greasywheels121 Posted October 16, 2005 Share Posted October 16, 2005 http://www.suntimes.com/output/sox/cst-spt-doug16.html Hernandez's pain could be McCarthy's gain BY DOUG PADILLA STAFF REPORTER ANAHEIM, Calif. -- With Orlando Hernandez nursing a sore shoulder, Brandon McCarthy's window of opportunity for making the White Sox' World Series roster has opened. Hernandez has been on the disabled list twice this season with shoulder soreness, and this recent bout with pain emerged some time after his memorable outing in the Division Series clincher Oct. 7 against the Boston Red Sox. His chances of being used in any of the remaining games of the American League Championship Series are slim. If the Sox advance to the World Series and Hernandez is not completely healthy, McCarthy would be added to the roster. Pitching coach Don Cooper is using humor to deal with the setback for Hernandez, whose age is said to be anywhere from 36 to 40. ''Duque is 50, and every part of his body's got to be having trouble,'' Cooper joked. ''He's going to be fine. We're taking care of him. I don't think it's an issue. Heck, when you're 50, you might pull a hamstring bending down to tie your shoes.'' LOOKING AHEAD: The Sox aren't willing to talk about it in the middle of the ALCS, but they already are considering their World Series roster. Because pitchers will bat at the National League team's home park, the Sox plan to add a position player and cut the pitching staff back to 10. The added position player would be used for pinch hitting or in double switches. Left-handed hitter Ross Gload would be the likely candidate. He might take the roster spot of Hernandez if his shoulder isn't healed sufficiently, or Luis Vizcaino could be dropped if McCarthy takes Hernandez's spot. SPRING RECOIL: General manager Ken Williams admitted before Game 4 that the Sox had a chance to sign Paul Konerko to a contract extension this spring and that he regrets the missed opportunity. But Williams' plan did have a reason. ''As I explained to Paul at the time, this was not about our desire not to have him as part of our organization for a long, long time,'' Williams said. ''This was about trying to determine whether what we did in the offseason was heading us down the right path, and there would be a time for us to talk. I didn't want him thinking because we weren't going to talk contract that it was somehow indicative of our feelings toward him. ''So here we are. Obviously, it makes it a little more difficult to get something done. If there is a desire on both parts, then I'm more optimistic than not. It's not something to be really focused on right now because it doesn't serve a purpose.'' With every home run Konerko hits in the postseason, his price continues to rise. The only saving grace for the Sox is that as Konerko hits homers and the Sox keep advancing in the postseason, their income continues to increase. ''I've made no secret that one of my goals is to win enough where we could have some sort of confidence and sustained success, which would take us into another level and make things a little easier,'' Williams said when asked if this playoff run might mean a bump in payroll next season. ''The goal is winning, but the goal is also to take us to a different level for some of the other things.'' HO-HUM: Manager Ozzie Guillen said the Sox have looked so relaxed in the playoffs because they don't know the bright lights of the playoffs are supposed to faze them. ''It's because we're not that smart,'' Guillen said before Game 4. ''We just go play. You look in the clubhouse right now, everybody is watching football and a lot of people are having fun, some guys are playing cards. We don't think about it. We just think about as soon as the national anthem is over, we're ready to go. We played 162 games with the same attitude.'' LINEUP CHANGES: Angels manager Mike Scioscia added another left-handed bat Saturday, inserting Casey Kotchman as the designated hitter in an effort to get his offense going. "We're trying to establish a little bit of continuity if we can, stack some left-handed bats and see if we can get after Freddy Garcia a little bit,'' Scioscia said. "Casey Kotchman is a guy who we've inserted at times during the year and has gotten it going for us at times. Any contributions we can get right now are obviously needed.'' GOOD GIG: Lou Piniella is having so much fun with his postseason TV work that he's considering spending the 2006 season in the booth. ''I might be doing this next year,'' Piniella told the Associated Press before working the Fox Sports broadcast of Game 4. ''It's not for sure -- nothing's for sure. I like it. I'm enjoying this.'' Piniella parted ways with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays earlier this month after three difficult seasons as manager. He has hinted he might take a year off before returning to the dugout, though he might change his mind once October is over and he has time to think things through. There is speculation that if New York Yankees manager Joe Torre doesn't return, the Yankees might express interest in the 62-year-old Piniella, who spent the final 11 seasons of his 18-year playing career in pinstripes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted October 16, 2005 Share Posted October 16, 2005 I'll bet he wishes he signed Kong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Felix Posted October 16, 2005 Share Posted October 16, 2005 Sign him. I dont care the price, f*** the price. He's winning these games for us. Just sign him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzie Montana Posted October 16, 2005 Share Posted October 16, 2005 I want to sign Konerko too but lets finish what we've started first!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fathom Posted October 16, 2005 Share Posted October 16, 2005 QUOTE(Felix @ Oct 16, 2005 -> 01:19 PM) Sign him. I dont care the price, f*** the price. He's winning these games for us. Just sign him. For 18 million a year? If he does that, then you can kiss one of our starters goodbye. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapkomet Posted October 16, 2005 Share Posted October 16, 2005 QUOTE(fathom @ Oct 16, 2005 -> 02:18 PM) For 18 million a year? If he does that, then you can kiss one of our starters goodbye. Whatever. He ain't going to get that ANYWHERE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SleepyWhiteSox Posted October 16, 2005 Share Posted October 16, 2005 QUOTE(fathom @ Oct 16, 2005 -> 09:18 AM) For 18 million a year? If he does that, then you can kiss one of our starters goodbye. Where'd you come up with that number? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greasywheels121 Posted October 16, 2005 Author Share Posted October 16, 2005 QUOTE(fathom @ Oct 16, 2005 -> 09:18 AM) For 18 million a year? If he does that, then you can kiss one of our starters goodbye. Regardless what he does here on out, he's not A-Rod. He'll sign for much less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Felix Posted October 16, 2005 Share Posted October 16, 2005 QUOTE(fathom @ Oct 16, 2005 -> 09:18 AM) For 18 million a year? If he does that, then you can kiss one of our starters goodbye. With the increase in payroll due to our success, I dont think we would lose anyone. Plus, I only said 18 million if neccessary. Offer him $50 million/4 years and he wouldnt reject it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted October 16, 2005 Share Posted October 16, 2005 If we win another game and Hernandez gets dropped, Gload gets added, IMHO. Maybe Ozzie would take BMac over Vizcaino, but I doubt it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fathom Posted October 16, 2005 Share Posted October 16, 2005 QUOTE(SleepyWhiteSox @ Oct 16, 2005 -> 02:34 PM) Where'd you come up with that number? A few weeks ago, Felix said that we should pay PK 18 million a year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fathom Posted October 16, 2005 Share Posted October 16, 2005 QUOTE(Felix @ Oct 16, 2005 -> 02:45 PM) With the increase in payroll due to our success, I dont think we would lose anyone. Plus, I only said 18 million if neccessary. Offer him $50 million/4 years and he wouldnt reject it. He's put himself into a position where he'll get more than 4/50 due to team's bidding on him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Felix Posted October 16, 2005 Share Posted October 16, 2005 Well, my guess is that he'll give Chicago some time to give him an offer he likes (didnt he say this earlier this year?), and $50/4 should do it then. If it comes down to bidding with other teams, do what is needed to get him back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TLAK Posted October 16, 2005 Share Posted October 16, 2005 Unless El Duque's arm falls off I cannot imagine any scenario where he is left off the roster. Ozzie explained his reasoning after the Red Sox sweep, he's got 6 pitchers already without playoff experience, and he was proved right. I think the same logic still applies. Even if he is sore and has only one outing in him, it just may be the outing that brings home the crown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MONT Posted October 16, 2005 Share Posted October 16, 2005 Is this true about El Duque? I'd love to see Brandon on the roster ... even if it's just for the experience. The White Sox are playoff bound for many years to come, and you know BMAC will be a huge part of that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBigHurt Posted October 16, 2005 Share Posted October 16, 2005 MUST.... SIGN.... PAULIE! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
black jack Posted October 16, 2005 Share Posted October 16, 2005 50/5 no more. As for pitchers with playoff experience....don't they all have it now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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