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Linebrink Question


Rooftop Shots

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Just curious. But if Ozzie and KW always talking about pitching and defense winning games, and having a bullpen that is strong, then do you think that they will do something with Linebrink? YES, I KNOW that he cannot be moved because of his salary, but do you think they would ever have the "stones" to send this guy down? You need to keep a bullpen fresh and strong, especially after hot summer months. Keeping Linebrink and Williams on the roster, knowing that they arern't worth a "Dink" and not worth being used, will

eventually become taxing on the rest of the pen. Is there any chance that either KW or Ozzie would be asking the question, "why keep someone on the MLB roster if you have no confidence in them being used regardless how much they are making??" It comes down to....What's more important, worrying about eating 5 mil, or winning and doing what is best for the pen and the team?

Thoughts? Agree? Disagree?

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We're stuck with Linebrink and his awful contract, nothing really can be done. As long as Thornton, Putz, Santos (although he's had some expected regression lately, but I still think he's good), and now Jenks lately pitch well, we're fine though. Overall, our bullpen is in better shape than a lot of teams now that Jenks seems to be finding it.

Edited by whitesoxfan101
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QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 24, 2010 -> 10:29 AM)
You can't send him down without him accepting it. He could force the team to release him and buy out his whole contract instead. (edit; that includes next year's salary as well).

 

Thanks! I didn't know that! I thought they while they are under contract (Except for no trade clauses") they manegement could do what they pleased for the best interest of the team.

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QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ Jun 24, 2010 -> 10:34 AM)
We're stuck with Linebrink and his awful contract, nothing really can be done. As long as Thornton, Putz, Santos (although he's had some expected regression lately, but I still think he's good), and now Jenks lately pitch well, we're fine though. Overall, our bullpen is in better shape than a lot of teams now that Jenks seems to be finding it.

 

Totally agree, but if our starting pitching ever runs a few games in a row where they have rough outings, we will need a couple of extra guys to give some breathing room.

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QUOTE (Rooftop Shots @ Jun 24, 2010 -> 09:45 AM)
Totally agree, but if our starting pitching ever runs a few games in a row where they have rough outings, we will need a couple of extra guys to give some breathing room.

And hopefully the clown is capable of pitching the 9th Inning in a game where we're up 6 runs as well, even though he was unsuccessful in finishing it last time...

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QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ Jun 24, 2010 -> 10:45 AM)
Yeah, have to have options left to be sent a player down without his permission.

And once you reach 5.000 years of service you can't be sent down without your permission, regardless of any options you may have remaining.

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Even as bad as Linebrink is, I can't imagine they wouldn't find a taker if they were willing to eat everything but $1.5-2M left on his deal. He does have very good stuff, and he is a vet, and there are a lot of NL teams that need pitching. Even if the Sox could eat everything except the prorated minimum this year and another $1M in 2011, that's still a few extra bucks to put towards another area while trying out someone else. I just don't think the Sox want to do that and that's why Linebrink is still here. They probably think he'll turn around just enough to the point where they can move him without eating quite as much cash.

 

But that said, my hope is that Kenny is at the end of his rope with Scott. My hope is that Kenny wants this division and he wants the best bullpen possible, and that means Hudson is here and Linebrink is gone by any means necessary.

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QUOTE (Kenny Hates Prospects @ Jun 24, 2010 -> 02:10 PM)
But that said, my hope is that Kenny is at the end of his rope with Scott. My hope is that Kenny wants this division and he wants the best bullpen possible, and that means Hudson is here and Linebrink is gone by any means necessary.

I still don't want Hudson in the bullpen.

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QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 24, 2010 -> 01:11 PM)
I still don't want Hudson in the bullpen.

Don't you think he'd at least benefit more seeing MLB hitters in the pen than starting in Charlotte? I do. I don't know what else he needs to work on down there that he can't work on here. He's ready.

 

Of course calling up Santeliz or something might work too, but Hudson is right now the best pitcher we've got in the minors, and Hudson over Linebrink is the best talent-for-talent upgrade we can make there.

Edited by Kenny Hates Prospects
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QUOTE (Kenny Hates Prospects @ Jun 24, 2010 -> 02:33 PM)
Don't you think he'd at least benefit more seeing MLB hitters in the pen than starting in Charlotte? I do. I don't know what else he needs to work on down there that he can't work on here. He's ready.

 

Of course calling up Santeliz or something might work too, but Hudson is right now the best pitcher we've got in the minors, and Hudson over Linebrink is the best talent-for-talent upgrade we can make there.

No, that would be Hudson for Williams.

 

Anyway, I want him throwing 150+ innings in AAA this year so he's ready to throw 175 in the big leagues next year.

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One other thing to consider with regard to Linebrink is that he and Peavy are close. Not that that should matter, but keeping one's superstar players happy is a reality of professional sports. And when there are no realistic options to unload his salary and with Thornton, Putz, Jenks, and Santos all throwing the ball well, that's one more (minor) reason to not DFA Linebrink. Unless the bullpen implodes between now and September 1, Linebrink taking up a roster spot shouldn't be that big of a deal.

 

Edited by WCSox
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QUOTE (WCSox @ Jun 24, 2010 -> 01:50 PM)
One other thing to consider with regard to Linebrink is that he and Peavy are close. Not that that should matter, but keeping one's superstar players happy is a reality of professional sports. And when there are no realistic options to unload his salary and with Thornton, Putz, Jenks, and Santos all throwing the ball well, that's one more (minor) reason to not DFA Linebrink. Unless the bullpen implodes between now and September 1, Linebrink taking up a roster spot shouldn't be that big of a deal.

He's forced us to use Jenks in 2 blowouts within almost a week of each other, I'd say that's hurting the team.

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Linebrink can be traded. The Sox would have to pay a large portion of his salary and get nothing good in return but at least we get him out od our bullpen. You must have a second tier in the pen so the top guys don't pitch every day. Erik Threets, ( a lefty ) at Charlotte has a .056 era. He looked good in spring training too. I would like to see him get a chance over Williams. I think Williams could be sent down.

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QUOTE (since56 @ Jun 25, 2010 -> 08:54 AM)
Linebrink can be traded. The Sox would have to pay a large portion of his salary and get nothing good in return but at least we get him out od our bullpen. You must have a second tier in the pen so the top guys don't pitch every day. Erik Threets, ( a lefty ) at Charlotte has a .056 era. He looked good in spring training too. I would like to see him get a chance over Williams. I think Williams could be sent down.

Williams would also have to be DFA/clear waivers in order to be sent down.

 

Don't mistake me saying that for me suggesting it would be a bad thing if someone else claimed him on waivers though. Just a statement of fact.

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