Interesting Phil Rogers Article

[DBAHO]

Any more questions?

 

If you changed a couple of light bulbs, ran out for fast food or had a sneezing fit, you probably missed the White Sox's game at Cleveland on Sunday afternoon. That would make you one of the lucky ones.

 

This express-lane capitulation to the Cleveland Indians, the kind of 9-0 loss usually reserved for the last week or two of a lost season, says all there is left to say about the 2004 Sox.

 

That is, enough already.

 

For two years in a row, under two different managers, the White Sox tricked me into picking them to win the American League Central. I'll not make that mistake again in 2005. And they shouldn't fool themselves into believing they are just a handful of moves away.

 

As Sept. 1 approaches, it's time for the Sox to do something they haven't done in more than a decade. They should completely forget the win-loss record and use the last month of the season exclusively as a training ground for future seasons.

 

Even in 1997, after the infamous White Flag trade, then-general manager Ron Schueler continued to put the emphasis on winning. Terry Bevington certainly wanted to win, knowing his job depended on it.

 

With Ozzie Guillen assured of remaining as the manager and Ken Williams seeming similarly secure as the GM, no one in the White Sox organization should be afraid of a little losing this time around.

 

This time around they've got an excuse. How many teams could have survived having their No. 3 and No. 4 hitters miss a combined 198 games?

 

Then there's next year's draft to think about it. The Sox last had a top-10 pick in 1990, when they took Alex Fernandez. No team, including the Yankees and Atlanta, has gone longer without a high pick.

 

Finishing around .500, as the Sox generally do in down years, is admirable, but makes it harder to build through the draft, which is the organizational philosophy.

 

Guillen has said only that Joe Borchard will get a long look in right field. But that shouldn't be the only tryout conducted in September.

 

From this point forward, let's see:

 

No more of Jose Valentin at shortstop. He has represented the organization well for five years, but he's 34 and batting .223. His average has dropped four years in a row. There's no room for him in a lineup that has to do a much better job getting men on base.

 

After all, the White Sox are hitting .255 with a .314 on-base percentage in the second half. Both of those figures rank 12th in the AL.

 

It's time to audition the two in-house candidates at the position—Juan Uribe, who has had only 26 starts at short this year, and Wilson Valdez, a solid fielder who is hitting .310 in 61 games at Triple-A Charlotte. Guillen worked with him in Florida.

 

A collective yawn when the White Sox hit their 200th home run. They need only 11 more to join the Yankees as the only teams in history to hit 200-plus in five consecutive seasons.

 

More starts for guys like Neal Cotts, Arnie Munoz, Josh Stewart and Ryan Meaux and fewer starts for Jon Garland. Or, better yet, if the reports are true about Garland having cleared waivers, a trade to Texas or another contender. It will cost about $4 million to keep him another season, and that's a lot to pay someone with a 4.65 career ERA.

 

Joe Crede playing out the season at third base. His .231 average is a disappointment, but it's too early to give up on him. A solid September and a show of support from Guillen could put his mind at ease this winter.

 

Ryan Hankins at catcher. A third baseman until last winter, this late bloomer has played regularly as the catcher at Charlotte and hit around .300. Roster space is a problem, but the Sox need a catcher. Why not take a look at Hankins?

 

Minor-league relievers Jeff Bajenaru, Matt Smith and Josh Fields getting a look in the middle innings. If veterans like Roberto Alomar and Mike Jackson have to be released to make room for some of the kids, so be it.

 

Carl Everett in the outfield. Like it or not, the 2005 Sox could have Paul Konerko, Frank Thomas and Everett on the roster, as Thomas and Everett have player options. The only way they can all be in the lineup is if Everett gets himself in shape to play the outfield.

 

Should all of these things lead to Guillen's team going into the tank, as never really happened under Jerry Manuel, so what? Is second place that much better than third or fourth?

 

A late collapse might actually be a blessing because it would keep the White Sox from fooling themselves, and some of us, next spring.

[SoxAce]

Agree, Amen!!

[Hatchetman]

we'd have to pay those guys if we bring them up

[SnB]

I agree...

what do we have to lose?

[winninguglyin83]

play Borchard every game.

 

Play Harris every game.

 

Play Uribe every game.

 

play Crede every game.

 

take a look at Valdez.

 

start cotts the rest of the year.

 

start Stewart/ Diaz or Munoz whenever possible.

 

Keep Garcia and buehrle on light pitch counts.

 

quit using Marte so much and look at a few young arms.

 

this season is toast.

 

Let's start planning for 2005

[Guest JimH]

play Borchard every game.

 

Play Harris every game.

 

Play Uribe every game.

 

play Crede every game.

 

take a look at Valdez.

 

start cotts the rest of the year.

 

start Stewart/ Diaz or Munoz whenever possible.

 

Keep Garcia and buehrle on light pitch counts.

 

quit using Marte so much and look at a few young arms.

 

this season is toast.

 

Let's start planning for 2005

Agree on Borchard.

 

Would agree on Harris too, but Guillen seems to think he knows what Harris brings, and I don't think we'll see Harris on the team next year. Guillen just does not seem to like him.

 

Agree on Uribe and Crede.

 

Yes, they need to take a good look at Valdez. In particular, they should play him against the Twins to see how he stacks up.

 

Disagree on Cotts - he's nowhere near stretched out enough to start any games.

 

Agree on Garcia and Buehrle, what's the point of having them rack up huge innings at this point.

 

Agree on giving young pitchers a chance - maybe Munoz for the bullpen to give him some confidence. I don't think Grilli has what it takes but he'll get another chance or two anyway. Stewart = nice kid but doesn't have it IMO.

 

Agree on Marte and that's where I see Munoz fitting in for September.

 

Rogers' article makes sense except for some of these younger guys being in playoff chases themselves (B-ham) and getting ready for the Arizona Fall League (Baj).

 

Would also hope they take a look at Hankins, but they'd have to make some moves to the 40 man and don't know if they want to do that right now.

 

It's easy to say let's release Mike Jackson (and it wouldn't bother me a bit), but unfortunately there's sort of a code of ethics re: veterans this late in the year. Jackson doesn't have it any more, but he has taken the ball when asked and has done his best. Fans hate to hear this, but he's very well respected and it might look bad for the Sox within baseball circles if they just release a guy like that so late in the year. For that reason alone, I doubt they do it. I don't necessarily agree with it, but just presenting what may be going on behind the scenes. There are always some crazy politics involved we're not privy to.

[3E8]

The guy who should get the biggest look and most playing time is Valdez. He's already a big improvement over Jose's defense, but let's see if he can hit at the major league level or not.

[LosMediasBlancas]

play Borchard every game.

 

Play Harris every game.

 

Play Uribe every game.

 

play Crede every game.

 

take a look at Valdez.

 

start cotts the rest of the year.

 

start Stewart/ Diaz or Munoz whenever possible.

 

Keep Garcia and buehrle on light pitch counts.

 

quit using Marte so much and look at a few young arms.

 

this season is toast.

 

Let's start planning for 2005

I'd go one step further and say skip Garcia and Buehrle once or twice and bring up Grilli and other minor leaguers again. I liked the 'sore forearm wink-wink' on Garcia move.

Throw Burke in there too.

[beck72]

Would agree on Harris too, but Guillen seems to think he knows what Harris brings, and I don't think we'll see Harris on the team next year.  Guillen just does not seem to like him.

I'm starting to think so too. With Uribe at 2B, Harris could be expendable. I still think he has a decent future in this league. And he'd have good value, ala Crede. Interestingly enough, Valdez came up as a 2b man.

[EvilJester99]

From this point forward, let's see:

 

No more of Jose Valentin at shortstop. He has represented the organization well for five years, but he's 34 and batting .223. His average has dropped four years in a row. There's no room for him in a lineup that has to do a much better job getting men on base.

 

After all, the White Sox are hitting .255 with a .314 on-base percentage in the second half. Both of those figures rank 12th in the AL.

 

 

 

This has to be my favorite part of this article...enough of the Valentin tragedy already. Yes whoopie he hit 26 homers and hits with a whopping .223 average and under .300 OBP. Not to even mention about his "Stellar" fielding....Or NOT. I am just tired of seeing the Stonehands show. Hopefully the Sox are as well. NEXT!!

[Guest JimH]

I'm starting to think so too. With Uribe at 2B, Harris could be expendable. I still think he has a decent future in this league. And he'd have good value, ala Crede. Interestingly enough, Valdez came up as a 2b man.

Oh my goodness, you're not starting to come over to my side are you beck??

 

Seriously though ... Ozzie does not seem to like Harris at all. He basically said he knows what he's got in Harris and didn't see the need to put him full time at 2B for the remainder of the year. That, to me, is very telling.

 

I think Harris has some trade value but nowhere near as much as Crede.

 

Valdez came up as a 2B? Good info. Hmmmm ...

 

I still think we'll see a platoon of sorts at either SS or 2B or both next year, with one being a veteran. Uribe as a platoon guy/super sub and maybe there's a place for Valdez too if he can play and play smart.

[beck72]

Oh my goodness, you're not starting to come over to my side are you beck?? 

 

Seriously though ... Ozzie does not seem to like Harris at all.  He basically said he knows what he's got in Harris and didn't see the need to put him full time at 2B for the remainder of the year.  That, to me, is very telling.

 

I think Harris has some trade value but nowhere near as much as Crede.

 

Valdez came up as a 2B?  Good info.  Hmmmm ...

 

I still think we'll see a platoon of sorts at either SS or 2B or both next year, with one being a veteran.  Uribe as a platoon guy/super sub and maybe there's a place for Valdez too if he can play and play smart.

Nah, I'm still in the "Willie camp". But you're right, there would be no reason not to play Willie fulltime at 2B unless the sox have a reason. [only play him vs RHP so he can get his avg up and increase his trade value? Same with Crede vs LHP?] Uribe moving all around the IF means he's staying. Something behind the scenes must be up re: willie, because he should be out there full time now.

 

Roberto and Jose have no reason to be out there though. Unless some team is desperate before the Sept 1st deadline. Guys who Ozzie liked and gave a chance performed well this yr--Gload, Burke, Cotts, Adkins. Maybe Valdez will be around in 2005.

[ChiSox_Sonix]

I agree with the article except for Hankins. While he should get a call up, he should play a platoon role. We need to play Davis every day. He's been a very nice surprise and we need to see if he can improve more or at least keep it up to prove it isnt a fluke. If he does, it will give us more incventive to sign him and possibly give us at least a semi-reliable catcher for the first time in years

[winninguglyin83]

let's see Valdez, but I'm not sold on him as a legit prospect.

 

Why?

 

He's got ZERO power -- 11 extra base hits (7 doubles) in 252 at bats in a great hitters park.

 

And he also has only 10 walks.

 

No wonder Ozzie likes him.

 

That's precisely the kind of hitter he was.

 

His speed is just OK, too, 11 steals while being caught 5 times while doubling into 5 DPs.

 

Only other factor is: What kind of fielder is he?

 

Range?

 

Arm?

 

He appears to be a guy who will have the bat knocked out of his hands by a good Major league pitcher.

[ChiSox_Sonix]

Ya but we might as well give Valdez a shot now when it doesnt matter. See if he can play or not. He deserves at least a look