CaliSoxFanViaSWside

QUOTE (Jerksticks @ May 27, 2013 -> 03:20 PM) I agree with the above. So what position to we trade for though. If people believe that Gillaspie is the answer at 3B then I feel like we really need to add some power somewhere. Power hitting outfielder? Makes sense but good luck trying to find a power hitting CFer cuz I don't think Tank or Rios are going anywhere soon. Same with Beckham, Alexei and maybe Conor. That leaves 1B and Catcher. 1B is a logjam of old s*** right now so that really just leaves catcher. It looks like a position guy has to go along with the starter we trade here. I was thinking along those lines also but we're not exactly overflowing with in demand position players. Kepp , DeAza, Beckham , Flowers I'm sure would all be available even Konerko if you don't mind the minor fan uprising. Ax, one of the above and a prospect for something useful but my forte isn't playing GM. Granderson's been injured this year. He's 32 ,ton's of K's last year ,but huge power at least in Yankee Stadium. Chicago kid $15mill. this year but Free Agent in 2014. Might be worth a shot though a deal with an NL team always seems more likely.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ May 27, 2013 -> 02:42 PM) In the minors? He struggled for a year at AAA in 2010 trying to get his stroke correct as people were messing with it, settled down, and had a much more quality 2011. This is exactly why it sucks trying to develop guys. The norm for guys coming up from AAA is that a year, maybe 2, is necessary before you know what you have. A guy who is a successful backup then struggles for a year upon getting the starting job...that's exactly what should happen, regardless of the age. That's the norm. That's what you should expect. and still 50% of the time or so it doesn't work. It doesn't suck to develop prospects . I'm all for it if the rest of the lineup can handle it but thus far it can't. Plus he hasn't exactly been setting the world on fire defensively either. Since the pitching staff is doing well I'll give him credit for calling a good game but it's not something I can say with 100% conviction. Sox need the most production they can get now from every position.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ May 27, 2013 -> 02:17 PM) Coming into this season, we'd all have agreed that we're incredibly weak in the minors at the catcher's spot, and 2 hot months from Phegley doesn't change that. Letting guys struggle for months is what you have to do to develop people. Sometimes years. If you do it for too many positions, you become the Royals. I believe it does change that , and we're still in win now mode, which is the main point any way. Tyler's had 2 months to show what he's got now Gimenez deserves his chance.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ May 27, 2013 -> 01:07 PM) At least until around the trade deadline, we're going to give Flowers his shot to develop. This is what you have to do to develop youth sometimes; give them the time to struggle. We'll see where we are in July. If he's still .200 and below, then we'll see what's available. I'm more of the mindset that you play match ups . Use Flowers to pinch hit occasionally . Sox need hitting and want to win now so let Flowers prove himself in a part time role or Gimenez for that matter. I just want the team to score some runs and move runners along. I think Gimenez if a better option now to win. I don't think developing Flowers should be that high on the priority list since the Sox seem to be strong in the minors at that position.

QUOTE (South Side Fireworks Man @ May 27, 2013 -> 12:02 PM) I would hope they'd start Gimenez again. They've been winning with him starting and he's been playing better than Flowers. Me too ,but I read where Ventura said Flowers should be back in the lineup today. Smardzija is RH so maybe Hector does get the start but I think Ventura views Flowers as his starting catcher. I don't think Flowers matches up well with Smardzija.

Jesse Crain extended his scoreless outings streak to 20 games. Paul Konerko is hitting .563 (9-for-16) over his four-game hitting streak. Jeff Keppinger had his seven-game hitting streak snapped Sunday. Since returning from the disabled list May 10, Dayan Viciedo is hitting .392 with three doubles, two homers, eight RBIs and 10 runs scored. Flowers will probably be in the lineup today.

What's with the title of the thread ? It's Sox/Cubs not Cubs/Sox.

Did somebody start a rebuild and forget to tell me ? Oh you guys !

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ May 26, 2013 -> 03:21 PM) You gotta compare Hector in the pen and axe in the rotation to axe in the pen and hector as a starter, you can't just compare Hector to Dylan as starters. Granted, I'm with you that it's the incorrect move but I don't think it's as absurd as you're making it. Thank you that's the whole point . Each side has merit. It's just not cut and dried as he is suggesting nor clueless or stupid.

QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ May 26, 2013 -> 03:15 PM) Chris Sale ERA when moved to the pen: 2.81 Hector Santiagos ERA when moved to pen: 2.81 Means nothing. Sale had a sore arm Santiago did not. Sale was a high draft pick whose arm needed protecting. I'm starting to think you forget what happened honestly. Look what the Nationals did with Strasburg and they had a good chance to make the World Series. I know Sale didnt' have major arm surgery but clearly he was gassed , spent w/e you want to call it at the end of the year.

QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ May 26, 2013 -> 03:07 PM) This is gold. We now have to resort to a guy being the "glue" while ignoring just about every possible statistical evidence that clearly proves who the better option is. I like Axelrod, and dont mind him in the rotation. Just not at the expense of a far better, more talented player. Uh, did you forget that whole debacle or something? How about that such a talented player is far more valuable as a starter rather than reliever. How much worse a team are we with Sale in the pen compared to being a starter? A lot. I just described it so how can I be forgetting it ? I think you are forgetting Sale ran out of gas his last 10 starts or ,so your definition of debacle or clueless or stupidity is just you continuing with your hyberbole. And I'm not ignoring who the better option MIGHT be. I have already stated Santiago has the higher ceiling a few times. I'm just focusing on what's best for the team right now. The starting pitching is solid. The bullpen is middling or worse outside of Crain and Reed. Santiago can help that as long as he doesn't keep walking people.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ May 26, 2013 -> 03:05 PM) 5-5 in Axelrod's starts 7-2 in Sale's 6-3 in Peavy's 0-5 in Floyd's 4-5 in Quintana's 1-0 in Danks' 1-4 in Santiago's Just glue , not MVP by any stretch of the imagination.

QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ May 26, 2013 -> 02:57 PM) You think the Sox would learn their lesson after trying to make Sale a reliever last year. Nope, the stupidity is still present. Keep shooting that gun while the chamber is empty. Sale 1st round draft pick. Was starting ,had a bit of pain Sox wanting him to rest his arm a bit is so full of stupidity it's mind boggling . Then deciding a whole 10 or so days later , he was good to start again. And he did run out of gas at the end of the year so it's not like he needed any more starts than he got last year.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ May 26, 2013 -> 02:48 PM) This is correct. I personally can't believe Axelrod is getting major league hitters out, but he is doing his job. The Sox need bullpen help. Santiago can handle that, and has shown he doesn't need long to get back to throwing 110 pitches a game. Not only that Ax has more starts than any WS pitcher since Peavy and Sale have been scratched once each. He's been the glue.

QUOTE (Soxfest @ May 26, 2013 -> 02:07 PM) We shall see., Talk about inane . Such a clueless organization yet a lot of people seem to be in disagreement with your assessment of the situation.

Sox 14 -9 in May . Axelrod 3 wins , Santiago 1 . Now don't get me wrong , it's apparent Santiago has the higher upside as a starter but there are legit reasons to start Axelrod and pitch Santiago in relief. Surely those reasons are not clueless as you keep suggesting. That is my only beef with you. It's never just about who is better than who. The team comes 1st.

QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ May 26, 2013 -> 10:10 AM) Sox prove to be clueless again, to the surprise of no one. Keep beating that drum while the Sox keep winning.

Ax not at his best still kept us in the game. 9-3 in last 12. Dunn HR. 2 doubles each for DeAza and Viciedo. More good bullpen work.

It's so nice when Dunn hit's HR's.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ May 26, 2013 -> 02:03 AM) Let's hope they end up better than Bobby Brown... Oops I meant Additions

QUOTE (greg775 @ May 25, 2013 -> 11:53 PM) What's the Sox record since Robin got pissed and had the meeting? That's the sign of a good manager. He knew when to get on the team. Team has been pretty good since then. 9-5 . 8-3 in their last 11.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ May 25, 2013 -> 03:51 PM) Increase Danks' value for what? Nobody will trade for him until he proves he's 100% healthy and can pitch effectively with 2-3 MPH less juice on his fastball. It's going to take all of 2013 for him to re-establish that value...and if you have a $65 million veteran pitcher on a long-term contract, he's never going to end up in the bullpen (even if you could make the legitimate argument Santiago/Axelrod starting would give the White Sox a better chance to win THIS year). Axelrod wasn't ever a Top 10 prospect, or, if he was, it was probably 10th. I'll put it this way...scouts all around baseball are more likely to view him more like Phil Humber than someone they'd give up an attractive package to acquire. What are the odds that he keeps up this level of performance the entire season? There will be no value for him if they don't trade him before his weaknesses are fully exposed and other teams see him 2-3 times and figure him out. Increasing Dank's value ? Oh yea because some value is better than none ? If Ax can keep pitching well for a few months he can be dealt to a team desperately needing pitching to keep their playoff chances afloat. What we get in return is anyone's guess atm . Depends on what we will need at that time, if the plan comes to fruition. I prefer thinking of the positive outcomes of the situation. If you want to continue to think it will turn out badly, that's your prerogative.

Let's hear it for the New Edition's . Gillaspie tonight and Keppinger last night.

What happened ?

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ May 25, 2013 -> 11:09 AM) I know that Axelrod has done the job in the rotation. However, Santiago is the better pitcher and a better option long term. I hate Santiago in the bullpen. Not because he isn't good but because he is much more valuable as a starter. I just don't understand why they don't want the better pitcher starting. You have all said it's because they need him in the bullpen. I hate that reason. He's a starter. So start him. Have someone else take the bullpen role. I hate when this organization does this. If Santiago becomes a #3 starter it's much much more valuable than him being a lights out setup man. Obviously, Santiago is not Chris Sale, but we all had these same discussions when they prematurely put Sale in the bullpen last year. Imagine Santiago as a setup guy. Not just pitching one inning but possibly more, the 6th and 7th or the 7th and 8th. It's incredibly valuable to the Sox pen . I still have hope the Sox can compete this year. If it doesn't happen every one will get their wish to see Santiago starting. It's going to take a few months to determine . He doesn't have to start now just as Sale didn't have to start then. If you don't understand what the Sox are trying to do after I have repeatedly clarified it I don't know what else I can do. It's all about maxing Ax's value now . Might not work out . Ax might crap the bed , but with Floyd hurt and Danks just returning we have a few months to see what Ax and Danks can do to increase their value.