CaliSoxFanViaSWside

Eaton :good things come in small packages.

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Aug 2, 2014 -> 04:33 PM) Honestly I am shocked they were aggressive and pitched to him with first base open. I was going to say Gardy has lost his marbles haha. In 2 of Abreu's 3 Ab's he's taken 1st pitch fastballs right there.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Aug 2, 2014 -> 01:24 PM) I look at the upcoming free agent class and am not too excited about the White Sox prospects. Either it is going to be prohibitive or a bunch of crap. I don't know why if you don't like Adam Dunn and know the Sox are looking for left handed hitting, why you would want the team to throw money at Billy Butler. He has been awful. There's always Justin Morneau if the Rox expose him to waivers. Of course he's hitting well where a lot of guys hit well in Colorado and in the NL so it' s a matter of trusting if his reemergence is real . But I know one thing the guy is not K'ing much at all. Perfect LH candidate to DH along with VMart.

QUOTE (VAfan @ Aug 2, 2014 -> 01:28 PM) Not sure why all the hype over 2015. From where I'm sitting, the Sox are still playing to make the postseason in 2014. With the offense clicking again, and a current homestand against Minnesota and Texas, I think the Sox could be as high as second in the AL Central, and above .500, over the next 5 games. And with Avisail Garcia and Lindstrom on minor league rehab assignments likely to join the team soon after that, I'm not sure why the Sox can't play well enough after that to put them in the thick of the last wildcard spot race. This is also why I'm not among those who think the Sox will dump players on waiver-wire deals. There will be plenty of time to sort out next year's lineup during the offseason. For now, I'd like to see if this Sox team can make a run. While it's tres admirable to keep the faith in your team , much as I do, certain realities have to be looked square in the eyes. Numero uno is starting pitching. We just don't have it to put together any kind of long lasting 20-25 game run nor do we have a bona fide closer or reliable setup guys in the pen. The offense is sporadic only just recently producing after a long drought after a fast start and more than likely, unless Avi really shocks us with a very high level of play, goes back to producing much less.

QUOTE (Lillian @ Aug 2, 2014 -> 12:45 PM) Today at 1:31 PM The two biggest needs for the Sox next year are: 1) A middle of the order, left handed power bat, to protect Abreu. Without that protection, opposing teams would simply neutralize Jose's bat, by going around him. 2) A right handed starting pitcher, to balance the rotation, which is dominated by southpaws. It still seems unlikely that the Sox would keep a rotation consisting of the top 4 starters all being left handed. They will need at least a #2, or #3 to balance Sale, Quintana and Rodon. Even if Danks is not gone, a RHP has to be in front of his spot in the rotation. Unless trading Alexei fills one of those two needs, I don’t see the point. There is no elite defensive replacement SS in the organization, who is ready to take his place, and of the best candidates, none are likely to be as good offensively. The $10 million that he is owed is not going to represent an obstacle to the front office spending elsewhere, and is not out of line with his value. Perhaps, by the end of next season Tim Anderson, or Rondon will be ready to inherit the SS position, but until then, I don’t see Semien as being a replacement, whom we could expect to provide Alexei’s elite defense, much less his offensive production. Additionally, since I favor trading Viciedo, Alexei being a fellow Cuban teammate for Abreu, might be an important intangible to consider. Sanchez is the best defensive second baseman in the organization, and his ability to hit from both sides of the plate make him my candidate to succeed Beckham, who most of us seem confident will be gone. I love Micah Johnson’s offensive game, but unless he can improve his defense, I’m not sure that it makes sense to sacrifice defense, up the middle, for a guy who is probably best suited to bat lead off, where the Sox already have Eaton. Even if Johnson could play LF, the Sox may need to use the opening there to make room for a LH power bat. De Aza has to be the most dispensable outfielder, and Sierra has much better tools to take his place. He’s also much younger, and would have no impact on the payroll. If you read some of the scouting reports on him, from the last 2 or 3 years, he is purported to have significant power potential. I had the impression that he was more of a defense and speed guy, but the reason that he has been considered so intriguing is, in large part, due to his power potential. Given that power potential, he provides a more attractive option than Viciedo, as well. He’s only 6 months older than Dayan, and is a very good defensive player, with speed and a great arm. Moreover, Sierra’s power is not derived from the kind of violent, big swing that Viciedo employs. That is likely to result in more contact and a better average than Dayan will be able to achieve. Neither Viciedo nor Sierra have realized their potential, and given the vastly better tools, I’d opt for giving Sierra the playing time. Viciedo does also possess a terrifc arm, but that’s the only other tool he has, aside from the ability to hit for power. As long as Sierra’s projected power potential is legitimate, why not let the player who can contribute in so many other ways, get the chance to develop it? And, of course, Sierra would not negatively impact the payroll. Although I was on board with the practically unanimous view that the Sox needed to upgrade the catching position, I’m very encouraged by Flowers’ recent ability to “square up” pitches. Ever since he donned the specs, in favor of contacts, he has really looked dangerous. This is the first time, all season, that he seems to have an idea of what he’s doing with the bat in his hands. Earlier in the year, even when he was hitting for average, he almost never barreled the ball up. We all remember that crazy streak, during which he got so many “duck snorts” and other lucky hits. I love his hitting to right field, and if this new approach allows him to have decent at bats, his power will ultimately become a factor, Tyler is extremely strong. Defensively, I don’t know how he is rated, but he passes the “eye test” for me. I like his pitch calling, and pitch blocking, and he has a strong and accurate arm. My 2015 lineup: CF Eaton SS Ramirez 1B Abreu DH The LH Power Bat? (I’m hoping that Wilkins is for real. He may be a long shot, but at least he has a better chance than a certain former star, for whom I was hoping last year) LF A.Garcia 3B Gillaspie vs RHP / Semien vs. LHP RF Sierra C Flowers 2B Sanchez I have trouble imagining that Davidson could be ready to contribute, any earlier than late next season. I'm kind of making a list of LH players right now who may fit the profile of what Hahn is looking for. Now I am no where near done with this but if the Sox want a LH OF and can save the power bat for DH . Jason Heyward may not be a bad solution. I saw another poster mention his name. He'll still be only 25 Aug. 9th and become a free agent after the 2015 season. The Sox can look to trade for him or sign him as a free agent though I'd prefer they trade for him and then if they can't resign him ...well you know the drill. He's often injured much like Ellsbury/Kemp was/is. He plays elite defense , runs well as u might expect from a guy who plays elite defense. And he might just remind Sox fans of a younger LH version of Jermaine Dye maybe without as much power though he did have 27 when he was 22. The question is much like we see with other players. Did they peak at an early age before their bodies discovered the rigors of a full season of MLB. He would play RF and Avi could be moved to LF where he's probably more suited.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 2, 2014 -> 08:15 AM) He's back to having a good approach at the plate. Balls on the outer half he is trying to pound between the hole at 1st and 2nd. He's also choking up on the bat ever so slightly when he gets to 2 strikes.

If I may, I'm repeating a post I just made in yesterdays winners thread so more people see it. That record (56) is one of the hardest to break considering such a hot hitter would be walked a lot. Besides the 21 game streak and 10 AB streak he also has a hit in 39 of the last 40 games. He had that 18 game hitting streak went 0/4 against Seattle on July 5th then started the current streak . Abreu was taken out in the 9th for pinch runner Leury Garcia who then took his place in the lineup and got 2 AB's and got a hit. The Sox did not score in the 9th and eventually lost in the 14th inning 3-2. If he wasn't pinch run for it's possible we're looking at a 40 game hitting streak now. Imagine the media frenzy once a player gets to 40. The closest anyone has come to DiMaggio's record is 1978 when Pete Rose had a 44 game streak and that was a big deal since even 40 game streaks are quite rare. I remember it. BTW the Sox record is 24 ,I believe ,by Carlos Lee. After his 0/4 Abreu was hitting .276. He's now at .310 http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/mlb/gameda..._1&mode=box link to boxscore. P.S. When Joe DiMaggio played for the San Francisco Seals of the Pacific Coast League he had a 61 game hitting streak with a total of 104 hits — five games longer than his Major League record. Source : Baseball-Almanac.com

QUOTE (whtsoxfan @ Aug 2, 2014 -> 07:56 AM) Awesome I would love to see him break Jolt'n Joe's record 54 games! That record (56) is one of the hardest to break considering such a hot hitter would be walked a lot. Besides the 21 game streak and 10 AB streak he also has a hit in 39 of the last 40 games. He had that 18 game hitting streak went 0/4 against Seattle on July 5th then started the current streak . Abreu was taken out in the 9th for pinch runner Leury Garcia who then took his place in the lineup and got 2 AB's and got a hit. The Sox did not score in the 9th and eventually lost in the 14th inning 3-2. If he wasn't pinch run for it's possible we're looking at a 40 game hitting streak now. Imagine the media frenzy once a player gets to 40. The closest anyone has come to DiMaggio's record is 1978 when Pete Rose had a 44 game streak and that was a big deal . I remember it. BTW the Sox record is 24 ,I believe ,by Carlos Lee. After his 0/4 ABreu was hitting .276. He's now at .310 http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/mlb/gameda..._1&mode=box link to boxscore. P.S. When Joe DiMaggio played for the San Francisco Seals of the Pacific Coast League he had a 61 game hitting streak with a total of 104 hits — five games longer than his Major League record. Source : Baseball-Almanac.com

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Aug 1, 2014 -> 09:34 PM) 10 straight PAs in which he reaches base is short of The Big Hurt's record by 5 Just to clarify that's the Sox record . ML record is 17 by Earl Averill, Jr. (1962) and Piggy Ward (1893).

QUOTE (iamshack @ Aug 1, 2014 -> 09:20 PM) Very reminiscent of the Big Hurt in his prime. I'd agree though I remember Frank getting criticized for walking too much. Abreu goes out of the zone more to drive in runs. That's part of the reason why he was K'ing a lot . He was always looking to get the runs in . Now he's getting much better waiting for that 1 pitch he can drive.

QUOTE (BigHurt3515 @ Aug 1, 2014 -> 09:38 PM) In Avi's first 2 AB's he struck out but his last 2 he got hits.. I am sure it will take time to get going at full strength but some positive signs Very positive indeed after all that time off.

BJ Upton is still owed a lot of money, more than Danks and he leads the ML in K's, is 30 soon ,and hitting under .220 .On the plus side the Braves really really want to get rid of him. Probably willing to eat a big chunk of the contract . He still runs fast and plays an average+ CF. Makes about the same as Danks but with 1 more year . He is however not LH and has a rep for dogging it. Evan Longoria got on him for not hustling back when he was playing for the Rays. He's slugging .335 and OPS is .619 . Has a pretty good throwing arm . Supposedly has all the talent in the world and this board has pined for him for a long time. I'm not recommending we go after him for Danks. I'm just throwing his name out there as a bad contract match up like you were looking for. Just get him some magic glasses and we're good to go.

Both bullpens blew but the Sox blew less. Abreu 10 AB's in a row on base , now hitting .310 . 17 hits for the Sox. 7 guys had multiple hits game.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Aug 1, 2014 -> 08:41 PM) Great game for a good crowd. Good hitting and base running. Very exciting. Now finish it off easy and let the fans cheer wildly. It's never easy is it ?

Great game for a good crowd. Good hitting and base running. Very exciting. Now finish it off easy and let the fans cheer wildly.

Holy crap Flowers can we get the Braves to eat all of BJ Uptons contract and get him some magic glasses too ?

No soup for you Chris Sale.

QUOTE (scs787 @ Aug 1, 2014 -> 07:27 PM) Sure can. The question is now is Sale done for the evening ?

9 straight AB's Abreu has reached base.

Sierra very nice catch. Him and Sale hug it out in the dugout.

Can still get Chris a W.

QUOTE (Feeky Magee @ Aug 1, 2014 -> 07:05 PM) Greatest hitter of all-time Hows that bet going that you made? Refresh my memory what it was . Something about how Flowers and De Aza hit the rest of the season.

I smell a Flowers HR !!

Ok since no one else mentioned it Abreu hit streak at 21games now.

Settle down Sale hold em till the Sox bash Darnell.