Kenny interested in Tony G.?

[Guest JimH]

Ozuna has played 2 games at 3rd base and has 1 error there.  He has played 3 games at SS and has 1 error there.  I know it's a small sample size but from what I have seen, Ozuna has looked pretty bad on hard hit shots at him.  I'm comfortable with him playing LF and 2B Ozuna playing SS and especially 3B scares me.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

If he can only play LF and 2B he's not worth having on the team.

 

I would bet Ozzie is more comfortable with him at 3B and SS than people on this board, otherwise he wouldn't have brought him north.

 

You are right, it's too small of a sample size and plus it's cold weather in April.

 

We should not forget about Ozuna being able to pinch run and steal bases ... not Graffanino's forte.

 

Make no mistake, I like Graffanino quite a bit and I would welcome him on this team. My thought process is, why would the Sox do this, unless they are disenchanted with Ozuna or Harris. Certainly that's possible but both guys have performed, certainly as well or better than Tony G.

 

Definitely something to keep an eye on though. Again, it wouldn't surprise me if KW has an interest but I don't see this happening right now.

[nitetrain8601]

I love Tony G. but I'm not sure I'd want him back. He's had knee injuries ever since he left the Sox and we do have Pablo Ozuna right now. Not to mention the fact that Tony wants to play everyday which could not be gaurenteed by the Sox.

 

What he said. He's not needed, Let's do a trade for something else.

[upnorthsox]

I would bet Ozzie is more comfortable with him at 3B and SS than people on this board, otherwise he wouldn't have brought him north.

 

I don't recall, what were his other options?

[Punch and Judy Garland]

WIlson valdez, Pedro Lopez. Not a whole heck of a lot of guys. Maybe Jamie Burke if they went in another direction

[Chisoxfn]

I don't recall, what were his other options?

Wilson Valdez who has done a decent job with the Mariners.

[Reddy]

i guess im one of the few that likes ozuna better for his abilities... though i really love tony g as a guy... dunno at this point i'd rather have ozuna but i'd welcome him back if it happened

[upnorthsox]

I didn't hear anything about this.  What's the story?

 

 

I'd just be paraphrasing at this point but the jist was that the Sox clubhouse didn't square with his or his family's christian beliefs.

[Guest JimH]

I don't recall, what were his other options?

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Willie Harris at SS, Jamie Burke at 3B, Wilson Valdez at both. That was the primary competition.

 

Also ... KW was on the radio the other day, talking about how important it is to stick with the personnel decisions made in March, to give it a chance to play out.

 

None of the bench guys they took north have underperformed, or at least the infield guys. If there's a guy who's on the bubble, I would say Gload. Ozzie seems to like Timo's LH bat off the bench and other guys have played a little 1B, namely Widger and of course Ozuna. And now they have Burke for the time being, who will arguably stay until Thomas comes back.

[Kalapse]

I'd just be paraphrasing at this point but the jist was that the Sox clubhouse didn't square with his or his family's christian beliefs.

That doesn't sound right.

 

I don't see players pushing another player away because of his religous beliefs.

 

Carl Everett would have been gone a long time ago.

[Guest JimH]

That doesn't sound right.

 

I don't see players pushing another player away because of his religous beliefs.

 

Carl Everett would have been gone a long time ago.

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No, it was more Graffanino's choice. In addition to the money and the playing time opportunity, it came out he was looking for a clubhouse more in line with his own Christian beliefs. Tony's choice vs. being run out of the clubhouse.

[upnorthsox]

Willie Harris at SS, Jamie Burke at 3B, Wilson Valdez at both.  That was the primary competition.

 

Also ... KW was on the radio the other day, talking about how important it is to stick with the personnel decisions made in March, to give it a chance to play out.

 

None of the bench guys they took north have underperformed, or at least the infield guys.  If there's a guy who's on the bubble, I would say Gload.  Ozzie seems to like Timo's LH bat off the bench and other guys have played a little 1B, namely Widger and of course Ozuna.  And now they have Burke for the time being, who will arguably stay until Thomas comes back.

 

Valdez was the name I wasn't coming up with.

 

As I said, it's not a pressing issue.

 

IMO Timo is on the bubble for when Frank comes back, Burke goes back down when Willie comes back Monday.

[witesoxfan]

I love Ozuna's bat but I saw enough of him at 3B in Spring Training and this season to know that he is not a good defensive 3rd baseman.  If Crede goes down, we have no one who can play solid defense at 3rd base.

 

For starters, Uribe-Harris-Goochi or Uribe-Ozuna-Goochi, while not good, is serviceable for the time being...and you can mix and match your way to whichever combo you like best. JM would have had a blast.

 

Secondly, Crede never is out. He plays hurt if he has to. He is a gritty SOB.

 

Finally...

 

If Crede goes down, we have no one who can play solid defense at 3rd base

 

WIDGE, goddammit

[Kalapse]

No, it was more Graffanino's choice.  In addition to the money and the playing time opportunity, it came out he was looking for a clubhouse more in line with his own Christian beliefs.  Tony's choice vs. being run out of the clubhouse.

I guess I didn't really read exactly what he posted. Thanks for clearing that up for me.

[Guest JimH]

, Burke goes back down when Willie comes back Monday.

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I would say Pedro Lopez.

[Capn12]

I would say Pedro Lopez.

 

 

Hmm...would we rather carry a 3rd catcher until AJ's toe is 100%, or keep a backup infielder.

[rangercal]

Guys:

 

Honestly, Pablo Ozuna or Tony G!?

 

Gimme Tony anyday over Pablo and twice on Sundays.

 

I'd welcome him back with open arms.

Pablo. no doubt. tony cant steal.

[sircaffey]

Tony G won't be getting much playing time in KC the rest of the way. Teahen is back at 3B and Gotay is at 2B. Tony G would be a great pickup. He's a great guy, he's been on our team before, he's clutch, he's a RH bat off the bench which we need, and he plays all IF positions. Tony G would add to the clubhouse as well. Plus, he's Reinsdorf's favorite player...

 

I like Osuna and appreciate what he has done thus far, but when it comes down to it, Tony G is far better. Osuna's presence off the bench adds nothing but insurance defensively. His bat is nothing to fear off the bench. Tong G has proven to be able to hit off the bench with decent power, and the ability to hit in clutch situations. Get him KW!

Edited May 6, 2005 by sircaffey

[sircaffey]

To chose between a 30 year old career minor leaguer or an established veteran utility man is really not a hard decision...

[YASNY]

That so called bridge burning bible thumper also happens to be the only guy who was not a current member of the Sox organization to stand up for Sox fans after the Ligue-Gamboa fiasco. He told KC media and teammates that Sox fans were great fans and not to judge us based on the Ligues.

 

Tony Graffinino is more than welcome in my book. Thank you.

Edited May 6, 2005 by YASNY

[beck72]

A Tony G move could coincide w/ Frank coming back [and KC isn't exactly going to ask for BMac--more than likely a guy who can pitch now for them--Baj, Munoz]. Having someone who can play 1b, 2b, SS and 3b would lessen the need for any two of Gload [who's hurt, may not be healthy for a while], Harris or Ozuna. The Sox big thing is having guys who can make the plays, not hurt the team with stupid mistakes. Tony G can do that for the sox at 4 IF positions.

[KWs OK for Me]

A Tony G move could coincide w/ Frank coming back [and KC isn't exactly going to ask for BMac--more than likely a guy who can pitch now for them--Baj, Munoz]. Having someone who can play 1b, 2b, SS and 3b would lessen the need for any two of Gload [who's hurt, may not be healthy for a while], Harris or Ozuna. The Sox big thing is having guys who can make the plays, not hurt the team with stupid mistakes. Tony G can do that for the sox at 4 IF positions.

That's a good point. So around the break when Frank comes back it means that 2 out of 4 of, hypothetically, Tony G, Willie, Ross, and Ozuna will remain on the team. Which ones do you think it would be? I'm thinking Willie and Tony and Ross and Pablo go back down to Triple AAA for two months until call ups. But I believe in the old adage, if aint broke don't fix it

[southsider17]

Hmm...would we rather carry a 3rd catcher until AJ's toe is 100%, or keep a backup infielder.

 

That third catcher can also play 3B and 1B, it would seem. And has a better bat than Ozuna. Don't forget Gload is out.

[YASNY]

If I remember correctly, Tony G can play catcher in an emergency situation. I don't know exactly where that thought came from, but hasn't it happened somewhere along the line?

[daa84]

If I remember correctly, Tony G can play catcher in an emergency situation.  I don't know exactly where that thought came from, but hasn't it happened somewhere along the line?

i believe tony g a few years back played like 6 positions in one game and one of them was catcher

[beck72]

That's a good point.  So around the break when Frank comes back it means that 2 out of 4 of, hypothetically, Tony G, Willie, Ross, and Ozuna will remain on the team.  Which ones do you think it would be?  I'm thinking Willie and Tony and Ross and Pablo go back down to Triple AAA for two months until call ups.  But I believe in the old adage, if aint broke don't fix it

 

If [and its a big if] the sox got Tony G, they could do some switching around, depending on health and needs. Yet Willie only has one option left in the minors, meaning he could only be sent down 1 more time.