LDF

QUOTE (StRoostifer @ Nov 18, 2014 -> 02:12 AM) Really Hayes? Are ya having a slow day, perhaps a little sluggish? Grab a cup of coffee, sit down and watch some footage from the White Sox 2014 season. Abreu is the " leader " of the White Sox with the way he carries himself on the field, in the dug out and off the field. Anyone that watched Sox baseball in 2014 should be able to see that. 100% several times over. he is the leader, plain and simple. he has shown it last yr. Alexei or Sale as your backup leaders.

with the pitching and the pen, with what the sox have or in the future, there will be blow out games where the sox looses as all teams will. when the sox improve the problems the whole pitching rotation, and pen. those improvement will help. saying that they will improve by this amount will be impossible to say. but the games where we could've won but lost will be different this in 2015.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Nov 17, 2014 -> 03:31 PM) Good find on Schebler. Any idea how his defense plays since that should also be taken into consideration ? I hate to disappoint, but the dodger want to try to free up 2 spots in the outfield b/c of Pederson and Schebler. they already have him earmark for their OF of the future. this was already stated in a article about 2 weeks ago.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Nov 17, 2014 -> 02:51 AM) Given the recent La Stella trade, I'm starting to think a Starlin Castro trade for Mets young pitching is imminent. a very good point. I didn't even think of it that way.

QUOTE (WhiteSoxLifer @ Nov 17, 2014 -> 02:49 AM) So say rodon isn't ready to go into the rotation right off the bat, doesn't sox then technically need 2 starters plus sale and quintana to go into the rotation so that only one of danks/noesi is the 5th starter. No the sox need a 6 man rotation. Rodon is going to be like any new young major league pitcher who will get tired out, arm tired. it happens to experience arms, and do you really think it will not to Rodon. the sox coaches will have more of an idea how to handle him. this is why the sox need an extra starting pitcher in the rotation. the prospect are not ready to help. last yr hit to the overall pen should have taught the sox that.

QUOTE (WhiteSoxLifer @ Nov 17, 2014 -> 12:20 AM) Ya Detroit's offense had to bail out the bullpen but did you see them in the playoffs. The bullpen did them in and got them knocked out. look at the giants and royals who made the world series had good deep bullpens. Even if the Sox upgrade the bullpen they need to make sure the starting staff is good as well. Got to remember the bad bullpen was the domino effect of losing 5 pitchers (3 starters and 2 relievers) from the opening day roster in the first month alone. They lost another 2 more original relievers in may and another in june. losing guys due to injuries and ineffectiveness cause guys to more out of the normal roles and may not succeed as well. even if the sox do upgrades to the bullpen they need to make sure the starting staff is good enough to go deep into games otherwise they will tax the bullpen they just upgraded. the full staff needs to be good for the sox to compete. the sox have a very weak 5 starting pitchers last yr. this yr, the sox need a starting pitcher to slid in #3 and when Rodon is ready, sox then can slid him into whatever role the sox wants him in. this team will be better when the team gets those fixes that everyone knows.

QUOTE (Baron @ Nov 16, 2014 -> 10:32 PM) Except they dont really need a Max Scherzer. They need relief pitching in the worst way and it seems they understand they have to put funds that way. How much do you want to bet that when they sign a relief pitcher it's going to be a hefty sum of money for over 2 years? being able to afford a contract like Scherzer or Miller is a little vague in itself. first as an org, yeah the sox can afford that type of contract. but as a team who by all accounts is put on a budget even before the season ends, by the top brass is another. now the sox will be addressing the needs of the org, while on a budget, which they will have to bargain shop. bargain shopping is how we as fan should look at it, except they will venture on a big name signing. the where, who and at what position will the sox spend, only sox brass knows those answers.

QUOTE (spiderman @ Nov 16, 2014 -> 08:32 PM) Who are the veteran SS options on the market that a team might prefer over trading for Ramirez? look at the Mets last week, they went out and try to find a trading partner and it failed. the options are one thing, whether the team want to go with that option is another.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 16, 2014 -> 08:12 PM) If they think he's worth a >>$50 million contract, I'd think spending it on him is a better setup than spending it on lots of the other mediocre guys available so far. you may very well be right, but right now there are way too many questions and different scenario's that will be address later.

QUOTE (Chilihead90 @ Nov 16, 2014 -> 09:07 PM) I don't think they're getting Andrew Miller. I think Joe Thatcher may be a better/cheaper move for the Sox. Posted a 9.4 K/9 and a 1.1 BB/9 last year w/ the Diamondbacks and a 2.63 ERA. He finished the year w/ the Dodgers and was terrible in only 6 innings. that will be a very good option. remember the team, the overall team and their performance will be much better than last yr. the sox have a great foundation set and with new additions, the team is going to be better. with all that, the sox don't need a kick arse closer, but very good pitchers who can pitch.

QUOTE (Chilihead90 @ Nov 16, 2014 -> 08:33 PM) I don't like giving any reliever more than 2 years. i guess i would be a SOB as a gm and i would run the team into a drain. i too am against that for a reliever esp one in their 30+ yrs. if it was a young pitchers, it needs to be a situation by situation case. whether the sox thinks like that, it all depends on the market and what team are willing to spend. hence supply and demand.

QUOTE (chitownsportsfan @ Nov 16, 2014 -> 06:41 PM) DA's "sources" are about as worthwhile as my inferences IMO, neither has any 100% ground in certainty. The Middlebrooks stuff is just hearsay. I don't believe that many FOs are operating by committee and I don't believe the Sox are either. Committees don't work because there is no accountability. The buck has to stop somewhere and I have a very, very, very hard time believing Hahn would operate without 100% full authority because as an up and coming, young executive it would be career suicide to hitch his wagon to a setup where he is the GM but doesn't have full authority. KW had about as much to do with the Abreu signing as Clay Davenport (as another voice saying HEY THIS GUY IS GONNA BE REALLY GOOD). Hahn negotiated the deal, just like he negotiated the Sale and Q deals. so in other words, JR never sent KW down to see Jose A workout, KW never called JR and raved about him to JR. and JR never gave the money parameters to sign him. this was all done by Hahn??? i am a big supporter of Hahn and not much for KW.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Nov 16, 2014 -> 07:03 PM) i believe the Braves have 3-4 guys on their 40 man roster that could be available to as I read the other day they are looking to move relievers for backend starters to replace Santana innings and Beachy/Medlen innings it was also said then, maybe by another source that the Braves will look for max return. so again at what price?

with the idea of facing 100% penalty, someone has or will try to find a loop hole in the system. like a 1 yr contract with a clause to renegotiate after that yr. but it will be up to the player and his agent to accept that contract. if not, i do not know if i am willing to spend that and the penalty for him. i guess add the contract + penalty fee and divide it by the yrs to find the total cost of the contract. then if the cost is right, then decide then.

let me asked this, of the mlb teams needing a upgrade at SS and who may trade for that upgrade. who are they. NYM, MYY, Dodgers, OAK who else?? the way I am looking at this, does any of those teams have a sense of urgency to get this deal done? who will offer the better package? can the sox use this to fill those holes that they have?? does the sox really need to make this trade? well the sox really don't need to make this trade, however the sox can play all who are interested against each other. Dodgers and the Yanks seems to have the most that the sox need. the Mets has some key players that will help the sox now, and Oak, well I am not a big fan of them.

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Nov 16, 2014 -> 05:13 PM) That would have to qualify as tampering or something, wouldn't it? but as ss2k5 have stated, when the window opens up, the sox can make that proposal with any additions to a contract they will offer.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Nov 16, 2014 -> 05:40 PM) I'm not saying they can be a contenders with just Buehrle. Im saying they need innings if they wanted to gamble on Johnson and Rodon in the rotation.. Can't have the bullpen taxed by July. I don't know why you are arguing when we are on the same side? soxfan2014 .... you got a good point. pls let my offer my apologies. i am a little cranky this morning. i hate being sick. but with ref to what you wrote. yeah in any improvements will not fix with just getting pitchers. sox will need to be many more improvements. those improvements will deteremine what the sox brass say that needs will be. we as fans all have a fantasy type of an ideas of how to makes those improvement, and I am the worst of those.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Nov 16, 2014 -> 01:50 PM) Depending on if they want this to be a contending season or rebuild season, they could even bring back the 6 man rotation and just have whoever has a bullpen session that day as an extra arm in the pen. If the plan is to contend, then this wouldn't be good. right now, this sunday, in nov of 2014, they are not a contending team. sir you are right. i don't think anyone will disagree with you there. but this off season, they need to add parts to the team and yes to have an eye at the playoff next yr and a playoff team for many yrs after. the sox have several glaring holes, on top of that a hole they will have another the following season when Danks contract runs out. But let me also add, if a injury happens to a pitcher during the season, the sox need a replacement and pls let me further add a replacement, who the sox will need to call up. but the problem there is some of these great prospects that the org and fans are looking may not be ready. this should look a lot like last yr except the sox really didn't have those replacment anywhere near ready. by your someone opinion this will be address by getting 1 pitcher, Mark B???

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Nov 16, 2014 -> 01:32 PM) If they bring Johnson on and with Rodon coming up at some point they'd need to have someone who can log 200 innings since in your scenario uou are easing in Johnson and then Rodon will probably have a light workload. Also factor in starts where Q goes 5-6 innings which he did a lot last year it seemed due to high pitch count by those innings...bring back Buehrle! you are right, I on the first part, I mention getting a pitcher, an A+ pitcher to be the #3 type of pitcher in the sox rotation. btw I was talking about how to address this thru Free Agents signing, which I should have added. but don't get me wrong, I would love the sox to bring in Mark B, as long all factors are covered. edit: I should have said sign Stauffer to a contract.

is it legal, that a contract with a window that is built in, where the player can redo his contract after 2 yrs???

here is my problen. thinking of getting and investing in pitchers like Johnson or Anderson, I have one idea, but investing on a closer, I have another idea, and spending on a healthy pitcher I have another. I am like a fish out of the water flopping around like crazy. so here is my reasons. the sox need a pitchers who can start the season and give 170+ innings. someone who can walk in and be a #2-3 pitcher on the sox. (#1 on another team) I still like the idea of Johnson or Anderson for 2 yrs with the understanding that '15 is a arm strengthening and situational pitching. looking for the real time of '16. esp when Danks contract is done. this is a great investment for when the sox need a pitcher to step in, in Danks slot. pen pitchers, one key pitchers for me will be Tim Stauffer. I still have problems spending huge money on a closer when the sox may have options in the system 2 yrs from now. the pen needs pitchers but I like the overlap of Johnson and or Anderson filling in here strengthening their arm. I just don't like the idea of spending the money it would take to get an arm there.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Nov 16, 2014 -> 05:06 AM) I wasn't questioning that he got interviews and offers for interviews, I knew that. I wasn't aware KW retired, he must have retired right after bringing in Jose Abreu while Hahn was the GM. You're entirely wrong on the bolded and you haven't given me any source or reason to back up your thoughts. You basically infer that because Rick Hahn is good at what he does and had other interviews that he is 100% in charge, and that's a little silly. Baseball teams are really moving away from that one person steering the ship and I know you're well-versed enough in baseball to recognize and understand that it just seems you're not willing to accept that your favorite team is another team operating in that fashion. Maybe the Sox aren't as open about it a la the Cubs or Dodgers, and maybe KW doesn't have the same day-to-day duties as Theo, but the Sox front office is still steered by more than one head. That doesn't mean they don't have the same vision for the direction of this team either. While it's kind of moot, I do think you're underplaying the fact Hahn is from here and has a young family here. Maybe he didn't want to pick up everything and take his wife little boy to another city. Maybe he felt obligated to payback the team that gave him a chance on a whim. It was certinaly publicized that his move to GM was known years in advance as well and maybe that played a role in his unwillingness to leave. As far as Hahn having 100% control, Kenny has thrown a veto on a Peavy to Boston trade that did not involve the Tigers. I believe it was DA who alluded to it earlier in the thread and I got confirmation from someone within the organization that it was the case. Hahn wanted Middlebrooks and Williams either didn't like Middlebrooks or thought there was a better offer out there. That same person, who is in baseball ops, told me "Hahn is the acting GM and handles the day-to-day processes but KW has the final word and will be in Reinsdorf's ear if he feels the need to be." When I continued to probe on this topic he said something like "Hahn is very much involved in all organizational moves, but Kenny still has the juice and definitely misses the day-to-day part of being a GM" and went on to say that KW is operating under immunity. Now whether you want to take my word for it, is on you. you can take what I say with a grain of salt and consider it bulls*** and I wouldn't blame you as I am just another quasi-anonymous message board poster. a very good and well put together post. thanks for more insight to the top workings of the sox org. nice

QUOTE (Vance Law @ Nov 15, 2014 -> 11:28 PM) I'd think Castro is a better offensive player than Flowers. Probably not by much, considering Flowers was better than him last year. So it is a probable marginal upgrade for 2 years. He has value, so the Astros are not going to give him away, despite Sox fans' hopes of constructing a fantasy "We should trade for this player, would his team accept this collection of failed prospects that we don't want?" They also aren't going to trade him for Carlos Sanchez. We'd have to give up young player(s) that we really want which simply doesn't make sense for a team building to be perennially competitive- trade away your future starters for 2 years of a marginal upgrade at catcher. edit: If Castro were part of a larger deal, potentially with multiple teams and with Flowers being shipped elsewhere, that could be worthwhile. But that's a lot of moving parts and probably difficult to find the right fit of teams and players, all the while, there are more pressing issues. I agree with your edit part. there is really no leverage trading for Castro. esp in the long run. also the price to pay to get Castro is not ideal.

QUOTE (GreenSox @ Nov 15, 2014 -> 05:24 AM) I'm not a big fan of chasing bullpen pitchers, but this guy is the best of this crop, imo. I too am not a fan of spending lots of money on a closer. esp when the sox can use that money to really focus on something else.

QUOTE (TheFutureIsNear @ Nov 16, 2014 -> 03:12 AM) I'm not arguing that this may be the best time to trade Alexei, if the package is right I'm definitely moving him. But Greene is just not that package in my opinion. I don't doubt that Alexei is a top 5 SS in the game and that should come at pretty decent price. Make it Greene, Jose A Ramirez, and an A ball OF (a talented long shot) and we can talk. If and I mean if, any team can put a package of prospects, then trade him. otherwise no. ref Greene, its just my opinion, but he is not enuf.