It's Broke, Let's Fix It

The last day of the baseball season is always a pretty depressing day for me.  While Sunday's White Sox finale
was more like Dr. Jack pulling the plug on Terry Shivo, it's still sad that the season is over (and even more frustrating that the minor league team advanced to the playoffs.)

We know that 2007 was the worst Sox season since 1999.  We are also confident that Sox GM  Kenny Williams can go out and fix it in the off season.  The AL Central isn't getting any easier and if Williams wants to compete with the Tigers, Indians, Twins and an up and coming Royals team, he needs to retool this team quickly.

In the spirit of helping Kenny correct the flaws in the workmanship of his team, I offer the following player evaluations:

Position Players

Keep

1b-Paul Konerko-He should have another decent year next year.  I would remove him as captain as he is not suited to that task.

2b-Danny Richar-The kid has game and he'll just get better playing everyday.

3b-Josh Fields/Joe Crede-Fields will probably play left next season and is great insurance at third in case the Sox have to trade Crede.  Speaking of Joe, that's a big risk you are taking Kenny, especially since he may not get his timing back until mid season when you have to either keep him (good luck with Scott Boras) or trade him.

RF-Jermaine Dye-A no brainer.  Plus he's signed.

C-A.J. Pierzynski-He's signed too.  But please.  Make him your captain.

OF-Darrin Erstad-Even though he was a bust this year in a lot of ways, he is a valuable asset who can play all three outfield positions and is a former gold glove first baseman.  He also hits left handed.  I say keep him in a reserve role, similar to the one Ross Gload had in 2005.

On the Bubble

OF-Jerry Owens-I think he'd be a great reserve and late inning defensive guy and pinch runner, but he's a number nine hitter, not a lead off man and I'm still not convinced he can hit at the big league level.  Keep him as a reserve

C-Toby Hall-I'd like to see him get off to a completely healthy start. I'd also like to see him throw out a baserunner occasionally.

IF-Alex Cintron-With Pablo Ozuna coming back next year, he's expendable.  I would certainly only use him at second if I used him at all.

They Gone

OF-Luis Terrero-I've seen Timo Perez, Senator, and he's no Timo Perez. 

OF-Scott Podsednik-Pods is great when healthy except he's not usually healthy.  Add to the fact that he throws like my dead grandmother and you can see why he needs to go back to the National League. 

IF-Andy Gonzalez-If Pablo Ozuna didn't break his leg, Andy Gonzalez would have never happened.  Assuming Pablo is healthy, Andy needs to move on.  And if Andy does stay, Alex Cintron must go.

SS-Juan Uribe-In my perfect world, he'd be gone.  In Kenny Williams' world, he's probably staying.  I don't hate him as much as Jose Valentin, but the dude needs to slim down, get his head out his fanny and focus a lot more.

Pitchers

Keep

Starters-It's obvious Mark Burhle, Javy Vasquez and Jon Danks aren't going anywhere.  I would also hang on to Lance Broadway and, I can't believe I'm writing this, Pink Gavin Floyd.

Bullpen-The only real keeper is named Jenks.  Everyone else is expendable in my book.

On the Bubble

Starters-I think if Kenny could use Jon Garland as bait to get, I don't know, um, Carl Crawford, he should do it.  If he could get a bag of baseball for Jose Contreras, that would be fine.  If Kenny thinks he can sign Garland, bring him back.  Garland is a pretty good pitcher for a guy who is totally unemotional.  Contreras is old and signed for awhile and would look great in a St. Louis Cardinal or Philadelphia Philliesuniform.

Relievers-Ehren Wasserman pitched pretty well.  I am not nearly ias n love with Boone Logan as Kenny Williams is.  Ditto Matt Thornton.  I'm pretty sure they are in the mix for next season.

They Gone

Relievers---In the seventh inning of yesterday's loss to Detroit, Ozzie made it the Mike and Mike show-Meyers and MacUseless.  Those two batting practice rejects took a one run game and turned it into a seven run game.  Both need to go away.  As does Bukvick, Sisco and Aardsma.  I hear Tampa Bay is looking for relief pitchers.  Trade MacUseless and three other relievers not named Jenks to Tampa for Carl Crawford.

 

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