The Josh Fields Question

[shawnhillegas]

So the Tribune again mentioned that Fields is spending some time learning to play the outfield and Kenny's comments in the same article seem to indirectly imply that Fields will play LF next season. And presuming Pods is finally gone, is that really an optimal lineup? We would essentially return to the 2004 lineup, in makeup at least, with no speed, tons of power, and quite a few high K guys. Gooch is the only one that could be seen as a leadoff hitter. Oh, dreams of Carl Crawford.

[BobDylan]

I don't know much about Fields except he's hitting for a high average. If it's true that he's playing LF, it may be to mark up his trade value. If Podsednik is gone next season, I think KW would sooner go out and get an optimal lead off hitter than put in a high power guy.

[DBAHO]

If Fields is still with the team past the trade deadline, he should start learning how to play LF immediately.

 

In terms of getting a leadoff hitter, the only other place I could see where you could get an addition in our lineup would be at SS. I've suggested the names of Furcal and Rollins, but their contracts aren't too friendly at all.

 

I don't know much about Fields except he's hitting for a high average. If it's true that he's playing LF, it may be to mark up his trade value. If Podsednik is gone next season, I think KW would sooner go out and get an optimal lead off hitter than put in a high power guy.

I figure he's got more trade value as a 3rd baseman than as a LF.

 

Fields' value is at a peak right now. There was a thread yesterday where it said his last month at Charlotte hasn't been great. If you get an offer like Linebrink and Carillo for Fields, I would take it.

[RME JICO]

I don't think the Sox will deal Fields until Crede has a contract extension. If they do, they are leaving themselves open to Boras pricing.

 

If Fields does move to LF for 2007, then the Sox will more than likely look for a leadoff hitter at 2B or SS for 2007.

 

The options would be:

 

LF - Pods, SS - Uribe, 2B - Gooch

LF - Fields, SS - Uribe, 2B - New leadoff hitter

LF - Fields, SS - New leadoff hitter, 2B - Gooch

[BobDylan]

I don't think the Sox will deal Fields until Crede has a contract extension. If they do, they are leaving themselves open to Boras pricing.

 

If Fields does move to LF for 2007, then the Sox will more than likely look for a leadoff hitter at 2B or SS for 2007.

 

The options would be:

 

LF - Pods, SS - Uribe, 2B - Gooch

LF - Fields, SS - Uribe, 2B - New leadoff hitter

LF - Fields, SS - New leadoff hitter, 2B - Gooch

 

I believe Crede has said he wants to stay a White Sox and will fire his agent if this isn't top priority? I could be wrong...?

[beck72]

If Fields does move to LF for 2007, then the Sox will more than likely look for a leadoff hitter at 2B or SS for 2007.

 

The options would be:

 

LF - Pods, SS - Uribe, 2B - Gooch

LF - Fields, SS - Uribe, 2B - New leadoff hitter

LF - Fields, SS - New leadoff hitter, 2B - Gooch

 

I still don't see Fields in LF [maybe mid- yr at the earliest]. I see Sweeney there before Fields. That would mean Uribe being moved. If the sox could get a leadoff guy like Jimmy Rollins [who's had a down yr] at a reasonable cost. gooch isn't going anywhere. And I don't see Pods hanging around. The ideal thing would be to get a leadoff hitter for LF who would be a defensive upgrade from pods and could hit both LHP and RHP. Yet getting another rookie into the everyday lineup in 2007 is appealing esp if they are ready for the bigs.

[DBAHO]

I believe Crede has said he wants to stay a White Sox and will fire his agent if this isn't top priority? I could be wrong...?

Where'd you hear this, because it would be music to all of us here if that was indeed the case.

[YASNY]

Where'd you hear this, because it would be music to all of us here if that was indeed the case.

 

I believe Crede was talking in more general terms. I don't remember the exact quote, but it probably can be interpretted like Bob said. I didn't take it quite so cut and dried, though.

[Dick Allen]

There's an excellent chance that both Fields and Sweeney will be on the roster next season. Sweeney has been playing some CF in Charlotte, and can probably play all 3 OF positions, and it wouldn't surprise me if Fields plays both LF and 3B for the White Sox next season. Pods will most likely be gone, and either Pablo or Mackowiak will probably be wearing a different uniform. This is all based on the assumption the Fields and Sweeney aren't traded, something KW has said in the past.

[DBAHO]

There's an excellent chance that both Fields and Sweeney will be on the roster next season. Sweeney has been playing some CF in Charlotte, and can probably play all 3 OF positions, and it wouldn't surprise me if Fields plays both LF and 3B for the White Sox next season. Pods will most likely be gone, and either Pablo or Mackowiak will probably be wearing a different uniform. This is all based on the assumption the Fields and Sweeney aren't traded, something KW has said in the past.

I'd rather Sweeney be playing everyday down in Charlotte than being a bench player up for the Sox IMHO. With the way Mack and Ozuna have hit this season anyways, I doubt KW will be in any rush to move them unless he gets a good offer.

[southsideirish]

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Jul 29, 2006 -> 04:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If Fields is still with the team past the trade deadline, he should start learning how to play LF immediately.

 

In terms of getting a leadoff hitter, the only other place I could see where you could get an addition in our lineup would be at SS. I've suggested the names of Furcal and Rollins, but their contracts aren't too friendly at all.

 

 

I figure he's got more trade value as a 3rd baseman than as a LF.

 

Fields' value is at a peak right now. There was a thread yesterday where it said his last month at Charlotte hasn't been great. If you get an offer like Linebrink and Carillo for Fields, I would take it.

 

 

 

I agree with you. He will go out and get that SS to be our leadoff hitter. You can tell who KW likes and he usually gets the players he likes. He has liked one SS for a while. That SS being Cesar Izturis from LA. I would bet money that Pods is let go and Fields/Sweeney is moved into LF and into Uribe's spot in the lineup while we pick up Cesar Izturis and move him into Pods' spot in the lineup. That is what I see happening, but I may be wrong.

 

 

 

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Jul 29, 2006 -> 07:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Where'd you hear this, because it would be music to all of us here if that was indeed the case.

 

 

 

This was posted on here a while ago with a link to the story. I can't remember where.

[Sox Machine]

I agree with you. He will go out and get that SS to be our leadoff hitter. You can tell who KW likes and he usually gets the players he likes. He has liked one SS for a while. That SS being Cesar Izturis from LA. I would bet money that Pods is let go and Fields/Sweeney is moved into LF and into Uribe's spot in the lineup while we pick up Cesar Izturis and move him into Pods' spot in the lineup. That is what I see happening, but I may be wrong.

 

God, I hope you are wrong. Cesar Izturis is making more money than Uribe this year, and he's a black hole offensively (career .633 OPS to Uribe's .733) and no upgrade defensively. Kenny would be going far out of his way to make a significant downgrade. And given Izturis' sub-.300 career OBP, he'd be a worse leadoff hitter candidate than A.J.

[RME JICO]

I agree with you. He will go out and get that SS to be our leadoff hitter. You can tell who KW likes and he usually gets the players he likes. He has liked one SS for a while. That SS being Cesar Izturis from LA. I would bet money that Pods is let go and Fields/Sweeney is moved into LF and into Uribe's spot in the lineup while we pick up Cesar Izturis and move him into Pods' spot in the lineup. That is what I see happening, but I may be wrong.

Cesar Izturis? He is playing 3B for the Dodgers since coming off the DL.

 

June 20th - Izuris has yet to play a game this season after undergoing season-ending Tommy John surgery in September to repair degenerative arthritis in his right elbow

 

Since returning he has 1 HR and 1 SB in 112 ABs with an OPS of .637. A leadoff hitter with an OBP of .298 is not really desirable. Actually his lifetime numbers are even worse (.260BA, .295 OBP, .338 SLG, .633 OPS). I really hope KW does not go after him.

[Rowand44]

I'm not a huge fan of Fields starting for us everyday in left field next season, however if he does, then we better find a shortstop that can leadoff.

[Wedge]

Cesar Izturis? He is playing 3B for the Dodgers since coming off the DL.

Since returning he has 1 HR and 1 SB in 112 ABs with an OPS of .637. A leadoff hitter with an OBP of .298 is not really desirable. Actually his lifetime numbers are even worse (.260BA, .295 OBP, .338 SLG, .633 OPS). I really hope KW does not go after him.

 

Coop can fix him

[Heads22]

There's an excellent chance that both Fields and Sweeney will be on the roster next season. Sweeney has been playing some CF in Charlotte, and can probably play all 3 OF positions, and it wouldn't surprise me if Fields plays both LF and 3B for the White Sox next season. Pods will most likely be gone, and either Pablo or Mackowiak will probably be wearing a different uniform. This is all based on the assumption the Fields and Sweeney aren't traded, something KW has said in the past.

 

 

Both aren't coming up unless both are starting. And there's one spot for two guys, unless a move is made. Sweeney isn't getting called up to be a fourth outfielder.

[Jake]

Both aren't coming up unless both are starting. And there's one spot for two guys, unless a move is made. Sweeney isn't getting called up to be a fourth outfielder.

 

For some reason I'd rather see Sweeney in LF next season and maybe Fields in a different uniform. I'd rather let Sweeney pan out and get some value for Fields than watch Sweeney in AAA again because a 3B stole his spot.

[Gene Honda Civic]

"You do hear people say that Boras' guys are puppets, but no, that's not the case with me," Crede said. "That might be the case with some other players, but not with me.

 

"Ultimately, the player is who has control of the situation. If you want to sign for this, you sign for this. If you want it to be handled by the agent, you let that happen. Ultimately, you also want to get the fair deal at the same time."

[Dick Allen]

Both aren't coming up unless both are starting. And there's one spot for two guys, unless a move is made. Sweeney isn't getting called up to be a fourth outfielder.

Both could be on the roster and get just about the same amount of playing time as Anderson gets right now. I also think it would be pretty easy for Fields to play 1B. He could play LF, 3b,1b. Sweeney could play all 3 OF positions. Mackowiak and Gload, and Pods are all on the hot seat as far as a spot on the White Sox roster next season. I don't see them keeping Sweeney at Charlotte in 2007. Ozzie loves him, and KW called Fields a major league All Star. They will both be in the major leagues next season unless they really drop off or get hurt.

[YASNY]

Both could be on the roster and get just about the same amount of playing time as Anderson gets right now. I also think it would be pretty easy for Fields to play 1B. He could play LF, 3b,1b. Sweeney could play all 3 OF positions. Mackowiak and Gload, and Pods are all on the hot seat as far as a spot on the White Sox roster next season. I don't see them keeping Sweeney at Charlotte in 2007. Ozzie loves him, and KW called Fields a major league All Star. They will both be in the major leagues next season unless they really drop off or get hurt.

 

I generally agree with your thinking with one thought keeping from outright total agreement. Sweeney is still very young, iirc, and I really think they'd prefer to let him spend another year os so in AAA.

[shawnhillegas]

People really need to stop whining about Boras. He does exactly what he's being paid to do, get his players the most money he can. There is no loyalty in this area of baseball, and if Kenny can trade you then you sure as hell have every right to get every fishing dollar you can get (if that's your desire).

[korntownballa]

why not move josh fields to SS?

[beck72]

The sox aren't going to try to ease two rookies into the lineup next yr. With LF the only plausible spot that could be open, one would have to be on the bench. The only way to ease Fields or Sweeney into the bigs though, is to let them play everyday. The struggles of BA show how difficult an adjustment it is for a kid from AAA to become a fulltime player, and how the sox coaching staff needs to adjust as well.

[YASNY]

why not move josh fields to SS?

 

Because he's barely adequate at 3b at this point. You don't move a guy to a more challenging defensive position when he's struggling defensively. That's why moving him to LF seems to be the sensable option.

[Kyyle23]

why not move josh fields to SS?

 

I did that on my Gamecube. It totally worked, man.