rafacosta Posted March 23, 2004 Share Posted March 23, 2004 Yes, Kansas City is rising, and the Twins will be there if they settle the end of their pitching staff. But the White Sox's spring has them convinced that they should be considered close to the divisional favorite. "I had several concerns before I came to Tucson," says Ken Williams. "Most of those concerns have been answered positively." If anyone worried about Ozzie Guillen's brash energy rubbing players the wrong way, it seems as if it's the opposite. His energy has revitalized a team that under performed last season. "He's there, talking to everyone every day," says Jose Valentin. "He's right there, in your face, and it's great for us. We need that." "I thought this was either going to be great or a disaster," says one veteran. "It's turned out to be great. Ozzie's great." "What people don't understand is Ozzie the person," says Williams. "I remember when I was traded. I got back to my place and Ozzie was sitting there, waiting for me, crying. He's a very good people person." Yeah, yeah, yeah, the White Sox have some problems. They are overly right-handed. The defense is below average in spots. And there are concerns about the pitching. "Jon Garland has thrown really well, and so has Scott Schoeneweis," says Guillen. "They can make a big difference." Schoeneweis, throwing that sinking, running 93 mph fastball, has gone to an Esteban Loaiza cutter, and thinks he's finally come up with a grip for a changeup. "Schoeneweis will be our sleeper this season," says Williams. Rookie center fielder Jeremy Reed was slowed by injuries and is hitting under .200, but the stunning development has been 19-year-old Ryan Sweeney, who at this time last year wasn't playing because Iowa high schools don't play baseball. "He's hit balls hard off Bartolo Colon and Loaiza in an intrasquad, some good pitchers," says Guillen. "He's an amazing story." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBAHO Posted March 23, 2004 Share Posted March 23, 2004 Sweeney gettin sum love. He could hav a Reed like season this year and make it to Birmingham, and so could Brian Anderson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafacosta Posted March 23, 2004 Author Share Posted March 23, 2004 This is from ESPN also: The Reds continue to shop Junior Griffey, but the Mets looked and said no. So did the White Sox, who while overly right-handed, worried about the cost and a Junior/Frank Thomas clubhouse. Would we have a clubhouse problem between Griffey Jr and Frank? I dont think so. BTW, i´m against trading for Jr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafacosta Posted March 23, 2004 Author Share Posted March 23, 2004 Sweeney gettin sum love. He could hav a Reed like season this year and make it to Birmingham, and so could Brian Anderson. Yeah, but he is only 19. I think he needs more time in the minors but if he continues to grow up his game like this...another Miguel Cabrera in sight? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxAce Posted March 23, 2004 Share Posted March 23, 2004 I've been saying he could be the next "Miguel Cabrera" for a while. I believe he can make it to the majors very soon. It might not be at 20 yrs. old like Miggy, but he could make it by age 22. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nokona Posted March 23, 2004 Share Posted March 23, 2004 Correct me if i'm wrong but i can remember Frank and Jr having a grand old time standing on first base together almost every game. Constant chitter chatter and smiles. I always thought they were pretty good friends, no? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greasywheels121 Posted March 23, 2004 Share Posted March 23, 2004 I've seen other pictures of him, and I was pretty sure that I always saw the two in good spirits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reddy Posted March 23, 2004 Share Posted March 23, 2004 Ryan Sweeney, who at this time last year wasn't playing because Iowa high schools don't play baseball. thats bulls***... we play baseball!!! Iowa's behind the rest of the country but not that far behind, jeez... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Hudler Posted March 23, 2004 Share Posted March 23, 2004 thats bulls***... we play baseball!!! Iowa's behind the rest of the country but not that far behind, jeez... I saw that....... What they should have said is that Iowa high schools don't play baseball until after school is out. They are the only state to play HS baseball during the summer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted March 23, 2004 Share Posted March 23, 2004 thats bulls***... we play baseball!!! Iowa's behind the rest of the country but not that far behind, jeez... Hitting rocks with sticks is NOT baseball. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan4life_2007 Posted March 23, 2004 Share Posted March 23, 2004 To hell with Ken Griffey Jr. It's time for Aaron Rowand to finally get his chance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Critic Posted March 23, 2004 Share Posted March 23, 2004 This is from ESPN also: The Reds continue to shop Junior Griffey, but the Mets looked and said no. So did the White Sox, who while overly right-handed, worried about the cost and a Junior/Frank Thomas clubhouse. Would we have a clubhouse problem between Griffey Jr and Frank? I dont think so. BTW, i´m against trading for Jr. I think what they mean is that Griffey and Frank are both sensitive guys who tend to get moody, and the clubhouse might suffer from having two guys like that, not necessarily that they'd have problems with each other. It's a valid concern, but more concerning is the fact that Griffey can't stay healthy anymore. Give Rowand a shot at CF until one of the young'uns is ready. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Lopez Ghost (old) Posted March 23, 2004 Share Posted March 23, 2004 Hitting rocks with sticks is NOT baseball. They do not use sticks. They use cornstalks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted March 23, 2004 Share Posted March 23, 2004 Correct me if i'm wrong but i can remember Frank and Jr having a grand old time standing on first base together almost every game. Constant chitter chatter and smiles. I always thought they were pretty good friends, no? Their wives were good friends in the past. I can't imagine they (Frank & Jr) didn't remain close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JimH Posted March 23, 2004 Share Posted March 23, 2004 I'd suspect Griffey will be available in May/June/July, presuming he's healthy. I can't see the Reds staying in the race for very long. Plus, the bloom is off the rose for their new ballpark down there and attendance is always a factor in Cincinnati baseball decisions ... much like another franchise we know and love. The Sox took a chance on Everett last year, so adding Griffey at some point later on isn't totally out of the question IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mreye Posted March 23, 2004 Share Posted March 23, 2004 I'd suspect Griffey will be available in May/June/July, presuming he's healthy. I can't see the Reds staying in the race for very long. Plus, the bloom is off the rose for their new ballpark down there and attendance is always a factor in Cincinnati baseball decisions ... much like another franchise we know and love. The Sox took a chance on Everett last year, so adding Griffey at some point later on isn't totally out of the question IMO. That's what I'm thinking. If Griffey stays healthy until the All-Star break and Rowand isn't cutting it, take a look at Junior. But, I suppose if he is indeed healthy, we won't be the only ones interested in him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 Getting Griffey is one of those deals that could make or break this team. If they get him, and he stays healthy and productive, it could mean a World Series for this team. On the other hand, if he gets a debiltating injury and loses his bat speed in the near future, he could financially hamstring this franchise for years to come. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upnorthsox Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 Let the Dodgers get hamstrung by his contract, our concerns/needs/questions going into ST were 4th starter, relief pitcher, leadoff hitter and now that we're heading into the final week of ST those 3 are still our biggest concerns/needs/questions. Jr can do none of those so adding him would do little to change our fortunes. Besides, in a yr or two you'll be stuck paying him $12 mil to DH, that's a silly waste of resources. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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