Needs for next year

[Wise Master Buehrle]

QUOTE(Gene Honda Civic @ Sep 27, 2005 -> 11:54 PM)

This was just playing with fire... We all knew it would happen.

 

I was sitting at a game in early august with keith, Tony, and Steve. I hadn't paid much attention to Hermy's stats, but I had noticed him getting hit very hard lately. -- When they showed his stats on the screen 21K's in 42 IP at the time. He had a ERA of 1.76. -- I turned to Vince (not the creepy old guy, another Vince) and said, I don't know how he's getting it done, but I'm enjoying the ride. We're probably gonna crash and burn on it though.

 

It was only a matter of time before Dustin came back to earth. Same with Pods. He's at his established level of suckitude. -- You can argue that he's hurt, but I say that's a byproduct of the way he plays. (Just like Frank has to deal with foot issues because of his weight) Pods spends more time on the ground than anyone in baseball. -- That's a lot of wear and tear on a guy who is not exactly a YOUNG third year player. -- You wouldn't want Konerko out there flopping around, why Pods?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

That's fine that you think that way and I appreciate you taking the time to actually say something instead of some silly one liners.

 

I'll keep thinking that Pods is way better than this half of the season has shown. Peace.

[Frank the Tank 35]

Helton is out of the question since he said he wants to be apart of the ever lasting youth movement in colorado.

 

^^^^ This is absolutely correct. Helton is going nowhere.

[qwerty]

Honestly, this is where people's opinions of pods are formed...how they feel about stolen bases.

 

Hardly.

 

Brewers fans hated him. They said he was a lackadaisical one dimensional player. Guess what? He is.

 

His defense blows... i argued with everyone about this during the time of the trade and everyone disagreed. Thankfully he decided to change that this season. Remember how he use to swing for the fences every at bat? He was also thought of as a selfish player and would not change his approach at the plate last season with the brewers. He was suppose to have bad plate discipline ( do not tell me it does not show) and he is on a three year decline with his #p/pa.

 

Then you count in his bad base running? Twenty three caught stealings, nine pick-offs that i recall, four times he tried to stretch a single into a double ( twice in one week?!?).

 

I know, i know, heis injury hampered his base running abilities... well how about stop f***ing stealing.? He had a stretch that he only stole like six out of twenty two succesfully. Rather he stays at first and have our inept try and knock him in than running ourselves out of the inning ( done that countless times as a whole team)

 

On the surface podsednik's numbers look good... but in reality than are nothing special.

[Frank the Tank 35]

Hmm... seems like everyone's done bickering... just when I finished up my grad homework for the night (well, what I just decided was the finishing point anyway ).

 

-Thome is too risky... not worth it at all. He's aging, put up horrible stats after the 'roid ban, etc. Konerko at $10 mil is a much better bargain.

 

-By all means fire Greg Walker. I've said it for awhile now. He's obviously not doing his job folks. It's quite obvious. We may not have the best offensive players, but this is ridiculous. The players' approach to each at bat is either pitifully passive or way overaggressive not to mention probably mechanical stuff that I won't pretend to be knowledgeable about.

 

-Goodbye Carl, Timo, Blum... you will NOT be brought back.

 

-Trade Duque, Marte, Arow, and Hermy. Duque should just be a throwin on some deal. If not maybe the Sox could get a low level prospect, that's all I expect. Some team should be desperate enough for a 5th starter. Marte obviously has the walks problem. Arow can be replaced by Anderson. It makes too much sense. Let a rookie or two step it up, it's what winning teams do. Clear payroll for some big names. Hermanson was bound to get hit up. Not just because his back is bothering him but because all he throws is sliders. Granted that may be AJ's choice, but honestly Hermy had been operating with smoke and mirrors for most of the season. Trade him and get what value you can for him.

 

-Hopefully the above players (plus prospects?) can nab us Tracy. Tracy is making minimum folks... that means $$ for another FA!

 

-We have to resign Konerko. I was as frustrated as anybody with his slump earlier in the year. But there are no other options. I think Konerko would be the perfect #5 hitter... unfortunately he's our #4 or sometimes #3.

 

-Pods. Gotta keep him. If we traded him we would not get fair value at this point. We might as well let him stick around another year and see if he can recover from this injury in the offseason. Maybe try working in Owens next year as a replacement in '07.

 

-That leaves us with a moderate sum to sign a FA. I've been anti-Crede for awhile now. This new "streak" of his doesn't really faze me, he'll be back in a .190 slump in no time. However, is he better than Uribe? At this point, I guess so... I mean he does come up with big hits in late innings... I'll give him that much at least. So either we replace Crede and sign Mueller or we replace Uribe and sign Nomar/Furcal. I think Furcal is a longshot at best unless KW gets Uncle Jerry to really open up. But I think it would be possible to sign both Mueller and Nomar or possibly shore up our bullpen with a Mueller/BJ Ryan or Nomar/Scott Eyre combo. When healthy Nomar could really step nicely into a #3 spot for us. I envision Chad Tracy being able to do that at some point, but I don't know if I'd want to entrust it to him so soon. In any event a Nomar/Tracy combo would be two .300 hitters back to back, wouldn't it be nice?

[qwerty]

Hmm... seems like everyone's done bickering... just when I finished up my grad homework for the night (well, what I just decided was the finishing point anyway  ).

 

-Thome is too risky... not worth it at all.  He's aging, put up horrible stats after the 'roid ban, etc.  Konerko at $10 mil is a much better bargain.

 

I truly envision konerko getting in the twelve million range from someone like the angels who will be going after him as hard as anyone. I see some team being stupid and giving him a 3-4 year deal with an option when i wouldn't give him any thing more than a guaranteed two year deal with two options years. His knees are shot.

 

-By all means fire Greg Walker.  I've said it for awhile now.  He's obviously not doing his job folks.  It's quite obvious.  We may not have the best offensive players, but this is ridiculous.  The players' approach to each at bat is either pitifully passive or way overaggressive not to mention probably mechanical stuff that I won't pretend to be knowledgeable about.

 

Agreed. Get a fresh face in there.

 

-Goodbye Carl, Timo, Blum... you will NOT be brought back.

 

imo will most likely be brought back even though a career minor leaguer could put up better numbers for much less..

 

-Trade Duque, Marte, Arow, and Hermy. Duque should just be a throwin on some deal. If not maybe the Sox could get a low level prospect, that's all I expect. Some team should be desperate enough for a 5th starter. Marte obviously has the walks problem. Arow can be replaced by Anderson. It makes too much sense. Let a rookie or two step it up, it's what winning teams do. Clear payroll for some big names. Hermanson was bound to get hit up. Not just because his back is bothering him but because all he throws is sliders. Granted that may be AJ's choice, but honestly Hermy had been operating with smoke and mirrors for most of the season. Trade him and get what value you can for him.

 

-Hopefully the above players (plus prospects?) can nab us Tracy. Tracy is making minimum folks... that means $$ for another FA!

 

-We have to resign Konerko.  I was as frustrated as anybody with his slump earlier in the year.  But there are no other options.  I think Konerko would be the perfect #5 hitter... unfortunately he's our #4 or sometimes #3.

 

I believe the five hole is also where konerko fits in best. I remember when he was batting behind maggs, frank, and sometimes lee? That is definitely the best spot in the line-up for him imo. What i would do to have a .900 ops three hole hitter and a enar .1000 ops four hole hitter followed by konerko...

 

-Pods.  Gotta keep him.  If we traded him we would not get fair value at this point.  We might as well let him stick around another year and see if he can recover from this injury in the offseason.  Maybe try working in Owens next year as a replacement in '07. 

 

Podsednik's obp is batting average heavy. Only place i see for him on a contending team is a fifth outfielder.

 

-That leaves us with a moderate sum to sign a FA. I've been anti-Crede for awhile now. This new "streak" of his doesn't really faze me, he'll be back in a .190 slump in no time. However, is he better than Uribe? At this point, I guess so... I mean he does come up with big hits in late innings... I'll give him that much at least. So either we replace Crede and sign Mueller or we replace Uribe and sign Nomar/Furcal. I think Furcal is a longshot at best unless KW gets Uncle Jerry to really open up. But I think it would be possible to sign both Mueller and Nomar or possibly shore up our bullpen with a Mueller/BJ Ryan or Nomar/Scott Eyre combo. When healthy Nomar could really step nicely into a #3 spot for us. I envision Chad Tracy being able to do that at some point, but I don't know if I'd want to entrust it to him so soon. In any event a Nomar/Tracy combo would be two .300 hitters back to back, wouldn't it be nice?

Edited September 28, 2005 by qwerty

[TLAK]

A Podiatrist for Frank.

A Chiropractor for Hermanson and Crede.

A Orthopedist for Pods.

A Psychiatrist for Everett.

A Geriatrist for El Duke.

[Frankensteiner]

He had his two week DL trip to recover (for an injury that I'm not quite sure was ever too serious).  All along, the Sox organization talked about resting his legs for the stretch run.  Well, the stretch run has been going on, and Pods has been basically mediocre all around.

 

Groin injuries are notorious for lingering. Just because you take two weeks off doesn't mean you'll be magically healed.

[Frankensteiner]

Pods in Sept: .325 AVG / .391 OBP. The guy is garbage, complete garbage.

[RockRaines]

I said in the game thread, the 4 guys in the line-up I would be looking to replace are Rowand, Crede, Everett, and Pods

PODS? Your first half MVP?? Everyone was slurping this guy until this slide. Who is your lead off hitter than you are bring in then? I love how quickly everyone can turn on this team, when you were all singing their praises as the best white sox team ever in the first half. Boy, I'd hate to be your friends, one time I would let you down and you would abandon me.

[fathom]

PODS?  Your first half MVP??  Everyone was slurping this guy until this slide.  Who is your lead off hitter than you are bring in then?  I love how quickly everyone can turn on this team, when you were all singing their praises as the best white sox team ever in the first half.  Boy, I'd hate to be your friends, one time I would let you down and you would abandon me.

 

It has less to do with Pods play, and more to do with Rowand. For the sake of our offense, there should only be one of them in the outfield. Since Rowand is light years better than Pods on defense at a premium position, that's why a lot of people want Pods gone.

[Dick Allen]

PODS?  Your first half MVP??  Everyone was slurping this guy until this slide.  Who is your lead off hitter than you are bring in then?  I love how quickly everyone can turn on this team, when you were all singing their praises as the best white sox team ever in the first half.  Boy, I'd hate to be your friends, one time I would let you down and you would abandon me.

I've never "slurped up" Pods. I never thought of him as the first half MVP, and if the Sox roster was based on my decisions, I would be really more concerned with the standings at the end of the season than at the midway point. Can you believe the Orioles fired their manager earlier this year? He had that team in first place much of the first half.

[fathom]

I've never "slurped up" Pods. I never thought of him as the first half MVP, and if the Sox roster was based on my decisions, I would be really more concerned with the standings at the end of the season than at the midway point. Can you believe the Orioles fired their manager earlier this year? He had that team in first place much of the first half.

 

Don't forget the Frank Robinson example as NL Manager of the Year after June.

[Chisoxrd5]

PODS?  Your first half MVP??  Everyone was slurping this guy until this slide.  Who is your lead off hitter than you are bring in then?  I love how quickly everyone can turn on this team, when you were all singing their praises as the best white sox team ever in the first half.  Boy, I'd hate to be your friends, one time I would let you down and you would abandon me.

 

Success in the sports world is NOT about loyalty and happy endings. As fans we can hope that so and so will stay with the team and remain productive, etc, etc....

 

Look how the NE Patriots release their so-called 'money-players' year after year when they notice they're skills begin to decline. Can you fault them for not being loyal? Definitely...but can you fault the end results? Three Super Bowl wins? I doubt it.

 

Professional Sports, no matter how you sugarcoat it, is a what have you done for me lately business.

[RockRaines]

Success in the sports world is NOT about loyalty and happy endings. As fans we can hope that so and so will stay with the team and remain productive, etc, etc....

 

Look how the NE Patriots release their so-called 'money-players' year after year when they notice they're skills begin to decline. Can you fault them for not being loyal? Definitely...but can you fault the end results? Three Super Bowl wins? I doubt it.

 

Professional Sports, no matter how you sugarcoat it, is a what have you done for me lately business.

And what has he hit in sept?

[RockRaines]

Pods in Sept: .325 AVG / .391 OBP. The guy is garbage, complete garbage.

Oh wait, what has he done for us lately?

 

Just be a lead off man.

Apparently nobody remembers our lead off guys the past few years huh? I guess Willie Harris can be our guy next year, right? PODS isnt gonig anywhere. he is one of the few successful lead off hitters in the MLB. There are MANY teams uncluding one in our city that would die for a lead off hitter like PODS.

[fathom]

There are MANY teams uncluding one in our city that would die for a lead off hitter like PODS.

 

And that's why a lot of us want to trade him when his value is high.

[Texsox]

We need to build without tearing down. Sadly, it always comes down to getting rid of the better players to shore up another area. It isn't building, all it does is scrape the high spots and fills in holes. It's the lollipop of mediocrity, one lick and you suck forever.

[RockRaines]

And that's why a lot of us want to trade him when his value is high.

And who are you going to bring in to be the lead off man?

[Dick Allen]

And who are you going to bring in to be the lead off man?

Pods is on pace to score 81 runs and knock in 25. He really shouldn't be too hard to replace.

[Chisoxrd5]

And what has he hit in sept?

 

It's an EMPTY AVERAGE...I'm well aware that he has hit well in September. But when you're a singles hitter and are unable to knock in runs, steal bases and consistently get runners over (yes I know he bunted sucessfully last night) you have a minimal amount of value. One of the main reasons our offense is so inept is the lack of production from LF. Your outfield has to score and produce runs. When Pods was moving on the basepaths and setting the table that was his one extremely valuable asset to this team.

 

Pods without the baserunning is simply not good enough to start everyday in LF. The facts are clear as day, I can't spell it out any better than that...

[RockRaines]

Pods is on pace to score 81 runs and knock in 25. He really shouldn't be too hard to replace.

ok, who?

[Dick Allen]

Putting Pods runs and rbi in perspective, last year in 100 less at bats, Willie Harris, who was replaced because he wasn't good enough, scored 10 less runs than Pods has, and driven in 3 more.

[Texsox]

In summary

 

Get rid of all the players who's value is high (had good seasons)

 

to

 

Replace players who's value is low (had poor seasons)

 

and

 

Keep all the average players

 

Doesn't that just shift the problem around? Now what was good sucks and what sucked may be good? At best, it produces a perfectly average team.

That's buillding a winner

[RockRaines]

It's an EMPTY AVERAGE...I'm well aware that he has hit well in September. But when you're a singles hitter and are unable to knock in runs, steal bases and consistently get runners over (yes I know he bunted sucessfully last night) you have a minimal amount of value.

 

Pods without the baserunning is simply not good enough to start everyday in LF. The facts are clear as day, I can't spell it out any better than that...

Wow, I wasnt aware that RBI's and sacrafices were the key to being a lead off hitter. I was sure it was getting on base and hitting singles. I guess I was wrong..... :banghead

[Y2HH]

And that's why a lot of us want to trade him when his value is high.

 

Yea, I have to ask, trade him and then replace him with what? Basically to strengthen another part of our order, while weakening our leadoff spot is counter productive.

 

Pods may not lead the league in OPB, but he works counts, takes pitches, and even when hurt and not running very much, scares opposing defenses.

 

Unless you replace him with a Crawford, the answer is NO. The Cubs had what you're talking about...a power order with a leadoff man who couldn't get on...and a 2 hole hitter who had nobody to sacrafice over for that power middle...lots of good it did them.

 

Let's not be stupid simply because of an injury...Podsednik is one of the reasons for this teams early success that has carried them up until now. He will heal 100% in the offseason and get his speed back...until then, live with it and stop making bone headed armchair general manager decisions.

 

And yes...it's all Ozzies fault that no matter who he puts in the #3 spot sucks...and no matter who he pinch hits right now can't get it done...it's because he's a terrible manager.

 

Right.