As
Sox pitchers enter Phase 3 (profit!) and position players start getting their hacks, it's a good time to assess where certain players stand.
 |
Brian Anderson |
He's
saying
all the right things. He's supposedly doing the right things
(Scott Merkin reports that
he's
using his lower body in each swing more). Still, reading that
Ozzie Guillen is considering
starting
lefty Darin Erstad against lefty C.C. Sabathia on Opening Day doesn't
inspire confidence, especially since Erstad has equally as much to prove.
 |
Gavin Floyd |
Considered the favorite for the fifth-starter spot before Spring Training started, and considering Nick Masset is
99 percent likely to end up in the bullpen, the job's his if he wants it. Don Cooper's pretty sure
he knows what's been holding Floyd back, and Ozzie
likes the way he throws.
 |
Robert Valido |
Valido
said that he and Ozzie "are trying to get eye-to-eye." Meanwhile, Ozzie's
starting to talk up Andy Gonzalez.
|
Incumbent minor-league arms |
With the importation of several power pitchers and re-shuffling of the scouting crews, it may have provided some motivation to Lance Broadway and
Adam Russell. Russell fits right in with the bullpen
in terms of height (6-8), but Broadway gets slagged, perhaps unfairly, for being symbolic of the old regime: a polished, low-ceiling pitcher. He's
done nothing but produce so far in his minor-league career, and
the addition of a two-seamer might help him like it did Jon Garland.
|
Ryan Sweeney, Josh Fields |
Kenny Williams said
Josh Fields would only spend 20 percent of his time in the outfield, and the rest honing his skills at third base. There go my dreams of him
as a possible leadoff man. Meanwhile, Ozzie
says of Ryan Sweeney, "I don't want to hear this from my general manager, but if we have Sweeney on the team, it's bad news."
|
Scott Podsednik
|
Article after
article after
article shows Podsednik having a better attitude than last season, and he's expecting to be healthier overall. I'm
still not convinced he's going to make positive overall contributions in 2007.