LDF

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 23, 2014 -> 05:28 PM) Jesse Sanchez ‏@JesseSanchezMLB 7m7 minutes ago Sources: Cuban INF prospect Yoan Moncada still waiting on OFAC clearance & most expect him to start private workouts within next two weeks. i wonder if the sox will ask for a private workout??

QUOTE (ottawa_sox @ Dec 24, 2014 -> 02:06 PM) I hope they structure his conditioning such that he will be available for 'heavier lifting' at the end of the year. again, i hope Rodon will prove me wrong, i do not want to go into the season hoping, to catch lightning in a bottle. hoping that Rodon can come out pitching to a 10-0 record, i am using this as an example. he could come out and easily pitch a 0'fer. didn't anyone learned from last yr, hoping for the best and not being prepare for the worst. granted last yr was the ultimum worst kind of luck. but Hahn did not have players to step in, he had reclamation's projects and prospects who he and org hoped will will do well. the org had put too much hope in unproven prospects. the sox have done a great job so far, just get a couple more, i still see several holes or question marks that need to be address.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Dec 23, 2014 -> 11:24 PM) No they wouldn't be. LaRoche's right handed platoon mate is probably going to get something like 100-150 plate appearances. What would be of bigger concern is wasting $4 million on a guy getting those limited plate appearances when they could possibly bring in a AAAA type player to get those appearances and perhaps be someone competent. Frankly though, I don't think LaRoche is going to be sitting much. There are enough bats out there that they'll be able to find something for a guy who's ultimately going to get 100-150 plate appearances (in an ideal world). i am in agreement here, DV value and it is not that much compared to what the sox have assemble, is for hitting the ball hard, but that is it. his defense in a black hole, his avg again is a black hole, let alone his other hitting stats. the sox will consider themselves extremely lucky if they can trade him. i don't see any hitters that is left that are enticing me on the FA. they, the sox will need to go the trade rt. i too don't think AL will sit much, but ever once in a while getting a player to relieve him and who can hit. ~~~ edit- i forgot that Bonifacio may still be available. he might be a very interesting player and i could see him spelling AL, giving him a rest.

QUOTE (Buehrlesque @ Dec 23, 2014 -> 09:51 PM) Dayan Viciedo if that is truly the answer, the sox are in real trouble.

QUOTE (ptatc @ Dec 23, 2014 -> 05:55 PM) The issue is physical. He cannot pitch an entire MLB season as a starter. It will not be good for him physically. He should only go 160-170 innings. If the Sox begin the season with him as a starter, they will need to do as the Nationals did with Strasburg and shut him down in August. If the Sox are ina playoff race the fans will go nuts about this, even though it is the correct move. that is a major problem in dealing with a rookie, let alone a promising rookie in Rodon. if the sox expect to depend on Rodon, the team is in trouble, esp if the sox makes the playoff and the run for the world series. the sox do not have enuf quality pitchers, esp if there is an injury. that is if the sox have some hope for Erik Johnson, Chris Beck coming in.

QUOTE (bmags @ Dec 23, 2014 -> 04:28 PM) Just, for the last time and for anyone else that skimmed, what this post was explicitly NOT doing was saying that was our 2017 roster. It was examining the MLB-ready talent we acquired in our vet dumpoffs in 2013 and wave of draft talent since we began re-emphasizing our scouting. I'm just fascinated by how important this year is for the white sox at the major league and minor league level. i am a huge fans of the farm and drafting and the development of those players. i love all written info on the players profile and their development. many thanks

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 23, 2014 -> 03:04 PM) IMO, the biggest uncertainty/issue for me is that I still don't see a righty who can take at-bats away from LaRoche, and he's terrible against lefties. I'm game with this rotation, I know who my top 6 are and there's even a potential backup or two after that, and I'm ok with the bullpen - the major roles are filled and bullpen pitchers are up and down enough that there's bound to be someone from that group who has an up season. you have some great point in this post which i agree with. which is leading to another part of what i want to bring up. however i want to stress on the bolded. i hate to rely on luck. too many questions that for me, need an answer. this is the beginning of a great team that the sox assembled. now i of the other options i want to address is a great RH hitter. there is one that tickle my interest, but i have been thinking in the last 2 weeks of an idea. it was confirmed yesterday with MLB rumors page. Wash Nat'l. they have 4 players that they would like to move, 1 of those players is Ian Desmond. my only concern is what will the cost be in prospects.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 23, 2014 -> 02:31 PM) I don't even need to use advanced stats to say this one. Tim Hudson vs. Jose Quintana...Quintana has had a better ERA each of the last 2 years while pitching more innings, and just going off ERA is giving a huge hand to Hudson since last year he pitched in San Francisco, one of the best pitcher's parks in the league. Matt Cain, worse ERA than Samardzija each of the last 2 years, ERA over 4, again while pitching in that pitchers park in San Francisco, and only pitched 90 innings last year. Jake Peavy...hell they let him go what, 1 inning in the world series because they were so confident in him? He's better than Danks/Noesi right now, but not by much. Lincecum put up a 4.74 ERA in San Francisco last year. John Danks put up a 4.74 ERA in Chicago last year. Tim Lincecum put up a similar ERA to John Danks, pitching fewer innings, in a much larger ballpark. lol ..... great counter. i can't think of a counter statement, except, they are the world series chanpions. the sox need to add a final piece or 2 and 1 of them is in the pen. too many uncertainties there, at least for me.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Dec 19, 2014 -> 02:33 PM) In defense of bmags, I think he was trying for a discussion not about predicting who would actually be there, but who COULD be there from WITHIN the organization today. To highlight strengths and weaknesses. there isn't really a need to defend bmags, he did nothing better or worst than the avg sportwriter who writes and make up these top prospects list. bmags, i appreciate what you wrote and i like it. it gives a good preview of what to expect.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 22, 2014 -> 09:23 PM) The Giants #4 starter right now is Peavy, and as you show it, we are ~tied at #1 if Chris is healthy, better at #2 and #3, Lincecum was worse than either Danks or Noesi last year and the couple years before it. I would take our rotation over that rotation if Chris stays healthy. Hands down no contest. That should tell you something about winning the world series. That Giants rotation is very weak outside their #1, their worst starter is actually a lot worse than Danks or Noesi. thanks for the update on #4 pitcher. when you are saying that the sox are better, are you using the Advance Stats?? here is the main point of my assessment. outside sfo #1 Chris needs to be completely healthy for the whole season based on this club as it is now. but in general the sfo pitchers has pitched 180 innings. there is some questions about the sox #4 and #5 pitchers. i am comfortable with Danks but i do not have that all sooo nice feelings on Noesi reproducing his success. this is where i started this post, do the sox rush Rodon up? can he put up the numbers that is needed for the team absorb his numbers and do the same in the playoff and further?

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Dec 22, 2014 -> 09:58 PM) While I love all the improvements the Sox have made this offseason, we're still on the outside looking in as far as contenders go. Part of that is the back-end of our rotation. Even as a rookie, Rodon could be a big upgrade over Danks and/or Noesi. Given our expected margin for error, I really don't think we can afford to wait two months or more if an upgrade is presently available. Also, what does 54 games get us? No super 2 status? I'm all for the extra year of team control, but avoiding super 2 status isn't worth the cost if you feel that Rodon is better than Danks or Noesi. therein lies the problem. the sox do not have time to wait. not with the main players on this team entering their prime. the sox may get into the playoff and depending on how Bos and Det continue to address their list of improvement needed. so the sox need to add 1 more pitcher. if the sox do not want to trade for one then Max Scherzer should be sign. this is an insurance for JS, if he does not want to sign, or ask for a lot of in salary. the sox will go with a solid of 4 sp with 2 more in reserve, 1 will be a #5 and the other will be as insurance if there is an injury. i am looking at the NL team as SFO and their starting Pitcers. #1. M. Bumgarner #2. T. Hudson #3. M. Cain #4. T. Lincecum #5. ??? i know i am jumping to the final game but the sox need to address those weakness now.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 22, 2014 -> 06:30 PM) Phil Rogers ‏@philgrogers 43s43 seconds ago White Sox's Avi Garcia hit .312 with 5 HRs, 22 RBIs and .894 OPS in 34-game stint in Venezuela. That's the guy Robin Ventura will hit 5th. with all the great stuff happening on the major league with the sox, i do not have time to continue to be up to date on the minors. i surely like to thank all of yous guys to keeping this up to date.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Dec 22, 2014 -> 07:11 PM) I understand his ideology completely, Carlos Rodon is a far more talented pitcher and would likely produce results much better than either Danks or Noesi, but he's also a guy who will be around a long time plus there are service time restrictions that need to be considered as well. If it weren't for service time loopholes, Carlos Rodon would probably be breaking camp with the big league club and learning on the job. oh i understand and the excitement of Rodon getting to the majors and to establish himself. however the sox do not have that luxury to properly groom him. the sox are in need to get to the final missing pieces to make this team competitive to meet the other teams who are favored to be in the playoff.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Dec 22, 2014 -> 06:56 PM) I may be in the minority here, but I want him with the big league club ASAP while getting that extra year of team control. Not sure if that's mid April or early May, but I truly believe he's a better starting option than both Danks & Noesei and I don't think we can afford to wait 3+ months for him to replace one of those guys in the rotation if we're serious about competing. Also, I don't think spending a full season with Cooper as a starter in the majors is going to be any worse for his development than dominating minor league hitters for most of the year. Rodon is a special talent and IMO he should be pushed along more aggressively. the sox can not rely on an unknown and with hopes he can do great. not with the playoff and more at stake. this sox team is in total shambles before Hahn took over and the sox are against a stop watch to improve.

thanks for all the response in this first part of what has been bothering me. i would honestly say that Rodon profile to be a #3 pitcher or a #2. but as many have stated how can i say this when there isn't a good rpt of him from his experience in minor league, i will flip this and say how can anyone say he is a #1 ace, based on the same replies. don't get me wrong i truly hope i am wrong and he becomes a #1. but that may not happen next yr, i hope the sox will take their time with him. now for the real question, as it stands, can the sox make the playoff... >> i will say yes, >> can they do well.... yes, if several factors falls in place. >> where do they need help ....... pitching. yes the sox are solid and as others have stated, the sox are weak in several positions. Cat, 2B and yes even 3B. the bench will be address i have no fear of that. the biggest problem is not getting the players but what or how much more will owners be willing to spend. i think the sox have a great chance getting out of the AL conf but can they really hold their ground against SFO and their pitching??? SFO has fortified themselves while the Sox has solidified the team by addressing the weakness of the team. the sox need to address several yrs of rebuilding in 1 offseason. it is a fact, and this is a great time to address it.

i always have a horrible time trying to think of titles, so i am going here, with this one. i have a series of questions that i find confusing in this past week after the signing of Melky. Granted that Sox need to acquire bench players but i am not counting on that position now. First question, what is the profile of C. Rodon as a pitcher, is he a #1 type front end pitcher, a #3 kind of pitcher has streaks of a #1 but at times pitches like a #4. Or is he the backend of the rotation. now i am not going to compare it to the sox rotation but to the avg team rotation. this will lead me to more of the other series of questions i have. pls put up with this.

sometimes, just sometimes a team need to make a sacrifice to get that player(s) to put the team in position to win. if loosing a 2 and a 3 will help get the sox to the playoff. fine by me. the sox need to rebuild the system, i believer no one here will dispute that. it is more of a need to get to the playoff now.

i wonder if this will happen. http://pagesix.com/2014/12/19/no-baseball-...6035.1419254402

i am for the sox to do this at least once, like next yr. then the baseball bosses can find a way to stop it.

in general, i am very cautious in surrendering draft picks, any draft picks. however, this was a good choice. a draft pick as penalty for signing Melky, not a bad trade, esp in this so called weak draft. this can be the foundation of a building block building. just need to see when the Cuban Yoan gets posted. he is a really high 1 round kind of a prospect / player. go all out and sign him and since the sox will loose all there int't draft pick, sign all the they can. rebuild or help rebuild the system. this is a great way to compensate for the lost of the draft picks.

what got to me, after all the excitement of improving the team, the sox fan doesn't have much to do until the sox convention and then spring training.

QUOTE (lasttriptotulsa @ Dec 18, 2014 -> 05:37 PM) This guy is such a tool. My favorite of his was when he repeatedly stated that the White Sox have no RH power despite the fact the Flowers, Ramirez, Abreu and Garcia should combine for 90-100 homers. ummm i see.

QUOTE (lasttriptotulsa @ Dec 18, 2014 -> 05:32 PM) I think Conor has the tools to develop into an average third baseman. If his bat can continue to improve like it did from 2013-14 he could easily be a 2.5 or so WAR player. I have a hard time complaining about that for a guy we picked up for practically nothing and makes near league minimum. I think this year his power will improve slightly as last year I believe he lost some while working on his new approach. If he can learn to elevate a bit I can see him being a 15 homer, close to .300 AVG hitter. Combine that with his acceptable, but not great, walk rate and I think he can be an .800 OPS, 120 wRC+ type player. last yr, i thought he got tired, but i still think he will still have a good avg. i also think that his hrs will increase as well. he will continue to develop.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 18, 2014 -> 05:31 PM) He said it publicly in an interview in the last year or so. i missed it. thanks for the update.

QUOTE (oneofthemikes @ Dec 18, 2014 -> 05:26 PM) I exchanged a few messages with Dan Lifshatz (the Intern from Boston who started this whole mess) after he announced that the deal was dead. I asked him how far along he had heard things got and he said "they had agreed on a base of the deal". I followed up by asking what killed it and he said that "Chicago wants to fill seats this season, so they will try to compete. They don't have a lot of faith though." So you heard it here first, the only reason that Chris Sale isn't on the Red Sox right now is because RH, KW, & JR decided to try to compete even though they don't think they can. forgive for coming late to the party, what was the rtn suppose to have been.