beck72 Posted May 28, 2004 Share Posted May 28, 2004 While I like Cliff Politte's stuff, his control and location has been less than stellar. If Cliff doesn't turn it around soon, someone could be called up from AAA or AA, not as the 8th inning guy-Shingo has that not-but as a 6th or 7th inning guy. My question is, who in AAA has 'Politte' type stuff to help the Sox, minus the control issues? [hard throwing, RHP, good control, gets a good share of strikeouts] Could any guys in AA like Bajenaru, Josh Fields, or Matt Smith be ready to make the jump? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Beast Posted May 28, 2004 Share Posted May 28, 2004 While I like Cliff Politte's stuff, his control and location has been less than stellar. If Cliff doesn't turn it around soon, someone could be called up from AAA or AA, not as the 8th inning guy-Shingo has that not-but as a 6th or 7th inning guy. My question is, who in AAA has 'Politte' type stuff to help the Sox, minus the control issues? [hard throwing, RHP, good control, gets a good share of strikeouts] Could any guys in AA like Bajenaru, Josh Fields, or Matt Smith be ready to make the jump? Munoz or Rauch would be up next...Munoz as a LR prolly...maybe, I don't know much about minor leaguers...(don't care) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MnSoxFan Posted May 28, 2004 Share Posted May 28, 2004 While I like Cliff Politte's stuff, his control and location has been less than stellar. If Cliff doesn't turn it around soon, someone could be called up from AAA or AA, not as the 8th inning guy-Shingo has that not-but as a 6th or 7th inning guy. My question is, who in AAA has 'Politte' type stuff to help the Sox, minus the control issues? [hard throwing, RHP, good control, gets a good share of strikeouts] Could any guys in AA like Bajenaru, Josh Fields, or Matt Smith be ready to make the jump? Majewski would likely be next to replace Politte in the pen, he or Santiago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowand44 Posted May 28, 2004 Share Posted May 28, 2004 Majewski would likely be next to replace Politte in the pen, he or Santiago. I was thinking santiago, just because he does have some experience and pitched pretty well last year also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beck72 Posted May 28, 2004 Author Share Posted May 28, 2004 Majewski would likely be next to replace Politte in the pen, he or Santiago. I know Gary M. has been around a while. How's he been doing in Charlotte? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beck72 Posted May 28, 2004 Author Share Posted May 28, 2004 I was thinking santiago, just because he does have some experience and pitched pretty well last year also. Santiago is another Mike Jackson though, a softer thrower, a GB guy rather than a K pitcher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted May 28, 2004 Share Posted May 28, 2004 I know Gary M. has been around a while. How's he been doing in Charlotte? He got killed at the beginning of the season, but has been pitching much better now. Seems to me like a guy that will never be quite good enough for MLB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MnSoxFan Posted May 28, 2004 Share Posted May 28, 2004 Majewski has done well of late, off to slow start, but seems to have settled in with Santiago as dual closers. We do not have to have K pitchers for the pen, Politte throws real hard, what does he have to show for it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowand44 Posted May 28, 2004 Share Posted May 28, 2004 We do not have to have K pitchers for the pen, Politte throws real hard, what does he have to show for it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBAHO Posted May 29, 2004 Share Posted May 29, 2004 Baj could always be an option if he keeps pitchin the way he has so far in B-Ham. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Hudler Posted May 29, 2004 Share Posted May 29, 2004 You're best three bullpen options are definitely Majewski, Santiago and Bajenaru, not necessarily in that order. Majewski is the only one currently on the 40-man roster (according to the whitesox.com), but the Sox have only 39 players on that roster so there is one open spot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AssHatSoxFan Posted May 29, 2004 Share Posted May 29, 2004 how is kohlmeier doing as he has previous pro experience with the O's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted May 29, 2004 Share Posted May 29, 2004 Kohleimeir has been solid out of the rotation, but I think his career is as a minor league right now. Majewski to me would be the first guy up, although Santiago and Baj both are more then capable. For whatever reason I think the Sox are going to try and stick with Munoz as a starter and won't be calling him up anytime soon, unless its to join the rotation. Rex, do you think if the Sox called up Arnie, that he could handle being the 5th starter or would it really be rushing him? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Hudler Posted May 29, 2004 Share Posted May 29, 2004 Kohleimeir has been solid out of the rotation, but I think his career is as a minor league right now. Majewski to me would be the first guy up, although Santiago and Baj both are more then capable. For whatever reason I think the Sox are going to try and stick with Munoz as a starter and won't be calling him up anytime soon, unless its to join the rotation. Rex, do you think if the Sox called up Arnie, that he could handle being the 5th starter or would it really be rushing him? Jason, I think Arnie would hold his own....... but what I really think is that the Sox are stupid for how they handle these situations. Rauch will start tomorrow after pitching one inning in the last 9 days. How in the hell can a guy be sharp like that? They brought in Cotts who's longest outing to date was 2.1 IP on the year and had not pitched AT ALL in 9 days before his start.... They brought up Diaz who had pitched .2 innings in 12 days before his debut. Then they brought him back for start #2 on THREE days rest. Then, they have these guys looking over their shoulder knowing they are going to lose the job if they don't pitch well. There is nothing like setting up your pitchers to fail and that is exactly what the Sox are doing. It has to be the dumbest way possible. One of three things will happen tomorrow night....... 1. Rauch will bomb and be considered a failure, even though he was set up to fail. 2. Rauch will pitch pretty well and everyone will think he is the chosen one. Of course, it won't take lone for him to have a few bad outings and get the hook again. 3. He will overcome all this BS and take advantage of possibly his final opportunity with the Sox despite the fact the Sox seem to want their Minor League pitchers to fail. We all hope for #3, but I am not holding my breath or betting my house on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beck72 Posted May 29, 2004 Author Share Posted May 29, 2004 We do not have to have K pitchers for the pen, Politte throws real hard, what does he have to show for it? The Sox pen [and rotation for that matter] lacks strikeout pitchers with decent control. Sox pitchers are near last in K/ 9IP and BB/ 9IP among the top AL teams. In the playoff type, close games [when facing the best hitters in the league-patient, selective, etc], set up guys who can strike hitters out rather than have them put the ball in play are needed instead. The best bullpens have these type of guys. Look at Shingo and Marte for the Sox. That's why I'm asking not just about low ERA guys. But about high K and low BB guys in the minors. Santiago might be a decent choice if Jackson or Adkins go down. But not as a Politte type replacement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beck72 Posted May 29, 2004 Author Share Posted May 29, 2004 Majewski is the only one currently on the 40-man roster (according to the whitesox.com), but the Sox have only 39 players on that roster so there is one open spot. If a guy isn't on the Sox 40 man, how does that limit the Sox options? I guess someone could be added with the 1 spot open. Or could someone be dropped? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beck72 Posted May 29, 2004 Author Share Posted May 29, 2004 Then, they have these guys looking over their shoulder knowing they are going to lose the job if they don't pitch well. There is nothing like setting up your pitchers to fail and that is exactly what the Sox are doing. It has to be the dumbest way possible. One of three things will happen tomorrow night....... 1. Rauch will bomb and be considered a failure, even though he was set up to fail. 2. Rauch will pitch pretty well and everyone will think he is the chosen one. Of course, it won't take lone for him to have a few bad outings and get the hook again. 3. He will overcome all this BS and take advantage of possibly his final opportunity with the Sox despite the fact the Sox seem to want their Minor League pitchers to fail. We all hope for #3, but I am not holding my breath or betting my house on it. I agree, the Sox are doing a poor job of getting young pitchers ready to start. The days off between starts, Cotts not being stretched out, don't make much sense. I hope Rauch makes their strategy work. I disagree on a few things you said though. About looking over their shoulder--every minor leaguer must produce or be sent back down. They are playing for a playoff contender. If they were playing for a team out of contention, a team could let young guys "take their lumps", struggle and learn on the job in the majors. Luckily, the Sox don't have that luxury. Diaz did well in is first 4 innings before getting pounded in his 1st game. He earned a 2nd look. I think him coming back on 3 days rest was done so Diaz wouldn't start the series vs. Minn, and it wouldn't mess up the other 4 starters routine. Given the choice, I'd mess up a 5th starters' schedule rather than a long time major leaguer. Some guys do horrible if they miss their schedule. I know Garland does best when he's going every 5th day, for example, and horrible when out every 6th or 4th day. I think Ozzie will give young pitchers a chance, look at Cotts and Adkins. Provided they produce and get outs. I don't think this was always the case with Jerry Manuel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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