LDF

QUOTE (pettie4sox @ May 5, 2015 -> 10:43 PM) What did I miss? nothing, just embellishing on my hopes and having a good time. edit... that and the great article that caulfield provided about the sox front office.

QUOTE (Stan Bahnsen @ May 5, 2015 -> 08:29 PM) Too bad. Sox will nab him just before, I hope. I can dream of a future OF with he and Adolfo. here is a question to you, b/c i am trying to drag you into more of these discussions and others. i have confidence in Joshua Strong opinions. remember no one is wrong and everyone is right. who would you take Garrett Whitley or K. Tucker???

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ May 5, 2015 -> 06:33 PM) Here's Keith Law's updated top 100: It's insider content. As usual, let me know if you want the article. http://espn.go.com/blog/keith-law/insider/post?id=3896 Highlights: 1. Brendan Rodgers SS Lake Mary HS 2. Kevin Newman SS Arizona 3. Dansby Swanson SS Vanderbilt 4. Dillon Tate RHP UC Santa Barbara 5. Kolby Allard LHP Sam Clemente HS 6. Alex Bregman 2B LSU 7. Ian Happ OF Cincinnati 8. Garrett Whitley CF HS NY 9. Walker Buehler RHP Vanderbilt 10. Kyle Tucker Plant HS Tampa Bay, FL 11. Kyle Funkhouser RHP Louisville 12. Mike Nikorak RHP HS PA 17. Daz Cameron 16. Tyler Jay LHP Illinois 19. Mike Matuella RHP Duke 20. Nate Kirby LHP Virginia 26. Brady Aiken 30. Jacob Nix 39. Phil Bickford 44. Carson Fulmer 52. Justin Hooper LP De La Salle HS jeeze, Garrett Whitley is climbing really fast. i started following him on my own about a 2 weeks ago. first time i see Nix at 30 or better. surprised.

why does it seem as i may be the only one enjoying today. feels like a new season again. i don't know, maybe its b/c this whole thing yesterday got the sox ownership group pissed off. i like that thought. i hope that is what happen. sox in 15.

QUOTE (Tex @ May 5, 2015 -> 08:17 PM) How did you see the players getting to the game? Heavily armed escorts? Have them just get there? I'm not certain the players wanted to be in that area. You are investing millions of dollars to have a baseball game played? I'm thinking the Baltimore PD where already spread pretty thin without adding a big gathering of people. ah you bring this up now, after the fact and want to discuss it. ummm not in the mood.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 5, 2015 -> 05:56 PM) Because Micah Johnson isn't your problem. The problem is the guys you are paying the majority of the payroll too. So unless your plan is to bench Alexei, there isn't much point here. i am bad, i completely read over the MJ name. i thought he was ref to conor or eaton.

QUOTE (Lillian @ May 5, 2015 -> 05:54 PM) How do they not call up Sanchez? The offense is under performing so badly, and they have a guy at AAA who is leading the League. You have to bring him up. It sends all the wrong messages, if they don't. It tells your Minor Leaguers that they aren't getting called up, no matter how well they perform. It tells your Big League Roster that they will have job, no matter how badly they play and it tells the fans that the management either doesn't care, or doesn't know what it's doing, or both. I'm not saying that Sanchez is going to be their savior, but that he has earned a chance to be the starter at second base. Micah has done little to demonstrate that he is ready, and Carlos has been on fire since Spring Training. Moreover, his defense could go a long way toward making this team look more like a Major League team, in the field. I still think Sanchez should be in the #2 hole, and move Melky down in the order, where he can drive in some runs. i don't know, maybe, it is me only who is saying this, maybe they didn't do this, b/c they would send a msg that they lost faith in the young player.

QUOTE (Greg Hibbard @ May 5, 2015 -> 05:07 PM) I really don't understand how anyone who has been watching the White Sox for a long time could think 22 games will decide this season. It's not just 2001, there are tons of other examples, both ways. One need look no further than 2006 or 2000 to see a really hot team cool way off in the second half. The next 30 are crucial. If we finish the first 50 games around .500 I could still see us winning 85-90 games. it is just frustration and venting. the fans, esp me, are angry and feed up. however that was yesterday. today start a new time.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ May 5, 2015 -> 03:26 PM) Lots of White Sox information on the MLB prospect pipeline website in regards to July 2nd free agency. Here is the link to the top 30: http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2015?list=int White Sox expected to sign #30 prospect Franklin Reyes who we have dissected on the board already. White Sox also the favorites to land Fernando Tatis Jr. He's a 16 year old SS that is 6'1 175 pounds and the son of former ML Fernando Tatis. Here is the report: Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 50 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 The son of former Major League infielder Fernando Tatis Sr., the teenage infielder grew up around the game, and it shows. Scouts like Tatis Jr.'s swing, his strong arm and his fluid actions on defense. He's shown decent arm strength and raw power to his pull side. Tatis Jr.'s knack for barreling up balls and his repeatable swing have also impressed evaluators. Some believe Tatis Jr. can play multiple positions and could end up at second or third base or even in the outfield. His big frame will allow him to build strength. Scouts also like his makeup and how he handles himself on and off the field. He has a game-oriented mindset, and his makeup is off the charts. The White Sox are considered the favorite to land Tatis Jr. The White Sox and Cubs are battling for RHP Anderson Amarista, the #17 prospect. Here is that description: Scouting grades: Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 50 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 One of the top pitchers from Venezuela, Amarista is known for his fastball-curveball-changeup combination. Amarista has a decent fastball, but he has impressed scouts with his feel for his changeup. Other scouts think his curveball is his best pitch. What most scouts agree on is that Amarista's pitchability and his arm actions on the mound also make him attractive to teams. Evaluators also praise his high baseball IQ. It's unclear if Amarista will ever wow scouts with fastball velocity, but he can throw strikes and make hitters chase his pitches out of the strike zone. Amarista will benefit from working with pitching coaches and instructors once he signs and enters a team's academy. His development and growth could result in increased velocity to his fastball and overall pitching ability in the future. The Cubs and the White Sox are considered the favorites to sign him. The White Sox are also linked to C Rafael Marchan out of Spain: Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 30 | Run: 30 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 From Tachira, Venezuela, Marchan has been described as a "catcher's catcher." Here's why: The hard-working Marchan has shown a high baseball IQ and can be counted on to make the right play. He's savvy, and although he might not have the most tools in the class, he makes the most of his abilities and can make plays in games. Marchan can hit. He's been praised for his ability to make contact and not give away at-bats. Scouts also like that he has a track record of international experience and is not afraid of the big stage. Marchan has impressed scouts with his defense. He also has decent arm, and there's hope his power will increase as he matures. Marchan might not be the flashiest player in the class, but he's the type of player many clubs would like in their system. The Braves, White Sox and Padres have all scouted Marchan heavily. good stuff, i like that the sox are tinkering with getting the pitcher at 17. all i have to say is pls, go over slot and get him, those that you mention and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. i will be happy as a pig in mud.

QUOTE (Stan Bahnsen @ May 5, 2015 -> 02:55 PM) Certain posters, and their feuds, are making this place damn near intolerable. its all good, most of the time i am in there, in the mix. so i can and do read the post. they do come up with some interesting things.

while the other thread is about fighting and stating what is semantics, on right or wrong with the team. for me, i want to concentrate on stupid jokes and sox winning.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ May 5, 2015 -> 01:50 PM) Um...So based on your statement, declaring that the bullpen is "nails" is a very dicey statement as well because all it takes is 1 bad outing for that to no longer be true? a perfect example of paradox. i love it.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ May 5, 2015 -> 01:38 PM) If you went back to the predictions thread and averaged it out, I'm sure you would come up with something like 83-79 or 84-78 as the mean or median number. Very few were picking over 86, but there were just as many in the 86-89 range as 76-79. i am very guilty of predicting a better winning record. b/c i believed in the players that the sox assembled. do i still think that way, hell yeah. but i will hope until it is mathematically impossible to hope. at the same time, i will still express my disappointment in the FO.

ok sox, i had my day of ranting and b****ing about everything. now it is time to win some games and kickarse.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ May 5, 2015 -> 04:08 AM) For the most part, I agree. The biggest questions were probably whether Robertson was worth all that money, would Samardzija be willing to sign an extension, was Duke a fluke and how much did Cabrera and LaRoche have left in the tank (as those last two, in particular, were "win now" moves)...even adding someone like Bonifacio to the bench at that salary (which now seems to have been premature). Still, it's about winning and losing. In the end, it doesn't matter what percentage of fans agreed about adding Peavy, Rios, Dunn, Samardzija, Cabrera, Robertson, etc. Usually the smaller, under the radar moves are the ones that have turned out the best for the White Sox over the last 15 years or so. no it is not, for the owners perspective, its about the money, oh i forgot also about loyalty as well.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ May 5, 2015 -> 10:36 AM) http://chicago.suntimes.com/baseball/7/71/...stand-white-sox On Monday, fans already were calling for a managerial change. The Sox’ front office was not a happy place Monday, but firing Ventura isn’t likely under chairman Jerry Reinsdorf’s watch, the big-league executive said. ‘‘[Adam] LaRoche, [Alexei] Ramirez, Eaton, [Jose] Abreu, [John] Danks, Sale and Samardzija need to pick it up,’’ he said. ‘‘There is no way Jerry Reinsdorf is going to fire Robin Ventura. He’s too loyal.’’ Great, we're probably headed for a "lame duck," lost season. If nothing else, a new manager when the team is psychologically out of the race could at least give the front office a better read on how the team will perform going forward...how much of it is lack of talent/aging veterans and how much of it is attributable to some other variable or "human factor." i just remembered, he should accept part of the blame as well, not allowing the rebuilding to finished. so in essence, he created this whole fiasco. re being too loyal, then get used to this outrage, b/c he again created that as well. the FO is calling out the players to be accountable, where is the owners sense of being accountable as well. they should step up and lead by example. passing the buck is a typical move. don't get me wrong, look at the stats, they, the players are equally responsible as well. but to throw them under the bus without accepting part of the blame. nice example of a leader. no wonder this team never won more championship.

QUOTE (greg775 @ May 5, 2015 -> 07:17 AM) As a fan I'll NEVER believe in this team after what they did in Minnesota. They laid down over the last 2 games and fricking didn't play baseball. This team is either so lazy or mentally fragile it's a joke. You don't lose the first two games of a series and quit (see Det. at Kansas City last weekend). This team got blown out of the water Sunday in a pride game, Robin didn't seem to show any emotion about it, so f*** them. It's going to take this team a long time to win my respect (not that they care). All fans should be furious. No I do not believe. Losing four in a row to Minnesota is just plain ridiculous. You have to quit to do that and they laid down. Their road record is so bad it's laughable. Yes you have to put in some effort to win on the road, fellas, not just say "it's a long season; it's a marathon." very good points.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ May 5, 2015 -> 10:36 AM) http://chicago.suntimes.com/baseball/7/71/...stand-white-sox On Monday, fans already were calling for a managerial change. The Sox’ front office was not a happy place Monday, but firing Ventura isn’t likely under chairman Jerry Reinsdorf’s watch, the big-league executive said. ‘‘[Adam] LaRoche, [Alexei] Ramirez, Eaton, [Jose] Abreu, [John] Danks, Sale and Samardzija need to pick it up,’’ he said. ‘‘There is no way Jerry Reinsdorf is going to fire Robin Ventura. He’s too loyal.’’ Great, we're probably headed for a "lame duck," lost season. If nothing else, a new manager when the team is psychologically out of the race could at least give the front office a better read on how the team will perform going forward...how much of it is lack of talent/aging veterans and how much of it is attributable to some other variable or "human factor." first, i kinda like it that the msg is getting out there. but not doing anything, well that is sooo typical of the sox to do. either way, keep up the good work soxtalk.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ May 5, 2015 -> 06:04 AM) http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-leag...-001755837.html Is it time for the White Sox to fire Robin Ventura? This article argues no, he needs more time and patience. Over that period (2012-2014), Ventura hasn't really shown any glaring strategies as a manager. His teams haven't led the league in sacrifice bunt attempts or hit and runs. He's pretty boring, actually, but that's fitting considering his personality. In this case, though, that laid back style hurts Ventura in the eyes of the fans. With the slow start, people are going to be looking to Ventura to fire up his team with some type of impassioned speech. That's just not something he's going to do, especially in public or with the media. It's easy to say, "this team needs a fire lit under them," but it's impossible to know whether a fiery tirade is suddenly going to make Adam LaRoche hit better, or get the defense to stop making errors. http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-leag...-175528317.html Top 5 managers on the "hot seat," a bit ominous that Ventura's first, and followed next by Price after his expletive-filled tirade...also Gibbons, Redmond (Loria's managers are always in constant danger) and Matt Williams of the disappointing Nats. nice find.

mock draft sites just got updated. http://minorleaguemadhouse.com/2015/04/21/...-april-edition/ http://www.rantsports.com/mlb/2015/05/03/2...dition/#slide_2 2nd draft of the same pick for the sox. http://www.baseballessential.com/news/2015...ate-mock-draft/ -- these guy are on drugs. https://mlbdraftcountdown.wordpress.com/201...draft-5-1-5115/ -- they pick the same for the sox.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ May 5, 2015 -> 03:08 AM) For the most part, I agree. The biggest questions were probably whether Robertson was worth all that money, would Samardzija be willing to sign an extension, was Duke a fluke and how much did Cabrera and LaRoche have left in the tank (as those last two, in particular, were "win now" moves)...even adding someone like Bonifacio to the bench at that salary (which now seems to have been premature). Still, it's about winning and losing. In the end, it doesn't matter what percentage of fans agreed about adding Peavy, Rios, Dunn, Samardzija, Cabrera, Robertson, etc. Usually the smaller, under the radar moves are the ones that have turned out the best for the White Sox over the last 15 years or so. no post, well thought out.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 5, 2015 -> 03:47 AM) This year the "best" players all have had major surgery and are even biggest questions marks. a very good point. esp the bolded. i feel sorry for any prospects who gets derailed when they are about to grab the golden ring. only to come up short b/c of a rare illness. now, some of those pitchers don't get picked where they want, they could always go back into the draft. making the draft class of 2017 even stronger.

QUOTE (Joshua Strong @ May 5, 2015 -> 01:46 AM) Different people are going to evaluate players differently, thats why you have to stick to your board. sticking to the board, you need to have to some sort of ranking, esp for those you know who will be there. here we are, at least i am, a bunch of amateurs who is taking this thing as the pro's do. i am crazy, i know that. but it is fun.

QUOTE (StRoostifer @ May 5, 2015 -> 02:28 AM) But last year the Sox only had two teams picking ahead of them and 2015 was a better draft class. Relax LDF. Unless you know what the other seven picks are going be, you won't be able to determine the BPA. you have to understand, i am OCD, i have made plans for a lot of possibilities of different selections. it is driving me crazy. you see now why i say i love it. it relaxes my brain. ~~ edit - it like a junkie who needs a fix...... me, i need more info to read. to decipher, to anticipate how the other team will pick.

QUOTE (chisoxt @ May 5, 2015 -> 01:33 AM) When are we going to admit that practically every organization in baseball is better than us in evaluating, drafting and developing talent. And they should be. While our brilliant GM was scoffing at other organizations who were embracing advanced metrics and investing money in younger players, we were wasting resources in acquiring players like Rios, Dunn and Peavy on teams nowhere close to contending. How many times on the draft have we bypassed talent that we did not want to pay for, instead reaching for toolsy and grindy players that we could get on the cheap. I liked the moves that Rick made in the offseason. But as we are learning, it's very hard to short circuit the rebuilding process in the development stage of developing prospects, i disagree with the success of the pitching staff. but the rest, you are right hands down.