maggsmaggs

The Sox in the mode to build from within in terms of starters IMO. I see JD, Floyd, MB, Vaz and Richard next year, but in 2-3 years, I see it as this: Danks is gonna be this team's ace for the forseable future, he just needs to learn to be more efficient, which he is getting better at. Buehrle will be the second guy, the you know you can count on for consistency and leadership. Floyd is going have to continue to improve to be this team's #3 and hopefully #2, so you can split Mark and Danks. Keep the walks down, learn to pitch over errors and field the position better is what he has to work on. Luckily, most of this comes with experience. He also could benefit from a cut fastball to help against lefties. Also fortunate, the Sox organization is becoming one of the best at teaching this pitch. Poreda will hopefully be in the rotation by now and not in the pen or some other organization. If he is throwing 96 MPH with heavy sink, I don't care how bad his secondary pitches are, he is gonna be a very good pitcher. Hopefully, he continue to improve his secondary pitches and develops a cut fastball to help against righties. Richard should be a perfect #5 pitcher in a couple of years. Works fast, can get deep into games, low walks and a good teammate. I don't see him every becoming a great pitcher, but for a fifth starter if he can provide 10-15 wins a year with a 4.2-4.6 ERA, he would be fine there. He just needs to learn to throw to first base, but he looked very comfortable toward the end of the year in the majors and he is hard workers who will continue to get better as he has more years as a baseball-only player. So in three years, I think these should be reasonable numbers from our starters: Danks: 15-20 wins, ~3.00 ERA Floyd: 15-18 wins, ~3.50 ERA Buehrle: 12-16 wins, ~3.75 ERA Poreda: 10-14 wins ~4.00 ERA Richard: 10-14 wins, ~4.50 ERA I don't see Vaz going anywhere this off-season, because I don't think KW wants to put a bid in for a top pitcher. The next group of pitchers will cost more than Vaz and are not really that much better. Vaz is a bum in big games, but Garland is gonna get paid more than him, but Vaz > Garland still. I am just looking forward to the development of Richard and Poreda and I really don't care if you have four lefties because as long as Buerhle and Richard are not ack-to-back, they are all very different. Sox should continue to build from within so that they can go out and use the money to resign their own players and get some offense help.

QUOTE (bighurt4life @ Oct 18, 2008 -> 11:59 AM) IIRC his splits were pretty terrible against lefties, BUT, AJ hits lefties and righties just about the same, so I don't think he'd be all that bad of a backup. He could still spell AJ every 6 or 7 days although a right handed player would be ideal. This year AJ was actually better against lefties (.286, .771 OPS vs. L against .279, .717 OPS vs. R), which I didn't realize. That is very interesting. But every other year, he has been better against righties. I also thought I read that Armstrong was not strong defensively, obviously I could be wrong.

QUOTE (flavum @ Oct 17, 2008 -> 05:28 PM) Beckham was 1-3 with a double, walk, and 2 runs today. Also made his 3rd error in 4 games. His team lost 18-10, and they committed 6 errors. Carlos Torres and Derek Rodriguez both pitched and managed not to give up any runs. Cole Armstrong was 4-5. Armstrong also gave up 3 SBs. Not sure how much was him or the pitcher, but still doesn't look good. It's a shame Armstrong looks pretty solid, but his since he is lefty and not too good defensively, he really can't be AJs backup, IMO at least. Maybe someone will trade for him or something, but I am not sure how much value a 25-year-old catcher has that really doesn't have a great minor league track record nor is he good defensively. Also, we are just going to have to take Beckham's numbers will a grain of salt since his play is so spread out. It's damn near impossible to get in any rhythm starting once every three days. He's really needs to improve defensively though, but maybe the errors are a result of him being shifted all over the infield in the AFL.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Oct 17, 2008 -> 11:12 AM) Heres the thing with Gavin. He needs a very structured and quiet windup to have any sense of control. He cant really throw out of different balance points and hurried windups. This is why he will always be terrible vs the run. But there are alot of successful pitchers that could never hold a runner on, Maddux is one that comes to mind. But Maddux also rarely walked anybody, so he was allowing far less base runners than Gavin. As well, Maddux could field his position well so he helped out in that sense. The fact is Gavin is hurt because of the extra base runners he gives with walks.

Gavin just needs to work on his move and winup, simple as that. There are plenty of guys slow to plate like Gavin, but they have made ajustments to combat base runners. Mixing up the time of his set, using an array of steps: slide step, normal, in-between, showing different pickoff moves. What Gavin needs to do is watch other guys and how they combat base runners or work with a pitching guru on stuff like this. Gavin can really help his ERA by holding on base runenrs better. As bad as AJ throws, he usually has no chance when Gavin is throwing to him.

Anyone watch HIMYM last night? I thought it was one of the funnier episodes of all-time, especially with "old" Barney.

^^ Such a corny commercial for Red Roof Inn, but so hilarious at the same time.

QUOTE (Jenksy Cat @ Oct 12, 2008 -> 03:44 AM) Imagine a healthy Q, Crede, and Contreras. OC No 3 game rest-rotation-screw-ups. Burhle-Danks-Floyd in ALDS AJ Q Dye Thome PK Xei Crede Swish/BA/Weezy World Series champs. Probably not. Maybe a more competitive series against the Rays, or maybe even a win. But we still wouldn't have beat the Red Sox.

QUOTE (whitesoxbrian @ Oct 11, 2008 -> 10:22 AM) I love Getz, too. Then, in your terms, you want us to get a 3B, re-sign Uribe for a super bench player, and then trade for a CF'er with speed, OBP ability, and good fielding? I wouldn't mind that. But again, who's a CF'er out there for us? If we get Beltre, we will use most prospects on him, unfortunately. Every player (well almost every player) is available for the right price. You could pry Alex Rios from the Blue Jays as he is not available, but you could get him for the right price. I mean it would take Swisher + Poreda and Shelby probably, but you could get him.

QUOTE (beck72 @ Oct 11, 2008 -> 06:46 AM) KC is on the rise. What they need though is starting pitching. I could see some sort of deal for DeJesus with Javier Vazquez going down. Both are signed for 2 more years. Aviles could then take over at leadoff for KC. The more I think about it, the sox should keep Getz at 2b to hit #9. Then make the big play for a CFer who can hit leadoff, even if they have to overpay. Vazquez alone won't get DeJesus. But it's a decent starting point. Javy showed the sox what he's made of and should be sent packing. I am on your mindset. Why overpay for a second baseman when Getz seems like he can be a very solid right away in all facets of the game. Why now get a top 3rd baseman or CF via FA/trade so that the lineup become balanced. I am very confident that Getz can hit .280 right away.

QUOTE (Wanne @ Oct 9, 2008 -> 01:35 PM) I am not saying I agree with it at all, but that Thornton would be the closer and would probably be very good. For an excellent closer like Jenks whose salary will be affordable for the next three years, you could get some big time prospects or a very solid starter.

I really think KW thinks this team is ready for long-sustained success with a couple of moves here and there. I think he is going to be very aggressive this off-season and go out and make a big move or two, or make a big splash in free agency.

So my off-season has started now I guess, I am really think these few moves could help the Sox big time. CF-Jerry Hairston (could use him as a starter or bench player, but I think he is the type of player we need; speed, hits for average or at least this past year and has ties to the organization). SS-Rafael Furcal (Alexei should not move to SS, get Furcal and plug him in as a leadoff hitter) 3B-Casey Blake (good veteran presence and a consistent bat and producer at the bottom of the order) -Bring Getz up as a full time utility man -Get a new backup catcher who most importantly plays defense very well and throws out runner and a bonus if he can hit righties well. These five additions to the offense would take away the one dimensional aspect somewhat and bring some balance to the team. -Also, sign Mark Prior for training camp fodder (It would be perfect to see him come to the South Side and somehow resurrect his career, this is more off a funny little one) Alright, opening day is only a few months away. What are your off-season suggestions? And how stupid am I with mine?

Me not pissed at all. Sox played tremendously all year long considering the injury issues. You lose the AL MVP thru five months and still make the playoffs, that is good. It was tough with all the injuries. Go out and get me Furcal, Blake and another player and call it a off-season.

QUOTE (rangercal @ Oct 6, 2008 -> 05:42 PM) f***ing makes me sick that a rookie opens his mouth and says that about us. I can only wish that our hitters grow some lead balls the rest of this game. Does he realize we are missing the AL MVP through September and another all-star? If both teams are fully healthy, it's a much more competitive series.

If this was Kazmir again I wouldn't be as mad being dominated, but when it's this type of s***ty pitcher, it really pisses you off.

Next season our offense woes will be a thing of the past. We will add good things, especially Quentin back in the lineup. Then hopefully Rafael Furcal at SS and Casey Blake at 3rd. So that is adding a .800 OPS 3rd baseman, a near 1.000 OPS LF and a top-notch leadoff hitter. KW is probably the sickest person watching this s***, I am confident they will go out and get an impact player somewhere and then hopefully a Alexei-type pickup also.

This is why the need for a competent backup catcher is of utmost importance next year. Toby Hall sucks at offense and is even worse defensively. Give me a guy who has a gun behind the plate and let him spot start against teams with speed when Floyd is pitching. It's a travesty that we are so bad at holding and throwing runners out.

Well it was a good run for the season, but I just don't think the Sox will score 5 today (I am assuming the Rays score here again).

Not looking good. 6 more innings to hope for three solo homers apparently and hope Gavin shuts them out. This is the prime example why we need about 3 new starters on O with speed so we can manufacture runs when the bats aren't hitting homers.

Boo early game. But whatever, just win baby!

Big hook time!!

My gosh that stadium looks so cool. It even seems more intense than in 05. Come on Bobby. one more.

QUOTE (danman31 @ Oct 5, 2008 -> 04:31 PM) I'm looking forward to Texas/OU first. Gonna be a hell of a game, for viewing sake, I hope its a classic and not a 10+ point game, which I could see OU doing because I think they are that good.

Heard its pouring in Chicago via my parents that are going to the game. Any word on potential updates?