Will KW continue to remake us into a speedier team?

[Reddy]

Yeah, the Angels have a pretty nasty line-up, Morales has really surged this year, FINALLY, and there's not even room for the likes of Howie Kendrick because "Mighty" Maicer is playing so well. Rivera and Hunter have picked it up over their career numbers, too. Napoli is second in major league homers from the catcher spot over the last two seasons to McCann. GMJ is also superfluous.

 

There aren't many holes.

 

It's like "upside down" world, because their offense is usually a bit questionable, with their defense/speed and pitching (both starting and bullpen) leading the way.

 

Brandon Wood would be getting significant playing time in many other organizations, but won't even sniff the Angels' line-up anytime soon.

i would love kendrick... even though we really don't need more middle infielders...

[gosox41]

When I was listening to the game today, Farmer and DJ brought up the fact that Pods, Getz and Rios all have 20+ steals.

 

I know there's a Sox historian who has the answer, but I'm pretty sure this hasn't happened since the early to mid 90's team with Ray Durham and Lance Johnson leading the way.

 

If you throw in Ramirez (15-25 bags per year, possibly), Beckham (10-20), Nix (10/10 this year so far, you'd have to think 15-25 for him too) and Quentin even (although we don't want him to be stealing, he's a pretty good athlete), we have six or seven pretty athletic players for the first time in many, many years. (I know someone will point out that Anderson, Fields, Wise and Owens were also athletic, unfortunately they are/were also dubious baseball players).

 

Then you look into the future and you might have a Shelby, Danks or Mitchell added into the mix, that's quite a turnaround from the 2000-2006 offense. With those guys, you're not thinking more than 1 of the 3 will make it, and it's possible all three flame out, but still it's something positive to think about for our future. And there's a lot of excitement about Trayce Thompson's potential too, (of course he's 3-5 years away right now.)

 

And now KW has some interesting questions with Pods and Kotsay going forward (especially because Konerko will need to be rested more at 1B and also he will DH a bit). Both of those guys definitely deserve a spot on the team (I feel), but how much should KW will be willing to pay either one? Is Figgins a realistic option at 3 years and $27 million? Dare we risk that with contracts on the books for Rios and Linebrink already?

 

When you think of Ramirez, Beckham, Rios and Quentin all playing up to their potential offensively and defensively, you have a "youngish" group of players in their prime, then the Konerko/AJ veteran presence. Maybe Pods and Kotsay...then we're left with those nagging questions about DH, LF/RF and 3B/2B.

 

Let's assume KW leaves the infield set with Getz as the starter at 2B and Nix/Fields as "trade bait." This team could change in many, many ways going into 2010 or almost not at all...especially with Pods, Kotsay and Castro back.

 

Does KW replace Pods with an upgrade or go for the big, left-handed power hitter to replace Thome and that can rest Quentin/Konerko from time-to-time? It doesn't seem possible to do BOTH things.

 

Do you really believe this team has turned a corner again organizationally and the new speedier/younger/more athletic Sox will be the future "stamp/imprint" of KW??? Are you still sad Brandon Allen isn't part of that future? (Just kidding about the last one).

 

I hope he has finally figured out that this team needs more speed. The extended slumps are ridiculous. We do need a balance of power and speed but we definitely are more weighted toward power now.

 

[harfman77]

I hope he has finally figured out that this team needs more speed. The extended slumps are ridiculous. We do need a balance of power and speed but we definitely are more weighted toward power now.

 

The team is definitely moving that way, thats why a transition season like this is so frustrating. If/when Rios gets it turned around and depending who is brought in to replace Thome and Dye we will have a pretty balanced lineup going into next season.

[son of a rude]

I don't think getting speed will help with the slumps. I don't see why people always think that. We got a speedy guy in Rios, but look at the slump he is in. Speedy players go in slumps just like power guys.