SB Nation User Blog: ravenluke

Open Positions? What the hell are we going to do?

ravenluke — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 22:35:15 -0000

Seems that there are at least two infield positions (not including backup catcher if we don't get Hall back), one outfield, possibly one starter, and a lot of the bullpen that needs work.

For the infield I think Getz comes up at second and Fields for third. Are we not going out and doing something big because the only trade that's worked out for us recently is Q's? I've read some people want to go out and get Chone Figgins for third. I'm all for that if there isn't a leadoff hitter that will play second. That would also show that we're probably giving up on Owens.

Centerfield is going to be interesting because we can go with Swish, give the job back to Anderson, or go with Owens if he's healthy. Swish can't play center well enough, Anderson couldn't hit sand if he fell of a camel, and Owens isn't consistent. What centerfielder can we or should we get? Any ideas?

I would love for Contreras to be able to come back and be effective. Who thinks we should just give up on Jose and hand the job to Richard or Broadway? What free agent would be a good fit?

As for our bullpen I hate Dotel. Why the hell we continue to trade with the Royals is beyond me. So other than Jenks, Linebrink, and Thornton, what the hell are we going to do!?

This Offseason

ravenluke — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:08:09 -0000

First of all, I would like to actually look positively on what happened during the postseason. That the Sox could lose our MVP in Carlos Quentin, our big game player Joe Crede, have Linebrink out during the second-half, and no fifth starter shows the will of this team.

Now that we have been eliminated there are a few things that must happen. Kenny Williams has already gone on record in saying that we need more speed. Talk about stating the obvious. When our top stolen base leader is Orlando Cabrera with 19 there is something wrong. It seems to me that we are wasting Jerry Owens in the minors. Also, Alexei Ramirez was here for the full year, called the fastest guy on our team, but can't steal a base to save his life. It's almost embarrassing. I thought we were going to call up Ricky Henderson and ask him to steal some bags.

Our outfield is probably going to have a facelift this season. Carlos Quentin and Jermaine Dye seem set in the outfield. I have read that the Sox could trade JD for some starting pitching, but i think that would be a mistake. Owens could be in center like I stated, but we did seem to like both Anderson and especially DeWayne Wise down the stretch. I like Nick Swisher. I like the life he brings to the team and the 20+ homeruns. What I don't like is his batting average, low RBI totals, and terrible arm strength. Also, I love Ken Griffey Jr. ever since I was a kid. So, it's hard to say this but he's done. He cannot be effective anymore.

Alexei will be moving to short next season because OC is done in Chicago. He's a great player and very feiry, but he's burned too many bridges. Chris Getz did well in spring training and he did fine in his limited playing time during the September call-ups. Third base is Josh Fields. That is pretty obvious because Crede will be moving on. He's been my favorite player since he's always been a defensive monster. I don't think he'll last at third base anywhere due to his health. Wherever he goes, he will be just like Nomar and become a first base man.

We started to settle down the bullpen last year with the additions of Octavio Dotel and Scot Linebrink. Matt Thornton was a beast out of the bullpen and the only good lefty that's there. Boone Logan MAY develop sometime. He's not ready yet and neither is Wassermann. I like Russell in the long relief spot.

The starters are pretty much set. Let us all pray for Jose Contreras to be healthy and effective. Javy got a lot of grief this postseason and it was probably well-deserved. i don't think that Williams HAS to trade him but I'm not against it. Too much money for very little production. He's an innings eater and a strike out artist. Maybe trade him for Zito!!!

Joe Crede Situation

ravenluke — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 03:32:43 -0000

Joe Crede was recently cleared for all baseball activities. This is great for the White Sox, but possible bad for fans of Crede's. I am both (of course) so it puts people in a tough situation. One outcome of this is Crede comes back to third base on the south side and Josh Fields is converted to left field. Another outcome is Crede and/or Fields will be traded this off-season. I do hope that Crede will come back at full force and become the defensive stopper and offensive threat we have all come to love. What seems to be more likely is that because he is coming off serious back surgery he may be a shadow of his old self. Also with superagent Scott Boras representing him it will be difficult for the Sox to resign him after 2008. Although Fields showed promise this season, his stint in left at the end of the season was a little more shaky. If the White Sox are to add a high profile center fielder such as Torii Hunter or Andruw Jones then they may be able to settle with Fields in left. Whatever the outcome this will certainly be a crazy offseason.

Poll

Who should NOT return to the White Sox in '08?

Juan Uribe

10 votes

Scott Podsednik

23 votes

Jose Contreras

2 votes

Jon Garland

2 votes

Darin Erstad

16 votes

The Bullpen (Except Jenks)

4 votes

57 votes | Poll has closed