Let's Play GM:It's Time to Say Goodbye to Mike MacDougal

Even after the White Sox 2-1 loss to the Athletics last night, there really isn't much for me to complain about with the Sox so far this season. I have to admit, it's an odd feeling because it seems as though last season has me fully conditioned to complain about everything. They're 7-5 after twelve games, and they are sitting atop of the AL Central.

More importantly, they got off to a 7-4 start in their first four series, which were all against division opponents, and it's never too early to start beating teams in your own division.

Still, despite the fact that the Sox lead the American League in runs scored, are second in the AL in the increasingly important OPS department, and the pitching staff has a respectable enough 3.99 ERA, I do have one bone to pick with the Sox.

And that bone is Mike MacDougal.

Seriously, in the list of things in my lifetime that have scared me, Mike MacDougal is right up there with the monster I was convinced lived in my closet as a kid, my knife-wielding sister, and the thought of Oprah Winfrey naked. (My sister being the scariest because monsters aren't real, I'll never actually see Oprah naked, and my sister is very real and will stab you.)

Monday night did nothing to change those feelings. With the Sox trailing 2-1 in the 9th inning, Ozzie brought in MacDougal to pitch and I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach. Next thing you know, Mac is behind 2-0 in the count to Kurt Suzuki before Suzuki singles to get on. Then Chris Denorfia steps to the dish, and before he knows it, Mac has fallen behind 2-0 on him before walking him.

Before that fourth ball even crossed the plate I swear Ozzie was three steps out of the dugout on his way to get Mac the hell out of there. I only wish the Sox would be so quick as to get him out of the bullpen and off the team, period.

The Sox bullpen has been pretty strong so far this season with the exception of MacDougal, and I don't see why we need to keep up this experiment. I know he was pretty damn good when he first came here in 2006, but in 2007 and so far this season, he's sucked ass. Big, hairy, ass. How much more do we need to see from him before we realize he's just not going to get the job done?

He's done this before you know, which is what led to him joining the White Sox in the first place. He started his career off in Kansas City rather nicely before losing all concept of the strike zone, and being traded here. Now it's happening all over again, and the Sox need to part ways as soon as possible.

It's not like they don't have other options, as Ehren Wasserman was fantastic all spring, and would be on the club right now if Nick Masset had any options left. So far this season in Charlotte, Ehren has made 5 appearance for 4.2 innings, and hasn't allowed a single hit or run.

Wouldn't that be a nice addition to have in the White Sox bullpen right now?

I know that the starters have pitched decently so far, but don't let Gavin Floyd's flirtation with a no-no on Saturday fool you (Seriously, how in the hell could anybody call what he did on Saturday dominant? He may not have given up any hits for 7.1 innings, but he still walked walked four guys). He's still Gavin Floyd. John Danks has all the potential to be the next Mark Buehrle, but he still hasn't shown any consistency on the big league level, so we can't count on him. Then there's Jose Contreras, who, well, he's Jose Contreras.

It's nice that the Sox are in first place right now, but if they plan on staying there for the rest of the season, they're going to have to rely an awful lot on this bullpen. That bullpen would be a lot better off and more capable of carrying the load if Ehren Wasserman were in it rather than MacDougal.

You Think Gavin Floyd Is Looking Over His Shoulder Yet?

So far after one game for both the White Sox and Cubs, most of the talk has been about how the Sox were able to battle back from an early deficit and show some life, and about Kerry Wood's 9th inning implosion on Monday. Nevermind the fact that so far each team has only played 0.6% of the season, fans and talking heads alike are already making changes to each team.

I'm trying to avoid such trivial pursuits. Or excuse me, I was trying.

Damn the day off yesterday, it left my mind to wonder what if all day as I tried to analyze what I saw from my White Sox on Monday. The one thing that stood out to me more than anything from the team's opening salvo?

Not Jim Thome's two home runs. Not Mark Buehrle's hideous seven-run 2nd inning. Not even the horrible call at home plate or Hawk Harrelson's incessant ranting about the interference call at second base on Orlando Cabrera.

Nope, all I could think about was Nick Masset's performance, and what it could possibly mean for the future. Of course, I do all this knowing that one game means absolutely nothing, yet I can't keep that sense of April optimism from creeping into my weak willed brain.

After having a horrible spring, which consisted of a 6.61 ERA and 12 runs and 23 hits allowed in 16.1 innings of work, Masset still "earned" the 25th spot on the roster. In actuality he didn't earn it at all, but instead got the spot over Ehren Wasserman (who pitched very well through the spring) because he had no options left, so the Sox had to risk losing Masset if they wanted to send him down to the minors.

So instead Nick was given the long man out of the bullpen role, and on the very first day of the season he showed what he's capable of: 4.1IP, 2 hits, 4 strikeouts, and no walks. It was easily the best performance of any pitcher on either team.

Now I'm hoping that it wasn't a fluke, and that Masset can maintain his success. Why? Because I hate Gavin Floyd, that's why. I would love nothing more at this point then to see Masset continue to mow through opposing lineups, have Floyd struggle in the 5th spot of the rotation, and have Masset replace him. Then the team can send Floyd back to Charlotte, where he belongs, and call up Wasserman to take Masset's spot in the bullpen.

Like I've said though, it's only been one game, but a man can hope.