wardo2178

QUOTE (fathom @ Dec 16, 2014 -> 01:16 AM) Something that should help is not giving 20 starts in 2015 to the trio of Johnson, Paulino and Rienzo. They combined for an 8.35 ERA in 2014. I'm willing to guess Rodon can do better than that if someone gets hurt. Either KW or Hahn has been on record saying that Rodon would most likely start the year in the bullpen, just like Sale did his first 1.5 seasons. I don't think it's fair for us to assume that he's going to be that productive at the major league level right away, especially considering he just came from college, and got a late start in the minor league system because his signing took a while. I'd start him in AAA or even AA if needed, and see where he progresses from there. Hopefully Danks/Noesi are a decent 4th and 5th option, so you don't need to even worry about calling him up, and if you do its out of the pen. Having him pitch in the rotation next year probably means the Sox are out of it. Just my 2 cents.

2015 AL Central Final Standing Predictions 1. Cleveland Indians 92-70 2. Detroit Tigers 90-72 3. Chicago White Sox 84-78 4. Kansas City Royals 83-79 5. Minnesota Twins 75-87 Call me crazy, but I just don't think a team that has been awful on defensive the last 2 seasons is going to improve that much by adding a DH and a left fielder. And let's face it, anyone would have been better than Viciedo. This team also had a lot of problems getting to the closer last year (if you call Petricka a closer). That could very well continue. Great to have Robertson, but what's the point if you don't get to him. And again, call me crazy, but I think it's Tribe Time in the AL Central in 2015. Sox give it a valiant effort and improve in overall record and slightly defensively and in the bullpen, but it's not enough to make the playoffs. Just don't see them improving that much after winning 73 games last year, even when throwing this much into the team. Hope i'm wrong, but I don't have a good feeling I will be.

I'll take a shot at the opening day staff next season. 12 is the most likely number. Starting Rotation: Sale, Quintana, Noesi, Danks, Carroll or filler Bullpen: Petricka, Webb, Guerra, Surkamp, Leesman, Rienzo, Putnam and possibly an offseason addition or two. A couple of these guys could be in AAA if free agents are signed. I also doubt Rodon will be on the team to start the season. Just don't see them rushing him up like they did with Sale. Signed late and I think he's going to need more time in the minors. He will be called up at some point during the season but I doubt straight out of camp.

Sale has had a tremendous season obviously. An ERA of 1.88 entering August is insane. Unfortunately, he probably has no legit shot at the Cy Young although this is probably his best season so far. Spending time on the DL earlier this year has most likely already killed his chances. His innings pitched and strikeouts will be below guys like Hernandez and Scherzer, and also the amount of starts he has. Is he the best pitcher in the AL? Pretty damn close. Is he the Cy Young in 2014? No.

Gavin Floyd (really)

QUOTE (wardo @ Feb 3, 2014 -> 11:52 PM) One more bullpen arm would be nice. A lot of inexperience in the pen right now. Maybe someone on a minor league deal that could contribute at the major league level out of spring training, maybe a Mitchell Boggs type? Or Mitchell Boggs himself. And yes, i'm just trying to show off haha

One more bullpen arm would be nice. A lot of inexperience in the pen right now. Maybe someone on a minor league deal that could contribute at the major league level out of spring training, maybe a Mitchell Boggs type? Also wish they would have signed someone to cement into that 4th or 5th rotation spot like Phil Hughes for a year with maybe an option.

I'll go with Tuesday the 21st as for when he signs or agrees to sign. As for the team, i'll say the Dodgers. Later we'll here the Sox probably weren't as close to landing him as some might have thought.

Jones is too wild at times for me to trust him as a closer. Still think he would do better in a setup role.

QUOTE (StRoostifer @ Dec 11, 2013 -> 04:46 PM) Toronto is rumored to be shopping Rasmus for a starter. Just don't see a fit. They are shopping him with getting starting pitching back in the trade. Williams liked Rasmus and the Sox could have had him at the deadline in 2011 before he went to Toronto. I could have seen a swap for Santiago before he was dealt, but Rasmus only has one year of arbitration left before free agency. So he may have been a rental. Always liked Rasmus myself, and if they could have signed him to an extension of some kind I would have liked that move, certainly more so than the Eaton move which still honestly kind of boggles me.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Dec 10, 2013 -> 08:34 AM) If you were Hahn and accepted that offer, you'd be fired on the spot. Probably not. You get a pitcher back who's controllable through arbitration until 2016, and in a couple of years a guy who could help your outfield. And most likely add to your minor league pitching stock for future trades with the one or two pitchers that would come from the Sale trade. The goal is to compete long term, so getting rid of one pitcher for help in both pitching and the outfield is seen more of a long-term goal than holding on to a guy who may blow his arm out and as good as he is, only pitches one out of every 5 games.

QUOTE (Dunt @ Dec 10, 2013 -> 08:20 AM) Cubs fan or something? That's awful Not at all. And i'm just using the Cubs as an example. I think that is a realistic return because although he has been an ace and is very controllable, there are a lot of question marks with him. His mechanics are unorthodox, and he's still young. You don't know in a few years if his arm will give out and he will continue to have his current success. Plus a team is not going to give every one of their major-league ready prospects for one guy. Honestly if i was Hahn i'd look to move him right now, when the demand for him is probably higher than it ever will be. I just don't think the return is going to be as much as expected, and fans will be upset.

Don't think the return for Sale would net as much as we'd like to think. Realistically I think Sale could net something like this Cubs acquire: Chris Sale White Sox acquire: Jeff Samardzija, Jorge Soler, low level pitching prospect

I think Max wins due to the number of wins and the fact that he is the only finalist who's team made the playoffs. And considering they only won the division by 1 game, it shows how much those wins (although an overrated stat) mattered.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 8, 2013 -> 02:29 PM) Semien NEEDS to play every day. If he's going to be a "super sub", hell just release him. I'd prefer that to having him sitting on the bench that Robin rarely uses. I can live with Leury as a super sub although it would be nice for him to get some at bats. Semien showed in his one month up that he could make a big impact. Although I said the same thing about Brent Morel at the end of the 2010 season. Obviously, Semien isn't going to play everyday unless Beckham and/or Ramirez is dealt. I could see one, but not both. He very well might start in AAA to have a chance to play everyday, so he's not a Lillibridge type that can come off the bench whenever.