Dick Allen

QUOTE(Jordan4life_2006 @ Mar 12, 2006 -> 03:42 PM) Every quote I've read from Dustin stated that his back wasn't a problem. I think he is being a little Cub-esque as far as his health is concerned. If he says his back is fine, he most likely isn't telling the whole truth. Hopefully it is just a question of building up arm strength, or strength in general. But it doesn't look like he's going to be ready to get major leaguers out for a while.

QUOTE(Jordan4life_2006 @ Mar 12, 2006 -> 03:36 PM) You're always worried. I was just saying that before today, there was nothing that said Dustin was having physical problems. That's obviously not the case. It appears my worrying is for a legitimate reason.

QUOTE(Jordan4life_2006 @ Mar 12, 2006 -> 03:29 PM) I can see that he's hurt now. Before that, there were no physical problems that anybody could see. Cooper mentioned they were worried about his back a couple of days ago. It certainly doesn't look good for him.

QUOTE(Jordan4life_2006 @ Mar 12, 2006 -> 03:24 PM) That's all it really is. Dustin didn't forget how to pitch over the off-season. His arm strength is not where it was last year. He's got about 3 weeks to get it where it needs to be. If it's not any better in 3 weeks, I'll be worried. He left with a trainer. The guy is hurt and has been hurt. He has as much chance of being at full strength in 3 weeks as Kerry Wood.

QUOTE(fathom @ Mar 12, 2006 -> 03:21 PM) In my pessimistic opinion, we're going to have to acquire another big league arm for our bullpen before the season starts. Our starting pitching is too talented/expensive to waste because of a couple of glaring holes in the pen. I couldn't agree more. What's the use of spending all that money on a starting rotation if the middle guys are going to cough it up. Hermanson not being healthy should not be a surprise.

Hermanson is even worse than I thought. This is the Angels B team.

QUOTE(aboz56 @ Mar 11, 2006 -> 05:11 PM) Won't happen but thanks anyway. It shouldn't happen, but if he wins tomorrow, I bet it will.

QUOTE(aboz56 @ Mar 11, 2006 -> 05:09 PM) Thanks Billy Packer. And enjoy Steve Alford.

QUOTE(aboz56 @ Mar 11, 2006 -> 05:07 PM) Yea, came off the bench for 16 and he choked. Don't you have another thread to s*** in? He pulled the string on a 5 ft. shot. He gagged. Go Hawks.

He pulled the string on the shot. That's a choke job. If you're in the Indy area there will be plenty of tickets available for tomorrow's game with Indiana and Illinois out.

I believe the team that wins this game will win tomorrow. If that is the case and Indiana wins, who would have thought 2 weeks ago that the Hoosiers would have an automatic bid in the NCAA tournament?

If Iowa somehow wins this tournament in Indianapolis, won't it be a given that Steve Alford will be coaching the Hoosiers next season?

QUOTE(WCSox @ Mar 11, 2006 -> 03:52 PM) I thought that he had an option for '07 and that was it? Apparently I was wrong. For those who think that we need another middle reliever RIGHT NOW, the Cintron signing seems to suggest that KW isn't done wheeling and dealing just yet. It may happen sooner than you think. I hope you're right. I'm 100% sure he's looking around.

Wasn't Timo Perez a star in Japan?

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Mar 11, 2006 -> 03:48 PM) Just like any other population of players...you can find both success stories and failures. Anyone remember Hideki Irabu? That's actually who I was thinking of when I mention Kaz Matsui.

QUOTE(WCSox @ Mar 11, 2006 -> 03:44 PM) I'm not going to defend that move. The only rationale I can think of is that KW anticipates Crede leaving at the end of his contrace and wants a temporary solution at 3B. It's only March 11th - still plenty of time for KW to trade for an experienced middle reliever. Crede has this season and next under White Sox control I believe. I don't think there is a chance in hell KW acquired Cintron in anticipation of Crede's departure. Perhaps as insurance for his back, I'll give you that.

I just hope everyone who says the bullpen is fine as currently constructed, doesn't start complaining if it doesn't work out. I will be the first one to say I was wrong if the bullpen is strong this year.

QUOTE(WCSox @ Mar 11, 2006 -> 03:41 PM) But being a stud for many years in Japan certainly is. Japan and MLB are night and day. See Matsui, Kaz.

QUOTE(WCSox @ Mar 11, 2006 -> 03:38 PM) Like addressing our lineup's wretched OBP last year and re-signing our best hitter? Check, KW's already done that. Perhaps Kenny remebers paying a 35-year-old washed-up Japanese reliever $2.5 million last year to put up a 5.97 ERA in the closer role. Spending $2-$3 million/year on an "established" reliever doesn't always translate into production. A half a season as a closer is hardly "established".

QUOTE(Jordan4life_2006 @ Mar 11, 2006 -> 03:35 PM) Hermanson has said more than once that his back is not a problem. Take it as you will. His back might not be a problem, but his 82 MPH fastball is.

QUOTE(jphat007 @ Mar 11, 2006 -> 03:28 PM) If bullpen performances would fluxuate so much, why in the world would you want KW to throw that much money at bullpen guys who are not gaurenteed to get the job done? How does that make sense. Why don't you make improvements in other areas where they will be much more likely to make an impact. And you'll forgive me if I trust KW's opinion over yours. He is around the team a little bit more than you are. And considering he just won a world series, I think he has a good idea of what we need on this team. He is and I can't argue that, but I also was the one who said KW should trade Shingo last year before the season when his salary was going up, and chances of his repeat performance slim. I was blasted on this board. Pitching won the White Sox the WS. KW neglected the bullpen believing they could find an effective pitcher for the minimum, and believing the current members can repeat their performances. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm not excited about the bullpen. KW's reason for 6 starters was if one or two need a break or have an injury then he would be covered. A crappy bullpen only will extend the starters, making injury and poorer performance by them more likely. I also think KW knows his bullpen needs help. He's not going to come out and say it.

QUOTE(jphat007 @ Mar 11, 2006 -> 03:25 PM) A lot less than it would take to get any of those guys. This isn't fantasy baseball. Bullpen help is difficult to find and nobody likes to give it up. I know you'd like KW to just go and cherry pick anybody he wants from teams, but that's not the way it works. A guy like Taveras was a free agent and signed for a little more than $3 million a year. That's not that expensive. Although I'm not a big fan, Mike Myers signed with the Yankees for $1.2 million a year, not too expensive, and he's a far better option than any of the idiots they have vying for that position right now.

QUOTE(jphat007 @ Mar 11, 2006 -> 03:17 PM) Exactly. And KW understands what is going on. I'm sure he'd love to go get a guy that is guarenteed to put up a 3.50 ERA in the bullpen, but this isn't fantasy baseball. You can't always get what you want. Nothing is guaranteed. But considering some of the money the White Sox have thrown around this off season, its pretty incredible to me no money was thrown at the bullpen. Bullpen performances have been known for their fluxuation from year to year. KW at Soxfest spoke about how strong he thought the bullpen would be. I hope he's right, but I disagree with him if he's going with what he's got.

QUOTE(WCSox @ Mar 11, 2006 -> 03:14 PM) If they're that easy to find, why not wait until we actually have a problem in the 'pen? Why spend more money or trade away a valuable player to address a problem that hasn't developed yet and may not ever develop? I agree that we could use another lefty in the 'pen, but I don't see why a deal needs to be made RIGHT THIS MINUTE. Why not wait until May? Because one or two games may make a difference between being in the playoffs and making sure you make your tee times.

QUOTE(jphat007 @ Mar 11, 2006 -> 03:05 PM) But that's my point. KW did a cost effective analysis and decided that it was more important to improve the rotation (longterm as well) and the bench and the offense, and hope that the bullpen will just be close to last year's numbers. I sure he would have loved to add a stud bullpen guy, but he didn't have the resources. We aren't the Yanks. Our payroll improved by a hell of a lot. KW listens to Coop and Ozzie and they think that the bulllpen could at least get the job done for the most part this year. I'm sure KW would love to fill every little hole, but that just isn't realisitic. THat's not the way baseball works. Every team is going to have holes. Bullpen help costs A LOT, and then it isn't even guarenteed. If you want guarenteed bullpen help, you have to give up half your team. Bullpen help costs a heck of a lot less than a guy like Vazquez in terms of money and talent traded to get him.