Jake Peavy a Sox?

Sox Record: 17-22; The Sox have a -28 run differential.

Place in the A.L. Central and Games back: Fourth and 5 and a half out. The Tigers have caught a bit of fire... I'll take a look at them in a few days. I'm just happy the Royals are doing what I told you they'd be doing. Losing. But it's amazing what a two game winning streak can do.

Most annoying person in the Sox organization: Gavin Floyd -- he has sucked even if he's tipping his pitches.

Member of the White Sox I love the most at the moment: Paul Konerko who seems somewhat dead set to save this season. Konerko, Dye, and Buehrle are the only bright spots this year and the only reason why the Sox aren't in fifth. I've also got love for Brian Anderson because that means Brent "I'm not a Major League Player" Lillibridge isn't in the majors at the moment.

Rhetorical Question of the Day: So the big news is that the Sox have reached a deal for Jake Peavy. The deal is done so all that we're waiting for is Peavy to give it the okay. Since Gordon Beckham isn't part of this deal, I really really really really really want Peavy to say yes. I want Jake Peavy to be a White Sox for the next three or four years. However, until it happens, I'm going to hold off on the baseball stuff... [that said assuming Peavy says yes today I expect Peavy to start on Saturday against Pittsburgh. Jake is schedule to start on Friday for the Padres and Richard is schedule to go for the Sox on Saturday].

All this said... there are two reasons I want Peavy to say yes:

1) Because it makes the White Sox better in the short and long term. He's only 27 and has been pretty durable.

2) It would be the most awesome fuck you to Cub fans since those glorious days in October of 2005 (also known as the Month Jesus Came Back To Chicago).

Cub fans have been going around for months as if they are entitled to Jake Peavy even though their farm system is worse than the Nationals. To most Cub fans, the thinking was that it was only a matter of time before the Padres gave in and traded Peavy to the Cubs for nothing. Peavy would be wearing Loser Blue, it was going to happen. It was fact in their minds.

But here comes Kenny Williams getting a deal done for Peavy right under the Cubs nose. It's glorious. If Peavy accepts, he becomes a hero to Sox fans for this reason alone. If he turns down the Sox and ends up with the Cubs, he will then have to fear for the health of his right shoulder. Us Sox fans are crazy bunch. Disliking or hating the Cubs is a necessity... Jake should consider that... would he rather pitch for the White Sox and be loved on the South Side because he IS NOT a Cub or would he rather fear for the safety of his right elbow every day he lives in Chicago? Because if he does ever make it up to the North Side, there will be a lot of Sox fans in Daniel Plainview clothing.

Thoughts on the most bizarre between innings promo ever:

Blackhawks - Down 2-0 after losing an absolute heartbreaker on Tuesday night. The Hawks played with and maybe even better than the Wings, but a mistake by Campbell in OT lead to a 3 on 1 Nordic rush... Barker and Khabibulin had no shot at stopping the break. Great passing from the Wings, and everyone heads back to Chicago tomorrow with the Hawks down 2-0.

Is it over? No. But it doesn't look good. The good news is that the Hawks didn't play over their heads on Monday. They can easily come out there tomorrow and play better. The Wings don't have this series rapped up just yet. Let's hope the Hawks come out flying with the energy from the crowd which is going to be loud. Really loud.

But the Wings are also like the older, bigger, faster older brother... the Hawks always get close, but the Wings all end up winning. It's so frustrating. It makes me hate sports. But if we were to beat the Wings... it would feel so good... and that's why I keep coming back for more.

And two game winning streaks.

The Second Worst Offense in the American League

Sox Record: 15-18; The Sox have a -22 run differential.

Place in the A.L. Central and Games back: Fourth but only 2 out of first.

Most annoying person in the Sox organization: There comes and time and place to rip a guy for sucking. Even if it's not his fault that he's playing, injuries have destroyed this team in center field, but Brent Lillibridge flat out sucks. He stinks. He is not a major league player. And even though there are few situations where he would ever play every day and it's not his fault that Anderson and Wise got hurt... but I'm sorry, I don't have any more patients in my heart. Lillibridge sucks.

Member of the White Sox I love the most at the moment: HI MY NAME IS JI

JIM THOME

AND HOW DO YOU DO

(This was more for Tuesday two home run performance).

Rhetorical Question of the Day: Only the Mariners are scoring runs at a slower pace than the Chicago White Sox in the American League this year. This means one of two things:

1) The Sox O isn't that good.

2) The Sox O is under achieving.

Let's look at reason #2 first.

Thome is a bit bellow last years numbers, but he's been trending down for a few seasons because he's getting old. But he isn't hurting the Sox at the moment. Jermaine Dye is having yet another Jermaine Dye season. St. Carlos of Quentin has fallen off from last year, but again, not a huge drop off and still a productive player. I'd like to see some more power form Konerko, but he's been good this year. And A.J. is hitting better than you'd expect, but nothing out of the ordinary. So the Sox 3-7 hitters have done what they've needed to do. There should be a slight improvement over the next 130 odd games.

Well we all know what comes next... the Sox #1, #2, #8, and #9 hitters are not getting it done. And the stats back it up. Fields has been getting on base but has shown almost none of the power he gave us in 2007. Alexei Ramirez has been so bad, that I think most AAA short stops would be better. Brad Lillibridge, who is only playing because of injuries to Wise and Anderson, has made me long for the days of Andy Gonzalez AND ANDY GONZALEZ WAS THE WORST BASEBALL PLAYER I'VE EVER SEEN IN THE MAJOR LEAGUES! THAT IS HOW BAD LILLIBRIDGE HAS BEEN. YET OZZIE KEEPS PLAYING HIM!!! I find it impossible to believe that the Sox don't have a better option than a guy with an OPS under .500. I could give the White Sox an OPS under .500. By all means, play Pods every day because he can't be worse than Lillibridge. It's nearly impossible.

And finally, I hate to pile on Getz, but he isn't getting on base enough. I know he's being asked a lot, but with the other guys on this team playing so poorly,

The season isn't lost. Anderson will hopefully be back soon, if for no other reason than to knock Lillibridge/Pods out of the line up. Nix looks like a ball player (more on him another day), so let's give him a week at second. And let's hope and pray Alexei Ramirez stops sucking this weekend in Canada.

People will point out that the Sox, at this point last year, had the same record. But the Sox also had a +12 run differential. They had been a bit unlucky at that point in the season. This year? The Sox record pretty accurately reflects how they've played. If they want to 'come back' this year, they need Floyd to stop pretending he's in Philly. And they need to get healthy at the plate... and again, pray that Alexei Ramirez stops sucking and Fields starts to show a little power.

Thoughts on the most bizarre between innings promo ever:

Blackhawks - More on the Hawks later... but let's just say, bring on the Dead Wings. Bring on the Commie Bastards even if they're all Swedish now and everyone loves the Swedes...

An Early Loss That Really Hurts

Sox Record: 12-14; The Sox have a -11 run differential.  

Place in the A.L. Central and Games back: They suck

Most annoying person in the Sox organization: That's it.  I'm done with Alexei Ramirez.  Sent him back to Cuba.  He's hitting .210, he doesn't walk, and doesn't score runs.  He's a disaster after a month of the season.  A complete and utter disaster.  We're at the point where if Brent "I shouldn't be in the majors" Lillibridge took over at short, it wouldn't even be a drop off from Alexei.  Go back to Cuba, Alexei... or start hitting.

Member of the White Sox I love the most at the moment: I've been anti-Konerko for two years now, but I've got to give the guy some props, he doesn't suck this year, he isn't killing the team, and is one of the few 'bright' spots because of this.  He's still over paid and the Sox probably couldn't give him away at this point, but he's had a nice start to the season.

I also much hate for Greg Norton during his time with the Sox about ten years ago now.  Norton air mailed more throws from third in his few seasons than I've seen in my entire life.  This is a sad story , but also one of perseverance, about Norton (now with the Braves) and his family.  Big ups to Norton and my thoughts go out to him.

Rhetorical Question of the Day: I hate to get all over the top, but that loss last night is a killer.  Yeah, we're 26 games into the season and the Sox are only 3.5 out of first and the Royals are about as daunting as Ross from friends, but it would have been really nice to not have lost two games to the Royals.  I'm not scared of the Royals, I'm not that scared of the Twins or Tigers... and the Indians slow start looks like it will be a summer long thing.  But you can't let the division get away from you.  And after two disastrous games in KC, the division could slip away if the Sox aren't careful.

Thoughts on the most bizarre between innings promo ever: 

Blackhawks - Wow... one of the more boring hockey games you'll ever seen.  Vancouver was more than willing to not go forward unless the Hawks allowed them.  The Hawks could never get going, including one of the worst power plays you'll ever see with about 6 minutes left in the third.  Brian Campbell, for my money, was the best Blackhawk on the ice last night.  

Lunongo played well and didn't give up too many big rebounds which was really the difference in the game.  Hawks need to come out and take it to the Canucks tomorrow night.  They cannot go down two goals, in other words, they cannot play like they have in the first three games.  I know Lunongo is the best goalie in the world and all that crap, but it would be nice if Khabibulin at least played as well as Lunongo one of these games.  I'm not blaming him, but a 'stand on his head' performance wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

I'm Starting to Hate Them...

Sox Record: 12-13

Place in the A.L. Central and Games back: Fourth and falling

Most annoying person in the Sox organization: Everyone. I hate the White Sox right now. They stink. Everyone good is hurt. Jose Contreras shouldn't have come back. They have scrubs at second, third, right, and in center. Alexei Ramirez may single handily change my policy position on Cuba (i.e. keep the embargo). Brent Lillibridge is not a major league player and I don't need 50 more at bats to prove me right.

Member of the White Sox I love the most at the moment: No one. I hate this team right now.

Number of awkward moments between Hawk and Stone: If the White Sox ever hit a home run ever again, it will be odd since Hawk will be the only guy yelling "You can put it on the board... YES!"

Rhetorical Question of the Day: The Sox have a -10 run differential.

Thoughts on the most bizarre between innings promo ever:

Bulls - I'll have more on them another day, but what a nice run they made int he playoffs. Major bummer they didn't win, but I couldn't have been more unexcited about the Bulls/Celtics series. Then I watched Game One and I was hooked. The next six games were can't miss TV, delivering only one bad game (Game 3) and five great to unbelieveable games. Considering I was at about a 13 with the Hawks, the fact that the Bulls got to 14 is probably the most mind blowing thing this year after learning that Kelly McGillis is gay.

Blackhawks - I missed most of Game One in Vancouver, but the come back only to see them give up one of the worst 3-1 odd man rushes that the Canucks capitalized on to win the game. I then didn't see a second of Game Two...

So Game Three is tonight. I'll have more on the Hawks tomorrow.

After the First Home Strech of the Year...

Sox Record: 3-3

Place in the A.L. Central and Games back: Not sure... the Tribe was 0-5 on Sunday morning that made me happy. However, they won yesterday which is a bummer.

Person with the Sox player I hate the most at the moment: No one at the moment. A two game winning steak will do that.

Member of the White Sox I love the most at the moment: I shouldn't say this out loud, but Brent Lillibridge. I was at the game on Saturday, and he walked to lead off the game. This was a shocking development because other than the 3-6 hitters, no one on the Sox are allowed to walk. But there was Lillibridge walking to lead off the game. Then he didn't suck at second base. Then he walked again. And stole a base. And I was like, woah, this guy seems like he's a decent ballplayer, you know one of those guys that you can hide in your line up at the 9 spot or something. Of course, it was at this point that I saw on SouthSideSox that Lillibridge stinks, doesn't hit, doesn't walk, and enjoys striking out . So even though I shouldn't like Brent Lillibridge and his two walk performance on Saturday will probably be his last two walk day with the Sox, I love him at the moment.

Rhetorical Question of the Day: Today is Cubs opening day. Not that I care, but it's always a silly day because half of Chicago takes the day off work and acts like it is New Years Eve/St. Patrick's Day. I call it MoronFest. Not that Cub fans are morons, there are a lot of very smart, good baseball fans that root for the Cubs. But sadly for them, the Trib turned Wrigley Field into a Frat Bar in the 80s and things have gone down hill for the good Cub fans ever since. Now if the team stinks, 40,000 tickets have been sold even if no one shows up in September. And if the team is good it's hard to get tickets and root for the team you like... thus the stadium is filled with annoying late 20s Big Ten graduates. But it's raining today, so Cubs Opening Day appears that it will be moved back a day.

The Sox are in Detroit (there may be more Tiger fans at Wrigley than Detroit tomorrow btw) playing this afternoon. I assume it's opening day for the Tigers, but I'm not sure and I don't feel like looking it up. All I know is that Floyd is on the mound for the Sox and even after 35 good Floyd starts, I don't trust him. And I'm a trustful person. However, the rain here in Chicago has me worried that the Sox won't play today, which sort of bums me out.