greg775

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Aug 9, 2014 -> 04:50 PM) I love the people that say that if the Sox had a better bullpen they'd be contending. It's not just the bullpen. 2/5 of the starting rotation is comprised of Scott Carroll and Hector Noesi. Alejandro De Aza, Gordon Beckham, and Dayan Viciedo have gotten significant at bats. Paul Konerko is on the f***ing team. Those are other reasons why this team isn't very good. What more should Rick have done for the bullpen? This thread is madness. Up until the most recent fizz, the team was a good bullpen away from being right there for the wild card.

Konerko is the least of the Sox problems. He's had 157 at bats and 21 RBIs. He hasn't gotten in the way at all. You have the right to say whatever you want, but he deserves to go out however he wants to go out. This franchise hasn't exactly had a lot of historical highlights. He's been one of the brightest spots in bleak franchise history. If Sox continue to suck, I hope he gets to play all he wants in September. I re-read your post and there's so much wrong about it. Adam Dunn over Konerko? You'd rather see that in September than historic at bats from Paulie, a WS champ? I disagree. I'd get goosbumps watching Paulie at the Cell in September instead of Adam Dunn for gosh sakes.

QUOTE (VAfan @ Aug 8, 2014 -> 10:02 PM) This is the point that I think is TOTAL BS!! The team was "SUPPOSED" to lose in 2014?? If Rick Hahn told Jerry Reinsdorf and Kenny Williams that "I HAVE NO PLAN ON WINNING IN 2014, AND IN FACT, MY PLAN IS TO CONTINUE LOSING IN 2014" what do you think they would have said? Like any good boss, they would have said -- come back to me when you have a better plan. You may sit here as a casual fan and spin out 5 years plans and hypothetical trades, and fantasize in August 2014 about next year's lineup, but I GUARANTEE you that's not what Rick Hahn's job is. That's not the reality of running the Chicago White Sox. In the real world, the Chicago White Sox have to try to compete every year, even if they are also rebuilding to strengthen their club for the future. They aren't the Cubs, who get a perennial pass and adoration from clueless fans regardless of the crappy teams they put on the field. So, Rick Hahn did a lot of things this offseason to both rebuild the team, and get it to compete for a playoff spot in 2014. If he didn't care about the latter, there are a lot of things he wouldn't have done, because they have no future with the club. Why keep Adam Dunn? Why not just dump him for as much salary relief as you can get? Why keep De Aza? He's also got no long term future, and is the highest paid outfielder on the team, as a BACKUP! Why re-sign Paul Konerko for another year? He's going to retire at year's end. Why dump money into signing Downs and Bellisario and Paulino? None of these guys could be expected to last even if they pitched as well as they had in the past. Why not unload John Danks at the trade deadline for salary relief, even if you get nothing back? More money to spend in the future. Why is Gordon Beckham still here? You might be "HAPPY" about a Sox team that is going to miss the playoffs again, and is sinking like a rock now that the complete collapse of the bullpen has sapped any remaining chances the team had of making a late season run. I see a team that had tremendous POTENTIAL, that could have made the playoffs in 2014 with a better bullpen plan and a better manager. When that potential is undermined and lost, I'm disappointed. And I think the guy who put the plan together deserves to be criticized, because with a better plan, the team could have made a run. As I said earlier, I think Rick Hahn would AGREE. I'm guessing he's learned a lot from the mistakes he's made, and isn't planning on repeating them. Great post. Enjoyed it and agreed with it.

Sox have 62 losses. In the AL, you figure Sox will ultimately be passed by Boston (64), Minnie (63). Sox will probably finish ahead of Houston (68) and Texas (70). In the NL, Sox are ahead of only Philly (64), Cubs (65), San Diego (62), Zona (66) and Colorado (70). Barring turning this around, the Sox are probably going to finish ahead of only Houston, Texas, Colorado and Zona and probably the Cubs. Ouch.

QUOTE (fathom @ Aug 9, 2014 -> 05:55 AM) Another awful offensive effort. Viciedo is the only one who looks dangerous at the plate this week. Some majors changes have got to be made soon. I'd love to see Avi replace ADA, Semien replace Beckham and Wilkins for Dunn. I'd love all that. It's Wilkins time. This team needs something to wake it up for the final month and change. Last place is calling for the Sox. Time to bring up some new blood and make the entire season one that was interesting, not a total flop.

QUOTE (1dog @ Aug 9, 2014 -> 05:23 AM) Does Hawk not realize he says the same goddamn thing about Beckham every f***ing year? It's getting old, Hawk. Suck on dem stones some more. Gordon must really suck up to Hawk when he sees him. That obviously works with guys who have big egos. Kudos to Beckham for getting the franchise TV mouthpiece to love him. Of course Gordon is lousy. No hiding that fact.

QUOTE (fathom @ Aug 9, 2014 -> 04:41 AM) Seen this from Quintana far too often. True, but his main crime is not being able to pitch over shoddy defense. Granted, he walked a guy, but the Gillaspie gaffe can shake up a pitcher. Now maybe he is a mental midget, but I do blame Gillaspie equally for the implosion.

That was so predictable. Last place remains a strong possibility, folks. Sox defense is atrocious.

Gillaspie has turned into a total disaster on defense. Embarrassing.

Scary to read about Micah's lack of defense as well as Anderson. Also is Hawkins good or not?

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 8, 2014 -> 05:54 PM) -We have our powerhitting star 1B. -We have a very solid starting 3B -We have both a leadoff hitter and CF, who is also a pretty darned good defender. -The farm system is deeper than it has been in what... a decade? A year ago Carlos Rodon was a wet dream. Now he headlines our system. -Sale is still Sale, Quintana is still the feathery serpent, and Cooper can still create starting pitchers out of thin air. -This has been a super unusual injury year, and that has hampered a lot of our players and progress. Looking at the big picture, the state of the union is positive. Is it perfect? Obviously not, but I know that no one expected a title team in a year, or probably even two. This organization is moving in the right direction. Obviously things are a little bit better, but let's see the last six weeks play out. I kind of disagree. 1B-Yes you are right. We have a star. 3B-Maybe. Unfortunately because of Gillaspie's defense, the verdict is still out. He has improved hitting wise. Still not a lot of RBIs. CF - Yes he's good, but LF and RF are still question marks. Farm system - I thought all our outfield candidates were busts. People have been blasting Semien as being a bust as far as being a future starter. What down there is so great besides Rodon? Is Micah very good or not? Most importantly - Pitching. Sale and Q are the only ultra reliable starters. Rodon is the next ace type hopefully. And the defense is projected as remaining lousy with A. Garcia coming back and Tank still out leftfielder with a sieve at third base. Who replaces Lexi? My point is, if the Sox continue to tank and finish about 15 below .500 is the optimism still there? I think Fathom's recent post is more accurate about having 5-6 very good players and the rest below average.

thank u

I'm turning this baby off. Can't take it. If we come back and win, my bad.

I'm not a Webb guy. He certainly does stink.

QUOTE (peavy44 @ Aug 8, 2014 -> 04:01 AM) I think Beckham back next year for final chance. OMG ... not another final chance. Look, not for a second baseman. They are a dime a dozen. Time to get a new one.

QUOTE (fathom @ Aug 8, 2014 -> 03:59 AM) He's the one guy out of him, Beckham, ADA, Dunn and Leury that I would be fine with if they bring him back. I think there's going to be a lot of at bats available next year in the outfield and DH (especially if Avi leaves every game due to an injury) He's been less repulsive of late. I think unlike Beckham he does have hitting tools to work with. I wonder what he's like personally. Can he take to coaching? Surely they recommend he do what he did his last at bat; elevate, but go with the pitch more. You gotta admit ... when Tank is going bad, which is a lot, he truly is a wreck at the plate. But I agree. I wouldn't puke if sox brought him back. Just wish he'd improve.

QUOTE (peavy44 @ Aug 8, 2014 -> 03:51 AM) Abreu starting to slump Good thing that pitch hit the meat ABOVE the elbow. That mighta smashed his elbow up pretty good.

Love when guys like Viciedo go with the pitch.

QUOTE (fathom @ Aug 8, 2014 -> 03:44 AM) I keep hoping for a TON of roster turnover after this year, but the way things have progressed this year, 2015 is going to be another rebuilding year instead of a contending season. Just too many holes to try and fix them all in one offseason. Yeah, and a pessimist might say there could be regression from Lexi and Gillaspie who had great seasons at the plate. Also, I love him, but Flowers at any moment could turn into the 10-for-90 Tyler again. Also Eaton is amazing, but could be injury prone. Yikes.

Do all teams have pitchers like the Sox have had at the end of the rotation? Axelrod and now Carroll? So Soxtalk, doesn't watching Carroll make you long to grab a bat and take some hacks? My gosh he is awful (I do realize he's somehow had some good outings; I should say his stuff is awful).

QUOTE (fathom @ Aug 8, 2014 -> 03:23 AM) This team has a good 1B, SS, 3B, CF, #1 SP, #2 SP, Petricka....the rest is mediocre. If anything, it seems this team overachieved the first 3 months of the year. And yet my man, Hawk, just said the Sox will be dominant starting next year. I dunno .....

That last at bat is how I will always remember Beckham. He is one of the worst hitters (approach wise) in baseball history. I don't think that's hyperbole. How can Robin allow him to bat that way?

I love Hawk, but I disagree about the future. He just said "starting next year good times a comin." How can he say that when the team needs pitching so badly? Sale, Q, Danks and Rodon to start next year sounds good. But if Rodon isn't ready, we have only 2 reliable starters plus off and on Danks, who despite my love for him, may not be special. That leaves a team with no bullpen and horrible defense. The defense doesn't project to be better next year, does it? We also need a DH in the post-Dunn era. I mean I despise Dunn, but Sox still are in need of a slugger at DH. Question marks at second and catcher remain. And Gillaspie always could cool off. His defense is atrocious. So in conclusion... IS HAWK RIGHT? I'd be happy if he was.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Aug 7, 2014 -> 07:41 PM) Using the same criteria, Gordon Beckham has been extremely unlucky, yet all anyone says is he sucks. You mentioned his walk/k ration. Last year he had more walks than strikeouts, yet that translated to 16 walks and a league leading at the time 57 strikeouts when he was sent back to AAA. He still fans more than he walks in AAA. I don't see how that translates to instant success. We are about 3 weeks away from roster expansion. That would be a good time to call him up. There is no reason to rush. No decision on his future is going to be decided if he got called up and was awesome or horrible the next 15 games anyway. I think many of us are just sick of watching his ridiculous batting stance and way he hitches back, trying to be a power hitter. Speaking for myself, I'm just sick of him more than the backup quarterback syndrome regarding Semien. Beckham has no clue at the plate and it gets annoying seeing him swing the way he does. He ought to have the approach of the new Gillaspie, as somebody else pointed out. In conclusion ... I'm personally sick of his approach and the results. Semien may suck, but it's time to see.

QUOTE (ptatc @ Aug 4, 2014 -> 04:04 AM) Sorry, been out of town. Is the pain near the knee cap or further back? Near the kneecap. Also the area at the bottom of the tibia gets tight sometimes when jogging. It almost feels like it's going to snap. Is that a stretching issue?