Sox shouldn't center focus on 1 guy

[hitlesswonder]

And I know what I'd do for a lead off hitter, but I don't run the club, I just add thoughts on a message board.

 

What would you do for a leadoff hitter? I'd actually probably hit OCab #1 and have or Richar hit #2. But I have feeling Jerry Owens is the likely leadoff hitter at this point.

[southsider2k5]

Oh, come on. It clearly hurt our offseason. Hunter was our staple, and he even made the deal for Cabrera in large part because he told Hunter he would. Sure, Kenny's probably operating on multiple fronts but asking someone, "Hey, what would it take to sign you?" or "What do you want for X?" isn't really much. I am having trouble imagining what we're going to be able to get and where from. Kenny has his work cut out for him.

 

When everything that comes out of the organization and the players dealing with that organization saids one thing, and the media saids another, it takes a special kind of narrowmindedly focused grudge to ignore the obvious.

[Gregory Pratt]

When everything that comes out of the organization and the players dealing with that organization saids one thing, and the media saids another, it takes a special kind of narrowmindedly focused grudge to ignore the obvious.

 

What are you referring to, exactly? It seems to me that everything out of the organization says that KW really wanted Hunter and he was our top target and it came as a major shock when we lost him. And while the organization contends that they're moving on and going through other plans, it seems to me clear that they were banking on Hunter.

[29andPoplar]

What would you do for a leadoff hitter? I'd actually probably hit OCab #1 and have <CF acquisition> or Richar hit #2. But I have feeling Jerry Owens is the likely leadoff hitter at this point.

 

Hitless,

 

Good thoughts and I see you have mentioned Owens the last two days. Of course neither of us know for sure. I firmly believe the White Sox are aiming higher than Owens. I know many here like Owens, he has potential, look what he did in his 2nd call up, etc. etc. And I respect those opinions, however mine differs.

 

Leadoff hitter, I go to the Reds and say we'll give you some young pitching for Freel. That is my answer. Whichever of these soft tossing right handers the Sox have, dangle them for Freel. Many here will hate that idea but again, I am trying to think along with what the White Sox want to try to do, and that is win in 2008.

 

Actually I put Freel at 2B and I keep Richar around to fill in or I go and get a better bench guy and keep Danny in the minors as insurance oh and by the way Danny, do your best to learn how to draw walks and get on base more so you can maybe be a leadoff hitter on a team that isn't shooting to win in 2008.

 

People will say "Freel is nuts", "Freel drinks", well ok. Lots of players drink, Babe Ruth did, Mickey Mantle did, Dick Allen did, Willie Harris did, so very frankly my reply is so what and I know people will disagree, that's fine.

 

Then I go find a thumper for LF, there are a few out there that can be had, guys coming off a down year. Guys are available. Then I decide on my 3B situation and either go with Crede or Fields. If you can move Crede and get a bullpen arm, great. Uribe you trade for whatever you can get, maybe a bullpen arm or a prospect or whatever.

 

Then you find an all purpose bench guy who can play some IF and also RF. Maybe Mackowiak fits.

 

After that you pick up a veteran arm as 5th starter and/or 5th starter insurance. I don't think Williams wants to do this but I could be wrong. I would bring in a Lieber type guy who can eat innings and be somewhat dependable in the 5th role. Any scrap heap type you bring in is a gamble but life is a gamble.

 

Frankly I don't much care about 2011, the whole baseball world could be different by then and likely will be. If they say they want to win in 2008, then go with that mindset and further, act like it. Go get some players and fill your holes with guys that are available and are proven.

 

Just my thoughts.

[kwolf68]

I agree with you, that it sheds bad light on the guys Rowand left behind.

At the same time, who knows what it takes to bring these multi millionaires together

as a team?

Rowand apparently is a true chemistry guy.

Maybe he was the Sox's Thurman Munson.

 

OK, rip away. Since Rowand was a White Sox player and we always bury our own

on here, blast me for comparing Rowand to Munson.

Blast away.

 

 

No one can argue with this. I honestly didn't want ANYONE traded off the 2005 team. I wanted to give the same guys the chance to play as defending champs. Its likely we'd have still come up short, because we had a couple pitchers fall off the ledge in 2006, but what guys like Rowand bring to the table can't be measured with OPS.

[witesoxfan]

No one can argue with this. I honestly didn't want ANYONE traded off the 2005 team. I wanted to give the same guys the chance to play as defending champs. Its likely we'd have still come up short, because we had a couple pitchers fall off the ledge in 2006, but what guys like Rowand bring to the table can't be measured with OPS.

 

Without Jim Thome in 2006, the White Sox would have almost assuredly been a below .500 team.

[CanOfCorn]

No one can argue with this. I honestly didn't want ANYONE traded off the 2005 team. I wanted to give the same guys the chance to play as defending champs. Its likely we'd have still come up short, because we had a couple pitchers fall off the ledge in 2006, but what guys like Rowand bring to the table can't be measured with OPS.

 

It can't be measured, but that's what they brought O Cab in for. I think that's going to be a big deal for the Angels, whether they get Miggy or not. Even if they keep Garland and Matthews. Orlando Cabrera was the vocal leader of that clubhouse, who's going to take that spot? Hunter? maybe.

[hitlesswonder]

Frankly I don't much care about 2011, the whole baseball world could be different by then and likely will be. If they say they want to win in 2008, then go with that mindset and further, act like it. Go get some players and fill your holes with guys that are available and are proven.

 

Just my thoughts.

 

I like that plan a lot. I think to really compete in 2008, the Sox need a significant overhaul. Depending Fields, Owens, and Richar to all play at a major league level in 2008 seems like too much. Freel at 2B and leadoff would be a good move if the Sox could get him for something like Broadway. That would let the Sox grab a LF like Jenkins, Nixon, Kielty, or Gonzalez on a short-term deal. Of course they still would need a CF (Rowand or Fukodome?).

 

That's a lot of movement, and I doubt it all happens. At least the offseason won't be boring.

[29andPoplar]

I like that plan a lot. I think to really compete in 2008, the Sox need a significant overhaul. Depending Fields, Owens, and Richar to all play at a major league level in 2008 seems like too much. Freel at 2B and leadoff would be a good move if the Sox could get him for something like Broadway. That would let the Sox grab a LF like Jenkins, Nixon, Kielty, or Gonzalez on a short-term deal. Of course they still would need a CF (Rowand or Fukodome?).

 

That's a lot of movement, and I doubt it all happens. At least the offseason won't be boring.

 

One statement you make is key - needing Fields, Owens, and Richar to all play at a major league level in 2008 seems like too much. To augment your very insightful statement, think about how Williams uses the phrase "play at a championship level". If that's the level he expects and it appears he does, it's even more daunting a challenge.

 

Personally I think they will sign Rowand, just a guess on my part. He is better than what they have and he can be moved to LF or RF if they ultimately get their dream CF down the line.

 

And yes, the OF players you mention are all in play. There are several more in addition to those you name.

 

I also agree that's a lot of movement and pieces will need to fall in place. The first piece (Hunter) didn't fall into place, which is precisely why I believe there will be more movement than he (KW) planned.

[The Ginger Kid]

wonder how Rowand feels about being choice "1B"

[iamshack]

wonder how Rowand feels about being choice "1B"

I agree. I think he ends up in Dodger blue, unless of course we match their offer, which is unlikely.

 

I think our options have been reduced to Andruw Jones on a big contract (5/80), a trade for MCab or Crawford, or some combination of Crisp (acquired in trade from Boston) and Patterson/Fukodome.

[PorkChopExpress]

wonder how Rowand feels about being choice "1B"

 

He is choice 1B for any of the teams looking to sign him. They all wanted Hunter first.

[iamshack]

He is choice 1B for any of the teams looking to sign him. They all wanted Hunter first.

 

He didn't win a World Series and cult hero status with any other teams.

[The Ginger Kid]

He is choice 1B for any of the teams looking to sign him. They all wanted Hunter first.

Dodgers never even met with Hunter. Ned and Joe want Rowand.

[iamshack]

Dodgers never even met with Hunter. Ned and Joe want Rowand.

 

The Dodgers were actually scheduled to meet with Hunter this past weekend. The Angels precluded that from happening with their inflated offer.

[South Side Fireworks Man]

That doesn't really paint much of a positive light for the Sox clubhouse does it.

 

And really, losing 1 guy in Rowand shouldn't make THAT much of an impact IMHO.

They lost two on-field leaders--Rowand and Carl.

 

That's why Hunter would have been nice, he's kind of like a combination of Rowand and Everett.

[South Side Fireworks Man]

Frankly I don't much care about 2011, the whole baseball world could be different by then and likely will be. If they say they want to win in 2008, then go with that mindset and further, act like it. Go get some players and fill your holes with guys that are available and are proven.

Amen!

[greg775]

No one can argue with this. I honestly didn't want ANYONE traded off the 2005 team. I wanted to give the same guys the chance to play as defending champs. Its likely we'd have still come up short, because we had a couple pitchers fall off the ledge in 2006, but what guys like Rowand bring to the table can't be measured with OPS.

 

Rowand will go wherever he gets the best deal.

That's always the case.

The only exception is with guys currently on a team like Mark B. might give the Sox

a "hometown discount" rather than to go through free agency.

 

It's funny, but the talk after we won it in 05 was we'd be a dynasty.

The pitching staff was supposed to be good forever.

We were supposed to keep winning.