poppysox

We will see what we shall see. I admittedly think with my heart when it comes to the White Sox.

We are seeing Gio, Anderson and Moncada improve vastly from when they first came up. Jimenez also show small improvement day to day. As Kopech, Cease, Robert, Collins and Madrigal join the Sox the same will happen. At first we will see the raw talent and the frustrating rookie mistakes. Over a year or two we will see this group gel into a very good team. The sooner we can get these guys together the sooner the championships get to Chicago. You get to be the best by playing against the best.

Madrigal was named by the baseball community as the most major league ready player in last years draft. Chris Getz said on Saturday that the fans should judge the front line minor leaguers on what they see in the second half. Actually said they were very happy with where Robert and Madrigal are in their development. When asked about Robert being major league ready he said he could do it but was better served where he is for now. I believe the players I mentioned will be part of next years team. I also think that next years team will be the pulling together of all these prospects into a year of mutual learning at the major league level.

The person with the most influence over talent evaluation is probably Kenny Williams. Not thrilled with that thought.

When you start the rebuild with pieces like Sale, Q and Eaton the process should go faster.

And that's about what you need on a championship team. That kind of staff and a lineup augmented by Robert and Madrigal wins something. Maybe all of it after playing together for a year or two.

As I've said in other posts...watch what they do with Abreu & Colome...If they are going to take a long time view they will trade both at the deadline. If they think contention is near they need both a closer and a thumper.

We are not as good as the Twins but we will play them much tougher at home. Twins at their home have always been a house of horrors for us.

If Hahn thinks that the contending team will be on the field in the next year or two...it might be right to extend Abreu and Colome. If not...I would move on. They are undoubtedly our best trade chips.

I would like Robert, Cease, Madrigal and Collings up as soon as the baseball people deem possible. Surround them with competent yet average major league players happy to have a place for a year or two. Note: Not overpriced has-beens. Take your lumps but learn against the best so they see what it's about. We've seen Anderson, Moncada, & Giolito all improve as they figure it out. Jimenez is now doing the same thing. I think the Sox fan base got shell shocked by the early call up of Gordon Beckham. It is different to be called up as part of a developing group than to be called up to be the saving face of the franchise. Let them grow for a year or two and then take your swing at those sought after stars. Also, would really help hold fan interest and enthusiasm before we lose half the current fan base.

They could just follow Sox Talk.

I agree...it's annoying.

Camera work for this game made Alonso flyball to medium right/center like it was going to the upper deck.

Do you guys remember the our trade of Joe Borchard for Matt Thornton. A trade for two failed first round draftees. Borchard was the #12 person drafted 2002 to the highest bonus up to that time. Matt thornton was drafted #22 in 1998 draft. Every time I look at Fulmer I wonder if history can repeat itself. Other clubs have guys just like ours. You never know who has a lot of depth at some position and shortages at others.

Auditioning for that #5 starter on our contending teams. Could happen as he seems to be improving for 4 or 5 innings stints.

I believe it's 100% he is traded or extended. If the actual # was $12 mil per for 5 years many would probably extend him. If the the # was $20 mil per for 5 the answer would be don't let the door hit you on the way out. When talking trade I would need to get something that would play on that contending team...not just a bag of balls. What the offers are vs what's his desire about money will be interesting. It would be GM malpractice to end up with no Abreu & no new piece of the puzzle.

I agree 100% in your enthusiasm for McCann. However, anyone on the 25 man roster is going to play occasionally. Zavala at least is someone new & therefore interesting.

THIS IS HOW I SEE ORGANIZATION AS OF TODAY PLAYERS WHO WILL BE ON THE CONTENDING TEAMS: Anderson-Moncada-Jimenez-Cease-Kopech-Madrigal-Giolito-Robert-Lopez-McCann-Bummer-Burr-Tilson-Marshall-Dunning-Collins (16players) PLAYERS OF SOME VALUE WHO WILL BE ON CONTENDING TEAMS, EXTENDED OR TRADED: Abreu-Colome-C.Rodon-Garcia-Basabe-Adolfo-Sanchez-Herrera-Palka-Burger-Covey-Hamilton-Fulmer-Ruiz-Rutherford -Walker-Jones NEEDS OF THAT FUTURE CONTENDER: 1 top of rotation starter-2 competent 4/5 starters

All options are on the table.

When the guys in front of you are Cease, Kopech & Giolito...you could be a pretty good pitcher and be a # 4 or 5 starter.

Depends on what you get for Colome in a trade at the deadline.

Your explanation was what I was going to write but you said it better. It would have been better without passing judgement on the post.

I'm 50-50 on what should be in Abreu's future. Extend him and decide he is part of the championship run or trade him. In addition to on the field accomplishments he appears to be a mentor to the young guys. Some would say face of the Sox. The trade him while value is high crowd have an excellent point. We've all seen players go from high trade value to worth nothing almost over night. What ever happens...Abreu is doing his part to drive up his value to our organization and other teams.

Ah...good times!

Preaching to the choir...I get it!