Chisoxfn

Playing professional ball at the age of 15 is one key indication that you are very talented. There is no denying that this guy is one of the premiere players in all of Cuba and considering his age he will be a legitimate asset to any organization (ie, he'll be yet another talent that could pan into something very good, and in terms of a system, it should be an organizations goal to hand as much talent as possible over to the player development people).

Lock this thread, it will be.

Alright John, lets put an end to those struggles you've had against the Twins this season and help finish off the sweep!!!!

Andrew, let me know what games you are going to (if its just Saturday or what) and when I pick up tickets for myself I'll grab you one (I'll be with a couple buddies, not sure how many yet, but I'm guessing Mario (molto) and Shipps).

Wow, this has been a fun series so far. Hopefully they make it an even funner one tomorrow Gavin, OH MY GOD, I love you Alexi...I love you too 08 White Sox...I love you all as well. This has the makings of a special season!!!

QUOTE (29andPoplar @ Jun 8, 2008 -> 02:50 PM) Weren't you also one of the people here who wanted Williams to do a total rebuild and go with prospects? Not to rain on the parade here, but I wonder where all those people are. I would rather a GM constructs a team that can compete, which apparantly this team has the ability to do. It goes to show, baseball is an interesting game, with all sorts of things that can happen. I'll post tomorrow about the slump this team will inevitably encounter, and how people shouldn't panic, because it's a long season and there are ups and downs. I could be put into that camp, LOL. Either way, I'm well aware of the fact that this is the offense we have and when it goes good, it will go really good. However, without a legit top of the order (consistent threat) and the combination of power bats in the lineup the offense is bound to go into some funks (although i don't anticipate any being as bad as the one we saw earlier this year). The staff is also due to have a slump of some sort, plus I think the one concern has to be on how Danks/Flody (the two young arms) handle the workload later on down the year as they reach career highs in innings. Either way I still believe Kenny has some adjustments to make to the lineup, but they probably won't come until after the seaons end because the reality is the club isn't going to move Konerko/THome at this point in the season. Although in my defense, even when I was completely ripping the offense, I do think I indicated that some of these guys would get things going to an extent (I just think long term the Sox are better making a couple adjustments at seasons end) and that I still felt even with the poor offense that this team would be competing (cause I love the rotation). THe guy I love the most is Gavin Floyd, oh my god, his changeup and confidence (which has led to him improving his command) is one of the big keys to his turnaround in the organization. We all know about the variations of his fastball and his two sick curves, but his changeup is so freaking good at times. I also want to point out, that this offensive slump is one of the times I'm glad I'm not the GM, cause who knows what crazy moves I'd have ended up making, LOL.

Could they play 3B in a bind, sure. Would you want them starting there, absolutely not.

I've been watching Cuddyer and he's awfully freaking good in the outfield. Gomez is going to be a total stud out there, but the only reason there defensive outfield isn't great is because they have Goemz/Young making young player mistakes. They have great range for an outfield and all possess solid arms for there respect positions (people forget just how strong Cuddyer's arm is). Heck, I'd absolutely love to have Cuddyer on the Sox. That said for the most part I agree with the rest of your post. However, the key for the Sox will be health and the continuance of Danks/Floyd. You really have no idea how these young man are going to fare later in the season and I wouldn't be shocked if at some point the Sox had to use another starter or two in an effort to keep Danks/Floyd's innings down (more likely for Danks whose never thrown all that many innings his entire career). I don't mean to baby young pitchers, but you do have to make sure that you slowly increase there workload year after year as to ensure that there arms don't fall off.

What happened to Mack. He's been absolutely terrible since leaving. The thing is, we could really use a good left handed bat off the bench, but the reality is Mack hasn't hit in almost a full season now (since he was dealt at the deadline to San Diego).

This isn't a shocker. It sounds like the Sox had probably negotiated with him already and were prepared to sign him, assuming he was there. Usually those pre-draft deals are indications that a guy probalby isn't quite graded out to go that early but the club likes him more than other guys on there prospect list. This pick isn't one that excites me. I don't like corner infielders that don't have power. He is supposed to be a pretty solid athlete and could turn into a 2nd baseman where his lack of power wouldn't be an issue. I just think this selection as well as the KW jr one were very very poor picks.

ESPN was talking about how good Williams arm was, well I've been watching the games and if his arm is special, my freaking arm is special. He is fast as hell, but this was one of the biggest over-drafts since the A's moneyball draft (which was a terrible draft...Jeremy Brown, what a joke).

I think some of you guys have Nevin ranked a bit high. I'm very curious to see what he does this season because he wasn't as good as advertised last year (albeit it was his professional debut and he's incredibly young). I assume everyone is not counting Josh Fields in the lists?

QUOTE (JoeCoolMan24 @ Jun 8, 2008 -> 10:36 AM) We just really need to see Thome or Konerko go. I also would not mind seeing Thome traded for a CF. Move Dye to DH, move Swisher to LF, Q to RF (with his cannon arm), and slot in that new CF. Or Thome for a 2B. Again Dye to DH, Swish to LF, Q to RF, Alexei to CF. The thing is, no one will trade for these guys or at least give up something significant to the point that you can replace them in the lineup. Trust me, I can't stand our big cloggers in the middle more than anyone, but the best way for the Sox to compete "THIS SEASON" is for those guys to figure things out and than the club can benefit from them this season and than they'll trade value will be there to swinga deal in the off-season (in Thome's case, he may be a FA, depending on what they do with his option). Thome can only go to a team looking for a DH, so your probably talking about the Red Sox and I don't think he'll accept a deal to go to a team where he'll probably find himself on the bench once Ortiz returns. If Hafner fell apart or had another serious injury, Cleveland would be an option, but the Sox would be nuts to make a deal with the Indians at this point in time, imo (especially when it means giving a guy that if he gets hot, could carry there meager offense).

QUOTE (bmags @ Jun 8, 2008 -> 09:59 AM) who would we have been trading in 05 when the trade got nixed? IIRC, Chris Young was one of the main players involved in the package. I wouldn't have a problem picking up Griffey, but it should be noted that he'd probably be worse in CFer than Swisher (whose been more than solid). Also, until Paulie starts hitting, you probably aren't going to get good value for him (you could probably get a good prospect, but nothing top notch). Heck, I would have no problem dealing Paulie, but the reality is the Sox are going to have Paulie/Thome in there lineup for at least this season and we have to hope that they can put things together and than this off-season, the Sox can look at making some adjustments in that area if they are interested in doing so.

Go Go Gavin Go!!!!

Titans, you fought and tried and fell short. The pitching just wasn't there and the bats went cold at the wrong time (or at least the bigger bats in the lineup did). Oh well, I honestly was surprised all season as to where we were ranked and overall while they didn't make it to Omaha they did have a rock solid year and they did so with very few seniors in there lineup. We'll see which of the drafted juniors signs and goes pro, but assuming a few of them stick around, next years club is looking real good (and if a couple of there incoming recruits don't sign, it could be even better).

That was a fun game....fun game.

f***....that bases clearing triple may be what breaks the Titans back. Damn Castro has been good, real good. I don't care what all the posters on here say, he's a legit top 15 pick and while some were surprised he went early (since he had such terrible numbers last season), all you have to do is watch him play and you can see why (he has a lot of ability for a catcher). Of course he is PWning the Titans which means I'm more biased, LOL.

We get to see Alexi at short for an inning. I'm surprised we didn't see Uribe at 3B (or maybe he is there and we just don't know it).

QUOTE (robinventura23 @ Jun 7, 2008 -> 06:43 PM) Crede wants to accompany Carlos to the All-Star Game. He keeps it up and he will be

Nick has given up almost all of his runs against the Twins. Hopefully he can mow through them quickly and keep throwing strikes (something he's been doing lately and its why he's been so sucessful).

QUOTE (Brian @ Jun 7, 2008 -> 05:49 PM) Still early but Miami in trouble. Yonder Alonso has ridiculous hands. They have to be the quickest hands of anyone in the draft.

Quentin isn't staying as quiet in his stance. His hands are coming through a bit quick. Its going to be interesting to see how he pops out of this little mini slump (if you can even call it a slump).

I love ALEXI....I'm falling in love with the 08 White Sox...falling in love.

Oh My God...He GOOD...JOE CREDE is GOOD.