DBAHO Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 From Scot Gregor, interesting read; Here, there and everywhere: When he was acquired in a trade from the Colorado Rockies last winter, Juan Uribe was penciled in as the replacement for ace utility man Tony Graffanino. As the end of another disappointing White Sox season comes into view, Uribe has earned a starting job for next season. At the start of the year, Uribe certainly announced his presence with authority, and his .393 batting average in April was the highest by a White Sox hitter since 1972. Not surprisingly, Uribe cooled off and his average dipped under .260 in mid-August. The Sox never figured the 24-year-old infielder was going to make a run at the batting title, but there was some concern as Uribe continued to lunge and swing at bad pitches during his summer slide. As he's continued working with White Sox hitting coach Greg Walker, Uribe has shortened up his stroke, and he took a respectable .275 batting average into Wednesday night's game against the Minnesota Twins. Even better, Uribe had 20 home runs and 68 RBI. That's not to say he's free of flaws. The Sox need help at the top of the batting order, which is where Uribe usually hits. If he wants to stay there, he needs to improve his .320 on-base percentage. He's only walked 30 times in 469 at-bats, and the right-handed hitting Uribe is batting only .244 against left-handed pitchers. Defensively, Uribe is the White Sox' best player. Whether at second base, shortstop or third, he has a reliable glove and a lightning-quick release. The Sox are looking to upgrade themselves at shortstop and second base this off-season. Uribe deserves to fill one of the spots. • Last week, White Sox bench coach Harold Baines said the job wasn't his "cup of tea.'' Baines would like to stay on the Sox' coaching staff, but he's looking for a more "active'' position. If Baines does leave his current post after one season, Ozzie Guillen might contact former White Sox manager Jeff Torborg or ex-teammate Carlton Fisk about becoming bench coach. If that doesn't work out, how about turning to Sandy Alomar Jr.? The Sox' veteran catcher is nearing the end of another injury-riddled season, and he's undecided about playing again in 2005. He doesn't have any coaching experience, but few people in baseball know the game better than Alomar, who is going to be a major-league manager before long. • Neal Cotts and Jon Adkins have taken their lumps while pitching out of the White Sox' bullpen this season. If both relievers learn from the experience, the Sox' bullpen could be pretty formidable next season. If not, it could be another long year. • When deciding on a starting catcher for next season, the White Sox have a tough call to make on Ben Davis. Are they going to get the guy who batted .407 with 5 doubles and 10 homers from July 22-Aug. 18? Or are they going to get the guy who was hitting .167 over his last 20 games heading into Wednesday? There's another disconcerting stat to consider: Sox pitchers have 5.57 ERA with Davis behind the plate this season. • Looking for some hope down on the farm? Right-handed pitcher Brandon McCarthy was a combined 17-6 (3.14 ERA) this season at Class A Kannapolis, Class A Winston-Salem and Class AA Birmingham. Drafted on the 17th round in 2002, the 21-year-old McCarthy led all minor-league pitchers with 202 strikeouts while walking only 30. He's certain to be invited to spring training by the Sox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 Interesting to see Torborg mentioned as a possible bench coach. I would like to see someone with some experience on the bench beside Ozzie. I think some of our problems this year have been exserbated by having so much inexperience on the bench. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greasywheels121 Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 Interesting to see Torborg mentioned as a possible bench coach. I would like to see someone with some experience on the bench beside Ozzie. I think some of our problems this year have been exserbated by having so much inexperience on the bench. Somewhat agreed. However, just hearing that Sandy could be considered makes me happy. He really would make an excellent coach; I really want to see him stay in this organization, player or coach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 I mentioned Torborg as a possible in another thread. I think he'd be a good fit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackBetsy Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 I mentioned Torborg as a possible in another thread. I think he'd be a good fit. Agreed. He's got a good attitude, and maybe isn't the best leader, but is extremely knowledgeable. The 1990 White Sox were perhaps my favorite team. They had very little talent (until Frank came up in August), but were very scrappy and a great team to watch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WilliamTell Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 Does that mean Harris is done with the Sox if the Sox pick up a shortstop for next year? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beck72 Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 Does that mean Harris is done with the Sox if the Sox pick up a shortstop for next year? If the Sox upgrade at SS and/ or 2B, [which they should] I think Crede won't be around in 2005. Harris will be given a chance to improve over the winter [his avg, his bunting, his SB, batting vs LHP]. He has a higher ceiling than Crede does IMO as Willie can give the Sox the speed and good batting eye many on the sox lack. Yet the Sox have to have options at 2B if Willie doesn't improve in 2005. I can see the sox going after a guy like Placido Polanco, who is versatile enough to play both 3B and 2B. With Uribe taking over the spot Polanco isn't at. Having guys like Crede penciled in at only one spot limit the Sox' options Uribe as everyday SS doesn't thrill me, though. But at 3B or 2B he would, provided the Sox upgraded at SS with a minimum of Vizquel at SS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelasDaddy0427 Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 Not his cup of tea... No offense but I don't think Harold has done one thing all year except hang out with his buddy Ozzie. I wish I could find a do nothing gig like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fathom Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 Somewhat agreed. However, just hearing that Sandy could be considered makes me happy. He really would make an excellent coach; I really want to see him stay in this organization, player or coach. There's no problem with making Sandy a coach, but please god will the Sox no longer have any Alomar playing during a game! Their combined stats this year are worse than many NL hitting pitchers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg775 Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 I like Ben Davis, but like the story said, he hasn't done squat the past 20 games at the plate. His past says he can't hit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Honda Civic Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 I like Ben Davis, but like the story said, he hasn't done squat the past 20 games at the plate. His past says he can't hit. Davis is .190/.277/.286 in 42AB's during the Sox last 20 games. Other stellar performers over that time. Borchard - .143/.236/.408 in 49 AB's Valentin - .109/.196/.152 in 46 AB's Harris - .218/.246/.327 in 55 AB's Crede - .237/.274/.322 in 59 AB's Willie harris has outslugged everyone listed but borchard over that stretch... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winninguglyin83 Posted September 24, 2004 Share Posted September 24, 2004 Torborg or Fisk would work. So would Sandy. But it's better players we need more than better coaches. And better coaches in the minors to teach these guys how to play. Most of the teachin is over by the time they get to the big leagues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babybearhater Posted September 24, 2004 Share Posted September 24, 2004 Somewhat agreed. However, just hearing that Sandy could be considered makes me happy. He really would make an excellent coach; I really want to see him stay in this organization, player or coach. Fisk Fisk and more Fisk, nothing like keeping it in house. I would like to see Fisk back on that bench, maybe give this team some balls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted September 24, 2004 Share Posted September 24, 2004 Fisk Fisk and more Fisk, nothing like keeping it in house. I would like to see Fisk back on that bench, maybe give this team some balls After the 1993 falling out, Carlton Fisk will not be a member of this organization as long as JRs group owns this team. PUdge will not work for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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