This will be a tremendous rivalry all year, but I think the Sox have too much to not win this year. Josh Paul said this team has, “the best chemistry I’ve seen in spring training” and that bodes well. Last year the pieces looked in place but inner problems killed them and that can’t happen again. If it does, Manuel will be replaced. A big start is key, although they did start strong last year, but for ticket sales and fan enthusiasm this ball needs to get rolling early. Add in to the equation an easy April schedule and the Sox may have 20 wins at the end of the month. But remember the old baseball saying, take it one game at a time. This has proven so true. Baseball is a crazy game, you never know what can happen and change from one day to the next. It’s very much like life, unpredictable. Making the unpredictable predictable is a daunting task, but if you have no hope in baseball you have no reason to care. The White Sox enter the season with high hopes and expectations, as they did the last two seasons. Clichés aren’t my thing but because I can’t think of anything more fitting hopefully the third time will be the charm.

SN Report: Sox Announce 25 Man Roster By Mario Scalise March 29, 2003 SoxNet.net The White Sox made their 25-man roster official on Saturday by reassigning second baseman Aaron Miles and optioning lefty pitcher Dave Sanders to the minors. The White Sox indicated earlier in the week that they will carry three catchers instead of outfielders Willie Harris and Joe Borchard -- who they cut on Wednesday -- or Miles, but kept Miles as a precaution. Miles, who entered spring training as a long-shot, drew interest from manager Jerry Manuel, and up until this week, was close to topping D'Angelo Jimenez for the starting job at second. He finished the spring with a .303 batting average, one home run, 10 RBIs and 20 runs scored. Dave Sanders was in a similiar situation heading into Tuscon -- battling for the lefty reliever role in the pen behind Damaso Marte -- pitched in just two innings, giving up no runs and one hit. Here is the 25-man roster with the projected lineup and rotation: Lineup: 2B-D'Angelo Jimenez, SS-Jose Valentin, DH-Frank Thomas, RF-Magglio Ordonez, 1B-Paul Konerko, LF-Carlos Lee, 3B-Joe Crede, C-Sandy Alomar, CF-Aaron Rowand. Rotation: #1-Mark Buehrle, #2-Bartolo Colon, #3-Jon Garland, #4-Esteban Loaiza, #5-Josh Stewart. Bullpen: Billy Koch, Damaso Marte, Tom Gordon, Kelly Wunsch, Rick White, Gary Glover. Bench: 1B/RF-Brian Daubach, INF-Tony Graffanino, C-Miguel Olivo, OF-Armando Rios, C/LF-Josh Paul.

Sweeney is a hitting machine. Kind of reminds me of Edgar offensively. To think this guy was pretty much a nobody, not going to make the team after being around as a catcher for the Royals and then all of a sudden bam, he turns into a heck of a run producer.

Yep, I hope Nuke, Vince's Son, and everyone else out there is doing well and stay healthy and get back home alright.

prior will need to be cy young to win 18-22 with the scrubs...he isgonna lose alot of games 3-2 , 2-1 ect..they just dont have the offensive firepower Yep, cause last year Kerry Wood pitched very very well and only pulled out like 12 wins. On a normal team, he probably would of won 20. The Cubs were absolutely horrible for him.

I'm likely going to go to one or two games sometime this summer and am definately going to be at the games in Dodger Stadium and Anaheim Stadium.

Agreed. I never had much problem with Parque other then his huge mouth. He thought he was awesome, yet the numbers wouldn't say so, but he kept complaining. I really think Williams was right, but Parque couldn't stand Kenny sending him down and being very honest. Parque must of thought and arm injury is easier to recover from or something. I think he learned just how hard it is, and if he's back to 100% he'll be a pretty solid pitcher for the Devil Rays. I think Lou is gonna want him to get deeper into games, but Parque always seemed like a battler and Lou likes those kind of guys.

Well, this call had to of been Jerry Manuel's to keep three catchers. I know Williams loves Olivo, but he also likes Willie Harris. It surprised me we carrier three catchers, and I disagree with the decision because it means Olivo may not get adequate playing time. If he's up there, then I want to see him play about 3 to 4 times a week (Thats Starting). Then you have Alomar catching two games and who knows what Paul will do. Then as the season progresses Olivo continues to develop and get handed more time. Its a very good way of grooming a catcher in my opinion. Miles will be up here eventually. I hope Jimenez doesn't fail, but if he does then Miles is going to be the first person moved into the leadoff slot if he does. I really likes Miles though.

Heath has had a bum elbow for a bit. Thats what Jim Bullard reported. So I think they are being careful with him.

Ya, it should be faster. As far as the look, the message board and main page will change a bit. These should be some of the last major changes to the site, or at least thats what we hope. You'll start getting more minor league updates, faster news reports, and more content as well or at least thats our hope.

I'll email it your way as well Mario. I am not speaking for Cerb, but I'll speak for myself. I basically read publications and see these guys at spring training and such and thats how I get a good feel for the guys. Thats just me though. I'm hoping this year I'll be able to watch some of these guys during the season.

I'm assuming that we have many different races, religions, etc. I know we have a few people from out of the country and stuff and that we have pretty much all different ages and sex here.