CaliSoxFanViaSWside

Just baseball being baseball. I like saltiness. I see a little of Rickey Henderson in Anderson. Let him get under Verlander's skin . Verlander has to find his motivation somewhere since the Sox bats were dormant. Besides some of what Verlander said was right . He had the last laugh picking Anderson off. Veteran smarts outwitted young players aggressiveness. Live and learn. Baseball being baseball.

I totally understand what this year is about but I can't say I'm 100% in line with it. Other teams on the rebound like the Phils and Braves were a little more proactive in improving their teams. The Braves picking up Preston Tucker from the Astros is paying early dividends. I really like what the Twins did this off season. They got starters and relievers most of whom I thought would be good fits for the Sox and got most of them at bargain prices. They took advantage of the down market to nab Logan Morrison. They got Ordorizzi, Lance Lynn, Rodney , Duke and Reed. They signed Michael Pineda even though he will miss this year . They spent around $52M for all that and with the Reed and Pineda deals both being 2 years and Ordorizzi signed through next year also. Reed was easily available for the Sox because he only wanted to be on teams in the Midwest. It is no secret I advocated signing Moustaskas and thought JD Martinez would also be beneficial. I advocated more moves with the hopes of being fairly competitive this year in order for key free agents to consider the Sox an up and coming team. It's much harder to convince them of that if the Sox approach 100 losses. The Sox could have made some hard decisions on the Davidson and Engel types on the roster rather than give them another year to develop. I know many of you think that money will determine where free agents sign but it is also about winning. It's hard to pass up big bucks and winning teams like the Dodgers, Yankees and Red Sox. Those teams are doing all they can to avoid luxury taxes and be viable players for the upcoming free agents. They are our competition for all those guys everyone seems to think the Sox have a shot at. Apparently the Sox tried to trade for Yelich and made a late run at Logan Morrison and we all remember the idiotic idea of trading for Machado in the hopes of resigning him. The Sox payroll is the lowest its been since 2004 and next year the commitments are very low so in theory the Sox will have plenty of money available or free agents. The Sox could have made moves this off season cheaply to either be more competitive and have a small shot to make the playoffs or have better pieces to sell off. I guess my main point is would it have been so bad to make earlier decisions on guys like Davidson, Engel, Delmonico and try to be more competitive ? Chances are those types will not develop into long term starters or even very tradable pieces any more so than guys they could have signed in the off season. The only thing the Sox did this off season was save more money and delay the inevitable decisions on players who most likely will not succeed. Most of those guys are flawed either defensively or offensively . I want the Sox to be a more attractive destination for free agents but I am losing hope that if the Sox put a lot of eggs into the free agent market and end up without a couple of big name players they are screwed and I will blame it on too much losing.

QUOTE (ChiSox59 @ Apr 17, 2018 -> 12:02 PM) I'd like to see Leury in CF full time. Engel just kind of sucks. Keep him around as the 4th OF if need be, but he shouldn't be getting everyday at bats. Any update on Cordell injury from yesterday? I've supported Engel in the past but also thought Leury should be the opening day starter in CF even suggested he was just as good as Engel out there which drew the wrath of many.

QUOTE (BigHurt3515 @ Apr 16, 2018 -> 10:00 PM) Not like we have a ton of options on the bench (besides Garcia for Engel). Unless you mean the order order or odor ?

Hey Ricky just keep sticking to the same lineup. It's working like a charm.

QUOTE (Footlongcomiskeydog @ Apr 14, 2018 -> 02:59 PM) This Albies kid looks like he is going to be a special player. He is only 21 and already looks light years ahead of Moncada. Would have to go back in the wayback machine to see how many around here believed Albies could be as good as he has been. The way I remember it is Acuna was the one everyone liked and most were down on Albies because of his lack of power. Both Acuna and Albies were constantly mentioned when talking about trading Quintana maybe even before that .

If any starting pitchers go down wouldn't mind the Sox giving Dickey a try. He actually had a 2 War last year and a decent ERA (NL) and 190 innings. Sox have had a decent history with knuckleballers. Has he officially retired ?

QUOTE (insiderinfo @ Apr 13, 2018 -> 10:55 AM) Do they still call him that? Tony what do you think? Is it because he bought someone named juana a condo? I thought it was because of a large snake called an anaconda but you may be onto something . Nice to have insider info always.

QUOTE (soxfan49 @ Apr 13, 2018 -> 08:50 AM) Arenado does, and he'll be a UFA in 2020. That's who I really want but I don't see the Sox winning that sweepstakes or very many other top tier free agents sweepstakes no matter how low the payroll . I'd take Rendon though. I actually see the Sox going after a top line starting pitcher. The starters still will be very young and working out the kinks still in 2020 if they can remain healthy and advance as most of us expect.

I wonder if Brian Dozier has the arm for 3rd base. Probably not.

Shouldn't this be pinned ?

QUOTE (glangon @ Apr 13, 2018 -> 04:28 AM) Called it, acting smug now. I might 've called it before you. Trouble is I think I said it when he was sent down in the temporary Sox forum. Something like his spring ERA was 0 and he would be one of the 1st called up when someone inevitably implodes.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Apr 10, 2018 -> 09:59 AM) Looking at the rebuild as of noon April 10, 2018, I will go on record as saying the thing I am least scared of in the future is the White Sox bullpen. I never understood this stance by you. Maybe it's because you think because the Sox have had good fortune picking up guys like Thornton, Addison Reed, Swarzak Kahnle Jenks etc plus the plethora of solid young arms in the system and the Sox success at developing arms but it takes some really elite bullpen arms to win a WS these days. While I have generally positive attitudes regarding individual players I have my worries that the whole rebuild just won't come to the outcome it is supposed to. I don't really care too much about long term success as stated by Hahn but another WS win is all I can realistically hope for. Just that one year where injuries are scarce . some peak performances and some luck thrown in for good measure. Just knowing the Sox miserable history makes me generally pessimistic that it's all going to come together like its meant to.

Turns out the entire Tigers series was in jeopardy ... of sucking .

Whenever I read about curve balls I often wonder if the best curve ballers throw them at different speed with varying degrees of break on on them. I know the best do that but it's not something you read about very often. You do hear Hawk bring it up occasionally. So I am asking did Floyd or does Gio threw/throw different versions of the curve ?

QUOTE (chitownsportsfan @ Apr 7, 2018 -> 11:47 AM) lol, how does one "over react" when the players in question had over 800 combined PA last year and were over -2 fWAR combined. I'm not over reacting to this year I'm reacting to bad players that have sucked for a long time on the south side. I get it. However in a year the Sox aren't going to compete guys like Engel and Davidson need to get every chance to improve. Avi did,Yolmer and Leury showing signs they will. I know Engel is older and has no pedigree like Moncada who you constantly defend but I'd expect more from a guy who supposedly played the game like you. Give him some credit at least he had a good AB. I just think you biases show up too much in game threads.

QUOTE (chitownsportsfan @ Apr 7, 2018 -> 11:45 AM) time to pull the plug on engel as the everyday CF. Ok why ? You over reacted a few games ago on Davidson too.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Apr 7, 2018 -> 09:41 AM) Yep. Engel hasn't proven anything yet and Paulie should get credit for the change in Davidson's swing. I'd wait and see with Steverson. No not Paulie but the same guy who worked with PK asst, hitting coach Mike Gellinger. http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/20170805...hanged-my-swing

QUOTE (BigHurt3515 @ Apr 7, 2018 -> 11:24 AM) He is the lead off hitter, it is very typical for a lead off guy to take the first pitch or two. He does need to swing at it every once and awhile to keep them honest though Typically batting averages on 1st pitch strikes are very high. As a hitter, leadoff or not, you have to keep that in mind.

QUOTE (Wanne @ Apr 5, 2018 -> 06:10 PM) who would you bat leadoff? and honestly...I've had no problem at all with Avi batting 2nd at all. I have a little problem with Avi batting 2nd . Even when people said he sucked he always hit well with RISP . Right now he just isn't getting the opportunities to drive runs in.I'd like to see Sanchez 2nd at least against righties then Avi, Abreu, Davidson, Castillo.

Non issue. Last man on a non contending team when any kid needs playing time and wont get it in Sally's spot.

QUOTE (bmags @ Apr 4, 2018 -> 11:14 AM) I don't mind benetti but I also don't mind most broadcasters. But I do think the specific criticisms people try to make for why they don't like him are kinda ridiculous. Just say he rubs you the wrong way. Doesn't excite you. I get it. But if you read a game thread, there is literally zero people that could satisfy every nitpicky thing people cry about Benetti. The Q&A thing. I mean give me a break. That is how people talk and converse. The only specific complaint that has resonated is the complaint that Farmer never says the score which is 100% accurate but also I am one of four people that still likes Farmer & DJ. Though I will say Farmer sounds 100 years older this year. I don't think he's back again for another year. This for the most part. Did I like Hawk more ? Yep. If you listen to Jason you know he is highly intelligent based on his humor. He can be downright funny , dry or poke fun at Stone )often as he does to himself too. Sure some things aren't as funny but when you yakety yak that's going to happen. It's probably that he just isn't as big a homer as Hawk and I love baseball history /stories about which Hawk can do and Benetti can't having not played. Hawk played the game and it seemed to hurt him when the Sox sucked. That resonates with me . Benetti is a professional broadcaster and it's ok the Sox lost I'm off to my next gig. I care so I want the play by play guy to care. Hawk did, Jason doesn't and that may never change.

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Apr 3, 2018 -> 06:03 PM) Ok Ricky, Moncada can do that too when he gets on. Wanna see this team stealing more. Me too. I started a thread about it in the replacement level Soxtalk . If last year was the "bunt" year , this year can be the "steal" year especially for Anderson, Engel and Moncada.If Timmy played in the era when steals made baseball exciting he's capable of 50. 70 if he walked more.

QUOTE (soxfan49 @ Apr 3, 2018 -> 05:45 PM) Garcia hit that one to god damn Quebec Probably will be the longest Sox HR of the year .Not many go that far in game. I

QUOTE (Real @ Apr 2, 2018 -> 08:56 AM) https://www.theringer.com/platform/amp/mlb/...cubs-astros#top One of the best Sox articles I've seen written in years Warning: Its very long. Was really good and factually correct. I never understand the warnings about long articles. It's pretty short compared to a short story and miniscule compared to a novel. Don't young people like to read anymore ? People whining about long posts bothers me. If you don't want your post to be misinterpreted ( which it will be anyway thanks to reading comprehension levels ) you take the time to explain your point fully. Sorry sometime I like to rant.