Interesting KW quotes

[southsider2k5]

Sox general manager Ken Williams insists he will not let frustration overtake him in his pursuit to develop a World Series champion.

 

He's not totally sold on the notion of transforming his team of station-to-station power hitters into scrappy singles hitters.

 

"This is not a case of a lack of talent," he said. "It's just the right mix we have to find. You better be very careful not to turn your team into a Punch-and-Judy team, because [u.S. Cellular Field] is now playing like a small ballpark. You better play to your ballpark's strength, so you have to have a certain amount of power to do that.

 

"Yes, we would like high on-base percentage guys who can run, can handle the bat and move runners. But to get those players, it's a tougher situation than just opening up the fantasy draft and let me pick this guy for $2."

[greasywheels121]

KW is a wise man.

[Guest JimH]

To an extent, it makes sense. Try and get high OBP guys for the top and bottom of the lineup, and have some power hitters in the middle.

 

Whether the right guys are available or not remains to be seen. He's right when he says 29 other teams are looking for the same thing. That's one reason why I've been harping on scouting and drafting lately. Look at this kid Kubel the Twins trotted out there the last couple of nights. We have nobody like that coming up, that guy looks even better than Reed.

 

I still expect at least one different starting position player, more likely two. I cannot see them hanging onto Valentin, and I see a new RF. As for the other positions, if they can upgrade, they will.

 

A starter and a bullpen guy are first priority, and I'm glad to hear KW confirming it.

[Hatchetman]

this is a case of lack of talent

[Yossarian]

I never questioned KWs smarts. When he speaks his Stanford pedigree shows. I question his temperament and some of his actions. While I really disliked him the first couple of years, I admit he has improved. I'm really glad he made the remarks about the ball park. Old fashioned go go Sox small ball, the kind they played back in the Stone Age when I was a kid will never work in reconfigured US Cellular Field. As they say on Family Feud "good answer Kenny". Of course we badly need to upgrade the pitching and a little more speed and situational hitting wouldn't hurt either.

[SoxFan562004]

Good to see this quote. While I think this team needs a little more on base in the lineup I wholeheartadly agree with the concept of needing power in US Cellular.

 

I'm actually willing to give KW a semi-pass for this year (through gritted teeth) because of the injuries to Frank and Maggs, this is like telling these playoff contendors that you're going to lose the following bats from your lineup for nearly half the year:

 

Cubs- Ramirez and Alou or Lee

Rangers- Soriano and Texieira (sp?)

Astros- Berkman and Kent

Braves- Chipper and Drew

Cardinals- Rolen and Edmonds

Dodgers- Green and Beltre

Angels- Anderson and Erstad (Vlad is in another category)

(I'm not even going to say SF because nobody in that lineup matters except Bonds)

 

I know some may want to nitpick numbers, or point out that all of these guys haven't played the whole year, but I realize these aren't EXACT matches. I'm just trying to say if you take two potent bats (in this case the opening day 3 and 4 hitters) for a substantial portion of the season you are going to struggle, especially in a hitters park like The Cell.

[beck72]

I think the Sox are near the ML lead in hitting w/ RISP. What this shows is the sox are getting the most out of their opportunities. But the opportunities are fewer than most winning teams because the Sox aren't getting enough guys on base consistently.

 

Getting on base guys at the top and bottom is vital, so the middle of the order can hit w/ runners on base. With guys like Uribe and Rowand showing power, along with Frank and a healthy Everett, it makes a PK or a Lee tradeable for good talent that fits the Sox needs.

[AngelasDaddy0427]

I think he's totally right.

We have a core of talent, it's just about finding the right guys to come in and compliment and support them.

[SoxWatcher]

"You better be very careful not to turn your team into a Punch-and-Judy team, because [u.S. Cellular Field] is now playing like a small ballpark. You better play to your ballpark's strength..." -- Kenny Williams

 

Well said, Kenny. I agree totally. Now, don't you think that you should have hired a manager who agrees with that? And don't you think you should have hired a manager who isn't in love with small ball and thinks it is the key to winning? Maybe in addition to acquiring players who play to your ballpark's strength, you should also hire a manager who manages to your ballpark's strength.

[beck72]

Now, don't you think that you should have hired a manager who agrees with that?  And don't you think you should have hired a manager who isn't in love with small ball and thinks it is the key to winning?  Maybe in addition to acquiring players who play to your ballpark's strength, you should also hire a manager who manages to your ballpark's strength.

I think Ozzie has said the same things as KW. Some power guys will be needed in the Cell. Yet the sox have had a strictly power lineup for years and is hasn't worked. Having guys who can hit 15-20 HR's, who can make consistent contact, and play good defense and can score from 2nd base on a hit to the OF is a part of smallball. And a part of what Ozzie and KW have been talking about

[beck72]

Here was Ozzie's response in the Daily Southtown, from the same article w/ KW:

 

"We still need people that can hit," Guillen said. "This ballpark is there, it's a hitter's park. We don't just want a bunch of rabbits. We still need power."

 

Shows Ozzie isn't intent on just getting speedsters. How does this bode for Willie?

[SoxWatcher]

I think Ozzie has said the same things as KW. Some power guys will be needed in the Cell. Yet the sox have had a strictly power lineup for years and is hasn't worked. Having guys who can hit 15-20 HR's, who can make consistent contact, and play good defense and can score from 2nd base on a hit to the OF is a part of smallball. And a part of what Ozzie and KW have been talking about

I don't think Ozzie has been saying these things at all. Ozzie has been saying the

Sox need to build their team around "speed and defense".

 

The real problem is not Ozzie's idea of who should be on the 25-man roster. I don't think this rookie manager has much say in that at all. KW and his staff make the player personnel decisions. However, Ozzie's on-field decisions are all about small ball. He wants them to run, run, run. He wants to give up outs on hit-and-runs, sacrifices and bunts. That strategy minimizes run production. In today's game, particularly in UCF, you can't give up outs to maximize the chance of scoring a single run. Ozzie's small ball philosophy robs this team of runs.

 

This team hasn't failed to contend for the last 4 years because it had too many power hitters. It hasn't had a good leadoff hitter, it hasn't had more than 3 decent starting pitchers and at least half the bullpen has stunk each of the last four years. The way to fix this team isn't to get more speedy slap hitters. Yes, of course you want better OBP at the top of the lineup. But, you have to gear your team to your home ballpark's strength, particularly when the park's effect is as exaggerated as it is at UCF. Ozzie's philosphy is wrong headed, particularly for UCF. Kenny should have hired a manager who understands that.

[Hatchetman]

kw made the roster, not guillen.

[LosMediasBlancas]

So basically, you can't have all power and no speed or all speed and no pwer. A balance of power, OBP and speed is the key. It scares me to think this might be a revelation to KW and Ozzie.

[mmmmmbeeer]

I don't think Ozzie has been saying these things at all.  Ozzie has been saying the

Sox need to build their team around "speed and defense".

 

The real problem is not Ozzie's idea of who should be on the 25-man roster.  I don't think this rookie manager has much say in that at all.  KW and his staff make the player personnel decisions.  However, Ozzie's on-field decisions are all about small ball.  He wants them to run, run, run.  He wants to give up outs on hit-and-runs, sacrifices and bunts.  That strategy minimizes run production.  In today's game, particularly in UCF, you can't give up outs to maximize the chance of scoring a single run.  Ozzie's small ball philosophy robs this team of runs.

 

This team hasn't failed to contend for the last 4 years because it had too many power hitters.  It hasn't had a good leadoff hitter, it hasn't had more than 3 decent starting pitchers and at least half the bullpen has stunk each of the last four years.  The way to fix this team isn't to get more speedy slap hitters.  Yes, of course you want better OBP at the top of the lineup.  But, you have to gear your team to your home ballpark's strength, particularly when the park's effect is as exaggerated as it is at UCF.  Ozzie's philosphy is wrong headed, particularly for UCF.  Kenny should have hired a manager who understands that.

So true, everyone likes to cite this season when Peapod and Uribe were both hitting well. Hell, even back when Lofton was with us, he started the season on a tear and we were scoring a ton of runs. If we can just get a solid leadoff man, with ARow batting 2 spot, we're set.

[DonkeyKongerko]

Wouldn't the Moneyball approach be the best for a team playing in a ballpark where alot of homeruns are hit? We want to turn those solo shots into 3 run homers.

[elrockinMT]

I think he's totally right.

We have a core of talent, it's just about finding the right guys to come in and compliment and support them.

Well said Jeckle. You don't tear the team apart because they ain't the winner. You fine tune.

[beck72]

I don't think Ozzie has been saying these things at all.  Ozzie has been saying the

Sox need to build their team around "speed and defense".

 

The real problem is not Ozzie's idea of who should be on the 25-man roster.  I don't think this rookie manager has much say in that at all.  KW and his staff make the player personnel decisions.  However, Ozzie's on-field decisions are all about small ball.  He wants them to run, run, run.  He wants to give up outs on hit-and-runs, sacrifices and bunts.  That strategy minimizes run production.  In today's game, particularly in UCF, you can't give up outs to maximize the chance of scoring a single run.  Ozzie's small ball philosophy robs this team of runs.

 

This team hasn't failed to contend for the last 4 years because it had too many power hitters.  It hasn't had a good leadoff hitter, it hasn't had more than 3 decent starting pitchers and at least half the bullpen has stunk each of the last four years.  The way to fix this team isn't to get more speedy slap hitters.  Yes, of course you want better OBP at the top of the lineup.  But, you have to gear your team to your home ballpark's strength, particularly when the park's effect is as exaggerated as it is at UCF.  Ozzie's philosphy is wrong headed, particularly for UCF.  Kenny should have hired a manager who understands that.

Ozzie wants his top [1 and 2] and bottom guys [8, 9] to have speed, and be able to move runners over. Look at FLA how they handled things. You wouldn't see IRod, Cabrera, or Lowell bunting or giving up outs. The top and bottom guys give up outs [either by trying to steal-the top guys usually, but they should have ahigh % of base stealing success] or bunting [the bottom guys who have lower avgs and are more likely to make outs anyway], in order to get into scoring position for the RBI guys.

 

If a #8 or 9 hitter gives up an out, to move a runner to 2nd or 3rd, then the #1 and #2 hitters swing away, as they have the higher avg and are more likely to get the RBI.

 

Not every hitter has to be able to steal bases and bunt. When Ozzie says "build around speed and defense", its a generality. Yet the Sox lack true catalysts who fit this description, who can hit at the top and play good sound defense, and they need them.

 

Anyway, you seem to be blaming Ozzie for the team that's had the same players for the last 5 years. If a manager doesn't have the tools to work with, its the GM's and organization's fault.

[beck72]

Wouldn't the Moneyball approach be the best for a team playing in a ballpark where alot of homeruns are hit?  We want to turn those solo shots into 3 run homers.

that's not a bad idea. Fill the roster with high OBP, HR guys [though the Sox have to some extent, with PK, Lee ,Maggs and Frank all having solid OBP]. The sox have had HR guys but not high OBP guys [valentin, Crede, C,]. though getting OBP guys for the top and bottom would be a priority for this type of team anyway