Speculation about Pods

[TLAK]

I'm surprised no one mentioned Jerry Owens. Ozzie named him as a possible September call up. I know he P'd offed Joey Cora over the winter and started off terrible at Charlotte but I see he's climbed to .264 AVG .330 OBP 37 SB. I think the present White sox starting lineup definitely needs more effective speed.

 

I also haven't seen him in a box score for about a week. Can anyone who watches the Knights let us know how he's playing, beyond the numbers? Is this guy close to becoming a Major Leaguer?

[beck72]

The Sox want to improve LF, and leadoff. But I don't think they'll do it at the expense of a solid SS, who gives gold glove caliber defense and enough hitting. Uribe is due for one of his hot streaks, esp. if his back is in decent enough shape.

 

Is is just me, or does seeing Sweeney hit leadoff in Charlotte seem more than just a coincidence? I think putting Sweeney at leadoff in '07 would be too much pressure for him.

[RME JICO]

I'm surprised no one mentioned Jerry Owens. Ozzie named him as a possible September call up. I know he P'd offed Joey Cora over the winter and started off terrible at Charlotte but I see he's climbed to .264 AVG .330 OBP 37 SB. I think the present White sox starting lineup definitely needs more effective speed.

 

I also haven't seen him in a box score for about a week. Can anyone who watches the Knights let us know how he's playing, beyond the numbers? Is this guy close to becoming a Major Leaguer?

 

Those 37 SBs come with 11 CS. Fields has 25 SBs to 5 CS, and Rogo has 26 SBs to 9 CS. Owens has a sub 700 OPS in AAA, so I don't think he would be ready in 2007, possibly 2008.

 

The one odd thing is the Sox will have to find room for one or two of them soon. If Anderson is locked in at CF, then Fields, Sweeney, and Owens are competing for the other 2 OF positions. That doesn't even count Dye.

[DBAHO]

What about Omar Vizquel?

Yeah he's having a nice season no doubt. But he'll also be 40 at the start of next season.

 

I think the Sox would prefer more of a longer term investment if they were going to replace Uribe, because they don't exactly have anyone in the minors who's really ready to take over at SS.

 

Those 37 SBs come with 11 CS. Fields has 25 SBs to 5 CS, and Rogo has 26 SBs to 9 CS. Owens has a sub 700 OPS in AAA, so I don't think he would be ready in 2007, possibly 2008.

 

The one odd thing is the Sox will have to find room for one or two of them soon. If Anderson is locked in at CF, then Fields, Sweeney, and Owens are competing for the other 2 OF positions. That doesn't even count Dye.

Personally I think the Sox see Owens' role in the future as that 4th OF, kind of like what Pablo Ozuna is doing right now.

 

On Dye with these OF's in AAA, you can see why some people here have mooted him in a deal for Roy Oswalt.

 

The Sox want to improve LF, and leadoff. But I don't think they'll do it at the expense of a solid SS, who gives gold glove caliber defense and enough hitting. Uribe is due for one of his hot streaks, esp. if his back is in decent enough shape.

 

Is is just me, or does seeing Sweeney hit leadoff in Charlotte seem more than just a coincidence? I think putting Sweeney at leadoff in '07 would be too much pressure for him.

Well then you would have to sign a FA like Dellucci or trade for one like Crawford if you still wanted that leadoff hitter at LF, and it's not Pods, but you don't want it to go to a guy like Sweeney either.

 

KW certainly has multiple options on this though.

[RME JICO]

Yeah he's having a nice season no doubt. But he'll also be 40 at the start of next season.

 

I think the Sox would prefer more of a longer term investment if they were going to replace Uribe, because they don't exactly have anyone in the minors who's really ready to take over at SS.

Personally I think the Sox see Owens' role in the future as that 4th OF, kind of like what Pablo Ozuna is doing right now.

 

On Dye with these OF's in AAA, you can see why some people here have mooted him in a deal for Roy Oswalt.

 

Well then you would have to sign a FA like Dellucci or trade for one like Crawford if you still wanted that leadoff hitter at LF, and it's not Pods, but you don't want it to go to a guy like Sweeney either.

 

KW certainly has multiple options on this though.

 

I can definitely see Owens in that role off the bench, but that would not solve the leadoff hitter role if Pods leaves.

 

With the extra Starting Pitcher and some decent expendable prospects, the Sox should be able to make something happen this offseason.

[RockRaines]

Yep, the order of importance should be 1.) OBP and then speed a distant second. Ideally the best leadoff hitters combine both, but I can't name many other than Ichiro perhaps.

Funny how last year when we were killing everyone, our speed was one of the most important reason why we were so good. It was so important that we all voted PODS on to the All-star team. Now everyone wants to play the 3 run homer game. Hilarious to me. Speed is something you need, and helps you win the games that are 1-0, 2-0 etc. If your lead off hitter can steal bases, when he gets on, its almost an automatic double, which leads to a higher possibility of you gettting an early run for your pitching staff. Its better to be balanced that be bombers. IN the playoffs-speed wins games.

[Balta1701]

Funny how last year when we were killing everyone, our speed was one of the most important reason why we were so good. It was so important that we all voted PODS on to the All-star team. Now everyone wants to play the 3 run homer game. Hilarious to me. Speed is something you need, and helps you win the games that are 1-0, 2-0 etc. If your lead off hitter can steal bases, when he gets on, its almost an automatic double, which leads to a higher possibility of you gettting an early run for your pitching staff. Its better to be balanced that be bombers. IN the playoffs-speed wins games.

If Scott Podsednik was stealing bases at an 80% clip or better (and had half as many errors as he did right now), I wouldn't mind his batting average or his OBP nearly as much. But he's barely moving out on the basepaths right now. So, if we can't get the speed at the top, we need a guy with a higher OBP. We need one or the other, a decent leadoff hitter doesn't have neither.

[RockRaines]

If Scott Podsednik was stealing bases at an 80% clip or better (and had half as many errors as he did right now), I wouldn't mind his batting average or his OBP nearly as much. But he's barely moving out on the basepaths right now. So, if we can't get the speed at the top, we need a guy with a higher OBP. We need one or the other, a decent leadoff hitter doesn't have neither.

Yes, but I wasnt talking about PODS. I was talking about having a lead off hitter. This team will not be as effective just plugging some dude at the top of the order who cant run. Speed, the ability to distract the pitcher, and go from 1st to 2nd is an intangibile that you cant measure.

[whitesoxfan101]

do your parents know your up so late? Uribe will be just fine. He will be on the south side for a few more years. Dig this post up if I'm wrong. But What I could do is, dig up thousands of posts of speculation, here on soxtalk , the last few years, that never came true.

 

Honestly? I agree that Uribe isn't going anywhere, hence I brought up the Catalanotto LF idea and am a big Ryan Sweeney fan (since I think Pods is the one that will be gone). However I just gave some reasons why we might let Uribe go since Jordan4life was wondering. I personally hope we keep Juan, him and Alex at SS is a pretty nice duo. And out of confusion, I'll ignore the green comment.

[gojimthome]

I'm surprised no one mentioned Jerry Owens. Ozzie named him as a possible September call up. I know he P'd offed Joey Cora over the winter and started off terrible at Charlotte but I see he's climbed to .264 AVG .330 OBP 37 SB. I think the present White sox starting lineup definitely needs more effective speed.

 

I also haven't seen him in a box score for about a week. Can anyone who watches the Knights let us know how he's playing, beyond the numbers? Is this guy close to becoming a Major Leaguer?

 

They're like...Identical. Except Pods is a tiny bit better. So, basically...Owens sucks.

[CWSGuy406]

IN the playoffs-speed wins games.

 

Heh. From watching the playoffs last year, it seems to me that lots of homers and good pitching wins in the playoffs.

 

(I'll also add 'good defense' to that, too.)

Edited August 18, 2006 by CWSGuy406

[TLAK]

They're like...Identical. Except Pods is a tiny bit better. So, basically...Owens sucks.

CC, is this based on the numbers or have you seen him play? No disrespect, just looking for some info on how he's been handling himself.

[fathom]

Heh. From watching the playoffs last year, it seems to me that lots of homers and good pitching wins in the playoffs.

 

(I'll also add 'good defense' to that, too.)

 

Timely hitting and timely pitching win playoff games.

[GoodAsGould]

Timely hitting and timely pitching win playoff games.

 

mostly pitching is what has led to post-season success...

[santo=dorf]

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Aug 18, 2006 -> 09:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Funny how last year when we were killing everyone, our speed was one of the most important reason why we were so good. It was so important that we all voted PODS on to the All-star team. Now everyone wants to play the 3 run homer game. Hilarious to me. Speed is something you need, and helps you win the games that are 1-0, 2-0 etc. If your lead off hitter can steal bases, when he gets on, its almost an automatic double, which leads to a higher possibility of you gettting an early run for your pitching staff. Its better to be balanced that be bombers. IN the playoffs-speed wins games.

Pods had a .379 OBP at the break last year. I would love to have him back in the .360's range.

[Whitewashed in '05]

It would be nice if Pods showed some of that speed. On the rare occurrence Pods does get on base, it almost seems like he is on non-threat on the basepaths.

 

Pods had a GREAT 1st half last year. Like you said, an All Star 1st half. However, he hasnt even come CLOSE to showing that this year, and we are a different team because of it.

I really miss the Pods from the 1st half of 05, boy was he a nuisance on the basepaths. He could put pressure on the defense, he could steal a bad, he could hit for a good avg. He was really a spark, but now its just nice to have him on base because he's fast. Other than that he hasn't been that great this season at all. His defense sucks (not that it was great to begin with) he can't bunt whether its for a basehit or just for a sacrifice. I also don't remember him K'ing looking so many times last season either.

 

What is actually wrong with Pods this year? Is he still injured or what because he can barely ever steal a bag.

[Punch and Judy Garland]

I say let's do Podsednik for Pat Burrell. He's a good OBP guy plus Philyl will likely swallow half his contract a la Jim Thome. We have a working relationshipo with them already and they seem desperate to unload him because of his big deal and because they want to go with the out with the old policy. BUrrell strikes out too much to leadoff(plus he's slow although that hasn't hurt Kevin Youkilis) but he'd be a definite upgrade over Pods

 

I should add that Burrell might want something to waive his no-trade which admittedly complicates things. although the same was said for Abreu and he didn't ask for anything more. Since Philly is benching Burrell to piss him off enough to make him want to be traded, he might just come here no questions asked

[DBAHO]

I say let's do Podsednik for Pat Burrell. He's a good OBP guy plus Philyl will likely swallow half his contract a la Jim Thome. We have a working relationshipo with them already and they seem desperate to unload him because of his big deal and because they want to go with the out with the old policy. BUrrell strikes out too much to leadoff(plus he's slow although that hasn't hurt Kevin Youkilis) but he'd be a definite upgrade over Pods

 

I should add that Burrell might want something to waive his no-trade which admittedly complicates things. although the same was said for Abreu and he didn't ask for anything more. Since Philly is benching Burrell to piss him off enough to make him want to be traded, he might just come here no questions asked

Basically if you're going to acquire Burrell, Josh Fields has nowhere to play unless Crede is moved. Plus we would need a leadoff hitter still, probably at the SS position for Uribe.

 

If you were going to go for an OF from Philly, I'd probably prefer Dellucci. Burrell absolutely crushes lefties though which has been a weakness for us this season, he has a 1.112 OPS against them.

[daa84]

id be all for trying to get involved i the vernon wells sweepstakes

[Punch and Judy Garland]

The Fields point is a good one but I see no reason he can't spend 07 in the minors again. I know he's probably ready for the bigs but sometimes guys (i.e. Ryan Howard) spend more time in AAA than they want to and they turn out ok. Plus with Crede in doubt for our 08 plans, keeeping Fields at third in 07 might be the shrewdest move

[Balta1701]

The Fields point is a good one but I see no reason he can't spend 07 in the minors again. I know he's probably ready for the bigs but sometimes guys (i.e. Ryan Howard) spend more time in AAA than they want to and they turn out ok. Plus with Crede in doubt for our 08 plans, keeeping Fields at third in 07 might be the shrewdest move

Joe Crede is under White Sox control until the end of the 2008 season.

[3E8]

If you were going to go for an OF from Philly, I'd probably prefer Dellucci. Burrell absolutely crushes lefties though which has been a weakness for us this season, he has a 1.112 OPS against them.

Dellucci can only be used effectively as a pure platoon player. He cannot hit lefties whatsoever, and that's an issue for us already as you mentioned.

[Punch and Judy Garland]

I didn't realize his arb years went to 08, my bad. To be honest, and I admit I'm not really a Crede guy, but are you going to want him for 5 or 6 years AFTER 08 realizing they will be expensive years,he's a guy with a bad back, and that he's yet to prove he can be a middle of the order hitter.

[Greg Hibbard]

I didn't realize his arb years went to 08, my bad. To be honest, and I admit I'm not really a Crede guy, but are you going to want him for 5 or 6 years AFTER 08 realizing they will be expensive years,he's a guy with a bad back, and that he's yet to prove he can be a middle of the order hitter.

 

this is the part where you tell me how much better of a year you could've possibly expected out of Crede

 

jesus, since when is a projected .300/30/100 not good enough?

[Whitewashed in '05]

I didn't realize his arb years went to 08, my bad. To be honest, and I admit I'm not really a Crede guy, but are you going to want him for 5 or 6 years AFTER 08 realizing they will be expensive years,he's a guy with a bad back, and that he's yet to prove he can be a middle of the order hitter.

By proving to be a middle of the order hitter do you mean that he hasn't shown it besides this year or including this year? I mean he has good numbers and is clutch so I don't understand...