Watching the Ships go By

Michael Bottigliero, Sox Superfan

The Sox have been needing starting pitching for longer than they lost Jose Contreras- he was lame way before the latest season ending injury.  In the meantime, the Cubs, Brewers, and Phillies picked up starting rotation help.  Now, the latest in a stream of rare and normally unavailable starting pitching talent, Greg Maddux, has been snatched up- this time off waivers. 

Kenny Williams has known for quite some time the Sox needed starting help.  I have known ever since he traded two time 18 game winner Jon Garland the Sox would need help.  And now our playoff hopes, our chance of winning every 5th start, comes down to rookie Clayton Richard.  If only Williams would hinge his career on the success or failure of Richard.  He has not staked his rep on the farm system or lack of or bad trades.  Time for some accountability.

Maddux sure would have looked good in Southside pinstripes.

Where have I been?

Cait Higgins, Sox Superfan

So sorry about the lack of updates from yours truly. I have been very busy with my full time job, working retail for the Blackhawks. Also just moved in to my new place. Since I am finally getting a wireless signal from some random free wi-fi hub, I felt that this would be a great time to talk about everything that’s been going down with our team. Not having my cable hooked up let me enjoy the sweet sounds of Ed Farmer and Steve Stone celebrating another awesome Sox victory! The beginning of the night looked dismal as a brain cramp lead to 3 runs in the first. But, we battled back to stay on top. Oh yeah… hey Twins, welcome back to second place. You guys should stay there; it looks good on you.

I am so excited that our offense has begun to destroy other teams’ pitching. If we could only do this when John Danks is on the mound! It was great to see the teamwork that went in to getting Buehrle his win tonight. I felt so proud of my boys. Thanks to Swish, Alexei, Cabrera and THE CARLOS QUENTIN, we were able to stay on top of the AL in Homers. Quentin has been such a godsend for this team with the 35 HRs and 96 rbis. Thank you. Also, some great clutch hitting, patience at the plate, and batting around in the 5th really helped out too! Keep it up, boys. Only 1/3 of the season left!!!

Anyway, I am trying to get back in the swing of things. I wouldn’t abandon my beloved team and my beloved blog.

Loving the Milwaukee win tonight!!! Go Brewers and Go Reds tomorrow!

Until next time, Sox fans!!

The Ghost of MissedTrades Past

Michael Bottigliero, Sox Superfan

Hello again fellow Sox fans.  If you have not noticed by now, I am a glass half empty kinda guy.  Our Sox are still in first, we have been putting a beatdown on Detroit, and the Griffey lovefest has just begun.  But I cannot help but think about the missed opportunities and the Jekyll and Hyde GM that is Kenny Williams.

Kenny can thrill us with players and moves.  Contreras and Garcia solidified a championship pitching staff.  Podsednik gave us a speedy leadoff guy and along with Geoff Blum some World Series game winning homers.  Big Bobby Jenks was a scrap heap claim from the Angels.  Floyd and Danks have dazzled this year fresh off trade steals.  Alexei Ramirez is the best Cuban I’ve seen since I smoked a Punch in Mexico.  All this and I cannot help but think…

Nick Swisher.  Very disappointing with the Sox- would we be better off with Ryan Sweeney, plus, Gio Gonzalez makes his awaited MLB debut this week.  Orlando Cabrera.  Another disappointment, and I would prefer Jon Garland, especially with a hurting and reeling starting staff.  Thome was a nice piece but has not really had the wanted effect and Rowand has been sorely missed.  The farm system is depleted and draft picks have been wasted.  Anyone remember Billy Koch and Todd Richie?

It is still more disappointing to see the trades that never happened as opposed to those that did.  The Sox need starting and relief pitching and did nothing while the Brewers, sCrUBS, and Phillies went out and got help.  Would’nt Rich Harden look good in Sox stripes?  The Sox also needed speed and that was not addressed either. 

I think the Good Guys have what it takes to get to October and beyond, but only time will tell.  Let’s enjoy the ride!

What Did I Miss?

Mike Steadman, Sox Super Fan

Well folks it sure it nice to be back chatting with you all.  My sabbatical has ended and I have returned rested and ready to provide the world with my essential insights on the wide world of White Sox baseball.

Let’s see, I don’t think there’s much to catch up on.  The All-Star Game was thrilling (as I predicted), the Sox are still clinging to first place, and there was apparently only one minor trade before the deadline.  Ho-hum and boring times in Sox Land.

If you haven’t guessed I sure am not typing with a straight face.  I’ve said it before but its very true- its never boring following this team.  With no build-up or rumor-mongering Ken Williams decides to go out and pick up one the best players in baseball history for the rest of the season.  Now Ken Griffey Jr. today is far inferior to the earlier model but its still one splashy acquisition.  Its going to be tons of fun to watch to see what Jr. has left in the tank; and to see if moving to a contending team will put a spark into his play.

Yesterday was a perfect example of why I enjoy watching this team.  Sure they coughed one up in that inflatable warehouse also known as the HHH Metrodome.  But it was entertaining.  So in the seventh inning Twin Denard Span (cool name) gets hit by a John Danks pitch but was denied first base as the umpire ruled he attempted a bunt and a strike was called.  I suspect that AJ Pierzynski had something to do with that call being made.  He always seems to be in the thick of it doesn’t he?  It was a bad call…Span pulled the bat back and was hit.  Well Ron Gardenhire went nuts and the Twins fans thought they were at Wrigley and began throwing debris on the field.  Ozzie Guillen runs on the field and orders his team to the dugout until order is restored.  Then the camera catches Ozzie in a heated exchange with some Twin fans seated near the field.   I would have really, really, liked to be in on that little conversation.

So hang on to your hats Sox fans, win or lose its going to be a wild ride.

Trade DEADline

Michael Bottigliero, Sox Superfan

I am not sure what most fans were hoping for but with the Sox in a position to take the Central and get into the playoffs, I am sure expectations were high.  The starting staff is hurting with only four healthy pitchers, the bullpen seems a bit overused and probably could use some new life- especially with Linebrink hurt, and team speed is lacking.  So what does Kenny Williams do?  Trade a bullpen/spot-starter and speedy 2B for an old and slow slugger.  Make sense?  Not to this fan.

It seems that Jose Contreras is injured and has been ineffective for some time before the injury so unless the Sox are planning on switching to a 4 man rotation this early, some starting pitching is needed.  I hate to play armchair GM, but there were some pitchers to be had like Rich Harden (who the sCrUBS got pretty cheap), Greg Maddux, AJ Burnett, and Bronson Arroyo (who could’ve probably been had cheap if you pick up his salary), among others.  Lots of pitching help was out there. 

So we picked up a left handed bat, who probably is only qualified to play a corner outfield spot or DH, and all three of those positions are filled!  Plus center field is not only full with Swisher, Wise, and Anderson, but Griffey is much too old and slow to fit that slot.  Where are we putting this guy?  With Quentin (bad D) and Dye (slow) out there already that could make the worst defensive outfield in the majors.  Thanks for the addition of Griffey- about ten years too late!