KW

[upnorthsox]

Unless Grilli has been walking around the clubhouse like he's already on the team then..........

 

Schoe is suspect no. 1, he's the one who's been in the papers saying he knows what KW thinks of him, he's the one who kept using the excuse that you had to wait til he used his full repetoire of pitches to judge him but when he did in his last start he was still ineffective, he's the one who could create problems for the team if he was demoted from the rotation now, and by maybe no coincidence at all he's the one starting todays game with Cotts(his possible successor) getting switched to the A game tommorrow.

 

Wunsch would be no. 2 of my suspect list, not because he's been terrible but because he needs to step it up now for the season and a lefty specialist should never feel comfortable with his spot on the team.

 

Shingo is no. 3 for obvious reasons, but it's been hinted enough lately that I don't think that anyone could be surprised by him starting in Charlotte.

 

Koch is no. 4 but he's probably untradable at this point.

[SkokieSox]

Oh, I got a new one. Mike Jackson. Veteran leader who has all the confidence in the world, but has a 6.00 ERA. With Adkins pitching well, I am torn as to who should make the team. However, he is a possible candidate to lose a roster spot.

[Rex Hudler]

Oh, I got a new one. Mike Jackson. Veteran leader who has all the confidence in the world, but has a 6.00 ERA. With Adkins pitching well, I am torn as to who should make the team. However, he is a possible candidate to lose a roster spot.

Could be........ but I don't see Jackson as anyone who assumes he is on the team. Perhaps he does, but that would surprise me.

[YASNY]

I really don't think it's Schoeney. He pitched well his last start until he came up with that torn finger nail on his pitching hand. Shingo and Uribe should be squirming right abouyt now.

[Chisoxfn]

Could be........  but I don't see Jackson as anyone who assumes he is on the team.  Perhaps he does, but that would surprise me.

I'm with you. Jackson can't possibly be that confident, especially considering he didn't make it this past year in Arizona.

 

My guess is it has to be Juan Uribe. He started off hot, but has really tailed off and maybe KW wants to motivate him. Maybe the Sox feel comfortable with Dransfeltd being the backup...I'd rather have Uribe though.

 

I'd say it would of been Harris if he was still hitting like crap, but he's started to pick up the pace.

 

Maybe its one of the Sox better players and KW is hinting if he doesn't really pick it up, he may move him (Could their already be an offer on the table). You never know, KW may be wording it one may, but it could have a different meaning.

 

If its a pitcher, I don't think it would be Scho. He's worked really hard this spring. Coop has mentioned it and I could see it when I saw him throwing his changeup and cutter this spring.

[SkokieSox]

I really don't think it's Schoeney.  He pitched well his last start until he came up with that torn finger nail on his pitching hand.  Shingo and Uribe should be squirming right abouyt now.

Uribe is playing fine, from what I've seen anyway. He has a decent average, but with lots of power. He's not over swinging, he's putting a level swing on the ball. We will see, because Burke and Dransfeldt, but especially Burke would be good additions to the roster as well. However, he has a lot of value in being able to cover SS, second, and now third too when needed.

[Dick Allen]

Wasn't KW the one who last week said that everyone was loose, and that may be what was wrong with this team in the past? Now, at least a few players will be wondering if his idiotic comments were about them, and will tighten up. Why can't KW just go to the player in question, and talk to him about it like a man?

[JUGGERNAUT]

This has to be Paul Konerko. A 308 AVG, 388 SLG is not getting it done.

This is reflected in just 19 TB. In comparison Thomas has a 368 AVG, & a 711 SLG.

 

Of the 9 position players slated to start & ride the bench right now, the two worst in SLG % are Slownerko (388) & Olivo (387).

 

At this point if KW can get anything in return for Slownerko trade him.

I'm sick of his sorry arse streaks.

[Chisoxfn]

This has to be Paul Konerko. A 308 AVG, 388 SLG is not getting it done.

This is reflected in just 19 TB.  In comparison Thomas has a 368 AVG, & a 711 SLG. 

 

Of the 9 position players slated to start & ride the bench right now, the two worst in SLG % are Slownerko (388) & Olivo (387).

 

At this point if KW can get anything in return for Slownerko trade him.

I'm sick of his sorry arse streaks.

I wonder if GLoad is having any what of an effect on this. I still wish the Sox could somehow land Nick Johnson or any other solid left handed hitting first baseman, because as much as I like Konerko, it would be a warm welcome to get a solid left handed bat in the middle part of the lineup.

 

Jugger...my initial thought was KW was referring to Konerko. I wonder if the Sox would consider a Sean Casey/Danny Graves for Paul Konerko swap. I Think the Sox would add a few mill in payroll and the Reds have been doing all they can to give up Casey. The Sox get a left handed bat and Graves, who, when pitching in relief is wicked.

 

There haven't been any rumors, but the move would make sense as it would fill two needs (Bullpen and a left handed bat).

 

Casey makes 5.6 million this year. Last season he hit .291 with a .350 OBP. He had 14 HR and 80 RBI with 50 BB and 58 K. Graves is due to make 5 million. He was pretty brutal in the starting rotation last season. But he is basically a Keith Foulke clone.

[YASNY]

The last I heard, Uribe's average was hovering around the .220 mark. Yep. he's tearing it up in the thin Arizona air.

[Guest JimH]

Jason, I tend to agree, my guess is KW is talking about Konerko.

 

The Dodgers rumors continue to percolate, they really need a bat.

 

I'm also thinking Koch might be the guy too.

 

It's all speculation but these are two guys KW hasn't talked positively about in his interviews, particularly the lengthy one with Boers and Bernstein this past week.

[CWSGuy406]

I wonder if GLoad is having any what of an effect on this.  I still wish the Sox could somehow land Nick Johnson or any other solid left handed hitting first baseman, because as much as I like Konerko, it would be a warm welcome to get a solid left handed bat in the middle part of the lineup.

 

Jugger...my initial thought was KW was referring to Konerko.  I wonder if the Sox would consider a Sean Casey/Danny Graves for Paul Konerko swap.  I Think the Sox would add a few mill in payroll and the Reds have been doing all they can to give up Casey.  The Sox get a left handed bat and Graves, who, when pitching in relief is wicked. 

 

There haven't been any rumors, but the move would make sense as it would fill two needs (Bullpen and a left handed bat).

 

Casey makes 5.6 million this year.  Last season he hit .291 with a .350 OBP.  He had 14 HR and 80 RBI with 50 BB and 58 K.  Graves is due to make 5 million. He was pretty brutal in the starting rotation last season.  But he is basically a Keith Foulke clone.

Hmm, that is a pretty interesting trade idea. I was thinking more along the lines of a trade to Pittsburg - perhaps Konerko for Simon and Benson, or Konerko and Rauch/Stewart for Simon and Benson.

 

IMO, either trade, the Cincy one or the Pitt one would make us a better club.

[Chisoxfn]

If the Sox deal Koch, then I sure hope they plan on adding a quality reliever. I would of had no problem if the Sox unloaded Koch...heck for someone like Casey (Reds would of probably done a deal similar to that) and then move Konerko to someone like the Dodgers for Ishii or Perez (I fully believe they would do that deal). The Sox would then of cleared some salary (not much) but it would of been enough to sign Urbina, who I'd rather have then Koch.

 

That isn't an option anymore though.

 

However, if the Sox were to move Koch, then I'd think Konerko would be going somewhere as well, just my 2 cents.

 

I think the Sox stand pat though.

[southsider2k5]

Konerko was my first guess as well, but I like the sound of Koch too.

[HighHeat45]

If the Sox deal Koch, then I sure hope they plan on adding a quality reliever.  I would of had no problem if the Sox unloaded Koch...heck for someone like Casey (Reds would of probably done a deal similar to that) and then move Konerko to someone like the Dodgers for Ishii or Perez (I fully believe they would do that deal).  The Sox would then of cleared some salary (not much) but it would of been enough to sign Urbina, who I'd rather have then Koch.

 

That isn't an option anymore though. 

 

However, if the Sox were to move Koch, then I'd think Konerko would be going somewhere as well, just my 2 cents.

 

I think the Sox stand pat though.

Urbina was signed by Detroit

[WHarris1]

Urbina was signed by Detroit 

That's why he said:

 

This isn't an option anymore.

[Chisoxfn]

Here's the question, what team would be willing to take on Koch's contract. The only positive to his contract is that it isn't a long term deal. Whoever gets him, is rid of him at the end of the season?

 

The Dodgers have some bullpen concerns (With Mota having arm trouble) but ya right, if they are going to add payroll, its going to be for a bat.

 

I know the Reds need a closer, and they have some bad contracts so a deal with them is about the only one I could see involving Billy.

 

Still, would anyone feel comfortable knowing that Marte is about our only proven reliever. Well, Wunsch has proven to be a good lefty specialist. This deal would definately show confidence in Politte, Adkins, and Tagaksu.

 

And with Wright and Scho being inserted into the rotation (questionmarks) and a definate concern that Elo was more of a one year wonder, that pitching staff would have a whole lot of questionmarks.

 

Then again, whose to say Koch will be any better then he was last year. I mean, there are quite a few people the Sox could get to put up a 4.5 ERA or so and that would be ligthyears better then what Billy did last season.

[elrockinMT]

We have probably covered all the bases in these posts. They are all real possible scenarios. Kenny Williams could be lighting a fire under everyone and anyone and just talking trash. Looking at the past interviews with players and the team expectations of certain players doesn't give you any real feeling for who is slacking off. I don't think anyone has looked like their slacking, but getting the job done is another story. I think the player in question is on the pitching staff. Koch has been inconsistent and so has Schoenenweis, but KW likes Shoe and Ozzie just said Koch was the go to guy out of the pen, but that it was a situational thing. If we talk trade with the Dodgers it has to be a hitter though because the Dodgers don't need one of our pitchers. Konerko is the only one I can think of, but he is a professional and handles himself that way and is doing good in the field and hitting over .300. Maybe it was Grilli who everyone was saying just had to stay because he was as Rule V guy, but until yesterday wasn't looking that good. Your guess is as good as anyone's at this point.

[CSF]

By this article, it doesn't look like the mystery player is Grilli:

 

Grilli all but seals roster spot

 

By Bob Foltman

Tribune staff reporter

 

March 27, 2004, 10:39 PM CST

 

 

TUCSON, Ariz. -- Jason Grilli probably wrapped up a spot on the White Sox's pitching staff Saturday with a three-inning outing in a minor-league game.

 

While the rest of the Sox were facing the Texas Rangers in Surprise, Ariz., Grilli struck out four and didn't allow a hit. Grilli will take the long-man role in the bullpen as well as be a spot starter.

 

The Sox acquired Grilli over the winter from the Marlins. He was a Rule 5 selection, so if he doesn't make the 25-man roster he has to be offered back to Florida.

 

Grilli thought he would be pitching at 9:30 a.m. He was in uniform and ready to go when he found out he was to pitch in the afternoon. …

 

Even though the Sox acquired Timo Perez, that doesn't mean they have soured on Jeremy Reed. General manager Ken Williams said earlier in the spring that if something happened to center fielder Aaron Rowand, he would have no problem using Reed. "I think Jeremy is ready. In terms of his baseball ability, there is no question he's going to be a big leaguer," Williams said. … Williams all but made it official Saturday—Ross Gload has made the team. "I love Ross Gload and what he brings to the table," he said. "It's not official, but that's where I'm leaning now." … Billy Koch is the closer, but manager Ozzie Guillen said left-hander Damaso Marte will get his chances as well. "If there are two lefties coming up, Marte is going to be the closer," Guillen said. "It'll depend on the situation, but the man we're going to lean to is Koch."

Copyright © 2004, The Chicago Tribune

[JUGGERNAUT]

ST does not support trading Koch.

He had a slew of games were he did not surrender any runs.

More importantly he recorded his first save in ST of a close game.

 

With respect to Slownerko, no trade is going to free the SOX from 8MIL.

Either the SOX will pick up the same/more salary in the trade, or the SOX will pay a substantial amount to pick up a prospect. Again the Dodgers come to mind.

 

If I were KW this is the trade I'm pushing for:

Slownerko + 8 MIL -> LAD

Perez + 4 MIL, prospect -> SOX

espn.com:

Odalis Perez: Pitching

VS. LEFT: .201 / .583 VS. RIGHT: .284 / .798 HOME: .215 / .606 AWAY: .297 / .836

Perez has superb stuff. His fastball routinely reaches the low 90s and tails off as it nears the plate. Righthanded hitters who try to pull this pitch usually end up with a 6-3 on the scorecard. He complements the heater with a fine changeup and curveball that has a nice downward slope.

 

Essentially the SOX pick up a decent LH & a prospect for the same price they are paying Slownerko. LA has some fine pitching prospects for the SOX to choose from.

 

Pressure building on LA Dodgers:

General maanger Paul DePodesta hasn't added a power hitter to the offense, but according to the Los Angeles Daily News, it's not for lack of trying. "You don't see a whole lot of trades going on around the game right now, certainly not with everyday, middle-of-the-lineup kind of players," DePodesta told the newspaper. "Teams aren't looking to give anybody like that up before the season begins. If it's somebody who would be a middle-of-the-lineup guy for us, he's probably somebody else's middle-of-the-lineup guy, too." DePodesta said there are no "untouchables" on the roster but implied (without using any names) he would be hesitant to deal some players.

 

 

Clearly when KW signed Slownerko to the latest contract he had faith in him. So to say it's not easy to part with him is an understatement. One big year by Slownerko & Williams looks brighter than he does now. But as time grows short for the Dodgers & with new ownership not willing to accept a 4th place finish in a very competitive division the deal must be looking better & better for KW to have made that statement.

[CWSGuy406]

I want to see what Gload can do once the season actually starts - that said, he has really been impressive this spring. Konerko should not and cannot be comfortable right now, maybe that will keep him hitting well this season, who knows.

[Mr. Showtime]

Not Shingo, since I'm sure they expected him to need extra time to adjust.

 

I'd say Konerko.

 

I myself would call the Angels and ask them to take Konerko and Koch, and we'd take Sele is big salary back.