CaliSoxFanViaSWside

Except Pasqua was a lefty also like Palka and both last names start with the a PA and Pasqua actually played the OF whereas Davidson never will.

That's why I've been saying that the Sox will go after starting pitching also. The young starters will still be in their baseball infancy and wildly inconsistent. Need an anchor ( Sale anyone ).

I saw that comment on the "Big Elephant" on whitesox.com I wonder if he was messing with Areu because of Abreu giving him a little grief about not getting the cycle. Would be really funny if he just made that up to screw with Abreu.

So Moncada and Abreu right up there and 3 guys I was salivating over this offseason Moustakas, Ohtani and JD Martinez in the list and Yelich who the Sox supposedly went after but lost out to the Brewers on.

That may be the equivalent of a day late and a dollar short. You strike while the iron is hot. (I'm full of old cliches) I won't even go so far as to say signing Moose would ve been wise . It's a long season and you never know if or when things will go south. Right now I am in no position to say I told you so. I just thought at the time it was a prudent move based on position of need and market conditions.

Hey don't get me wrong I think they gave done a fine job to this point in the rebuild. However there is a long long way to go. They've never shown the ability to pick free agents . Maybe its just more difficult when never landing the big fish but always working in the murkier waters of free agency when things aren't so clear. they've picked up some really bad guys like Laroche and Shields to try and add some finishing touches. Maybe its harder to strike out when going after the Machado's and Harpers and Arenados of the world. But if they don't land the big fish we are right back in the murky water again. The rebuild might need finishing touches too. Yes they picked up other teams top talents. lets see if they can put the finishing touches on their development. Let's see how the last 4 draft classes and the next 2 go in sustaining or adding to the rebuild . I know it's not an easy thing to do just because the Cubs and Astros made it look easy. Let's see if they are more aggressive in the international market once the Robert punishment is over as they should be . If the Sox can get some playoff wins in consecutive years or 3 in 5 years or 4 in 6 I will consider the rebuild successful. I mean it doesn't necessarily have to produce a World Champ even though we'd like it to produce a few. Accomplish something the Sox have never done before . Win the division title and advance into the playoffs deeper more than one year in a row and then I will tip my cap assuming I'm still around.

Remember whn they used to say that about Avi and his 9 lives ? Avicat !

I think Hawks theory says 50 wins and 50 losses and w/e u do with the other 62 is what counts .

Random useful piece ? Maye the board was split about 50/50 on it. If I recall correctly you were one who hated that move the most and now you call him a random useful piece ? The board also hated the Shields move , Let's face it management was epically bad at picking useful free agents and draft picks and ignored or were jailed for international signings. You know this because I've seen you say so. A random useful piece would've been Moustakas for the price he ended up going for. Many were against signing him because Yolmer & Davidson need AB's. I get that . But also many who were against it also said well I'd take him if he fell in price to $10M a year or so. I kept telling whoever would listen that they were pricing him way too high once it got closer and closer to the season and it was becoming obvious no one wanted him because of the draft pick attached and basically forcing other teams into other choices with his early price demands. I have no idea if he would've taken a 3 or 4 year deal below $10M a year but he might have rather then betting on himself for a one year deal when you never know if injury could screw up that season. We'll see what he ends of getting without the draft pick attached if he has a good year. It's looking like signing him wasn't such a bad idea now that we know for sure Machado is a SS and will want to stay a SS.

Anyone know why Avi came out after 2 AB's ?

Just don't ask what a balk is and how to spot it . I've followed baseball for many many years and still can't recognize a balk when I see one , well only the obvious ones . I'd suggest using a search tool to answer most questions about baseball and then you can also use the messaging feature on here to ask anything . I will volunteer to answer any questions you may have,

Ist win since April 11 . That's a long time between wins. Was looking through the new emojis and saw some flags of England , Scotland and Wales ?? Where's Cuba ?

Competitive ? Yes. Competent ? Not so sure.

Precisely what my numerous posts in the other threads are getting at . They basically go ignored while more silly/ insensitive comments draw out the moral outrage and the pc police. No one really wants to discuss the whole "trust issue " a lot of fans have. I have no intention of trusting the process. Trust is earned not handed over on a silver platter. The only trust this front office has earned is in the ability to somehow fuck up while apparently doing their best to do the right thing. If that's their best efforts how can I trust in their process ?

When they get around to putting Farquhar on the 60 day DL that should open up a spot on the 40 right ?

This is exactly the way Hahn wanted things to go. There were free agent bargains galore out there to improve the team cheaply without it hurting the rebuild too much but Castillo and Gonzalez were the only ones signed and the rest were signed to minor league deals. They obviously want another year or maybe even 2 years of high draft pick in deep draft classes. Most think this is the right way to go. I think its the obvious path but when opportunities present themselves like all the cheap free agents I think it would ve been OK to take a little detour to attempt to make the team more attractive to the big name free agents. The White Sox aren't exactly a high end destination for free agents , They are the Padres of the AL without having the Southern California weather to attract players. They barely exist in many fans and players minds. I know signing some free agents this off season would hurt draft status and that wasn't going to happen just as signing Moustakas would ' ve meant losing a pick. The Sox want to rid themselves of the dead weight in the minors and stock it with real talent from the lowest levels to the top. Of course the main problem with that plan is we are still uncertain that the Sox have any idea what real talent looks like or how to develop it. Despite all the hoopla surrounding Hostetler we are still in wait and see mode with how his picks turn out and so far its not looking good mostly due to injuries but not entirely. Also need to see more results from international signings but that doesn't seem to be priority in managements mind. If the Sox have trouble identifying talent over 18 years old how can they do with those under 18 ? Right now we can only hope things don't spiral out of control.

Hoping and praying for the best possible outcome. Be strong Danny .

I'm not concerned with Shields since he is a sunk cost gone after this year but they could've passed on Miguel Gonzales and the numerous relief guys they signed and put in the minors for the most part and attempted to sign some of the available relief pitchers and starting pitchers with better track records and guys like Moustakas and Logan Morrison for very cheap and for the short term benefit of making the Sox competitive and attractive to free agents without messing too much with the longer term potential. If you are still not competitive enough by the trade deadline you have better pieces to move.

I agree. You have to see it through. However when opportunities present themselves such as the bargain basement prices for FA's this off season things can be adjusted on the fly. The Sox could have been a better team this year with minimal spending and without upsetting the timeline for success since many of those I mentioned earlier signed for 1 or 2 years, The only thing that would have been affected is giving some iffy position players the chance to show they are more than what they have already shown or some guys like Miguel Gonzales , Robbie Ross and Chris Volstad and some other relief pitchers chances to catch on with other teams.

And last time I checked the Sox hitters were worst in baseball at hitting with RISP. That was before the 11 run game but still have to be way way down there.

I know they will have the money but the question remains will the free agents we want and need take it ? I remain skeptical if the Sox patience with sacrificing winning for development of sketchy talent doen't reap some dividends.

You know the answer to that. You look at age , defense and offense in minor leagues and in the show. So what if you lose a DH ( Davidson) there are tons of those available . If Delmonico cant play better D he is also a DH. Engel is also getting to the age where results matter. I want these guys to become stars too but odds are they won't and won't even be starters for many, if any, major league teams. You scout them , you know their age and history and you come to a conclusion. It isn't hard and you play the odds. Just saying the way I suggested is just an alternative reality. No way of knowing how this all plays out. But if it plays out the way I'm hoping it doesn't ,with the Sox not signing any major FA's, I will be disappointed and look to the 2017-18 offseason and 2018 season as the main culprits. If the Sox can still win a Championship without big name free agents then I will be extremely impressed and will have worried about all this for nothing .

Shields actually is well liked and pretty funny and also good with the young pitchers. Dane Dunning credited Shields with adjusying the grip on his curve ball. You can be of value other places besides on the field. He will be gone soon enough.

Good luck Fark . Get well soon. Hope it's not anything life threatening.