SB Nation User Blog: SSH2005

Jose Contreras' rehab could take up to a year

SSH2005 — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 13:44:13 -0000

Jose Contreras' rehab could take up to a year

Sporting a protective boot on his left leg and moving gingerly on crutches, injured pitcher Jose Contreras (ruptured Achilles tendon) made a rare appearance in the White Sox locker room before Saturday's game.

"This is my first major injury and it's very frustrating to sit at home and watch the team knowing they are fighting for the division, and not being able to contribute," Contreras said through an interpreter. "But I feel very glad for the team that they are doing as good as they are."

And his teammates seemed glad to have the veteran righty back.

"I know he's feeling comfortable," said Sox manager Ozzie Guillen. "That happened to me, too. I came to the clubhouse. It's nice to be seen and I think the players like to see him, too."

Contreras is bracing for a rehab stint that may last as long as a year.

"I'm going to follow the doctor's strict orders as far as my rehab to get back as soon as possible," he said. "That's my goal."

Toe surgery could end El Duque's career

SSH2005 — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 16:04:33 -0000

Link:

Orlando Hernandez's career may be over. He is opting for surgery on his right big toe, which has a bunion. El Duque previously had resisted that procedure because the recovery time could cost him more than a full season.

Scott Reifert wrote an interesting tidbit on his blog:

Laughing before the game, some staff members remembered El Duque's heroic effort in Game 3 of the 2005 Division Series at Boston. With the bases loaded, El Duque was summoned in from the bullpen ...

"Can you imagine what it was like," someone offered. "The phone rings in the bullpen and guys are shaking in fear on the bench. Duque stands and says, 'That is for me." (imagine a heavy Cuban accent)

After getting out of the jam and after the White Sox won that game to advance to the ALCS, Duque offered ...

"Those situations, they are easy," he explained. "Everyone wants to be the hero, so they swing at anything and get themselves out. Just throw sliders out of the strike zone."

And what about that final 3-2 pitch to Damon with no place to put him, pretty tough to throw that slider then?

Front door slider. Probably the only strike he threw during the at-bat.

A piece of White Sox history.

What a ballsy mo-fo. Thanks for one of the greatest innings in postseason history, El Duque!

Poreda to the rotation?

SSH2005 — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 01:34:40 -0000

Poreda to the rotation?

Ultimately, a final decision to promote Poreda, which still stands as a bit of a long shot, will deal with his mental preparedness as much as the physical side. The White Sox want a pitcher who can handle the playoff pressure, along with the pressure of playing in Chicago, even if it's in a secondary role.

"Let's just say you move him from high A to Double-A or from Double-A to Triple-A," Cooper explained. "If a guy is mentally tough and he goes out there and doesn't do well, it's not going to be like he thinks he stinks and you lose him forever.

"When a guy is mentally tough, it's a lesser risk to ever move him. I'm open to anything. We've got options and we will figure them out and go from there.

"He's a part of our future," added Cooper of Poreda. "We just aren't sure if the future is next Tuesday or later this year."

Clayton Richard called back up?

SSH2005 — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:40:56 -0000

Clayton Richard called back up?

According to a poster at SoxTalk.com, Clayton Richard is being called back up.

I realize this is a pathetic source but I hope this is a mistake and that he is actually being traded for a pitcher who can help the Sox.

White Sox Trade Deadline Rumor Central !!!

SSH2005 — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:19:16 -0000

It looks like the Uribe to the Red Sox trade for possibly Alex Cora has fallen through. The most recent rumor is that Justin Duchscherer is just Kenny's Plan C. Rumor is that Kenny is open to dealing Josh Fields, along with Aaron Poreda, to acquire a starting pitcher. Here are a couple quotes from posters at SoxTalk.com:

The way Joe Cowley was talking this morning on Mully and Hanley Josh Fields is as good as gone. He said they want a SP and Duscherer is third on their wish list. If he is third on the wish list who the hell would be 1 and 2? It would have to be a big name.

Cowley on the SCORE this morning had Duch at plan C.

He also quoted Guillen as saying he will not say his Justin's last name for fear of how he may say it and get in trouble.

I think one of OC or Crede are signed and if not, than it is possibly 4 picks in the top 40 or so gutting the farm system will not hurt especially with Danks and Beckham if signed.

Remember the A's were thought to have wanted Poreda in draft last year and the Sox took him one spot before Oakland.

Post any and all White Sox trade rumors here.

Sox' Danks has presidential seal of approval

SSH2005 — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:04:00 -0000

Sox' Danks has presidential seal of approval

When Janks comes back ...

SSH2005 — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:27:04 -0000

who goes -- Adam Russell or D.J. Carrasco?

Tough decision

The Sox's staff has a pleasantly difficult decision because either rookie Adam Russell or D.J. Carrasco, who saved the bullpen with 51/3 innings in his only game Friday, could be taken off the roster to make room for closer Bobby Jenks when he comes off the disabled list.

"No matter who we send down, who we trade or release, obviously it will hurt," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "Unfortunately, that's a tough part of the job, but I'm satisfied what Carrasco and [Russell] did."

For the Sox to keep him in the organization, Carrasco would have to clear waivers if taken off the 25-man roster. Russell hurt his chances by getting tagged for two runs on three hits in one-plus inning Sunday.

Russell can be optioned to AAA. Carrasco would have to clear waivers. But regardless of this factor, who would you choose to keep?

I think I would have to go with Carrasco since he can pitch multiple innings and it looks like the Sox will need it with Contreras falling apart. Also, I pick Carrasco because Larry likes him. And that 5.1 inning performance against the Rangers was pretty sweet.

"Phillies, Lidge agree to extension Three-year deal comes after brilliant start to 2008 season"

SSH2005 — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 15:20:29 -0000

"Phillies, Lidge agree to extension
Three-year deal comes after brilliant start to 2008 season"

PHILADELPHIA -- Brad Lidge will be saving games in Philadelphia through at least the 2011 season, after the pitcher agreed to a three-year, $37.5 million contract extension.

The deal includes a 2012 club option and performance incentives.

Trade talks for Uribe could be heating up

SSH2005 — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:18:59 -0000

Trade talks for Uribe could be heating up

July 1, 2008
BY JOE COWLEY jcowley@suntimes.com

It was almost as if Ozzie Guillen was starting to say goodbye.

Considering the talk going on behind closed doors concerning infielder Juan Uribe, maybe the White Sox manager was.

''The one thing I say about Juan, I have never had anyone like him since I've been a manager,'' Guillen said Monday, when asked about the growing trade speculation surrounding Uribe. ''I never remember any player when I was playing, counting myself, to go out there and do what he's doing since he lost his job. I know I was unprofessional when it happened to me. I was very, very unprofessional. I feel lucky and my coaching staff feels lucky that he has so much respect for his teammates. He knows they are playing better than him right now.

''The only thing I said is, 'Listen, keep doing what you're doing, and we're going to try to do the best thing for you.' We want him to have the best opportunity.''

That ''best opportunity'' is being discussed by general manager Ken Williams, who has been in talks with teams about Uribe for most of June. Those talks are now rumored to be heating up. ...

How does Kenny Lofton not have a MLB job?

SSH2005 — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 01:11:28 -0000

Last year's stats:

.296 AVG / .367 OBP / .414 SLG / .781 OPS / 105 OPS+ / 7 HR / 38 RBI / 23 SB

Has he officially retired or is he still looking for a team? Does he want a starting job? Maybe he is waiting for some starting outfielder to get injured so he can join a team's outfield for their playoff run? In any case, that OBP would sure look good at the top of our lineup and he would make a great bench stick. If Edmonds could latch on with the Cubs, Lofton should be playing for some team as well. Obviously, his defense isn't what it used to be but no one seems to believe that Lofton will keep hitting year after year at his age... yet he keeps proving people wrong.