LDF

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 14, 2014 -> 01:11 AM) By my count...that's Carlos Rodon. And I will not be mad in the least if Rodon has to take a rotation slot early because of injury. Put these 5 out and if someone gets hurt, Rodon comes up early. That's about as good of a 6th starter as I've ever imagined...as long as we're not dumb enough to put him in the bullpen where his arm isn't stretched out. I mean, imagine when Danks went down in 2011 that we had a stretched out Chris Sale ready to replace him. We were far enough back that it wouldn't have saved the season...but that's exactly what you want! A guy goes down and a guy who makes Joe Mauer say "WTF just happened" takes his spot! you got a point, i forgot about him coming into the rotation by mid season to tell you the truth. i just hope he is not over his head.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 14, 2014 -> 12:40 AM) $$$$$ Won't happen. and that is why i have concerns of moving Danks to the Dodgers, now.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 14, 2014 -> 12:29 AM) Bah, if this team gets to the playoffs I actually have pretty much ever confidence that tired arms will not be an issue. THere's always extra rest time during the playoffs unless you push the #1 starter to 265 innings because he's doing that incredible...and if Chris Sale just decides to win a world series on his own a-la I'm probably ok with that. I can buy this team being a team you don't want to face in the playoffs. I can't buy this team getting to the playoffs with things like "Viciedo on the roster" and "No platoon partners for Gillaspie or LaRoche". beside tired arms, i would really like a backup pitcher in case of injury.

QUOTE (Lillian @ Dec 14, 2014 -> 12:34 AM) Rosenthal, and a couple of Dodger beat writers are confident that Friedman still wants to move Ethier. Moreover, Ethier himself wants to be traded. The money is obviously the big obstacle. L. A. is reportedly interested in another arm for the rotation, even after acquiring McCarthy: "They need one more back-end starting pitcher, as talks for Cole Hamels have cooled and the Dodgers are not targeting elite free agents Max Scherzer or James Shields. They still want to move outfielder Andre Ethier." By Ken Gurnick / MLB.com | December 11, 2014 Many of us have speculated about a Danks for Ethier trade. Maybe that is still a possibility. If that happens, many of us have argued that the Sox would need to have a couple of RH hitters on the bench, for days that Gillaspie, Ethier and or LaRoche could use a break from hitting vs. LH pitching. Viciedo could help there, although he really hasn't hit lefties like he did when he first broke in. Nevertheless, his biggest weakness seems to be those low and away breaking balls from RH pitchers. Facing southpaws helps mitigate that flaw. We can only hope that he finally matures, and begins to figure it out. My biggest concern with Dayan is that he swings so hard, and so violently, that you have to wonder if he can ever be successful with that approach. The other question that such a trade raises is, who is the other bottom of the rotation starter? Noesi is ok as a 5TH, and maybe Montas will be called upon until Rodon is ready. Or, perhaps Rodon joins the rotation, right out of Spring Training. I don't see how he could be counted upon to give them 30 starts in his first year, but maybe splitting the starts with Montas would work. After all, he couldn't be expected to provide 30 starts either. I still dream of signing Scherzer. your idea of replacing Danks in the rotation, will not work. maybe Shields?

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 14, 2014 -> 12:30 AM) Outside of trading half of the farm for Upton, we are a .500 team right now. While I'm pretty sure most would trade Anderson and Montas for a guaranteed playoff appearance, we would still be just one significant injury to a top three starter of being knocked out of contention. Even Melky Cabrera doesn't get us beyond 84-85 wins...assuming the superior version of him was/is sustainable. Rock and a hard place. I'm guessing the feeling is that they need to wait until June or July instead of committing to another $15-25 million now. this is what i have been hinting about. i just read i think on cbs sports that the braves wants a pkg of the 2 Uptons in a trade going out. even if that is true, i will still like to examine that trade. outside the protections of the top 3 prospects why not???

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 14, 2014 -> 12:31 AM) as sick as I am at the concept of a juicer in RF, if I have to face him in RF versus "trading for a pitcher we're about to lose and then going with Viciedo in RF to make sure we lose him", fine give me the juicer and I'll start booing him. not for 4 yrs and 14 per.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Dec 13, 2014 -> 08:59 PM) Surprised to see Law say Montas has ace stuff. Thats very encouraging. and all this time you thought i was deceiving you.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 14, 2014 -> 12:26 AM) I'm ok with weaknesses at catcher and 3b and 2b if we fix the gaping hole in RF, but that doesn't mean those positions aren't weak. People have been trying to tell us how we should go for Castro or Headley all offseason to replace those guys, while I keep replying that upgrading to an average player in RF is a much bigger improvement than upgrading 3b or C to an all star. And we absolutely need 2 platoon partners that we currently don't have for these guys. PLATOON ..... and here i am thinking you are talking about getting Melky. jezze. yeah i am with you on 2 platoon players.

QUOTE (ptatc @ Dec 14, 2014 -> 12:21 AM) What is the difference between league average and a replacement level players? an harsh discussion between me and another poster today on the sox need to get a really good outfielder and at what cost.

according to JR way of doing business with the sox, the sox has to be really competitive to bring out the fans. more fans that show up will bring more money to the sox.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 14, 2014 -> 12:15 AM) I think they're in real good shape with their rotation. I can name a solid 1-6 and maybe even a 1-7. If 1-3 go down long term there's no way in hades we're replacing them, but there's nothing you can do about that. I more worry about the lineup and the bench. i still have concerns of the tired arms of the pitchers come next playoff. see i am very sure they will be in the playoff. the bench will take care of themselves, i really have a heavy concern on that final outfield position. but then again, what the hell do i know.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 13, 2014 -> 10:41 PM) If its an all star caliber RF, I would say that move is consistent with the trade for Samardzija. OTOH, that's not necessarily the only way to find one. I'm not sure JS will not resign...but I feel pretty sure if he does resign it's going to be a 9 figure deal with very little discount. We're going to have to pay his going rate. To be able to afford his going rate...we need a playoff run this year to turn the attendance and ratings decay around. Sell some season tickets next year, get some excitement in this franchise again. Trading for him and then losing another 750 tickets sold per game this year and winning 78 games while also spending big money on a closer...that would be quite a disaster. outside the first part, you and i are pretty much in agreement. esp getting the fans back and putting the product in the field. i honestly believe the sox can not get tie in with a last resort of value in order to show a fix and be stuck with that talent for 4-5 yrs at 14 per. it would handcuff the teams ablility for any future moves. now if the sox can package of prospects outside the main (anderson, adams, montas) group to acquire that piece. however i would like several players in rtn. the only time i would include anderson, montas and / or adams if that trade is a major A+ trade. then the sox will have to find another player later for the SS future. i hate the idea of trading with the Braves, the GM is trying to max out that trade. i would like to acquire a pitcher who may be a yr or 2 from FA, they will be a perfect short fix then QD and then get a pick.

QUOTE (GreatScott82 @ Dec 13, 2014 -> 09:40 PM) Of course not. But it is one of the top hitting ballparks in the AL so if there were a drop off, it wouldn't be as significant as what your implying. CarGo is a great athlete and he would help this team out on both sides of the ball. If there was a concern about him, it would absolutely be his health. If anything, that can potentially hurt the Rockies negotiating price if something ever came up. Another Rockies player Colorado may dangle out there this winter is Corey Dickerson. .Or will he become an average player outside of Coors also? the splits of home games and away games are a huge difference. according to those splits has to be taken into consideration.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 13, 2014 -> 09:35 PM) They committed themselves to fixing enough to make this team competitive when they traded for a guy who is a free agent next offseason. This team doesn't have a choice, they can't stick people out there in the hopes that they turn their failing careers around. They could do that last year, but they decided they're not in that mode again this year. you got a good point. but let me ask, are you going with the idea of JS not resigning? now would trading Anderson in a package for an RF be the way to go??

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 13, 2014 -> 08:25 PM) He doesn't have strong platoon splits. He's bad against both righties and lefties. you go me thinking, which teams needs to make moves, whether it is b/c of salary, or prospects moving up, which are that teams??? LA, Bos, who else??

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 13, 2014 -> 08:25 PM) He doesn't have strong platoon splits. He's bad against both righties and lefties. you are killing me, the sox have to endure with what they have, if it DV, then it is DV. the team can not fix everything in 1 offseason. he still had 20 hrs and is still young. in the worst case deal with hm and continue to look to improve.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Dec 13, 2014 -> 07:57 PM) Considering what? at this moment, this is the best that can happen. go into the next season and see how Conor improves or not. the sox have too many holes that needs to be fix. the sox have a viable player who can contribute at 3b. the sox have another player that the org hopes to rebound. there is still room to improve, but what is the priority of position getting fix right now.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Dec 13, 2014 -> 07:57 PM) Steroids. a 2 by 4 to the side of the head. but being serious, getting some power from him and platoon him with another player. then deal with that. wait for an opportunity for future moves.

QUOTE (Joshua Strong @ Dec 13, 2014 -> 07:45 PM) So you only want the Sox to be good in 2015? there should be a idea that needs to be added. that is you can not build a team that is playoff bound, in 1 yr esp when the assets are not there. second, there are many ideas on how to build a team. the sox have done a lot of positive moves, and granted it is not done. getting those missing pieces, even a weak piece for the sake of any future moves has to be on the back of everyone mind. so the next series of moves may be made by trade, again with out affecting the future.

QUOTE (flavum @ Dec 13, 2014 -> 06:30 PM) It's going to be important to start hot.. Lots of division games and road games the first two months. Looking at the rotation, the first 11 starts could look like this for the Big 3: Sale 4-6 at KC 4-12 vs Min 4-18 at Det 4-23 vs KC 4-28 at Bal 5-3 at Min 5-9 vs Cin 5-15 at Oak 5-20 vs Cle 5-25 at Tor 5-31 at Hou Samardzija 4-8 at KC 4-14 at Cle 4-19 at Det 4-24 vs KC 4-29 at Bal 5-5 vs Det 5-10 vs Cin 5-16 at Oak 5-21 vs Cle 5-26 at Tor 6-2 at Tex Quintana 4-9 at KC 4-15 at Cle 4-20 vs Cle 4-25 vs KC 4-30 at Min 5-6 vs Det 5-11 at Mil 5-17 at Oak 5-22 vs Min 5-27 at Tor 6-3 at Tex Bold- Buy your tickets now you are reminding me of when we were young. going to games to see the favorite pitchers. way to go, i truly like this.

QUOTE (TheFutureIsNear @ Dec 13, 2014 -> 06:46 PM) I agree with you on Nava. He is a very good fit for us and shouldn't be too hard to get. I honesty wouldn't even hate Nava and Bonifacio as a super sub off of the bench. Getting a versatile option like Bonifacio could also make it more palatable to keep Tank if we can't get anything for him. Having Nava, Tank, and Bonifacio to choose from for LF wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. i am in agreement with you. a nice fix for a short time.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Dec 13, 2014 -> 06:56 PM) I normally don't agree with Balta, but it would be incredibly stupid to upgrade the pitching staff to the extent we have and not add a legit starting OF. Outside of LaRoche, we've done nothing to upgrade the offense and he's not a huge upgrade over Dunn IMO. Getting Avi back for a full season should help, although it remains to be seen how much of an impact he'll make. Otherwise, it's pretty much the same guys outside of 2B, which may or may not be an upgrade. I don't buy for a second that Hahn is going to go cheap for that last OF spot. Unlike C & 3B, where there is potential for upgrades on one side of the ball or the other, LF is the only position with room for significant upgrades both offensively and defensively. If the front office is serious about competing next year, it will find an impact player for the OF. Signing a player like Ichiro simply doesn't cut it. if it doesn't mean way overpaying for that fix is not and should not be an option. worst case DV + his offense can be a short fix. as long as everything else improve, esp the heart with is the pitching.

QUOTE (GreatScott82 @ Dec 13, 2014 -> 06:32 PM) I'm pretty sure they call US Cellular, Coors East. I'll take my chances that he will produce here. the cell does not enhance the power like coors. so lets get real.

QUOTE (Bigsoxhurt35 @ Dec 13, 2014 -> 05:37 PM) Really hoping we get some kind of update on our OF situation. Like are we stuck with Tank? Hope this gets resolved soon. i am really not trying to be a smartarse, but come spring training we should have heard something. i am with you, this down time is looonnnngggg.

QUOTE (Joshua Strong @ Dec 13, 2014 -> 02:57 PM) He is high on Trey M and Micker. Kiley is a fan of the Sox's farm. i read the whole thing. the MC Hammer bit is too funny. i am slowly becoming a fan of his. nice find.