Monday, July 25, 2005
SPEAKING OF THE SOX
Taking two out of four from the club with the most wins on the road is respectable. Each game was kind of a nail biter. It seemed like the tying run was always at the plate in the eighth or ninth during this series. The Other Sox certainly have a good ball club. Their biggest knock was that they didn’t play anyone; that a portion of their league leading record was a function of beating up on lesser opponents. If strength of schedule has been a factor, it is certainly a smaller one than the Other Sox record in one-run games (23-10). Even though some will state that a good pen aids in a better one-run record, luck is still the largest factor. The Other Sox may not be as good as their record, but the southsiders are a tough team and out in the playoffs.
Speaking of postseason contenders, Baltimore is waiting for Nevin to waive his no-trade clause. Assuming he goes to Baltimore and if the O’s don’t score A.J. Burnett (as it appears right now even though Lowell is off the table), then the two-headed G.M. monster has some explainin’ to do like Lucy.
Speaking of A.J., the Sox should not trade Arroyo for Burnett and forget about including any youngsters. Arroyo has been more flexible, durable and as productive as Burnett. Burnett clearly has better stuff, but a club should not pay $30-40 million for potential alone.
Speaking of potential, Craig Hansen has signed for $4 million and a major league deal. Hansen will be a starter for the Sox. The Sox don’t pay some their relievers on the 25-man his $1+ million bonus. Plus, Dave Wallace showed him how to throw his third pitch, a change up, over a short workout. Hansen can easily learn a third pitch.
Speaking of young power pitchers, if the Sox are going to trade any of their highly regarded prospects, it should be Lester and/or Sanchez. Remember there is no such thing as a pitching prospect primarily due to the injury nexus. Unlike small market teams, the Sox can spend more for less risky pitching investments.
Speaking of injuries, Tim Worrell was traded for Mike Katta - a quadruple-A utility infielder. Prior to this season, Worrell has been an effective reliever. He has been trying to deal with personal issues that landed him on the DL. Given the Sox poor pen, the little cost – a utility infielder – and an in-house shrink, Bob Tewksbury, Worrell in Boston seems like a good fit…too bad he is in Arizona.
Taking two out of four from the club with the most wins on the road is respectable. Each game was kind of a nail biter. It seemed like the tying run was always at the plate in the eighth or ninth during this series. The Other Sox certainly have a good ball club. Their biggest knock was that they didn’t play anyone; that a portion of their league leading record was a function of beating up on lesser opponents. If strength of schedule has been a factor, it is certainly a smaller one than the Other Sox record in one-run games (23-10). Even though some will state that a good pen aids in a better one-run record, luck is still the largest factor. The Other Sox may not be as good as their record, but the southsiders are a tough team and out in the playoffs.
Speaking of postseason contenders, Baltimore is waiting for Nevin to waive his no-trade clause. Assuming he goes to Baltimore and if the O’s don’t score A.J. Burnett (as it appears right now even though Lowell is off the table), then the two-headed G.M. monster has some explainin’ to do like Lucy.
Speaking of A.J., the Sox should not trade Arroyo for Burnett and forget about including any youngsters. Arroyo has been more flexible, durable and as productive as Burnett. Burnett clearly has better stuff, but a club should not pay $30-40 million for potential alone.
Speaking of potential, Craig Hansen has signed for $4 million and a major league deal. Hansen will be a starter for the Sox. The Sox don’t pay some their relievers on the 25-man his $1+ million bonus. Plus, Dave Wallace showed him how to throw his third pitch, a change up, over a short workout. Hansen can easily learn a third pitch.
Speaking of young power pitchers, if the Sox are going to trade any of their highly regarded prospects, it should be Lester and/or Sanchez. Remember there is no such thing as a pitching prospect primarily due to the injury nexus. Unlike small market teams, the Sox can spend more for less risky pitching investments.
Speaking of injuries, Tim Worrell was traded for Mike Katta - a quadruple-A utility infielder. Prior to this season, Worrell has been an effective reliever. He has been trying to deal with personal issues that landed him on the DL. Given the Sox poor pen, the little cost – a utility infielder – and an in-house shrink, Bob Tewksbury, Worrell in Boston seems like a good fit…too bad he is in Arizona.
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