Cubano

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Mar 2, 2009 -> 02:23 PM) You are entitled to your opinion Cubano just like everyone else so I have no problem with your posts. I would like to know from you what you might see as Dayan Viciedo's ceiling this year? Do you think he can make adjustments to major league pitching and stick with the Sox or have to go to AAA ball? I think Alexei started somewhat slowly last year, but he made adjustments. Is it possible Dayan can also? I for one thought Alexei Ramirez was a very exciting player and did very well for the club. Viva beisbol! Viva Los Blanco Calcetines! (is that the right word?) Who knows what he might do? So far he is hitting 375 in 8 AB with a homer. This game is about making adjustments. This kid has been under heavy training since he was much younger. He has shown the power to the opposite field. That is a big plus. He can catch up with a big league fast ball. He won't be a gold glove 3B but he be alright. He has played RF and I do not like the fact that Guillen refuses to play him there. He may do nothing in the Majors and he may not do nothing in AAA or AA. But I think he can do well. He is young and coming to age. I just compare him to other cuban defectors stats wise in Cuba and what they have done in the USA (Majors, AAA, AA). Viciedo should hold his ground. At least, that is the probability. Fields just put more presure on Viciedo today. Let see how he responds.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Mar 2, 2009 -> 12:45 PM) I've no problem with you being proud of your fellow Cubans, I'm glad you are, but I think you should be fair to the others. I can not watch Contreras pitch when he throw 200 pitches in 5 innings. I am new to this forum and last year he was out. That is why you have not read anything from me about it.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Mar 2, 2009 -> 01:10 PM) Its going to cold again the first 2 months this season, should Alexei go to rookie ball until it warms up? As for Viciedo, you make every excuse in the book. He doesn't know the pitchers. Its spring training, the pitchers don't have their best stuff yet either. These games, while entertaining, mean very little. There are tons of players who hit .400 in spring training and then stink when the season starts. There are also tons who can't do anything right in spring training and once the games count are pretty good. To put much weight in results this early during spring training, good or bad, especially for veteran players is nuts. I modified my post before you posted yours. I am well aware of all those things you mentioned. It seems that you are the one making excuses for other Major Leaguers bad plays. I have mentioned what have happened so far. It was painfull to watch Betemit yesterday. This type of play should not happen in MLB even in ST. Veteran players should have free pass even they look sorry in the field. Let's make excuses for them. Players usually do not change much. You are who you are. If Betemit can not catch in SS in ST, he won't be good there in July. Alexei may struggle for the first two month though he has a year playing in cold weather.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Mar 2, 2009 -> 12:45 PM) Viciedo had a bad game, maybe he should go to rookie ball. The point is everyone is going to have a bad game. Everyone is going to have several bad games. A veteran kicking a couple balls in an exibition game on March 1 is no reason to get your blood pressure at stroke levels. He's been a big leaguer for several years, he is obviously better than what he showed Sunday. Maybe its just me, but I have the feeling if Betimet was Cuban you wouldn't be jumping all over him. You seem to make excuses for Viciedo's failures but have no patience for anyone else's. Alexei Ramirez was hitting below .200 a month and a half into the 2008 season, was rookie ball the place for him? Haven't I critized Viciedo's AB? Haven't I mentioned his swings out of the strike zone? Alexei hitted below 200 for two month as a part time player and during cold weather. Guillen panicked with him. By the way, when I write send Betemit to A ball or rookie ball is obviuosly a joke. If Viciedo misplayed a ball the other day and some want to send him to the minors then, Betemit should be sent to A ball or out of the Majors.

I am not being vias guys. It may seem that way for some of you. I have mentioned what happened and what I see. If Viciedo does not do good, then he needs to go to the minors. I have expressed these thoughts before. Let's rewind Viciedo's two AB. First AB: Swing an slider outside the strike zone. He missed a fastball around the middle of the plate. He fouled that pitch. Kuroda threw another slider outside to put him away and he did not bait. That was pitch recognition and making adjustments. He ran the count 2 and 2 or 1 and 2 before flying to short CF. Second AB vs Milton this time. Swang at a low ball for strike one and swang a slightly high fastball for strike three. Guillen said the pitchers do not know him. It goes both ways too. If Beckham will be move to second, why is he playing SS now. Are we going to bring him without playing significant time at 2B and hand him that position? So the Sox critized certain players for having a shaking defense and are willing to bring up a guy with very little experience at 2B. I am assuming this will happen.

QUOTE (joesaiditstrue @ Mar 1, 2009 -> 01:13 AM) haven't seen this posted, it's an interview with bill melton, regarding the battle at 3B between fields and viciedo also, have you noticed how many sports media columnists, beat writers, etc. mispronounce his name? most if not all of us know how to say his name, and have since the beginning (Vee-See-A-Doe), yet all of these "Professionals" can't seem to get it right. it's fascinating They do not have the cuban insider you guys have.

This guy looked horrible today. He played 20 games in the D.R. winter league. He is ahead of many in camp that have not play a game during the winter. Guillen said after watching Viciedo one game that he needs to work on his defense. I want to see what he has to say about his super utility Betemit. Last year, Guillen said Fields was bad. Now, he is OK mysteriously. Owens is always the same. He is not young anymore. How about Lexei to CF and Beckman at SS? Fields and Viciedo make the team and start releasing players that have done nothing for years. What are the Sox going to do next year with Beckman and Alexei in SS? Are they going to move Alexei to another position in 2010? Do it now! Play the young guys now. The Sox will sell more tickets with the young guys than with the old guys. You may not win today, but in 2010 watch out with young guys with one year at the MLB level. I miss Uribe by watching Betemit today.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Mar 1, 2009 -> 04:07 PM) It's March 1, if this was June 1 and he was an everyday player doing this all the time I'd feel different. Betemit is a utility player. Utility players must caught the ball if they are in the Majors. These are not rockets guys. These connections are very catchable. I bet you that Betemit played in the Winter League. I have to check though.

He almost committed his third error out of three lances.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Mar 1, 2009 -> 04:01 PM) I really don't see Dayan making the squad for opening day. I think Viciedo could be very good, but he's very raw, and as long as Fields is looking good, there isn't any good reason to carry Viciedo just yet. How good has Fields look? One hit and caught stealing yesterday.

Send Betemit to Rookie ball please.

It was not a good at bat for Viciedo. You have to give credit to Milton. How about that Betemit guy?

If Viciedo has to go to AAA to work on his defense, then Betemit has to go to A ball. That was pathetic.

QUOTE (SouthsideDon48 @ Mar 1, 2009 -> 03:36 PM) Dayan doesn't look that big to me. He kinda reminds me of Uribe a little. I want to see somebody to hit a thunder at him. He has not strikeout yet by the way. He swang a bad slider for strike one, but he showed good eye with the same pitch with two strikes.

I am checking in. Just added the Sport Pack to my DirectTV watch the el Proxeneta/Pimp or Tanque/Tank cubano.

Thank God for us Nats fans. MLB office in the D.R. certifed this signing too.

QUOTE (SouthsideDon48 @ Mar 1, 2009 -> 01:00 PM) Yes! I can't wait! I also hope to see Viciedo and Beckham, they're the main reason I'm watching. Also, I hope it'll be in english, cause for some odd reason Sox games on CSN comes out in spanish on my 16 year old tv. It is time to be bilingual and trilingual too. The chinese are coming.

Guys, The rumor in Santiago de Cuba is that 1B Jose Julio Ruiz is missing for a week. Jose Julio is 23-24 and he is good. If I am KW or any other GM, I go after him. He is learning how to elevate the ball to hit HR. He is a gap hitter. I was trying to find a HR he hit vs Industriales in the playoffs that went over the stadium roof. Here is Jose Julio vs Yadel Marti in 2007. Go to the 3:57 mark on this video to see Jose Julio Industriales RHP reliever Alexei Gil may be in the D.R. He is a 90 + MPH pitcher but he needs to work with his control. He relatively young.

Does anybody have the link for Viciedo HR? Thanks,

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Feb 27, 2009 -> 08:03 PM) Well, Cubano...the main thing to give you faith is how they stuck with Alexei last year when he was hitting about .120 going into mid-May and struggling mightily. I was really suprised they showed that much patience in him, because from reading the reports, the expectations weren't as high at that point as many of us now have. The White Sox are going to do what's best for their ballclub. $10 million is a pretty big investment in this economy...they're not going to rush him and risk damaging his career if he's not ready to play a position at the big league level yet. They know that they only have him for four seasons, so there's a big risk they really incubate his career and then when he enters his real prime he'll be gone to another organization. But Alexei was not the only one to struggle. Nick S, Korneko, Uribe... Alexei was the rookie and he was the one in the bubble.

QUOTE (bigruss22 @ Feb 27, 2009 -> 03:50 PM) Gameday showing Viciedo's HR was dead center, I likey That is cuban power despite food rations.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Feb 27, 2009 -> 03:36 PM) I don't think we've been misled at all. No one but the beat writers have ever said anything about this kid starting for the big club this year. I thought KW and Guillen promised to Viciedo and his agent an open competition this ST. If Viciedo plays better than Fields, then he should expect to make the team. As for his defense, remember he has not played competitive baseball in a long time. I am not saying he will be a gold glove caliber 3B now. He may not be like that ever. He has played RF in Cuba. Last year, Guillen criticized Fields defense. A year later, his defense is OK. I know his knee bothered him.... Many people misleads including presidents so it should no be a surprise that GM and managers mislead as well. I have noticed tha language coming from the White Sox and I realized since day one Viciedo has no chance to make this team unless he absolutely kills the ball.

Sometimes the value is in the character of the person. Let Korneko stay. His leadership is hard to replace.

QUOTE (Markbilliards @ Feb 21, 2009 -> 02:42 PM) A couple of those guys could use a trim of the ole unibrow I have laughed with your avatar a lot.

You guys know more about the Chi Sox than I do. Is that Salmon guy good? What is his velocity?