Aj doesn't plan on giving up playing time

[southsider2k5]

http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/...wants-stay-play

 

MINNEAPOLIS -- A.J. Pierzynski doesn't plan on giving up playing time next season without a fight.

 

With rave reviews still coming in over Tyler Flowers' performance at catcher since being recalled July 10, speculation has started on what the Chicago White Sox will do behind the plate next season.

 

Flowers has shown he is ready for the big time, but Pierzynski still has another year on the two-year deal he signed over the winter.

 

"I want to play, everyone knows that," Pierzynski said Wednesday on ESPN 1000's "The Carmen, Jurko & Harry Show" show.

 

Manager Ozzie Guillen has already looked forward as well, saying that if Flowers and Pierzynski both make the team next season, he expects Flowers to play much more than Ramon Castro did when he was Pierzynski's backup.

 

Pierzynski was asked how he would accept that kind of a scenario.

 

"It depends; it would have to be the right situation," Pierzynski said. "They would have to approach me the right way with it, and we'd see. But I haven't thought about it. I haven't gone there yet, and I'm not really worried about it right now. I'm just worried about this year and staying as healthy as I can."

 

With the White Sox getting creative with their finances this season, Pierzynski agreed to move $6 million of his current $8 million deal to the 2012 season. It becomes a hefty price tag for a potential platoon player, if the White Sox decide to go that route with Pierzynski and Flowers.

 

Trading Pierzynski won't be so simple since he is a "10-and-5" player (10 years in the league, five years in the same organization). Anybody in that situation has the right to block a trade. Pierzynski enjoys Chicago and claims a loyalty to the White Sox, so would he approve a deal to the Cubs?

 

"I don't know, I can't say yes or no to that," Pierzynski said. "Heck, if they have a good team, why would I say no to that? If they go out and make the right signings, why would I say no to that?

 

"I'm a White Sock. I consider myself a White Sock, and hopefully I'll be a White Sock the rest of my career."

 

And just how long will that career last?

 

"As long as my wife and kids are OK with me playing, I don't know why I wouldn't want to play," the 34-year-old said. "Everyone I've talked to who retires says 'Hey man, play as long as you can and play until they rip the uniform off you.'

 

"If it gets to the point where they say the juice isn't worth the squeeze, then it's something I'll definitely look at. But for now physically I feel fine other than breaking my wrist. I feel great. My legs feel great, my back feels solid. As long as they let me play, I'll keep playing, and like I said, I'd love to be with the White Sox for a long time."

 

Doug Padilla covers the White Sox for ESPNChicago.com.

[hogan873]

I really like AJ, and he's done tremendous things for this team. But I like what I'm seeing from Flowers so far. At a minimum, I agree that Flowers has to get more time next year than Castro has gotten in the past. I wonder how much time AJ has left. I suppose he could be converted to a 1B, but that doesn't solve anything to keep him in Chicago, unless they get real creative and split time between Konerko, AJ, Dunn, and Flowers. I don't see that happening.

 

Do you think there are any teams that would sign AJ after next season to be their primary catcher? I don't know. He'd be 35 and doesn't throw batters out well. But he's a workhorse, has an okay bat, and calls a great game. I would think the Sox would like to keep him after next season only if he became the back-up, and I don't see AJ wanting to do that.

[Jordan4life_2007]

I really like AJ, and he's done tremendous things for this team. But I like what I'm seeing from Flowers so far. At a minimum, I agree that Flowers has to get more time next year than Castro has gotten in the past. I wonder how much time AJ has left. I suppose he could be converted to a 1B, but that doesn't solve anything to keep him in Chicago, unless they get real creative and split time between Konerko, AJ, Dunn, and Flowers. I don't see that happening.

 

Do you think there are any teams that would sign AJ after next season to be their primary catcher? I don't know. He'd be 35 and doesn't throw batters out well. But he's a workhorse, has an okay bat, and calls a great game. I would think the Sox would like to keep him after next season only if he became the back-up, and I don't see AJ wanting to do that.

 

Let's see:

 

Yankees? No

Red Sox? No

Jays? No

Rays? No

Orioles? No

Indians? No

Tigers? No

Twins? No

Royals? No

Rangers? No

A's? No

Angels? No

Mariners? No

 

On to the NL:

 

Braves? No

Nationals? No

Marlins? No

Phillies? No

Mets? No

Cubs? No

Cardinals? No

Reds? No

Pirates? No

Brewers? No

Astros? No

Giants? No

Rockies? No

Diamondbacks? No

Dodgers? No

 

The conclusion? A.J. will be back next year.

Edited September 8, 2011 by Jordan4life

[hogan873]

Let's see:

 

Yankees? No

Red Sox? No

Jays? No

Rays? No

Orioles? No

Indians? No

Tigers? No

Twins? No

Royals? No

Rangers? No

A's? No

Angels? No

Mariners? No

 

On to the NL:

 

Braves? No

Nationals? No

Marlins? No

Phillies? No

Mets? No

Cubs? No

Cardinals? No

Reds? No

Pirates? No

Brewers? No

Astros? No

Giants? No

Rockies? No

Diamondbacks? No

Dodgers? No

 

The conclusion? A.J. will be back next year.

I know he'll be back next year. I was wondering about the year after. So, after going back and reading your analysis, I would say that no team would sign him as their starting catcher for 2013. So, does he re-sign with the Sox as the back-up?

[chetkincaid]

Let's see:

 

Yankees? No

Red Sox? No

Jays? No

Rays? No

Orioles? No

Indians? No

Tigers? No

Twins? No

Royals? No

Rangers? No

A's? No

Angels? No

Mariners? No

 

On to the NL:

 

Braves? No

Nationals? No

Marlins? No

Phillies? No

Mets? No

Cubs? No

Cardinals? No

Reds? No

Pirates? No

Brewers? No

Astros? No

Giants? No

Rockies? No

Diamondbacks? No

Dodgers? No

 

The conclusion? A.J. will be back next year.

 

Lol I sense a little bit of smart ass-ness in this post

 

[hogan873]

Lol I sense a little bit of smart ass-ness in this post

Yeah. I bit my tongue. A simple "No team would want AJ as their starting catcher" would have sufficed.

Edited September 8, 2011 by pittshoganerkoff

[Jordan4life_2007]

That really wasn't my intent. Just wanted to hammer home that the market for a 35-year old defensively-challenged catcher with minimal pop/on-base skills that's owed $6 million bucks next year is not a strong one.

[Jordan4life_2007]

I know he'll be back next year. I was wondering about the year after. So, after going back and reading your analysis, I would say that no team would sign him as their starting catcher for 2013. So, does he re-sign with the Sox as the back-up?

 

Would a team sign him when he hits FA? No doubt. That's totally different. You're not giving up any talent and you're certainly not paying him $6 million a year.

[southsider2k5]

That really wasn't my intent. Just wanted to hammer home that the market for a 35-year old defensively-challenged catcher with minimal pop/on-base skills that's owed $6 million bucks next year is not a strong one.

 

Catcher is a thin market though, probably the thinnest position out there. $6 million is a lot, but there are some really, really bad catchers out there. That being said, AJ makes AJ about impossible to deal.

[Quin]

He'll be well received in Florida with Ozzie if thats the case.

 

His iron man s*** would be impressive, if he had pop or defensive skills.

Edited September 8, 2011 by Quinarvy

[Jordan4life_2007]

Catcher is a thin market though, probably the thinnest position out there. $6 million is a lot, but there are some really, really bad catchers out there. That being said, AJ makes AJ about impossible to deal.

 

I agree that there are worse catchers out there than AJ. But those teams, the Rays for example, aren't about to pick up that salary. Other teams that come to mind, the Astros for example, are YEARS away from competing for anything. What logical reason would they have to trade for AJ?

Edited September 8, 2011 by Jordan4life

[chetkincaid]

He'll be well received in Florida with Ozzie if thats the case.

 

His iron man s*** would be impressive, if he had pop or defensive skills.

 

 

This is interesting.

 

I was already thinking that if Ozzie does end up in Florida, he would probably bring back Juan Pierre with him. Pierre won a ring with the Marlins before, so he might get a hero's welcome back - especially if he keeps playing like he has been the past couple of weeks.

 

AJ to the Marlins with Ozzie and Pierre? Hmmm...

[elrockinMT]

Let's see:

 

Yankees? No

Red Sox? No

Jays? No

Rays? No

Orioles? No

Indians? No

Tigers? No

Twins? No

Royals? No

Rangers? No

A's? No

Angels? No

Mariners? No

 

On to the NL:

 

Braves? No

Nationals? No

Marlins? No

Phillies? No

Mets? No

Cubs? No

Cardinals? No

Reds? No

Pirates? No

Brewers? No

Astros? No

Giants? No

Rockies? No

Diamondbacks? No

Dodgers? No

 

The conclusion? A.J. will be back next year.

 

 

That is one great in depth analysis of teams needs and trade possibilities

[Jordan4life_2007]

This is interesting.

 

I was already thinking that if Ozzie does end up in Florida, he would probably bring back Juan Pierre with him. Pierre won a ring with the Marlins before, so he might get a hero's welcome back - especially if he keeps playing like he has been the past couple of weeks.

 

AJ to the Marlins with Ozzie and Pierre? Hmmm...

 

They've already got John Buck signed through 2013 at $6.5 million a year.

[elrockinMT]

That really wasn't my intent. Just wanted to hammer home that the market for a 35-year old defensively-challenged catcher with minimal pop/on-base skills that's owed $6 million bucks next year is not a strong one.

 

 

I think catching is the least of our problems. AJP is not a problem. Maybe pitchers who can't control the running game are? The cathcer and pitcher must work together. We have seen some improvement from Tyler Flowers this year, but I am not ready to annoint him our new back stop. I remember it wasn't that long ago when folks were calling for his head and saying he would never make it at the big league level. He could really benefit from another year workig with AJP. Catching is one hard position to find good position players let alone quality ones. AJP brings a lot of good to this team

[Jordan4life_2007]

I think catching is the least of our problems. AJP is not a problem. Maybe pitchers who can't control the running game are? The cathcer and pitcher must work together. We have seen some improvement from Tyler Flowers this year, but I am not ready to annoint him our new back stop. I remember it wasn't that long ago when folks were calling for his head and saying he would never make it at the big league level. He could really benefit from another year workig with AJP. Catching is one hard position to find good position players let alone quality ones. AJP brings a lot of good to this team

 

It's infinitely more important for the long-term prognostication of this franchise to find out if Tyler Flowers is legit and can handle the most physically demanding position on the field. I'm not saying bench AJ. But he should not be catching 5-6 days a week until Tyler proves himself unfit.

[southsideirish71]

I think catching is the least of our problems. AJP is not a problem. Maybe pitchers who can't control the running game are? The cathcer and pitcher must work together. We have seen some improvement from Tyler Flowers this year, but I am not ready to annoint him our new back stop. I remember it wasn't that long ago when folks were calling for his head and saying he would never make it at the big league level. He could really benefit from another year workig with AJP. Catching is one hard position to find good position players let alone quality ones. AJP brings a lot of good to this team

 

 

You realize that Hawk is not an impartial observer of AJ right. When AJ throws to the wrong side of the bag, or super high where the tag cannot be applied. Hawk goes into a rant about how the pitcher can't hold the runner. Now sure, some of the pitchers are a bit long in their deliveries. But lets look at our rotation. Floyd is probably the slowest to the plate. Danks and Buerhle are lefties and have decent moves as per Danks, and a great move with Buerhle to first. Peavy is a lot of things, but he is pretty good at holding runners. So one out your 5 guys in the rotation is poor on holding runners. Yet Hawks pet gets the benefit of the doubt because it cant possibly be the fact that he threw it to Alexies side of the bag, or its thrown too high. It must of been the pitcher holding him.

 

 

 

[elrockinMT]

You realize that Hawk is not an impartial observer of AJ right. When AJ throws to the wrong side of the bag, or super high where the tag cannot be applied. Hawk goes into a rant about how the pitcher can't hold the runner. Now sure, some of the pitchers are a bit long in their deliveries. But lets look at our rotation. Floyd is probably the slowest to the plate. Danks and Buerhle are lefties and have decent moves as per Danks, and a great move with Buerhle to first. Peavy is a lot of things, but he is pretty good at holding runners. So one out your 5 guys in the rotation is poor on holding runners. Yet Hawks pet gets the benefit of the doubt because it cant possibly be the fact that he threw it to Alexies side of the bag, or its thrown too high. It must of been the pitcher holding him.

 

 

But, of course we all are impartial right? What I do think should happen is Flowers gets more playing time than Castro, but we keep AJ and he is the #1 catcher. I think he has earned that. Plus I believe that AJ has no problem in teaching Flowers about the league and how to improve his skils

[Balta1701]

Plus I believe that AJ has no problem in teaching Flowers about the league and how to improve his skils

It's been made pretty clear that this statement is completely wrong. AJ is really uncomfortable with having a potential "Replacement" around, and he doesn't seem like the gentlest teaching personality anyway. But I can't remember ever having seen an article about how AJ was taking Flowers under his wing in Spring Training or anything like that. Heck, this article is dripping with that sentiment...AJ wants to be the starter, he knows that as of right now he deserves to be a starting catcher, his body can take it and he's one of the top 20 producers in MLB at the catching position...why shouldn't he play a few more years and why should he have to take a seat for the kid...

[Milkman delivers]

It's been made pretty clear that this statement is completely wrong. AJ is really uncomfortable with having a potential "Replacement" around, and he doesn't seem like the gentlest teaching personality anyway. But I can't remember ever having seen an article about how AJ was taking Flowers under his wing in Spring Training or anything like that. Heck, this article is dripping with that sentiment...AJ wants to be the starter, he knows that as of right now he deserves to be a starting catcher, his body can take it and he's one of the top 20 producers in MLB at the catching position...why shouldn't he play a few more years and why should he have to take a seat for the kid...

 

I'm pretty sure there was an article last offseason that basically had AJ saying that he would not mentor his replacement.

 

As to the preference of some posters on this board to keep aging/declining (sometimes flat-out bad) players in starting positions over potential younger replacements, I swear some of you would welcome back Carlton Fisk as the 2012 starting CF.

[BigSqwert]

I'm pretty sure there was an article last offseason that basically had AJ saying that he would not mentor his replacement.

 

As to the preference of some posters on this board to keep aging/declining (sometimes flat-out bad) players in starting positions over potential younger replacements, I swear some of you would welcome back Carlton Fisk as the 2012 starting CF.

 

That's a little unrealistic. He'd be a corner OF since he has experience doing that.

[Milkman delivers]

That's a little unrealistic. He'd be a corner OF since he has experience doing that.

 

But he has the will and determination to figure it out.

[southsider2k5]

I'm pretty sure there was an article last offseason that basically had AJ saying that he would not mentor his replacement.

 

As to the preference of some posters on this board to keep aging/declining (sometimes flat-out bad) players in starting positions over potential younger replacements, I swear some of you would welcome back Carlton Fisk as the 2012 starting CF.

 

Just thinking about Fisk's time in the OF gives me chills. You guys haven't seen bad in the OF.

[BigSqwert]

Just thinking about Fisk's time in the OF gives me chills. You guys haven't seen bad in the OF.

Courtesy of Hawk Harrelson!

[chw42]

Let's see:

 

Yankees? No

Red Sox? No

Jays? No

Rays? No

Orioles? No

Indians? No

Tigers? No

Twins? No

Royals? No

Rangers? No

A's? No

Angels? No

Mariners? No

 

On to the NL:

 

Braves? No

Nationals? No

Marlins? No

Phillies? No

Mets? No

Cubs? No

Cardinals? No

Reds? No

Pirates? No

Brewers? No

Astros? No

Giants? No

Rockies? No

Diamondbacks? No

Dodgers? No

 

The conclusion? A.J. will be back next year.

 

I like how you went through all that trouble to make a point. Well done sir.