Jerry_Manuel
08-07-2002, 11:07 AM
From the SouthTown:
Next, some conspiracy theorists might suggest the team is exaggerating the extent of Ritchie's injury to help him avoid losing 20 games. But Ritchie is eligible for arbitration this coming offseason and needs a good showing down the stretch to help his case. And if the Sox decide not to offer him arbitration, he'll become a free agent. Either way, he has more to gain than to lose by continuing to pitch.
On top of that, Sox general manager Ken Williams already has admitted the deal in which the Sox acquired Ritchie from Pittsburgh (for pitchers Kip Wells, Sean Lowe and Josh Fogg) was a bad one. So it's too late for the Sox to save face in that regard, unless Ritchie finishes on a positive note.
Finally, the Sox could benefit from a strong return by Ritchie by trading him before playoff rosters are set Aug. 31. So it makes no sense for them to exaggerate the seriousness of the inflammation.
"It's a lose-lose with him in the bullpen," one member of the organization said. "It makes absolutely no sense for us to do that. The only way he's not out there is if he's really hurt."
Ritchie said last week, "I've had inflammation (in the shoulder) before, but never felt the pain I did after my (July 22 start)."
Ritchie has been getting treatment and doing special shoulder exercises every day.
"If we're hiding this guy and faking an injury, we're putting on one hell of a show," the source said.
Next, some conspiracy theorists might suggest the team is exaggerating the extent of Ritchie's injury to help him avoid losing 20 games. But Ritchie is eligible for arbitration this coming offseason and needs a good showing down the stretch to help his case. And if the Sox decide not to offer him arbitration, he'll become a free agent. Either way, he has more to gain than to lose by continuing to pitch.
On top of that, Sox general manager Ken Williams already has admitted the deal in which the Sox acquired Ritchie from Pittsburgh (for pitchers Kip Wells, Sean Lowe and Josh Fogg) was a bad one. So it's too late for the Sox to save face in that regard, unless Ritchie finishes on a positive note.
Finally, the Sox could benefit from a strong return by Ritchie by trading him before playoff rosters are set Aug. 31. So it makes no sense for them to exaggerate the seriousness of the inflammation.
"It's a lose-lose with him in the bullpen," one member of the organization said. "It makes absolutely no sense for us to do that. The only way he's not out there is if he's really hurt."
Ritchie said last week, "I've had inflammation (in the shoulder) before, but never felt the pain I did after my (July 22 start)."
Ritchie has been getting treatment and doing special shoulder exercises every day.
"If we're hiding this guy and faking an injury, we're putting on one hell of a show," the source said.