Jake

QUOTE (bbilek1 @ Jul 13, 2013 -> 01:01 PM) Jesus. Good nugget of info Jake. Hopefully Robin learns from his mistakes. He also tells me that Robin is considered family in the White Sox org. Now, on the other hand, he said Robin seems like a guy who could gracefully leave the job. My impression is that when/if Robin ceases to be our manager, it will be because the general manager changes or because Robin decides he doesn't want to manage. It has been made clear to me that Robin will continue to work for the front office in that case. The thing Robin doesn't want to deal with is being resented, which is why he was hesitant to take the extension; he doesn't want his employer to employ him just for the sake of not paying two managers, like flavum mentioned earlier.

The type of player you're talking about is Brent Lillibridge. Everyone raved about his instincts and readiness, and he was ready. He just wasn't very good. It's hard to tell the difference between a Brent Lillibridge and a Marco Scutaro when you're trading...not that a normal version of Marco Scutaro is all that valuable

I asked Dan Hayes if he'd stand by his comment to me earlier in the season that the FO has "endless goodwill" for Robin. I said is he a guy they're committed to long-term? He said "without question."

I think the FO is very committed to Robin.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Jul 13, 2013 -> 10:38 AM) BG just isn't big enough to match up with the other SG's in the league. His defensive problems pretty much start and stop right there. His effort was a much larger issue. It's like he knew he was too short to be a good defender, so he was content with being a lazy and horrible one

I'm not putting Jacobs over Hawkins

I'd love to see how much we can strengthen our system just through trading relievers. The 10-25 range will have to get quite a bit stronger, at least.

Not bringing Ben Gordon back was a great move by GarPax and it wasn't considered an easy decision at the time. I got very sick of that asshole playing horrible defense. I remember in his last games with us in the playoffs, he couldn't make enough crazy shots to make up for the bulls*** he was pulling on defense. With that said, you wonder if Thibs could turn him into a rich man's Nate Robinson. I haven't seen him play in years - how could he get this bad?

QUOTE (mike65 @ Jul 13, 2013 -> 08:41 AM) Cardinal fan, again. Buster Olney tweeted yesterday that the Cardinals and Indians were again discussing Asdrubal Cabrera. While I am sure that such discussions have taken place, I think the results will be like last winter. The Indians still want one of the Cardinal good young pitchers - Wacha, Miller, Rosenthal, or Martinez - and I am pretty sure the Cardinals will not do that. All roads lead back to the White Sox, IMO. The question is what Hahn would want in return? I have tried to play GM with my neighbor who is a lifelong White Sox fan. Nothing that I have suggested pleases him so I feel for Mozeliak - Hahn. I did think that the White Sox would have gotten slightly more for Thornton so now I am really confused. I have thought that Wong + one (lower level) should do it but no according to my neighbor. What say all of you? I think Wong would be plenty, honestly. My guess is that Hahn is asking for Wong and being told no.

I talk about Jacobs in the latter half of this article

QUOTE (thxfrthmmrs @ Jul 12, 2013 -> 11:44 PM) Is there anything such as a low ceiling high floor guy? If so, let's target that guy. His name is Lance Broadway

If you told me in 2006 that Matt would stay until 2013 and never win a WS with the White Sox, I'd have told you you were lying.

QUOTE (chw42 @ Jul 12, 2013 -> 11:17 PM) Pretty good value for someone who's now a overpaid mediocre reliever. Don't speak so ill of the dead traded!

Puig-mania on hold: Yasi leaves game early with apparent injury

I'll have some info up on Yahoo! when their publishing server un-crashes

Those times when your publishing server crashes right as breaking news happens

QUOTE (JoshPR @ Jul 12, 2013 -> 09:54 PM) Viciedo part deux.... I know we weren't gonna get much for Matt, but the sox need a change in philosophy within the org. This guy looks like the same type the sox always end up with... Only time will tell, it's a gamble I guess I don't think he's all that similar to Dayan. Maybe a poor man's Dayan. Less HR production, less batting average, more striking out, more walks.

QUOTE (Jake @ Jul 12, 2013 -> 09:48 PM) Brandon Jacobs: #13 prospect for Boston entering this season. Former Auburn recruit, signed for 700k in 10th round of 2009 draft. Had breakout season last year in low A after a slow start to pro ball, hitting .303 with 17 HR, 32 2B, 80 RBI in 115 G for an .881 OPS. 30 SB. High A this season, not so great: .244/.334/.443, 11 HR, 25 2B, 44 RBI in 81 G. 10/14 SB. Recent promotion to AA Richmond, 2/6 w/ 3B in 2 games. Plays LF, supposedly has just gotten to "okay" defensively, even getting some reps in CF. Good athlete, considered an extremely high upside bat. Recently lost a lot of weight which led to the high SB total last year and improved defense. 22 years old. [summarizing Baseball America paid content] Forgot to mention, he had a hamate bone injury last season and most chalk up the disappointing numbers to that. Take that FWIW

Best wishes to Matt. Arguably the best reliever in the history of the franchise. An unprecedented run of dominance and consistency. Hopefully father time will hold off long enough for him to have a fun finish to his season and eventually, career.

Brandon Jacobs: #13 prospect for Boston entering this season. Former Auburn recruit, signed for 700k in 10th round of 2009 draft. Had breakout season last year in low A after a slow start to pro ball, hitting .303 with 17 HR, 32 2B, 80 RBI in 115 G for an .881 OPS. 30 SB. High A this season, not so great: .244/.334/.443, 11 HR, 25 2B, 44 RBI in 81 G. 10/14 SB. Recent promotion to AA Richmond, 2/6 w/ 3B in 2 games. Plays LF, supposedly has just gotten to "okay" defensively, even getting some reps in CF. Good athlete, considered an extremely high upside bat. Recently lost a lot of weight which led to the high SB total last year and improved defense. 22 years old. [summarizing Baseball America paid content]

Daryl Van Schouwen ‏@CST_soxvan 38s Thornton and cash to Boston for Brandon Jacobs.

Not sure what to do. It's like he has the yips

There are a ton of international players that put up scary bad numbers in places like the DSL

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Jul 12, 2013 -> 06:30 PM) You're not accounting for positional scarcity. There are only 25 roster spots and not many players can get you 6 or 7 WAR in a given year. Having a guy like that, signed to a below market contract no less, makes building a legit World Series contender that much easier. This is a good point - worth pointing out that Chris had a 4.8 WAR last season. He is on track for a bit higher than that this year. How much more do these players need to produce to make us feel better about position scarcity? In a situation when there is (presently) a scarcity of WAR, do we care so much about position scarcity or is that too short-sighted?

A bunch of us in Soxtalk chat got accounts to troll over there 7 or 8 years ago and I was rightfully insta-banned. I probably could sign up again without my IP being blocked by now since I've moved. It doesn't seem like a good place for me.