Starting Lineup

[BearSox]

Quentin hit 9 home runs in his first stint in the big leagues in about 160 ABs. If he's healthy, he's not only hitting "13".

 

Fields hit 23 in 373 ABs. 28 I could buy, but that pretty much assumes he doesn't improve at all next year and hits some major sophomore struggles.

I could see less for Fields, unless he learns how to hit fastball.

[RockRaines]

Quentin hit 9 home runs in his first stint in the big leagues in about 160 ABs. If he's healthy, he's not only hitting "13".

 

Fields hit 23 in 373 ABs. 28 I could buy, but that pretty much assumes he doesn't improve at all next year and hits some major sophomore struggles.

HE could struggle, but he has shown that he can hit alot of breaking balls, which is a great step towards being a good hitter. He has the ability to scratch 40 hr, but I like the projection where it is, I think he focuses on more contact this year. Quentin should be able to break into the 20's easily with regular time.

[sircaffey]

Quentin hit 9 home runs in his first stint in the big leagues in about 160 ABs. If he's healthy, he's not only hitting "13".

 

Fields hit 23 in 373 ABs. 28 I could buy, but that pretty much assumes he doesn't improve at all next year and hits some major sophomore struggles.

 

Considering Josh never put up more than 20 HR in any full season in the minor leagues, it looks as if those 23 in 373 ABs are not the norm. And I hope we aren't judging Josh's progress by his HR totals. You can in fact improve as a hitter without improving your HR numbers.

[palehose23]

1. O'do Cabrera

2. Swisher (sweet)

3. Thome

4. Konerko

5. Dead

6. Crede

7. AJP

8. Quinton/Owens

9. Richar

 

Fields in Charlotte to start the year.

 

Rotation

 

Buerhle

Vazquez

Contreras

Danks

Colon (late signing ala AJP in 2005)

 

Bullpen

 

Jenks

Linebrink

Dotel

MacDougal (still sucks)

Logan

Thornton

Masset

 

 

 

 

[hitlesswonder]

My guess:

 

1. Owens (CF)

2. Cabrera (SS)

3. Thome (DH)

4. Konerko (1B)

5. Dye (RF)

6. Swisher (LF)

7. Crede (3B)

8. AJP C

9. Richar (2B)

 

Fields and Quinten in AAA

 

Rotation: Buehrle, Vazquez, Contreras, Floyd, Danks

Bullpen: Jenks, Linebrink, Thornton, Masset, Aardsma, Logan, MacDougal

Bench: Ozuna, Uribe, Hall

Edited January 21, 2008 by hitlesswonder

[witesoxfan]

Considering Josh never put up more than 20 HR in any full season in the minor leagues, it looks as if those 23 in 373 ABs are not the norm. And I hope we aren't judging Josh's progress by his HR totals. You can in fact improve as a hitter without improving your HR numbers.

 

No, I would say he was probably being told to work on something else in the minors.

[WHITESOXRANDY]

Mike Huccabee has the same chance of becoming President as Fields has of starting the season at Charlotte. Not gonna happen. The Sox may do some dumb things but starting the season with possibly their most dynamic hitter in the minors....well....they're not THAT dumb. They'll unload Crede for a C prospect before that happens. And, I haven't even mentioned the dollars in savings.

 

Anyway, with the Dotel signing, I am officially excited for this season to start because I know now that with another move or two the Sox WILL have a legit shot at the division this year.

 

Bullpen= real solid.....maybe the best in the division

 

Lineup= real good.....not Detroit good but dependable and exciting

 

Starting rotation= 3 ?'s unfortunately this looks like where the season will hinge....maybe KW makes a move here

 

I really like Richar. He may not be ready to bloom right now but I like a second baseman that plays solid D, has some good speed, doesn't "K" a lot, takes some walks and can flat out hit and with power. It excites me that our second baseman could have 60- 70 extra base hits. Probably not this year but hopefully he makes good progress towards that.

 

I think the Sox hold onto Uribe the whole year. Defensively, he is needed insurance for this infield. I would. Plus, they're counting on 2 rookies in the infield. They need him just in case. And, if Cabrera goes down there's nothing.

 

I would be very happy if Pablo Ozuna were not on this team.

 

I would love to see the Sox have a hitter in the 7th hole bang out 40 dingers. Go Fields!

 

I like an outfield with Dye,Owens,Swisher,Quentin and Anderson. I would hold onto all of them for now. I realize that all 5 will not be on the 25 man together.

 

I'm excited to watch Orlando Cabrera. I don't care what anyone says. He's a damn good ballplayer and a damn site better than Uribe's been.

 

I truly believe that the Sox will contend and be over .500 and within 10 games. Maybe, if the starting pitching comes through and they catch a few breaks (Detroit's pitching could collapse) they might sneak by.

 

Atleast I'm excited to watch now.

 

[Controlled Chaos]

I hope the one question mark we don't have is who is the opening day starter. Mark Buehrle should be back on the bump. Contreras totally f***ed up my opening day experience in the first inning last year. Even though we open on the road I hope it's Buehrle. If by chance Ozzie gives it to Vazquez, Buehrle would be the starter for the home opener.

[sircaffey]

No, I would say he was probably being told to work on something else in the minors.

 

Oh I see. So the fact that Josh only hit 52 HR in 1400 minor league AB is due to focusing on something else. Now he's going to shoot right up to 40+ HR because he's now unleashed. If only it were that simple.

[witesoxfan]

Oh I see. So the fact that Josh only hit 52 HR in 1400 minor league AB is due to focusing on something else. Now he's going to shoot right up to 40+ HR because he's now unleashed. If only it were that simple.

 

How is it not that simple? He hit .298 in 667 ABs at AAA; his major league average falls almost 50 points at the cost of power, and that's not a reasonable explanation?

[ChiTown364]

With a new season brings all the new excitement with it. I can't wait til Spring Training.

[sircaffey]

How is it not that simple? He hit .298 in 667 ABs at AAA; his major league average falls almost 50 points at the cost of power, and that's not a reasonable explanation?

 

I see. So Josh hits .300 in AAA, has an OBP in the .380's, and SLG .500 (which was higher than his SLG in MLB last season just with far less HR), then goes up to the majors and the Sox say to him, "Alright you're done working on stuff. Hit some home runs."? Seems to me they'd rather keep him "working on things".

 

Point being, 373 AB is far too small of a sample size to start assuming Josh changed his approach. The man slugged .698 vs LHP which is extremely abnormal even for the game's elite let alone a 1st/2nd year player. He slugged .393 vs RHP. Neither of which should remain a constant, but by his splits you can see that going off of 2007 (MLB) to predict the future for Josh is just foolish. They are far too extreme.

Edited January 22, 2008 by sircaffey

[BearSox]

Mike Huccabee has the same chance of becoming President as Fields has of starting the season at Charlotte. Not gonna happen.

 

Don't underestimate the power of Chuck Norris...

 

note, I am not saying I am a supporter of his, but just saying.

[elrockinMT]

If the season started today what would our starting lineup look like???

 

I'd like Owens to have a good ST and make the lineup.

1. Owens CF

2. Cabrera SS

3. Thome DH

4. Awesome Kong 1b

5. Swisher LF

6. Dye RF

7. Fields 3b

8. AJP C

9. Richar 2b

 

if owens ends up doing horrible i guess id have it look like this

1. Cabrera ss

2. Swisher cf

3. Thome dh

4. PK 1b

5. Dye rf

6. Fields 3b

7. AJP c

8. Quentin lf

9. Richar 2b

 

 

If the season satretd today and I emphasize "today" then Crede would be at 3B as well he should be in all actuality

Edited January 24, 2008 by elrockinMT

[southsideirish71]

If the season satretd today and I emphasize "today" then Crede would be at 3B as well he should be in all actuality

 

Hopefully when the season starts your mancrush is on another team and we can have Fields there where he should be.

[elrockinMT]

Hopefully when the season starts your mancrush is on another team and we can have Fields there where he should be.

 

 

I just watched some of my DVD's from the 2005 WS. Joe is the man. Admit it!!!

[SnB]

This thread depressed me. Not looking forward to the season at all.

gotta agree with what the others posted below.

The lineup actually looks pretty good, definitely competitive. Alot better than the garbage we saw all of last season, it's the end of the rotation that scares the hell out of me.

[SnB]

I just watched some of my DVD's from the 2005 WS. Joe is the man. Admit it!!!

you are correct sir.

[witesoxfan]

I just watched some of my DVD's from the 2005 WS. Joe is the man. Admit it!!!

 

Yes, in 2005, Joe Crede was the man.

[elrockinMT]

Yes, in 2005, Joe Crede was the man.

 

 

I am not sure that is admission enough

 

 

[WilliamTell]

After Robin Ventura left, it seemed like we had so many 3rd basemen until Crede. Now we have 2. As of now, as long as Crede is on this team I would rather have him be the starting 3rd basemen. I have a feeling he won't be on the team by spring training and if he's not, then there isn't a problem at 3rd, unless Juan Uribe magically appears there. Whoever it is, Crede or Fields, I'm excited for the year to start.

[Jimbo's Drinker]

Give me one more starter and Im set. I am really looking for Owens to have a break out year!!

[GreatScott82]

Mike Huccabee has the same chance of becoming President as Fields has of starting the season at Charlotte. Not gonna happen. The Sox may do some dumb things but starting the season with possibly their most dynamic hitter in the minors....well....they're not THAT dumb. They'll unload Crede for a C prospect before that happens. And, I haven't even mentioned the dollars in savings.

 

Anyway, with the Dotel signing, I am officially excited for this season to start because I know now that with another move or two the Sox WILL have a legit shot at the division this year.

 

Bullpen= real solid.....maybe the best in the division

 

Lineup= real good.....not Detroit good but dependable and exciting

 

Starting rotation= 3 ?'s unfortunately this looks like where the season will hinge....maybe KW makes a move here

 

I really like Richar. He may not be ready to bloom right now but I like a second baseman that plays solid D, has some good speed, doesn't "K" a lot, takes some walks and can flat out hit and with power. It excites me that our second baseman could have 60- 70 extra base hits. Probably not this year but hopefully he makes good progress towards that.

 

I think the Sox hold onto Uribe the whole year. Defensively, he is needed insurance for this infield. I would. Plus, they're counting on 2 rookies in the infield. They need him just in case. And, if Cabrera goes down there's nothing.

 

I would be very happy if Pablo Ozuna were not on this team.

 

I would love to see the Sox have a hitter in the 7th hole bang out 40 dingers. Go Fields!

 

I like an outfield with Dye,Owens,Swisher,Quentin and Anderson. I would hold onto all of them for now. I realize that all 5 will not be on the 25 man together.

 

I'm excited to watch Orlando Cabrera. I don't care what anyone says. He's a damn good ballplayer and a damn site better than Uribe's been.

 

I truly believe that the Sox will contend and be over .500 and within 10 games. Maybe, if the starting pitching comes through and they catch a few breaks (Detroit's pitching could collapse) they might sneak by.

 

Atleast I'm excited to watch now.

I know for a fact KW knows he needs to make a move there. I do believe Contreras can rebound (esp with a new Cuban buddy on the team haha) But i garuntee one of Floyd or Danks blows up this year.. I just dont trust them both in the rotation together at this time. Im sure KW is looking for help in the rotation right now and im sure he's working hard at it. I just hope its not for an average to below average veteran starter like a Benson or Lohse.

 

[bear_brian]

 

 

Ozzie's statements at Sox Fest regarding the lineup seem to suggest quite a bit hinges on how Owens looks in the spring. If he looks good, they will lead him off followed by:

 

Cabrera

Konerko

Thome

Dye

Swisher

Fields

AJ

Richar (Or Ramirez)

 

I am wondering whether Ozzie will go with a more platooned approach, where against lefties:

 

- Ozuna leads off and plays second

- Swisher moves to center

- Quentin goes to left

- Toby Hall replaces AJ

 

That lineup might look like this:

 

Ozuna

Cabrera

Konerko

Dye

Thome

Swisher

Fields

Quentin

Hall

 

Using this approach it would seem like we could optimize and protect Owens, Richar and Quentin, make ourselves significantly better against lefties and minimize the number of games where Swisher is playing center. If we could figure out a way to get a starter in a deal involving Crede (even Lowry), we would look very good.

 

Thoughts?

[lvjeremylv]

If we could figure out a way to get a starter in a deal involving Crede (even Lowry), we would look very good.

 

Thoughts?

If we're dead-set on trading Crede, then getting a ML-ready starter in return is essential IMO. Trading him for prospects would be a complete waste, and would piss off many fans. If someone like Noah Lowry is offered in return, I suppose the Sox should take the deal. That would enable us to try to find a taker for Contreras. Maybe Castro wants him back?