CaliSoxFanViaSWside

QUOTE (ChiSoxFanMike @ Dec 16, 2015 -> 10:50 AM) It would be amazing if the Sox got Upton/Cespedes, dumped LaRoche, moved Melky to DH and signed a guy like Gerardo Parra to play left field. That would be awesome. I don't think we see a Cespedes or Upton move. More like a LH OF who isn't terrible defensively along the lines of Parra, Inciarte, Corey Dickerson. The team would be terribly right handed with Cespedes or Upton. Actuually Cespedes hits righties pretty good. Maybe don't need a lefty if we get him and his OF D is considered good, though I'm not convinced of it. I'd like the OF to be a core piece but Sox running low on bullets unless they go for Parra who is a free agent.

http://www.newslocker.com/en-us/sport/chic...ue-dreams/view/ Kershaw, Miguel Cabrera, Nelson Cruz and John Jay were also there. Link above has some photos . One photo has Alexei walking with Puig. Lot more pics here : http://www.newslocker.com/en-us/sport/chic...from-cuba/view/ just keep scrolling down.

QUOTE (peavy44 @ Dec 12, 2015 -> 11:26 AM) https://www.facebook.com/groups/927421483959835/ Come join us Thank you for the invite. Tell them to join us if they can stand the heat

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Dec 12, 2015 -> 02:30 PM) Right on. I admit I have entertained the idea of trading Montas for position player help but I do prefer to keep him and see how he develops. Especially after seeing the ludicrous money thrown at pitchers this year. Everything that Balta and Blacksox said 100%. I don't mean to make this personal but what's wrong with you guys who want Montas in the BP this year. This year doesn't mean a damn thing. If we are going to give some of these young guys a chance then let's really give them a chance to be what they can be. The Sox don''t need instant value or gratification for Montas they need him to be a starter. A lot of you seem to believe in Fulmer and Adams why not Montas ? Is it because you actually know more about Montas and because of that the shine has worn off ? Fulmer and Adams have a long way to go before they reach Montas' level. The Sox look they they are trying to build an elite starting pitching staff controllable for years so they can compete for years. Maybe in 2/3 years that staff will be Sale, Q, Rodon, Montas, Eric Johnson, Carson Fulmer and Spencer Adams . That's 7 guys ,4 of which are unknown qualities atm. There's a decent chance half of those 4 fail as starters . When that happens then great, try them in the pen. None of the 4 are no where near failure as starters yet. Montas has at least a good 2 years to try to succeed as a starter and he has progressed rapidly in he minors. Why shouldn't he have the chance to keep developing ? It may slow down some as the competition becomes stronger but that's the natural progression of pitching. This may come as a shock to some of you but winning might have to wait a few years . Maybe, just maybe ,the Sox think in that 2 years they can get the offense and defense to a place where it can to a blessing to the pitching instead of a curse.

QUOTE (fathom @ Dec 12, 2015 -> 01:03 PM) They didn't win the WS yesterday? Remember when I told you they wouldn't win it this year ?

QUOTE (Blackout Friday @ Dec 12, 2015 -> 05:08 AM) Was still drunk. But all true. Lawrie's rep as a "douche" is presumptuous and stupid. It was posted in this thread that Mark Buehrle ( who is revered around here) said he had no problem at all with Lawrie . He was probably asked by the Sox front office about Lawrie's character before the Sox pulled the trigger on the trade. It needs to be emphasized and re-emphasized. We've probably all seen or knew athletes who were ultra competitive to the point of being dicks to umps and opposing players but with their own team mates they are the kind of guys you would want in a foxhole with you. Knowing a guy has your back is a good thing, a very good thing.

Surprised to see Sanchez on so many of the lists seeing as how is/was very young at the time of this thread .Suck as a rookie and I guess you are on your way out . Still could happen . Also funny to see Flowers on so many of the lists . Guess the whole pitch framing hoopla about him hadn't taken hold yet. On one hand I've made my point about the usefullness ( or lack thereof) of pitch framing but I also didn't believe improving catching should be a priority because there are so few good ones and even harder to judge which young ones can stand the test of time . Nonetheless glad to see the Sox made changes at the position without a big investment.

I like the moves so far. Buying low on bounce back candidates sure beats paying good money for guys to come to Chicago to die. If players are going to suck let their salary or what we gave up for them reflect that. Players being terrible making $10M+ /year takes the wind out of our sails .

QUOTE (Knackattack @ Dec 11, 2015 -> 11:42 AM) Probably a bit, but his arm was really underwhelming last year. I remember when we got him seeing clips of an absolute cannon from CF but last year he seemed noodle armed. I think he would be a really strong LF, but we need some one to handle right. An outfield of Eaton-Thompson-Upton would be pretty good from an offensive and defensive position but we need some one to put out there other than Avi in right and we have to get Melky to DH. Have you heard the one about Adam Eaton's throwing shoulder and the surgery ( clean up procedure ) he had on it ?

QUOTE (shysocks @ Dec 11, 2015 -> 07:30 AM) I too am waiting for these examples. I'm sure there are some, but they're few and far between. That said, Trayce is still ahead of Avi on my depth chart without a second thought. Before you posted some examples were given. Iglesias, Randal Grichuk, Brandon Crawford & Omar Vizquel and since you posted Pollock, Brantley, Hunter, Austin Jackson. I personally haven't looked any of those up except Iglesias so I presume you can check yourself and quibble about the examples given whether it's injuries, or length of time in the minors compared to Thompson. Again I am sure there are others but with limited research a few have been found.

QUOTE (Chilihead90 @ Dec 10, 2015 -> 11:51 PM) Yeah, I get that....yet no one is actually providing any points or support behind their reasoning... The reason I could see the Reds not doing that is because Eaton is either too old for their window, and they want guys more in the 23-25 year old range, or because they want a collection of prospects over 1 current major leaguer. As far as value goes, I don't see much of a reason for them to have the type of extreme reactions people in this thread have had. I think people don't realize how bad Jay Bruce has been the last 2 years. He gets pitched to like they pitch to Avi, on the fists and down and away and until Bruce proves he can lay off those pitches he will continue to suck. Might as well throw in he hasn't done well since his knee surgery either. The trade is more questionable because there's always a chance Bruce bounces back to his former self . If it was Eaton for just Frazier I could buy it. Good leadoff guys and good 3rd basemen are both scarce. Frazier's power and defense and WAR are better than Eaton's but as you said years of control and contract make Eaton a more valuable commodity or arguably equal. Reds probably don't include Frazier and Bruce in the same deal simply because if Bruce bounces back and Frazier continues to be Frazier then it becomes lopsided. They will want more than just one player in separate deals even if at this point Bruce is a salary dump someone might give up something for him.

QUOTE (Alexeihyeess @ Dec 10, 2015 -> 10:46 PM) The A's dealt him because they acquired Jed Lowrie and Danny Valencia played well for them last year. The feeling was they could get more for Lawrie than Valencia. I really don't know what Beane is doing. I'm not even sure the feeling was they could get more for Lawrie. since Valencia had a very strong 2015. Lawrie was just the expendable one.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Dec 10, 2015 -> 12:34 PM) There's been some talk/research over the last year or so about this -- there appears to be substantial evidence that the impact of a plus CF vs a plus corner OF is quite overrated. Essentially, when you control for catchability, zone overlap, and the actual difference between the high end defenders and low end ones, the CF doesn't receive nearly as many extra chances as people assume. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/does-outfie...ctually-matter/ Ha I didn't need a study to tell me that. I posted some time ago though, I have no idea which thread ,about advantages that a CF gets because he plays in the middle of the field that corner OF's do not. I'm pretty sure the main issue I focused on was how a CF can always be at top speed running gap to gap while corner OF's cannot because of the walls down the lines and must also give way to the CF who is in charge of the OF.

QUOTE (shipps @ Dec 10, 2015 -> 03:22 PM) I can see Cespedes and Abreu playing off of each other in that lineup. That may be an imaginary vision of mine but it seems like he would fit in very well. If Alexei doesn't re sign with the Sox then I'd hate for Jose to be on an island as the only Cuban on the 25 . I think 2 Cuban sluggers would be a good match. I can't say who I would rather have because I'd gladly take Cespedes, Upton, Heyward or Gordon. High end talent like those 4 pretty much beats anything the Sox have playing the field now. Get one of them and I'm a happy minion.

I know his versatility is a good thing but I'd like to see him stick to 3rd base. I think that should improve his fielding back to where it used to be. At least I hope so. Big difference between playing 3rd and 2nd.

QUOTE (SoCalSox @ Dec 10, 2015 -> 05:33 PM) That's an extremely unfair comparison for Thompson. He had 122 at bats, had a slash line of .295/.366/.533/.896 w/ 5 HRs and great defense. Let's give him a real chance & see what he has. I agree. Give him a legit shot to be the opening day CF'er . He looked like a major leaguer when he batted , not necessarily because of the success, but because he looked very comfortable in the box and seemed to have a good eye. Jose Iglesias of the Tigers had pretty "meh" minor league stats and he's hit pretty well in the majors.

If you use salary and age to decide who you'd rather have it's the Sox by a landslide if you consider talent is equal.

Very happy no Trayce , Engel or Trey or pitcher of significance was involved. Hahn must have said cut us some slack , last year we gave you 3 guys who played in the bigs for you.

Seems as if most of us either under valued our prospects or over valued Lawrie regarding who would be traded to get him. Whatever the case I really like how it worked out.

My guess is Daniel Webb and Adam Engel.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Dec 7, 2015 -> 04:39 AM) Indians and Tigers are rumored to have interest in Lawrie as well. Trading Lawrie is looking more like a classic Billy move where the A's get more than expected. I'm starting to wonder about this... Eh, we knew other teams would be interested in him since the 3B market sucks . Doesn't make a big difference who else wants him . How bad is Lonnie Chisenhall at 3rd base ? He must be pretty bad since he plays a lot of RF . I've always liked his bat . Indians need OF's so maybe Chisenhall becomes available but his glove may not be suitable.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Dec 7, 2015 -> 05:36 AM) I have been one of the biggest detractors to giving up draft picks of any kind. I feel like if they were going to do this they should have just traded Shark. I am draft fan and some of it is me selfishly wanting to be entertained on draft night. If the White Sox gave up a pick in the 20's for Ian Desmond or Daniel Murphy I'd be furious. I don't think anyone should be upset for doing it for Upton though. Upton was a 3.6 WAR player last year playing in the Cavernous PetCo Park. He would immediately upgrade the White Sox biggest area of need (RF) with a 28 power bat. If they are willing to spend, he's probably the guy. The benefits to having the draft pick are more related to flexibility in my opinion than the actual player taken. The player taken with the 25th pick in the draft will probably never be as good as Upton. It's not that simple though. If the Sox have 3 picks on the first night of June's draft, I'll be happy about it. If Justin Upton is the White Sox starting RF on Opening Day though, I'd be happy about that too. I've sort of been waiting for something like what you said about wanting to be entertained on draft night. I've always thought some of us on here love draft choices but once those picks go through the system they get picked apart and ultimately are deemed worthless in trades. I know it seems strange to love the draft picks but hate our prospects but that's how it seems to be set up. I know the years it takes to go through the system determine how good of a prospect the draft pick turns out to be but it really seems like we value other teams prospects more than our own . I know the Sox have trouble developing position players so that's the most likely culprit but it just seems so odd wanting the picks when odds are those picks don't turn into useful players ,not only for the Sox ,but for other organizations as well.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Dec 6, 2015 -> 10:25 PM) I posted proof on Twitter (@chisoxraBBit) that shows I said it before Nightengale. Nightengale is very connected with the Sox FO and specifically Kenny Williams so they utilize him in ways unknown to me. This obviously doesn't mean it's going to happen but the Sox are entertaining a few QO-attached FAs and all I know is Upton is the guy they deem best fit. Yea I went back in both threads (this one and the Lawrie one to try and connect the dots. When I couldn't do that I looked up your twitter and you said it first. I'm just saying you are setting yourself up for all the Soxtalkers to PM you constantly regarding inside info. But none of my business if you can handle it or just refer everyone to your Twitter.

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Dec 6, 2015 -> 09:59 PM) That his info came from Nightengale. To be honest I wasn't sure of the exact timeline on who said what first. I said what I said just so everyone doesn't inundate Rabbit with PM's like Rock Raines used to get. But hey if Rabbit said it first and he gets hit with a bunch of PM's don't blame me .

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Dec 6, 2015 -> 09:53 PM) That is false. What is false ?