AddisonStSox

White Sox organizational development failure personified.

I think the Cubs organization has successfully screwed this kid up already--I think the damage has been done and some serious development has been stunted. If I were a GM in Williams' position, I would no longer be interested in Murton and would look for a two-hole hitter elsewhere. Truth be told: Sweeney is the right man for the job in 2008. Surrounded by the proper CF and RF, Sweeney's production and defense will pay dividens for this ballclub--as early as next year.

I'm sure I don't have to remind you baseball sages about this, but, I will anyway. Many times, clubs are very, very hesitant to trade for A-ball talent. The reason: more times than not the team trading the A-baller has discovered some type of development they are very concerned about and hope to deal the problem away before opposing scouts catch wind of what is really going on. If you were to ask scouts from around the league, each and every one would express their hesitation to trade for such young A-ball talent. That said, most clubs are not exactly thrilled with trading for someone much older than the average age of the league he is in anyway. Pick your poison. Like I said, to me, this is nothing to look twice at.

How the hell can anyone feel one way or another about this trade? Prospect for prospect. 24-year-old for A-baller. Who cares. Nothing to look twice at. If this means Iguchi is out the door sooner rather than later, maybe this trade develops some sort of significance...if not, I really couldn't care less.

The extent to which one can be stalked via the internet never ceases to amaze me.

This team ought to be looking to deal some of its .224 hitters, not add more.

Congratulations to Cole Hamels on his carrer best strike out preformance.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jun 12, 2007 -> 11:48 AM) I think it's more possible now than ever. It makes a lot of sense right now, and I will leave it at that. Having now seen the ineptitude of his heralded minor league outfield depth, I hope Williams realizes he must go outside the organization for the answer in center field.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jun 12, 2007 -> 11:44 AM) The only problem is that he's going to get more than he really should. If KW was intent on bringing him back next offseason no matter what (which I'm about 90 pct sure he was going to), it would be better off for us if Rowand cools off a lot. It may not matter. Like I said, from what I've heard, Rowand was there to be had in the Garcia trade but the White Sox did not make it happen. That could be partially because Williams felt Anderson would solidify himself as the starting center fielder and would have no need for Rowand. Or, it could because Williams just wasn't interested. He would make a lot of sense in 2008, but, that ship may have sailed.

I'd take Rowand back in a heartbeat. The guy is a professional ballplayer and that is more than can be said of the crap Williams has trotted out this year. From what I've heard, Rowand was there to be had in the Freddy Garcia trade; but, for whatever the reason, the Sox didn't make it happen. Do I want Rowand back because he was a fan favorite or a cult hero? Not necessarily, but it helps. I want Rowand back in 2008 because he is a big league f***ing centerfielder and will be had for much less than his fellow OF free agents.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jun 12, 2007 -> 09:57 AM) I'd have to think the Reds would get Salty in return for Griffey Jr., as the Reds will probably pay some of his contract. Honestly, I think the Braves would be nuts to trade for Griffey Jr. in that spacious outfield. Oh God no. It won't be that kid. From Schurholtz on down, the Braves organization has said time and time again that Salt. is untouchable--completely untouchable. If he's the guy that goes in this trade (and from the Reds standpoint, that would be a serious win-win on their part, getting rid of both Griffey's contract and adding a star-in-the-making at their shallowest of positions), the Reds won this trade BIG--and Schurholtz doesn't lose.

I disagree with the sentiment that you have to deal now to get value. It's quite the contrary in my opinion. If you wait until the deadline, teams will be desperate to add players like Dye and Buehrle for the stretch and will likely overpay for the guy(s) they feel will push them over the hump. Just a quick question on Griffey to the Braves: Griffey's home is in Florida, correct? Also, where do the Braves have spring training? If the Braves have their spring training in Florida, this was really a no-brainer on his part, this doesn't suprise me in the slightest.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Jun 6, 2007 -> 11:51 AM) I'd put money on it. Yeah, but how much money? Boras money? Cause that's what it's going to take. I'd put money on Williams inquiring about Rodriguez, scoffing at the asking price, crying poor, and then claiming he gave it an honest go--hence, White Sox baseball.

Roll call? Addison's there tonight.

What the hell. Why not. Hopefully Guillen leads him off (exactly where he should be) and he is given every opportunity to take over that void. Personally, I'm not crazy about the kid as a starting major leaguer, but, crazier things have happened and it will be nice to have a legitimate speed threat at the top of the order. In a perfect world, Sweeney would still be up and playing in center field--possibly in a platoon situation with Luis Terrero--and Owens would be in left. I'm going to guess that Terrero is now the starting center fielder and Owens plays in left field, is that right? For what it's worth, Larry Bigbie now an unrestricted minor league free agent. He's a guy that provides nice outfield depth and perhaps someone to keep an eye on.

QUOTE(Shadows @ May 31, 2007 -> 03:24 PM) Thank god As a magic fan, this is great news Oh, yeah, I'd be excited too. You know how those rah-rah college coaches with a knack for coaching up snot-nosed college kids have a history of succeeding with the multi-million dollar athlete/thugs in the NBA. Congrats.

It's official, with this thread, this guy has now become Jeff Bajenaru part II. Baseless love-affair with a non-prospect...Yes!!!!

I don't know about a possible DL trip or a day-to-day designation; but, one thing I am certain of is Joe Crede received a frantic call this morning from Scott Boras minutes after he read what Crede mentioned to the paper about a possible back surgery in the off-season. That's a big time no-no, Joe.

QUOTE(thedoctor @ May 22, 2007 -> 03:26 PM) to me, there are really no "must-gets" in this class for illinois. there's a bunch of kids with similar ability, no one who really stands ahead of the class. at this point, it would be nice to get the "right" kid for the program (stars be damned) although you really won't know that for a year or two. i do admit it would be nice to get liggins and/or dunigan just to put the cpl thing to rest for awhile. fwiw, i've heard in a few places that we are in very good standing with dunigan. the liggins thing could be similar to the rose thing. In best Hawk voice: "I love doc." Agree on nearly every point made, doc. There are really no must-gets; rather, there is a handful of talented kids that will contribute to whatever team they join. I, too, would like to see the CPL controversy put to bed--hopefully, with a commitment from Dunigan or Liggins or both, it would be a start. I must be hearing the same rumblings on Dunigan that you are hearing, because I've heard Weber is head-over-heels for the kid and Dunigan is taking quite the liking to Illinois. I would be ecstatic with Dunigan and Shumpert, just thrilled to death and from what I've been hearing, it's not out of the realm of possibility. If you're looking for the role playing type, that kid Humphrey fits the bill. He is a big-time perimeter scorer that matches up nicely with Weber's offense. I'm a little worried he takes a scholarship out of the hands of someone better rounded, but if these other options don't materialize, he'd be a fine addition.

If it's headlining the Illini Scout page, he has listed Illinois in the top two. Fantastic. A) These kids change their minds all the time. B ) Memphis has been the name that has been dropped time and time again with this kid. C) Bruce seems to be inept at pulling kids out of the CPL for whatever the reason. Does that mean it is a foregone conclusion that this kid ends up a Memphis Tiger? No. But, it looks like the writing is on the wall. I also don't think this kid is the "must-get" that so many Illini fans on that board want us all to believe. Assuming CJ doesn't take a football scholarship opening up a third scholarship for the class of 2008, a first-rate recruiting class includes any two of the following players: -Dunigan (a personal favorite) -Shumpert (a personal favorite) -Liggins -Thompkins (on the outside looking in on this kid) -Suggs (a personal favorite) -Miller (very distant possibility) -Anderson (deceased) Also, for the record, the Weber has Humphrey in the bag whenever he wants him...incidently, I'm not crazy about him.

Is it just me or would a White Sox Rookie of the Year award mean more for the organization than a league Most Valuable Player award? Yes, this is a slight exaggeration, but having a White Sox rookie designated with a Rookie of the Year award would be a major turning-point for White Sox prospect development and talent evaluation--although Danks was, in fact, developed elsewhere.

QUOTE(joeynach @ May 21, 2007 -> 03:45 PM) The 40 man would only need to change if they want to bring in a guy who is currently not on it right? Which would be strange at this point. Hardly. The waiver wire is just as active this time of year than any other time later in the summer. Most likely, a move like this suggests, a) a player within the organization but not on the 40-man roster is being brought up to the major league level b ) a player(s) from outside the organization will be acquired for players that are either on the 40-man or players that when moved do not equate to a simple "40-man player for 40-man player swap" or c) a player will be brought in on waivers or signed as a free agent.

QUOTE(hitlesswonder @ May 21, 2007 -> 02:55 PM) Signing Ichiro would be great, IMO. But I'd rather see him in CF than RF. A Sweeney, Ichiro, Erstad outfield would be lucky to have 25 HRs between them in a full year. That's a lot of power to sacrifice in the OF. Measuring the potency of a ball club by the projected number of home runs, eh? My, my, have we learned nothing. I realized you prefaced that with "That's a lot of power to sacrifice in the OF," but, that is still a very dangerous mindset. You measure the potency of a ball club by the number of projected runs scored--a derivation of which comes from statistics other than a simple home run tally. That is how you build a winning ball club. The home runs will more than take care of themselves playing home games in US Cellular Field.

QUOTE(hitlesswonder @ May 21, 2007 -> 01:30 PM) For 2008, you want the Sox to pay $6 million to keep Erstad? For all that he may have exceeded expectations, he has a .307 OBP and a .650 OPS. I'd rather see the Sox stick Sweeney in CF in 2008 and sign/trade someone with power for LF ( the Sox will need it losing Dye and Crede and probably Iguchi). As I've said previously, Erstad is not worth $6M. But, if the White Sox want to pay it, who am I to complain? He's a fine ballplayer and has preformed admirably thus far without any injuries. I don't know if that is a vesting option, but in the event that it is not, a reduced contract can always be worked out. I think Erstad will be a part of the 2008 ball club in one capacity or another.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ May 20, 2007 -> 04:47 PM) I think its pretty obvious the Sox should pick up an outfielder via trade (whether its a high profile guy or a bit more a stop gap guy). Really? No, I beg to differ. Erstad has gone above and beyond the call of duty temping as a lead-off hitter and plays above-average defense in center field game-in-and-game-out. Dye, although struggling a bit (like the rest of the roster), seems to be pulling out of it and once he does, will contribute proven numbers at an affordable one-year rate. I think at this point it is safe to say that Jermaine will not be a member of the White Sox beyond 2007, but that does not mean he needs to be moved. Clearly, he has slowed down in the field and has struggled to put up past numbers thus far, but he is a proven commodity and has stayed off the DL--an issue which fans originally pegged as a main point of concern when signed. He needs to be kept this year, asked to produce, and wished well in the off-season. As for left field, the answer is Ryan Sweeney, even in 2007. I am really frustrated to see him sent down when the only other alternative is a Pablo Ozuna/Rob Mackowiak platoon. He projects to be a high OBP type player with above-average defense in at least two outfield positions and also projects to develop some power statistics as he ages. He should be the starting left fielder even in 2007 with Podsednik on the DL--another White Sox outfielder who will be sent packing after 2007. So, for the short-term: Sweeney-Erstad-Dye For 2008 and beyond: Sweeney-Erstad-Ichiro (a free agent signing that the White Sox should be willing to overpay for given the needs of the roster as it is currently constructed) ...if Ichiro doesn't tickle your fancy, think a different free agent signing or someone like Crawford who can be acquired via trade; but, for 2007, you leave the outfield as is.