Guest JimH Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 For some reason this battle for the utility IF spot is fascinating me Williams says he feels he's got enough competition for the spot and does not plan on making a trade. Per the Daily Herald today, quoting KW: "Maybe we'll throw Willie over there at short and see what he can do,'' Williams said. "It's been discussed. Everybody needs that do-it-all, Mark McLemore type guy.'' While Harris can also play center field, Ozuna might be the favorite because he can play second, shortstop and third. "He's a (Juan) Uribe-type player without the power,'' Williams said of Ozuna. "He's going to hit for average, he's a free swinger, he can run a little bit, can play all the infield positions. He's a good player, and he can drive in a big run. He's an athlete and he can play anywhere.'' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierSox Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 Willie at short.No. Interesting they say Ozuna is the favorite. I would have thought Valdez would be the favorite. Can Valdez play third? I am curious to know what Ozunas minor league stats are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daa84 Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 QUOTE(HoosierSox @ Feb 25, 2005 -> 09:43 AM) Willie at short.No. Interesting they say Ozuna is the favorite. I would have thought Valdez would be the favorite. Can Valdez play third? I am curious to know what Ozunas minor league stats are. The battle for the Util If spot has been talked about so much by white sox fans, maybe because its the only battle going on. Either way, I was worried abotu it, but in thinking about it more, the sox will be alright putting valdez in there. the cubs are marching out neifi perez, who espn calls the worst offensive player in all of baseball...i think valdez will be alright. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wise Master Buehrle Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 Time to see what Ozuna can do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaseballNick Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 (edited) I don't know why, but I predict Ozuna being the kind of player Timo is. A talented guy with good tools, not an everyday player, but no slouch either. It'll be interesting to see who gets that final spot. Edited February 25, 2005 by BaseballNick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JimH Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 I don't know why, but I predict Ozuna being the kind of player Timo is. A talented guy with good tools, not an everyday player, but no slouch either. It'll be interesting to see who gets that final spot. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Interesting way to look at it. He is definitely a guy KW likes, interesting to hear/see what Guillen thinks. Personally I don't think there's anything wrong with Harris taking some reps at SS but it'll be awfully tough for him since he has very limited experience at SS. One thing for sure, all three guys will play a lot for the next month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beck72 Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 Maybe KW and Ozzie got a good enough look at Ozuna in the field that he's the UTL guy. Sounds like it. At age 30, he's no rookie, so he's got a lot of game experience. Valdez would likely stay at AAA in case of an injury to Uribe. Maybe he'll see some time at 3b and 2b there too for being a backup UTL guy Keeping bullpen guys like Adkins, Diaz and Munoz in AAA [instead of trading for a guy like Cintron now] as possible bait for trading line deals makes sense. Esp. if Ozuna can play decent defense at SS and 3B. I'm sure the sox don't want to thin out their pitching if they don't have too. Ozuna is one guy I'll be trying to look at with my Tivo this spring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AddisonStSox Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 Kenny is really high on Ozuna. This isn't the first time I've seen him complement him and remark about his skills. I think Ozuna is the favorite right now because, as Kenny said, of his IF versitility. Something to remember: we don't need a lot of power or offensive production from that final utility IF spot. All the Sox need is a guy who can play multiple positions with limited errors and a half-way decent stick. I still think Valdez, Ozzie's guy, has an inside track, but Ozuna will be the guy everyone is watching. Who knows, maybe Ozuna impresses during ST and we found the utlity IF we have all been calling for already on the roster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AddisonStSox Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 Ah yes, something else to remember (this just dawned on me): We are debating over the utility infield spot. Its the only battle on the roster. Can you believe it? We haven't been debating a fifth starter, in what seems like the first time in ages. Ah yes.... things will be a-ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3E8 Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 QUOTE(HoosierSox @ Feb 25, 2005 -> 09:43 AM) Willie at short.No. Interesting they say Ozuna is the favorite. I would have thought Valdez would be the favorite. Can Valdez play third? I am curious to know what Ozunas minor league stats are. Ask and ye shall recieve. http://www.thebaseballcube.com/profiles/OZ/tbc628.asp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beck72 Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 One thing I couldn't find is what Ozuna's minor league fielding stats were. I know he played 55 games at 2b, 3 in the OF and 56 at SS with 15 total errors in 2004. But I can't find any info on what positions he played prior to 2004 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WilliamTell Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 QUOTE(beck72 @ Feb 25, 2005 -> 11:26 AM) One thing I couldn't find is what Ozuna's minor league fielding stats were. I know he played 55 games at 2b, 3 in the OF and 56 at SS with 15 total errors in 2004. But I can't find any info on what positions he played prior to 2004 Dang I was hoping he'd have a little third base exprience, maybe he does though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnthraxFan93 Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 Ah yes, something else to remember (this just dawned on me): We are debating over the utility infield spot. Its the only battle on the roster. Can you believe it? We haven't been debating a fifth starter, in what seems like the first time in ages. Ah yes....<exhales> things will be a-ok. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I would love to have these debates alll year long.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greasywheels121 Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 QUOTE(AnthraxFan93 @ Feb 25, 2005 -> 12:46 PM) I would love to have these debates alll year long.. Too bad your boy got those positions locked up this offseason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JimH Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 Dang I was hoping he'd have a little third base exprience, maybe he does though. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yes ... I've been asking the same question for about a month now, and have been unable to find any fielding stats. This question is the big reason I started this thread though. The key for a utility guy is, can he play 2B, SS, and 3B. The question was answered by KW where he says Ozuna can play 3B. So either they've seen him play 3B or Ozuna has experience at the position. A remaining question is whether Valdez can handle 3B. Guillen has come out and said the utility IF will play at all three positions (3B, SS, 3B). That Ozuna can also play OF is interesting. Not sure it will give him a leg up over, say, Harris because the Sox are fairly deep in the outfield. I'm not certain OF ability will factor in, but let's face it, it is a plus. KW is right when he says every team can use a McLemore guy who can play just about anywhere. This is a battle that truly should be an open competition. Valdez would need to prove he can handle 3B, Harris needs to prove he can handle SS at a minimum, and Ozuna needs to show his defense is solid. And then there is the offensive side of the equation ... who can situational hit, get down a key bunt, supply some speed, pinch run, knock in a big run, etc. If we see Ozuna donning the catching gear we know he's got the job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnthraxFan93 Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 Too bad your boy got those positions locked up this offseason. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> On paper yes he did, but on paper doesn't bring you banners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelasDaddy0427 Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 I think that Ozuna would be the best man for the job. He has more experience. As for comparing him to Timo am I the only one who remembers how lazy Timo was to start the year? I mean you could tell he just didn't give a darn for the most part. It wasn't till he started to get about halfway through the season that he got consistant playing time and woke up from his coma. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa1334 Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 valdez will never hit enough...i say ozuna, since he can play 3 positions..did you's say he commited 15 errors in 55 games? thats a lot... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JimH Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 did you's say he commited 15 errors in 55 games? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> beck72's post said 15 errors total in 2004. 15 errors in 114 games in the field ... 56 at SS, 55 at 2B, 3 in the outfield. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa1334 Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 QUOTE(JimH @ Feb 25, 2005 -> 12:06 PM) beck72's post said 15 errors total in 2004. 15 errors in 114 games in the field ... 56 at SS, 55 at 2B, 3 in the outfield. is that supposed to be good or bad? anyways, if ozzie wants a pretty good fielder then he should take valdez, if he wants someone that will actully give him something off the bench and is a ok fielder, then ozuna. valdez would be no good at coming off the bench or driving in runs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JimH Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 is that supposed to be good or bad? anyways, if ozzie wants a pretty good fielder then he should take valdez, if he wants someone that will actully give him something off the bench and is a ok fielder, then ozuna. valdez would be no good at coming off the bench or driving in runs. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I'm not sure where you're drawing these conclusions from. You're painting a broad brush picture of these players and those conclusions are sweeping generalizations, nothing more. Projected out, based on last years stats, Valdez would've had roughly 10 errors if he'd played in the same number of games as Ozuna. Valdez hit .302, so their hitting stats are similar. Neither draws many walks, neither guy K's a lot either. Again, not sure how you can draw the conclusion that Valdez wouldn't be any good coming off the bench or driving in runs. You can soak up a lot of knowledge, if you want to, by reading the threads and looking at the stats. Each guy will get a chance to show what they can offer. In a situation like this, i.e. for a utility spot battle, that's what spring training is for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Honda Civic Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 QUOTE(BaseballNick @ Feb 25, 2005 -> 10:24 AM) I don't know why, but I predict Ozuna being the kind of player Timo is. A talented guy with good tools, not an everyday player, but no slouch either. It'll be interesting to see who gets that final spot. I don't think being similar to Timo would be an asset to making the bench. First of all, we've got enough free-swingers(read: never walk). Second, I want versatility in my bench guys, Timo, umm, isn't. can't hit lefties, can't take a walk, can't steal a base, zero defensive range, and that ugly one handed glove work that would have made me have to run laps in little league. It seems to me that Ozzie has far too much influence on player personnel decisions. He thinks because he somehow squeezed a 16 year major league career out of a .287 OBP that others should be able to do the same. And hey, what better place than Chicago? QUOTE(Melissa1334 @ Feb 25, 2005 -> 12:02 PM) Valdez will never hit enough...i say Ozuna, since he can play 3 positions. Valdez will never hit enough? He's a career .289 minor league hitter, and .311 last year and .295 in '03. I know Ozuna's minor league numbers were listed earlier in this thread, but you have to temper his .317 avg with knowing that he was probably about 4 years older at each stop than is listed. Neither of them can take a walk to save their life. Are you judging Valdez on his 43 AB's he had in september? That's a mistake if you are. Edit: I missed jim's post. I don't wanna seem like I'm piling on. But I agree with him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwerty Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 You know what. If we signed orlando cabrera things would be perfectly fine right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
That funky motion Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 Even if Willie could play SS,there is no way he can play 3rd. No arm!!! I have no problem with Valdez getting the job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightni Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 QUOTE(qwerty @ Feb 25, 2005 -> 04:46 PM) You know what. If we signed orlando cabrera things would be perfectly fine right now. Not nice of you putting out bait for the sharks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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