GreatScott82

The Sox are swinging the bats very well and our pitching continues to do good things. They currently have the 2nd best overall ERA in the AL. If this combo continues i expect at least a 5-2 road trip vs a Cleveland team that lost a HUGE bat over the weekend and a KC team that we tend to play very well on the road. I also have a wierd feeling KW has something up his sleeve. . its been extremely quite. .

The more and more I watch Alexie play SS, the more and more i realize he should be at 2B. He had better range there as well as less pressure. At 2b base he had time to do his infamous 'double clutch'. At SS there is no time for that at all! I wouldn't be mad if Alexie was back at 2B next year and Bacon was inserted into SS, leaving 3B wide open. . i heard Figgins is a free agent. . .

QUOTE (chisoxfan09 @ Jun 26, 2009 -> 07:22 AM) Howdi all, glad the site is back and yes it is a vice we needed and missed. I also hit refresh quite few times. Glad to see it back. Poreda has looked really good with control and pitch placement in his first 2-3 relief appearances capped by his first win last night. His fastball last night was consistent low 90's but I did not see him rearing back for something extra. His first strike out last was actually on what appeared to be a down and in slider or off speed (Experts please correct me). It had good movement and really fooled the batter. I think the development of his secondary pitches may be one of the main reasons they brought him up (To work with Coop essentially). But from what I have seen in 4.2 innings of work (6K's/1 BB) the ration is good so far. I think he has a future but not sure if whether as a reliever or starter. I think he will eventually have better stuff than Richard and more velocity and movement on the fastball. What sayeth my fellow fans? I think Richard has done a great job due to the circumstances. He has potential to become a 3rd or 4th starter, he needs to develop more movement on his balls. Most of his ball are straight fastballs or offspeed. After the second time around, lineups will read it better and begin to hit him, thats what we have been seeing out of Richard lately. I'd say as of right now, Richard is a tremendous 2-3 inning long man/ spot starter. Give him sometime in the AFL and Spring Training to add some pitches to his arsinal with movement and he can be very good one day. Poreda looks pretty impressive so far. It looks like he has a deadly fast ball, a sinking slider and a pretty decent change up that he locates very well. I say as of right now, Poreda has more weapons than Richard. Richard is more stretched out than Poreda, but this is a great way to get AP's feet wet. Buerhle did it as well in 2000. If I could put money on it (pending if he isn't traded), i'd say Poreda makes the starting rotation out of spring training next year. He is going to be a very very good pitcher in this league for many years.

If KW offers arbitration to Thome, Dye, Conteras and Dotel expect them all to accept it because of this economy. That is why if the team is out of it by the trade deadline, expect to see at least 2 out of 4 dealt with maybe even a suprise player being dealt (Jenks, Konerko etc...). KW did say "If we continue to struggle, expect there to be some pretty unpopular things being done." The one guy i never want to see leave is Buerhle and i really doubt he does.

It all depends on how Detroit does. They seem to have found it again. Lets also see what direction the team takes with Quentin.

QUOTE (DBAHO @ Jun 22, 2009 -> 11:25 AM) Just saw also that Wily Mo Pena got released from the Mets AAA team. Not that I'm saying we should sign him, but if CQ doesn't come back, maybe the Sox will consider it for insurance purposes if they can't swing a trade for a replacement OF. Even if CQ comes back (which i doubt), the Sox should still look into improving the OF situation.

QUOTE (chisoxfan09 @ Jun 21, 2009 -> 11:16 PM) I threw up aHaren package thread on another forum to Backs fans and most said what the majority here commented on which is he is untouchable. For those who did reply positively they said any package would have to include Beckham and at least 2 MLB ready pitchers. So to sum up they want a ransom for Haren which I think we would be unwilling to pay. The thing is, we all over value our favorite team's players. Of course AZ fans won't be willing to trade away their ACE. I'm sure if Josh Byrnes recieves an offer that is hard to refuse, he would most likely look into it. It will likely cost us Poreda, Richards and Flowers + more. With this deal, the Sox would have the top 4 pitchers in their rotation locked up until 2012. A Buerhle, Haren, Danks, Floyd, 5th starter? This would give the Sox the best rotation in the AL Central for 3+ years.

He seems to have found his comfort zone. Both Beckham and Getz have really impressed me lately. Seeing production out of the new young core is encouraging. The only thing I dont understand is the situation with Poreda. If he isn't getting the playing time he deserves why is he up here?

Another nice road trip. Hopefully they don't ruin another one with a horrible homestand. Unfortanatley it looks like the Tigers have caught a second wind. Were still 5 games back. If the Sox could somehow get to .500 by the ASB and Quentin is clear to make a post ASB return, i'd say make a run at it and make some moves. If they are still under .500, about 5-6 games back and Quentin is out for the remainder of the year, i'd say start looking forward to 2010.

QUOTE (AWhiteSoxinNJ @ Jun 21, 2009 -> 06:54 AM) FWIW, Webb maybe done for the year. yep. really wouldn't make much sense to go after him. I would however make a strong push at Haren. Arizona seems to be in seller mode, nows the time to make that call.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jun 20, 2009 -> 01:53 PM) Ok greg, which pitchers are available that anyone would actually want? Bedard's going nowhere with his injury issues. Marquis is going nowhere with the recent success of the Rockies. I'm all for freeing up a few extra million while giving Poreda the chance to start some games after the ASB. I really hope Poreda starts a few games this year. We have to see what have with these guys.

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Jun 20, 2009 -> 11:33 AM) If Jose is traded July 31st, how much money is left on the deal? 3 million? 4 million? With 2 months left in the season Contreras will be owed 3.33 million. I could see us taking a million of that in we'd get a couple of decent prospects back in return.

QUOTE (tommy @ Jun 19, 2009 -> 02:48 PM) I'm pretty sure soon enough we're gonna see production out of the 3B. Gordon looks legit, high contact rate, those balls are gonna fall for hits soon. Yep. Beckham is starting to find his rythm out there. I've actually been more and more impressed by Getz also. If those 2 could all of a sudden start getting on base we could be a dangerous team in the 2nd half- esspecially with the way our starting pitching is going. (wow, never thought i'd say that)

QUOTE (whitesox901 @ Jun 19, 2009 -> 05:03 AM) You have to look at our needs by position for 2010 1B - Paul Konerko 2B - Alexei Ramirez 3B - Dayan Viciedo SS - Gordon Beckham LF - CF - Brian Anderson RF - Carlos Quentin C - AJ Pierzynksi DH - Jermaine Dye I really doubt Anderson will be our everyday CF next year. If anything he will continue to be our 4th OF. I truly believe Jordan Danks patrols CF next season (have to remember we are slowly getting younger and younger). Quentin could definitley move to RF and platoon DH with Dye next season, but he could also stay in LF and the Sox could aqcuire an established OF like Crawford to patrol RF.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jun 18, 2009 -> 08:27 PM) BTW, thanks for creating this thread to get our mind off of today's actions. anytime guys. . this will keep our sox thoughts going for next month or so! Keep this wonderful discussion going!

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jun 18, 2009 -> 06:44 PM) Jose can throw a no hitter in each of his next 2 starts. If the Sox don't pick up most of the money left on his contract, he's not tradeable unless the Sox take back a big contract. Hmm thats a thought. Similar to the Loaiza-Contreras trade of 2004. I wonder if there are some interesting 5th starters on an NL contender with tremendous upside?

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jun 18, 2009 -> 06:16 PM) Completely agree. On a sidenote, excellent discussion you've started!!!!! thanks man!

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jun 18, 2009 -> 06:07 PM) That is where you have to hope that Kenny can somehow find a way to get a nice piece. That said, the even tougher part is you also have Danks slated for CF so its going to be interesting. Hopefully Getz hits down the stretch and it allows a top of the order of Getz/Beckham and than the Sox can find a way to pick up another outfielder or something. It isn't going to be easy. I really hope the Sox kids pan out in a hurry cause we got a nice looking rotation long-term. You have to take into consideration that Dye's option will most likely not be picked up. However he may return as our DH. So that leaves RF and CF open for improvement. So if they decide to let Danks run with it in CF next year awesome, you still have RF to potentially fill. I would love Carl Crawford- even as our leadoff hitter. Its too bad they weren't out of contention, because i would LOVE for KW find a way to bring him over. A Quentin-Danks-Crawford OF going forward would definitley work.

I'm totally down for finding that leadoff hitter. But according to you guys, the only way we do it is if we fill up CF? Who is out there?

QUOTE (fathom @ Jun 18, 2009 -> 05:58 PM) Where in the hell would Sanchez play? We have a perfect #2 hitter on our team, and his name is Gordon Beckham. Beckham's not ready for the #2 slot yet. Sanchez would likely play 2b. It would most likely cost Getz to bring him over.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jun 18, 2009 -> 05:54 PM) The last thing we need to do is acquire an infielder. I really think finding a leadoff hitter for next year would be the best acquisition, but that won't happen with Pods on the team right now. I agree with finding a leadoff hitter. But Sanchez would be the perfect 2 hole hitter for the next year and a half. Honestly i would much rather have him over Figgins and it would be for a much shorter term. You could try and aqcuire your leadoff hitter this winter. Right now Pods is doing a decent job on the cheap.

Freddy Sanchez has an $8 million option for next year. You figure PK and AJ come off that year also. He would help us with the rest of this year and be apart of a competitive younger team next year.

Rosenthal We are just 3.5 games out with how bad our team has been. Detroit seems to be falling apart before our eyes. Does KW dare to buy? If KW were to go ahead and get a bat. Who would you like him to pursue? Everyone knows the guy I want KW to get is Freddy Sanchez. He would be a perfect #2 hitter and would solidify our lineup. You could then move Alexie down in the order where he should be. What do you guys think? Personally i wouldn't mind if he did sell, but with the state of the AL Central, why not try and be stubborn and win it again?

that was a fun game to watch. ozzie managed like the best of them today. Danks was lights out. Nice job by the pen to lock it down. I think the bottom of the order did a great job today getting key hits. Lets get the 2 game sweep tommorow!

Sit him down the rest of the way. See you in 2010 buddy.