hogan873

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Dec 20, 2012 -> 11:27 AM) Are they planning on contending or rebuilding? If they are planning on contending finding a platoon partner for Viciedo is a must. By this logic, the Sox must find a platoon partner for Adam Dunn, too. I don't see why you are so hung up on Viciedo. The Sox (or just about every other team for that matter) cannot afford to ensure that they get maximum production out of every position.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Dec 20, 2012 -> 09:59 AM) Question is, how long do you wait for Viciedo to become Carlos Lee? One of the reasons the Sox lost the division was because they kept playing him against right-handers the second half. I think it makes sense to move him to the most difficult defensive position he has the best chance at handling long-term since we're going to have to wait on his bat. The problem there is that he's a worse third baseman than outfielder. He did okay in the OF last year, and I don't think anyone's going to argue that he can't hit right-handed pitching well at all. However, his troubles against RH pitching was not one of the main reasons the Sox lost the division. The overall collapse of the offense was probably the biggest factor, followed by pitching. It you wanted to break it down to individual performances, Viciedo was pretty low on the list. That being said, we've got to see an improvement in his ability to hit RH pitching, and he's got to develop some more patience. Moving him to 3rd base isn't going to improve his bat.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 19, 2012 -> 03:00 PM) And use the extra millions to improve something else. So, the purported $4MM offer to AJ makes sense. If he signs (doubtful), it's most likely a bargain and only for one year. If he signs elsewhere, the little money saved (based on the $4MM offer only) can be used to improve another weak area. I think the only way AJ signs for 1 year here or elsewhere will be for at least $7MM. I imagine, however, someone offers him a 2-year contract. I'm torn, but I'm beginning to lean towards wanting to see what Flowers can do. I think he has the potential to be a decent hitter with a lot of power. If he can hit .250+ with 20+ HRs and play good defense, he'd be fine as the starting catcher.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 18, 2012 -> 07:23 PM) According to Phil Rogers, the Sox are offering AJ one year $4 million. They obviously don't particularly care if he comes back. I would think there's about zero chance he re-signs now. I think $4MM is low, but I wouldn't offer a ton more. Maybe 1/$6MM with an option for a second year. I imagine he's going to sign somewhere for around $7MM-$8MM a year for 1 or 2 years.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Dec 18, 2012 -> 01:27 PM) They've been doing alot of listening but no moves yet. Our pitching for trade is probably only increasing in value and when some of the FA OF'ers come off the board we should be up there as options for teams. Swisher is a big domino to fall IMO. Do you think the Sox are still looking to improve the outfield by trading one of Rios/De Aza/Viciedo? It seems like the Sox aren't in on the FA market right now, so I wonder what they might be trying to do.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Dec 18, 2012 -> 01:17 PM) Please, something happen with the Sox soon. Please. This thread is like a bunch of people trapped on a ship that lost its engine. We need food!!!!! I know it's only a few teams making noise out there, but it does seem like the Sox are exceptionally quiet. It's like watching tumbleweeds blow across the computer monitor every day.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Dec 18, 2012 -> 12:57 PM) No way, this will definitely be part of the plot. Their video/network equipment is buried deep underground in very blast proof containers, there is going to be video of his car at some point revealed. I still have a suspicion that he was involved. His meeting with Mike in the bar when he asked Mike to keep looking after his family because he couldn't. Brody and Carrie sneak out just in time. They went to the office where they could see the car parked where it was...I still don't know about that, there was something strange about that.

QUOTE (Lemon_44 @ Dec 18, 2012 -> 12:55 PM) he'll pitch more than 53.2 inning next year His name will remain "John Danks" and he will pitch using his left hand. Futhermore, I have a good feeling that he will have little to no hair on his head, and he will wear a cap while on the field.

I suppose I became a Democrat because of my parents. My dad was a union officer for the United Mine Workers, and both of my parents are very liberal. It's really the way I was brought up. However, I don't think I'm nearly as liberal as they are (especially my dad). There are some issues I lean conservative (gun control, death penalty, immigration), and there are other issues I lean liberal. Overall, I just cannot identify with the republicans today at all. I think my view (and others' views I would imagine) of the republican party has been hurt by the Tea Party and the ridiculous fighting with the President. It's hard to respect a party when members have said that their primary goal was to make Obama a one-term president.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Dec 18, 2012 -> 07:11 AM) Greg, nobody here is saying that Obama being a religious man or that is offensive. Huckabee(and you) is saying that the removal of god from a public school is the reason that this happened. That is absolute bulls***. This isnt a matter of believing and non believing I started to get into an argument with a friend on Facebook over that Huckabee video. But, I let it drop. I just don't see how anyone can think that if god hadn't been removed from public schools and we relied on the Thou Shall Not Kill comandment, this horrible event would not have happened. We may never know exactly why Lanza did what he did, but I think there's a very good chance he had severe mental/emotional issues. If that's the case, he obviously didn't get (or ask for) the help he needed. Prayer wouldn't have helped.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Dec 8, 2012 -> 11:27 AM) Has Rock's source every been right? What about yours? Rock doesn't spill a ton of information, only that he hears certain things about certain players. And I'm fine with that. However, from what I've seen over the years, Rock's sources have been pretty good.

I don't know if the Sox are actually looking at Hamilton, but it's funny how we (as SoxTalk posters) are talking about the Sox paying a guy $25 million a year. That is a ton of money, and I would be shocked if the Sox even made an offer. Personally, I think a 3 or 4 year contract at $25MM per is worth the risk, but I just don't see it happening. Signing Hamilton would be a game changer. Not only how he would impact the lineup, but I think the Sox would be viewed much differently by the media.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Dec 6, 2012 -> 01:17 PM) 5-9 are up in the air if they will even be with us next season. Some of those pieces may be gone. You do realize that we are all going to get a lot less done at work for the next few weeks now. Things could be exciting (in a good or bad way) soon.

Does anyone have a good idea of the left-handed hitters that are available via trade? As Rock said, the outgoing package could be Floyd, Quintana, and Thornton...that doesn't open a spot in the lineup. So, maybe it's Floyd, Quintana/Thornton, and Rios/Viciedo. Could the Sox actually be in on Hamilton, and the trade frees up cash and brings back prospects?

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 6, 2012 -> 08:38 AM) No lost cause, your post that JJ Putz would be quoted saying nice things in an article about AJ because he is afraid AJ will come back after him is garbage and you know it. This I agree with. I don't think AJ cares what people think about him. I'm not sure Putz or any other former teammate is afraid of AJ like a middle school kid being afraid of a bully.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 6, 2012 -> 07:31 AM) I'm sure most of Soxtalk will hate him soon enough because he isn't the classic home run hitting 3B. My hope is that Morel is really healthy, can unlearn all of the bad habits he picked up trying to save his back, and can actually become a decent starter. Keppinger would be a platoon/super-sub type of guy, which would really be ideal for this team. I doubt this. Anyone can look at his stats and see what he is. He's not a power hitter. He's a decent hitter who rarely strikes out. If the guy ends up being hated, it won't be because he doesn't hit homeruns. If he starts off the season hitting .200 and committing a bunch of errors at third, then we might see the hate. If Keppinger hits like he has over his career (not necessarily what he did last year), he could be a .280 hitter with 8-10 HRs and 40-50 RBIs. I'll take that in a third baseman and 2-hole hitter.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 6, 2012 -> 08:23 AM) Putz was with AZ when he said it, so I don't understand why he would say anything if he just hated the guy. David Ortiz loves him and has known him since the minor leagues. Maybe you or someone you know had a bad experience with him. It doesn't mean everyone hates him. He plays in a matter that agitates the opponent. I don't think there is anything wrong with that. I've never met him and maybe I would hate him if I knew him, but there are plenty of people who do apparently like him and liked having him as a teammate. Aside from a few comments here, I've not heard of any of the Sox not liking AJ. Like you, I've never met him, but I agree that the hate is overblown. Obviously he's a guy you'd rather play with than against. I'll say this about the White Sox fans, though: If AJ signs with an AL club, he will be greeted very warmly when he plays at The Cell (the first time for sure). I'd love to see AJ back next year, but only at the right price...which is probably no more than what he was paid in 2012. The Sox need another LH bat, and he fits the need. I believe, however, that he will be playing elsewhere for upwards of $10MM next year.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Dec 6, 2012 -> 05:05 AM) I predict we will all be pleasantly surprised with Kep. He'll hit behind runners ,sacrifice, hit for a decent average and hit close to 10 HR's and play decent D. He was certainly the best choice out there which doesn't say much for what was out there. In the 2001 College World Series, he hit a two-run home run off Mark Prior. A 3 year deal was a must to outbid the other teams involved. His relationship with Buddy Bell while in KC helped. Whoever signs Youk will be disappointed. I also expect Hahn to be in on a blockbuster 3 way deal. I think he's going to get 8 figures for at least two years. That's an overpay for sure. He's really starting to show his age, and his hard play is catching up to him. The more I think about it, the more I like the Keppinger deal.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Dec 5, 2012 -> 02:50 PM) Looking at the lineup posted above, is this a roster that is one or two keppinger-type plugs away from competing for a World Series or even a division crown? Thats the exact questions that the Sox front office is dealing with right now and I believe that they dont think they have enough. I would agree that they need more. I guess the question is where do they get more? I assume a trade or two has to be made either to free up money or to acquire someone.

Merkin saying that Sox aren't done. Will add another infielder and a veteran catcher if AJ isn't re-signed.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Dec 5, 2012 -> 02:45 PM) Very close to Chaveztalk.com again, dammit Once again as the dominoes start to fall how excited will everyone be that things are finally happening? Is there a large domino about to tip over?

We'll find out soon enough what Youk is going to get and for how long. Regardless, there's no way the Sox could have signed him for anything close to what they signed Keppinger for. More than likely, they got 3 years for what they would have paid for 1 year of Youk's services. I like Youkilis and he made a big impact last season, but I'm glad the Sox didn't sign him for 1 year at $10MM+.

QUOTE (chw42 @ Dec 5, 2012 -> 01:31 PM) Yankees are getting outbid left and right. I would have loved a Chavez and Keppinger platoon. That would have been so beast. That is great. The FA pool for 3B is pretty much down to Youk and Reynolds.

QUOTE (justBLAZE @ Dec 5, 2012 -> 01:22 PM) ‏@jaysonst Useless Jeff Keppinger info: 3 players have more xbh & BBs than strikeouts since '07: Pujols, Pedroia & Jeff Keppinger. Nice offset for Dunn. Adam strikes out enough for 2 or 3 players as it is.

Chavez to DBacks per Heyman