If you could improve this team, how would you do it?

[WCSox]

though I'd hate to see Anderson shipped out or down. I think I value good defense more than the average fan and BA certainly supplies that.

 

Unless Kenny traded for somebody like Taveras, I agree. And with Taveras currently sporting a .301 OBP, I don't see him helping us that much.

 

BA is maddening at the plate at times, but is a really good 4th outfielder and has the occasional game like last night. I agree that Wise or Ozuna would be the one to go if Kenny made a deal, as both are the 5th options in the outfield and infield, respectively.

 

 

[YASNY]

Unless Kenny traded for somebody like Taveras, I agree. And with Taveras currently sporting a .301 OBP, I don't see him helping us that much.

 

BA is maddening at the plate at times, but is a really good 4th outfielder and has the occasional game like last night. I agree that Wise or Ozuna would be the one to go if Kenny made a deal, as both are the 5th options in the outfield and infield, respectively.

 

He may prove me wrong at some point, but I believe that if BA gets another shot at being a regular that he'll prove to be a quality major league ballplayer.

[----------]

Unfortunately I don't think he will get that shot here, unless someone gets hurt long term. That would also be unfortunate.

[lostfan]

He may prove me wrong at some point, but I believe that if BA gets another shot at being a regular that he'll prove to be a quality major league ballplayer.

I still think so too, there's just a segment of the fanbase that hates him though so they think the slightest degree of support for him is fanboyism. It's not about his total career stats, it's what I see, and the fact that he's shown flashes for a few weeks at a time. I know he hasn't hit, but I still think there's a chance he can. Everything is magnified with him, he was hitting fine, one of the more productive hitters on the team actually (and sadly) but he hits a cold spell just like every other hitter in our lineup has had so far (except Hall maybe) and he never hears the end of it.

[YASNY]

I still think so too, there's just a segment of the fanbase that hates him though so they think the slightest degree of support for him is fanboyism. It's not about his total career stats, it's what I see, and the fact that he's shown flashes for a few weeks at a time. I know he hasn't hit, but I still think there's a chance he can. Everything is magnified with him, he was hitting fine, one of the more productive hitters on the team actually (and sadly) but he hits a cold spell just like every other hitter in our lineup has had so far (except Hall maybe) and he never hears the end of it.

 

That's true, and it's difficult to produce consistently and stay sharp when your playing time is sporadic. Some players, however, do have that knack. BA is not one of those players yet and he may never be one. But I believe the skill set is there, the maturity is now there and all he needs is the opportunity and experience.

[lostfan]

That's true, and it's difficult to produce consistently and stay sharp when your playing time is sporadic. Some players, however, do have that knack. BA is not one of those players yet and he may never be one. But I believe the skill set is there, the maturity is now there and all he needs is the opportunity and experience.

His problem has always been maturity. He came up to MLB with a flawed swing (something that's totally correctable with some extra work and getting repetition against live pitching) he managed to get by on in the minors, and he struggled, but instead of working on it he pouted and acted like a b****. Then when he went to AAA he wasn't professional about it, and didn't put his full effort into it. He admits now that he just wanted the status of being a major leaguer but didn't want to put the work in, but he's doing it now, and I've just got a feeling that if he ever got to play consistently (meaning for several weeks, not several days) he'll show more.

[YASNY]

His problem has always been maturity. He came up to MLB with a flawed swing (something that's totally correctable with some extra work and getting repetition against live pitching) he managed to get by on in the minors, and he struggled, but instead of working on it he pouted and acted like a b****. Then when he went to AAA he wasn't professional about it, and didn't put his full effort into it. He admits now that he just wanted the status of being a major leaguer but didn't want to put the work in, but he's doing it now, and I've just got a feeling that if he ever got to play consistently (meaning for several weeks, not several days) he'll show more.

 

Bingo! Brian Anderson has grown up.

[WCSox]

Bingo! Brian Anderson has grown up.

 

According to a friend of my sister's, Anderson wasn't a very mature person at the U of A, either. I'm glad that he's (apparently) grown up.

 

While it's still unknown if he'll become an every-day ML player, it's way too early to give up on this guy. Especially when he's the only above-average ML-ready CF in the organization.

 

[YASNY]

According to a friend of my sister's, Anderson wasn't a very mature person at the U of A, either. I'm glad that he's (apparently) grown up.

 

While it's still unknown if he'll become an every-day ML player, it's way too early to give up on this guy. Especially when he's the only above-average ML-ready CF in the organization.

 

Defensively, he's above average. The other remains to be seen.

[WCSox]

Defensively, he's above average.

 

That's what I meant to say.

 

[greg775]

Crede saved the Sox ass with that diving stab of the liner the other day.

And BA looks like he has potential.

Anybody else think he looks like Mickey Mantle in the face?

[SoxFan1]

Crede saved the Sox ass with that diving stab of the liner the other day.

And BA looks like he has potential.

Anybody else think he looks like Mickey Mantle in the face?

Mantle leans more towards Toby Hall IMO.

 

EDIT: This is the only time Toby Hall and Mickey Mantle shall ever be referenced together.

[RockRaines]

He may prove me wrong at some point, but I believe that if BA gets another shot at being a regular that he'll prove to be a quality major league ballplayer.

Spring Training BA has you fooled, like alot of other people. He's just not that good of a hitter to be an everyday player.

[YASNY]

Spring Training BA has you fooled, like alot of other people. He's just not that good of a hitter to be an everyday player.

 

Spring training has nothing to do with it.

[Kenny Hates Prospects]

I'd trade Joe Crede, Orlando Cabrera, Brian Anderson, and Paul Konerko to the Mets for Carlos Beltran, Jose Reyes, Billy Wagner, and David Wright.

 

Good trade for both teams. The Sox improve a ton both now and in the future while the Mets finally receive a worthy excuse for playing such disappointing baseball.

 

Seriously though, a couple of nice additions that should come cheap and in order of my preference:

 

1. Ramon Vazquez of TX as a Crede back-up. He's having a nice year and can play all over the place.

2. Rich Aurilia of SF as a back-up for Crede. He can play 1B and 3B.

3. Ron Mahay of KC as a third LHP. He can come in early or late for an inning or two or as a specialist.

 

Edit: About Mahay, that would be kind of an embarrassment of riches and I'd only do it if it came cheap enough, i.e. if it involved trading a low-end reliever and really a non-prospect. Considering Logan and Thornton have both pitched like set-up men and have been used as such, and considering that Linebrink and Dotel are set-up men, we really don't need a dominant closer and five above average to dominant set-up men. But, it would be nice. B)

Edited July 1, 2008 by Kenny Hates Prospects

[lostfan]

I'd trade Joe Crede, Orlando Cabrera, Brian Anderson, and Paul Konerko to the Mets for Carlos Beltran, Jose Reyes, Billy Wagner, and David Wright.

 

Good trade for both teams. The Sox improve a ton both now and in the future while the Mets finally receive a worthy excuse for playing such disappointing baseball.

 

Seriously though, a couple of nice additions that should come cheap and in order of my preference:

 

1. Ramon Vazquez of TX as a Crede back-up. He's having a nice year and can play all over the place.

2. Rich Aurilia of SF as a back-up for Crede. He can play 1B and 3B.

3. Ron Mahay of KC as a third LHP. He can come in early or late for an inning or two or as a specialist.

I didn't realize you were joking at first, I was sitting here wondering what I was about to say.

[Chisoxfn]

Considering the Sox have Fields, albeit he's struggled mightily down in the minors (DL) I Don't see any reason to trade for a back-up third baseman. Regardless of the performance from Josh this season, if Joe goes down Crede is coming up (or the Sox are going to trade for someone else that is legit). The one thing that sucks is Fields trade value has got to be a lot lower than it was at spring training (when I was clammoring to deal his over-rated self). I really hope Josh can prove me wrong though.

 

In regards to proving me wrong, want to tip my cap to Jim Thome for a hell of a June.

[greg775]

I don't understand some's hate of Anderson.

He's contributed to some wins this year.

He's not that bad.

[VAfan]

I still believe there is a need for a right handed bat who can hit lefties well. We still struggle against lefties. Tonight, Cliff Lee shut us down.

 

Thome traditonally hits lefties much worse than he does righties. This year, he's hitting them better. But don't expect it to hold.

 

Joe Crede can't hit lefties to save himself this season.

 

So, that spells Josh Fields in my book. But when he's ready. I know he's had some injury issues. When he's healthy, I'd ship out Ozuna and bring up Fields. He'd spell Crede against most lefties, and hit for Thome some too.

 

Not a big deal, but it could help win a couple ball games.

 

I'd also keep an eye on Freddy Garcia's comeback. But there's another thread on that.

[witesoxfan]

I still believe there is a need for a right handed bat who can hit lefties well. We still struggle against lefties. Tonight, Cliff Lee shut us down.

 

Thome traditonally hits lefties much worse than he does righties. This year, he's hitting them better. But don't expect it to hold.

 

Joe Crede can't hit lefties to save himself this season.

 

So, that spells Josh Fields in my book. But when he's ready. I know he's had some injury issues. When he's healthy, I'd ship out Ozuna and bring up Fields. He'd spell Crede against most lefties, and hit for Thome some too.

 

Not a big deal, but it could help win a couple ball games.

 

I'd also keep an eye on Freddy Garcia's comeback. But there's another thread on that.

 

Crede's hit lefties better in the past, but he's not going to start hitting them at any point yet Thome has absolutely destroyed lefties this season, but that shouldn't hold? Really?!

 

I also don't think the Sox should have anything to do with Freddy Garcia, but whatever.

[Kenny Hates Prospects]

Considering the Sox have Fields, albeit he's struggled mightily down in the minors (DL) I Don't see any reason to trade for a back-up third baseman. Regardless of the performance from Josh this season, if Joe goes down Crede is coming up (or the Sox are going to trade for someone else that is legit). The one thing that sucks is Fields trade value has got to be a lot lower than it was at spring training (when I was clammoring to deal his over-rated self). I really hope Josh can prove me wrong though.

 

In regards to proving me wrong, want to tip my cap to Jim Thome for a hell of a June.

 

Unless Crede goes down for the rest of the year, bringing up Fields is a bad idea for a pennant race. With Josh up, there would be quite a few errors and balls that get by him at 3B, plus he'd strike out a ton, and the power he'd bring is unnecessary in this year's lineup. Josh could cost us games and get booed pretty heavily, and considering all the set backs he's had this year from getting sent down to Triple A in ST to injuries and limited playing time, I don't want to throw him into a situation that could end up destroying his confidence and setting him back further. He needs to get healthy and on track at Charlotte and end the year on a positive note.

 

It sounds like the Sox want to stay with 12 pitchers yet also hang on to Hall (obviously), Anderson, and Wise on the bench. If the Sox want to do that, they only have one spot left for a UT IF. Rather than keeping one of Uribe or Ozuna in that role, I think the Sox should specifically target a player who can play all over the IF and hit for average. I brought up Ramon Vazquez as a possibility if he's available (he's playing for Hank Blalock right now) because I think he would be the perfect fit to take Uribe's role as back-up IF. A guy like that can play everyday for stretches if need be or can be a sub in here and there. I want a veteran guy that will provide good AB's and won't get overwhelmed by a big situation.

[lostfan]

Unless Crede goes down for the rest of the year, bringing up Fields is a bad idea for a pennant race. With Josh up, there would be quite a few errors and balls that get by him at 3B,

I'm as big a Crede guy as anyone else, but how would that be different from Crede airmailing easy throws over Konerko/Swisher's head once or twice a week?