Negative Catch All ~ House of Blues

[whitesoxfan101]

Swisher at 1b is pretty mediocre in terms of offense. Who knows what will happen....I can see the Sox going after Furcal with a huge deal.

 

Yeah, it's going to be another busy offseason. The entire left side of the infield (IMO) will be gone, plus Q-dini to right means Dye would move somewhere of course, Thome might be gone as well. The pitching should be pretty stable it seems like right now, but the offense will receive at least a modest makeover, which some might argue it needs.

[Chisoxfn]

My pipedream:

 

Thome retires

Dye moves to DH

Quentin moves to right

Dunn is signed to play left

 

Of course, having an older JD or Dunn at all out there (you could DH Dunn too) hurts the defense, but I'd still love to see it.

Honestly, why would you want Thome to go only to replace him with Dunn (who is no freaking different). On a sidenote, DH'ing Dunn does not hurt the defense. Dunn is quite possibly the worse defensive outfielder in baseball, hell, he makes Pods look good in the field.

[greg775]

Sad to waste a great pitching effort tonight, but 8 in a row wasn't too shabby.

 

[feistyboy]

I have confidence the White Sox will be back with the win tommorow with John Danks back on the mound. I have alot of confidence in him.

[knightni]

I have confidence the White Sox will be back with the win tommorow with John Danks back on the mound. I have alot of confidence in him.

Welcome to Soxtalk!

[SoxFan1]

I have confidence the White Sox will be back with the win tommorow with John Danks back on the mound. I have alot of confidence in him.

You, my friend, are a very confident man. Welcome aboard!

[witesoxfan]

I hope Jim Thome retires after this season.

 

I think a DL stint in a week, if he still hasn't improved much other than the '1-4, HR,' would be OK. A time to rest wouldn't be the worst thing in the world for big Jim. Let him sit down and figure s*** out for a while.

 

Yeah, but my pipedream would never work anyways due to how bad that defense would be. Plus, I think we're going to move Swish to 1st and DH Paulie as soon as Thome is gone, so that means we'll have a need in CF too, and I don't think we have anybody in our organization to fill that void right now. Of course, we could just move Swish to LF too, keep Paulie at 1st, and DH Dye.

 

First of all, Anderson, to me, looks like a perfect candidate for CF next season. Fantastic defense, a developing bat, and he's cheap as hell too. The problem then becomes Swisher and his value to the team...he needs to start hitting or he becomes a liability anywhere he plays anywhere other than the bench but especially if he plays LF (which seems to have become the place where the Sox have placed their worst hitter in the past 3 years or so) or 1B. Perhaps he isn't fit for USCF because the Cell almost always hurts a player's average when he comes here, and Swisher, at this point in time, appears to be no different. I hope he can turn it on at some point, because if he heats up, it would be just like adding another bat to the lineup.

 

Honestly, why would you want Thome to go only to replace him with Dunn (who is no freaking different). On a sidenote, DH'ing Dunn does not hurt the defense. Dunn is quite possibly the worse defensive outfielder in baseball, hell, he makes Pods look good in the field.

 

For once, I agree. As much as I love OPS, I think Dunn's a bit overrated. He doesn't hit doubles, he doesn't steal bases, and he doesn't play defense...if you can sign him to a 4/$50 deal, I'd be for it as a DH replacement, but I imagine he'd be more expensive than that.

 

I love Dunn, and I really do, but he should never be the centerpiece of your offense...he could even be your #4 hitter, but that does not mean he's the man offensively. If the Sox were a big power bat away (HA) from competing, I'd be for bringing him in...they aren't, and so I'm not for bringing Dunn in at all.

 

I have confidence the White Sox will be back with the win tommorow with John Danks back on the mound. I have alot of confidence in him.

 

Wrong thread, right site...welcome aboard.

[Dick Allen]

If the White Sox lose, according to Soxtalk there are only limited options for who to blame:

1. Juan Uribe

2. Greg Walker

3. The umpires

4. Jim Thome

 

How is it that Swisher gets a pass? The only thing he can do offensively is walk. He's not a very good defender. If the Cubs had traded for him instead of the White Sox, every other post in the Cub thread would be laughing at what would be considered an obvious ex-juicer. I have no proof, but 35 homers in 06 to 22 homers in 07 to 4 closing in on 1/3 of a season in 08 makes one wonder doesn't it? I still don't understand why he is batting 7th when his biggest offensive weapon is the walk. Unless the walk is advancing a runner, getting on for 2 weaker hitters seems like a waste when you don't run.

 

Its also hysterical to see all the Thome bashing by many of the same people who were so impressed with Josh Fields in 2007. Thome has been bad, yet he's on pace to hit 32 homers, about the same pace Fields was last year when he was going to be a star according to some. He's on pace for 179 strikeouts, a worthless bum he's been called. Fields was on a 200 strikeout pace, but that didn't matter because a strikeout is supposedly no different from any other out. Thome's average is weaker by about 40 points, but his OPB is better about 50 points, and this is when Thome is struggling. He'll start hitting soon.

Edited May 24, 2008 by Dick Allen

[That funky motion]

If the White Sox lose, according to Soxtalk there are only limited options for who to blame:

1. Juan Uribe

2. Greg Walker

3. The umpires

4. Jim Thome

 

How is it that Swisher gets a pass? The only thing he can do offensively is walk. He's not a very good defender. If the Cubs had traded for him instead of the White Sox, every other post in the Cub thread would be laughing at what would be considered an obvious ex-juicer. I have no proof, but 35 homers in 06 to 22 homers in 07 to 4 closing in on 1/3 of a season in 08 makes one wonder doesn't it? I still don't understand why he is batting 7th when his biggest offensive weapon is the walk. Unless the walk is advancing a runner, getting on for 2 weaker hitters seems like a waste when you don't run.

 

Its also hysterical to see all the Thome bashing by many of the same people who were so impressed with Josh Fields in 2007. Thome has been bad, yet he's on pace to hit 32 homers, about the same pace Fields was last year when he was going to be a star according to some. He's on pace for 179 strikeouts, a worthless bum he's been called. Fields was on a 200 strikeout pace, but that didn't matter because a strikeout is supposedly no different from any other out. Thome's average is weaker by about 40 points, but his OPB is better about 50 points, and this is when Thome is struggling. He'll start hitting soon.

 

Field was a rookie, big difference.

[Dick Allen]

[/b]

 

Field was a rookie, big difference.

Not nearly the difference the same people are rating the 2 performances. If Thome is one of the worst hitters in the game, if not the worst, which is what the guy who created this site says, how can he be high on Fields who struck out even more, got on base even less and hit the same amount of homers even though Fields homers were at a greater pace than he ever hit previously?

[Swingandalongonetoleft]

If the White Sox lose, according to Soxtalk there are only limited options for who to blame:

1. Juan Uribe

2. Greg Walker

3. Ozzie Guillen

4. Jim Thome

5. Juan Uribe

 

fixed.

 

Swish really needs to get his s*** together. There are so many automatic outs in the lineup as of today that it's beyond comprehension how the offense would be if those hitters started coming around. Quentin is great and all, but he shouldn't be carrying a team full of seasoned vets (especially since Juan Uribe isn't here to help shoulder the load). Kudos to Dye though, he could hit oil in my front lawn if he wanted to at this point.

Edited May 24, 2008 by ChiSox35

[Dick Allen]

fixed.

 

Swish really needs to get his s*** together. There are so many automatic outs in the lineup as of today that it's beyond comprehension how the offense would be if those hitters started coming around. Quentin is great and all, but he shouldn't be carrying a team full of seasoned vets (especially since Juan Uribe isn't here to help shoulder the load). Kudos to Dye though, he could hit oil in my front lawn if he wanted to at this point.

I agree about the offense. If and when this team starts hitting, if the pitching can stay close to where its at, a huge if of course, they will run away with the division. The thing that really scares me about Swisher is Billy Beane did know exactly when to unload Ben Grieve. Is Swisher, although definitely not possessing the same "old player skills" Grieve possessed, going to be on the same career path? Maybe its just adjustments, and getting comfortable with a new team, but he has been as awful as anyone and gets a free pass because he's dirty 30. Hopefully dirty 30 didn't refer in any way to his training.

[joejoesox]

why can't our hitters put the bat on the ball against left-handed pitching? it makes absolutely no sense. with a mostly right-handed lineup, left-handers are what this team should hit more easily, not right-handers.

[shipps]

why can't our hitters put the bat on the ball against left-handed pitching? it makes absolutely no sense. with a mostly right-handed lineup, left-handers are what this team should hit more easily, not right-handers.

I think we are like 10-5 against left handed pitchers though.

[Harry Chappas]

I am by nature the prototypical negative White Sox fan but last night I was ok with. Saunders beat them.

 

OC looked good and the tying run was one with one out.

 

Thome and Crede were abysmal in the 9th but K-Rod is good.

 

They need to start hittin though as Quintin and Dye can not carry the team.

 

I thought Hall should have played.

 

Floyd had an embarasing inning but he pitched well for the other eight which helped the pen.

 

f*** Tori Hunter.

[RockRaines]

why can't our hitters put the bat on the ball against left-handed pitching? it makes absolutely no sense. with a mostly right-handed lineup, left-handers are what this team should hit more easily, not right-handers.

Are you talking about Saunders? Cause nobody has been able to hit him.

[WCSox]

How is it that Swisher gets a pass? The only thing he can do offensively is walk. He's not a very good defender. If the Cubs had traded for him instead of the White Sox, every other post in the Cub thread would be laughing at what would be considered an obvious ex-juicer. I have no proof, but 35 homers in 06 to 22 homers in 07 to 4 closing in on 1/3 of a season in 08 makes one wonder doesn't it?

 

I'm suspicious about Swisher as well. If Swisher really is as good as his previous years suggest, Beane got ripped off in that deal. And he tends to not make mistakes like that. His numbers don't necessarily suggest PEDs (and he came into the league after steroid testing was implemented), but maybe it's something else (e.g., work ethic, drug abuse, etc.).

 

Its also hysterical to see all the Thome bashing by many of the same people who were so impressed with Josh Fields in 2007. Thome has been bad, yet he's on pace to hit 32 homers, about the same pace Fields was last year when he was going to be a star according to some. He's on pace for 179 strikeouts, a worthless bum he's been called. Fields was on a 200 strikeout pace, but that didn't matter because a strikeout is supposedly no different from any other out. Thome's average is weaker by about 40 points, but his OPB is better about 50 points, and this is when Thome is struggling. He'll start hitting soon.

 

I'm not holding my breath. Dude turns 38 in August and has been having trouble catching up to fastballs this season. Maybe he's simply in a funk, and maybe he's done. His age, pedigree, and salary make a comparison with Fields somewhat silly.

Edited May 24, 2008 by WCSox

[Chisoxfn]

Jim Thome...that is all.

[The Ginger Kid]

Jim Thome...that is all.

when i'm sitting there in the 9th inning rooting for him to strikeout so he doesn't hit into a DP, then I know it's bad.

[knightni]

NOTE TO THOME:

 

HITTERS ACTUALLY SWING THE BAT SOMETIMES.

 

I still say that they should check his vision.

[fathom]

When the fans go nuts when Jim Thome gets a 25 foot single, you know he sucks. At this point, OC and Swisher are massive busts.

[greg775]

when i'm sitting there in the 9th inning rooting for him to strikeout so he doesn't hit into a DP, then I know it's bad.

 

I was praying he'd actually try to make contact and drill a single like Konerko did during our WS season.

But I must confess last night I also was fearing the easy DP.

[fathom]

KW...please never trade with Beane again. Swisher reminds me of the offensive version of Billy Koch. Both of them are lemons.

[iamshack]

KW...please never trade with Beane again. Swisher reminds me of the offensive version of Billy Koch. Both of them are lemons.

 

Well, Nick did hit some balls really hard today. He'll come around. He just needs to stay aggressive (pitchers are going right after him with strike 1 and 2) and find some holes...

[Chisoxfn]

KW...please never trade with Beane again. Swisher reminds me of the offensive version of Billy Koch. Both of them are lemons.

There is no comparison. Koch's issues had more to do with no longer shooting up while Swisher has just gotten too much of an upper cut going. He's looking a lot better this past week (each game I've noticed the swing getting more and more level). I think we are about to see the Swisher the Sox acquired.