macsandz

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 2, 2009 -> 09:31 AM) No, it's not always. It could also be a correction of mechanics, putting him into an arm slot he hasn't used before. Anytime you start using new muscles and tendons, you risk injuries. He played a full AA season at 3B. His mechanics were addressed almost a year ago when he prepped for ST. There are no variances in arm slot for 3B like there is across the field at 2B. The point is, if he maintained his workouts he wouldn't have had that problem. Shutting Viciedo down in AZ was not taken lightly. The AFL was considered an important measure of his first year progress after committing a critical $10M to him last offseason. That $10M could be used to sign a key FA these days. The Sox as an organization are not standing for these conditioning issues anymore as has been widely reported recently and they shouldn't. I like that the team is prioritizing defense and conditioning this year. Those are two "secondary concerns" that hurt the team in 2009.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 2, 2009 -> 08:26 AM) So it what, five or six games, you have seen enough of two minor leaguers that you can project their minor league arc AND their major league futures? Quit your day job, and go into baseball. You were "curious" and I answered your question. Was I not supposed to?

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Dec 2, 2009 -> 09:14 AM) Riiight... Of course there's no way he could have suffered an injury or anything... In baseball, elbow inflammation is not an injury. It's a symptom of poor mechanics and poor conditioning.

QUOTE (scenario @ Dec 2, 2009 -> 09:16 AM) Because of a sore elbow on his throwing arm that they didn't want to aggravate. That's not a conditioning issue. Yes it is. Conditioning is more than just weight issues.

QUOTE (bmags @ Dec 2, 2009 -> 07:29 AM) I would go and say that short of Morel hitting .400 with excellent power there's no reason to move him to AAA by midseason. He doesn't need to hit .400 or produce huge power. Morel should be moved to Charlotte mid season if his offensive production continues to develop as it has in A/High-A and as did in the AFL. His defense is above average and the Sox need prospects with a defensive mindset. They are fast-tracking Jordan Danks for this reason.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Dec 2, 2009 -> 07:47 AM) Obvious conditioning issues? He actually improved since he's been here in this regard, according to reports I've read. You got the reaction you did to your post because you declared future events as if they were fact. They of course are not, and they may not even be likely (especially Morel). AFL is a short season, very short. Let's see how he does against a couple months of AA pitching before declaring him anything more than a very nice prospect (which he is, and that's certainly a good thing). Obvious conditioning issues: He got pulled out/shut down from the AFL after just 4 games.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 1, 2009 -> 09:17 PM) I'd be curious to hear exactly how much of each player you have seen. I live in Scottsdale, AZ part time and I've seen both play several times in Oct/Nov this year in the AFL.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Dec 1, 2009 -> 07:57 PM) Can I borrow your crystal ball? Viciedo's obvious conditioning issues are not gonna allow him to handle 3B long term. If the dude can't stay in shape when he's 20 years old, he's never going to. Morel has excelled at every level and obviously has no trouble with the game's best AA prospects.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Dec 1, 2009 -> 10:17 AM) I'm already very aware of Mr. Morel. He played at W-S last season, and would likely be in Birmingham in 2010. Viciedo played 3B in B-Ham last year, and despite rumors of maybe moving him to 1B or elsewhere, the Sox seem to like the idea of sticking with him at 3B. He'd probably be in Charlotte in 2010 if he's a 3B still, and that means a Crede deal could potentially block him - that is why Viciedo is the conversation piece here, as opposed to Morel, who will not likely be double-jumping to AAA. Morel will be in Charlotte by mid-season. Viciedo is a future 1B/DH.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Dec 1, 2009 -> 09:22 AM) For a minor league deal? Absolutely, it hurts nothing, and gives a nice backup plan to Teahen. If Viciedo moves to something other than 3B, it can be done without blocking anyone. Though he may not see the bigs in 2010, check out Sox prospect Brent Morel. He just lead the AFL in hitting and is a plus defender at 3B. His potential is reason enough not to resign Crede.

QUOTE (Ranger @ Nov 29, 2009 -> 10:05 PM) Really? Have you actually been paying attention to relief pitchers around baseball? Relievers, even really good ones, will have bad months. And sometimes even have them at least once a year. It's kind of the nature of relief pitchers. Again, if you noticed, the Sox gave Linerbink ample time last season to make a turnaround, and it did not happen. And when it did not happen, they appropriately altered his duties. So you'rs basically saying that the Sox should have cut their losses with Konerko in 2008? Because it was the same situation where fans were absolutely certain he was done. Turns out he was not. Yeah, we were on yesterday. It's been random times during the offseason because we have football on and what not. Usually we're on around noon, give or take an hour. Sorry I missed it. Can't find the Podcast on the 670 site. Could you nudge the boys to be sure to upload those shows in the offseason? I know a lot of people like to download the files if they miss the broadcast. Thanks, Chris.

QUOTE (Ranger @ Nov 29, 2009 -> 05:11 PM) Right. And he is only going to be 23 when the season starts, so there is probably more development time to be had. We'll see what happens in the spring. But I also wouldn't be shocked if he gets dealt. What's up with White Sox Weekly? No show recently?

QUOTE (knightni @ Nov 27, 2009 -> 10:48 PM) How many years back should the investigation go for a quantification of this statement? The context for both my previous posts is in the statement I responded to: "The Sox have struggled to find a league average leadoff hitter the last few years"

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Nov 27, 2009 -> 10:37 PM) Above average compared to what? Compared to what the Sox have had.

QUOTE (Disco72 @ Nov 27, 2009 -> 11:17 AM) According to KW, Jones was signed to be a backup OFer. Do you know something we don't? (Of course, he may DH some, especially if he gets hot, but it doesn't seem that the intent of the signing is as a DH... and I'm one who even suggested Jones as a platoon partner with Thome if the Sox go cheap at DH). I think he's definately seen more as a DH than a backup OF. If he's not, then he should be. Kotsay should take the field before Jones does, IMO. I don't see much "fixation." Sure, there's a decent size thread on this, but there's not much else going on. Might as well talk about what's real than a bunch of rumors and speculation. You seem to not like the move. You don't see how we can help the Sox? You don't think he's an upgrade over Wise? Fixation is here, and several other boards. I see how Jones can help the Sox. I think it's a decent move that may win a couple games.

QUOTE (Disco72 @ Nov 27, 2009 -> 11:13 AM) Just because Swisher failed as a high OBP type leadoff hitter doesn't make the idea behind it void. The Sox have struggled to find a league average leadoff hitter the last few years, and clearly a high OBP guy is cheaper than a guy with high OBP + speed + contact. For a guy getting the most ABs on the team, the most important thing is for him to "set the table" by being on base for the big hitters coming next. Speed would be nice, but speed is not > OBP in my opinion for a leadoff guy. The Sox had an above average lead off hitter just last season.

QUOTE (docsox24 @ Nov 27, 2009 -> 05:07 PM) I will try and keep you posted. I expect it to be quiet for a little while Kenny will be active at the meetings and will package Jenks in a deal.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Nov 26, 2009 -> 11:23 PM) I was thinking more along the lines of what Marco Scutaro did last year, good contact (.282 AVG, 75 K), very good OBP, decent speed and not much in the way of power. Yeah, he had a nice season, but he has no position on the Sox. He's also 2 years older then the "ancient" 32 year old Andruw Jones.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Nov 26, 2009 -> 11:08 PM) There are plenty of other players capable of that. Let's put the Swisher bs to bed. Look, I wasn't lobbying for Swisher. That dude was an idiot and as bad a fit for this franchise as I can remember (outside of Albert Belle). I was just making the point that there are still those Sox fans that think OBP trumps speed/OBP for a lead off hitter. I was reminding him that we tried that and it didn't work. The Sox needed speed to setup RISP as much or more than other teams to offset the softball lineup they ran out there the past few years.

QUOTE (chw42 @ Nov 26, 2009 -> 11:02 PM) Will you count on him if he puts up a .390 wOBA like he did until August? Jones had a hamstring injury in August and sucked for a while. At one point, he was hitting .250 with an OPS near .900. He was an absolute force for 3 months last year in Texas. There's still some hope that he can be a decent platoon DH. I think Kenny has always liked him, Ozzie coached him in ATL, Vizquel gave him a nod having played with him last season and they like the idea of those monster HR/BB streaks he can produce in that new DH rotation. He should rake at the Cell when it warms up but I would expect him to struggle in the early months, as he never had to play home games in any kind of crap weather in ATL/LA/TEX.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Nov 26, 2009 -> 02:28 AM) If people are gonna keep bringing up Swisher, then I'm going back to Rowand. His name is Aaron Rowand. Seriously, Swisher is exactly who he described. Average speed/.370 OBP ...and a horrible lead off hitter for the Sox after April of 2008.

QUOTE (chw42 @ Nov 26, 2009 -> 10:55 PM) Good catch, but you also have to look at the sample sizes. .786 in 200 some plate appearances isn't really convincing enough. Given Jones' weight issues, I have trouble seeing him out there for more than 350 plate appearances. Especially if the Sox want him to fill in at the corner outfield positions at times. I don't know why fans are so fixated on this deal. Jones won't get more than 200 plate appearances and he shouldn't. He may play the OF once every couple Sundays, but it's not gonna be often. The Sox just aren't counting much at all on Jones and the size of their offer proves it. He's making less then Dwayne Wise did last year.

"We didn't sign him to be a DH but that more or less is what he is." He was signed almost entirely to be featured part time in the Sox DH rotation next season.

"Right now he's just a bad DH." 17HR/43RBI/.782OPS in 82 games is not a bad DH.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Nov 25, 2009 -> 08:02 PM) Speed be damned. Give me a guy with average foot speed and a .370 OBP and I'm golden. His name is Nick Swisher.