Thursday, July 28, 2005

Sox should move to pick up Cruz

Shingo Takatsu for Jose Cruz Jr.? That’s a deal I’d make if I were Sox GM Kenny Williams.

Today is the last day the Sox can deal Takatsu before he becomes a free agent, so the timing would be perfect. And the team could definitely use an upgrade on its bench. Cruz, and his ability to handle all three outfield positions, would be a good fit.

And take a look at this cast of characters that manager Ozzie Guillen has been shuffling into the lineup:

Player

AB

OBP

SLG

OPS

Cruz

202

.347

.436

.789

Perez

100

.290

.330

.620

Everett

280

.307

.452

.759

Harris

92

.287

.228

.515

Ozuna

109

.330

.339

.670

Of course Carl Everett has been getting the bulk of his at-bats in the DH spot, but you could argue that Cruz would be an upgrade there, too. That’s pretty sad.

As for the rest of these guys, there’s not much to say that the numbers don’t. Ozuna is a utility infielder, so of course he’s not going to be hitting like a monster. And as Harris and Perez sink lower and lower, it’s beginning to be an open question of whether either guy belongs on the roster.

I suggested the Sox pick up Cruz around this time last year, too, because he always seems to hit for around an .800 OPS, plays great defense in the outfield corners, and can handle center field. He’s the ideal fourth outfielder and upgrades an extraordinarily weak White Sox bench.

Just like a year ago, it’s still a good idea for a team in need of an upgrade. And the price will never be lower.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Man, we sure do need some outfield help. Scotty Pods is reverting to slighty-above-useless, Dye is looking pretty bad at the plate, and Rowand runs the risk of killing himself everytime a ball is hit over his head.

If Timo Perez gets at-bats in the post-season, we're dead.