RKMBs Forums .::Robegories::. Sports and Wrestling DUCKS ON THE POND 4/19/05 Grading the Outfielders

Quote:

---

White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen delivered a very public message to Frank Thomas -- who returned to Chicago to rehabilitate from a fractured ankle -- that this White Sox team was built for unity and on attitude. "It is good to have him here, because now he can see a winning attitude, because he was part of the bad attitude [of the past]," the Sox manager said. "Frank was a big part of the bad attitude. Now he can see the guys, how we handle stuff, why we're not whining every day, why we're hitting today after a day game. Everybody is happy, and I want Frank to be part of it."
-- Chicago Tribune

Asked to explain, Guillen said, "Because he was here for 20 years and he was part of the bad attitude. And he was a big part of the bad attitude. Why? Because he was their leader. He got better last year; his attitude [before that] was horrible here. Everybody's was."
-- Chicago Tribune

The Pirates have one of the least productive offenses in baseball, but GM Dave Littlefield, who has maintained for months that he would like to trade for a power hitter, apparently is feeling no additional urgency. "Obviously, I'm not pleased with the way we've hit the ball so far, but there are too many signs that we will improve, too many players with track records," he said.
-- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Pirates soon will have three healthy catchers in Benito Santiago (flu), David Ross and Humberto Cota, (on a rehabilitation assignment in Indianapolis). Littlefield said no decision has been made on who might be the odd man out, but he strongly suggested he will not keep three.
-- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

It still figures that Ugueth Urbina would be a contender's best friend if he were added to a wobbly bullpen down the stretch. The Tigers will gauge their own chances before they make any deals, but figure on something significant happening at least by the trade deadline.
-- Detroit News

The Indians thought Juan Gonzalez would start playing today, but GM Mark Shapiro said, "I think that's been pushed back." He said he has not thought about releasing Gonzalez because there's still a chance he can help the Indians this year."
-- Cleveland Plain Dealer

The Padres won't know for sure how long shortstop Khalil Greene will be out until team physician Jan Fronek re-examines the break between the first and second knuckles today. "We're looking at a month ... best-case scenario," manager Bruce Bochy said.
-- San Diego Union Tribune

Tony Reagins, the Angels' director of player development, said Cuban defector Kendry Morales was "in the final stages" of gaining citizenship in the Dominican Republic, a prerequisite to securing the passport the 21-year-old slugger needs to travel to the U.S. Morales, who signed a six-year contract with the Angels, has been stuck in the Dominican since August.
-- Los Angeles Times

Moises Alou is running at 75 percent of normal effort and seems on track to come off the disabled list when eligible Friday. Head trainer Stan Conte said the outfielder is stepping up his activities daily but cautioned that clearing the final hurdle, running at 100 percent, can be tricky.
-- San Francisco Chronicle

The Reds placed pitcher Ramon Ortiz on the 15-day disabled because of a strained right groin.
-- Cincinnati Enquirer

---

Quote:

---

Animalman said:
The Orioles outfield seems pretty "D" to me. They're certainly not better than the Cubs outfield or the D-Backs outfield(which, if you're including Juan Gonzalez and Barry Bonds, should include Jose Cruz Jr).

I'd agree that the Angels in the outfield are the best, even without Tony Danza.

---

Owwww.....that hurts because I am a huge Cruzer fan. I saw him come up in the M's organization and I knew we got hosed when we traded him to Toronto. I know he really got soured on life in MLB because Mariner management promised him to his face they wouldn't trade him and literally did the next day. I've always believed if he was treated better if he wouldn't be a more consistent player. More like Abreu is now.

My fave outfield is Tampa's. I love what Lou's done there.

Quote:

---

Animalman said:
I wasn't saying Cruz was bad(though he certainly hasn't lived up to his minor league hype). I was just saying that, like Gonzalez and Bonds, he's currently on the DL, but still on the roster, so if those two are counted towards their team ratings, so should he.

I'm a fan of his, too, but moreso because of his father.

---