CaliSoxFanViaSWside

QUOTE (raBBit @ Dec 18, 2013 -> 09:40 PM) Consider where Salty decided to play though. He's from South Florida. I feel like some posters just think if we offered 3/24 instead of 3/21 then we would get him. I really doubt that that is the case. You never know ,would've been nice to find out though.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Dec 18, 2013 -> 03:04 PM) It's difficult to argue that the Sox shouldn't be heavily involved in due diligence for Tanaka. He should be considered an option. Whether or not they choose to enter the bidding depends ENTIRELY on their internal assessment of his abilities and upside -- an assessment to which we have no insight and which may or may not be completely different from public or even internal club consensus. If they don't get him, it won't necessarily be because they didn't think they had the payroll space. I agree. The Sox already took their big gamble on Abreu. To take another now for an even bigger gamble financially plus spending $20M for nothing but the right to sign him is a huge gamble regardless of how they "think " he will project. Tanaka wasn't anything special in the WBC. Also in 2011 when Tanaka really took off as a pitcher the Japanese league changed baseballs and offenses suffered. Not sure if they ever changed back. http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Masahiro_Tanaka

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 18, 2013 -> 09:16 AM) PK is getting $2.5 this year. He has 1 million in previously deferred dollars that he is scheduled to get in 2014. I still think they have the money to have signed an impact player , if just to only generate some excitement with the fan base. Abreu though a big signing and fitting within Hahn's plan is a complte unknown to all but the hardcore fan. I know it doesn't make good business sense to sign an impact free agent for that reason only , but with next years free agent class looking even worse than this years it's going to be tougher to add that guy that can really make a difference. I also know that Hahn is looking for near ML ready players. If that's the case and he's sticking to it I'm not sure we're looking at even next year to compete. The top free agents want too many years and too much money. I don't see the Sox going after Tanaka. Saltalamacchia seemed very gettable and signed for a very reasonable deal, not that he woud've generated much excitement to sell season tickets . As much as I wanted Ellsbury , Salty seemed to fit in the right amount of years and right amount of money category and another LH bat.

Sox definitely need De Aza's lefthanded bat and speed. Sox definitely need Viciedo to hit but he'll be a Trumbo type if he isn't already .Davidson if he pans out is slow and might be a 1st baseman /DH in the making . Abreu isn't fast also might be a DH though my personal feeling is he will be fine as a fielder. Got to keep at least one Cuban for Abreu's sake but Sox also might want to get rid of Alexei since he's getting up there in age and is $10M a yr. now. If we keep De Aza he cuts into Viciedo playing time unless Eaton goes to the minors. And now that we know he is'nt much of a basestealer his speed can be better served against only certain pitchers or taking an extra base , something Viciedo won't be doing. Viciedo can be beastly eventually but without a position. Hahn's got his hands full now trying to figure this s*** out. I think eventualy De Aza, Viciedo and Alexei all get moved , one of them before the others if Hahn can get a decent return. We'll know more when we find out how Abreu handles ML pitching.

QUOTE (fathom @ Dec 18, 2013 -> 08:12 AM) I listened to the Hahn interview this morning, and not once (if I recall) did he mention anything about trying to win the division this year. I was very impressed by this approach. As for Tanaka, no thanks...the cost is just going to be insane. You got it. The Sox already took their "leap of faith" on Abreu and they won't spend $20M just for the right to spend another $100M+. If they want more pitching they can always sign. Garza ,Jimenez etc for much cheaper.

QUOTE (Frank_Thomas35 @ Dec 18, 2013 -> 08:12 AM) Nope left handed and the dudes only 23, has plenty of time to develope. He clearly wouldn't start at MLB level but work his way through the minors. B-R says right handed as does fangraphs and baseball prospectus.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Dec 17, 2013 -> 12:23 PM) Mine was way prettier. I always said "look at all the pretty colors" when i saw yours.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Dec 18, 2013 -> 07:50 AM) http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/12/phil...assignment.html He was just dropped for a reason -- he's had a couple disappointing seasons. But he's got a high pedigree and we have so little in the system that this is the most obvious fit of the offseason. When Rick Hahn acquires him soon, this will be the thread of discussion Have faith in the Hahn! Hit his peak in A ball. What a find ! And he's righthanded.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 18, 2013 -> 07:11 AM) I think that's a sign Belisario hasn't been finalized yet. I think Konerko's last contract had him getting $1 million in 2014 as part of the deferred payments, so in reality he's being paid in total $2.5 million this year and that's actually accurate. Abreu's signing bonus is being counted off the books by a lot of people and it seems no one knows yet how to divy that up. I don't know how to deal with it either...when I try to count it people tell me I'm wrong to do so. You may be right about Belisario since I can't find anything on the Sox website about the signing. He may be in Venezeula and unable to take his physical right away. He's had some history of visa issues. It's been about 2 weeks since the story about signing him. As far as the bonus goes B-R says "Signing bonuses are as of now all assumed to have been paid at the time of signing. " which I suppose means it's not considered a part of payroll since it's not a salary. Still seems rather odd if the Sox are $25M or $35M below last years payroll and got another $25M from TV money , thats still $50-60M more in savings from last year. If you look to next year Dunn's $15M and $25M TV money is another $40M . Even if you use attendance and advertising losses as excuses for keeping payroll down still looks like the Sox have $90M/100M more for 2014/2015 . I can't imagine them going after Tanaka since you have to spend $20M for nothing but the right to sign him. But Choo as a LF seems pretty doable. Sure fills that middle of the order LH bat and OBP guy Hahns been looking for all rolled into one.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 17, 2013 -> 11:19 AM) He stopped doing it because B-R started doing it for everyone. Ok I don't see Belisario's $3M on there or Abreu's $10M signing bonus so that adds $13M to their total of $80 which takes it to $93M and they said $11M in arbritration raises while I said $12M so my figure of $94M in Post #86 was pretty much dead on. One minor quibble they have Konerko at $2.5 but he's really only getting $1.5 this year and $1M in 2021.

QUOTE (hi8is @ Dec 14, 2013 -> 10:49 PM) This is exactly who Frank Thomas was to the fans who followed him closest. I'm sure many of you can attest as well with similar stories. Frank was the reason I became a Sox fan. Being a born and raised Southern Californian, there really was no other reason for a 7 year old boy to latch onto the Chicago White Sox. All it took was one ESPN highlight of him mashing a Mike Mussina meatball out to the left field concourse. And so a childhood obsession began. Whenever the Sox were in town playing the Angels, my dad took work off... Bringing me with him for a series long indulgence of modern day Cracker Jack glory. My pops was a pretty smart guy - the first thing he taught me about the spectator side of Baseball was, "get to the park early." Real early. Four hours early. We would wait for players to arrive and get their signatures with a black felt tip Sharpie pen. It was a crap shoot I'd soon learn. Some players would quickly sign for a couple of people without breaking stride or taking their sun glasses off. Others would treat fans as if they where air and walk right by. The first time I saw Frank Thomas walk up with his six foot five frame holding two hundred and something pounds of muscle - I figured it would be a tough autograph to pull off. He always was dressed as a consummate professional. A full suit with a coat. Nice slacks and a fleece sweater. Not flashy or arrogant but rather, as a man who was there to do a job. Being that he was one of the most talented players on the planet - I expected him to just blow by all the fans. They swarmed up quickly... Clearly everyone had really been waiting for him. It was a shock seeing what happened: Frank walked up to the entrance door. Removed his glasses. Turned around and smiled. He said two words, "Line up!" and then resumed back to smiling. About fifty or a hundred people would stand in a single file line. We all fell into formation. The Big Hurt stood there and signed every autograph. He shook any outstretched hand. He posed for any picture requested. He treated everyone as if they where equals. The respect we had for him as a baseball player was returned to us tenfold as fans. The first time I saw this system - I figured we just came on the right day. Got lucky. It was a priceless moment. I've no clue who won or lost the actual game but I'll never forget that moment. After the stadium emptied, my dad turned to me and asked if I wanted to wait for the players again - this time catching them as they exited. To a seven year old, "sure!" is the only possible response. And so we waited. About two hours later, Frank appeared at the player door, yet again in his professional attire. Everyone saw him and lined up. The man signed autographs for at least another hour. Amazing. And so began a family tradition. For nearly the next decade - we always saw the Sox play in Anaheim. More often than not, Frank would sign for hours before or after a game... Sometimes both. Unbelievable. Consistent. Humble. Amazing. Powerful. One of a kind. Those are words that not only define his career on the field but they also are appropriate descriptions of his character. Two years ago, right before getting married and starting a family of my own - I had a chance to save up some cash and surprise my dad with a trip to Chicago. It was our first trip to The Homeland after all of those years on enemy grounds. I wrote to Brooks Boyer and told him a little about my Dad and his selfless dedication to me during all of those Sox away games. After so many years waiting around for autographs and seeing the Angles beat our Sox - my pops was finally treated to a surprise on a new level. Brooks instructed me to meet him at the field on our last game of a 7 game set. We arrived an hour before gates opened to the public. He greeted us - shook my dads hand... And walked us into the executive offices. He walked us down under the stadium, by the players locker rooms, and up through the umpire tunnel. We arrived behind home plate. The look on my Dads face was priceless. He had no clue any of this would happen. Standing behind home plate, on the dirt of US Cellular Field... My old man cracked a smile like Frank Thomas always showed and teared up a bit. Bad. Ass. Thanks Frank Thomas for introducing me to the White Sox. Thanks for absolutely crushing baseballs. For inspiring me to play the game. For showing me how to handle success with grace. For affording me the opportunity to know gratitude and show appreciation on a Big Hurt scale. Thanks for leading me to the best organization in all of sports. An organization where everyone from the top down treats each other like a family. Thanks for being a legend of mythic proportion that can now be passed down to a son of my own once he's born this March. He'll be three weeks old when the 2014 season opens this year. He'll be wrapped in his first Sox jersey - watching his first game with Daddy. Here's to hoping that by 2021 - when I go wait around with my boy at first first ball game - that some now unknown player will treat us with so much dignity. I doubt there will ever again be a player of such a Big Hurt magnitude. But hey, here's to hoping... Right. Frank Thomas is already in the Hall of Fame to me. Period. I wish every voter could see this. I am so impressed... you didn't say poop once ! Who are you and what have you done with Hi8is ? Are you going to name your son Frank ? Congrats man !

I'm still trying to figure out how much the Sox have saved last year and this year with the trade of Peavy, Rios, Thornton and Crain, Konerko's and Floyds salaries this year ,adding in the arbritration raises (12M?) + Abreu, 4.75M total for Belisario and Paulino, 1.5 M for Konerko .Then you have the +25M per season through 2021 for TV money . I probably missed a guy or 2 figuring Avi and Leury Garcia, Eaton, Elmore and Davidson salaries balance out losing Wise, Axelrod, Angel Sanchez, Reed, and Santiago. Right now I'd say the Sox have $94M committed to 2014 so far . $84M if you don't want to count Abreu's $10M bonus. So right now they're $25M under last years $119M player salary payroll but have $25M more in their pockets of TV money. Does that necessarily mean the Sox have $50M more to spend on payroll if they wanted ? Let's subtract from that $10M for the 2014 draft and another $5M for international spending ( http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/news/artic...ws&c_id=cws ). That's still $35 million left over compared to last year. Is all that offset by attendence drop from last year ? Am I missing something ?

Try on Your Brand New Sox and one old familiar One.

So from what I gather we now see no need for De Aza, Gillaspie and Dunn. 3 things they all have in common is being LH. Dunn most likely is staying but now De Aza has more hope of staying just for his lefthandedness . A LH or SH (Nieto , but is he really a serious option) catcher should probably be next or De Aza for another LH outfielder .

I guess we need new banner now . Sale and ????? Abreu, Avi , Davidson, Eaton. Without Sale, Brand New Sox.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Dec 16, 2013 -> 11:44 AM) Kevin Towers baffles me EVERY time Diamondbacks blew 29 saves last year. Tied Houston for last. Getting Trumbo means Prado moves to 3rd and he's under control for 3 years. Davidson was expendable for a ML closer.

If the Sox could get Middlebrooks for Alexei I think it would've been done already. I think Boston would say no to that. He is exactly what the Sox are looking for. I know a lot of people aren't thrilled with him but that's what happens when you shed payroll for youth. I've thought all along that 3rd base would be one of the last positions the Sox try to fill since Gillaspie hit 14 HR's last year , is LH and shows a good approach at the plate. If say he can hit 20 HR's this year , continue drawing walks , raise his batting average , improve his OBP to around .330 and improve a little bit with the glove that would be solid.

QUOTE (chw42 @ Dec 15, 2013 -> 01:05 PM) Was hoping Bush would fall down before he scored, but oh well. Cleveland may have layed up on that play electing to get the ball back rather than let the Bears run the clock down.

QUOTE (Lillian @ Dec 15, 2013 -> 05:25 AM) Well, that stat is a little sobering. If it's not a function of the small sample size, that would certainly refute my argument. The kinds of skills to which I referred are some of the more "translatable" skills in baseball. The ability to take pitches, draw walks, bunt, and hit behind the runner are skills that players should be able to execute, as they progress up through the various levels of play. They are not the kinds of skills that are likely to disappear with tougher competition. Of course, we would have to expect his numbers to be significantly diminished, however is it so unreasonable to expect him to be able to still execute the tasks I listed, with respectable proficiency? I just checked his Major League split stats on hitting in various batting order slots. He has only had 37 career at bats, in the #2 hole. While those results were awful, the sample size is way to small. Maybe the problem was that Arizona and Houston didn't use him correctly. My argument is that if he is to have any significant success, it would likely be as a number 2 hitter. Just so you know how small the sample size was he hit .200 with the Astro's last year batting second, 5/20 OBP .273 ,and with the D'backs in 2012 he was 1/17 in his rookie year, .059 , OBP .111 . So his sample size is very small . His grand total AB's in 2 brief cups of coffee in the ML is 188 . His MLB batting average is .223 ,OBP .290 .

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Dec 12, 2013 -> 07:12 AM) And it is highly unlikely. The Sox like his talent though, and if the Nats didn't believe highly enough in him to promote him to AA, it's certainly possible that the Sox will trade someone or send some cash to retain the rights to him. If not, they send him back and they're out $25K, which is the same as about 10-14 days worth of work for a guy making the major league minimum. There is no risk to this move whatsoever. Thanks just wanted to make sure I was correct . Not upset at all just making sure I had the right info.

So lemme see if I got this right . Nieto who was 23 in A+ ball has to make the Sox 25 man roster or else they send him back to the Nats ? Sems highly unlikely since Phegs and Flowers both hit AAA pitching pretty well and Nieto hasnt even sniffed that level yet.

Sharp PP goal . Kane sweet assist.

Blackhawks PP gave up 2SH breakaways and Raanta stops both. Flyers still beating on the Hawks.

Why does anyone watch the Bulls sucking when the Blackhawks are so good and kicking ass tonight ?

Seabrook joins the scoring party 1:05 into the 3rd period. Emory finally pulled. 6-2 Hawks.