Welcome... Alexei Ramirez!

Finally, we get something done about our second base woes.

Going in to 2008 it looked as tough our second baseman would either come from the minors, Danny Richar or some other major league team. Little did we know that he would be imported from Cuba of all places!

Mister Alexei Ramirez will, hopefully, be the starting second baseman come March 31st. According to mlb.com, Ramirez signed a 4-year 4.75 million contract (dirt cheap if you ask me) to play for the Sox.

The Cuban second baseman has hit 87 home runs over the past 7 years while compiling 391 RBI. Sounds like a pretty hot bat to me. If his speed is anything like Pods' was, we could have a serious import on our hands for practically no (baseball) money at all!

The one thing I am concerned about is... he comes from a country with Cub in it's name...

Team Grades - Starting Pitchers - Part One

I'm a tad bit late in my season-ending player rankings but as long as the stats are still up, I can do it whenever.

Jose Contreras - #52
His 10-17 record is a statistical eyesore. To go along with that, he lost 7 games in a row from June 24th to August 8th. He did come back later on as he won a season high 2 straight starts. This is mostly contributed to our outfield troubles and our infield problems after we traded Iguchi. He worked out of the bullpen for a short stint then was back to the rotation, thank goodness. My grade: C+

Mark Buehrle - #56
After being smacked in the elbow by a line drive in his first start of the year, Mark rebounded amazingly well. He didn't miss his next scheduled start but instead he decided to no-hit the Rangers. On the last out of the ball game Paul Konerko said he was afraid Joe Crede would make a bad throw and it would be called a hit. The only base runner Buehrle allowed in the game was a walk to pesky Sammy Sosa. Ending the season with a 10-9 record, once again over the .500 mark, I can't wait to see how he does next year. My grade: B

Jon Garland - #20
Now of the Los Angeles Angels I won't spend much time on good 'ol Jon. He went 10-13 for the first losing season in his past 4 years. He had a terribly high ERA of 4.23 and struck out only 98 batters over the course of 32 starts.
My Grade: C- (Traitor)


Javy Vazquez - #33
In 32 starts Vazquez struck out 213 batters. His highest single game total from last year was 13 on September 17th against the Royals. This is a sign of even better things to come. I have shown my dislike towards Vazquez in my posts over the past few months and I believe I'm starting to lean in the direction of liking him. His 15-8 record was the best on the team which adds to his career record that now stands at 115-113. My Grade: A

John Danks - #50
Our equivalent of the Cardinals' Al Reyes, Danks was a measly 6-13 with an ERA of 5.50. I never liked our trade of McCarthy to the Rangers because I knew Brandon's place in the bullpen and he knew it, and Ozzie knew it, and Kenny knew it, but apparently that wasn't enough as we had to trade him for three minor league pitchers, one of them happening to be a mister John William Danks. Maybe I'll grow to like him as I have with Vazquez. But then again... maybe not... My Grade: D

In Starting Pitchers - Part Two, I'll evaluate the seasons of Lance Broadway, Gavin Floyd and Nick Masset.

Showing My Emotion

I'm embarrassed that I have not yet mentioned the fact that we picked up releiver Scott Linebrink!

He signed a four year contract to be a part of our fantastic bullpen. I'd love to see him as a bridge to Jenks instead of Thornton. Linebrink has the kind of fire power that we need out of the bullpen. If we have him and Aardsma maybe as a one-two punch out of the 'pen I could see us holding teams for maybe two innings.

Linebrink's season last year was sub-par compared to his others but we should all hope that improves over time.

Carlos Quentin?

When did we get him?

I'm happy now! We may have a player to put into left field then play Fields at third! I never heard any of this on The Score and I just found it out now when I was looking at the Sox's roster on whitesox.com.

Where would we bat him if he were to start?

1. Jerry Owens
   
2. Orlando Cabrera
   
3. Jim Thome
   
4. Paul Konerko
5. Jermaine Dye
6. A.J. Pierzynski
7. Carlos Quentin
8. Josh Fields
9. Danny Richar

I guess that could work but it all depends on what Ozzie and Kenny plan to do with him. Whether they keep him in the majors our send him down to Charlotte or Birmingham will probably be decided after spring training.

And thats 85 days away (yes I'm counting)!

Bullpen

Now that our bullpen has been strengthened with the addition of Scott Linebrink what will we do with our rotation? Jon Garland is gone so that opens up a hole in the starting five.

Doc (which is pitching coach Don Cooper) has mentioned on 670 The Score this possible rotation...

1. Mark Buehrle
2. Jose Contreras
3. Javier Vazquez
4. John Danks
5. Gavin Floyd

As I mentioned a few posts ago I would love to see Lance Broadway somehow make it to the rotation for 2008. I know I'm planning ahead, yeah, but still.