xil357
07-17-2002, 11:25 AM
I'm new to WSI and this is my first post so I hope you will grant me some latitude as I spew four years of pent-up frustration and give some props to those who deserve them.
Having moved to Dallas in early 1999 it is hard to get any good Sox info. The Trib on-line is accessible but it's frustrating not getting any real questions answered by Paul Sullivan, between his moratoriums and "therapy sessions." Is he really a Sox-hater like Mariotti or is all just schtick? The Sun Times sometimes has some good stories but little in-depth analysis.
Forget about getting anything on the Sox here in Dallas. Whenever I tell someone I'm from Chicago, they say "Hey, how 'bout Sammy!" or "All right, Cubs fan!" It's all I can do to keep from gagging before I politely tell them that there is another major league team in Chicago. Most Texans aren't malicious, they are just woefully uninformed.
The TV sports coverage here in Dallas is good for the Cowboys, Stars, Rangers and Mavs. Often they will give scores of select games, but invariably it is Yankees and Red Sox highlights. For crimeny sakes, there are lots more expatriated Chicagoans here in Dallas then former New Yorkers or Bostonians. I guess there just isn't enough time for other AL teams, they have to get back to kissing the silver spoon in favorite son George W.'s golden rear end.
As for Sammy, while I agree that we got stiffed in just getting one halfway decent season out of George Bell in exchange, I was on board with trading Sammy as far back as 1991. Where, exactly, have the Cubs gone, despite his (steroid-induced) 60+ homer seasons? Has he ever hit a cutoff man? Has he ever advanced a runner with a hit to the right side of the infield? Has he stopped striking out so much? Hasn't his head grown two full sizes in the last six years? I understand that working out and pumping iron will build your arms, legs, abs, back and even your neck, but what exercises, exactly, will make your head bigger? How many of his homers are hit to the obscenely short power alleys at that broken-down festering, piss-smelling, frat-boy filled hole called Wrigley? Sure, it's deep down the lines but it's painfully obvious that the walls curve back toward home plate at the power alleys, and then go straight back to center. How many homers are hit to straight away center or straight down the lines? And that basket is worth at least five homers a year, too. I know I am preaching to the choir here but it sickens me that Sammy likely is bound for Cooperstown in a Cubs hat.
Moving swiftly on, why the heck, other than the money that we are paying Valentin, is Crede sitting at Charlotte? Hasn't he been ready for two years? Aren't they going to run out of options on him?
Thomas. An enigma wrapped within a riddle inside a mystery. So much talent and such great vision but he's had but one great season in the last five (2000). For a long time I was in awe at his talent and the numbers he put up from 1991 to 1996 and was sure he was headed for the Hall and that the Sox would win three Series in the 90s. Well, thanks to some really boneheaded trades and a really pig-headed owner -- and our starting pitching going south -- we see what happened there. I hate so much to say this -- it pains me terribly, but I say exercise the diminished skills clause and cut your losses now with Big Frank.
Robin Ventura. What a shame. He was the heart and soul of this team and Reinsdorf (sp?) let him get away. He would have ratcheted down the defense at the hot corner, and along with Clayton, could have helped our pitching staff tremendously.
I have to give Schu and Reinsdorf their props though in not signing our pitchers from the early 90s to long term deals. Where are McDowell, Fernandez and Alvarez now? (rhetorical question) Too bad we couldn't have used them as trade bait for some other good pitchers. I wish they would have signed Roger Clemens instead of Jaime Navarro 1997 (or 98?) when everyone thought Clemens was washed up. Of course, if ifs and buts were candy and nuts we'd have a fruitcake.
Here's the most frustrating thing. How many former Sox or almost-Sox pitchers are successful now? Bob Wickman as a closer? Jeff Weaver at the top of the rotation? They sure would be helpful right about now. While I too mourn over the Kip Wells/Josh Fogg/Shawn Lowe for Todd Ritchie trade, I also have a hard time believing that Wells and Fogg could have put up such stellar numbers in the much-more difficult-to-pitch-in American League. However, the flip side to that is AL teams need to beware of signing or trading for pitchers who have had some success in the NL (Ritchie). (Chan Ho Park is a similar lesson for the Texas Rangers). On the other hand, many AL mediocre to above-average pitchers have gone to be successful in the much less difficult NL. This is the terrible dark downside of the designated hitter rule.
OK, on the the future. Although Clayton can't hit his way out of a paper bag, I think his defense at short really helps this team and our pitchers. Minnesota is proving that you can win with great defense even if you don't have the best hitting. I wish I knew the problem with Durham. See if we can get something for him in a trade. It might even behoove us to keep Lofton in center. Even if his hitting blows, his speed, arm and defense in center are valuable. Giving him a couple days off each week will get Rowand in the lineup more, too. See if we can get something -- anything -- for Valentin.
1B Obviously Konerko
2B Harris
SS Clayton
3B Crede
C platoon Josh Paul and Mark Johnson
utility IF Graffanino (sp?)
LF Borchard
CF Lofton (again, defense, speed and arm help this pitching staff; any offense is a bonus)
RF Maggs, of course
utility OF Rowand
DH platoon Lee and Liefer
Liefer has proven he can hit for power from the left side of the plate; let him bat against right-handed pitchers. He can also back up Maggs in right when he needs a day off. If Lee turns it around for real he also can help out in left if Borchard struggles. This also gives you a relatively inexpensive pinch hitter no matter who starts at DH. Each would get about 100 starts or 350-400 at bats in a season. There would be less pouting during inter-league games in NL parks.
Gone: Valentin ($5 million), Thomas ($9 million), Durham ($4 million?), Alomar ($3 million?).
Savings: Around $21 million but a better defensive team. Please keep Jerry Manuel as manager. He's the best manager we've had since Torborg, maybe even LaRussa. I know that doesn't say much but there are a lot of really bad managers out there and Manuel is one of the good ones.
Pitching: Lock up Mark Buherle now so he doesn't get pissed like McDowell did! Continue to work with Garland, Wright and Rauch, and guys in the minors like Corwin Malone, Jason Stumm, Ken Vining, Kris Honel, etc. There are good arms. If just two of them pan out it will be worth it. Don't trade any of them unless you are absolutely 100% sure they won't make it.
Continue to work with Keith Foulke. However, Howry, Wunsch, etc. likely have peaked. Don't count on Marte and Osuna to keep their good work up for the long-term. Glover is a keeper but keep him in the pen. Any team that thinks it's bullpen will be it's strength, especially in the AL, is asking for trouble. DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, SIGN OR TRADE FOR SPARE TO FAIR PITCHERS FROM THE NATIONAL LEAGUE. The only pitchers to target are absolute can't-miss guys like Mark Prior. Is there any way we can get him from the Cubs? LOL
The next year or even two years ought to be about letting the young pitchers pitch with a good defense behind them. They will struggle at times but it will separate the men from the boys and they will have the benefit of a defense that can bail them out of tight situations, increasing their confidence.
I don't know much about Nardi Contreras, but the results thus far -- other than Buherle, have been unimpressive to say the least. I say give him the rest of this season, but with a good defense behind the pitchers like I described above. If there is noticeable improvement in our youngsters, then keep him. If not, find someone else to light a fire under them.
As for hitting coach, I say consider bringing back Walt Hriniak (if he is still alive out there). Consider having two hitting coaches, even, and let the hitters choose who to work with.
Please place an emphasis on the fundamentals -- and base-running, and I think that this team can really go places. Add a top-of-the-line free agent AL pitcher to the rotation and you have the recipe for something very special.
Oh well. If you've read this far then thank you for putting up with my pontificating. I will now get down off my soap box.
Having moved to Dallas in early 1999 it is hard to get any good Sox info. The Trib on-line is accessible but it's frustrating not getting any real questions answered by Paul Sullivan, between his moratoriums and "therapy sessions." Is he really a Sox-hater like Mariotti or is all just schtick? The Sun Times sometimes has some good stories but little in-depth analysis.
Forget about getting anything on the Sox here in Dallas. Whenever I tell someone I'm from Chicago, they say "Hey, how 'bout Sammy!" or "All right, Cubs fan!" It's all I can do to keep from gagging before I politely tell them that there is another major league team in Chicago. Most Texans aren't malicious, they are just woefully uninformed.
The TV sports coverage here in Dallas is good for the Cowboys, Stars, Rangers and Mavs. Often they will give scores of select games, but invariably it is Yankees and Red Sox highlights. For crimeny sakes, there are lots more expatriated Chicagoans here in Dallas then former New Yorkers or Bostonians. I guess there just isn't enough time for other AL teams, they have to get back to kissing the silver spoon in favorite son George W.'s golden rear end.
As for Sammy, while I agree that we got stiffed in just getting one halfway decent season out of George Bell in exchange, I was on board with trading Sammy as far back as 1991. Where, exactly, have the Cubs gone, despite his (steroid-induced) 60+ homer seasons? Has he ever hit a cutoff man? Has he ever advanced a runner with a hit to the right side of the infield? Has he stopped striking out so much? Hasn't his head grown two full sizes in the last six years? I understand that working out and pumping iron will build your arms, legs, abs, back and even your neck, but what exercises, exactly, will make your head bigger? How many of his homers are hit to the obscenely short power alleys at that broken-down festering, piss-smelling, frat-boy filled hole called Wrigley? Sure, it's deep down the lines but it's painfully obvious that the walls curve back toward home plate at the power alleys, and then go straight back to center. How many homers are hit to straight away center or straight down the lines? And that basket is worth at least five homers a year, too. I know I am preaching to the choir here but it sickens me that Sammy likely is bound for Cooperstown in a Cubs hat.
Moving swiftly on, why the heck, other than the money that we are paying Valentin, is Crede sitting at Charlotte? Hasn't he been ready for two years? Aren't they going to run out of options on him?
Thomas. An enigma wrapped within a riddle inside a mystery. So much talent and such great vision but he's had but one great season in the last five (2000). For a long time I was in awe at his talent and the numbers he put up from 1991 to 1996 and was sure he was headed for the Hall and that the Sox would win three Series in the 90s. Well, thanks to some really boneheaded trades and a really pig-headed owner -- and our starting pitching going south -- we see what happened there. I hate so much to say this -- it pains me terribly, but I say exercise the diminished skills clause and cut your losses now with Big Frank.
Robin Ventura. What a shame. He was the heart and soul of this team and Reinsdorf (sp?) let him get away. He would have ratcheted down the defense at the hot corner, and along with Clayton, could have helped our pitching staff tremendously.
I have to give Schu and Reinsdorf their props though in not signing our pitchers from the early 90s to long term deals. Where are McDowell, Fernandez and Alvarez now? (rhetorical question) Too bad we couldn't have used them as trade bait for some other good pitchers. I wish they would have signed Roger Clemens instead of Jaime Navarro 1997 (or 98?) when everyone thought Clemens was washed up. Of course, if ifs and buts were candy and nuts we'd have a fruitcake.
Here's the most frustrating thing. How many former Sox or almost-Sox pitchers are successful now? Bob Wickman as a closer? Jeff Weaver at the top of the rotation? They sure would be helpful right about now. While I too mourn over the Kip Wells/Josh Fogg/Shawn Lowe for Todd Ritchie trade, I also have a hard time believing that Wells and Fogg could have put up such stellar numbers in the much-more difficult-to-pitch-in American League. However, the flip side to that is AL teams need to beware of signing or trading for pitchers who have had some success in the NL (Ritchie). (Chan Ho Park is a similar lesson for the Texas Rangers). On the other hand, many AL mediocre to above-average pitchers have gone to be successful in the much less difficult NL. This is the terrible dark downside of the designated hitter rule.
OK, on the the future. Although Clayton can't hit his way out of a paper bag, I think his defense at short really helps this team and our pitchers. Minnesota is proving that you can win with great defense even if you don't have the best hitting. I wish I knew the problem with Durham. See if we can get something for him in a trade. It might even behoove us to keep Lofton in center. Even if his hitting blows, his speed, arm and defense in center are valuable. Giving him a couple days off each week will get Rowand in the lineup more, too. See if we can get something -- anything -- for Valentin.
1B Obviously Konerko
2B Harris
SS Clayton
3B Crede
C platoon Josh Paul and Mark Johnson
utility IF Graffanino (sp?)
LF Borchard
CF Lofton (again, defense, speed and arm help this pitching staff; any offense is a bonus)
RF Maggs, of course
utility OF Rowand
DH platoon Lee and Liefer
Liefer has proven he can hit for power from the left side of the plate; let him bat against right-handed pitchers. He can also back up Maggs in right when he needs a day off. If Lee turns it around for real he also can help out in left if Borchard struggles. This also gives you a relatively inexpensive pinch hitter no matter who starts at DH. Each would get about 100 starts or 350-400 at bats in a season. There would be less pouting during inter-league games in NL parks.
Gone: Valentin ($5 million), Thomas ($9 million), Durham ($4 million?), Alomar ($3 million?).
Savings: Around $21 million but a better defensive team. Please keep Jerry Manuel as manager. He's the best manager we've had since Torborg, maybe even LaRussa. I know that doesn't say much but there are a lot of really bad managers out there and Manuel is one of the good ones.
Pitching: Lock up Mark Buherle now so he doesn't get pissed like McDowell did! Continue to work with Garland, Wright and Rauch, and guys in the minors like Corwin Malone, Jason Stumm, Ken Vining, Kris Honel, etc. There are good arms. If just two of them pan out it will be worth it. Don't trade any of them unless you are absolutely 100% sure they won't make it.
Continue to work with Keith Foulke. However, Howry, Wunsch, etc. likely have peaked. Don't count on Marte and Osuna to keep their good work up for the long-term. Glover is a keeper but keep him in the pen. Any team that thinks it's bullpen will be it's strength, especially in the AL, is asking for trouble. DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, SIGN OR TRADE FOR SPARE TO FAIR PITCHERS FROM THE NATIONAL LEAGUE. The only pitchers to target are absolute can't-miss guys like Mark Prior. Is there any way we can get him from the Cubs? LOL
The next year or even two years ought to be about letting the young pitchers pitch with a good defense behind them. They will struggle at times but it will separate the men from the boys and they will have the benefit of a defense that can bail them out of tight situations, increasing their confidence.
I don't know much about Nardi Contreras, but the results thus far -- other than Buherle, have been unimpressive to say the least. I say give him the rest of this season, but with a good defense behind the pitchers like I described above. If there is noticeable improvement in our youngsters, then keep him. If not, find someone else to light a fire under them.
As for hitting coach, I say consider bringing back Walt Hriniak (if he is still alive out there). Consider having two hitting coaches, even, and let the hitters choose who to work with.
Please place an emphasis on the fundamentals -- and base-running, and I think that this team can really go places. Add a top-of-the-line free agent AL pitcher to the rotation and you have the recipe for something very special.
Oh well. If you've read this far then thank you for putting up with my pontificating. I will now get down off my soap box.