But, will it be good enough? I don't know. Look, the lineup is far improved from last season.  Nick Swisher may hit 40 dingers at the Cell.  Cabrera is a solid batsman who can do all the little things that no one on our roster could do with any consistency last season.  Paulie, Dye, and AJ are unlikely to have horrible years again.  And, in the "addition by subtraction" category, these guys will not be getting at bats: Erstad, Gonzalez, Cintron, and Terrero.

The bullpen now has some veteran arms--pretty good ones at that. It may not be the best bullie in the AL, but it won't be the worst like it was last year. Of course, the biggest question is the rotation.  Can the Sox withstand losing Garland? Maybe.  Can Contreras rebound, eat some innings, and be effective? Perhaps.  Are Danks and Floyd ready-for-primetime? Some think so.

The point is that I expect our lineup to produce more runs this season--and that may be enough to cover up the question marks at the back end of the rotation. Maybe.

That said, I just don't think they have the tools to catch the Angels or work their way into the Wild Card.  Still, they have a lot to root for: Ichiro, Felix, and Putz, to name a few. Even so, they seem to be gelling without Hargrove at the helm.

Fresh off a raw rump-kicking by the Moneyballers, let's just go out and win the series, huh? Baby steps to '08.

There's no silver lining.  Contreras had 20-loss stuff on the mound the last few weeks and has had a brutal year since "go."  Time for some DL time to clear his head or get himself healthy.  We need to see if Floyd has anything. If not, he gone.  Haeger, too. Both looked awful last night.

I may be in the minority, here, but this team is so bad right now, we have to make a serious effort to re-sign Dye.  Think about it, we'll need at least two pricey free agents to fix the bullie and solve the shortstop problem.  We just cannot go into next season depending on Owens, Erstad, Pods, and Anderson/Sweeney in the outfield. We need at least one guy that can hit the ball.  Since the Break, JD has pulled himself together; hitting for both AVG and power.  Of course, if JD thinks he's gonna pull in Caballo money, he's nuts. That said, in order to make next year's club at least somewhat competitive, you can't have 3 automatic outs trotting out to the outfield.

The Big Hurt lumbers into town tonight with Les Blue Jays.  It'll be nice to hear the ovation he gets this time around.  There was quite a mixed reaction to Maggs over the week--in fact,  more boos that cheers, for sure. Which I thought was strange: I can't say I understand the animosity. He was a nice player for us and when he wanted to cash in, he got shady, secretive, and greedy.  Good riddens. And we got a ring out of it. My feelings toward Maggs lean towards indifference.

But for Frank, it's different.  He'll wear the cap to Cooperstown. Cheers for Hurt. No question.  Let's hope Gar can keep him in the yard this time...

Today, being a baseball fan is not easy.  The guys selling news stories and accompanying advertising space keep trying to sell us controversy, disappointment, and fraud on the baseball pages.  Is the cloud over Barry Bonds a significant story? Yes, of course. But, haven't we had enough? I have. Must these reporters snipe at each other and dish unverified, anonymous sources to build controversy over contract talks? No. Exhibit A: Buehrle--day after day we were spoon-fed controversy where, apparently, none existed.  What, exactly, is entertaining about impending free agents talking about the "business" of baseball?

For the love of the game, stop this nonsense. Every day, there are fun, entertaining things happening on the ball field.  Instead, media are selling what's happening (or not happening) in the luxury boxes.

Though I must admit, I'd be tempted to do some channel surfing if I were in a luxury box as soon as Ozzie goes to this bullpen!

What went wrong? Everything.  No one could hit the ball or run.  No one could catch the ball.  No one could pitch in relief.  Tough to win games with that mighty trifecta.  Buehrle tossed a no-no, which was undoubtedly the high water mark of the first half.  Never has there been a more dominating performance on the mound at 35th and Shields in my lifetime.  Injuries plagued the White Sox.  Most were foreseeable: Pods, Erstad, Thome, Hall, MacDougal, and Crede were all big injury risks before the first pitch on April 2nd.  Not surprisingly, in a season where everything that could go wrong has, all 6 missed significant time (Note: MacDoodie went to AAA before the DL just before the break).  Super-utility spark-plug Pablo Ozuna was lost for the season, too.  It's also clear that Contreras and Dye are toughing out something.  If it weren't for bad luck...

So, what needs to happen in the second half?  Well, the biggest priority was figuring out what to do with #56.  The Maestro and Buehrle got together and worked it out.  Nothing could make me happier--because now we have a foundation for next season.  And that's what we need to do.  I'm not saying we pack it in, but if there are moves to be made to make us better next year, we have to seize them.  A front-four of Buehrle, Gar, Vazquez, and Danks works for me.  Our outfield needs a complete overhaul and we need to solidify our strength up-the-middle--both in the batter's box and with the leather.  The bullpen? Boy, is there anyone worth keeping? Jenks? That's the only close one.  And the other kids (Owens, Sweeney, Anderson, Gonzalez, Massett, Logan, etc.)?  I've seen little to be optimistic about.

There are signs of hope.  For one: we're not mathematically eliminated.  Not being much of a math-guy, this gives me little comfort.  It's tough to watch strong seasons by Buehrle, Garland, and Vazquez washed down the tubes.  Paulie has been wrecking the ball for the last few weeks after an abysmal start.  Fields and Danks have grabbed their opportunities by the ears and are progressing.  And that's promising. Maybe one of the other kids will earn a roster spot for '08.  That's worth watching. I guess.

The part that makes no flippin' sense is that the Maestro apparently wouldn't give it to him despite the fact that after '09--unless I'm mistaken--Buehrle becomes a 5/10 player and is able to quash any trade anyway.  So, what they'd have us believe is that this thing fell apart over a full no trade for the '08 and '09 seasons.  Something's not right here.

If that is the edict from ownership, it's terrible. There's really no excuse for it.  And, while I hate to use the "season ticket holder" card, since there are thousands of great Sox fans who, for any number of valid reasons, don't sit at the Cell 81+ times a season.  I'll have to use it here though.  What the heck are we paying for if management makes decisions like this?

Since I can find no rational justification for these reports--I'm going to do one thing: assume it is untrue. Smart people don't do things this stupid.

But I'm also trying to figure out what the heck happened.  How could a team with such talent swan-dive like this?  I don't know. I'll let you know when I'm done watching...

I need to update my "untouchables" list.  At this point, I'm down to three: A.J., Paulie, and Garland.  For everyone else, I'm fine with their departure if the right deal comes along.  Contreras' velocity is down, so that red flag takes him off the list.  Danks has shown promise, but I'd part with him for the right player.  The lifespan of a closer is short and glorious. For that reason, I would be willing to lose Jenks, too, if someone backs up the truck for the Maestro.

Sox v. D-Rays tonight.  I'll watch it for you...

The time has come for a ramp-down of the interleague experiment.  It's run its course.  Do we really need to play the Cubs six-times this year? No.  And were the Sox v. Astros and Marlins anything special? Not really.  The novelty of this thing is done, so let's tone it down and put more emphasis on re-instilling AL rivalries.  How can you disagree?

Exhibit A: The Sox have to play the loveable losers 6 times.  While this works in our favor; i.e., our "natural" rivalry is an historically weak franchise, it is admittedly good fortune.  We only get to play the Chowds 8 times and Rally Monkeys 9 times.  This is the first year in a while where the Yanks have come to Chicago for two homestands, isn't it? This year the White Sox play Kansas City 17 times because of the unbalanced schedule.  That's not fun for anyone.  Even fans in KC--this year anyway...

My feeling is that these forced-marriages have run their course.  And, mostly, when we're seeing Divisions and Wild Cards in both leagues decided in the last week of the season, the luck-of-the-draw in interleague games is frustratingly arbitrary.

Now, there's one good reason to have interleague play: $$.  Fine.  But, let's cut the number of games and balance the schedule a little more, huh? How about just one session of interleague games every year and use the openings to focus on preserving existing (and creating new) rivalries.  Alternate the "natural" rivalries for those that have it (NY, Chi, LA, SF-OAK) so there's 3 games per year, not 6. That'd be a good start.

And if there are teams that can't put fans in the stands without some hyped-up gimmick? Well, maybe they should put a better product on the field.  There's only one long-term cure for poor fan support: winning championships.

So, here it is. Decision time.  Is this how it ends?  Smart money says you trade Buehrls now, get a bushel-ful of prospects and "hope-so's" in exchange for the staff ace as he licks his chops for impending free agency.  Buehrls' agent is crossing his fingers, hoping Buehrle lands with a contender and can pull a Carlos Beltran for someone in the playoffs.  Meanwhile, the Sox hedge their losses and say thanks for the memories.  At times, I've agreed with that.  It is stupid to make long-term, big money deals for starters.

But, I've come around.  Someone is going to build around Mark Buehrle. He's still young. He's one of the most reliable pitchers in all of baseball for the last six years.  It might as well be us.  Pitching is so hard to come by and the market reflects that.  Who better to take that risk on, really?  Sign Buehrls to an extension now.  Pay the premium to keep him from hitting the market.  The difference is more than paid for by us not paying JD and Iguchi (and possibly Crede) next season. Five year deal. Six if we have to.  It's got to get done.

Why? Because we have no one on the roster that can even come close to what Buehrle can do.  Garland is his Scottie Pippen, so to speak, and together it is clear that they form the core of our success for the next two-three years. Vazquez, Contreras, and Danks are bit players at this point in their careers.  Buehrle has shown this year that he's worth gambling on.

So, Sox fans, as this season circles the bowl, let's hope management does the right thing and deals our other pieces.  Just not #56 from St. Charles, Missouri.

This team needs to get back to basics.  Not major league basics like hitting behind runners, laying down a bunt, etc.  That's too advanced for us right now. I'm talking little league basics: swing at strikes, keep your eye on the ball, and the like.  Let's see how that works. 

These guys ought to be embarrassed right now. I know I am.

Our bullie is in shambles, Pale Hosers. Sad but true.  The Maestro made the desperation-move this morning by sending down AAA-rdsma and McDoodie to Charlotte.  Bukvich and Prinz caught some flights to ORD, but my suspicion is that their jersey nameplates will be attached with Velcro. These guys, unless I'm terribly wrong--and I could be--are not the answer.

So, that means we've got to see what's available.  Who are the untouchables? Well, right now, with no one hitting their weight, it's a short list.  Removing sentimentality, there may only be two: A.J. and Thome.

Beyond that, I'd hang onto Paulie, Garland, Contreras, Jenks, Vazquez, Danks and Masset--one part for sentimentality (Konerko and Contreras) and the two parts because they are the "intangibles" core of the future of the organization.  I'd like to add Buehrls to the list, but I think his free agent price tag--moreso the years than the salary he'll request--will be too dear.

The problem is that the rest of the lineup, 'pen, and bench are at career lows, so they won't fetch much.  What is Crede worth right now with an open lane the size of the Eisenhower in his swing? He can't hit anything on the outside of the plate, as shown this weekend.  Iguchi? Dye? Snuggling up with the Mendoza right now in terms of AVG. We'd get taken to the cleaners in any deal. I don't envy the Maestro at all because something needs to be done.

Prove me wrong. Please. And let's win some games!

Apologies to the Honorable Bluto Blutarsky, but we are not on a roll here.  Another dreadful game last night compounded by what appears to be a serious injury to Erstad.  Who will get the call up to the Show? The slick-fielding, but hitting-challenged Brian Anderson? The over-matched Ryan Sweeney? Or maybe Jerry Owens--who apparently was pulled in the 7th inning from the Knights game?  Seems like its probably Owens, as he's projected as a "leadoff" hitter.  Of course, it remains to be seen if he can get on base at this level. By all reports, he's not a great hitter, kind of a slapper; not a great fielder; average to below-average arm, to boot.  But, he's fast--and, honestly, that just may be enough.  See, e.g., Pods in 2005: getting on base and making pitchers make mistakes.

There were two items of mixed good/bad news.  First, Buehrle was dominant. He made two mistakes that landed in the cheap seats, but really pitched extremely well.  It's a great sign because if he pitches like that, we can get back in this thing.  A bad sign because these outings will make the 'crafty' southpaw prohibitively expensive.  And second, the greatest hitter in franchise history hit his 495th homer last night.  There's a part of me that hopes he launches five more in the next three games--just for the trivia question that could be written...

There's something rotten in Sox-dom.  This is the type of situation where you can feel the tremors of an over-reaction.  Not just amongst the fans in the crowd, but in the organization, too.  Then again, maybe an over-reaction is exactly what we need.  Let's just hope that the Blue Jays don't right their ship against us, too. 

It's tough to tell what this team needs right now. I just hope they have a better handle on it than I do.  This is the weakest part of our schedule, and it's way past time to start winning consistently.

Jose struck out a season high and the Moneyballers tooks some ugly hacks for Strike Threes.  The beleaguered bully made it a closer game than it was; but all's well that ends well.  We shouldn't be surprised to see some deck-shuffling in the 'pen if this continues.