Make a deal, Kenny

[VAfan]

As I just posted on Pale Hose Talk, we'll see whether this team can handle some adversity. We handled the initial adversity at the start of the season, when we went on a tear after a brief stumble out of the gate. But recently, our main competitors in the AL have all been gaining on us to the point where our position is rather perilous. We've just gone 2-7 against 3 of our chief rivals, with the Twins coming up soon. Those are go-home results.

 

We are 5-1/2 behind the Tigers, who outpitched and outhustled and outmanaged us in 2 of 3 games.

Boston is likely to end the day with the same record we have.

The Yanks could end the day 1-1/2 games behind us.

The Twins are 4 games back, having won 7 in a row.

 

If you add us, 2 of those 5 teams are going to be sitting at home in October. They may be the best 5 teams in baseball, but 2 of them aren't going to make the postseason dance.

 

Last year at this time, we had the luxury of having the best pitching in the league and a huge lead. Standing pat was fine, especially since none of our rivals helped themselves.

 

This year, we are losing ground to each of our rivals at a pace that could leave us in 5th place of these 5 teams by the end of the month.

 

I don't think that this qualifies as a PANIC attack. But it does suggest that our team could use some kind of jolt to shake it from its lethargy. I still wouldn't be willing to make any bad moves, but I would probably be willing if I were KW to pay a little extra to help this team win now.

Edited July 20, 2006 by VAfan

[iamshack]

My first contribution to this thread is:

 

I hear Greg Zaun is available.

[sircaffey]

A nice shot in the butt wouldnt hurt...

[Guest JimH]

My first contribution to this thread is:

 

I hear Greg Zaun is available.

 

Well I don't know if you're serious or not but I do think after seeing these last 10 or so games, the clubhouse has gotten a little too comfy. Actually I thought launching Politte might spur the team on a bit because sometimes a small change in the dynamic will do that. It hasn't.

 

There was a poster at the end of today's game thread who said KW is more pissed off about this than we are, he was right I believe. If a major move isn't out there, then maybe a minor move is necessary from a shake up standpoint. I do think KW will wait and see how the Sox play this weekend at home, and see how they bounce back from losing ground to Detroit.

[iamshack]

Well I don't know if you're serious or not but I do think after seeing these last 10 or so games, the clubhouse has gotten a little too comfy. Actually I thought launching Politte might spur the team on a bit because sometimes a small change in the dynamic will do that. It hasn't.

 

There was a poster at the end of today's game thread who said KW is more pissed off about this than we are, he was right I believe. If a major move isn't out there, then maybe a minor move is necessary from a shake up standpoint. I do think KW will wait and see how the Sox play this weekend at home, and see how they bounce back from losing ground to Detroit.

 

I was absolutely serious.

 

We need to replace Widger, pronto.

[Frankensteiner]

I agree with the vast majority here who believe that Chris Widger blows, but the idea that a backup catcher has a profound affect on a penant race is absurd. Let's add to our regular lineup or improve the starting pitching first.

[iamshack]

I agree with the vast majority here who believe that Chris Widger blows, but the idea that a backup catcher has a profound affect on a penant race is absurd. Let's add to our regular lineup or improve the starting pitching first.

 

I held the exact same position as you did until about 3 o'clock this afternoon when Widger failed to even come close to throwing out IRod at second.

[santo=dorf]

QUOTE(Frankensteiner @ Jul 20, 2006 -> 04:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree with the vast majority here who believe that Chris Widger blows, but the idea that a backup catcher has a profound affect on a penant race is absurd. Let's add to our regular lineup or improve the starting pitching first.

Widger is an automatic loss when he catches. If you can make a upgrade without giving up much, why wouldn't you make that move?

 

Every game counts.

[Frankensteiner]

Kalapse had a good idea in the post-game thread.

 

As far as my fantasy GMing...

 

I would try to shop Garcia/Vazquez and try to get the best reliever possible: Gordon (most unlikely) or Sanchez (unlikely) or Heilman (most likely). This opens the door for McCarthy and, at worst, provides only a slight downgrade in the pen.

 

Then try to put a package of Uribe + Fields + Broadway + B prospects for Tejada and see if the Orioles bite.

 

Improve the lineup, improve the rotation, and keep the bullpen at a decent level.

[sircaffey]

Widger is an automatic loss when he catches. If you can make a upgrade without giving up much, why wouldn't you make that move?

 

Every game counts.

 

Sox are 9-11 when Widger gets more than 1 AB.

 

78 R in those 11 loses given up by the pitchers

 

(104 total runs given up by the pitching staff in those 20 games)...

[Phuck the Cubs]

Any thought on Scott Williamson?? He has said he wants the Cubs to move him.

[sircaffey]

Any thought on Scott Williamson?? He has said he wants the Cubs to move him.

 

He was quoted as saying he would never play for Ozzie.

[Phuck the Cubs]

He was quoted as saying he would never play for Ozzie.

Okay, so that leaves him out, as well as Howry and Eyre, who said their time on the southside was hell.

[santo=dorf]

QUOTE(Cuck the Fubs @ Jul 20, 2006 -> 07:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Any thought on Scott Williamson?? He has said he wants the Cubs to move him.

High walk totals, injured all season.

 

If we're going to go with Cubs, or ex-cubs, I'd rather take a chance on Latroy Hawkins.

 

He shouldn't cost that much, and I'm sure AJ has good things to say about him as a setup man.

 

QUOTE(Cuck the Fubs @ Jul 20, 2006 -> 07:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Okay, so that leaves him out, as well as Howry and Eyre, who said their time on the southside was hell.

Eyre said he won't waive his NTC. I can't recall if Howry has one this year, but fish him. He can continue staring into the packed stands full of garbage tossers.

 

LOL @ "fish"

Edited July 21, 2006 by santo=dorf

[DBAHO]

Ozzie just needs to call a clubhouse meeting or something and just get them to wake up a little.

 

As for the replacing Widger as a backup catcher calls, couldn't agree more.

[iamshack]

Kalapse had a good idea in the post-game thread.

 

As far as my fantasy GMing...

 

I would try to shop Garcia/Vazquez and try to get the best reliever possible: Gordon (most unlikely) or Sanchez (unlikely) or Heilman (most likely). This opens the door for McCarthy and, at worst, provides only a slight downgrade in the pen.

 

Then try to put a package of Uribe + Fields + Broadway + B prospects for Tejada and see if the Orioles bite.

 

Improve the lineup, improve the rotation, and keep the bullpen at a decent level.

 

I want no part of Tejada. We have seen how much these pitchers struggle with with bad defense, and I don't want to add to that problem by substituting Tejada for Uribe, who is probably the best defensive ss in the league.

 

This offense is strong enough- we should try to add to our weaker areas before our areas of strength.

[soxpride77]

Ozzie just needs to call a clubhouse meeting or something and just get them to wake up a little.

 

As for the replacing Widger as a backup catcher calls, couldn't agree more.

 

I think maybe Ozzie and Kenny need to tear the clubhouse apart during a meeting. It just seems like this team is complacent after winning a championship last year. Bad bunting, bad pitching, bad baserunning, bad left fielding. Don't get me wrong, we have some great things going on too, they just haven't happened as often lately.

 

That being said, unless Ozzie can get a relief pitcher without having to give up too much, then make a move. Otherwise, it's just not worth what teams are asking for in return for any of these high profile trades.

[VAfan]

So, our first move is bringing back Sandy Alomar, Jr. Not an earth-shattering move, but one that is an upgrade over Chris "Worthless" Widger. As usual, Kenny probably gave up "too much" -- a AA reliever who was 5-0, with a 1.69 ERA and a fifth-round draft pick.

 

But this is certainly Kenny's style. Keep trading to get back players you've once had. Has Alomar Jr. passed Carl Everett's record yet?

 

I think this is a good move. If the pitching starts looking a lot better in the games Alomar plays, it could be a great move.

 

And let's face it, our starters are just going to have to pitch better for us to win. I don't think there's any way around it. If our starters can collectively post an ERA below 4.00 from here to the end, we've got a chance -- it's not a certainty with the way the Twins are playing -- but a chance. If the ERA doesn't come around, then I don't care how well we hit, I'm not confident any more that we'll make the postseason. The last two starts have looked pretty good, so let's build on it. Beating the Twins, frankly, is more important at this point than beating the Tigers.

[fathom]

But this is certainly Kenny's style. Keep trading to get back players you've once had. Has Alomar Jr. passed Carl Everett's record yet?

 

Or maybe to bring in players that you know will be a strong force in your clubhouse and be a professional on and off the field.

[SkokieSox]

A nice shot in the butt wouldnt hurt...

No steroid innuendos...