Chisoxfn

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Oct 16, 2014 -> 04:12 PM) First of all, welcome to modern day MLB. You're literally not moving on from high strikeout guys, they're all over the place. Secondly, he had a down year, with some major fielding issues and injury issues, both of which went to the plate with him. He's 27, at that age its entirely possible he could pull things together next year. Hell, he could probably be even better if he stays healthy and is put in the right setting. He's not the greatest hitter in human history, but he shouldn't have a very high price, he would fill a need on our team, and he'd be less of a long term money commitment than most of the other DH options. He ought to at least be on the list. Just cause more guys do it, doesn't mean you have to accept it or think that it is valuable. I could also say, look at the teams in the playoffs (small sample size) but the teams who are having the most success do not strike out a lot.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Oct 16, 2014 -> 04:02 PM) Morales put up a whopping .612 OPS last year. I can give excuses why both of them had a down year, but man, Morales was as punchless as Gordon Beckham. Maybe Alvarez's foot problems continue and Morales makes a comeback if he actually has a spring training, do your homework and a physical on both, but given an even choice? The guy who is 4 years younger and hit a helluva lot better would make more sense to me. And no one is giving legit "Bullpen help" for Viciedo. Viciedo is a borderline non tender candidate. The reason why I'd think Alvarez might work for him is that Alvarez is on that same path and it'd be a "fresh start" setup for both guys. The thought of replacing Dunn with Alvarez, let alone what you'd have to give up to get him, doesn't excite me. I've already made my case that I don't want another player like Dunn around. I also don't want a pure DH, I want whomever we bring over to be able to play positions and to ultimately end up seeing our outfielders and other players maybe get days off by DH'ing.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Oct 16, 2014 -> 01:17 PM) I'd be willing to put a nice offer out for Markakis. If we can't find a lefty 30 homer bat for the OF, he is the next best thing. I would agree. Would be nice if he was a better defender. Given his tools, its hard to understand why he isn't.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Oct 16, 2014 -> 01:00 PM) The Royals has a losing record in one-run games this year, they were 22-25. In general, outside of two hot stretches, weren't they a sub .500 team?

QUOTE (IowaSoxFan @ Oct 16, 2014 -> 12:59 PM) I knew someone would catch that as soon as I posted it. Here is a question, would you rather be relevant and in playoff contention 80% of the time (making the playoffs more often then not while not winning the series) or be relevant once every 30 years and win the series that one time. For me I'll take the relevant and not winning series vs. extended periods of irrelevance.

QUOTE (spiderman @ Oct 15, 2014 -> 07:54 PM) Is this guy going to get a job or what? I get it's tough, but he's been on the short list now for about 3 years. Let's go Joe! Harder to get that final job when the team you are with has struggled. Sox make the playoffs and / or rebound and you'll see Joe get that job.

QUOTE (IowaSoxFan @ Oct 16, 2014 -> 12:57 PM) The overall Royals model is to suck for a decade and load up on prospects and eventually some will pan out. Correction....three decades.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Oct 16, 2014 -> 12:52 PM) I'd be stunned if he wound up on the White Sox, personal opinion. He might get too much money from a team like the Dodgers, but I bet they have initial conversations with him and have him on their high priority list.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Oct 16, 2014 -> 12:36 PM) This is the most jaw dropping post I have ever seen under this username and I absolutely love it because it's 100% correct. Jerk I don't dislike metrics I just a lot more has to be thought of then just spitting out the metric. I also still think defensive metrics have their flaws, but they have been improving significantly and the value of defense is at an all time high over the past 20 years given the fact that we appear to be in a low scoring era. I also think a lot of the general saber themes have to be revisited (e.g., playing for the long ball, etc) as a lot of those decision points likely change given that in general, the value of a run is more important now than it was 5 years ago.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Oct 16, 2014 -> 12:29 PM) The team has 2 possible bullpen lefties on the roster in Surkamp and Snodgress. Many didn't notice but after his 2nd callup Surkamp did very well as a bullpen lefty role. What I'd guess they'll do for lefties in the bullpen, based on this franchise's previous moves, is sign one LHP to a 1 year contract, maybe 1 year with an option, and let those 2 lefties compete for the other spot in ST with Surkamp having the inside track due to experience and the other takes a key bullpen role, possibly closer, at Charlotte. I think they will be after Andrew Miller.

QUOTE (bear_brian @ Oct 16, 2014 -> 12:12 PM) Our fielding percentage and the Royals was almost identical. We scored more runs than they did, hit many more homers; they hit for a higher average and stole many more bases. On the surface the difference was indeed pitching - their team ERA was 3.69. ours was 4.09. That is over half a run a game difference. So, one way to look at getting better is to indeed fix the pitching staff, especially the bullpen. No secret, huh!? Fielding percentage is a horrendous metric to evaluate defense. Using advanced defensive metrics, the Sox this past year, ranked 28th in team defense (Astros / Indians were worse) with our defense costing us 48 runs. The Royals defense ranked 1st and saved 74.8 runs.

QUOTE (shysocks @ Oct 16, 2014 -> 10:28 AM) Correct. I think that's exactly why it's silly to go prescribing that we follow some team's "model" as a path to winning. Just try to do everything well. If the Royal Model is the way to go, then let's just emulate any team that ever had a 9-game winning streak. The key to winning a world series starts with making the playoffs and ideally the more you make the playoffs, the better your odds to advance further and be hot at the right time. In baseball, more then any sport, the best team doesn't necessarily win the series. It is almost the complete opposite of basketball.

QUOTE (Jerksticks @ Oct 16, 2014 -> 10:34 AM) Id say way above average up the middle though. It's really just Avi at this point. Eaton is our best defender and Ramirez is slightly above average. We'll see what we get out of 2B. Hard to say we are way above average in those spots though as Ramirez defense has been declining. I'd be curious where our overall team defense ranked by advanced stats. I'm going to guess amongst the worst in the league.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Oct 16, 2014 -> 10:29 AM) I agree the defense could be better, but Garcia is going to be out there. Eaton is solid. Maybe an upgrade in LF. 3B could use some improvement. SS, 2B, and 1B are going to be internal, as well as probably C. If you can get a middle of the order LH hitter and improve the defense all in one signing or trade, that seems ideal. I just think we have to live with the White Sox having an average defense. Average defense would be a significant upgrade. The problem is right now our defense is not even close to that. We were well below average at LF / RF / 3B. Technically we are also below average at 1B as well.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Oct 16, 2014 -> 10:25 AM) IMO, the Royals are clouding our judgement, everyone. The reason they are winning is because they are currently doing EVERYTHING better than everyone. To me, we should think of our priorities in terms of the holes we need to fill, and we should fill the holes with guys that are good at as much stuff as we can afford. A run scored is a run saved. vice versa. Priority 1 = corner OF bat, preferably left-handed. Ideally, it replace Viciedo. If not, it platoons with Viciedo. Move Garcia from RF to LF if necessary. Priority 2 = acquire many pitchers, both starting and relieving. Reclamation projects with upside, young castoffs with upside, undervalued assets, etc. To me, we have only two guys locked in the rotation next year. Noesi, as much as we're impressed, ended up with a 4.75 ERA (4.83 FIP). Danks can be DFA'd for all I care. We'll find a place for Rodon when we're ready. For the reclamation model to work, you need to bring in four guys for two spots so that when you end up with Felipe Paulino, you have Jason Hammel to use instead. Same with RPs: the list of guys who are good relievers for more than a few years is extremely, saddeningly small. Get good, cheap arms with warts and expect 25% of them to stick under your tutelage. Priority 3 = acquire good catcher that is here for several years. Flowers will make a good backup. Prioritize defense/handling over offense. It can be a veteran or a young guy, whatever. I agree with priority 1. To me you need to get a good bat who can play defense and preferably allow us to move Garcia to LF where maybe he can turn from a liability to a neutral player and with time a potential asset. I'm less concerned with catcher but he calls a good game and is better then most while being cost effective. I'm okay with him unless there was a significant upgrade to be had, of which I don't currently see.

QUOTE (chw42 @ Oct 16, 2014 -> 10:19 AM) Moto X 2014. If you're on Verizon, there's a Droid Turbo that's virtually the same phone, but with a QHD display and a 3900 maH battery (that'll last like 2-3 days). Does it have bloatware?

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Oct 16, 2014 -> 10:14 AM) I am going bullpen, LH middle of the order bat, starter. Defensively, 3B an OF spot, maybe C are really all that would seemingly be addressed by trade or FA signing, so that can be a part of #2. IMO, a good bullpen makes the team, as is, a lot more interesting. A couple more additions, and it could turn into good times. I think with a better bullpen we are better and only reason I had it a little lower on my priority was the fact that I'd like them to do most of it via trades and lesser signings while going after one guy we think can be our closer. Whether it is Andrew Miller or Robertson, I'm okay spending money in that area as long as it isn't too long term. We need someone at the back end to stop things and that will help as it pushes other guys down. I also think some of the guys in our current pen could be decent options, especially as you find a guy or two who come in. I also think guys like Bassit can help too. However, our defense is just horrific. We have too many guys that are significantly below average players and a lot of those guys are also average to below average hitters. Combine that two and that is something that will really really hurt a club.

As far as I'm concerned, Priority 1 is fixing the defense, Priority 2 is fixing the pen, and priority three is finding another starter. In terms of adding a bat, all great but you hope you can accomplish that in conjunction with priority 1. Adding bad defensive players really just isn't a good strategy given our existing defense and how bad it is.

QUOTE (bmags @ Oct 16, 2014 -> 09:28 AM) Yeah, you know I think they had a lot of cover to increase prices considering the price of other phones. They are no longer new, and I don't think there is a need for them to. It still annoys me they had to make it so big. A 5.2 inch version would be ideal. You get top end specs and don't have to worry about any bloatware.

The Royals model is flawed. We aren't talking about a great team here. Great story yes and they could retain as they have young players, etc. However, one of the key pieces of what makes them so good is their defense and defense tends to be more consistent. Relievers are less consistent, although if you are talking about a plus reliever, the bulk of them tend to have some staying power, but that comes into more focus on the scouting, etc. and their stuff. Plus relievers with smaller sample sizes can have more variability in general driven by luck. Sox defense sucks and we need to fix it more then anything.

Surprised nobody talked about the new Nexus being released. Much steaper price then previous versions of Nexus.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Oct 16, 2014 -> 08:42 AM) 35 players had an OPS of .800 or better this year. The law of averages suggests you should probably only expect one per lineup. I'd gladly pay $15 mill a year for Cabrera so long as he can remain even a 110 wRC+ player, let alone the 125 he put up this year. RC+ isn't the only thing that should be factored in. We are a bad defensive outfield and we should not be adding other below average outfielders unless they can really really hit and I don't think we are talking about that in Melky. At a cheaper price, sure, could make sense. All that said, 3 of last 4 years he's had good WAR's, but his defense has been trending downward and will likely continue to regress as well as the bat. Don't love the idea, especially given some of his clubhouse issues.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Oct 15, 2014 -> 02:59 PM) If that were the case, then what was he doing pitching? Why was there no improvement seen during the year? Arm injuries are not always easy to diagnose, but I personally thought at some point the Sox should have just shut him down. Think back to Danks injury and all the issues there. There could have been a mechanical problem or an issue with strength that they couldn't get over and that with a full off-season and true rest, he'll have a bounce back year. Also, just by moving to the pen he should add some additional velocity which could help him be successful as a reliever (while he may not be successful as a starter). I'm not stating for a fact that I know it but I think there are more pitchers who have bounced back from poor years, drops in velocity, etc, then hitters who put up the results Davidson did.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Oct 15, 2014 -> 01:54 PM) Erik Johnson is very much below Matt Davidson right now. Matt Davidson having a terrible season due to some mental and technical issues I can understand, but I don't know how mental and technical issues make your fastball lose that much velocity. He's not a big league pitcher until he gets his fastball back. If he can do that then he's right back to being a potential rotation contender. I think the odds of Johnson making a contribution at the major league level are much greater then Davidson contributing. I think at a minimum, you could see him slide to the pen and regain some velocity and have some success out of the pen. There could also be underlying issues that come up which drove the decline in velocity. That may end up shelfing Johnson but I think it is much more likely that happens then Davidson who was just a disaster at a pretty high level of ball, figuring out a way to be a productive player.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Oct 15, 2014 -> 08:22 AM) I wouldn't disagree that people at the hospital should lose their jobs, but this is a problem not just at this hospital but at many. There's no authority anywhere for the government to monitor hospital disinfection protocols and I'm betting you'd be surprised at how weak the hazardous waste regulations are...but you'd only be surprised by those things now that its become a problem. This hospital's lax disinfection procedures aren't abnormal, but we have no authority as a country to make them happen better, and we certainly have no money to do so. We've slashed literally billions of dollars nationwide from public health and emergency response over the last half decade, it was one of the first items on the chopping block when the financial disaster hit, and budgets for health science research have been falling for longer than that. Why you'd give 8 or 9 people money randomly instead of just not laying off people working in these areas I'm a bit confused by. My point on the last scenario had nothing to do with the hospital but the simple point that money isn't always the solution. More or less, it might be the people in charge and what it is being spent on, how it is being spent, etc. And all you ever seem to do is get into this political bs. Emergency response, etc. I'm not saying government has to regulate it but procedures should be in place, programs should exist, etc. This is a concept that ultimately impacts our overall national stability. The ability for us to get through a disaster is key just like any good strong company would have strong disaster recovery procedures, etc (and if they don't, they aren't a good strong company). You want to sit and cry and point fingers at the past, how about focus on the future and react and work to solve a problem. If people did more of that, we'd be far better off anyway..