Soxman and Paul M. Banks
Alas the dynamic duo of White Sox blogging returns. With the NBA draft complete and the Chicago Blackhawks on ice for the summer, “Sports Ace,” Paul M. Banks returns to wrap up the Cross-town Classic, discuss the White Sox chances in the AL Central, and to dive into the latest MLB trade rumors involving the southsiders.
(SM) Welcome back, Sports Ace. Since you’ve been gone, we’ve seen the White Sox rise and fall several times. Winning 10 of our last 12 games, we are creeping back into contention. I think our dramatic win on Saturday, followed by the thrashing of the Cubs on Sunday may have been the spark we’ve been waiting for from this team. Gordon Beckham has been on fire since delivering the game winning hit on Saturday (hitting .350 in his last 20 Abs), and the team appears to be playing with a little more passion albeit still playing sloppy defense. Your thoughts?
(PMB) Thanks man, it’s great to finally be back. I’m glad you brought up “Bacon” because he’s just been a joy to watch lately, going 3 for 3 last night and playing a key role in the win that finally brought the Sox back to .500. I understand why people compared him to Robin Ventura early on, as they played the same position and both were highly touted first-round draft picks who struggled mightily at the plate and with the glove when their careers first began.
However, I don’t see Beckham as a guy who will ever hit 30-35 HRs in a season. He will be an excellent spray and slap hitter who could regularly see his average in the .310s and .320s each year. He may not have Ventura’s power, but he has way more speed. And as we’re learning now, the steroid era of earlier this decade is over and “grinderball” or “smallball” is the new home run.
UPDATE: Since I wrote this last weekend, before the current winning streak and when the Sox were 6 games out, things have changed.
“After completing a sweep of the Indians last night, the White Sox are 3.0 games back and two games over .500. It’s been an up and down season, but the White Sox are finally providing legitimate reasons to believe that they can repeat as AL Central champions…40 of them in fact.” See our friends at Midwest Sports Fans.com for more
(SM) After winning 10 of our last 12 games, even the most pessimistic of Sox fans are starting to believe we can overtake the AL Central. You once said, “the Sox will go as far as Gavin Floyd takes them.” Well, he improved to 3-0 in June, is 4-1 since May 22 and has a 1.39 ERA in his last eight starts. As a matter of fact, the Sox now have the 2nd best team ERA in the AL (4.00), second only to Seattle (3.64). Care to comment on whether or not our pitching can continue to hold the line?
(PMB) Yes, as far as Floyd (and Danks) will take them. Contreras seems to be young and talented again (or at least very much improved) since his rehab stint at AAA Charlottle, but Floyd is the man truly writing “a tale of two seasons.” You brought up Floyd’s numbers since May 22nd. Here’s more statistics from that before and after date. In his first 8 starts “Pink Floyd” was 2-4 with a 7.71 ERA with a K/BB walk ratio of 35/23. In his last 8 starts since then, “Pretty Boy Floyd” has an opponents’ batting average of less than .200 and he’s improved his strikeout to walk ratio to 46/15.
(SM) While the pitching has been a bright spot, there is a reason we continue to flirt with mediocrity as a team. Monday’s game against the Indians was the first time in six games, the White Sox did not make an error. They have made 17 errors in their previous 11 games. As we have three players with less than 2 full years combined experience playing 2B, 3B, and SS- this has to be expected. This is a key area the White Sox must improve if they are to compete in the AL Central as the season presses on.
Other things to consider: they also have the 3rd worst team batting average in the AL (.254), and are 4th worst in scoring runs (332). The Sox have the worst team batting average at home (.231), in a hitter’s park, and still have several questions in our line-up, including the perpetual “double-play-in-waiting” with Thome, Konerko, and AJ batting in the 4-6 spots. How can we fix these things and what are your keys to our successfully repeating as division champions.
(PMB) First A.J. HAS TO THROW SOMEBODY OUT ON THE BASEPATHS FOR ONCE! Of course, it’s not all his fault as Sox pitchers are ludicrously bad and trying to hold runners on base.
Also, prior to this homestand the Sox were hitting a horrific .221 at home this season. This team of slow-moving sluggers were not hitting home runs; in a power hitter’s dream ballpark. How is this worst of both worlds possible? It’s like encountering some dude who’s both an arrogant jerk and a soft, pansy man at the same time. And if it weren’t for singer-songwriter John Mayer, I didn’t think such a man could exist. Also, if weren’t for Josh Fields, I didn’t think you could have an MLB regular who lacked power, ability to hit for average and be atrocious at fielding. Re: Fields, this offseason: HE GONE!
Luckily, the changes Ozzie made to the lineup a few weeks ago have improved the team dramatically, but I still think the AL Central is nowhere near as weak as people make it out to be. It’s going to take at least 90 wins to capture this division, and the American League is light years ahead of the National, so the playoffs are going to be even tougher than last season, if our boys are lucky enough to get there. As good as the Sox have been playing lately, they really didn’t make up much ground and didn’t even reach .500 until yesterday. Detroit and Minnesota are much better than people give them credit for.
(SM) Many fans are questioning whether or not the Sox will be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline. “Armchair” GMs continue to name Paul Konerko and Jim Thome as the two players the Sox should get rid of in order to become faster. It’s not easier said than done. Konerko has 10-5 player trade rights and Thome is too expensive and streaky for anyone to take a chance on him at this point in his career. Jermaine Dye and Bobby Jenks names have come up all season long as the most tradable commodities.
While we might not agree with unloading any player, let’s look at the latest trade rumblings involving the White Sox and possible impacts of the move:
Jermaine Dye to the San Francisco Giants
The 2005 World Series MVP is hitting .287 with 18 HR and 46 RBI through June 29th. He’s from the Bay area and has been scouted by he Giants in the last week, who are 7 games back in the NL West but right in the thick of the wild card race.
The move would take away our most consistent bat from the line-up and would move Carlos Quentin to RF, assuming he’s healthy enough to return, leaving us with the continued platoon of Brian Anderson and DeWayne Wise in CF.
If the move were made, the Sox should command nothing less than top pitching prospect Madison Bumgarner. The 20-year old lefty is 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA in 12 starts between single A and double A this year.
Omar Vizquel
This one was floated on 670 the Score this morning and is unlikely to happen. The move would result in Alexei Ramirez shifting back to 2B in the hopes that Vizquel would continue to hit .300 and most importantly stabilize the defense.
This is not likely to happen as it contradicts the Sox underlying plan of getting younger. The Sox remain committed to Alexei Ramirez at shortstop.
Juan Pierre
The rumor that refuses to die would likely be dependent on moving Dye and the Dodgers eating salary. L.A. claims they are content with keeping him as a bench player, but a young arm like Aaron Porerda or Clayton Richard could change their perspective.
Assuming Dye is traded, your outfield would be Podsednik, Pierre, Quentin and your line-up would have two table setters at the top. Pierre is hitting .329 with 21 SB in 239 Abs this season.
Bobby Jenks
This move would only occur if the Sox raised the White Flag. While his name keeps coming up, the only contenders that have a need at closer are the Devil Rays. I highly doubt anyone would pay top dollar to use him as a set-up man.
As this exchange is approaching extra innings let’s close with 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…
The White Sox will always be a second class team to the Cubs.
(SM) Mirage, I don’t count fan-base or attendance, I count championships. 101 years and counting is second class.
(PMB) I’ll have to break the word count rules here, but it’s worth it as I let Ozzie answer this question
Guillen was asked why attendance was so low at the Sox-Dodgers series, and said: “Because our fans are not stupid like Cubs fans. They know we’re horses***.” Ozzie also said Cubs fans will go watch any home game because “Wrigley Field is just a bar.”
Jermaine Dye will still be with the White Sox in August.
(SM), Maybe. This is truly anyone’s guess, influenced strongly by the Sox play.
(PMB) Mirage. I still think Sox will be sellers come July 31. Like any good GM though, Kenny is keeping this fact close to his vest.
SoxGirl brought the Sox good luck on Sunday.
(SM) Maybe. I promised a secret weapon and we won 6-0.
(PMB) Maybe. Superstitions and baseball go together like celebrity deaths and mainstream media overkill.
The Sox should investigate “leaked clubhouse secrets” alleged by the Cubs.
(SM) Mirage. Moises Alou’s leaking secret was enough for me.
(PMB) Mirage. Cubs seem to think this is a slow sports news time of year…actually it is!
Bobby Jenks will be the Sox closer in August.
(SM) Maybe. As long as he does not inch closer to 300lbs.
(PMB) Maybe. Who else do we have, Wes Whisler?