southsider2k5 Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 http://csnchicago.com/pages/soxdrawer Sox Drawer Archive | Email Chuck Sox Drawer: Jose by Opening Day? Kenny is Hoping Tuesday, February 17th When I asked Kenny Williams today about who had the inside track to be the Sox 5th starter, I really thought he'd plead the 5th. But instead, the White Sox General Manager was unable to contain his excitement about a certain former ace defying age, logic, and current medical science, coming back from a devastating Achilles tendon injury just 6 months ago. CG: How surprised are you with Jose Contreras, and when do you realistically think he might be ready to come back? Kenny Williams: I'm not going to get into just how far ahead of schedule he is right now, but suffice to say, you're going to be seeing him a lot sooner than you thought. When Kenny said that last line, I just figured he was repeating the same company line we had been hearing for weeks, that Jose was ahead of schedule, and would likely return by July, or best case scenario, June. So I moved onto the next topic, "the open 5th starter slot," assuming that Jose was not even in the picture. Turns out, he "is" the picture, not to mention the frame, the glass, the hook, and the wall the picture is hanging on. Here was Kenny's answer about the 5th spot in the rotation, keeping in mind that there are only 5 veteran pitchers here in camp. KW: I have a strong feeling that potentially it might be a completely veteran group 1-thru-5. Looking at the progress that some of these guys have made, but I'm not ready to talk about that just yet. CG: You're saying "veteran," do you mean someone outside the organization to bring in? (yes, I'm still clueless at this point. I mean, how can Jose be ready by April?? He's gotta be talking about somebody else.) KW: No, we got them all right here. And with that, the dusty wheels in my brain started turning, and that Homewood-Flossmoor High School education took over. "Wait, he's talking about Contreras!", said my brain. But before I could utter a word, Kenny grinned that trademark Kenny Williams grin and said: "Gotta go." And he walked away. It didn't matter. He said enough. You can see the story tonight on SportsNite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliSoxFanViaSWside Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 (edited) http://www.examiner.com/x-425-Chicago-White-Sox-Examiner another article on topic. One more http://soxmachine.com/blogs/soxmachine/default.aspx Edited February 18, 2009 by CaliSoxFanViaSWside Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliSoxFanViaSWside Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 (edited) And the video of the interview is here http://csnchicago.com/pages/main Edited February 18, 2009 by CaliSoxFanViaSWside Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve9347 Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Jose Contreras really showed his dedication this offseason. I don't see how he could possibly be ready, and I'd hate to risk further injury by rushing him back, but given the shape he's in right now and what we all know can be elite talents, this team looks 10x better with him in the OD rotation. Buehrle Danks Contreras Floyd Colon/mix of youngsters All the sudden we're looking better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 is Ptak around to talk about how ridiculous this could be? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 This would be badass. If Contreras is healthy he's a legit #5. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shipps Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 QUOTE (RockRaines @ Feb 18, 2009 -> 09:38 AM) is Ptak around to talk about how ridiculous this could be? Read my mind. I would guess he might say it is even a little wreckless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 He was a legit #3 starter at least for the first half of the season until he tried to pitch through injuries. If both Colon and Contreras can hold up, we're in MUCH better shape than we were one month ago. Marquez, Richard and Poreda...perhaps only one of them even making the OP roster the way things are going now. Pretty big turnaround I'd say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmags Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Can't say how pleased I am with Jose, that is some dedication. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamshack Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 QUOTE (RockRaines @ Feb 18, 2009 -> 09:38 AM) is Ptak around to talk about how ridiculous this could be? I do remember Steff saying over and over that one can recover and rehab after 6-7 months. It's been 7-8 months now, hasn't it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Allen Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 QUOTE (shipps @ Feb 18, 2009 -> 10:57 AM) Read my mind. I would guess he might say it is even a little wreckless. He's posted on this subject and seems to be of the opinion if he's healed, he's healed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Ya, gotta give Steff some credit!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mreye Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Very good news, but I'll believe it when I see it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBAHO Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Contreras as the 5th starter. Richard as the long-man out of the pen (essentailly replacing Carrasco's role). Poreda as the 2nd lefty out of the pen. Marquez to start the season in AAA. Best scenario is the above I would say. Unless Jose is completely 100% though, let Marquez start the season as the 5th starter, and then let Contreras take over when he is healthy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zygoat Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 QUOTE (DBAHO @ Feb 18, 2009 -> 10:16 AM) Contreras as the 5th starter. Richard as the long-man out of the pen (essentailly replacing Carrasco's role). Poreda as the 2nd lefty out of the pen. Marquez to start the season in AAA. Best scenario is the above I would say. Unless Jose is completely 100% though, let Marquez start the season as the 5th starter, and then let Contreras take over when he is healthy. That scares me that we're almost relying on jose to be on our opening day rotation. He's getting too old and gets injured too much. I hope he's there but I don't think we can rely on him anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 QUOTE (DBAHO @ Feb 18, 2009 -> 08:16 AM) Contreras as the 5th starter. Richard as the long-man out of the pen (essentailly replacing Carrasco's role). Poreda as the 2nd lefty out of the pen. Marquez to start the season in AAA. Best scenario is the above I would say. Unless Jose is completely 100% though, let Marquez start the season as the 5th starter, and then let Contreras take over when he is healthy. No way the bullpen works out like that where we're carrying 3 lefties. Much more likely is Richard and Thornton as lefties in the pen, and Poreda right where he should be; starting at AAA and getting innings to work on that 3rd pitch. I was hoping Marquez could make the rotation in ST so that Poreda could go down, because that's where he needs to be. Contreras making the rotation would be even better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 QUOTE (zygoat @ Feb 18, 2009 -> 08:46 AM) That scares me that we're almost relying on jose to be on our opening day rotation. He's getting too old and gets injured too much. I hope he's there but I don't think we can rely on him anymore. The fancy thing about this would be...if either he or Colon gets hurt the first month, we'll have 2 guys down at AAA and a long man (Richard) in the pen who can immediately step in and pick up the slack. As a back end of the rotation, I'll more than take those 2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted February 18, 2009 Author Share Posted February 18, 2009 QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Feb 18, 2009 -> 10:55 AM) No way the bullpen works out like that where we're carrying 3 lefties. Much more likely is Richard and Thornton as lefties in the pen, and Poreda right where he should be; starting at AAA and getting innings to work on that 3rd pitch. I was hoping Marquez could make the rotation in ST so that Poreda could go down, because that's where he needs to be. Contreras making the rotation would be even better. Couldn't have said it better myself. Don't make the mistake of putting Poreda in Chicago unless he is starting. Let the kid develop his third pitch and become a great starter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliSoxFanViaSWside Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 According to Coop right now he's operating under the assumption that neither Colon or Contreras will be ready opening day. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20...sp&c_id=cws Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg775 Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 Having Jose would be great. If the tendon is healed, it's healed. He is a proven pitcher of course. I wish he'd work faster like Mark B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 QUOTE (iamshack @ Feb 18, 2009 -> 10:02 AM) I do remember Steff saying over and over that one can recover and rehab after 6-7 months. It's been 7-8 months now, hasn't it? To be accurate, I posted links and comments from medical professionals over and over who claimed, with actual results, that an average person could completely recover and resume normal physical activity within 7 months of surgery to repair the injury. I did elaborate on that information and post my opinion when I was told that Jose was throwing in January that he would be back in May. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxFan1 Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 I would be ecstatic if he was ready to go early in the season. All the sudden our rotation can be pretty damn good if Colon is healthy. Buehrle Danks Floyd Contreras Colon with Poreda, Marquez, Richard and others as insurance. Wow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptatc Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 QUOTE (RockRaines @ Feb 18, 2009 -> 09:38 AM) is Ptak around to talk about how ridiculous this could be? I believe you're referring to me. I'm just basing my opinion from experience that he is coming back far sooner than I thought he would. This doesn't mean that it is reckless or unwarranted. I know and trust the medical staff from the team. I know they wouldn't have him doing what he was if it wasn't ready. I'm just surprised that he is this ready due to the factors I've stated before. 1. Age and size 2. the amount of force that achilles will absorb from landing on a graded pitching mound. 3. the stress from a major league routine. Again, don't get me wrong people who don't have these factors can be back anywhere from 3-6 months. I've just seen that in older professional athletes, they are usually much more conservative with the rehab. If the madiacal staff thinks he's ready, I have no doubt that he is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joejoesox Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 Contreras confirmed to start some games once ST starts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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