Marty34

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Oct 2, 2012 -> 11:59 AM) There aren't bigger problems to address. After Youkilis was added, Beckham was farther below average for his position than anybody else on the team. There are easier problems to address, since there is a lack of available 2B talent out there. The starting pitching is a mess.

At 27 next year, he's close to a finished product. There are bigger problems to address.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Oct 2, 2012 -> 11:17 AM) Chris Sale, both in talent and extending his innings Jose Quintana, out of nowhere, was quite good until he ran out of gas - and again, now has extended his innings Hector Santiago looks like he may be a major league starter, and he is getting stretched out a bit John Danks returns - no small thing there And that's just in the starting rotation, and not even getting into if Floyd or Peavy might be staying, both of which are possible. Shall I go on? The bullpen full of rookies have had a full season to mature and develop: Reed, Jones, Veal and the rest. That is huge, and gives the Sox a mostly cheap bullpen for next year, with a lot of talented arms who should improve as a whole. Konerko was playing hurt in the second half, and will have surgery to get back to full health - that should be an improvement, probably. Dunn is back to his old self, same with Rios. Young guys who aren't technically rookies like De Aza and Viciedo had their first full years, and should continue to develop Alexei Ramirez had a down here, and isn't some 35 year old who is probably fading, so he'll likely bounce back And by the way, this team did what it did while only having two players (with significant history to work from) outperform their career norms in any significant way: Rios and AJ. ** Really, the only downers for next year at this time, to me, are 3B, the Catching situation, and one of the starting rotation spots. Maybe also the likely regression of Rios. But its a long offseason, so, we'll see how it goes. If Dunn, Rios, and Konerko were all 5 years younger, I'd join you in your optimism.

QUOTE (pittshoganerkoff @ Oct 2, 2012 -> 11:37 AM) I think his point is that 8th is lower than 2nd, so that's the number we need to focus on because it makes things look worse. It makes things look worse, sure, but it's also reality.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Oct 2, 2012 -> 11:27 AM) You really are miserable. The funny thing is you would be much happier if the Sox were the 14th best team in the AL. They are not the 8th best team in the AL?

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Oct 2, 2012 -> 11:21 AM) The Sox, a team with zero expectations, were in first place most of the season and were in it until game 160. It's really pretty sad if you really are a White Sox fan and couldn't take any enjoyment out of it. Last I checked they are the 8th best team in the AL.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Oct 2, 2012 -> 10:30 AM) Completely agree. Tough ending but it was a pretty fun year and one that has me feeling better about the franchises near term future. Outside of Chris Sale, what makes you feel good about this team's near future?

QUOTE (flavum @ Oct 2, 2012 -> 10:24 AM) This team is in need of a new coat of paint. Short of changing the uniforms, they are in need of a new approach, a new attitude, and some athletic players with some balls. You can't just bash homers against bad to mediocre starters and win playoff spots. You have to occasionally beat good pitchers by being athletic and scrap a few runs. I hope Rick Hahn changes some things. Pitching, more pitching, and OBP.

QUOTE (Iwritecode @ Oct 2, 2012 -> 09:54 AM) Very first link I clicked on after Googling 2012 MLB predictions: link I'm sure there are more... EDIT: Apparently SI predicted 95 losses. Terrific, Yahoo and SI. A couple of football operations.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Oct 2, 2012 -> 09:41 AM) Says the guy who wanted Juan Pierre and Big Z. LMAO. You were the level-headed guy, admonishing anyone who was on the ledge. Turns out you could not have been more wrong.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Oct 2, 2012 -> 09:34 AM) People are upset (understandably), and for some people, that means they overreact and give in to the drama. WORST COLLAPSE EVAR!!!!!!! yeah OK, sure. A team predicted to lose 90+ games and who never led the division by more than 3 games, takes it all the way to the last series to fall by a couple/few games. Clearly a collapse of epic proportions. People now love to throw around 90+ losses were predicted. I want to know who predicted that?

Overall, the Sox took half-measures to address their glaring weaknesses and it cost them postseason baseball. Time to rebuild.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Oct 1, 2012 -> 03:41 PM) fool me once, shame on you. fool me twice, shame on me. Or as GWB would finish, "i wont be fooled again" See I don't think they were fooled. They knew it would go badly when it was time for Guillen to go when they hired him.

QUOTE (pittshoganerkoff @ Oct 1, 2012 -> 09:46 AM) Ozzie will not be back with the Sox in any way; broadcaster, manager, coach, bum outside of the Cell begging for a smartphone with which to post tweets, etc. Why do yo say that? How he left as a player was as bad as how he left last year and he was brought back to manage the team. That's why I would not dismiss it.

With the lousy front-loaded schedule the Sox had I thought the only way they'd come close to 2 million was if they had an Orioles-type year. Schedule is a little better next year, but not a whole lot.

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Sep 30, 2012 -> 07:41 PM) So besides about 3 or 4 other teams in the AL for next year, what are the holes everyone else has? This isn't the Yankmees, Rangers, Angels... the Rangers are loaded because they had years of mediocrity and drafted well. The Yankmees are the Yankmees and the Angels are now the Yankmees lite. So, what does everyone else do? There's no reason to think that they can't get in the mix and be close. Just my opinion. You could be right. I prefer an attempt at fixing the problem instead of trying to patch it.

QUOTE (BlackBetsy @ Sep 30, 2012 -> 06:13 PM) Has anyone mentioned that the White Sox are 10 games under .500 when playing teams not named the Minnesota Twins or the Seattle Mariners? I think we were just fooled by this team....too much smoke and mirrors for too long. Everyone knew Detroit was a better team going into 2012....it just took them until the last week of the regular season to exert their superiority. What's depressing is that there is so little to look forward to in 2013. The rotation will be Sale-Floyd-Danks QUESTION MARK - QUESTION MARK. And that's adding to the fact that Floyd and Danks are question marks in their own right. Sure, the team will be $24 million lighter with Peavy and Pierzynski leaving (although they really should re-sign AJ), but what evidence is there that the Sox will be spending this offseason? Not to mention the GAPING hole at 3B. Their immediate needs list is scary: #3 hitter #2 starter 3B C #4 starter By 2014 might have to add 1B 2B SS CF Major overhaul needed.

QUOTE (Swingandalongonetoleft @ Sep 30, 2012 -> 07:03 PM) Into the gap to score the two guys he walked earlier. Levity at its finest.

QUOTE (Baron @ Sep 30, 2012 -> 04:48 PM) Whats your plan Mr GM? I cant wait to hear this I don't understand why so many are against tearing this up. A middle-of-the-pack team is nothing that inspires anyone

QUOTE (Baron @ Sep 30, 2012 -> 04:36 PM) Thankfully Kenny wont be listening to you when he is trying to add. Thats the complete opposite of the way they think. And that's exactly why they have 1 playoff appearance (and win) since 2006.

The KW/Cooper put together bullpens have left a lot to be desired over the years. The formula seems to be get guys who throw hard and let them pitch an inning at a time.

The saving grace is that next years draft is supposed to be one of the weakest in memory.

QUOTE (Jake @ Sep 30, 2012 -> 04:16 PM) That would also surprise me since one must think we're trying to make the playoffs next year. The window of opportunity for this team to win anything has slammed shut.

QUOTE (flavum @ Sep 30, 2012 -> 03:58 PM) The problem with Dunn and Konerko, is they're asking them to be 3-4 hitters, when they should be 5-6 hitters on a good team. Yep, and next year you can probably drop that to 6-7 hitters. Whatever the case, they won't be 3-4 hitters next year either.

QUOTE (fathom @ Sep 30, 2012 -> 03:50 PM) I'm there with you, but at least this offseason I'm not rooting for Dunn to decide to retire. I'm going to be really upset if they decide not to get creative and overpay for Youkilis. Step one this offseason should be to get rid of whatever money they can for 2014 and beyond. Pay someone to take Dunn, Rios might be able to be moved, dump Ramirez.