Ozzie Guillen holds court with the media Wednesday at the Cell. (Tom Cruze/S-T)
It's only early May, but Ozzie Guillen isn't happy. The White Sox skipper blistered his troops after Tuesday's 11-inning, 8-7 loss at Kansas City, the team's fourth straight. And as Sun-Times beat writer Joe Cowley reports, he sent a message Wednesday by benching struggling shortstop Alexei Ramirez.
Ramirez has been a mystery, inept at the plate and unreliable in the field after an oustanding rookie season in 2008. His batting average has slipped to .211, and Guillen cited Ramirez's apparent unwillingness to make adjustments as the main reason he's sitting the slumping sophomore in favor of Jayson Nix.
''I always tell my players, give yourself a chance, get good at-bats,'' Guillen told reporters before Wednesday's rainout vs. Detroit at the Cell. ''But when you see one at-bat after another after another after another, and no results, no adjustments ... We talked to Alexei a few times. I don't mind 0-for-4, I don't mind struggle, I don't mind a slump. But how you are in that slump, do something about it. I need some offense, and that's why I'm going to put Nix out there.''
The Sox have plenty of other problems, chief among them a spotty starting rotation, with Jose Contreras one more bad outing away from banishment. Their defense has been shaky, and the offense lacks a leadoff hitter and remains too reliant on the long ball.
Ozzie, of course, is noted for outbursts designed to motivate his players. Last June, he lit into his team after a lost weekend at Tampa Bay, and the Sox wound up turning things around and facing those same Rays in the playoffs. But it's going to take more than fiery words this time.
As Sun-Times baseball columnist Chris De Luca observes, the Sox are more likely to blow this team up at midseason than spend the kind of money that a quick fix would require. A sobering assessment for a defending division champ that still plays in the very winnable AL Central? What's your prescription for this ailing Sox team, and what is the prognosis for another division-title run?
Why should anyone be surprised...I think I mentioned on an earlier spring blog:
- unproven defensive spots at 3B, SS, 2B
- old players
- CF still an issue
- #4 and #5 rotation spots
Was just a matter of time before Ozzie gave his "I'll guit" rant...whatever. Get some players...
How did I know Stu's first mention of the Sox would be in a negative light?
My guys could be helping to soothe my current concerns with the Blackhawks, but they appear to be in one of those states that doesn't bode well for the rest of THIS season. It's still early, WAY early (Isn't baseball amazing that way? 162 contests. Incredible.). Nevertheless, many of us mostly realistic baseball aficionados are familiar with what our intuitions tell us. Yes, much like Ricky Ricardo, my intuition is voicing a complaint that sounds like "LUUUCYYYYY, you got sum 'splainin to doooooo!"
Bubba's Mom inferred that her intuition is telling her that 2007 trends are upon us. In certain critical senses in terms of where the record is going, I totally agree. However, I would state that the two teams are very different in its makeup. I think the '07 team was a team on the fall whereas the '09 team is a team on the rise. I know, it wouldn't make much sense about my '07 comment since we won last year. I maintain that last year was more like a bandaided season with a seasoning of upside from young guys like Floyd and Danks. With the way this year is going, we could even look back on '08 as the quintessential "last hurrah" for a lot of our core veterans. This year is certainly the "last hurrah" for Jermaine, Thome and Contreras (I won't include Colon even though he'll be gone too). The idealist Sox fan in me has held out hope that this would be a fun transitional year in which we took the division in spite of our negatives along with the sufferings of our foes. I think teams like KC might have other ideas. Our negatives are now beginning to show in all their drabness. However, I love what's going on with the youth movement.
If any year could be termed a "white flag" year if we're out of it in July, it should be this year. I want a young centerfielder who can leadoff. He doesn't have to be a stolen base guy, especially in today's American League. But, he must have a .400 On Base Percentage and wreak a little havoc on the bases i.e. first-to-third on most any hit, score from first on most doubles, take a base on a minor roller away from the catcher, take the extra base consistently, etc. He must also have the speed to cover both outfield gaps defensively. I know that Kenny is tired of watching "outs" become singles, "singles" go for doubles, and "doubles" become "triples." I also want another young stud starter in case one of the Floyd or Danks guys (not worried at all about Danks) don't pan out, Buehrle just no longer fits, or Poreda might be needed to be the next closer or, at least, set-up man. I'm hoping for Jeff Marquez. I hold out little hope for Lance Broadway. If he succeeds, great, but to me he exemplifies a huge reason why Duane Schaffer was fired (yet another "safe" and very mediocre first rounder--can you say Brian Anderson also?--although he's still not through) After spending all we did on Nick Swisher, HE MUST DEVELOP, or that Swisher trade from Oakland and then giving him to the Yankees will go down as one of Kenny's worst. Clayton Richard? Another "we'll see." However, I would like to see more Tim Lincecum-like phenom written all over a young stud starter. Apart from perhaps Poreda, I don't see one.
I don't have the time and this is getting too long, but I like where we're at positionally apart from centerfield for years to come. That's where my real hope lies. Maybe some other time I'll discuss each position and how bright they look from a youth standpoint. Oh, I want to keep Paulie around for a awhile as a DH and silent leader even though my grandmother might beat him in a foot race.
I love the Sox Organization because they go for theirs and they pull no punches. Big Jerry was huge - when he came after the Bulls this season. It was the beginning of the turnaround IMHO. I dont think he needs to say anything to Kenny and Ozzie because they are always on the right page. I am so happy we have so many young, fast, and hungry guys pushing these older players.
Its not too early for the Sox to worry because we lack the pitching to cover up a slumping offense. Our young stars from last year are struggling. Colon and Buerle are the steady arms. We need Kenny to bring in another guy and get them going. Contreras is going to be great coming out of the pen. If Kenny is not willing to spend the money on another arm, then they should blow it all up. We have the guys to compete. Its still early and Thome, JD, PK and AJ all look fine. I would hate to see this thing blown up.
Ramirez is too important. He has to get it going, and Ozzie did right by sitting him. When PK was slumping Ozzie saw someone doing all he could to change it. Ramirez and Quinton were our igniters last year. We get these guys going with the addition of Posednik and the youngsters, I see us as a much better team than last year. I was hopeful. The Royals are the real deal. They are not coming back to the pack.
It's still too early to panic just like every other baseball team in the Majors, but the White Sox eventually have to go for it later this season and sooner than you think or else they will fall too far behind in the standings and will have a difficult task ahead of them to replace a lot of older players on this team. Ramirez and Quentin definitely has to step it up. Someone from the coaching staff has to get to Ramirez RIGHT NOW and get him to start making adjustments with his hitting approach while he's in Ozzie's doghouse. Bring Beckham up and inject some life in this inconsistent lineup. Keith, I wouldn't count on Colon as a steady arm all season long. Contreras definitely should be out of the rotation and start trying out different arms for that 5th spot or go get someone legit. There's just no great answer right now other than the fact that the 2 prized kids have to step it up and hope that Beckham can come in and make an immediate impact, especially if the Sox can't do any deals for the right guy.
I forgot to say THANK YOU STU!
GIG - awesome post! PLEASE keep em coming.
I think another pitcher is the priority. I think we have enough to get er done. Ozzie is looking at all of his cards early. Why not when folks are stinking it up. Ramirez and Quinton answers a lot for me. If Floyd and Danks could just step it up a little more (which I think they will), I think we will be alright. And now that McDougal is gone (got to be thankful for all things) I think the pen is that much more stronger and dependable. Out with McAwful, and in with Horse-say Contreras.
Dye, A.J., Konerko, Thome, Contreras, Colon ... these guys are all pretty old, and if they don't get it done this year it's highly doubtful they'll get another chance as a unit.
Imagine how old this team would be if they still had Griffey in the line-up. It's amusing that just a few years ago the team motto was, "The Kids Can Play"
The question now is, "Play what? Mah Jong? Pinochle? Shuffle Board?"
Anyway, regardless of how this season shakes out, I'm expecting to see a much different roster next year.
MARK Buerle!!!!!!!! We are not worthy! Way to go NIX!!! Ozzie is a Genious!!! And Big Ole Bad Bobby Jenks just left Maggs standing there waiting for his walk! Bobby came back and got him like a truant officer!
I'll tell, I love my White Sox, but I have a very bad feeling about them this year.
First of all, Kansas City is FOR REAL. You get kids growing like that, together, with that much energy, and only good things happen. It's always the young hungry teams who have been together for a year or two that are the class of the surprises.
Jose Contreras needs to be put to pasture. Shoot, he's so old I'm not sure he can produce there either!
Our bats are as consistent as Chicago weather. Nuf said.
We still have no solid center fielder, or leadoff man. VERY IMPORTANT.
So-so, so-so, fast, slow, slow, slow, slow, fast, slow. No speed!
Ozzie. This man could be sinking in the Titanic and say; 'Don' woody, we be OK!'
Anthony and other '09 doubters,
I agree with everything you've said. I think deep down Kenny knows that this year was a "roll of the dice" year transitioning from the big, plodding hippos and aging vets to very talented youth up and down the order(except in centerfield and at leadoff) and, hopefully, in the pitching department. Certain things had to happen. A good start would have helped.
Contreras for me is hard to watch unless he's on and how often has that been in recent times? I always have a difficult time with the man of a thousand arm angles because he has that "I don't care" body language even when it's not true. Contreras always has that, but when you're winning "I don't care" is perceived as a kind of "swagger" or at least "coolness." He's not winning, so his body language upsets me. I think it may also translate negatively to the rest of the team, especially the young guys who aren't used to him! He's also useless in keeping guys from running on him because of his slow delivery. His fielding isn't good either. The sooner we get past this guy who looks like he's at least 50 (although trimmer these days!), the better. Pasture is just one destination I can think of.
KC has a lot of what the 1990 White Sox had that won 94 games coming out of nowhere under Jeff Torborg. The thing is, I don't see anyone else in the division getting out of the chronic muck and mire that each other team appears to be in. KC has that "it" factor in which surprise, "no one believes we'll be there," youthful enthusiasm, and small town "us against the world" could truly take them places this year. Tampa Bay had some of that last year, but in a different way since they really didn't surprise many baseball experts with all their exceptional talent from drafting virtually first, second and third every year since their inception.
Of course, on May 9, we still have to say it's too early to panic. Nevertheless, some of us realists who have been around many years and know "bad seasons" develop and what they look like certainly have that familiar not-so-good feeling right now. Do we hope we're wrong? Of course! We won't be happier if we are. We're just sayin.'
Gig, I was in a hurry when I wrote my blog, but you're right, nobody else in our division, other than K.C. looks like they may tear things up. I'll admit it's a long season, but unless we start scoring guys from third with less than two outs, play consistent defense, have someone step up as a leadoff threat, get a decent 5th starter, get aggressively SMART on the bases, have a bunt more than every leap year, and have Jenks go through a 1-2-3 inning a little more frequently than once every six games, we may have a chance. Tall order!
I will say this; if K.C. has a major injury, flip a coin fellas. It'll be a five man race.
Sorry, just the facts man, just the facts.
Truth be told, it doesn't look good for the Cubs or the Sox.
I know it's still early, but as a few of you have already pointed out, the writing's on the wall. Maybe lowered expectations are in order.
Still ... it's a long season, with a lot of baseball left to be played. Might as well enjoy what we can of it, and be thankful that we're one of the few locales in the country blessed with two Major League teams.
So far this year I've been treated to a thrilling basketball playoff series, the Hawks have been amazing, and with Cutler under center for the Bears anything is possible.
Can't really complain.
That's right fellas. Gotta find the silver linning and accentuate the possitive. I simply trust Ozzie and Kenny. I believe that if it can be fixed - THEY WILL FIND A WAY. And part of that is being smart enough to know that you have a problem. We all know the Sox have problems - but trust me - Ozzie and Kenny are two chest moves ahead of us. THATS why I love the Sox. I always wish Reinsdorf would just open his wallet, but that just not a reality. So we have to turn to Ozzie and Kenny to work their magic.
Pitching and Hitting. Those are our two big problems. The easiest and obvious fix...... The Pitching. Ozzie has demoted Contreras and promoted Richard. I think the guy can hold his own and stop the bleeding. Bartolo Colon aka The-Sick-Clown got hosed by that call yesterday. That's my story and um sticking to it! Things snowballed after that. I think we will be steady with Burhle, Danks, Colon, Floyd and Richard.
And then Ozzie will figure out the lineup problems, because thats beyond me. I never thought we would have problems with some of the guys like Ramirez and Quinton. We get Thome and Konerko right and down goes two others! But I believe we will get the ship righted because we a great captain. GO WHITE SOX!!!
Villano - yes my friend - IT IS GOOD TO BE IN CHICAGO!
I saw a game yesterday pitched by Floyd that tore my heart out. It hurt like watching an old person fall. And it just got worse and worse as I watched AJ hit into a double play and kill a rally. It hurt. I know its a long season, and there will be games like this, but it hurt nearly to tears.
But I was comforted with the knowledge that Ozzie and Kenny and Cooper are there - and that THEY are more concerned than I am. And I was also comforted with the knowledge that this TEAM has MEN on it - that will NOT accept that. I miss Carl Everrett because he showed us that he was there with us. He communicated our sentiments and concerns with the right tempor and passion.
WHITE SOX - PLEASE get it together!
Sincerely, Keith - LIFETIME Southsider and SOXFAN :(