fathom

I really hope that KW is not satisifed with our catching core right now. Even the Twins are trying to upgrade their catching position by trying to acquire Dan Wilson. This could be good news for the Sox that Mauer might be out for longer than expected. I'd still much rather have a combo of Lecroy and Blanco than Alomar, Burke, and Davis.

Without Marte, this Sox team would be in 4th place. He's a great reliever, and don't want to imagine the Sox without him. However, I've been real concerned lately about his control. He doesn't seem close on a lot of pitches, and all a hitter needs to do is take a strike, and they have a good chance of walking. He's always been effectively wild, but it just seems more so than usual lately.

Even though most people consider me an ass on this board, I disagree w/everyone who blames Ozzie for not having PK bunt. He's our best power hitter, has had some good swings today, and in a game against this Rangers team at their place, one run doesn't necessarily win you the ball game there. It was more disappointing that PK took an awful swing at a good pitch to hit. With PK's speed, he coudl easily bunt into a DP.

Exactly. Smartest thing I've heard tonight. It always seems like he lets his pitchers give up those 2 extra hits/runs that he could have avoided.

Someone might want to wake up Ozzie and tell him to manage this inning! Why didnt we bring Shingo or Politte in to face Barajas? It was obvoius that Marte had nothing tonight. His fastball didnt reach 91 mph.

I would love to see the Sox make a trade for Sullivan and Graffy on the Royals. Hell, if we can bring back Carl, then why not those guys.

Would people rather have posters like Cubs fans who think all of their players are great when they're winning, but won't acknowledge what is happening if they lose? I've been constant of my feelings about Loaiza for the last 2 months. He's scared to pitch inside, and he doesn't have the stuff to throw outside to every batter.

I could see people getting annoyed with my posts if I was saying stuff like how bad Konerko or Maggs were today. However, it's not like my posts are jumping the gun about Loaiza, Crede, Jackson, and Cotts. They have been really bad this year (besides Loaiza's first few months), and it's getting time where a decision needs to be made on their roles with the team.

Why is Adkins only allowed to pitch in 10 run games? It must be that veteran presence of Jackson's that allows him to come into crucial situations and continue to suck.

Am I supposed to be kissing Ozzie's ass for stupid managing decisions like pitching Neal Cotts and Mike Jackson. As of last week, I believe the Sox were 4-23 in games that Cotts pitched in. I know that's a lot of junk innings, but he's just not getting the job done.

Neal Cotts did a nice job holding Durazo to a double. Sorry, I just don't find a lot of good in a team that hasn't hit for s*** over the last 3 weeks and only has 3 reliable starters and 2 pitchers out of the bullpen. However, I will give credit to Freddy Garcia so far. He has kept us in each game, and that's why he has 3 wins.

I don't get why Ben Davis is playing. He's like 4-46 this year, so we play him against best pitcher in the AL. Also, holy cow has Uribe hit the skid. Him and Willie are just plain awful. With Crede sucking, and no offense from our catchers, there are a ton of holes on this team.

I know this is way in advance, but I pray to god that KW does not resign Loaiza. He's going to want way too much money, and it sure looks like he blew his wad last year.

Sox player development = AWFUL! There's a reaosn we keep having to trade for major league ready players. We can't develop our own.

Joe Crede has not improved one bit. It's funny that Bobby Crosby has come up for Oakland, and produced as well as he has. Meanwhile, Crede and Borchard continue to be mediocre players.

Loaiza is poitching absolutely f***ing awful. He refuses to throw inside to most batters. When he does, he's effective. However, he gave up a ton of run scoring hits on 2 strike pitches cause he continues to throw everything outside. He's nothing better than a number 5 pitcher now.

I'm pretty sure that Schoeneweis is not signed for next year, and it doesn't appear as if Ozzie likes him very much. Also, with how poorly he has been pitching, I doubt that the Sox will want to bring him back for a couple of million. The reason I thought Rauch had a better chance than Diaz or Cotts is because Diaz and Cotts look to be major league relievers, not starters. Cotts is a 2-pitch pitcher who struggles against righties...not exactly the formula for a good starter. Also, Diaz seems to get rocked his 2nd time around a line-up. I'm not even a big fan of Rauch, I just thought he would be starting for the Sox next year.

I also thought that Rauch had the best chance to be in the rotation next year. With Loaiza and Schoeneweis likely gone, we're going to need to find 2 starting pitchers. It's also safe to say that KW is not going to make any other major moves now. Who do we really have left to trade? Better not be Anderson or Sweeney.

To this point, Everett has had a terrible offensive year. With an ops under .700, we better hope that he is healthy. Watching him play last night, he looked out of shape and much slower than last year. It just seems like Rauch could have been used to bring in someone better and more proven this year. A lot of team would love the chance to work with a 6'11" pitcher.

KW has got to upgrade the offense soon. The last 10 games or so, the offense has been miserable.

This current Sox hitting slump should not be that surprising when you consider who is in the Sox line-up everyday. If you look at the 9 hitting positions, the Sox have below average hitters at catcher, RF, 3b,2b (slumping Uribe or Harris), and SS if they're facing a lefty. Considering that Maggs is still rusty, and that Rowand is primarily only good against rhp, there are too many holes in the offense right now. They're not playing small ball, and they're not really hitting homers. KW needs to acquire a reasonable hitting catcher, and a DH is important to acquire also. I really hope KW is not too infatuated with Everett. His numbers this year are not good, and I don't think he's the type of player to take the Sox to the postseason. Anyone else see the possibility of the Sox acquiring Tony G., Everett, Alomar, and Sullivan again? I think it could easily happen.

Crede: 2 pitches, 2 weak grounders. This team just can't hit for s*** right now. Way too many easy outs in the line-up.

Does anyone remember in the movie Little Big League, when the old veteran gets a dribbler for a hit and everyone goes crazy? That's how I felt seeing Burke get that flair down the right field line before.

Borchard = not major league caliber. KW is going to have to address the DH spot.

When is Ozzie going to stop this bulls*** of playing Timo in CF? Rowand needs to be out there everyday. Also, Willie Harris should not be playing. At least Uribe looks like he could hit the ball out of the infield. BTW, those umps sucked last inning.