Ryan Sweeney and the White Sox
Posted By Jeff Fletcher on March 22, 2009 2:18 pm
White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen was lamenting his team’s current candidates for the center field job (Brian Anderson, Jerry Owens and DeWayne Wise) this morning before they played the A’s. Center field has been a black hole for the White Sox for a few years.
“The way they’re playing, I told (GM Kenny Williams) to start playing center field,” Guillen said. “They’re playing a lot better now. They might be playing good enough to satisfy somebody, but no, I can’t name anybody to play center field right now. Nobody is stepping up.”
What’s that got to do with the A’s?
The A’s center fielder, Ryan Sweeney, was traded by the White Sox 15 months ago. So, clearly, someone has mis-evaluated Sweeney’s ability to play center, the A’s or the White Sox. We’ll see who ends up being right.
Just based on last season I like Sweeney better in right field than in center. Hopefully the A’s are correct that he’s fine for centerfield — given that other regular outfielders (Buck, Holliday) would be less appropriate than Sweeney.
I do like Davis in center, but it seems like he will be the bench outfielder.
yes defensively sweeney might be better off in RF, but offensively unless he magically tweaks his power swing, his offense there would be jason kendall like. buck offensively is barely passable too for corner OF. my guess is they settle into a rotation or platoon among sweeney, buck, davis.
Ozzie is the master of motivation. What better way to spark the three-way battle then to basically say they all suck.
I think Sweeney still has a chance to develop 20-25 hr power, with plenty of doubles. His glove is adequate, and his instincts are good.
Bottom line: Billy Beane own Kenny Williams….every day of the year.
I heard you on Extra Innings today. Good analysis.
Didn’t Ryan Sweeney play right field against the white Sox on Sunday? I read that he did because he will be moving there when Rajai Davis comes in as a defensive replacement for Cust.
That makes sense because Davis is the best center fielder on the team. Sweeney is more of a corner guy defensively, but he’s got to play center offensively. He’s a tweener.
I would say the White Sox track record speaks for itself. They got their center fielder in Swisher and then promptly traded him the next season. Now they are complaining about not having a center fielder. I do agree Sweeney is better suited to a corner but he is solid enough to play center. He isn’t going to wow you but he isn’t going to cost games either. Davis is an excellent defender but he isn’t the offensive player Sweeney is so he is on the bench. Buck can play there but like Sweeney not suited to the position. Davis is the only natural CF they have but he isn’t an everyday guy.