southsider2k5 Posted April 14, 2003 Share Posted April 14, 2003 Frank Thomas will return after being rested Sunday. But Aaron Rowand, in the midst of a 2-for-18 slump, will likely give way to fellow center fielder Armando Rios, who went 2-for-4 Sunday with an RBI single. "I'll probably run [Rios] out there Tuesday to see if he can keep his little streak going," manager Jerry Manuel said. "I still really believe that Rowand is our center fielder, but if this guy (Rios) is hot and driving in runs, then I have to go with him." Said Rios: "I'm not in a position to be saying, 'I should do this, I should do that.' We've got good players here and I'm sure he'll run out there whoever's hot. Of course I want it to be me all year. If not, I'll be ready to pinch hit." With the Sox leading 1-0 in the seventh, Rios stroked a single to left that scored Brian Daubach and moved Carlos Lee to third. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshPR Posted April 14, 2003 Share Posted April 14, 2003 Given the At Bats Rios is a good Hitter. He has 20 homer 75 potential, Plus he hustles. CF was Aaron Rowand's Job to lose. He can't complain now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SI1020 Posted April 14, 2003 Share Posted April 14, 2003 I wasn't too thrilled when the Sox got Rios. He was a major disappointment here in Pittsburgh. Maybe his knee feels better now and he is ready to roll. It's important for all our "up the middle" positions to be solid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted April 14, 2003 Share Posted April 14, 2003 Given the At Bats Rios is a good Hitter. He has 20 homer 75 potential, Plus he hustles. CF was Aaron Rowand's Job to lose. He can't complain now I agree with you JoshPR. I'm very very happy with this decision as Manuel is going to keep trotting the hot guy out there, which is the right thing to to do, imo. Rios is swinging a much better bat then Rowand and a little time off won't hurt Aaron. I hope that Manuel and the staff is working with him since he tends to have little self confidence at times or thats what I always worry. Aaron is going to be just fine and he'll be in the majors a long time, hopefully he can make it as a starter, but there is no doubt he'll be a 4th outfielder if he can't do that. I like Rios quite a bit, its one of the reasons I was so happy about the Colon trade, well minus the fact we got a 20 game winner for nothing exept the Rockmeister, who I liked. Rios replaced the "Whiny One" Jeff Liefer and is just a better hitter then Lief. Lief may have better power potential, but I didn't see any of that power last year. Rios and Rowand are similiar players, one from the left side the other from the right side which is why I think they compliment eachother so damn well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwsox Posted April 14, 2003 Share Posted April 14, 2003 the way to settle it is on the field and so far each player it seems has been given a chance to show what they can do - I don't have a personal stake in either player, so whoever emerges as the better player is fine by me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxFan1 Posted April 14, 2003 Share Posted April 14, 2003 As much as I love Aarn, right now, he couldn't hit a cow if it was pitched! I love his work ethic and he is WAY better than Rios on defense but Rios has a hot bat. Id give Rios a couple starts against KC and hope Aaron can get out of his Funk. In the defensive side, Rios is not a Cf, he is a RF, and he hasvery little range, So Aaron better get it together soon. I foresee many gappers against KC if Rios is in center! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted April 14, 2003 Author Share Posted April 14, 2003 Kind of a side note. I am really encouraged to see JM getting the guys on the bench plenty of AB's early in the year. I really believe that this is the deepest bench we have had in a long time, and I was worried if he would use it or not. Guys like Jeff Liefer just rotted on the bench and were of no use when they needed them to PH. I like the idea of any of these guys being able to step in and start everyday, without needing the first 3 AB's just to get comfortable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshPR Posted April 14, 2003 Share Posted April 14, 2003 I wasn't too thrilled when the Sox got Rios. He was a major disappointment here in Pittsburgh. Maybe his knee feels better now and he is ready to roll. It's important for all our "up the middle" positions to be solid. He never played a full season that's why. Rios can hit. I hope Manuel Gives him the chance to get some regular At Bats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitesox247 Posted April 14, 2003 Share Posted April 14, 2003 Rios was a great backup OF pickup for us, but I still say Rowand should have the starting job. We've never really given Aaron a chance to prove himself. So what if he's in a little slump? Isn't Konerko in a slump too? I agree with everyone thats saying its Rowand's job to lose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cerbaho-WG Posted April 14, 2003 Share Posted April 14, 2003 Aaron has never shown the tools to be a solid major leaguer. He has no plate discipline, little if any power, and is retchid at the plate. He should be relegated to a 4th of 5th OF spot, period. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted April 14, 2003 Share Posted April 14, 2003 Rios replaced the "Whiny One" Jeff Liefer and is just a better hitter then Lief. I disagree. I feel that Rios is replacing Rowand's spot from last year, and Rowand is replacing Lofton. Rowand was the util OF last year....which is Rios's job this year. Daubach has replaced Liefer....a LF/RF/1B type. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wsc425 Posted April 14, 2003 Share Posted April 14, 2003 I like Rios better than Rowand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hotsoxchick1 Posted April 14, 2003 Share Posted April 14, 2003 although i love aaron i have to admit im starting to like rios alot ........his bat does the talking......and the way we need hits lately a hot bat is a definate + to have........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baggio202 Posted April 14, 2003 Share Posted April 14, 2003 play him while he is hot...we can still insert aaron into CF after rios gives us the lead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SI1020 Posted April 15, 2003 Share Posted April 15, 2003 As much as I love Aarn, right now, he couldn't hit a cow if it was pitched! I love his work ethic and he is WAY better than Rios on defense but Rios has a hot bat. Id give Rios a couple starts against KC and hope Aaron can get out of his Funk. In the defensive side, Rios is not a Cf, he is a RF, and he hasvery little range, So Aaron better get it together soon. I foresee many gappers against KC if Rios is in center! You're right about Rios in the field. Lots of folks here like to bash CLee's fielding or lack there of. Take my word for it Rios is no gazelle out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubleM23 Posted April 15, 2003 Share Posted April 15, 2003 Hopefully Rios can keep it up yearlong 'cuz we can't afford to have 3 dead spots in the lineup. Rowand = 4th outfielder... At best. Love the guys hustle, but he blows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedPinStripes Posted April 15, 2003 Share Posted April 15, 2003 They're both 4th of's to me. as long as one of them can do the job until Borchard comes up for good, i'll be happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baggio202 Posted April 15, 2003 Share Posted April 15, 2003 They're both 4th of's to me. as long as one of them can do the job until Borchard comes up for good, i'll be happy. i agree..difference is rios is an experienced 4th outfielder..since we are expected to win this year if he stays hot he plays...maybe he is ready for a career year..about 25-30 homers and a 300 average...wouldnt that be something Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CubKilla Posted April 15, 2003 Share Posted April 15, 2003 They're both 4th of's to me. as long as one of them can do the job until Borchard comes up for good, i'll be happy. Bingo! I'll take Rios over Rowand because Rios is swinging the better bat right now. Borchard can't progress fast enough now that the White Sox have a hole in CF though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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