More roster cuts made

[Flash Tizzle]

If Thornton hadn't have been traded for it would have made a reasonable gamble, but Jabs--I don't know if the Sox risk losing Thornton through the waiver wire. Not since they appear willing to work with him.

[Jordan4life_2007]

Man oh man if Kenny could land Nelson.

[SSH2005]

If Thornton hadn't have been traded for it would have made a reasonable gamble, but Jabs--I don't know if the Sox risk losing Thornton through the waiver wire. Not since they appear willing to work with him.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I would just keep 12 pitchers then and send Ozuna to AAA anyways. Maybe try to sneak Thornton through waivers later in the season when it would be tough for a team to claim him due to their rosters being set. Ozuna does have a split contract.

 

McCarthy could take over Vizcaino's long and middle relief role and Nelson could pitch more in later innings, replacing Hermanson. Our bullpen would actually look good then...

 

McCarthy

Logan / Lopez

Nelson

Politte

Cotts

Jenks

Edited March 27, 2006 by SSH2005

[3E8]

I tend to agree with you.

 

Just for discussion, I wonder if they are thinking they'd like to keep Javier Lopez for a month or so and see what they've really got, and option Boone Logan out.

 

It might not be the most fair solution, but maybe it's the easiest?  I can pretty much guarantee that it's being discussed.

Lopez would be my choice for the LOOGY role. Logan is not going to keep batters to an average under .200 on balls in play like he has thus far, and he doesn't seem to have a strong ability in striking batters out. Lots of balls in play is not a good recipe in our park. Lopez has given up too many hits but at least he has shown the ability to punch guys out at a nice rate. Think he leads the team or is second in K's this spring.

[iWiN4PreP]

Man oh man if Kenny could land Nelson.

I wouldn't mind nelson either...

[SSH2005]

Lopez would be my choice for the LOOGY role.  Logan is not going to keep batters to an average under .200 on balls in play like he has thus far, and he doesn't seem to have a strong ability in striking batters out.  Lots of balls in play is not a good recipe in our park.  Lopez has given up too many hits but at least he has shown the ability to punch guys out at a nice rate.  Think he leads the team or is second in K's this spring.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

But Lopez is also giving up a lot of hits (13 H in 12.2 IP), and many of them to lefties. If he starts walking guys, he's screwed.

[AddisonStSox]

Nelson. Period.

 

This is it.

 

I hate playing armchair GM, but, if I were in Kenny's shoes, I'd have Nelson touring the facilities tomorrow morning.

[Felix]

NelsonTalk.com has begun!

 

And I can't help but agree with it.

[3E8]

But Lopez is also giving up a lot of hits (13 H in 12.2 IP), and many of them to lefties.  If he starts walking guys, he's screwed.

I already acknowledged the hits. As for control, I'm going on what we have this spring. I know of his control problems in the past but he's curbed them well so far.

[Buehrle>Wood]

I'll play arm-chair GM:

 

-Sign Nelson. Simple as that.

-Keep Ozuna up. He's too good and shown too much to be sent down at this point.

-Risk Thorton. Admit you made an (early) mistake in trading for him We'll still love once you get Nelson, KW.

[SSH2005]

I already acknowledged the hits.  As for control, I'm going on what we have this spring.  I know of his control problems in the past but he's curbed them well so far.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

But he's giving up many of his hits to lefties (3-run bomb to Eric Chavez). I know Chavez is a great hitter but that's not good for a LOOGY. Those are the tough lefties we will need him to get out, especially with all of the good lefty hitters in the A.L. Central. So far, Logan is looking like he's really deceptive to lefty hitters. He also has better stuff than Lopez. If Logan bombs, bring Lopez up from AAA.

 

Nelson. Period.

 

This is it.

 

I hate playing armchair GM, but, if I were in Kenny's shoes, I'd have Nelson touring the facilities tomorrow morning.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'll play arm-chair GM:

 

-Sign Nelson. Simple as that.

-Keep Ozuna up. He's too good and shown too much to be sent down at this point.

-Risk Thorton. Admit you made an (early) mistake in trading for him We'll still love once you get Nelson, KW.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Edited March 27, 2006 by SSH2005

[AddisonStSox]

NelsonTalk.com has begun!

 

And I can't help but agree with it.

 

This is the second installation of NelsonTalk for yours truly.

 

I wanted him last year when there were talks of him signing a minor leauge contract.

 

A week or so later, he signed with the M's.

 

If we're serious about bringing in someone for that spot, serious about bringing one of these guys cut in another camp, the search ends tonight.

 

That said, I'm just not feeling it.

 

Thornton has no options left, Logan gets the LOOGY role, Thornton's fate is decided when Hermanson is off the shelf.

[Guest JimH]

One thing you guys will have to think about is, where would Nelson want to play?

 

He has lots of history in NY and the Mets are looking for help. The fact that he tried out for St. Louis tells me he's willing to play in the midwest and the Cardinals are a good team so it appears he prefers a contender. And at age 39 that makes sense. I doubt he goes to a bottom feeder team just to keep playing.

 

I've always liked Nelson and it looks like he can still get guys out but I think the odds are very slim they'd risk Ozuna or even Thornton, despite all the SoxTalk Thornton hate going on. I still maintain they didn't pick this guy up after wanting him for two years only to risk losing him.

 

It will come down to two things, would Nelson want to play here and do the White Sox have room for his role, which is basically a RH specialist, his niche is going one inning maximum as I recall.

[AddisonStSox]

One thing you guys will have to think about is, where would Nelson want to play?

 

He has lots of history in NY and the Mets are looking for help.  The fact that he tried out for St. Louis tells me he's willing to play in the midwest and the Cardinals are a good team so it appears he prefers a contender.  And at age 39 that makes sense.  I doubt he goes to a bottom feeder team just to keep playing.

 

I've always liked Nelson and it looks like he can still get guys out but I think the odds are very slim they'd risk Ozuna or even Thornton, despite all the SoxTalk Thornton hate going on.  I still maintain they didn't pick this guy up after wanting him for two years only to risk losing him. 

 

It will come down to two things, would Nelson want to play here and do the White Sox have room for his role, which is basically a RH specialist, his niche is going one inning maximum as I recall.

 

You have him nailed perfectly as a right-handed specialist. The guy is murder on right-handers.

 

But, so quick to discount your own offer?

 

If he continues to work at his current rate, Logan has a nice career in front of him in major league baseball. The kid never pitched above High A, he has a ton of options left, and I'd have no reservations sending him back to the farm.

 

That leaves us with? You guessed it.

 

Nelson + Thornton

 

/Nelsonmugshotavatar

Edited March 27, 2006 by AddisonStSox

[Jordan4life_2007]

You have him nailed perfectly as a right-handed specialist.  The guy is murder on right-handers.

 

But, so quick to discount your own offer?

 

If he continues to work at his current rate, Logan has a nice career in front of him in major league baseball.  The kid never pitched above High A, he has a ton of options left, and I'd have no reservations sending him back to the farm.

 

That leaves us with?  You guessed it.

 

Nelson + Thornton

 

/Nelsonmugshotavatar

 

I like this scenario.

[SSH2005]

/Nelsonmugshotavatar

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

ROFL...

 

 

Nelson is just oozing with veteran goodness. He held all batters to a .237 BAA last season (.196 BAA vs. righties). Like you guys already noted, use him against mostly righties and he's a stud.

Edited March 27, 2006 by SSH2005

[3E8]

But he's giving up many of his hits to lefties (3-run bomb to Eric Chavez).  I know Chavez is a great hitter but that's not good for a LOOGY.  Those are the tough lefties we will need him to get out, especially with all of the good lefty hitters in the A.L. Central. 

Yeah that's still one at-bat. Lopez has 60 major league innings pitched against left-handed batters and has given up 3 home runs. He's got a better walk and k rate against LHB as well. Common sense tells me if we're talking about a role in strictly pitching to lefties, we take the guy who's proven it in a larger sample at the major league level (and can get a strikeout when necessary).

[maggsmaggs]

Nelson has proven that he can get righties out with ease. He would be a solid vet to add to our bullpen. Give him the tough righties in the 6th and 7th and now our pen looks deep again. Surely, he is better than Hermy (just b/c of injury issues,) Thorton and Lopez. And I am sure that as a veteran who is near the end of the road baseball wise, he would love to come to a contender for one last hurrah even if it were in a limited role.

[SSH2005]

Yeah that's still one at-bat.  Lopez has 60 major league innings pitched against left-handed batters and has given up 3 home runs.  He's got a better walk and k rate against LHB as well.  Common sense tells me if we're talking about a role in strictly pitching to lefties, we take the guy who's proven it in a larger sample at the major league level (and can get a strikeout when necessary).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, I guess it doesn't matter much what either of us think. It seems like the Sox like Logan more than Lopez right now but I guess that could change. I do wish Logan was striking out a few more batters like you mentioned. Logan could still get shellacked in these last remaining ST games and Lopez could get the call instead. Let the best man win.

[Guest JimH]

It sounds like they want to make decisions after tomorrow's game so hopefully we'll find out soon.

 

Hahn was on the radio this morning and said the bullpen situation is always fluid, they will always look to improve. So a last minute pick up wouldn't surprise me.

 

I like the idea of having a grizzled veteran in the pen, always have. I have no problem optioning Logan out even though IMO he deserves to be on the team but hey, life isn't fair sometimes. They appear to want Thornton in the innings eater role and that's ok.

 

If it's a choice between, say, Javier Lopez and Jeff Nelson ... I go with Nelson because Politte is pretty good on LH hitters.

 

It will be interesting to see where Nelson lands. The White Sox would hardly be the only team thinking about him.

[ptatc]

It sounds like they want to make decisions after tomorrow's game so hopefully we'll find out soon.

 

Hahn was on the radio this morning and said the bullpen situation is always fluid, they will always look to improve.  So a last minute pick up wouldn't surprise me.

 

I like the idea of having a grizzled veteran in the pen, always have.  I have no problem optioning Logan out even though IMO he deserves to be on the team but hey, life isn't fair sometimes.  They appear to want Thornton in the innings eater role and that's ok. 

If it's a choice between, say, Javier Lopez and Jeff Nelson ... I go with Nelson because Politte is pretty good on LH hitters.

 

It will be interesting to see where Nelson lands.  The White Sox would hardly be the only team thinking about him.

 

I agree. KW and Coop have said they wanted Thornton for a couple of years. Thornton is here and will be here so the bullpen is:

 

Jenks

Cotts

Politte

McCarthy

Thornton

 

and a choice of Lopez, Logan or Nelson if they go with 11 pitchers

 

my bet is they want a LOOGY and logan appears better to handle that.

[The Critic]

Speaking of relievers is Williamson still on the block...

 

He might be worth a couple of prospects to the cubs...

Williamson left Sunday's game with a lower back strain.

Threw to one guy (plunked him) and had to leave.

Listed as day-to-day, so given the Cubs' track record that means put him on the 60-day DL.

[KevHead0881]

Williamson left Sunday's game with a lower back strain.

Threw to one guy (plunked him) and had to leave.

Listed as day-to-day, so given the Cubs' track record that means put him on the 60-day DL.

 

And even before the injury, he was doing very well this spring and has basically pitched himself off of the trading block. If the injury is truly nothing serious (obviously you never know with these guys), I doubt the Cubs have much interest in trading him, especially with their starting rotation in shambles.

[SSH2005]

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...tesox-headlines

Hermanson's next stop? Disabled list

Redding not likely to stay with ballclub

 

By Mark Gonzales

Tribune staff reporter

March 26, 2006

 

TUCSON, Ariz. -- The White Sox's Opening Day roster could be finalized as soon as Monday. The team cut six players after Sunday's 9-7 win over Kansas City.

 

There are 28 players left in camp. That number doesn't include reliever Dustin Hermanson, who will be placed on the 15-day disabled list because of recurring back pain.

 

With manager Ozzie Guillen intimating he would carry three left-handed relievers, non-roster invitee Tim Redding is likely to be headed elsewhere. Redding allowed a home run to Kansas City's Chip Ambres in two innings Sunday, but his performance wouldn't have made a difference.

 

If he doesn't make the 25-man roster, Redding can ask for his release or accept an assignment to Triple-A Charlotte.

 

Javier Lopez, who may lose out to Boone Logan for the last left-handed spot in the bullpen, could be reassigned to Charlotte and would provide insurance should the 21-year-old Logan falter after making the jump from Class A.

 

Hermanson planned to talk to reporters Sunday but later told a team spokesman he had nothing to report. Guillen said he doesn't believe Hermanson is contemplating surgery, and the Sox would like Hermanson to rehab in Tucson when the team breaks camp on Thursday.

 

The spring training roster was trimmed from 34 as reliever Sean Tracey was optioned to Charlotte, and left-handed reliever Armando Almanza, infielders Robert Valido and Andy Gonzalez, catcher Gustavo Molina and outfielder Ryan Sweeney were reassigned to the minor-league camp.

 

Extended success

 

Newly acquired left-handed reliever Matt Thornton credited an alteration in his delivery with helping him pitch two scoreless innings.

 

At the suggestion of pitching coach Don Cooper, the 6-foot-5-inch Thornton said he is releasing the ball later, which is helping him keep the ball down in the strike zone.

 

"[Cooper] said he saw it two years ago when he was watching film on me," Thornton said. "I kidded him by saying, 'You could have sent me a little note or something. It may have been a little different for me.'

 

"It's a start. If I can throw the ball like I did today, I think it will be a big step forward for me."

 

Thornton induced Ruben Gotay to hit into an inning-ending double play in the sixth.

 

Extra innings

 

Jon Garland threw 99 pitches against Arizona's Triple-A team. Garland was tagged for four earned runs on 10 hits in 52/3 innings. … Every Sox regular position player, except shortstop Juan Uribe and third baseman Joe Crede, is expected to start Monday against the Cubs in Mesa.

[Rowand44]

I would sign Nelson, send Ozuna to AAA, and then try to slip Thornton through waivers to AAA later in the season and bring Ozuna back up.

Pablo isn't going anywhere.