Ozzie has great expectations for Willie...

[Jabroni]

"Around the Horn: Middle infielders

White Sox are expecting big things from Harris"

http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb...s_cws&fext=.jsp

[AddisonStSox]

Um...no thanks, I'll pass.

 

Goodbye Willie. Don't let the door hit you on the ass on the way out.

[Jabroni]

Um...no thanks, I'll pass.

 

Goodbye Willie.  Don't let the door hit you on the ass on the way out.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Where do you think Willie is going?

[Chisoxmatt]

I dont have much to say about this... I just hope willie lives up to Ozzie's high expectations.

[AddisonStSox]

Where do you think Willie is going?

 

Nowhere.

 

I just really wish he was.

[C_LEE45]

Man i hope Willie is just comming off the bench to run or even better OUT OF TOWN, GET IGUCHI

[WilliamTell]

C'mon Willie, you can do it.

[aboz56]

I don't think the door is closed on Iguchi yet, at least based on KW's comments at Soxfest.

 

I think if we get Iguchi, Willie will be where he is best suited, as a backup infielder who can play the outfield on occasion as well, pinch run and maybe pinch hit on occasion if the matchup is favorable.

[hi8is]

last i recall, everytime one of these "around the horn" artilces pops up, about a week later... we signed a player that fit the catagory the article focused on

 

see: around the horn starting pitchers (then we signed el duke)

see: around the horn catchers (then we signed AJ)

 

hummm

[CWSGuy406]

I really, really like this quote from Guillen:

 

"A lot of people think I criticize Willie Harris all the time," Guillen said. "I don't criticize him, but I just want him to be good. That's the biggest problem we have with Willie. If he plays up to his potential, this team won't have any problems.

 

I honestly cannot believe that Guillen dislikes Harris that much. Guillen probably sees a lot of talent in the kid, a lot of speed, a good ability at the plate, and he's hard on him to get him to his potential.

 

Addison, I know you hate on Harris a lot, but Harris can be a top flight leadoff hitter if he works hard enough -- which is, like I said above, probably why you always hear Guillen ragging on him. Harris is a lot like Jon Garland -- they're doing alright now, but both are capable of much bigger things than what they've done so far...

[GoodAsGould]

im one of willie's biggest fans and although he didnt steal much last year he still took the extra base a lot... and nothing beats the time he ran right into K-Rod.

[TLAK]

Everyone is so worried about Willie that Juan Uribe is getting a free pass. Don't forget he went into such a slump last year, hitting .123 in July, that he had to be benched. I think Uribe is easily as big of a risk as Willie.

 

If Juan goes south again for an extended period who are they going to play at SS? The current answer is Wilson Valdez or maybe the minor leaguer they signed today, Ozuna. Is Kelly Dransfeldt still with the team? He wasn't in the Sox ST article but they didn't list all the invites.

 

Both middle infield positions are big ifs, and the guys behind them are even bigger ifs, this could be the Achilles heel of this team.

[Jordan4life_2007]

Everyone is so worried about Willie that Juan Uribe is getting a free pass.  Don't forget he went into such a slump last year, hitting .123 in July, that he had to be benched.  I think Uribe is easily as big of a risk as Willie.

 

If Juan goes south again for an extended period who are they going to play at SS?  The current answer is Wilson Valdez or maybe the minor leaguer they signed today, Ozuna.  Is Kelly Dransfeldt still with the team?  He wasn't in the Sox ST article but they didn't list all the invites.

 

Both middle infield positions are big ifs, and the guys behind them are even bigger ifs, this could be the Achilles heel of this team.

 

 

That and Mr. Crede.

[AddisonStSox]

I really, really like this quote from Guillen:

I honestly cannot believe that Guillen dislikes Harris that much.  Guillen probably sees a lot of talent in the kid, a lot of speed, a good ability at the plate, and he's hard on him to get him to his potential.

 

Addison, I know you hate on Harris a lot, but Harris can be a top flight leadoff hitter if he works hard enough -- which is, like I said above, probably why you always hear Guillen ragging on him.  Harris is a lot like Jon Garland -- they're doing alright now, but both are capable of much bigger things than what they've done so far...

 

I don't hate on Willie just because; I can't stand him because he doesn't have the attitude nor the drive to turn things around.

 

The difference between a boy like Wee Willie and men like Aaron and Jon is drive. When Rowand was playing below his expectations and people were all over him, I always supported him because he was busting his hump on turning things around...two years later, Aaron is a fan favorite, a proverbial "grinder." I have the same sentiment towards Garland. Although many hyped him to be a 15-18 game winner (who knows, maybe he'll attain that status), I accepted him as a 12 game winner because he was out there doing his best. Wheter Maunel hooked him early, or whatever the case was, he did what he had to do to preform the next time out. I know he put the blame on others early in his career, but he has steered away from that and knows what he has to do to suceed.

 

Willie just doesn't give a s***. He has the tools to be an excellent fielder and an above-average hitter, but he hasn't done it...why? He's had ample time to prove himself and so far, has done nothing more than earn a glorifed "pinch-runner" status. His steals total was the final nail in the coffin in my book.

 

HARRIS IS NOT AN EVERYDAY PLAYER!!!

 

If Wee Willie turns it around, I'll be the first in line to congraduate him on a job well done, but in the meantime, it seems like I and more important people in the Sox organization have given up on him (namely Mr. Williams.). He has fallen out of favor with the organization for a reason.

 

I honestly don't understand the love-affair with this kid. I've posted in the past, I don't know if its his cute size, his cute nickname, or his horrible inconsistancy and inability to hit LHP, but people love him.

[TLAK]

That and Mr. Crede.

Yeah, Joe hit his way to the bench for a while too.

[Rowand44]

I don't hate on Willie just because; I can't stand him because he doesn't have the attitude nor the drive to turn things around.

 

The difference between a boy like Wee Willie and men like Aaron and Jon is drive.  When Rowand was playing below his expectations and people were all over him, I always supported him because he was busting his hump on turning things around...two years later, Aaron is a fan favorite, a proverbial "grinder."  I have the same sentiment towards Garland.  Although many hyped him to be a 15-18 game winner (who knows, maybe he'll attain that status), I accepted him as a 12 game winner because he was out there doing his best.  Wheter Maunel hooked him early, or whatever the case was, he did what he had to do to preform the next time out.  I know he put the blame on others early in his career, but he has steered away from that and knows what he has to do to suceed.

 

Willie just doesn't give a s***.  He has the tools to be an excellent fielder and an above-average hitter, but he hasn't done it...why?  He's had ample time to prove himself and so far, has done nothing more than earn a glorifed "pinch-runner" status.  His steals total was the final nail in the coffin in my book.

 

HARRIS IS NOT AN EVERYDAY PLAYER!!!

 

If Wee Willie turns it around, I'll be the first in line to congraduate him on a job well done, but in the meantime, it seems like I and more important people in the Sox organization have given up on him (namely Mr. Williams.).  He has fallen out of favor with the organization for a reason.

 

I honestly don't understand the love-affair with this kid.  I've posted in the past, I don't know if its his cute size, his cute nickname, or his horrible inconsistancy and inability to hit LHP, but people love him.

 

What makes you think willie doesn't work his ass off, if anything I'd say willie is a much harder worker then jon, a lot of times jon seems like he doesn't give a s***. Now don't get me wrong I'm not trying to turn this into a jon vs willie thing because I think soxfans at times underrated both because we expect the best from all of our players, however I do think willie is trying to get better.

[aboz56]

Is Kelly Dransfeldt still with the team?  He wasn't in the Sox ST article but they didn't list all the invites.

I think he was a minor league free agent, not sure if he is still with the Sox or not.

 

If I had to guess, he probably won't be back.

[AddisonStSox]

What makes you think willie doesn't work his ass off, if anything I'd say willie is a much harder worker then jon, a lot of times jon seems like he doesn't give a s***.  Now don't get me wrong I'm not trying to turn this into a jon vs willie thing because I think soxfans at times underrated both because we expect the best from all of our players, however I do think willie is trying to get better.

 

I'm not saying he isn't trying to get better. I just don't know if he WANTS to get better. Does he truly want it?

 

Eh'...I've said my piece on Harris. You all know how I feel.

[aboz56]

I'm not saying he isn't trying to get better.  I just don't know if he WANTS to get better.  Does he truly want it?

 

Eh'...I've said my piece on Harris.  You all know how I feel.

I understand your points, Addison, you don't have to defend yourself about Willie, there IS a question on his desire and willingness to get better.

[Rowand44]

I'm not saying he isn't trying to get better.  I just don't know if he WANTS to get better.  Does he truly want it?

 

Eh'...I've said my piece on Harris.  You all know how I feel.

Fair enough.

[TLAK]

Back to my point, Uribe is just as big of an if and there isn't a backup plan I can discern.

[aboz56]

Back to my point, Uribe is just as big of an if and there isn't a backup plan I can discern.

I agree completely, he needs to play well the whole season, not just the first half and the meaningless games at the end.

 

To me, he is a solid player, but I'd like to see consistent production over a full season to justify the deal we gave him.

[AddisonStSox]

As for Uribe...I think Hawk said it best.

 

With a swing the ugly, I think we are going to have to be happy with whatever production he brings. He's going to be hot at times and go on tears, but he's also going to slump with the worst of him.

 

Remember, he carried the team on his back the first half of the season (specificly, a two week period when he went bananas).

 

Defensively, I'm not worried. He has both above average range and an above average arm.

 

I think Kenny was a bit fast to ink him to a multi-year deal, but he must have seen something in Juan that could merit that type of contract. If Crede can pull his numbers out of the toilet, I think we will all let off of the middle infield a little more.

[GoodAsGould]

well from the sounds of it i remember an article earlier of KW saying pedro lopez would be worth calling up if for nothing else his uber defense..... that was a long time ago though it seems so maybe that could happen if Uribe faltered.

[Jabroni]

HARRIS IS NOT AN EVERYDAY PLAYER!!!

Willie isn't an everyday player because he can't hit lefties...

 

 

Willie's 3-Year Average Splits:

vs. Righties

580 At Bats

.257 AVG

.327 OBP

 

vs. Lefties

129 At Bats

.186 AVG

.234 OBP

 

 

Willie's 2004 Splits:

vs. Righties

337 At Bats

.279 AVG

.366 OBP

 

vs. Lefties

72 At Bats

.181 AVG

.224 OBP

 

 

Willie's AVG and OBP versus righties is respectable. He just can't hit lefties at all. We need a right-handed 2nd baseman to at least platoon with Willie. Cairo would have been a decent choice but the Mets signed him. Now it's pretty much Iguchi or bust.