LDF

QUOTE (StRoostifer @ Oct 31, 2014 -> 11:21 PM) Comparisons to other farms is irrelevant. What really matters is whether or not the Sox farm is improving. If a comparison is to be made it should be this years farm to last years farm. Is the overall quality of talent trending upward, downward or stangnant? Is the farm able to plug some holes on the Sox team, yet maintain the overall quality? A perfect example would be the Cardinals. The important thing is that the Sox farm has improved compared to last year and I think Hahn and the Sox scouts will continue to keep that trending in the right direction. damn.... I really hate agreeing with you. but you are right. Hahn and company is doing a great job, and if anybody ever realize what I kept on saying in many, many post of get more viable options. do not let last yr happen again. now you have my answer as to why I keep spouting that. OH MAN THIS IS GREAT DISCUSSION.

QUOTE (LDF @ Oct 31, 2014 -> 11:19 PM) psst. Madonna. should someone start a waiver possible pickup. or should everything be posted here?

QUOTE (Charlie Haeger's Knuckles @ Oct 31, 2014 -> 10:37 PM) ..you have NO IDEA the places that finger's been.... psst. Madonna.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Oct 31, 2014 -> 11:08 PM) I understand. I was just giving a theory. I think it could of definitely been an option. that is the point, I like Hahn and I am a fan. however I will not be blinded b/c I like him. he is running a billion dollar (forbes ratings) org and he has to be prepare for any situation. he needed to be prepared. they could not use the fans did not come out as an excuse. put the product on the field and the fans will be there. well the team is rebuilding, not an excuse. there were too many talented players in fa's to field a team. remember 1 thing. chi white sox fans are demanding, and knowledgeable. don't try to pull the wool over the eyes of a sox fan.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Oct 31, 2014 -> 11:07 PM) Lol I do too hate the Cubs, can't stand them but it was just an example of a team with a good system. And I can see your point that we haven't seen a good system in a long time, but that's what scouts and Hahn to keep developing. Because right now, we are seeing results of some players that can be seen to have good futures in the MLB. the system has always been terrible even under kw. Hahn is wanting to develop the system to supplement the majors. here is 1 cliché I remember if the sox build the team the fans will come if the fans comes the team will have the money to pay for the talent. which come first??? I vicious catch 22.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Oct 31, 2014 -> 11:01 PM) You can say he didn't sign enough depth, but Hahn knew they weren't going to compete next year. Maybe he wanted to see if the young guys could step in in place of injuries or failures. For example, maybe we wouldn't of seen Bassitt this year. with all due respect. I do not buy that. I could maybe go with the injuries situation, maybe..... for on purpose

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Oct 31, 2014 -> 10:57 PM) You can say that about all teams though take example ~1. - the Cubs. Will they have "much" of a system once Soler, Baez, Braynt, and Russell graduate? The prospects ranked 11-20 on teams prospect list will usually be utility player or low end starters/relievers. Last year Erik Johnson was our number 1, and before his implosion, he was looking like a #3 solid starter at worst, so you can't put much stock into that either. ~2. - My point is, if Rodon, Montas, Anderson, Adams, Hawkins become serviceable MLBers than we have nothing to worry about because the core will be young enough that the system could take a hit for a few years and build it back up through the draft. pls I hope you didn't take offense. ref: 1. of all teams why pick the sCrubs. I hate them. 2. I am in total agreement there. those will have moved on up. I am talking the state of the system is based on what we the fans have graded the system to an earlier sample. we do not have the luxury of comparing the system to a previous better system with the sox org, b/c the sox haven't had a good system before. I have a natsy habit of looking for the other side of the discussion.

QUOTE (StRoostifer @ Oct 31, 2014 -> 08:41 PM) Haha, love the skunks arse comment, good stuff right there. I take the the mocks with a grain of salt at this point since there's a season to be played before the draft. I just like reading the mocks because it gets me familiar with kids I've not heard of yet. Plus, its kinda fun watching names move up and down the list. plus I am getting into the what if game that I hate. what if Aiken has a decent season, not a great one. does the sox draft him if he is there at #8??? or should the sox go for DJ stewart or Ian Happ??? here is another one. what if Kirby, aiken, stewart and happ are all there, who should the sox pick???? ohhh how I hate the what if game. but in this, this is not a bad question. lol.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Oct 31, 2014 -> 10:48 PM) I agree. Hahn has done well with most of his trades so far, its now a matter of wait and see if he spends the money he has wisely on the right players. So far he's 1-2 (Abreu and Keppinger). Hahn, until I can see it somewhere else, screwed up last yr. he should have had and signed some other fa's to be as backup, for the "what if" injury. this past yr system was kind of bare. imagine if the sox had some reliable players who could've step him. well, who could tell but I will say, the team would have done better. now with last yr as a learning tool, I hope the sox does not make the same mistake. plus wow, next yr draft is starting to look exciting with lots of talent.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Oct 31, 2014 -> 10:19 PM) I respect Badler, but I disagree with him on this also. A lot of teams aren't even stacked at the top than we are. The depth in the farm has certainly gotten better and I believe it should get out of the 20s. I hate to say this, but I disagree. the prospect while promising and talented, compare to other systems, the sox is lacking. we, the fans are excited, b/c there is really nothing to get excited about. now the system is rebuilding and the sox have a few major prospects to get excited about. look at last #1 top 10 for the sox. I am not talking about 2014 and Rodon, I am talking about the yr beore. got it, now rate it against the other teams #1 in the top 10. the sox are a long way still from being really nice. however the sox do have some really young interesting prospects. here is another thing to look at. when Rodon and Montas moves on up. the systems is going to take a major hit. look at the #11-20. see any major league prospect | players? someone who will be ranked in the top 10-20 of all prospects????

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Oct 31, 2014 -> 02:47 PM) What kind of playoff experience did the 2005 White Sox have when they went 11-1? Caulfield needs some meds. meds. where who has meds.... do they want to share?????

QUOTE (BigHurt3515 @ Oct 31, 2014 -> 08:18 PM) Is there ever a SoxTalk thread that stays on topic for more then a page or 2? that is the beauty of it and face it, most time it is informative.

QUOTE (StRoostifer @ Oct 31, 2014 -> 03:52 PM) Exactly. Hawkins can start off 2015 at A+ and if he does well, the Sox can move him to AA by June if not sooner. If Hawkins performs well the rest of the season at AA, he could still end up at AAA to start the 2016 season and still only be 22 years old. Hawkins is still young, raw and its not like the Sox have the best track record of developing young hitters. Anyway, back to Danish. I think he surely starts off with Birmingham and deservedly so. As NorthSide pointed out, the Birmingham team is going to be fun to follow in 2015. I get nerdy just thinking about it. some team would be extremely happy if they had there prospects in AA and at 23-24.

QUOTE (TheTruth05 @ Oct 31, 2014 -> 04:56 PM) Yesterday did him in. As big as he is between the pipes he leaves a huge 5 hole at times. Sens were aiming there almost every shot of the shootout. He's an AHL lifer or career backup at best,which is fine by me, I would rather him sit on the bench to backup CC and Raanta play everyday but oh well. too bad i notice that he has a lightning fast glove hand. kind of remind me of ken dryden. eddie the eagle had the same problem, when he was in denver in college i can't remember if it was him or the coach told him to play somewhat from his knees when the other team on in the zone. danm about darling. very quick glove hand.

QUOTE (Chilihead90 @ Oct 31, 2014 -> 08:27 PM) Our puppy is finally done having those biting attacks, at least for now. Now when she starts biting and won't listen to us telling her to stop, we grab her by the scruff of the neck and she screams and cries for a second or two, and then just stays still and we let her go and she just walks away. Also, it only took me about 15 minutes to teach her "sit". Obviously she is still working at it, but each day we practice it for 5 minutes or so at a time and she does pretty well. does your pup does small little yeps or growl when it is walking away??? it prob the pup way of cussing you out

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Oct 31, 2014 -> 07:38 PM) Come on grandpa, talk to us about posting on the walls of caves! ahhh those were the days, cave art. if you thought my english was bad, back in the old days they had a walls with spelling corrections but man, those were too many walls to look at.

QUOTE (pettie4sox @ Oct 31, 2014 -> 02:48 PM) If he pitched all year, we might have got a 1st round pick instead. Stupid, stupid Hahn. he was done, you could have put a fork in him. the sox created a fake injury as not to embarrass him. Hahn was stupid for not having other options with fa's signing. I guess the salary limit that higher management may had something to say about that.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Oct 31, 2014 -> 02:15 PM) The 2013 White Sox looked unmotivated. The 2014 White Sox looked perfectly motivated, but it simply wasn't a very good team. I agree. I would like to add that in 14, the team had 2 very exciting players who joined the team, Jose and Eaton. I think that feeling of excitement carry over. they just couldn't make it last for any extended period of time. so would a leader have helped > no. smart additions and options is what this team needs.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Oct 31, 2014 -> 02:32 PM) Hermanson was not the closer at the start of that season, Takatsu was. Hermanson was a reliever recently converted from a starter who had something like a couple decent months in the role in San Fran and was brought in as a fairly cheap but veteran bullpen option. He got on a roll early in the season while Takatsu struggled. and you are prob right, I will not dispute you. the point is the sox have a very good foundation and need that 1 leader in the pen. as I always said, an older players necessary means he is a leader.

QUOTE (Joshua Strong @ Oct 31, 2014 -> 11:48 AM) I think moving to AA, could force Hawkins to be a better contact hitter because the Barons play in a way more pitcher friendly park than WS does. And I think that the time he has spent and will spend with Severson and Thome in instructs and spring training will pay dividends for him and his development. why force?? he needs to learn how to hit, hit in different situation and find that comfort level. he is still young.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Oct 31, 2014 -> 01:41 AM) Too many injuries. We already tried this with Tommie Hanson last year. I agree, but a nice pitcher esp for his price, I gamble I would love to take. its not like he is needed for 4 yrs.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Oct 31, 2014 -> 01:12 PM) Other than Ramirez and Danks, we don't have anyone who has experienced the playoffs as a member of the White Sox. Seven years is now quite far removed from 2008...it doesn't necessarily HAVE to be a playoff veteran, but that helps when you have it on your resume. Other than Adam Eaton, there aren't many leaders on this team. With Konerko finally gone, hopefully Sale and Abreu will start to take on more of that responsibility. We also don't have a manager who has ever made it. That's one of the pluses that hiring guys like Francona and Maddon provides. I don't know if Bill James would agree with the idea of "overhyping" something just because it's not measurable or easily quantifiable. I kind of disagree, I think Jose A is that kind of leader, but when you team have a player like Paulie, not need to look elsewhere. remember there are different types of leaders. I think the sox have those leaders on the team, I think the sox needs a player, a veteran who can be a calming factor.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Oct 31, 2014 -> 07:02 AM) Nothing except Lind is younger and will cost SOME amount or level of talent to acquire. OTOH, this team needs some playoff-experienced veteran leadership, and LaRoche checks off that particular box. I totally agree and was waiting for Wash to decide on Adam. the thing I notice, as you said, veteran |s| who can lead. Adam is that kind of player. funny you are mentioning veterans leadership here when I posted something similar on a another post.

QUOTE (GreenSox @ Oct 31, 2014 -> 01:58 AM) My objection to the "real closers" is that they are a)usually overpaid and b)often aren't the best relief pitcher on their team (teams use their best relief pitchers to get out of jams). Weren't there 2 closers on the market last year both of whom were just awful this year? I think we will get an experienced reliever- maybe 2 - more of the setup variety. Of course I think Danks should get a look in the pen, although Coop thinks he can still be that control type starter. well the team strategy for this offseason is anybody guess. I personally think that sox have a great foundation of nice looking arms in the pen. young, yes, but a nice selection. that is why I mention that yes get a closer (2yr), not a top closer or 1 in his prime. but a closer who will be willing to share the duties with the young pitchers. use this season or the beginning of this season as mentoring and then have a closer by committee type. they need a stabilizing veteran who can lead the young pitchers. I look up the old 2005 roster and I notice that a young 24 yr old Bobby Jenks was not an option to close. but Dustin H was the closer that season. we all know how important Neal Cotts was that season as well. a group of very good pitchers that season.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Oct 31, 2014 -> 05:01 AM) Darling gives up a lot of meaty rebounds. Also his long legs give him range from post to post but he is very weak on the five hole. Not sure he's more than a backup at best. More likely he's Rockford fodder. on nhl.com they had the series of the shoot out of last nite game. I notice that in 2 of the shooters, they were aiming for Darling 5 hole. trying for him to move and expose it. not a bad strategy. ref Bickell, it looked as his stats were showing that he was off to a nice gaem. 1g 1a and hits, not bad. but he did have that give away. Versteeg, good game. ohhh how that pains me to write that. but the Hawks won.