maggsmaggs

QUOTE (Knuckles @ Nov 29, 2014 -> 01:46 PM) @scottmerkin·1 min1 minute ago Could end up being a one year acquisition. Could end up influencing the return. Could not happen all together. Situation is fluid Merkin insightful as always.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Nov 28, 2014 -> 12:55 AM) Preach it brother. He is very overrated. I think people are enamored with him because he kills the Sox. If it's a one-year deal for $5 million, maybe it's a risk worth taking since he he basically is 50/50 on whether you will get a good season from him or not. But I think any serious money thrown at him is wasteful.

Kinda surprised. 1.99 ERA, 1.10 WHIP in 22 innings as a reliever last year. You could do much worse for the last guy in the pen/emergency starter.

QUOTE (farmteam @ Nov 16, 2014 -> 08:54 PM) What about? I don't know any in Illinois, but I know a few who have clerked in Minnesota. Ah. Interested in becoming a career clerk eventually in Illinois.

Anyone know much about clerking for the Appellate Courts in Illinois?

QUOTE (Boogua @ Sep 13, 2014 -> 04:16 PM) So I got banned on illinoisloyalty for saying this in week 1, but I'll say it here again in week 3. Wes Lunt is terrible. It's not Lunt. It's the s*** around and the terrible defense. Lunt isn't a top-tier QB, but you can have great seasons with a guy of his caliber. Unfortunately, everyone else on Illinois' roster is mid-major talent.

QUOTE (bigruss22 @ Sep 9, 2014 -> 10:12 PM) Lots of buzz at illinois loyalty about Brunson going to illinois, I take it with a grain of salt but damn is this exciting. There was lots of buzz with Cliff, Demetrius Jackson, etc. Illinois Loyalty is garbage. People post great links, but "any buzz" is pretty much BS.

QUOTE (Middle Buffalo @ Sep 6, 2014 -> 02:16 PM) Waddle & Silvy asked Ditka about the Redskins on Thursday. Ditka's opinion on the matter didn't sound any less dumb a couple of weeks later. Old white guys should just learn to stop commenting on race. They're never able to make the point without sounding bad. Ditka is so out of touch with reality. I know he is a Chicago "icon," but we all would be much better off with seeing Da Coach less.

QUOTE (Joshua Strong @ Sep 2, 2014 -> 01:50 AM) The Sox need to develop the classic run producing, third baseman, its been such a black hole for them since Crede left. If I were Rick Hahn I would try trading for a prospect, Corey Seager and Ryan Mchanon come to mind. Other than 2006, Crede was never a special third baseman. If Gillaspie continues to improve (which being a former supplemental first-round pick and seeing his improvement this year is very possible), I see no reason why he can't match Crede's production for almost every year except the magical 2006 season.

QUOTE (IlliniKrush @ Sep 1, 2014 -> 11:53 PM) And Tatum's Top 10 (2016). Someone come here. Just hoping we are the bride instead of the bridesmaid for once. Love DJ and Jordan, but you gotta sprinkle in five stars. Once Groce gets his first one, I think the flood gates should open (though our last five-star was also instrumental in the the firing of Weber)

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Aug 28, 2014 -> 09:55 AM) Jurko sucks but I like Waddle. Totally agree. It is one thing to have jokes and humor, but Jurko just doesn't take anything seriously. It is so annoying. BRING BACK CARMEN AND SILVY!!!! That was the best show IMO. Had two knowledgeable hosts, both get along and the Cubs/Sox split worked.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Aug 29, 2014 -> 01:34 PM) Bears are placig Wilson on the "IR-designated to return" list That's so risky to me. I love Wilson, but he is not an integral player to this year's success. Meanwhile, if Cutty gets hurt again, god forbid Forte or someone else who is integral, we could be in a huge bind. I would have rather waited to use the designated-to-return (or just not used it at all).

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Aug 29, 2014 -> 10:25 AM) My guess is they keep: Marshall, Jeffery, Wilson, Holmes, Morgan, and Spurlock. With 10 practice squad spots they will hope to slide Chris Williams and Josh Bellamy through waivers and keep them both. Easier said than done though. I really liked what I saw from Bellamy, but is he even eligible for the Practice Squad? He has played on the 53-man roster for a couple of teams already and been a PS player for parts of two years. I don't know if he is eligible.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Aug 28, 2014 -> 12:02 PM) I like all 3 of Sanchez, Johnson and Semien, but I don't know if I would trade Alexei just yet. Yes, his value at an all time high right now and he very well could win a gold glove this year, but he's one of those players that is just a White Sox player, homegrown, and a veteran leader that Sox will need when they get good. I would keep Alexei and trade one of 3 prospects. I would not be mad if Alexei is traded but if it were to happen, better be damn good. I think you just gave a great reason why he SHOULD be traded: his value is super high. He will be 33 come the start of the 2015 season and has a great contract with an option for $10 million each year over the next two seasons (signed through 2015 with a 2016 option). Right now he is the 3rd most valuable SS in the league. The main question is do the Sox think they can compete in 2015 and 2016, thus making more sense to keep your star SS. But that may not be the best move for the future, partially because I don't think the Sox will be a playoff-caliber team next year. It's a tough situation. I do know if Alexei was on the Cubs, he would be traded. We'll see if Rick dangles him this offseason.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Aug 28, 2014 -> 11:39 AM) His weak arm is going to hurt the Sox a lot less at 2B than in LF because he actually has to make long throws from the left field corner. Frankly, this post makes a lot more sense when you're talking about Semien. They will get his bat into the lineup wherever they can and he's shown the ability to handle it. When you have players who seem pretty confined to their positions - Johnson at 2B, Sanchez between 2B and SS, Gillaspie at 3B - you find the one who can move and you do just that. If Semien comes up and plays full time, I don't think anyone's going to care where he plays. If he plays a full season's worth of games next year, but 90 come in LF, 5 in CF, 8 in RF, 27 at 3B, 6 at SS, and 11 at 2B, is anyone going to be upset? But, if Semien is the one who proves he can handle the outfield over the others, then he's the one who's going to do that role. His upside in this scenario is a lot like Ben Zobrist. Now I am not saying he will have a 6.0 WAR in any given season like Zobrist, but someone who can hit really well and play a ton of positions has huge value.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 28, 2014 -> 11:02 AM) Not to mention if he having hamstring issues, the OF isn't going to help that either. It is certainly not a good omen for a player's long-term potential if it is assumed he cannot handle LF due to hamstring and arm issues.

So the Indians lose CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee, and now have a dude named CC Lee.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Aug 26, 2014 -> 12:27 PM) The sheer number of moves there makes me think it won't happen. A single one of those breaks down and the whole setup breaks down. Let's start with next year first. I have thought the Wilkins/Davidson combo you outline makes some sense, but you can't give Davidson a big league role after last season and the Sox have shown no evidence that they're going to give Wilkins a shot no matter what he does. Re: Davidson, that's why I said over the course of two years. Of course, you can't give him a job after this year. He is clearly going to repeat AAA. The Gillaspie move is already something being mentioned by Merkin as a possibility, so it must have credence given the fact he gets his information straight from the horse's mouth. Semein played more third base than any other position when he was with the Sox this year and in the minors only played shortstop more. Given the fact that he does not profile athletically that well at SS plus the presence of Alexei Ramirez, he makes the most sense at 3B. Finally, Micah has already been anointed the the 2B of the future by Merkin who as noted before gets his info straight from the Sox front office, I don't see how any of those are far fetched. The Wilkins/Davidson combo is the least likely. You are correct that the Sox unwillingness thus far to give Wilkiins a shot is significant and that Davidson has not done anything to deserve an ML role yet.

QUOTE (fathom @ Aug 26, 2014 -> 12:18 PM) For some reason, I feel this is how things will work out: - Micah Johnson will start at 2nd for them next year - Sanchez will be utility player - Davidson will platoon with Gillaspie - Semien will be used as trade bait I wouldn't be surprised to see over the course of the next two years: Gillaspie moves to LF Semien becomes the 3B M. Johnson becomes the 2B Sanchez becomes the UTIL INF Davidson continues to struggle. If Davidson could hit lefties (he's actually hits them worse than righties the last two years), I could see a platoon of him and Wilkins at DH, allowing the Sox to have more roster flexibility as Wilkins can play 1B and Davidson 3B to give Abreu/Semien a rest.

Should be interesting next year. Have to imagine that we will have a new LF along with Eaton/Garcia. Sierra looks like he probably has done enough to warrant a bench spot, but he doesn't play CF. So Danks probably has a line on another outfield bench spot. But the thoughts of a bench next year of Sierra/Danks/Leury Garcia/Nieto (??) and another INF looks pretty uninspiring.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 25, 2014 -> 07:31 PM) Seth Lakso ‏@SethLakso 2h Potential Sept. call up that’s not been talked about is LHP Scott Snodgress, who has not allowed a hit to a LHB in 14.1 IP w/ the Knights. Prob because is not on the 40-man roster and does not need to be added next year.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Aug 21, 2014 -> 05:45 PM) Interesting comments from Merkin. Would seem to indicate Semien is on the outs vs. Micah and that Micah will be next years starter. All of this seems premature cause I would expect a pretty intense competition during ST, but I would agree that next years starting 2B is in the minors right now. I still think Semien is the better overall player than Johnson. Obviously, the Sox don't see it the same way.

QUOTE (Andy the Clown @ Aug 21, 2014 -> 05:09 PM) Phlegly as DH? What's the biggest need of this team? It's the rotation. We may not have the coin to get a quality free agent DH. It might be the most efficient route to go internally.

QUOTE (fathom @ Aug 21, 2014 -> 04:58 PM) I hope Hawk's ok Can't wait to hear his excuses for Beckham's non-performance in a Sox uniform.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Aug 21, 2014 -> 04:51 PM) Presume Semien is on his way up. Sanchez will follow in about a week. And hopefully Phegley and Wilkins. Either could prove to be the 2015 DH with strong Septembers.