Chisoxfn

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Dec 21, 2015 -> 11:06 AM) Shuck brings plus defense? I guess I didn't see that when watching him play (actually looked bad to me) and I don't believe advanced metrics liked his defense very much either. His bat is solid for a bench guy, but he might be the most overrated player on this site. Some posters have talked about giving him regular playing time, which would be beyond disastrous. Maybe I'm misreading the stats and I'd also argue the stats aren't that great because sample sizes as a platoon player are tough, but given limited playing time and playing a variety positions, he had positive Dwar last year. That has fluctuated. Maybe I should have restated my comment by saying above average defense vs. Avi / Melky (which is what I was more implying). His defense though is statistically solid (based upon the limited Defensive Stats I'm looking at) but also statistically flawed given the sample size.

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Dec 21, 2015 -> 11:15 AM) Defense and it's not even close. Move Long back to his pro bowl position and draft a RT and all of a sudden that right side becomes a lot better. Leno Jr. has graded out pretty well this year and Slauson is a stud (albeit he's getting up there). I'm a big fan of Grasu, but he needs to get stronger in the offseason. Great upside there though. In other words, there are guys you can at least work with. The defense on the other hand has a lot of needs. Amos is going to be a very good player, and I still like Fuller (very inconsistent, but tremendous talent). You got young guys like Goldman, Sutton, McPhee to an extent etc. on the d-line who have very good upsides. After that though, it gets bad. They really need linebackers the most cause what they got now is terrible. Grasu is one of the worst centers I've ever seen. Literally he's that bad. Long has been a turnstile and the Bears are the most penalized oline in football. I don't know how one could argue it isn't even close. This is a brutal offensive line. Only benefit I can give to Grasu is he is physically being abused and Bears seemed to be aware of those physical limitations when they drafted him (and seemed to think he could develop into them...from a strength perspective). I guess we shall see.

QUOTE (shipps @ Dec 21, 2015 -> 10:53 AM) Both should be top priority along with a QB its just depending on which they want to improve through draft, FA, or maybe even trade. But all three are absolutely number one priority and I cant place one over another at this point. I just cant. And that is what makes this such a difficult position for Pace and company. They are behind the eight ball that is behind a brick wall, so good luck to them on figuring this craziness out. I don't know how they can focus on those areas and QB. I agree they should try and target a QB, however, I think Jay has shown that with proper coaching and the right talent, you can absolutely win and contend with him. I'd also argue now isn't the draft to target a QB (at least not in day 1) given our other needs.

QUOTE (Dunt @ Dec 21, 2015 -> 10:43 AM) Im fully assuming that the Sox will land one of the big 3 at this point, so this thread is predicated on that. How does everyone here want the OF to line up in 2016? All of the big 3 FAs play above average LF defense and Upton has experience playing right, but his arm doesnt grade out well. Cespedes is athletic enough that the Mets tried using him in CF to disasterous results, but he might be playable in RF. If you play them in LF, will Melky atleast be serviceable for next year in RF? He has a strong arm, but his range already grades out poorly in LF which is largely considered the easiest OF spot. Well I think whomever we sign should play RF (ideally). I'd argue that Upton is not above average defensively, rather average, but different stats could point you different directions. I do wonder how Avi would fit in left field (vs. right) and I still expect him to have a role as the 4th outfielder (/platoon DH).

QUOTE (fathom @ Dec 21, 2015 -> 10:50 AM) They are not signing two $10 million plus outfielders And they shouldn't. A team with the Sox payroll can't add two more expensive outfielders when you already have the money invested in Melky (plus have Eaton). I personally think we are golden if we get one outfielder. Might like an upgrade in the rotation / pen, but the lineup would look nice. LaRoche/Avi can platoon at DH (with Melky ocassionally playing their as well)....plus you have Shuck who can bring some plus defense and solid offense off the bench. Sanchez as the super sub and either Saladino or Ramirez at SS.

On the positive side, Rose is starting to play better. If I were going to look at this season thus far: Biggest positive is general health + Jo's resurgence & Dougie's emergence Biggest negative is probably Rose's play...although I might actually put Niko as a bigger negative. Dude has been horrific (and from a value perspective, entering the season, he was our most attractive trade asset outside of Jimmy).

So what is the bigger need for the Bears oline or impact defensive playmaker? I honestly don't know. I think I still lean for defensive playmaker but oline is a huge huge need. They have been absolutely brutal lately (and that is despite getting protected by an extremely conservative scheme). It isn't the sacks, albeit, Long's poor play specifically lead to a sack and a turnover each of the past two weeks (both when we had great field position and at extremely inopportune times) but the penalties have wiped numerous big plays and crushed momentum.

So I never give KC much credit, but this was an excellent, must read article on Butler calling out Thibs. A lot of facttoids in their I wasn't aware of. Early in Fred's coaching career, this is a pinnacle moment for how he'll rebound and how the Bulls are going to handle this. I see merit to what Butler is saying but their are other issues in their as well. Maybe part of what Jimmy was saying is he's testing Fred and he needs to push back, show he's in command. I get a feeling we are going to see some moves to free up time for Portis and maybe change this team. We'll see if Pax / Gar have it in them but it will be interesting what they will do. Safest path is no change, however, they've taken that route a lot and they need to analyze what makes sense. Will be extremely interesting how they respond to this. PS: I love Jo. Really would crush me to see him play anywhere else. http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/colum...220-column.html For those that don't have tribune coverage (like me), as always, drop that link into google search and than click and you can read for free.

I think the alternative is an upgrade at SS, someone via the trade market (at OF) or a move to bolster the rotation. If they do either scenario 2 or 3 that I listed, it means bringing someone like an Austin Jackson (i.e., buy low candidate), in, imo.

Gordon brings more OBP than any of the other players being listed. He also brings the best defense to the equation. I personally think we can't go wrong with either of the three guys (as long as the contract is right). If Gordon happens to be the guy getting less money / years thrown his way, I'd consider biting him. I think he'll get a decent chunk less than the other two. Each player has consistently been worth roughly 4 WAR and are all huge upgrades over Avi.

What an ugly game by the Bears this past week. Dissapointing way they are finishing the season. We knew the talent wasn't their but some things just left me scratching my head from a game clock / game management perspective. That said, despite some of the issues of Fox, I still fully buy into and believe in him as the head coach. I wonder if Gase is still viewed as a lock for a HC gig? More than anything, our oline play has been absolutely brutal.

QUOTE (whitesoxfan99 @ Dec 21, 2015 -> 09:36 AM) I think the Boba Fett spinoff might be delayed since they fired Trank. I hope after this initial set of spinoffs they try going for totally original stories set in very different time periods. We don't need every Star Wars movie to be set within a 100 year time period. Agreed.

QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ Dec 21, 2015 -> 09:10 AM) Film reportedly had 45 cut minutes. I think it definitely needed another 10, but it was still good. Sure we'll see the extended edition in 5 years. @LDF, episode 8 comes out in spring 2017. They're filming now. The first spin off movie comes out next Winter, Rogue One. Then in 2018 another spinoff, Young Han Solo. Then in 2019, episode 9. Then in 2020, a Boba Fett spinoff. Be prepared for Star Wars overload. No...just more Star Wars awesomeness (if these are well done).

With news of Gordon's market picking up (or more the fact that his lack of suitors is driving him to make a decision sooner vs. later). Separate thread probably makes sense. Thanks Kyle for pulling this together!

QUOTE (CrimsonWeltall @ Dec 19, 2015 -> 07:03 AM) Movie was fantastic. My one big complaint was that it didn't set up the big picture stuff very well. Can anyone explain the state of the galaxy post Battle of Endor? I thought there was an implication that the Emperor's death was the end of the empire or at least would scatter the remaining forces in a way that would make the New Republic the dominant faction. But here, it looks like Snoke just stepped in and its practically the status quo including easily building a new super duper death star. There's a Senate operating but it doesn't do anything. The rebels are stilll the rebels, hiding, and their entire "fleet" is like 20 XWings? I wonder if at some point they won't have a separate star wars movie to cover the gaps. I figure Disney is going to figure out ways to explain the rest of the universe and significant gaps. Monetize as much as possible (and as a Disney shareholder and a Starwars fan...I'm all for it).

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Dec 18, 2015 -> 04:29 PM) This was Daisy Ridley's first film. I saw where she did some stuff in the UK, but she is badass. All I can say. Really dug her character and how she played it.

QUOTE (bigruss22 @ Dec 18, 2015 -> 03:30 PM) I was surprised by how much comedy was in it. Also, BB8 was way more fun/likeable then I expected, I thought there was a small chance it would be Jar Jar Binks'd, but it was done really well. The best part in my mind, is this set up very nicely for the next movies (and in and of itself it was badass too). Was the perfect re-entry into Star Wars and it totally felt like the original trilogy which is a true compliment. Chewy and Hans had great moments too and I was glad when Hans was killed off because I think to really make it great, they have to move on from some of the main old characters. That said, Harrison is the best actor of the old characters by far.

QUOTE (bigruss22 @ Dec 18, 2015 -> 03:27 PM) While I was slightly disappointed in Kylo Ren I think it was more in the fact that they didn't really go into why he left for the dark side. I'm guessing that gets developed in the next movie or two and I'm really excited for that. Snoke just didn't seem that intimidating and the CGI for him was too much like LOTR. I think they are going to do a lot in terms of Kylo and presumably more info in terms of Rey as well and her development. Really just such an awesome movie.

I really dig Rey. She stole the show in my opinion. No idea who she was as an actress, but did a great job on screen. I also though Han's son was a good evil character and am curious to see how he expands on the evil in the next set. I had stayed away from absolutely everything in relation to this movie (so much so that I didn't even know the actual story line) and it made it so damn enjoyable.

It was f***ing awesome.

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Dec 17, 2015 -> 03:32 PM) It seems like every year, he gets closer and closer to the Sox. He is 100% the Sox "go-to" guy. Didn't he originally cover the Sox many moons ago? I always know that when Nightengale speaks about the Sox, I listen.

QUOTE (flavum @ Dec 17, 2015 -> 02:32 PM) Trade or FA? Don't answer 'yes'. Yes or No.

QUOTE (chw42 @ Dec 17, 2015 -> 02:28 PM) Even with that in mind, he posted a .342 wOBA and a +4 WAR. Unless something catastrophic happens, he should post something close to 3 WAR. Oh I agree. He's a good player and one of the best 3B in the game. This was a huge upgrade at a position we haven't been able to update since Crede.

QUOTE (chw42 @ Dec 17, 2015 -> 02:16 PM) Frazier's pretty bad second half has me concerned, but he did the same thing in 2014 and still had a good first half in 2015. I just want a guy who can hit 30 home runs and get on at a .330 clip at third. I think more likely than not, Frazier can deliver that for the next two years. His career OBP is under .330 and last year it was .309. It is the one thing I don't like about Frazier (all of the other pluses outweigh this negative though).

Tomorrow AM @ 9...wohooo.