Luvofthegame
09-21-2006, 11:06 PM
September 21, 2006
BY JOE COWLEY
Chicago Sun Times
Mark Buehrle had a million reasons to pitch well this season. Actually, $9.5 million to be exact.
But with just two scheduled starts remaining in what has turned out to be an agonizing year for the White Sox left-hander, Buehrle has narrowed that list of reasons to one -- finding confidence.
''I have a few more starts left, and I'm beyond that point of watching film,'' Buehrle said Wednesday. ''I'm not giving up and saying, 'The year is almost over.' But I can tell that once this season is over ... I'm kind of going to throw this season out and just concentrate on next year.''
Who could blame him?
Buehrle will take a career-worst 12-13 record and 4.79 ERA into his last home start against Seattle this weekend, then will pitch in what could be a huge three-game series in Minnesota. After that, he has no clue if he will be in a Sox uniform again.
The club has a $9.5 million option on Buehrle for 2007, and it still seems like a no-brainer that they will exercise it. That doesn't mean the Sox won't then put Buehrle on the trade market, just to see what type of return is available.
''It's out of my control,'' Buehrle said. ''I hope this season doesn't affect it, but if it does, if they don't pick up my option, it wouldn't be the first time in baseball that someone's option hasn't been picked up. It will be the first time I've had to go through something like that. Only time will tell.
''I don't think this is something where I need a change of scenery. I don't think it will matter if I come back here or go someplace else. I'll keep trying to do the same thing that I've always done: go out there and try to pitch well, try to win for the team that I'm on. Change of team isn't going to change the way I pitch.''
But Buehrle did admit he likely will have to make a change before next season.
There have been numerous guesses on what has been wrong with him, from innings piling up to the contract weighing on him. Buehrle, however, has his own ideas.
''Well, when you're struggling, people look at every single thing possible of what could be happening,'' he said. ''I think it's part bad luck, part throwing bad pitches. I don't think I'm tired, I don't think it's innings building up, contract issues, I don't think it has to do with velocity.''
The idea that the rest of the league finally has caught up with the finesse pitcher has crossed Buehrle's mind more than a few times.
''I'm sure that has something to do with it,'' he said. ''You see a rookie come in and have success, and everyone says, 'Wait until he faces teams a second time or third time.'
''When guys see you more often, they are going to know what you're going to throw in certain situations. That may be the case with me. I may have to start changing the way I pitch.''
BY JOE COWLEY
Chicago Sun Times
Mark Buehrle had a million reasons to pitch well this season. Actually, $9.5 million to be exact.
But with just two scheduled starts remaining in what has turned out to be an agonizing year for the White Sox left-hander, Buehrle has narrowed that list of reasons to one -- finding confidence.
''I have a few more starts left, and I'm beyond that point of watching film,'' Buehrle said Wednesday. ''I'm not giving up and saying, 'The year is almost over.' But I can tell that once this season is over ... I'm kind of going to throw this season out and just concentrate on next year.''
Who could blame him?
Buehrle will take a career-worst 12-13 record and 4.79 ERA into his last home start against Seattle this weekend, then will pitch in what could be a huge three-game series in Minnesota. After that, he has no clue if he will be in a Sox uniform again.
The club has a $9.5 million option on Buehrle for 2007, and it still seems like a no-brainer that they will exercise it. That doesn't mean the Sox won't then put Buehrle on the trade market, just to see what type of return is available.
''It's out of my control,'' Buehrle said. ''I hope this season doesn't affect it, but if it does, if they don't pick up my option, it wouldn't be the first time in baseball that someone's option hasn't been picked up. It will be the first time I've had to go through something like that. Only time will tell.
''I don't think this is something where I need a change of scenery. I don't think it will matter if I come back here or go someplace else. I'll keep trying to do the same thing that I've always done: go out there and try to pitch well, try to win for the team that I'm on. Change of team isn't going to change the way I pitch.''
But Buehrle did admit he likely will have to make a change before next season.
There have been numerous guesses on what has been wrong with him, from innings piling up to the contract weighing on him. Buehrle, however, has his own ideas.
''Well, when you're struggling, people look at every single thing possible of what could be happening,'' he said. ''I think it's part bad luck, part throwing bad pitches. I don't think I'm tired, I don't think it's innings building up, contract issues, I don't think it has to do with velocity.''
The idea that the rest of the league finally has caught up with the finesse pitcher has crossed Buehrle's mind more than a few times.
''I'm sure that has something to do with it,'' he said. ''You see a rookie come in and have success, and everyone says, 'Wait until he faces teams a second time or third time.'
''When guys see you more often, they are going to know what you're going to throw in certain situations. That may be the case with me. I may have to start changing the way I pitch.''