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TCQ Not Giving Up On Postseason


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Quentin not giving up on postseason

 

White Sox All-Star recovering from broken bone in wrist

By Scott Merkin / MLB.com

 

CHICAGO -- On Sept. 1, Carlos Quentin slammed his right hand on the bat being held in his left hand after missing a ninth-inning pitch from Cleveland's Cliff Lee during a 5-0 loss. Quentin suffered a broken bone in his right wrist from that moment of frustration.

 

One week later, Quentin had a screw inserted into that right wrist during outpatient surgery with the hope of returning to action as soon as possible. That hope for Quentin, through the ongoing rehab process and strengthening exercises along with some light swings, has left the All-Star left fielder with the remote hope of being cleared for the American League Division Series against the Rays, starting Thursday at Tropicana Field.

 

"There's no set timetable, but there's nothing wrong with setting goals," Quentin told MLB.com following the White Sox 1-0 victory over the Twins, clinching the American League Central title through Tuesday's tiebreaker. "That's a good goal to set. I don't know, though. We'll see how it goes tomorrow."

 

complete postseason coverage

 

Quentin reported that he took swings off of a tee on Tuesday and was cleared to do more on Wednesday, with Quentin mentioning the possibility of taking flips. From that point on, it's all about how he responds every day. Although being added to the roster seems unlikely for the opening series against the Rays, Quentin remains optimistic.

 

"I'm hoping for a good day tomorrow and I want to be available," Quentin said. "I'll give them a thumbs up if it feels good, and then it's up to them."

 

Winning without Quentin's 36 home runs and 100 RBIs in the lineup during the final month, not to mention the absence of Joe Crede at third base, made the White Sox division title task that much more challenging. It's an obstacle that the team chose to fight through, instead of use as an excuse.

 

"We got hit in the jaw and staggered," said White Sox hitting coach Greg Walker of losing Quentin and Crede.

 

"Q feels terrible about what happened and Crede's back is the real deal," Walker added. "But you can flip-flop and give us Quentin and take [Justin] Morneau away, and then we aren't playing this game. That's no discredit to [Minnesota]. It's just about great players having great years."

Edited by Steve9347
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QUOTE (shipps @ Oct 1, 2008 -> 08:25 AM)
Quentin returning and actually being CQ would be a miracle of epic proportions.And I believe in miracles even though Ozzie doesnt.

The thing is, he hasn't ruled out being available on THURSDAY. That says a lot about how he feels. Sure, I doubt it happens, but if he were just available as a pinch hitter to get worked in slowly, that'd be great. A guy with his eye won't take long to get back into the swing of things, imo.

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QUOTE (Wanne @ Oct 1, 2008 -> 01:30 PM)
Would I love to have Quentin back...absolutely. But honestly...I'd rather not risk any further damage and have him fresh and healthy come spring. I say put him on the shelf.

 

What if we make the World Series? Do we chance it then?

 

Its a tough call.

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QUOTE (MurcieOne @ Oct 1, 2008 -> 04:52 PM)
What if we make the World Series? Do we chance it then?

Its a tough call.

 

 

If we get that far, I think you have to chance it and use TCQ. His presence can change the complexion of a game. You can't squander that type of impact with a championship on the line. And being the competitor he is, you know TCQ will be begging the coaching staff to use him.

Edited by Ron
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QUOTE (Wanne @ Oct 1, 2008 -> 02:30 PM)
Would I love to have Quentin back...absolutely. But honestly...I'd rather not risk any further damage and have him fresh and healthy come spring. I say put him on the shelf.

 

I agree with you 100%,why risk trying to bring him back too soon and threaten his career,kid looks like he could be a superstar for the Sox for years to come,let s shut him down for 2008

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QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Oct 5, 2008 -> 08:48 PM)
If we win on Monday do you think Ozzie brings back Vazquez to pitch in TB?

 

It should almost be a no-brainer that he should go with Buehrle. Mark has showed that he can grind it out when he is on short day's rest. Vasquez has been way too inconsistent and to give him the ball in a do or die game would mean that Ozzie is perhaps just sending him out there to make a statement. In other words, that statement wouldn't provide the team with much baseball left to play.

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Yea, it's definitely Buehrle if we get to game 5. Ozzie actually said so in the postgame today.

 

Ozzie Guillen said before Sunday's 5-3 victory over Tampa Bay that this has been the toughest of his five seasons as White Sox manager, from lineup changes to injuries to off-the-field matters.

 

But if the Sox force a fifth and deciding game in the American League Division Series with a win in Game 4 on Monday, Guillen's season could become more satisfying.

 

Guillen appears to be learning toward starting ace Mark Buehrle against Tampa Bay in Game 5, provided Buehrle's left arm feels OK. Buehrle lost at Tampa Bay on Friday but limited the Rays to three runs through the first seven innings and beat Cleveland on Sept. 28 in a must-win game.

 

"I'll see if he feels strong enough to start," Guillen said. "I don't have any problem starting with him."

 

And if the Sox rally to win in the ALDS, they might regain the services of slugger Carlos Quentin. Quentin took batting practice for the first time since suffering a right wrist fracture on Sept. 1 and hit several line drives.

 

"It felt pretty good," Quentin said. "That's the best I could expect."

 

Quentin led the Sox with 36 home runs and 100 RBIs. He said he would hit some curves off a machine before taking live BP Monday.

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseb...0,1614168.story

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by Ron
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Looks like he's taking "Real" batting practice again . . .

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseb...0,5813216.story

 

Guillen wants speedier White Sox next year

 

By Mark Gonzales

 

Tribune staff reporter

 

11:15 PM CDT, October 5, 2008

 

The White Sox's 2009 roster could feature Clayton Richard in the starting rotation and injured Jose Contreras working as a reliever if he's healthy.

 

As for the prospect of adding much-needed speed to the lineup, manager Ozzie Guillen was reluctant to address the topic.

 

"We need speed, but they have to have talent," Guillen said before the Sox beat Tampa Bay 5-3 Sunday to extend their American League Division Series. "I know I would like to see some more speed. But when you talk about speed, you can't talk about nine rabbits. You can't."

 

The Sox plan to return injured Carlos Quentin to the third spot in the batting order. Quentin was not activated for the ALDS but ripped line drives Sunday in pregame batting practice. Designated hitter Jim Thome, right fielder Jermaine Dye and first baseman Paul Konerko all have various forms of no-trade rights, making a total team makeover unlikely.

 

But with third baseman Joe Crede and shortstop Orlando Cabrera destined for free agency, the Sox could feature a new left side of the infield, with Alexei Ramirez moving from second base to shortstop.

 

The Sox could add speed at third and/or second base with players who could hit at the top or bottom of the order. Arizona second baseman Orlando Hudson is a free agent, and speedy and versatile Angels infielder Chone Figgins is arbitration eligible.

 

"But in the meanwhile, it's not easy to go out there and say, 'OK, that guy, that guy and that guy, and here's the White Sox,' " Guillen said.

 

Contreras is recovering from a ruptured right Achilles' that could sideline him until May at least. Guillen said Contreras' progress would dictate his role "because I'm not in a hurry."

 

The major reason Guillen can be patient is the ascent of Richard, who started the regular season at Double-A Birmingham but pitched well enough to make the Sox's postseason roster.

 

"I will take a chance with him," Guillen said. "Obviously, he has to show what he can do in spring training.."

 

Copyright © 2008, Chicago Tribune

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