LDF

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Aug 4, 2015 -> 07:59 PM) You're ok with that number...now 2nd part...what's the highest you'd go if you were Rick Hahn? Years and total dollars. i don't know, maybe if i was really interested, 3 / 69. the danks situation may have me gun shy.

QUOTE (IowaSoxFan @ Aug 4, 2015 -> 06:48 PM) Business as usual for the Sox. Promote a guy thats not very good at his job and replace him with the guy he mentored. The Sox could have been bold and waited until the offseason to make this move and bring in Chris Correa, a guy with a demonstrated track record of success with the best run organization in the sport, but why not just stay in the cycle of mediocrity. ahhh sounds a lot like DC..... that is why there is a reek of stupidity stench there.

QUOTE (knightni @ Aug 4, 2015 -> 06:12 PM) The Nats got Alex Meyer for the pick. i am sorry, but i got to be snarky here. there is no guarantee that the sox would have done better, probably worse | t |

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Aug 4, 2015 -> 06:10 PM) They sacrificed their 2011 first round pick for Adam Dunn as well. they took a gamble like they took a gamble on Adam LaRoche. how many times are they going to gamble on players on the wrong side of their career???

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Aug 4, 2015 -> 06:01 PM) Losing picks for signing people is pretty much a moot point with the Sox. Other then this past off-season, had we lost picks for anyone in recent years? While picking higher helps, I would argue in the draft, it is a crapshoot anyway so you don't get near as significant of an advantage picking top 10 as you do in say the NFL / NBA. The interesting play in all of this is going to be how our international guys pan out. Those signings take years to gauge and we really are still new players their (due to combination of the Wilder fiasco and Sox being cheap prior to the updated international signing rules which attempted to level the playing field a bit) so we are probably still 3-5 years from seeing potential true pick ups in the overall quality of the farm system (where the supply of talent isn't just coming from the draft). Outside of El Caballo and Maggs, Its been forever since we've developed any sort of impactful foreign talent (Viciedo is an exception as he wasn't drafted as a guy you were going to sit in the farm for years to develop...plus he didn't exactly turn into a productive player). If this organization is going to take the next level in terms of enhancing the farm system, it will not only take strong domestic drafting, but it will take consistently strong international classes as well. And then of course their is the development side of the house as well. One thing I want to see is for the White Sox to recognize what the Cubs and Dodgers are doing (not in terms of having all the cash / resources to spend money) but from the perspective of how they are focused and diligent when it comes to finding the best talent and developing it. Clearly both teams have an advantage in the sense that they are willing to break the international free agent rules and that helps significantly. Plus they have additional revenues to fortify the major league team (vs. having to use prospects) but having a strong farm system is critical to contend, especially if you are going to do it without spending $150M+ on payroll. The Sox aren't in a position where they can consistently win by being aggressive and buying in free agency. They need to try and do things more like the Cardinals, use that farm system, trade when necessary, but get a lot of mileage out of home grown talent. Then use FA to be smart and then every once in a great while, make the aggressive play in FA to try and help put you over the top (but don't ever use FA as a quick fix). excellent point, but the org needs to get there. they need to fix the holes, the holes that were cause by lousy management and drafting.... how to fix it, esp with the window of the talent the team has... >>>> FA's rt.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Aug 4, 2015 -> 05:51 PM) How far are you willing to take that "not a lot to dislike" comment? Would you go 7/$140+? What's your limit? i don't know if i am answering this the right way and i know it isn't for me. but yesterday, i reading fa's for the 2016 season. in one article they had the top 10 ratings. Heyward was #1 and with practically the exact quote as above. they had the 20 per and a min of 5-7 yrs. b/c of his age and this being his last possible contract, so would their be a bidding process with how many teams?? again,, i do not know if this answer your question. that is why i asked mine in the 100 million dollar range.

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Aug 4, 2015 -> 04:09 PM) The Shark getting blasted for 9 run and Sale getting blasted and a bullpen that can't seem to hold onto a lead. Robertson is really scuffling and I wonder if it's confidence lost or more? Relief pitchers have fragile egos. Last night was a heartbreaker. I wouldn't have sent Ramirez and MLB network showed the play and pointed out Ramirez broke back to second to make sure the ball didn't get caught. Once he did that McEwing should have held him. Aggressiveness can work to your advantage and against you too. This one didn't go our way. Carlos Sanchez almost tied it anyway with that liner to right. The kid has really started to show some promise with the bat. With all the bad we have seen since our 7 game winning streak this team is still only 3 1/2 out of the wild card yeah, and where did he get that power from..... i like it.

QUOTE (Lip Man 1 @ Aug 4, 2015 -> 03:59 PM) Garcia simply hasn't been the same player since he hurt that knee in Oakland. He was off to a very good start. You wonder if something is still wrong with it. Mark good point, either way, as i keep saying, how old is the player.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Aug 4, 2015 -> 03:52 PM) Reverse winning percentage...the worst teams always get first shot, like the A's selecting Valencia from TOR. many thanks.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Aug 4, 2015 -> 03:48 PM) One thing to point out. Over the past few years the Sox philosphy on drafting did take a fundamental shift. I don't know if that was driven by Hostetler or Hahn or whom, but the reality is, when you look at our early round picks, we have had quite a few successes or at least perceived successes (still way too early technically on Rodon / Fullmer) after an extended run of stinkers in the early rounds. We also have seen the farm system get stronger. What we still haven't been able to figure out is how to develop (or find) the right position players and I don't know that we have necessarily changed that trend (although you have to give Sox credit for Semien (A's) / Saladino / Sanchez / Micah who all look like they should play at least a few years in the majors, if not more) and obviously Anderson is the one top end position prospect trending in the right direction. I might be overstating on Saladino cause he's probably the one I have the least faith in of the bunch but I like his presence enough to stay patient with him, however, he will never play as a starter at 3B (and I highly doubt he'll be able to stick at SS either, I think Saladino's best bet is as a super sub where Sanchez and Micah could potentially both start with the main issue being they both play the same position (although Sanchez might be able to play a good enough SS). you make a lot of great points here. ref farm, yeah, i love that the sox went out and hire outside the org and hired someone good. proof is in the system, ref fa's, the sox went out and was competitive in the last yrs group... i good sign for continue growth and health of the sox system. ref the draft, well 14 was great, at least for me on the majority. the 15, well time will tell on the rest of the picks, outside the 1 rounder. the system, overall is looking up. of course not all is peachy but that is not for this post. the journey to being a perennial playoff team and power house. that is what i am extremely looking forward to.

QUOTE (Lip Man 1 @ Aug 4, 2015 -> 03:48 PM) Supposedly Tim wasn't working hard enough to suit Ozzie. Mark wow, that should have been interesting reading. wonder if there is any truth to it.

QUOTE (harkness @ Aug 4, 2015 -> 03:44 PM) McEwing won't lose his job, unless maybe they tried to make him a fall guy for the failings of this staff - which from their mantra all year it doesn't appear they would do. KW and Ventura need to go... Hahn is still a question mark to me. i don't know, but i am thinking from the results of the trade deadline results, it might be in the horizon.... just my thoughts.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Aug 4, 2015 -> 03:21 PM) JD Martinez would have looked nice in RF or LF and wouldn't have cost us a thing other than a waiver claim. We passed. Detroit didn't. Thirty bombs this year already. how is the waiver list order is judge?? i always thought it was on the win / lost record like the draft order.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Aug 4, 2015 -> 03:02 PM) And/or the philosophical belief that draft spending was out of control and they weren't going to play that game without caps and slotting...therefore it was the responsibility of the White Sox to toe the line and follow JR's cue (with the notable exception of Borchard) until the playing field was finally equalized. That wasn't KW's doing. He was given an edict from above and had to follow it. and as a result of the owners stand, the system went down the tubes for how long?? just to prove a point???

QUOTE (Yoda @ Aug 4, 2015 -> 03:00 PM) McEwing should lose his job for that play. A team that is vying for a Wild Card spot means there is little to no room for fundamental hiccups like the one made last night. 1st and 3rd no outs… nah i disagree and only for 1 reason. there are mistakes that all coaches make. no one is perfect. i remember watching games and other teams and sox teams do make a occasional mistake in judgment. i am glad he owned up to it.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Aug 4, 2015 -> 02:46 PM) They still can't escape this philosophy with the major league roster though. but that philosophy only goes so far, then the $$$ takes over. do the minimum of a modest to even lower budget and expect the best.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Aug 4, 2015 -> 02:26 PM) This is an interesting question. LDF, I believe that it used to be this way. There was a period where the Sox neglected the draft badly and signed "quick to the majors" low upside starters in the 1st round. the Lance Broadways and Chris McCulloughs of the world. It was a terrible time. Then it seemed like Kenny Williams wanted to infuse the system with athletic tools type guys. At the same time, Jerry Reinsdorf didn't want to spend $$ on the amateur draft. Because of this, they used high picks on guys like Jared Mitchell (fine pick at the time), Trayce Thompson and Keenyn Walker. In 2011, Chris Sale kind of fell in their lap and they rightfully chose him. I feel like 2012 is the year in which it flipped though. The draft bonus system changed and kind of leveled the playing field for the White Sox. In 2012, there were rumors of Marcus Stroman and Michael Wacha. College pitchers which have been a typical staple of the White Sox. This time, they took athletic HS OF Courtney Hawkins. In the comp round, they took Keon Barnum. 2013 was similar, there were rumors about the Sox taking college pitching and then they took Tim Anderson from JUCO and Tyler Danish from HS. We all know about 2014. The White Sox spent the 2nd most money in the entire draft and landed Rodon and Adams. Bottom line, the drafts have been much better but it's ridiculous that they weren't always taken seriously prior to the rules being changed. all i have to say is wow, this is most excellent explanation of what i needed.

QUOTE (Joshua Strong @ Aug 4, 2015 -> 02:13 PM) You always take the BPA no matter what, and he said that in the same interview. i guess you and i had this discussion before. but it all depends for me. that is all i will say.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Aug 4, 2015 -> 02:12 PM) Or 6 like Trayce Thompson. This from a recent article from SSS: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________ This may or may not surprise you, but Thompson is the first position player to make it from White Sox draft pick out of high school to the White Sox 25-man roster since ... Ryan Sweeney, who, like Thompson, was a second-round pick (in 2003). If you're wondering about the last high school draft pick to stick with the Sox, it's Joe Crede (fifth round, 1996). Over the last decade, you don't even need one complete hand to count the number of high-school success stories -- even if you count players who eventually made it to the big leagues for other teams, which I think is fair since value is value. The only other position player to reach the majors was Chris Carter (15th round, 2005), who was sent to Arizona for Carlos Quentin before the 2008 season. The pitching side has a few more success stories: Dan Cortes (seventh round, 2005). Traded to Kansas City for Mike MacDougal. Hector Santiago (30th round, 2006). Actually pitched for the Sox. David Holmberg (second round, 2009). Traded to Arizona for Edwin Jackson. That's it, partially because the Sox avoided prep players on somewhat of an alternate-year cycle, and the years besides 2009 haven't panned out. Nevin Griffith led the charge in 2007, and 2012 rests entirely on Courtney Hawkins and Jordan Guerrero after the other prep players have stagnated in the lower levels, if they even made it out of rookie ball. The good news? The 2013 and 2014 drafts generated the Sox' most interesting prep prospects in years. The former brought Tyler Danish, Thaddius Lowry and Trey Michalczewski, while the 2014 draft yielded Spencer Adams. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________- So it seems that the Sox recent success with Trey ,Danish, Lowry and Adams from HS led to his promotion even though none has officially panned out . nice find....

QUOTE (Joshua Strong @ Aug 4, 2015 -> 08:13 AM) Teams rarely go outside the org to find a replacement. And it sounds like Hostetler has a different philosophy than Laumann. He said he's a high ceiling guy and is 'intrigued' by high school players. Whereas Laumann liked high floor guys and leaned more towards college guys. the main philosophy is between college vs hs. kids. i think there has to be a happy medium between the 2. however the sox like college in the 1 round, b/c that person will be closest to the majors. i will admit high ceiling vs high floor, well, i guess i will need to really think out that difference in order to make any semblance of an informed answer. let me asked this of those who can answer. to me, i always assumed that the sox picked, esp in the 1 round, prospects who were easy to sign and can make the majors quickly, as oppose to players who were more talented. was that how any saw it???

QUOTE (Lip Man 1 @ Aug 4, 2015 -> 01:04 AM) And Raines was fired by Ozzie. Kenny also tried to fire Ozzie but JR over ruled him (perhaps remembering his decision to let Hawk fire Tony LaRussa.) Mark during that whole time, i was recovering from a illness, what was, not the official line, but reason for raines being fired???

QUOTE (beautox @ Aug 4, 2015 -> 12:58 AM) I can respect that, sox real payroll next year is close to 93M and they're at 116M this year, last time they recently eclipsed that was 2011 at 128M. Not taking into account inflation or new sports deals the sox have money. If they can put on a playoff run even more so. i am going to new waters here. yes i firmly believe the sox have the money and the salary to compete. maybe not with the yanks, dodgers and other team like that. but i believe it should be used wisely. spending it all on 1 player is not spending it wisely. the holes the sox needs to be address and that is what the priority should be. spread the money around.

QUOTE (beautox @ Aug 4, 2015 -> 01:36 AM) Heyward will only be 26 to start the season next year and Cespedes will be 30 without a pick attached to him. cespedes stat wise, it has been dropping since his rookie yr. this yr, it was a nice rebound, but was that b/c he concentrated this yr?? i don't trust it and esp with a yrs and salary needed to sign him. heyward, now what will it cost to sign him. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cespeyo01.shtml

QUOTE (beautox @ Aug 4, 2015 -> 01:20 AM) Span has been on my short list. Essentially to me its Heyward and if not then go hard after Cespedes because of the lack of pick attached to him followed by Span. I agree about pitching as well in a perfect world Latos. I would really like to see the sox look hard at the KBO; Jae-won Lee, strikes me as a intriguing option at catcher. He is 27 will be 28 at the start of next season right handed hitting catcher that also moonlights at 1B, similar profile to Jason Kendal minus the speed. Brian Cartwright a Writer/Analyst at The Hardball Times compares the KBO to AAA and this is the year he is putting up right now .301/.390/.444 - 11BB% / 15K% with 10HR in 374PA. With the recent Success of Kang and the positional scarcity of catching I could see his price tag going up a bit but not to astronomical amounts, and before we get into the "language barrier" issue just remember Kenji Johjima. Jae has been in the KBO for 9 years and I'm pretty sure he has also met the armed service requirement, He should be able to be posted or an outright FA. heyward and cespedes will be too much.... for me.

QUOTE (beautox @ Aug 3, 2015 -> 10:57 PM) offer him a QO and go after one of the corner outfield bats, Heyward, Cespedes or Upton. we stay pick neutral and depending on how this season plays out we might have another top 10 pick. 1. i like the idea of offering shark a QO. 2. look into of'ers who was not offered a QO 3. key on 2 of'ers who may or may not been offer a QO. ~ Denard Span ~~ Austin Jackson 4. look at a possible of 1 sp who was not given a QO.