Fields in Left

[Jimbo's Drinker]

With Scott Podsednik going down, Josh Fields is now a possibility to open the season as a part-time left fielder, manager Ozzie Guillen said.

 

After Fields left the Venezuelan Winter League in Novemeber, Guillen said Fields probably wouldn't be an option in left field at the beginning of the year, mainly due to his lack of experience at the position. Fields, though, has continued to work out there and could get a chance to share time with Darin Erstad in left if Podsednik isn't ready for Opening Day.

Source: Chicago Tribune

[WilliamTell]

If Carlos Lee could pull it off, I'm sure Josh Fields could eventually.

[Chisoxfn]

Fields has a perfectly good arm and is a good enough athlete to be a more than solid left fielder. Obviously there would be an adjustment period but if Fields starts in LF I think that makes it more likely you have Erstad getting substantial playing time in CF (since I think Ozzie would want Erstad near the top of the order along with Igucih).

 

I know one thing, like last year, we may have absolute crap at the leadoff spot.

[The Critic]

I think juggling a young kid between positions could mess him up, but it all depends on the mental makeup of the kid.

We'll see how he handles it if/when Crede leaves for free agency, I guess.

[103 mph screwball]

I think it would be a bad idea to put Fields out in left without a Crede extension. If he comes up and goes 0-41 with 5 errors, that would not help Crede negotiations. How long does a player need to be in the majors before his arbitration clock starts? Iguchi will be a fine leadoff man until Pods comes back to his 1st half of 05 form. Besides, Erstad is going to be healthy and highly motivated and Mackowiak could also be a fine replacement in left.

[Kalapse]

I think it would be a bad idea to put Fields out in left without a Crede extension. If he comes up and goes 0-41 with 5 errors, that would not help Crede negotiations. How long does a player need to be in the majors before his arbitration clock starts? Iguchi will be a fine leadoff man until Pods comes back to his 1st half of 05 form. Besides, Erstad is going to be healthy and highly motivated and Mackowiak could also be a fine replacement in left.

The 'Crede Negotiations' should be the last thing on Ozzie's mind mainly because I don't think any are going on or will be going on in the near future, the guy is as good as gone. Screw the Arbitration clock and screw any Crede negotiations if the team feels Josh Fields provides the Sox with the best possible chance of winning then they should most definitely give him a shot out there (though I do think Mack would do just fine in LF.)

[Hatchetman]

if he's the long term 3B solution, that would be a dumb idea.

[spiderman]

if he's the long term 3B solution, that would be a dumb idea.

 

Who (Crede or Fields) are you referring to ?

 

Personally, I want Crede signed long-term, but I understand why the White Sox wouldn't do so with the $$$ he'll want, the back issue (potentially), and Fields being a top prosepct.

[Jimbo's Drinker]

Does Fields have any speed?

[Rowand44]

Does Fields have any speed?

Ya, he can run. Fields playing everyday at this point would be a huge mistake.

[Jimbo's Drinker]

Ya, he can run. Fields playing everyday at this point would be a huge mistake.

I meant stolen bases, sorry my bad

[klaus kinski]

It is not the most spacious left field to play at home. We have either Anderson or Erstad with great range in center. It would be fine-for places with gimmick outfields, a more experienced guy could play. It would work

[103 mph screwball]

The 'Crede Negotiations' should be the last thing on Ozzie's mind mainly because I don't think any are going on or will be going on in the near future, the guy is as good as gone. Screw the Arbitration clock and screw any Crede negotiations if the team feels Josh Fields provides the Sox with the best possible chance of winning then they should most definitely give him a shot out there (though I do think Mack would do just fine in LF.)

 

IF there are no Crede negotiations, then the last thing I want is Fields learning left field at the major league level. I want him in AAA becoming the best 3rd baseman possible. If the Sox need him, fine. Mackowiak, Erstad, Ozuna, Owens, and Sweeney would be ahead of him on my depth chart.

[Rowand44]

I meant stolen bases, sorry my bad

28 of 33 in Charlotte last season.

Edited January 29, 2007 by Rowand44

[Kalapse]

I meant stolen bases, sorry my bad

Well he stole 28 last year at Charlotte which was significantly more than he had ever swiped in his career before with 7 being his previous high at B-Ham in '05. He also stole a total of 10 bases over 3 years at Oklahoma State. He's always had some decent speed but he put it to work in the SB department last season.

 

IF there are no Crede negotiations, then the last thing I want is Fields learning left field at the major league level. I want him in AAA becoming the best 3rd baseman possible. If the Sox need him, fine. Mackowiak, Erstad, Ozuna, Owens, and Sweeney would be ahead of him on my depth chart.

If they think Fields is ready then he's going to be in the bigs starting more than likely because he won't serve much of a purpose off the field. They're not going to wait until '09 when he's 28 years old just because that's when the 3B spot will open up. He's an offensive asset and if he is ready, he'll be starting in the majors at some position even if Crede still is on the roster.

[Heads22]

Fields has a perfectly good arm and is a good enough athlete to be a more than solid left fielder. Obviously there would be an adjustment period but if Fields starts in LF I think that makes it more likely you have Erstad getting substantial playing time in CF (since I think Ozzie would want Erstad near the top of the order along with Igucih).

 

I know one thing, like last year, we may have absolute crap at the leadoff spot.

 

 

Our OF defense would be a blooper reel.

 

To be fair, though, I suggested this on a podcast last year before everyone else talked about it, so there.

[Chisoxfn]

28 of 33 in Charlotte last season.

I wouldn't expect those numbers are the major league level, but I'd compare him a bit to Carlos Lee, who was a surprisingly good base stealer. He's not going to steal or run consistently but the second a pitcher stops paying attention he is more than capable of going and nabbing 2nd. Shines helped him a ton with that last year and I'm really glad Shines will be with the big club this year because I think he's going to bring a unique perspective and attitude to the coaching staff.

 

Our OF defense would be a blooper reel.

 

To be fair, though, I suggested this on a podcast last year before everyone else talked about it, so there.

Blooper real? Dye is good in RF, Erstad or Anderson (that is because I don't think Erstad plays CF much unless he proves he is healthy are good in CF) and Fields can't be worse than Pods in LF (especially since Fields could actually be capable of throwing someone out).

[knightni]

Does Fields have any speed?

 

Yes.

 

If he's being chased.

[WHITESOXRANDY]

If there's any prospect that the Sox need to get as much PT as possible , it's Josh Fields.

 

That's the whole deal behind this guy is that he's a football player that has high upside because of his limited baseball experience. If they want to count on him next year - at 3B or LF- they have to play him regularly this year.

 

So, he has to atleast start in AAA. I would keep him at third. Crede's going to go and Fields will be his replacement. Why screw around with the kid?

[Kalapse]

If there's any prospect that the Sox need to get as much PT as possible , it's Josh Fields.

 

That's the whole deal behind this guy is that he's a football player that has high upside because of his limited baseball experience. If they want to count on him next year - at 3B or LF- they have to play him regularly this year.

 

So, he has to atleast start in AAA. I would keep him at third. Crede's going to go and Fields will be his replacement. Why screw around with the kid?

Well for one, if Joe Crede ends up leaving for free agency after the 2008 season instead of being traded before then that would open the door for Josh Fields to take over 3B duties in 2009 at the age of 28. 28. 28.

[WHITESOXRANDY]

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Jan 30, 2007 -> 03:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well for one, if Joe Crede ends up leaving for free agency after the 2008 season instead of being traded before then that would open the door for Josh Fields to take over 3B duties in 2009 at the age of 28. 28. 28.

 

 

I would expect the Sox to trade Crede after this season and get something good for him. By next year, I think Fields should be ready to do a decent job at third.

[Heads22]

I wouldn't expect those numbers are the major league level, but I'd compare him a bit to Carlos Lee, who was a surprisingly good base stealer. He's not going to steal or run consistently but the second a pitcher stops paying attention he is more than capable of going and nabbing 2nd. Shines helped him a ton with that last year and I'm really glad Shines will be with the big club this year because I think he's going to bring a unique perspective and attitude to the coaching staff.

Blooper real? Dye is good in RF, Erstad or Anderson (that is because I don't think Erstad plays CF much unless he proves he is healthy are good in CF) and Fields can't be worse than Pods in LF (especially since Fields could actually be capable of throwing someone out).

 

 

I was talking Fields/LF and Erstad/CF, mainly. I know you watch LAA a lot, but is Erstad any better than average anymore?

[redandwhite]

He's been hurt, so an Angels fan or not shouldn't be able to answer this with a definite answer. In my opinion, the White Sox will have to wait until Spring Training to see how far he's come along to see if he'll be able to play some center field.

[Chisoxfn]

I was talking Fields/LF and Erstad/CF, mainly. I know you watch LAA a lot, but is Erstad any better than average anymore?

Considering last year was the only time he's been out there recently it truly is impossible to say since he was hurt last year. I really think you have to throw out last years season from the perspective of his actual production (because if he is hurt he will not play, period, end of story and if he is actually healthy he's a different player).

 

That is why I continue to insinuate that I can't imagine a healthy Erstad being any less than major league average defensively in CF and that is an upgrade over what Mack was out there (and obviously a downgrade to Anderson defensively, however, Erstad could very well be a bit better than league average which would close that gap between Anderson and Erstad a bit but by no means will Erstad be as good as Anderson was defensively).

[witesoxfan]

He's been hurt, so an Angels fan or not shouldn't be able to answer this with a definite answer. In my opinion, the White Sox will have to wait until Spring Training to see how far he's come along to see if he'll be able to play some center field.

 

They should know with confidence that, when healthy, he'll be able to play CF.

 

Otherwise, it's a waste of $1 mill.