Chisoxfn

QUOTE (rangercal @ Jun 4, 2008 -> 11:42 AM) hmmm Pick #26 Why would we trade Durham for Jon Adkins when we could have just let Durham walk and get compensation?!? I was mad at that trade back then, this does not help matters. I know this happened 5 years ago, but still... I hope Kenny does not plan to operate this way any longer. This is because everyone thought the compensation system was going to be gone as a result of the new collective bargaining agreement. It had been widely reported that was going to be the case, but at the end of the day that was one of the things that didn't make it into the new agreement (just as a refresher, that was a time where many many experts believed there was going to be a lockout or strike and was the same time baseball was talking heavily about contraction).

QUOTE (soxfan3530 @ Jun 4, 2008 -> 11:26 AM) Cubs picked Ryan Harvey right before Markakis. ouch. Speaking of ouch, the year before, Cole Hamels went right before we took Royce Ring. Joe Blanton was the guy the whole world thought the Sox were going to take instead of Ring. Turns out the rest of the world was right.

IIRC, the slotting system was not in existence for the Borchard pick. That said, I didn't follow the draft at that time so I can't comment on that fully. However, after that failed pick the Sox have been afraid of going out and putting out big bucks on a prospect. They can put it down and rationalize it anyway they want, but they have went with the easy sign since that point in time. In there defense, most of the time they pick (which is usually in the teens & twenties) has been at a point where typically guys grade out relatively similarly.

QUOTE (29andPoplar @ Jun 4, 2008 -> 09:42 AM) Jason, I just don't think they'll go with a high school guy. Call it a hunch. Now if Smoak is on the board they've got to think really hard about passing him up. Heir apparent for Konerko when his deal expires after 2010. Then again, the same could be said for Brett Wallace. Aren't the Giants all over Smoak though? The Giants are very interested in Smoak, but they might also consider Pedro Alvarez if he falls (in fact I'd be shocked if they didn't). Brett Wallace doesn't at all compare to Smoak. I've seen both play a few times and the reality is that Smoak is as good (or at least close to as good) of a pure hitter as Wallace (don't get me wrong, both show the ability to be tremendous "pure" hitters), except Smoak possesses far more power potential and is better defensively. Neither Skipworth or Smoak appear to be tough signs either. I understand that the Sox may not take Skipworth and if he's on the board it won't be the first time I've flipped out at the way the Sox do business. I felt the same way when the Sox took Lucy (over Suzuki who I absolutely loved and saw play numerous times at Fullerton), McCulloch, and Whisler. Those were probably the three most disappointing picks since I've been following). The other thing that always gets my panties in a bundle is the Sox unwillingness to take talented guys that fall and offer over slot money. Maybe not going after Alvarez (I understand 9.5M is a strong commitment to a player that young, especially if someone like Smoak who grades similarly is on the board), but I see no reason why not to take a flyer on a top 3 round talent whose slide down because teams know he'll cost 2 or 3 round money (or he may have a strong lean to a school). In there defense, they were aggressive with Danks, but its well known Reinsdorf refuses to go above slot money (and I have a problem with that approach because I think its fiscally smart to go above smart money because in the long term, with proper scouting, it gives you more good prospects.

And if you could read (this is me defending the person) he was throwing out possible moves (since Ozzie had said he was going to shake things up). He wasn't stating what he would be doing. In terms of Josh Fields, take a look at his MILB numbers this season. He's been downright terrible.

He's got big legs. However, he dropped a decent amount of weight and actually has solid speed. That said, you could probably say there would have to be at least some concers about his weight. He's a tremendous pure hitter whose had 2 straight triple crowns in the pac 10.

Smoak is arguably the best hitter in the draft. Skipworth is the best prep catching prospect to come out since Joe Mauer Beckham is a legit top 10 talent, but isn't in the same category as the above two guys. If the Sox pick Beckham with Smoak/Skipworth on the board I'll be very dissapointed (and this is coming from someone who likes Beckham).

I should add that the SS I absolutely love is Crawford out of UCLA and if he somehow is there in the 3rd round the Sox need to take him.

Personally I think both Khalil & Michael Young are solid shortstops. Young had a couple above average seasons but as a whole neither are what I consider upper echelon shortstops. However, there is a great article on Baseball-Intellect which actually breaks down Beckham's swing and compares it to Alex Rodriguez. The similarities are staggering. The only legitimate question is to ask whether Beckham has the bat speed and raw abilities of Alex Rodriguez (or even close to it). http://www.baseball-intellect.com/Articles...kham-swing.html

Interesting move. I always liked Loaiza. I don't know how much he has left nor do I really grasp where he's going to fit. That said, you never know who goes down and what Kenny has up his sleeve. I've long been comfortable with a guy like Broadway being able to come up if someone goes down, but if its crunch time maybe the Sox are more comfortable going to a veteran in that circumstance. Or, maybe the Sox are going to see what Loaiza can bring and at that point trade one of there starters (hoping Esteban can come in and be a league average starter) for some offense.

TCSN: White Sox Draft Preview By Andrew Dunn Chisport.com

QUOTE (dasox24 @ Jun 3, 2008 -> 06:47 PM) I hope he doesn't go that early. I want him to come to UT to play QB, and he'd be fun as hell to watch on the baseball diamond. The UT baseball team is needing some talent. Oh, and if we draft Cashner, that would be a terrible pick. We already have Closers tearing it up at, like, every minor league level anyway. You don't draft a Closer with a Top 10 pick. I would be so happy if we got either Smoak or Posey/Skipworth. Posey falling to the Sox is better than Alvarez falling to the Sox. Thats how much I like Posey. The Sox should be thrilled if he lands in our laps. As far as drafting a closer goes, it should be noted most scouts believe he'll transfer from the pen to the rotation (and he possesses some plus plus pitches). Risky pick, but his arsenal is very good (according to scouts).

I saw that on TV too and was wondering what was going on. Dick is probably right but who knows.

Matsusz would be a very good value pick at 8. I have some questions about him ever developing into an ace, but he has the clear cut makings of a mid-rotation starter with an upside of being a front line starter (just not an ace). There is a risk/reward area and I think Matsusz would be a similar pick as the Wallace pick. I don't think Wallace will ever be an MVP, but I think he's the type that is very likely to be a good major league player and there is a solid chance he makes at least a few all star games. I feel similarly about Matsusz.

QUOTE (DBAH0 @ Jun 3, 2008 -> 12:07 PM) Wade for Hughes and the 1st. Would anyone do that (would be fairly close cap wise)? Hinrich Wade Deng Gooden Noah The Bulls could try getting a trade exception from dealing Gordon also possibly. I suppose the lure of having Hinrich and Wade in the same backcourt, Wade would be ballhandling a lot from the SG spot. I'd do it if the Bulls could than move Gooden and Gordon to the Clippers for Elton Brand (possibly include the trade exception). Hinrich/Wade/Deng/Brand/Noah (TT/SEF/Noc off the bench).

A New Candidate Emerges: Flip Saunders By Jason Gage ChiSport.com

What is up with this holding Wade out for another season? Didn't the Heat shut him down late to essentially assure he'd be 100% by seasons end? I don't follow the heat religiously, but am I missing something. Did he reinjure his shoulder or anything along those lines?

QUOTE (Cubano @ Jun 3, 2008 -> 10:19 AM) Angels 1B/outfielder switch hitter Kendry Morales will look good in a White Sox uniform. He should not be in the minors. His minor league numbers are better than Casey Kotchman. Two years ago, Morales almost broke the Dominican winter league HR record. He blasted 14 balls to the stands. He also won a gold glove there. He may be getting out of minor league options soon. http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/st...&pid=434778 Morales is a guy I've long wanted to pick up. The big problem with him is that defensively he's in a tough bind because he doesn't possess the typical power of a 1st baseman (although he has good power, I wouldn't consider it great power). That said he possesses a very natural swing and I see him capable of posting a .300, 20 HR type of season with a solid OPB and good slugging numbers. He's also major league ready as far as I'm concerned. I'm not sure how much the Angels have soured on him, but if the club wanted to make an adjustment and was able to move one of Paulie/Thome, I'd have no problem turning to the Angels and offering them a package to acquire Morales (who would clearly be available given Kochman's performance at 1B).

TCSN: Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock By Mario Scalise Chisport.com

QUOTE (Leonard Zelig @ Jun 3, 2008 -> 08:37 AM) From 2004-2007 Konerko is 8th in the majors in RBI, but you don't consider him a top run producer? I consider very few guys top run producers. Just as I consider very few guys legitimate aces. There are a lot of guys I consider front of the rotation pitchers though. Ortiz/Pujols/Manny/Bonds/Vladdy are what I consider top run producers. That said, I believe Konerko is an above average run producer.

Gages Take: Bears Holdouts and Bulls Rumors By Jason Gage ChiSport

Talk to the Hand, Cause the Face Don't want to see it

Cubano, I just want to say welcome aboard. Its great getting to see this sort of perspective about the Cuban league's from someone whose closer to the action.

I'm going to be a stop to this right now. Sox are going to win today!!!! The thread will also be closed!!!!

Whooo, too late for me to post last night, but freaking sweet. Titans storm back and win and are hosting the Stanford Cardinals this upcoming weekend in the Super's. Hell of a job. Stanford swept the Titans in Palo Alto to open the season and have dominated the Titans the past couple years. Here's to hoping the Titans put an end to that domination and start a nice streak of there own!!!!