KevHead0881 Posted March 20, 2005 Share Posted March 20, 2005 QUOTE(beck72 @ Mar 20, 2005 -> 06:55 PM) I agree. People see Neal's high ERA and often use it say he wasn't very good. His keeping inherited runners from scoring was over 70%. Where his ERA soared was when others gave up his inherited runners [though Neal like to get runners on base to start on inning--I kept hoping the Sox would only use him when there were runners on. Yet the Sox didn't have many options in the pen]. Neal's ERA should definitely be lower this year. I agree that his numbers weren't very reflective of how he did last year. I believe that he did an average job (which I don't think Walker should have much of a problem duplicating). I just think both Cotts and the Sox would be better off if he worked at starting down in Charlotte. The only real disagreement we have here was how good Cotts was last year. Besides that, I basically agree with you guys. If Walker isn't as good as Cotts in the relief role, I have no problem going with the better pitcher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JUGGERNAUT Posted March 20, 2005 Share Posted March 20, 2005 Then again Walker has retired 17 of the first 18 hitters he's faced in AZ. 2000 63IP, vs RH .165A/601OPS, vs LH .257A/632OPS 2001 12IP, vs RH 095/507, vs LH 150/461 2002 8IP, 2003 7IP, 2004 2IP He put in a full yr with the Padres in 2000, broke camp with them in 2001. 2002 & 2003 he was a late season call-up & 2004 he broke camp with SF. I think the fact that he made the 25 man roster is meaningful. ST 2005 K Walker 0.00ERA, 6.0IP N Cotts 1.80ERA. 5.0IP I'd say Walker's earned the final pen spot. Neal's pitched fine but Walker's 2000 yr is a lot more impressive than anything Neal's accomplished at the ML level. If he's back to his 2000 form Kenny might have lucked out here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted March 20, 2005 Share Posted March 20, 2005 (edited) Walker's 2000 year? Ancient history. Edited March 21, 2005 by YASNY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevHead0881 Posted March 20, 2005 Share Posted March 20, 2005 Let the Walker watch continue...he is pitching right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomsonmi Posted March 20, 2005 Share Posted March 20, 2005 Isn't this debate mute if the Sox keep both Osuna and Harris on the roster? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWSGuy406 Posted March 20, 2005 Share Posted March 20, 2005 I still think that a lot of us are taking way, way too much out of a couple of ST appearances... Walker can barely cut it in the minors. The spot is, and should be, Neal's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxFanForever Posted March 20, 2005 Share Posted March 20, 2005 QUOTE(thomsonmi @ Mar 20, 2005 -> 09:45 PM) Isn't this debate mute if the Sox keep both Osuna and Harris on the roster? Since when did we bring back Antonio Osuna? I don't think the roster is near finalized so it is still up in the air how many pitchers they will break camp with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomsonmi Posted March 20, 2005 Share Posted March 20, 2005 QUOTE(SoxFanForever @ Mar 20, 2005 -> 03:04 PM) Since when did we bring back Antonio Osuna? I don't think the roster is near finalized so it is still up in the air how many pitchers they will break camp with. I obviously meant infielder Pablo Ozuna. Seems to me the decision is easy, there's no need for 12 pitchers during the first couple weeks of the season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWSGuy406 Posted March 20, 2005 Share Posted March 20, 2005 QUOTE(thomsonmi @ Mar 20, 2005 -> 10:11 PM) I obviously meant infielder Pablo Ozuna. Seems to me the decision is easy, there's no need for 12 pitchers during the first couple weeks of the season. No one is saying 12 pitchers. Buehrle Garland Garcia Contreras El Duque Shingo Marte Cotts Vizcaino Hermy Politte Burke/Davis Pierz Konerko Gload Iguchi Crede Ozuna Harris Uribe Everett Pods Rowand Dye Perez 25 on my count, with Harris going down (organizational standpoint) when Thomas comes back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevHead0881 Posted March 20, 2005 Share Posted March 20, 2005 QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Mar 20, 2005 -> 09:56 PM) I still think that a lot of us are taking way, way too much out of a couple of ST appearances... Usually, I'd agree with you. Especially when it comes to the performances of the regulars. But in this case, the job for the last relief spot seems pretty open. And Ozzie has said himself that Walker has made a strong case to come north with the club. I'd say that the performances of both Cotts and Walker this spring will have a great deal to do with who stays and who goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWSGuy406 Posted March 20, 2005 Share Posted March 20, 2005 QUOTE(KevHead0881 @ Mar 20, 2005 -> 10:26 PM) Usually, I'd agree with you. Especially when it comes to the performances of the regulars. But in this case, the job for the last relief spot seems pretty open. And Ozzie has said himself that Walker has made a strong case to come north with the club. I'd say that the performances of both Cotts and Walker this spring will have a great deal to do with who stays and who goes. True, but I don't necessarily think that that's the correct approach to take. But no doubt, in Ozzie's mind, he'll go by who he likes, with some exceptions... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beck72 Posted March 21, 2005 Author Share Posted March 21, 2005 QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Mar 20, 2005 -> 09:56 PM) I still think that a lot of us are taking way, way too much out of a couple of ST appearances... Walker can barely cut it in the minors. The spot is, and should be, Neal's. The only opinion that matter are Ozzie and the coaches. So far Ozzie is impressed with Walker. From the Daily Herald: On a roll: In addition to Brandon McCarthy, left-hander Kevin Walker also has stepped up this spring and is making an unexpected push for a roster spot. After pitching 1º scoreless innings Sunday, the 28-year-old Walker is still unscored upon in 6 Cactus League relief appearances, covering 7º innings. “He’s opened a lot of people’s eyes,’’ Guillen said. “He’s the talk of the day right now. He impressed me a lot. He throws strikes and is never behind the hitters. We are going to keep looking.’’ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted March 21, 2005 Share Posted March 21, 2005 Walker's making it difficult for the Sox to send him down. What else can the guy do? He's been damn near perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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