2008 State of the Sox

I was ready to make like that dog and take a dump on the Sox's season after their listless effort against the Dodgers, but today's game reminded me why I love baseball. So many ups and downs, there's nothing like it.

2.22
3.21
2.30
1.41
2.01

We all know about Jermaine and Carlos, but the bullpen is just ridiculous. Can you ever remember a time when there wasn't a single reliever in the Sox bullpen (not counting Adam Russell) whom you were afraid of when the manager brought him in? Even in '05, when Cotts, Politte, and Hermanson sold their respective souls to the bullpen, there remained a feeling of dread for some of the others, like Vizcaino and Marte. But this year? Even Nick Magic (and I'm totally on board with that nickname) is throwing strikes and inducing grounders.

There's one other point I should throw out there. Ozzie Guillen has already earned complete immunity from me. There's nothing he could do or say at this point that would make me turn against him. He always says what needs to be said, I rarely question his decisions, and obviously the World Series title earns him some significant clout. But after what Kenny Williams pulled off this offseason to turn the team around this quickly? He's coming close to joining Ozzie in the immunity zone. Just look at the moves he made and how well each of them has worked.

Swisher and Cabrera maybe haven't quite been up to par, but those two were the players whose productivity was least in doubt entering the season, and both of them seem to be turning it around.

Linebrink, Dotel, and Alexei have all been, for the most part, awesome. I was firmly in the "send Alexei to AAA so he can get his feet wet" camp, and now I feel like an idiot. Sure, he doesn't walk, but he plays a mean second base and has a great "hit fastballs to right and breaking balls to left" approach.

The two big concerns I had with Williams' decisions entering the season were a) he didn't do enough to make the team a contender, considering how awful they were last year, and b) he mortgaged the future by dealing what few prospects remained in the farm system.

Well, a) obviously isn't true, since they are not only a contender but in first place, though surprisingly subpar seasons (so far) from Cleveland and Detroit have certainly helped in that regard. As for b), suddenly the future doesn't look quite so bleak, with the emergence of Alexei, Danks, Floyd, Logan, and Thornton.

Finally, I know it probably doesn't make financial sense to keep Crede beyond this year (barring a significant hometown discount), but after plays like the one he made today, I (along with the Sox pitching staff) am REALLY going to miss him next year. It's not just the spectacular plays he makes, but he always seems to make them at the right time. Bases loaded, saving two runs. Bailing Bobby Jenks out, time and again. Keeping the pesky Angels at bay in the '05 ALCS.

I know I'm rambling, and I haven't even mentioned everything I wanted to, but this was one of the best-played games the Sox have thrown together this year. Sure, Javy struggled, but the offense bailed him out every time he gave up runs, and the bullpen was its usual magnificent self.

GO SOX!

I agree completely about KW. He hasn't been perfect, and he gambles sometimes, but he's correct when he calls his acquisions "high ceiling" guys (e.g. Quentin, especially), and he's been right far more often than wrong in who he acquires.

That said, I do worry about the future. While we have some good young players, the Thome/Konerko/Dye power trio is going to get old together, and we don't have much on the farm to replace them when that happens. On the other hand, there's something to be said for winning now, rather than simply celebrating the centennial of your last championship.....

Good post, Joist. Can't disagree with anything you said there, really.

Thome's gone after this year. Dye's only signed for one year after this, and I don't think anybody's complaining about his production this year. Konerko's contract could be the killer, but as of now, it's looking like they're going to spin out of that era rather gracefully.

I've said before that Swisher and Ramirez's versatility is really going to pay off, because the Sox can look for the best available players in FA or trades without needing to stock one particular position.

Jim,

Thanks. Great point about the versatility - I'd love to see Alexei at SS next year, but if the Sox can't find a 2B and end up settling for another OC type, it's good to know we can plug Alexei in at second and he'll be just fine (he turned in some sweet double plays tonight). Similarly, with regard to Swisher, I'd love to see the Sox find a solid left-handed outfielder who can get on base and lead off, with Swisher moving to 1B and Konerko relegated to full-time DH. But, if they can't find it, they can just pick up a 1B or a DH and stick Konerko and Swisher back where they were this year.

Question, though, with regard to Thome - I was under the impression that his option for next year becomes guaranteed with a relatively minimal number of plate appearances. I thought I read this either here or over at SSS. Am I mistaken?

Entering tonight, Thome was halfway to the total of plate appearances he needed this year to trigger the option. He had 282 under his belt, and needed another 282.

If he does get there, then the Sox are stuck. But he hasn't had his yearly muscle pull yet, so it'll be close.