You Can Put It On The Board! YES!

Griffey Jr. Heads To The South Side


In a very unexpected move Thursday, GM Kenny Williams traded for future Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. The White Sox sent pitcher Nick Masset and infielder Danny Richar to the Cincinnati Reds. As of right now, the deal is still pending approval from the commissioner's office. Reports say that the Reds and White Sox will split the remainder of Griffey's contract including a $4 million buyout for 2009. Griffey is currently hitting .245 with 15 HR. He extended his hitting streak to 12 games last night as he hit his 15 HR of the season against the Houston Astros.

Now the big question is where does Griffey fit in? All three outfield spots are set as well as DH with Jim Thome. Playing time will be limited. But with Konerko struggling, Swisher could be moved to first base opening up a spot for Griffey in the outfield. But his legs are not what they used to be. He is too slow to play center field but that will be the only spot open for him. Unless they keep Swisher in the outfield and play Griffey at first base. Is another move in place? Could Konerko be gone? His hand is still bothering him so maybe a trip to the DL could be happening very soon. But as of right now, there is no room for Griffey in the lineup.

As far as who the Sox gave up, I don't really have a problem with that. Nick Masset has been struggling out of the bullpen this year. He was out of options as far as being sent down, so his days were numbered. With Danny Richar, there really is no room for him on the big club. So by giving up on these two guys, the Sox really didn't have to sacrifice much to get Griffey. But there still is no room for him in the lineup. With three hours to go before the trade deadline, let's hope that Kenny Williams is working hard to get some much needed help for the bullpen and starting rotation.

Let's All Relax

Last time I checked, there are 57 games left in the 2008 Major League Baseball season for the Chicago White Sox. But with the Sox on a current three game losing streak, with the last two losses courtesy of the Minnesota Twins, everyone seems to be panicking. Yes the Sox lead in the Central is only a half game, but with two months in the season remaining, let's all take a chill pill. The race for the AL Central crown is going to go down to the wire. And let's not forget that the Twins still have to go two long road trips. One is 10 games while the other is a very long 14 game road trip from August 21 to September 4. So let's all relax now.

The Sox are beat up a bit right now with Joe Crede, Jose Contreras and Scott Linebrink all on the DL. I don't think the Sox will make any moves before the deadline tomorrow, but with these three returning, it will seem like a trade as they are all very valuable to the White Sox's success. But the one man who needs to get his butt in gear in Paul Konerko. Konerko is hitting .213 with 9 HR and 35 RBI. That is just not going to cut it. Will time on the bench make things better? Moving him in the line-up? Or does Ozzie not do anything and just try to ride it out? I personally would rather see Nick Swisher playing first base with Brian Anderson in center field. Anderson needs more playing time and is the Sox best defensive outfielder. If Ozzie does bench Konerko, I believe that this would be the best solution with Swisher at first and Anderson controlling center. It's not time to panic, but it is time to do something a bit different.

Quentin Leads Comeback


Carlos Quentin led the way for the Sox on Wednesday afternoon. His three run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning (his second HR of the game) finished off a five run inning to give the Sox a 10-8 victory of the Texas Rangers. The Sox finished their six game home stand with a 3-3 record.

Carlos Quentin has been unbelievable all year long. When the bats were struggling during the beginning of the year, he was carrying this team on his back the entire way. And he has not stopped. He now leads the American League with 26 HR and is second in RBI with 76.

Clayton Richard made his big league debut for the Sox today. He went four innings, giving up four earned runs, on seven hits, while striking out seven. He showed some very good stuff during his four innings of work today and should be a dependable arm in the very near future. He even works faster than Mark Buehrle.

If you were not able to see the game, I am sure you will see this replay. In the top of the seventh inning, Alexei Ramirez made the play of the year! A slow grounder towards first base, Ramirez charged the ball and flung it to first with his glove. It was unreal.

The real test now begins as the Sox go on a 10 game road trip. Three in Detroit, four in Minnesota and then three in Kansas City. This will be a very good opportunity for the Sox to increase their lead in the division. Hopefully the road woes will come to a halt very soon.

White Sox 9 Rangers 7

That Was Close!

John Danks pitched another outstanding game Saturday night. Pitching his first ever start in his hometown in front of family and friends, Danks went 7 2/3 innings, giving up four runs on seven hits, while striking out eight. At one point he had retired 14 straight batters. Pretty great numbers for pitching in a very hitter friendly park and also against one of the top offensive teams in baseball.

At one point in the game, the Sox had an 8-2 lead. But a shaky bullpen of late did just enough to hold down a very powerful Ranger offense to escape with a 9-7 victory. Alexei Ramirez ended the game with a great play at second base and threw out Josh Hamilton by an eyelash at first. By the way, Josh Hamilton only has 95 RBI right now. He is a machine.

Some other highlights from tonights game:

Jim Thome - 2 for 4, HR, 4 RBI
Paul Konerko - 4 for 4, HR, 2 RBI
Carlos Quentin - 2 for 5, Double, 2 RBI

Some not so good news that came from this game happened in the top of the third inning. A.J. Pierzynski was hit by a pitch on his left foot. At the time he stayed in the game to run the bases and even caught the bottom of the third inning. But when his spot came up again in the top of the fourth, Toby Hall came in to replace him. The Sox reported that Pierzynski left with a lower left leg contusion (deep bruise). I am sure he will get the day off tomorrow to get an extra day off to go along with the All-Star break. Tonight Pierzynski caught his 1,000th career game.

Rangers 7, White Sox 2

Ugly!

Gavin Floyd was just plain bad tonight. It was by far his worst outing of the year. Pitching only 2 2/3 innings, Floyd gave up six runs, on five hits, two home runs and seven walks. That's right, seven walks in just 2 2/3 innings. That will not get the job done against any team. Especially when you are facing the best offensive team in baseball, the Texas Rangers.

One bright spot was recently called up pitcher D.J. Carrasco. Carrasco came in to relieve Floyd and try to clean up the mess. He ended up pitching the rest of the game going 5 1/3 innings, giving up one run, on four hits, striking out five while walking one.

Konerko's Error in 8th Leads to Royals Come Back



Paul Konerko dropped Alexei Ramirez's throw from second base that would have completed a double play in the bottom of the eighth inning Thursday night against the Royals. After Konerko's error, things just fell apart. Mike Aviles doubled to score DeJesus. Then Jose Guillen doubled to score Aviles to take the lead 2-1. Then Mark Teahen came up and ripped the ball to right-center field. The entire relay home just seemed to be in slow motion. Swisher lobbed the ball back in to Ramirez at second. Alexei then fumbled the ball and Teahen broke for home. Ramirez's throw was to the right of home. A.J. grabbed it and dove home to tag Teahen but was just a hair late. The play was very close. If Ramirez's throw was on target, Teahen would have been gone. But even if Teahen was tagged out, the Sox would have still been down 3-1.

Mark Buehrle pitched an outstanding game but received the loss. Buehrle went 7 1/3 innings giving up two runs, both unearned, six hits and had a season high eight strikeouts.

It was a definitely a tough one to swallow. The previous two games, Ozzie put in Brian Anderson late in the games to play defense in center field and then moving Swisher over to first base. He did not do that last night and it cost the Sox. Konerko can hold his ground over at first, but I would much rather have Swisher at first than in center field. And Brian Anderson is the Sox best defensive outfielder. Hopefully Ozzie goes back to that strategy the rest of the season.

Jenks Placed on 15-day DL



Bobby Jenks (2-0, 1.95 ERA, 18 saves)

Closer Bobby Jenks was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Wednesday with bursitis near his left shoulder. The move is retroactive to June 30. He last pitched on June 29 picking up a save against the Cubs completing the sweep on the South Side. It sounds like the injury is not too serious and Jenks should be ready to return right after the All-Star break.

With Jenks going down, the Sox purchased the contract of right-hander D.J. Carrasco from Triple-A Charlotte. Carrasco, 31, was 1-1 with a 2.38 ERA, one save and 23 strikeouts in seven games with Charlotte. He appeared in 101 games over three seasons with Kansas City from 2003-05, going 14-15 with a 4.81 ERA. Carrasco was one of the last guys cut during spring training.

With Jenks out until after the All-Star break, it seems that Ozzie is going with a closer by committee role. Two nights ago Guillen went with Scott Linebrink. Linebrink, who has been solid all year as Jenk's set-up man, struggled and gave up two runs that tied the game. Last night Octavio Dotel closed the game, striking out the side on only 10 pitches. Another option would be lefty Matt Thornton. I believe Ozzie will stick with Dotel until Jenks returns because of Dotel's experience as a closer during his career.

Sox Go For Sweep Against Royals


Mark Buehrle
(6-7, 3.91 ERA)

VS


Zack Greinke
(7-5, 3,62 ERA)

The White Sox will go for the sweep tonight against the Royals as they try to run their winning streak to five games. So far in the series the offense has been picking up the shaky starting pitching. The Sox have come from behind to win each of the first two games of the three game series.

8
7 Final - 13 Innings



Alexei Ramirez led the way in the White Sox victory Tuesday night. He went 4-6 with two runs scored. He did something that I have never seen before and that was scoring on a sacrifice fly from second base. Then in the top of the 13th, on a hit and run play, Orlando Cabrera hit a double to right center field allowing Ramirez to score from first. Jim Thome also had a big night going 4-5 with two doubles and three runs scored. Paul Konerko returned from the DL tonight going 1-3 with an RBI. Nick Masset pitched the final two innings to pick up his first victory of the year.

Konerko Returns From DL; Ozuna Designated For Assignment


Paul Konerko returns tonight from his first stint on the DL in his career. Konerko was put on the DL on June 17 with a strain of his left oblique muscle. He spent four games with Triple-A Charlotte to rehab and he went 6-11 (.545) with two doubles, three RBI, three runs scored and six walks.

To make room for Konerko on the roster, the White Sox designated infielder Pablo Ozuna for assignment. That leaves Juan Uribe as the only backup to play the infield. Many people expected Dewayne Wise to be sent back down to Charlotte when Konerko returned. But Wise has played very well since being called up for the second time this season. Wise has played in 18 games going 14-40 (.350) at the plate with two HR, five RBI, eight runs scored and four stolen bases. With a lineup filled with station to station players, Wise adds some much needed speed in the outfield and is also great as a pinch runner.

With the return of Konerko, Nick Swisher will be moved back to center field. Swisher played some great baseball while filling in at first base during Konerko's absence. Swisher not only became very hot at the plate, but he also played great defense. He is a much better fit over at first, but for now will return to the outfield. With the season half over and the second half stretch just upon us, Ozzie Guillen has stated that he would like to platoon first base to give his big guns some rest. The one he would like to rest up the most is DH Jim Thome. With Thome getting some rest, Konerko would move to DH while Swisher would be put back at first base. Many options available now that Konerko is back. Let's just hope the injury bug stays away the rest of the year.

All Star Snubs?

Yesterday the All Star teams were announced and as usual, there were plenty of guys left off the team that should have made it. But is it really a bad thing?

Here in Chicago, the Central leading White Sox only had two All Stars: Third baseman Joe Crede and left fielder Carlos Quentin, both making it for the first time. Both guys are well deserving. But then we can make a case for many other guys. Jermaine Dye is having a monster year hitting .309 with 19 HR and 52 RBI. Dye is at least part of the group of five players involved in the final vote-in that ends Thursday. But he should have easily been on the team. Another worthy player is A.J. Pierzynski. A.J. is hitting .296 with 7 HR and 33 RBI. But instead of A.J. going to New York, Jason Varitek of the Red Sox was voted in by the players instead. Varitek is hitting .218 with 7 HR and 27 RBI. Obviously the players voted in Varitek because of his leadership and being captain of a team leading them to two Championships. But it should be based on skill and A.J. is having a much better year than Varitek. There is also a good chance that Varitek is much more liked around the league than A.J.

It doesn't end there. The White Sox have the best ERA in baseball, yet no pitchers are going to be in New York next week to represent the White Sox. John Danks (6-4, 2.52 ERA) and Gavin Floyd (10-4, 3.22 ERA) have both proven to be All Star talent. Without these two young guns, the Sox would not be where they are at this point.

But is this really a bad thing? I personally am not too upset about this. Yes it would be nice to have this great talent on the White Sox be recognized. But I would much rather have them be noticed in October than in July. Instead of heading to New York next week, the entire pitching staff will get a very nice rest. Pierzynski has played in 73 out of 88 games. Taking next week off can only be a good thing. So while the majority is upset about many White Sox players being snubbed from the All Star Game, let's look at the big picture and realize that our key players will be getting a nice break preparing themselves for the second half grind of this very long season.

It's Back!

After a very long layoff, it's time to get this blog off and running again!

Things on the South Side of Chicago are looking very good now days. The White Sox are in first place half way through the season but those pesky Twins just wont go away. Only one game back, Minnesota is surprising a lot of people considering they lost many key players. But once again they reload through their great minor league system and they are right there in the thick of things.

But the 2008 Chicago White Sox have one thing better than anyone else and that is pitching. From the starting five to the bullpen, they have shown to be one of the best. Two big surprises have been starters Gavin Floyd and John Danks. Through Sunday, Floyd is 10-4 with a 3.22 ERA, while Danks is 6-4 with a 2.52 ERA which ranks fifth in all of baseball. Danks' record should be a lot better than what it is but he has received minimal run support for most of the season.

While the pitching is the main reason for being in first place, it is the hitting that has been shaky for the most part of the season. Once again relying on the home run, the White Sox lead the American League in home runs with 120 and are second in all of baseball behind only the Florida Marlins who have 126. This could be a problem going into the second half of the season. Not manufacturing runs and just sitting back waiting for big home runs will eventually hurt them.

So far so good though on the South Side. Not a lot of people thought the White Sox would be playing this well. Half way through the year and holding onto first place. Let's hope they come flying out of the gate to start the second half of the season and take control of the Central Division.