GreenSox

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Dec 31, 2015 -> 09:49 AM) As has already been pointed out, look at the options on the bench Robin has had to work with. One player he had was Soto. He pinch hit a grand total of 4 times. He DHd 3 games.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Dec 31, 2015 -> 08:37 AM) Lol, Parra and Jackson improve the team to the same extent as Gordon if platooned correctly. That's funny Gordon OPS - .809 Parra split OPS - .809 Jackson split OPS - .770 Younger, didn't spend time on the DL, doesn't cost a draft choice, provides a better bench and more versatility. And much cheaper. Preposterous idea, I know. The groupthink around here is beyond belief. Especially when it's non-stop advocacy of a methodology that has repeatedly failed. Vanquish us non-believers.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 31, 2015 -> 08:25 AM) I always love the "if he was platooned correctly" line. Ventura platooned Trayce Thompson early to perfection, yet when he platooned him, people complained. He needs to be playing every day. Especially with the way bullpens are used today, if you platoon and yank a guy early, you are going to have a match up later where someone will call the manager a fool for not using players correctly. It was a lot easier when they had 15 or 16 position players on the roster. Now that it is 13 or sometimes even 12, the idea of being able to platoon all over the place is hogwash, especially when starting pitchers are making shorter appearances. Well of course you do. Nothing like 3 years of non-competitive teams. He platooned Thompson to ease him in because he was a young player, not because he couldn't hit right handed pitching. Right handed Avi, not "proven veteran" Melky, was his primary platoon partner. Based on his use (or non-use ) of pinch hitters, moves such as pinch running for Abreu in close games in late innings (even when Abreu wasn't the lead runner), limited use of defensive replacements, it remains to be seen whether he can operate in this fashion. (thankfully, he cut back on the pinch running for Abreu stuff). Now the Sox haven't had a decent bench in years, so maybe with more options, we'd see more use.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 31, 2015 -> 07:18 AM) Kazmir can opt out of his contract after next season. The free-agent class of pitchers is particularly thin next off-season, with Stephen Strasburg, Andrew Cashner and the Dodgers' Brett Anderson projected as the top available starters. Zaidi said the Dodgers were comfortable letting Kazmir walk away after one season because of that organizational depth, the possibility of getting an extra draft pick for Kazmir next off-season and the motivation that another shot at free agency might provide Kazmir next season. "In Scott's case, he and his representation are aware that next year's free-agent starting pitching market will probably be a pretty good seller's market," Zaidi said. "From our standpoint, we have a lot of good young pitching that we feel is going to be ready to contribute at some point in 2016 and certainly by 2017. No major league team used fewer than eight starting pitchers last season. The Dodgers used 16, the most in the majors, according to Baseball Reference. http://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/la-s...1231-story.html You can start to see an argument forming for one of Gallardo, Chen, Latos and Fister being acquired by the White Sox on a one-year deal...you add Parra/A.Jackson/Span on 1-2 or 2+ option deals...and then possibly make a run at Desmond or Fowler for 2/3rd's worth of a 2016 contract OR add at the trade deadline. Financially, it's much more risk-averse than putting all your eggs in one Big 3 basket. Argument being that Fulmer is added to the rotation in 2017 and you have Danks/Johnson as insurance this year in case a starter goes down or misses time, which happened to every team in the majors last year. But would JR approve? I think it's a reasonable approach; I think Parra/Jackson would markedly improve this team....basically to the extent Alex Gordon would IF they platoon them properly (big if with the skills of this manager). 2 year deals would fit right with the Todd Frazier window. However, there is no way you can do this with Desmond, Chen, Gallardo or anyone with a QO. From the Sox perspective, 3 top 50 picks is a big chance to invigorate the farm. But from anyone's perspective, losing a nice draft choice for 1 year of a so-so player is not the way to go. If you are going to lose a draft choice, make it worthwhile.

QUOTE (QuickJones81 @ Dec 31, 2015 -> 01:01 AM) In short, I disagree with the lack of depth comment. Even after these deals there's enough Jordan Guerrero's, Chris Beck's, and Adam Engel's to entice other teams with visions of potential longterm steals without letting go of guys like Anderson, Fulmer, or Adams. I have been rather impressed in Hahn's ability to sell what appears to be high on a lot of these guys to land a bigger fish. A great way to manufacture roster value. I certainly agree that the execution of trades for the vets is way better under Hahn....2nd tier prospects are used (although I think some of those guys are pretty good; and I'd take a look at some rosters before devaluing a player just because of where he was drafted). However, the evaluation of the veteran himself is sorely lacking. How many more Dunns, Laroches, Melkys and Samardzijas are they going to add to this team? Some I guess is bad luck; some is bad fit (why add a fly ball pitcher like Samarzija, and if you do, why put the worst OF defense imaginable out there by signing Melky?).

Jennings is okay. Pretty good against lefties and righties. But he's just not a LOOGY who will dominate lefties; those guys are often hapless against righties, so maybe it's just as well. Sox pen walked too many last year. Hopefully they can correct that. I'd like to see Putnam pull it all together this year and become a righty Thornton of old.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 29, 2015 -> 06:29 PM) Hero worshipping. Robbie wouldn't know when to pull this one year rent. Sure he would. He'd kick Erik Johnson. And yes, Dick, you and KW's theories of proven veterans have done nothing but produce... a whole 2 playoff teams in 15 years.

QUOTE (Saufley @ Dec 29, 2015 -> 08:20 PM) Austin Jackson a FA, right? What would he cost? yes, no comp. I think he's a good player, but he's hit poorly against righties recently. Our boy Slat is now saying the Sox signed Latos. This guy must delete all of his tweets that turn out bogus.

QUOTE (ChiSoxJon @ Dec 28, 2015 -> 03:39 PM) Not really prospective at his age, maybe a midseason promotion to CHA Special case; he's only played pro ball for like a year.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Dec 29, 2015 -> 08:04 PM) Agree I'd like Austin Jackson platooning with LaRoche. Given the choice, I prefer an OF of Jackson-Eaton-Cespedes. That would be pretty solid. Just as soon get the OF D fixed if they are going this far. And dare I suggest that a Jackson/Parra platoon in lieu of the big ticket guy might work as well.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Dec 29, 2015 -> 07:54 PM) If we get another outfielder, I prefer him getting at bats in Charlotte every day in anticipation of a possible LaRoche release if he is terrible the first few months. I can see that, but they need a RH bench bat. If they really think that they can contend, which I assume they do, you can't go into the season and hand Laroche the bat against lefty pitchers. A guy like Austin Jackson can hit lefties pretty well and his D isn't bad.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Dec 29, 2015 -> 07:38 PM) Maybe he means Melky gets time in DH spot against lefties but plays outfield against righties? Though that would technically be a platoon of LaRoche and guy who plays outfield against lefties (as of now, Avi). That would move Melky to RF, which he has played very sparingly. Cespedes has never played right, and I seem to recall him causing a ruckus about his position when with Boston. I do like the idea of not moving Avi purely to platoon DH.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Dec 29, 2015 -> 07:21 PM) Yeah, I'm not buying that part of it. Doubtful they add Cespedes only to start Avi everyday. Not much difference between Avi and Melky. But using Melky as a lefty platoon doesn't make much sense.

QUOTE (blackmooncreeping @ Dec 29, 2015 -> 07:24 PM) This was followed quickly at mlbtraderumors with a piece on Alexei still being in play. I know that info was spoken of earlier, but it makes sense if theyre indeed signing Cespedes. It makes no sense. Alexei is a declining ballplayer who spent the last 3 year putting on a clownshow. I realize this org. has a thing about young players, but I would hope they could fit ONE young ballplayer onto the team. Cespedes is a veteran, and if he needs his hand held, I'd much rather a professional like Abreu leading the way.

QUOTE (Heads22 @ Dec 29, 2015 -> 07:18 PM) He also claims Melky will platoon with LaRoche at DH. I hope Melky hits lefties a heck of a lot better than he did last year.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 29, 2015 -> 07:00 PM) Why does nobody (seemingly) want Yoenis Cespedes? Because if you take out his 2015, you have a ballplayer with an OBP of around a paltry .300 who hits 25ish homers a year. His D is pretty good, but he is reportedly kind of a goofball. Nothing special about that.

Cespedes. I think Gordon's better, but he's older and a bit frail. I don't think the Sox are contending with either one, so I'll vote for the acquisition that would do the least long term damage. And that is Cespedes. I also think there's a decent chance they get get him cheaper/shorter than the cw suggests.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 29, 2015 -> 01:55 PM) Sweeny Murti ‏@YankeesWFAN 49m49 minutes ago Chapman makes bullpen stronger but by how much really? In 2015 Yankees were 66-3 leading after 6 inn, 73-2 after 7 inn, 81-0 after 8 inn. Guy makes a great point. Overkill.

QUOTE (dasox24 @ Dec 29, 2015 -> 02:50 PM) Has anyone heard anything about the Sox agreeing to terms with Mat Latos? Our old buddy "Jimbo's Drinker" (Dan) just tweeted it and then deleted it a few minutes later. He definitely has some good contacts and used to work for the White Sox, so I imagine there might be some truth to it. Hope he is a ground ball pitcher.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Dec 26, 2015 -> 06:28 PM) If I'm Pitt. I don't do anything this year as far as outfielders go. Wait until after the '16 season to give Meadows more time at AAA and then Pitt, imo, will put McCutchen on the market for a major haul and roll with Meadows in '17 while bringing up Bell for 1B. The right haul for McCutchen will replace the minor league voids left by the Meadows/Bell call ups and Pitt's farm won't miss a beat. Pitt is being very smart with regard to how they are handing the organization as a whole. They are home-growing some very nice talent! And yet, at the suggestion that the Sox do something like that, people squawk to high heaven and demand trading young players for "proven veterans". And, of couse, Kenny Williams obliged. (thankfully Hahn negotiates the deals once the proven veteran is identified). McCutchen is a better player than anyone on the Sox, and is an absolute star, so they better be careful about trading him.

QUOTE (SCCWS @ Dec 24, 2015 -> 11:36 AM) Actually I think he may be the 5th OF. He is probably a pick-up to replace Thompson and will either beat out Shuck or be 1st on the list at Charlotte. Actually "he" in my post above was Shuck.

QUOTE (SouthSideSale @ Dec 23, 2015 -> 08:14 PM) We've never paid a $100 mil contract so how could it be "such a white sox move"? The 100 mill part isn't. The contract blowing up in out faces certainly is common, as is impatient negotiation (much improved with Hahn). There don't seem to be many suitors, so there's no reason to give him what he wants. Just beat KC's offer, which 4/$60 would accomplish, and wait. In the end, many orgs can grow their own outfielder or platoon 2 Guys and get 80% of what these guys produce at 20% of the cost.

I just read something that he wants $20 for at least 5 years. I'm leery of tying up at high salaries for any of these guys more than 3 or so years.

I'd like to see Laroche play more first. That's his one skill. I know Abreu doesn't like sitting, but he could use some rest, with those nobby injuries/aches and pains he gets now and then.

QUOTE (SoCalSox @ Dec 23, 2015 -> 06:55 PM) Was he good? No. Was he bad? No. He didn't hit an HR but had a .266 BA with a .340 OBP. Not bad for a guy that had just over 150 ABs. I think he's completely fine as the 4th OF. Yes, he's fine for a 4th OF. he took some walks, which is a rare skill in this org. But .689 OPS would not work in the platoon scenario post above. It would be nice to have an extra bat on the bench.