The Chicago Cubs are NOT GOOD at baseball
July 29, 2011 By paulmbanks 1 Comment
Hello, good day, hope you are all doing fantastic. It is Friday, and as well all know, that means it is time for some ramblings. It is time to just throw some thoughts out there, see what sticks, then ask some hopefully intriguing questions and create some debate. That is what we do here, so let's get it on. The trade deadline is Sunday, and a certain third baseman might be changing his tune.
So, without further ado …
Filed Under: Chicago Cubs, MLB Tagged With: aramis ramirez, Brad Penny, Brett Jackson, Bryan LaHair, Casey Coleman, Chicago Cubs, Chicago Cubs baseball, Cubs, Cubs baseball, edwin jackson, Eric Gagne, freddy garcia, geovany soto, Hiroki Kuroda, Jason Dubois, Javier Vasquez, Jay Jackson, Jeff Francis, Joel Piniero, John Maine, Kevin Millwood, kosuke fukudome, Livan Hernandez, mike quade, Randy Wells, Rich Harden, Ryan Flaherty, Ryne Sandberg, scott kazmir, Tyler Covlin, Wellington Castillo, X-Games, Zach Morris
Chicago White Sox: Offseason Additions and Subtractions
April 1, 2011 By paulmbanks 1 Comment
Going after pitcher Jake Peavy in 2009 proved that the White Sox are serious about getting their ace in what has become an ace-happy league. This is something that their rivals, cough, cough – the Minnesota Twins, have refused to do. No, Minnesota, it's been four years, Francisco Liriano is not an ace.
Of course, the deal has been a major bust so far, as Peavy cannot stay healthy to save his life. The White Sox have the best rotation in the division with Peavy (if he recovers from his detached lat), Mark Buerhle and John Danks leading the way. But the question with the White Sox is whether or not their bullpen and lineup can keep up with the pitching.
Let's take a look.
Filed Under: MLB Tagged With: Adam Dunn, al central, andruw jones, Bobby Jenks, Boston Red Sox, Chicago White, Francisco Liriano, freddy garcia, j.j. putz, Jake Peavy, Jesse Crain, John Danks, manny ramirez, mark buehrle, miguel cabrera, MLB, new york yankees, Paul Konerko
White Sox Can't Buy a Run
June 11, 2009 By paulmbanks 1 Comment
By Randy Satovitz
The last time the White Sox had a worse scoring pace than this year was 1986 when they scored 3.98 runs per game. The Sox are scoring 4.15 runs per game which is good for 12th in the American League. They were shutout in three games last week (2 vs. Oak, 1 vs. Cle). Ironically, the Sox play at one of the best hitter friendly ballparks and are doing exactly what they have been doing for years- hitting the long ball. The power numbers have never been a problem for the Sox, but getting a large number of runs across the plate certainly has been. Carlos Quentin should be back by the end of the week, but that will not necessarily help the Sox score runs.
Of course there will be more home runs, but if Podsednik can't handle center field, the outfield will be jammed up. As much as I disliked Podsednik coming back to the Sox, he has become one of the lone bright spots in the lineup. He is getting on base and becoming the great leadoff hitter he once was back in 2005 when he finished 12th in the MVP voting.
The pitching has not been as bad as it could be with a possible six-man rotation going on. The Sox even decided to let Ozzie's brother-in-law Freddy Garcia come back and give pitching one last try. It seems the Sox give a lot of players second and third chances- even when their first chance was not too spectacular. The hitting will come around, but scoring enough runs will still be a question mark. The Sox walked 12 times Tue night and should have scored many more runs than they did. When Ozzie Guillen came to the White Sox, he had them play a special style Sox fans called, 'Ozzieball.'
Ozzieball was a way to generate runs by advancing players base by base as part of the run manufacturing process. Some of called it "smartball" because it's built around taking advantage of little situations and mistakes made by your opponent. (Recall the Tony Grafaninno error in the '05 ALDS? A.J.'s base-running adventure and the dropped third strike in the '05 ALCS?)
Basically, it's 'smallball,' but since Ozzie is in charge, you might as well give him credit in the name. You don't want him to curse at you, do you? Anyways, this idea flew out the window a couple of years ago and the Sox have never been the same team. And nowhere near as successful.
The Sox need to score runs like they used to and get some wins on the board. Sounds easier said than done, but if Ozzieball returns, watch out. I don't know how many times Ozzie has to lash out at his team and tell them to play better baseball. Things aren't clicking until the Sox start stealing more bases and laying down more bunts. Even if it's Jim Thome who's trying to lay down that bunt for a base hit; because with the Thome shift, the third baseman is practically in the outfield almost every time. Somebody is going to have to step up their game and focus on the team instead of padding their stats. Once one person starts it, the others will follow in line.
The question is who?
Filed Under: The Bank Tagged With: a.j. pierzynski, Carlos Quentin, Chicago White Sox, freddy garcia, jim thome, Ozzie Guillen, ozzieball, scott podsednik, smallball, smartball, Sox Nation
Taking the 5th, White Sox Starting Pitching Options
May 11, 2009 By paulmbanks 2 Comments
Paul M. Banks
Now that Jose Contreras (0-5, 8.19 ERA) is gone, hopefully, his replacement will keep the White Sox rotation from spinning off its axis every fifth day.
Contreras was contrarian to the Sox winning ballgames, so he'll go and attempt to work out his issues at AAA Charlotte.
On Wednesday Clayton Richard, the former University of Michigan quarterback, will take his spot in the rotation when the Sox play at Cleveland. Richard was a somewhat effective spot starter and solid reliever down the stretch last season. His rookie season contributions during a division championship run were reminiscent of another rookie in another championship season: Brandon McCarthy, who stepped up down the stretch of the 2005 championship year.
Richard gets the first opportunity, but if he fails, here's the other "options.
Lance "jazz hands" Broadway- His name sounds like a stage alias in a really bad musical. And his fastball is equally lacking in intimidation. I don't think Pitching Coach Don Cooper legitimately considers a Broadway audition because his velocity is impressive…if you're pitching for the Schaumburg Flyers or Gary Southshore RailCats.
Jeff Marquez- Remember when he was considered to be a front-runner for the 5th starter position? Ancient history now as he's on the DL with a 0-4 record and 14.15 ERA in AAA ball. Forget about the strides he made this spring. Fellow farmhand Jack Egbert was also considered an option earlier this year, but has similarly since fallen out of favor.
Wes Whisler- He has a 3-2 2.12 ERA as a starter in AAA and led the Knights in victories and games started last season- good for 10th in the International League ERA race. The 26-year-old prospect ranked second in wins, fourth in IP and ninth in ERA among all Sox farmhands. He wasn't initially rated to be much of a prospect, but then again the Sox have fired people in their scouting department in recent years for a reason.
Hopefully, this situation won't turn into another 2004, when it seemed like there was a new 5th starter every week. One of these youngsters should step up, otherwise it might be time to give the agents of Jason Grilli or Freddy Garcia a call. Lord help us if it someday comes to that.
See more of Paul M. Banks' work at the Washington Times, Walter Football.com and The Sports Bank
Filed Under: The Bank Tagged With: freddy garcia, JACK EGBERT, JASON GRILLI, Jeff Marquez, Jose Contreras, Lance Broadway, Paul Banks, Paul M. Banks, wes whisler
White Sox Exchange
May 5, 2009 By paulmbanks 19 Comments
By Paul M. Banks and Soxman
(PMB) About a month into the season, the AL Central is exactly like we said it would be: anybody's for the taking. With all of the teams except last place Cleveland (ironically, my pick to win the division) all bunched up together.
And the Indians aren't that far out, so this horserace is exceedingly difficult to handicap.
(SM) While I did say "look out for KC" in many preseason interviews, it is interesting to see them on top of the pack right now. Even with injuries to Alex Gordon, they are popping out enough offense to win. Zack Greinke and Gil Meche are pitching like a legitimate 1-2 punch, and Joakim Soria is one of the most underrated closers in the game.
Still, all teams in the AL Central have at least 1-2 HUGE holes, leaving this division winnable for any team at his point.
(PMB) Let's talk injuries, De Wayne Wise was already hurt, and then his replacement Brian Anderson goes down. At least Dye was ok. Jerry Owens was still as awful at the plate now as he was in spring training, and last year and '07 for that matter- opening the door for Scott Podsednik, who I think is washed up, and has been for a season or two. (His defense was terrible Monday night) Of course, he's a sentimental favorite with Sox Nation, with World Series hero status, and there isn't much else out there, so I totally understand the decision. Can you think of any better scenarios here? Can the Lilliputian Brent Lillibridge roam the OF?
(SM) If this were a 60's Batman episode, I would type, BIFF, ZAP, ZOW!!! In response to your rant there. I think we've had some fairly freak injuries occur thus far. Thome injured his heal running, Anderson hurt his ribcage swinging, and Jermaine Dye was hit by a pitch. While I don't think Scotty Pods is completely washed up, his days as an everyday player are behind him, and he was always just an average corner outfielder and never much of a centerfielder. He's a fourth or fifth outfielder at this point in his career.
Jerry Owens elected to become a free agent rather than return to the minors for the Sox and signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners on May 4th.
Lillibridge is capable of playing CF, but is only hitting .167 on the season.
Brian Anderson was playing the best baseball of the bunch before his injury, essentially abandoning his homerun swing in favor of contact, and was truly beginning to earn my respect as a player. His on-base percentage was also excellent at .383.
As the Sox have no plans to call on Jordan Danks or Gordon Beckham this season, this is really all we have to work with at this point. My guess is the Sox will try to float until Anderson or Wise return. Just beware, shoulder and ribcage injuries are the two worst injuries for a hitter, so the Sox will try to ensure they are fully recovered before rushing them back.
You know how I HATED the trade of Nick Swisher. The answer? Swisher could have played the same CF defense as Scotty Pods and is currently hitting: .300, 7 HR, 19 RBI, with a 1.122 OPS! No use crying over soiled socks I guess.
(PMB) Is Jose Contreras Contrarian to our cause? He's been AWFUL!!!! In every start except one in this young season, and he was far from overwhelmingly impressive in that start. I guess we knew that between him and Bartolo Colon, we would only really get one decent pitcher at the back of the rotation, not two. Of course, no one will mistake Colon for Carlston Charles Sabathia, but he has looked like a Cy Young winner compared to Contreras, who's likely washed up right?
(SM) Colon has made the adjustment from what I call pitching with his arm, to pitching with his head. For the first part of his career, Colon had overpowering stuff where he could even get hitters out when he threw mistakes. As weight, injuries, and miles accumulated on his body, he learned to pitch with his head.
Jose Contreras was lit up for seven earned runs on seven hits over a mere 3.1 innings of work on Saturday. With an 8.31 ERA on the season, is he done? Maybe, but it is too early in the season to make that judgment for sure. Contreras is one of the tougher pitchers to coach because he has at least three different deliveries on his pitches, which means his mechanics are that much more difficult to correct. With the injury he suffered last season, I believe it will be at least another month before the Sox truly know whether he's done or not. The question is, can they afford to wait that long? At 12-12, and only 1.5 games out of first, I think they still have a little time.
(PMB) Let's talk about possible replacements.
What about Lance "Jazz Hands" Broadway? Let's say it again with loud, musical accentuation…Lance….Broadway!!! I don't think Cooper is legitimately going to consider him an option because his velocity is….impressive, if you're pitching for the Schaumburg Flyers. I know you've spoken highly of Clayton Richard, the former University of Michigan quarterback with significant starting experience from last season. Any other ideas or free agents out there?
(SM) I don't believe the neon lights are bright on Broadway from a starting pitching perspective, although he does have a 4.15 ERA since his call-up, which is respectable. Clayton Richard would be a candidate as well, but my gut says he'll stay in the bullpen because Ozzie likes having two lefties out there.
Freddy Garcia's name has been thrown around after he was cut by the Mets last week, however, he's been horrible in the minor leagues and might retire.
Pedro Martinez and Paul Byrd are trying to pull a Roger Clemens "rent a pitcher" deal with a contender, but Pedro's asking price is far too high. Byrd is intriguing but far from a sure thing as well. That's really all that's out there now unless you wanted to take a chance on another pitcher released by another team for being just as bad as anybody on our current roster.
(PMB) All these issues of depth make me think about the Sox farm system. We know the Sox minor league affiliates are collectively rated amongst the worst by baseball talent evaluators, but there has to be some diamonds in the rough somewhere.
Easter weekend, my girlfriend and I traveled to Charlotte. The "Knight" before the holiday we took in a game at Knights Stadium, home of the Sox AAA affiliate. It's kind of like what happens when you combine a Medieval Times outing with MILB. It was a lot of fun, even though they're not located in the Queen City, or even in North Carolina for that matter. They're actually across the border in South Carolina, past the outskirts of the Charlotte suburbs. I saw by far, the most lopsided baseball game I've ever been at. Our Knights lost 19-3; and this was no fluke as the Knights were outscored 61-17 in their first ten. Currently, they're 9-14 on the season and in last place.
Jeff Marquez (remember when he was considered to be a front-runner for the 5th starter position?) got bombed so badly that he didn't survive the second inning. This was no aberration either as he's currently 0-4 with a 14.15 ERA in AAA ball. You understand why I didn't bring up his name as an option for replacing Contreras. What about Wes Whisler? He led the team in most pitching statistical categories last season and has a sub 2 ERA. Any prospects you have your eye on at this level? Or within the system at all. Scouts are high on Justin Cassell (brother of NFL QB Matt Cassell) and Jon Link. Are they MLB ready soon?
(SM) Again I shutter at the Nick Swisher trade when I look at the numbers Marquez has put up thus far.
Justin Cassell has an ERA over 6 at AAA. That does not earn him a roster spot in my opinion. Whisler is looking good for sure and could earn a call if the Sox want to make a move from within. Despite not being a top ranked prospect he's held an ERA in the three's for most of his career.
Link, who was acquired from the San Diego Padres for Rob Mackowiak, is a relief pitcher and would not be a candidate for the rotation.
Aaron Poreda could draw strong consideration also. The Sox top pitching prospect has a 1.65 ERA in five starts for AA Birmingham this season. He pitched on Monday and threw a no hitter—sort of! It was called after the top half of the fifth inning due to rain but it is still a no hitter in the record books!
We can't forget about our 2009 tradition Maybe or Mirage, where we hit 5 quick points on the White Sox and offer our opinion whether it is a sign of things to come or something likely to fade quickly? Remember, no answer can be longer than 20 words! Let's play ball…
We cursed Scotty Pods and Danks featuring them in Maybe or Mirage.
(SM) Maybe. Pods is playing CF, and Danks is 0-2 with a 9.64 ERA since I said he arrived here last week.
Jayson Nix will supplant Josh Fields at 3B.
(SM) Mirage. Fields is doing a serviceable job and Nix is more of a natural second baseman.
(PMB) Mirage. Not even a mirage, if Nix is truly healthy then he's just not ready for prime time yet, Charlotte calls.
Chris Getz will Hold the Lead-off Spot all season
(SM) Maybe. He needs to stay healthy. His .358 OBP is respectable.
(PMB) Maybe, especially when you consider "what else do we have?"
Alexei Ramirez was a one year wonder.
(SM) Mirage. He's hitting .295 in his last 44 Abs and the weather's heating up.
(PMB) Mirage. This producto de Cuba will start lighting up like a Cohiba soon.
Wilson Betemit has earned a starting job.
(SM) Mirage. Sure he's hitting .310 in 27 Abs. He's a back-up for a reason.
(PMB) Maybe. We have injuries a plenty and it's only May. Maybe that's not "earning it" though.
Filed Under: The Bank Tagged With: Brian Anderson, dewayne wise, freddy garcia, Jeff Marquez, Jose Contreras, justin cassell, Lance Broadway, nick swisher, scott podsednik, Soxman, The Soxman, wes whisler, wilson betemit