CaliSoxFanViaSWside

Ha thanks. Was thinking of Jeremy Bonderman and came up with a blast from the past with Jeremy Reed.

The White Sox have a bad record. No one want's to start game threads and White Sox winner threads are even more scarce. But this game deserved one. Avisail Garcia got his 1st significant hit for the Sox driving in 2 and scoring 2 as the Sox won their 2nd in a row against the division leading Tigers in the 11th , walking off with a 4-3 victory. Hector Santiago started and went 5+ innings pitching in and out of trouble. He gave up 2 runs (1 earned). He had a root canal Monday and woke up Tuesday with an infection, a swollen right side of his face and fever of 102.7. From Monday afternoon til Tuesday he spent 20 hrs. in bed. Garcia hurt his former team with a two out, 1-2 count ,triple into the RF corner driving home 2 and scoring himself when Omar Infante's ill-advised but very catchable relay throw bounced past Miguel Cabrera. Infante was given the error. Speaking of errors only 1 of Detroit's 3 runs was earned thanks to Alexei Ramirez and his 3 errors. However ,the Sox prevailed in the 11th by loading the bases with 1 out after a lead off walk from Garcia off Jeremy Bonderman. With the infield and outfield playing in, De Aza dropped one over Infante's head and in front of Tori Hunter ,off lefty Phil Coke, for the 7th walk off of the year and 2nd for DeAza on the homestand. Addison Reed (5-1) pitched 2 scoreless innings for the win. The Sox also prevented Tigers starter Max Scherzer from tying a record by denying him his 18th victory in 19 decisions. Even a sloppily played game in a lost season can result in a little bit of excitement, gutsy pitching and offer a glimpse of the future sometimes.

QUOTE (Baron @ Aug 13, 2013 -> 08:14 PM) Green lighting Adam Dunn...nice going Robin That's epic fail and PK wasn't much better. I was like OK Dunn take the next pitch then see what you get 3-1. Then PK swings on the stolen place attempt with a 1-0 count ?? Just two big mistakes. You take there and if steal attempt is successful you have a 1-1 count and a single drives him in.

QUOTE (fathom @ Aug 13, 2013 -> 08:04 PM) Beckham showing Keppinger-esque range there. I'm sure he was playing way up the middle as they usually do with a chance for the DP. I've noticed Alexei going down a lot more when he goes to his left. That ball could be picked staying on his feet.

QUOTE (Jake @ Aug 13, 2013 -> 07:54 PM) There are some serious confounding variables there Indeed.

Looks like my theory about Dunn being a better hitter when playing 1st base is correct. .190/.288/.415./703 as DH. .258./374/.511/.885 playing 1st this year. So if the Sox get Abreu to play 1st they either should get rid of Dunn or tell him his future is at DH weather with them or someone else and hope he can wrap his head around that and play him at DH the rest of the year. Or play him at 1st a bunch see if he can maintain his good hitting and try really hard to rid themselves of him in the off season.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Aug 13, 2013 -> 06:42 PM) I was wondering if anyone else was left watching. I always watch .

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Aug 13, 2013 -> 02:35 PM) Can't believe there's a sentence with Nationals and Pirates together with Rangers/Red Sox and the phrase "high profile." Baseball has really undergone a seachange in the last 2-3 seasons. The "high prfile" phrase was mine given the fact 3 of the 4 are playoff caliber teams and the National get a lot of pub based on being in D.C. and Strasburg/Harper. Those are the only teams they mentioned though I don't think they did a big analysis of all teams.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 13, 2013 -> 02:25 PM) The question is who else is on waivers with Konerko, because we know the Sox aren't looking to deal him, unless something just changed. Something changing is a possibility. Maybe he decided the chances of coming back or being wanted by the Sox are slim for next year and would like a chance to go out a champion. Or maybe he's such a dedicated Sox player that he realizes his value to the team is so low that he's doing the Sox a favor by being off the team and saving them $3.25M in the case he is claimed.

QUOTE (South Side Fireworks Man @ Aug 13, 2013 -> 02:26 PM) Since he supposedly hates the Sox so much, the Sox should claim him just to make things interesting. Also, it blocks other teams who may prefer him over Adam Dunn. Sox won't do it. Not a chance since he's an impending free agent and the Sox arent going to pay him the remaining salary on his contract for this year after just saving $4M from trading Rios early. Only contenders do what you suggest though I'm sure you weren't serious.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Aug 13, 2013 -> 12:54 PM) Soler's name hasn't been mentioned recently in this discussion... How much better is this guy compared to him? 1) Soler was viewed as at least 2 but possibly 3 years away (versus those who felt Viciedo and Cespedes were within a year of the majors at the time/s they signed) 2) Soler was viewed as having HUGE power...40+ homers, etc. 3) Soler was never perceived as anything but a corner OFer/DH (possibly 1B, but not with Rizzo entrenched there) Which scout gave him (this new guy) that 70 hit rating (now or projected)...? What was Viciedo's hit tool at the time of his signing...it should have been at least 60, because the ONLY reason he was signed was for 1) hitting/power, 2) the thought he was the probable 3B of the future and had a very strong/plus infielder's throwing arm. Does this guy take a ton of walks, compared to the other Cubans (Viciedo, Cespedes, Soler, Leonys Martin, etc.)??? It's hard to say about his walks because he's one of the best hitters in Cuba means a lot IBB and HBP.He always walked more than he struck out but I doubt that would translate to the Major League since very few if any power hitters walk more than they K.His Wiki page gives more info on how he has done in international tournaments. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Dariel_Abreu. Here's another link for a Baseball America podcast ,with Ben Badler, from yesterday where the 1st 1/2 mostly talked about Abreu. They speculated on which teams would be most likely to sign him. They only mentioned high profile teams listing the Rangers, Red Sox, Pirates, and Nationals whose situations may lend themselves to signing him. http://www.baseballamerica.com/internation...eucuba-edition/ Also mentioned it's very good timing to be entering the 1st base market with not a lot of great prospects in the minors or free agency. Mentioned also things that scouts see as negatives like any other player who comes from Cuban Leagues. Things such as the level of play being equal to High A or AA which translates not being used to higher velocity pitches and sharper breaking pitches and the longer ML schedule and overall fitness level and the ability to stay fit once you get a big contract in the land of plenty. Also not a pure bat speed guy like Puig.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Aug 13, 2013 -> 11:57 AM) I think that if they hadn't already cleared so much salary, it might be mroe valuable to get Dunn's off the books. However, since they are already way down -- the could afford giving $20m a year to a guy like Abreu if they wanted, not saying they should -- they might as well hold Dunn and wait for an opportunity to move him at higher value. I agree with holding onto Dunn. He leads the team in HR , RBI, Walks, Slg. OPS and 2nd to Beckham (37 less games)in OBP. Not sure Gordon's OBP would hold up over the same amount of games. Dunn's power plays and is worth more and if the Sox eat enough salary I'm sure they can get a better prospect than L.Garcia. Basically he's the Sox best hitter and best guy at getting on base. His numbers aren't replaceable by anyone the Sox could get for cheaper unless you count Abreu . I wonder if Dunn finally found his eye because he was playing mostly 1st base and not DHing much like Rios did when becoming a fixture in RF instead of CF. I'd like to see Dunn play DH for the rest of the year and see if he can maintain his turnabout.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Aug 13, 2013 -> 07:56 AM) And yet you still don't seem to understand the point. I just don't know what more to say. As Jake has mentioned, the market is finite and it is actually growing more illiquid as the years go on, and yet people want to dump productive players for nothing all for the opportunity to jump into this increasingly illiquid marketplace. I guess the Sox didn't get it either since they traded him away. They rather save the money and upgrade the minors and hope L. Garcia can develop in an area of need by the time Alexei's numbers go down furthur. That's all there is to get. Spending an extra $20M isn't money well spent on a rebuilding team, it's that simple. So I guess we both don't understand the others point. That extra $20M might come in handy for Abreu or others like him who pop up.

Tampa Bay picked up Houstons last remaining decent reliever, a set up guy like Crain.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Aug 12, 2013 -> 08:19 PM) It's the problem that comes along with having to turn around an offense on a quick timeline...you're stuck with what the market provides...which is why you can't afford to be giving guys like Rios away for nothing, because then you go and struggle to replace him. Where's that picture of a dead horse when you need it.

QUOTE (fathom @ Aug 12, 2013 -> 07:19 PM) And given the success of Puig, he could bring much needed excitement to the Sox fan base. Minus the speed, the great catches in the outfield, the laser beam throws but yea excitement without all that.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Aug 12, 2013 -> 11:11 PM) Fired on the spot? For a 2-year deal to Paul? I disagree. No matter what, he can field. He's ace on digging balls in the dirt, great to his left. OK, he can't handle a bullet to his right. No big deal. Hitting? Like I said, he still hits the ball. He doesn't whiff all the time like Dunn. I could see contracts like Thome was getting at the end of the line. I think he'll be back. What don't you understand about rebuilding and old guys ?

In 2010-11, Abreu won the MVP award after having one of the greatest seasons in Cuban history, despite missing 23 games due to bursitis in his shoulder. Abreu batted .453/.597/.986 in 293 plate appearances, blasting 33 home runs with 58 walks and 32 strikeouts. He led Cuba in batting average, OBP, slugging and OPS. He tied Yoenis Cespedes, now with the Athletics, for the league lead in home runs despite stepping to the plate 122 fewer times. Abreu’s MVP season came one year after he finished third in MVP voting behind Despaigne and third baseman Yulieski Gourriel. Abreu batted .399/.555/.822 with 30 home runs, 74 walks and 49 strikeouts in 82 games that season to lead Cuba in OBP, slugging and OPS while ranking second in batting average and finishing one home run shy of Despaigne for the league lead in homers. http://www.baseballamerica.com/majors/cuba...eu-leaves-cuba/ The 3rd number is slugging not OPS I think which would be incredibly high. Guy should command 5+ years and somewhere around $10 mill per year. I think the Sox will be in on him unless the bidding goes higher than say $75 mill.

QUOTE (Chilihead90 @ Aug 10, 2013 -> 11:45 PM) I didn't think he needed to qualify that statement with "recently", but we have all seen that "since May 8th" split. Must be up to something like a .315 BA since then by now. June 8th. He sucked in April and May.

QUOTE (Joshua Strong @ Aug 12, 2013 -> 12:32 AM) I think White Sox brass views Garcia as the 1B/DH of the future. Maybe 12 years from now sure.

DeAza leadoff double to RF corner. Beckham grounds to SS DeAza out at 3rd, baserunning blunder. Alexei foul pop out to Morneau. Dunn takes strike 3 on 1-2 pitch. 1 stranded.

PK looper to LF for an out. Garcia 0-2 then 1-2 swings at a pitch low and away bounces it up the middle , gloved by the 2nd baseman but beats the throw to 1st for a hit. Garcia steals 2nd .Surprising 1st stolen base of career according to Stone. Gillaspie BB. 1st and 2nd 1 out . 1-2 count on Flowers, takes for 2-2, foul ball, K's on fastball up and away borderline pitch. 2 outs. Tekotte takes strike 1 , fouls next one 0-2 , takes for 1-2 takes backdoor curve for K. 2 runners stranded.

QUOTE (scs787 @ Aug 11, 2013 -> 09:15 AM) I'm all about signing 2 bats this offseason. With the pitching staff already in place all they need is some offense to compete. Corey Hart is the guy I'm most intrigued by because he more than likely will be looking for a 1 or 2 year contract coming off an injury. If the Sox can't turn it around he then becomes trade bait. McCann is the guy I'd want long term. The Hart option you definitely explore. He's spent his whole career in Milwaukee and Brewers could use him. He'll be healthy around Xmas and has already said he could sign with the Brewers for less money + incentives if the Brewers want him back which they should. http://www.jsonline.com/sports/brewers/cor...-215462751.html

DeAza K Beckham barrels it up shot to left for an out. Alexei infield hit after pitcher dropped foul popup. Alexei steals 2nd on 1st pitch to Dunn. Dunn K.

I'd take a few chances right now. He's got his eyes on some position prospects I'm sure. See if Rienzo and Johnson can establish any value by pitching in the show. Then dangling them as trade bait. Right now depth at starting pitching is a luxury. If teams aren't willing to take on vet's for prospects than it might have to be prospects for prospects or prospects for semi cost controlled players from 23-27 who are under contract already with decent credentials but whose salaries have not yet exploded. Or our cost controlled young pitchers w/ credentials like Santiago and Quintana as bait for young hitters w/ credentials. I'd prefer dangling Rienzo and Johnson much more. Explore that fully, see if you can get a piece you want. Re-evaluate again. Put as many of our MiL. position players in the AFL as possible, keep evaluating. Maybe take on a bad contact to get prospects , though that depends on just how bad it is and the players production. Look at young hitters coming off down years with service time left like Josh Reddick ,Ike Davis. Moustakas .Lorenzo Cain is already 27 but I love his play in CF. Angels might be a team to trade with ,look into Bourjos and JB Shuck. 100% of the time I give up young pitching for young hitting. I'm even starting to warm up to the idea of seriously exploring the Sale trade conersations.