White Sox waste, want

One Hawk Harrelson saying that actually makes sense to me is, “You’re never as bad as you look when you’re losing, and you’re never as good as you look when you’re winning.”
There’s just one problem with this White Sox team: It’s never looked nearly as good at its best as it does bad at its worst. Granted, it can always get worse — take a look at the New York Mets — but I don’t think you can find sloppier back-to-back days anywhere else in Major League Baseball this season.
Two things have become clear after another egrocious loss to the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night.
No. 1: Nobody can complain about attendance through the end of the year.
Sox fans have heard that they haven’t shown up a couple times this season. The Sox front office experienced a rude awakening during the Dodgers series, and Kenny Williams also said lack of support would prevent him from making moves any bigger than a trade for Tony Pena.
I’m not saying people shouldn’t go, but it’s not an easy sell. They drew more than 100,000 for a weekend series against the Baltimore Orioles, and dropped two of three to the worst road team in the league. Then they start a road trip with two agonizing losses, although I’ve resorted to laughing at every miscue. It’s probably not healthy.
The Sox have made a habit of giving gifts to their opponents, but as they showed on Tuesday night, they’re not particularly keen on receiving them. That doesn’t put them in a position to beg for charity from their fans.
Next year is shaping up to be far more promising, and if they can avoid alienating the fan base further with their play, they’ll have more room for requests.
No. 2: Jose Contreras might’ve been the beginning of a busy season for the Death Panel.
And Jermaine Dye, after failing to score a runner from third with less than two outs for the second straight night, has suddenly moved to the front of the line.
Ozzie Guillen moved Dye from the third spot to the fifth spot with no immediate results, and he’s running out of time to turn it around. A poor defensive player and baserunner can only post a sub-.600 OPS for so long.
He’s definitely keeping the door open for Jim Thome. Ozzie Guillen reiterated that his club is “very righty,” and with Thome having a very consistent season while Dye falters, it’s entirely possible Thome could be offered a one-year contract.
Personally, I’m thinking the Sox may make another run at Bobby Abreu in the offseason should he become available. He basically fits the Sox’s needs with a short-term contract, offering far more flexibility than either Dye or Thome could offer, and Williams doesn’t shy away from revisiting old flames.
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Minor league roundup:

  • West Tenn 6, Birmingham 4
    • Jordan Danks went 1-for-4 with a walk and an RBI.
    • Dayan Viciedo did the same, without the walk.
    • Christian Marrero and John Shelby each had one hit; C.J. Retherford went 0-for-4.
    • Clevelan Santeliz pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings, walking one and striking out two.
  • Salem 4, Winston-Salem 3
    • Justin Edwards allowed one run on eight hits and three walks over six innings, striking out three.
    • Justin Greene went 2-for-4.
    • Brent Morel went 0-for-4, but stole his 23rd base.
  • Kannapolis 4, Greeneville 3
    • Brandon Short went 1-for-3 with three RBI.
    • Jared Mitchell drew a walk and struck out in four plate appearances; Josh Phegley wore the collar.
    • Daniel Black went 0-for-1 with three walks.
    • Stephen Sauer pitched a quality start: 6 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 3 K.
    • Dan Remenowsky struck out five over two scoreless innings for the save.
  • Kingsport 13, Bristol 5
    • Trayce Thompson tripled, singled and drove in three.
    • Miguel Gonzalez went 2-for-4 with a double and two strikeouts.
    • Jeffer Petino went 3-for-4 with an RBI.
    • Nobody pitched well.
  • Great Falls vs. Missoula
    • Larry Doyle struck out 12 over seven innings, with a solo homer serving as the only run among three hits and one walk.
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knoxfire30

I have stood behind ozzie pretty much his entire career but I want to fire a few shots at him today.
I brought up the point to some friends that everything you could have said good about ozzie from 04-06 has seemingly gone out the window the last few years.
Do his teams still play loose?
Are his players having fun?
Does he use his gut opposed to simple lefty righty robotic managerial moves in almost every situation that calls for a decesion at this point?
What happened to “ozzie ball” if their ever was such a thing?
This team hasnt clicked at any one dang point all year, this team functions much more as a bunch of talented and highly paid stiffs showing up for work every day then as a fun, loose, ready to go kick the world in the ass ball club. And to me thats squarely on the manager.
I could easily take shots at dye, rios, bullpen, and so on at this point but today I had to ride ozzie a bit.

john

2008 was a dream then? I knew it was too good to be true. I’m hardly Rios’ biggest support but to insinuate he is somehow to blame for this mess is a tad…reactionary.

striker

The White Sox are like government workers: old, overpaid, under performers, buying their time.

Shinons

To Ozzie’s comment that the lineup has become very righty: Duh. Which is why I still can’t comprehend why we traded away Brandon Allen. A middle of the lineup lefty who has improved every year? Why, yes, we could use one of those…

JJ

Don’t forget that Ozzie and Abreu are good friends. Maybe that could help the Sox shave a little bit off what Abreu’s really wanting.

knoxfire30

Way I see it unfolding in the offseason.
CF Rios
RF Quentin
1st Konerko
SS Ramirez
3rd Beckham
C AJ
DH Thome (1 year 4 mil, 2 mil in incentives)
LF
2nd
Peavy
Danks
Floyd
Buerhle
5th
Jenks
Thornton
Pena
Linebrink
Link
Nunez
Williams
So, how to fill LF, 2nd base, 5th starter, Added bullpen help. I make a play for Figgins, he leads off can play third or second depending where you want Beckham. I make a play for Abreu we get that much more left handed add speed and can play him in left. Bullpen arms will be out in force, and I have no idea what to do about the 5th starter but maybe a team would want Getz or Nix in a trade for a 5th starter???

soxfan1

I like your thinking knoxfire. Figgins would be a great addition in LF and batting leadoff, but I think he will sign somewhere for the big bucks that we don’t have anymore. Abreu would be a great addition if we can get him on the cheap for 1 or 2 years. I also think that bringing back Thome for 5 or 6 mil would be a good move. He could generate a lot of excitement going for 600. The bullpen is our biggest problem, again!! We need a couple of solid guys to back up Jenks/Thornton/DJ but I don’t know where they will come from. I see the Sox giving a fragile Getz another shot at 2B.

pander

Egrocious? Is that some kind of combination of egregious and atrocious?
And a while ago I’d scoff at the idea of losing JD, a quality bat with a great attitude, but his fielding has not simply regressed, it’s grown a beard and gone into hiding below Fallujah. The only positive benefit I can see is that if he’s simply cold (and his bat hasn’t given up the ghost) his price might be VERY reasonable for a .820-.860 OPS OF/DH.
Know what I’m surprised about most this season? Almost no call for Walker to be fired. Seems like the players and Ozzie are carrying the weight of this season.

knoxfire30

Oh plenty of blame can go to walker but the dead horse has been beatin a plenty!

saltydog

I’ve been forced to watch the Red Sox feed during the last two games, but without volume since I’ve been at bars (the alcohol helps). During both games NESN seems to spend a lot of time focusing their camera on Don Cooper, specifically during the Monday implosion and yesterday’s gradual deterioration. I’d love to know what they’re saying. Anybody know?

saltydog

Makes sense. I’m not sure “Team ERA” is anything great to go by for any team, let alone the White Sox.

conor

I think Boyer could do a lot with Thome’s quest for 600. I wouldn’t be suprised if we are the only team willing to have him, and he comes back on a much reduced salary.
I, too, fail to see how getting rid of Allen was anything other than stupid. Everyone knew Beckham was gonna be great, so I decided that would be my guy to watch. Of course its the guy we ship out. Definately not following Danks or Mitchell now, no siree.