Frank the Tank 35
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Posts posted by Frank the Tank 35
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2 hours ago, hogan873 said:
We all know Reinsdorf isn't selling the team any time soon, so let's not even consider that to be a possibility moving forward. Hahn most likely stays, even though he should probably be canned. So, what we're going to get for 2023 is a new manager. Hopefully they make a wise hire this time.
Then, it will be necessary for Hahn to put together a better team.
How about letting one of his kids run the org then? I far prefer Michael's Bulls management over the previous era. Let them take a crack at the Sox.
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22 minutes ago, maloney.adam said:
This makes sense with the tweet below. Sounds like maybe Hahn and KW want TLR out as manager but JR wants to keep him as manager so since JR wants to keeps him and he’s the owner he will overrule them. Messy situation if you ask me.
I generally have zero inside info, but I do know at least one view on TLR from the 3. Can PM if anyone is really interested.
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Haven't posted in some time, but I still read frequently. Been an active Sox fan for 31 years now, and this is the most disgusted I've ever been with the team. Honestly, if it wasn't for Frank Thomas and those early 90s teams, I'm not sure I would have ever latched on. Objectively speaking, this franchise is easily bottom quartile in management top to bottom past the inaugural phase of my fandom. Watching them continue to fall further and further behind the competition is a prime exercise in soul-sucking.
I stopped watching all Sox games over a month ago for the first time in my life during any season no matter how bad they were. The first week, I still flipped over to check the score, but I've managed to go cold turkey since. I promised myself I would not watch a single second of Sox baseball unless TLR was fired.
My kids are now at a very impressionable age and are playing little league. We have an annual pre-planned trip to the ballpark where they're generally showered with Sox gear. Had I not bought tickets during the pre-season, there's a good chance we would not have attended this year. I bought them ZERO Sox items at the ballpark. If there isn't a significant house-cleaning this offseason, I'm officially boycotting. I'll take the kids to the Brewers game instead as it's about equidistant to get there for us. I see no reason to submit my kids to this lifetime of suffering following a miserable, regressive organization.
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I don't know if this post goes here or in the myriad of other rage posts, but here goes. I created some t-shirts with pertinent slogans for our 2019 White Sox. I sent the package to Brooks Boyer as a gift with this message:
To: Brooks Boyer
From: A Sox Fan
Message: This must be a difficult time to lead the Sox marketing efforts. As a concerned Sox fan, I'd like to help and have included some slogans for the entire exec board. Please distribute appropriately.
Mods: There is one shirt with a political tinge. You may need to remove if you feel inappropriate.
To whoever is planning that billboard: I'm in.
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Good gracious. I don't post anymore, but I do come frequently for the rumors since I don't follow all these random social media outlets. As some others have already stated, the normal banter here nowadays isn't really what I'd like to participate in. It's probably me though; I'm getting too old. Honestly, what's the difference between long-time board "insiders" and all the national or local media "insiders?" Have they been any more right or wrong than them? Let me dream a little! Dissecting the minutiae of how it was phrased and being indignant about it feels like I'm watching an episode of my wife's Real Housewives shows. Seems like a sign of the times to get triggered off misplaced or misinterpreted phrasing. Not that I'm an important member of this community, but I'd certainly be out if not for the rumor bearers. I'll go back to my cave now, but I hope the "insiders" know their contributions are appreciated by some regardless of the way the information is delivered. Thanks all.
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Yesterday was the 10 year anniversary of my last post. I come lurking for the daily rumors but stay for the bickering. Hoping the Cheat pops in too.
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QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 19, 2008 -> 04:08 AM)Who are you willing to give up for McLouth? Are you willing to trade Fields and/or Poreda, knowing/assuming that KW isn't going to give up Viciedo or Beckham?
Fields? I think they have some low-level prospect named Pedro Alvarez. I know they aren't too high on him, but you never know...
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08353/935944-63.stm
The Pirates are on the verge of signing catcher Ryan Doumit to a multiyear extension, and it could happen within the week, according to a source directly involved in the negotiations.But negotiations with another core player, center fielder Nate McLouth, have gone much differently, with agent Mike Nicotera last night confirming that the chance of achieving a multiyear extension is "close to dead." The parties now are working on a basic one-year contract, the type most commonly arranged for players eligible for salary arbitration.
"There's a pretty stark difference between how we evaluate what Nate has done and what we believe his future will be, and their evaluation of that in terms of placing a dollar value on it," Nicotera said. "When that's the case, it's very difficult to reach an agreement."
The Pirates generally do not comment on ongoing negotiations.
Doumit, McLouth and starter Paul Maholm each is first-time eligible for arbitration, but the Pirates -- in keeping with management's precedent for core players -- decided instead to pursue multiyear extensions. From the team's standpoint, this approach can offer cost certainty through the three arbitration years. From the player's standpoint, it guarantees money.
With or without extensions, though, the team controls the player's rights through arbitration for those three years, after which he can become a free agent. In McLouth's case, that means he will remain the Pirates' property -- extension or not -- through 2011.
"And Nate's fine with that," Nicotera said. "He doesn't mind having a one-year deal. We're very confident in what he'll be able to do."
McLouth had a breakout 2008, batting .276 with 26 home runs and 94 RBIs while winning the Gold Glove in center field. He made $425,500, which was $35,000 above Major League Baseball's minimum wage.
Nicotera was asked if the Pirates' view of McLouth as a center fielder or corner outfielder -- management has acknowledged that top prospect Andrew McCutchen could take over in center someday soon -- affected the disparity in perceived value.
"No," Nicotera replied.
Nicotera did not divulge specifics, but multiple sources confirmed the parties never were in the same stratosphere in terms of dollars.
They'd have to be looking for pitching, middle infield depth, or a great corner OF.
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This just became more feasible... Royals got Coco from Boston (as reported on the Score). As I stated in my offseason projection plan, the Royals have some position players to trade. They now have Gordon, Butler, Shealy, Jacobs, Teahen, DeJesus, Gathright, Crisp, Guillen, and eventually Moustakas to fit into 6 spots.
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QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Oct 15, 2008 -> 05:05 AM)Sheets isn't going to go for an incentives-based deal, he will want guarantees and he will get them from some crazy GM/owner combination.
Second, Bill Hall is a disaster defensively...good idea, but it's generally better to try to find an undervauled player who's young and has upside rather than a player on the wrong side of 30. However, I don't think he would cost as much as some think, and he would be perfect for the Uribe "supersub" role, having the versatility to play most infield and outfield positions (albeit not very well!!)
I don't think the Royals are going to have any incentive to trade us a potential starter in Teahen/Joe Randa Lite. Yes, Gordon's ensconced over there (although he could move to 1B if Shealy flops again) for now...and Teahen doesn't have the power for a corner outfield spot. Neither does DeJesus, to be honest. I think the odds of him being dealt to another team in the division are minimal at best. He's not a journeyman reliever, he's a decent player with doubles power who very easily could have a bounceback season batting in a line-up where there is a lot more protection all around him...that makes a big difference (Dye/Thome/Konerko/Quentin versus Jose Guillen and Alex Gordon to protect you!)
Finally, I have so-so confidence at best in the names you mentioned (Contreras, Poreda, Broadway, Richard) having a huge impact on the rotation next year. Maybe I'll be proven wrong. I think Poreda needs one more season to work on his command/control and offspeed stuff...Richard is ideally the 2nd lefty out of the pen...Contreras, the rest might be great for his arm, but I'm not sure his aging lower body can survive another season with all the weight you put on an Achilles'/ankle. Fingers crossed on that one.
I agree Hall is horrible defensively at third. (Psst, he's 28...) And I'd love to find a young, undervalued player in the mold of Quentin, but c'mon, how likely is that? How long did it take just to land TCQ? We're not going to be able to find and acquire a player like that every year. We'd be lucky to do so every decade. So let's put aside the delusions of finding the next one. I think he fits the mold as a buy-low and as a fallback/sub to 3B and CF, Hall would provide some pop and possibly more with a change of scenery.
With Moustakas likely coming up sometime next year, it just pushes Teahen further out of the picture. Playing him in a corner OF spot doesn't make any sense. A corner OF who posted a .715 OPS last year with little speed shouldn't have a starting job. Granted that's down from .763 last year and .874 two years ago. And, yes, he could have a bounceback season. That's why I mentioned him. That IS what you're looking for isn't it? Young guys who have upside??
The SP names I mentioned were for the eventuality of Sheets midseason injury. You know, guys who could be ready to contribute mid-way through next year in the likely event Sheets would have to miss a month. And I know owners are ridiculous and sometimes throw far too many dollars and years at SPs, but if Sheets gets more than $12-13M/yr and 4yrs guaranteed, this world has gone insane. I could see escalators and incentives taking it up to $16-17M per with up to two option years tacked on. But with his history of injury, any team paying more than that is fiscally irresponsible especially in today's economy.
This isn't my IDEAL offseason. My ideal offseason is comprised of ridiculous trades and signings of players like CC, McLouth, Roberts, Hardy, etc. This is just a realistic view of what I think would be likely to happen, and I'd be fine with that. We'll probably make one big FA signing, one decent sized trade, and then the rest would be buy-low/filler type acquisitions.
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After some thought, here is my completely realistic offseason plan:
Sox needs: 1 SP, 1 3B, 1 SS/2B, (1 CF?), (RP?)
Need 1: SP
Ben Sheets. I know all the reasons why not. But think about the why yes. First, despite being a top talent when healthy, he will not command more years than Reinsdorf is willing to go. 3-4 years with incentives would probably be the max contract length. Granted, he will undoubtedly injure himself at some point. Fortunately, we should have backups halfway through next year in Contreras, Poreda, Richard, Broadway, etc. Worst case scenario we convert him to a closer at some point in his contract a la Smoltz and Wood.
Need 2: 3B
I really think KW will give Fields another shot next year when he's fully healthy, but that doesn't mean he should be given the job without any competition. Since GB is being projected as a middle infielder in as little as two years, it seems like KW should try to invest in something long term at 3B. I think KW will bring in someone to compete or share time with Fields at 3B. I could see Teahen coming over relatively cheap after putting together a couple lackluster seasons after seemingly breaking out. With all the talent coming up in the Royals system, he could be nabbed. However, I think a better choice might be Bill Hall. Also a couple seasons removed from a breakout year, he has all sorts of talent pushing him out of a job in Milwaukee. Additionally, he spent a good amount of time in CF (more later...). Granted, he's not the best defensive option, but I think it would be a lot easier to acquire him than say Beltre. If all the options fall on their respective faces, I expect KW would have Uribe waiting on the bench.
Need 3: SS/2B
With Ramirez being able to play either position, it makes it easier for KW to find a complementary player. While I really don't think KW should be selling Swisher low, I think a team that matches up really well for a trade is the Braves. Their outfield is in shambles. With Andruw gone and Francoeur all over the place, their strength is their infield. With ample talent at SS/2B in Prado, Cabrera, Johnson, and Lillibridge, they could trade out of their strength for some outfield help. Now if they think they can be seriously competitive next year with their aging rotation coming back, they might be more interested in Dye. Either way, I think we could match up well. I could definitely see a Swisher for Kelly Johnson trade going down. Johnson would add a lefty bat and a pretty decent OBP. He would reach free agency in about three years, so he'd be a good transition to GB.
Need 4: CF
Trading Swisher/Dye would necessitate a movement to acquire a CF unless KW had plans for Owens/Anderson. Initially, I thought Baldelli would be a prime buy-low target. The Rays certainly won't be bringing him back with all the talent on their roster. However, with the news of his muscular disease, maybe he was done. Then he homers against the Red Sox, and reports of his medication going into effect come out. If the Sox acquired Hall, they could use him as a safety net in case Baldelli went down again.
Need 5: RP
I don't think this is a pronounced need if the pen stays healthy. After this past season where KW spent crazy dollars on relievers, I don't think anything is out of the question short of some crazy K-Rod contract. Maybe an incentive-laden contract for Rafael Soriano?
Overall in this scenario, the Sox would take on some risk betting that these players either stay healthy or reinact some of their previous performances, but that's what goes into a season. You need a few things to break your way if you're going to win it all anyway. In this scenario, the Sox don't trade many prospects at all from a depleted farm system except for Bill Hall. It doesn't have any complicated 3-way trades that would never go down. It doesn't give out any ridiculous long-term contracts that you know would never fly with Sox brass. Their aren't any deluded visions of all-stars coming to our team save a "healthy" Sheets. There aren't any longshot notions of the Sox trading one of their aging veterans for future perennial all-stars. This seems like the most realistically optimistic vision I have for the 2009 season.
Lineup
Kelly Johnson
Baldelli/Alexei
Quentin
Dye
Thome
Konerko
Alexei/Baldelli
AJ
Hall/Fields/(Uribe)
Rotation
Mark
Sheets/(Contreras)/(Poreda)/(Richard)
Danks
Floyd
Vazquez
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http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-0...0,3109300.story
The Marlins, who have 17 players eligible for salary arbitration, have signed only two to multiyear contracts since getting Carlos Delgado as a free agent almost four years ago: Hanley Ramirez and Wes Helms, who agreed to a two-year contract rather than become a free agent. Helms hit .317 with two homers as a pinch-hitter this season. …General managers with shopping lists already are making calls to the Marlins and Royals (14 arbitration-eligible players) about possible trades. San Francisco, desperate for a proven bat, is expected to pursue one-dimensional second baseman Dan Uggla. The Giants also may kick the tires on first baseman Paul Konerko of the White Sox and Derrek Lee of the Cubs, both of whom have full no-trade clauses. They probably would have to deal a young pitcher—Jonathan Sanchez or Matt Cain. They're considered expendable because lefty Madison Bumgarner is climbing fast. …
Well, if Sabean wants to restock his team with more veterans...
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QUOTE (DaGame2584 @ Oct 7, 2008 -> 08:57 AM)I don't get all of this attention that Nate McClouth is getting. He's had one good season! I'm sure he has great potential going into the future, but I just don't see that the farm is worth him. Besides that I think this is a good post. I like most of the ideas you shared with us. The only thing is if we trade Dye to the Angels I think we should get Figgins/Adenhart/lower level prospect back for him. Then sign Freddy for the 4th or 5th spot.
How many trades can you remember the Pirates winning? I think the last one was the Todd Richie trade. They owe us one. It probably won't happen, but it would be easier than trying to trade for Sizemore. In limited time last year, he had an OPS of .810. This year, his first full season as a starter, his OPS was .853 playing center field with 23 SBs in 26 attempts. When was the last time the Sox traded for a superstar at the peak of his performance? Oh, and before this gets out of hand, the correct spelling of his last name is, "McLouth."
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Random thoughts
Jim Thome will be on the 2009 roster. His option kicked in. He doesn't want to be traded anywhere except Cleveland/Cubs and neither is happening. Therefore, either Dye or Konerko should be traded. With Konerko having a down year, unless a team is willing to give full value in return, I'd keep him for next year in hopes that he rebounds. If Tex doesn't sign with the Angels, I could see them being a good trading partner for Konerko. That leaves Dye as the odd man out. Best to trade him before he has a down year...
As much as I hate these types of players on my team, Troy Glaus would probably be available for the right price. With one year left on his contract and Brett Wallace waiting in the wings, he seems like a likely trade candidate for the Cards to upgrade at another position.
Not sure KW would depend on a reclamation project in the rotation. After winning the division this year, I think he'd go with someone more reliable. Which bring me to my next point...
Winning the division this year despite the dismal seasons of several regulars (Crede, Konerko, etc) makes it easier to trade away some of the older veterans while maintaining expectations of competing for the title again next year.
Despite the fact that Lowe is a Boras client, he's still 35 years old. I mean, how big of a contract could he expect to get? With the types of pitches he throws, he seems like a good fit for our ballpark. If the Sox could swing an inflated 3 year deal, why not?
Even though Vazquez has been dragged through the mud recently, I still don't see him being traded. Who would replace him plus fill the spot vacated by Contreras? I wouldn't trust the spot to Richard outright. If there was one starter I'd target as a buy-low, it would be Snell. This past year should have been a breakout year for him, but instead he took a nosedive. Bringing him aboard, I'd feel comfortable with him and Richard battling for the 5th spot.
I don't know what bullets the Sox have left in the minors to pull off trades. Poreda is probably our one trading chip that could pull something decent in return. Not sure if KW believes he's in his longterm plans or not. If his ceiling is a reliever, it might be a good time to let go. If he has a shot at the rotation, we have to develop him.
I don't know why people have a problem with Hudson at leadoff. His career OBP is .347. Over the past few years, it's been higher than that. I don't know how many people have actually looked up the number of players who have a high OBP and a high number of steals without a high number of HRs (if a player has a high number of HRs, he's likely NOT batting leadoff...), but there aren't a lot of those players, especially ones that are available. Hudson's defense at second is considered to be top notch as well. Hudson doesn't steal a ton, but he's not molasses. Furcal's sure to get more money/years anyway.
I'd love to get me some Nate McLouth.
I'd love to start turning over the old parts on our roster. Chances are it doesn't happen, but I'd applaud KW if it does.
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Ken Rosenthal
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8634130...3162&ATT=49
Trading second baseman Robinson Cano certainly is an option for the Yankees; virtually every club with a need at the position has expressed interest.Cano, however, finished strong after adjusting his stance and setup in mid-September, and some with the Yankees believe that he will be more at ease in 2009, saying he tried too hard this season to justify his new four-year, $30 million contract.
The problem for the Yankees is that they need to acquire two starting pitchers, and the top of the free-agent market is thin. CC Sabathia might prefer to go to the west coast and/or stay in the National League. Some baseball people question whether A.J. Burnett possesses the right makeup for New York. Derek Lowe might command a contract too large for the Yankees' liking at age 35.
Thus, trading Cano for a starting pitcher might be necessary.
... and interestingly
The Brewers' J.J. Hardy is realistic about his future with the club, knowing he likely will be traded to make room at shortstop for Alcides Escobar, one of the game's top shortstop prospects.In fact, Hardy recalls being impressed by Escobar the first time he saw him, when Hardy was rehabilitating a shoulder injury at the Brewers' spring-training facility in Arizona in 2004.
"(The Brewers) had brought over a ton of new kids from the Dominican and Venezuela, all 16 and 17 years old," Hardy says. "I picked out Escobar out of all the guys. I didn't even know he was a shortstop. But he was having fun, smiling, laughing. I gave him bats and gloves. The next thing I knew, he was the shortstop who was going to take my job."
Hardy, though, should be in demand. He led National League shortstops with 74 RBIs, ranked fourth among all shortstops in on-base/slugging percentage and was third overall at short in the plus-minus defensive rankings at Bill James Online.
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QUOTE (DBAHO @ Oct 2, 2008 -> 03:36 PM)Cuddyer's numbers were even worse than Swisher's though this season, so he should have less value.
I'd think they'd have some interest in Swisher to replace Ibanez. Doubt Raul will be going back there (he's a FA IIRC, and my guess is the Mets will target him to play LF, and move Murphy to 2B).
No more Chad Tracy fantasies? Similar OPS to Beltre and close to 0 value to the D'backs at this point... granted his defense isn't so hot...
Why settle for just McLouth?... fill the 5th starter hole and buy low on Snell!
Trade Swisher at his lowest value? Meh...
Buy lows... Robinson Cano? Homer Bailey? Alex Gordon? Ryan Zimmerman?
KW's gotta fill three positions this offseason... SP, 3B, and one of SS/2B. It won't all get done on the FA market. It won't all get done by trades. Figure we have enough ammo for one good trade, one good FA acquisition, and one crapshoot.
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Gooch has a .386 OBP batting second this year. He can't hit at all in any other spot in the lineup apparently.
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I'm sure the Sox have been salivating to get a chance to taste the Angels' Colon.
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I remember last year I kept hearing, "Just wait till they put it all together, just wait till they put it all together." October came and went. I'd like to be proactive this time around.
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QUOTE(That funky motion @ May 1, 2007 -> 10:11 PM)Yao Ming does the same thing, I wonder if its a culture thing.
Yes.
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Ok, the Royals just called Billy Butler up. They now have Mike Sweeney, Teahen, DeJesus, Butler, Sanders, and Emil Brown for 4 starting slots. If we really need to acquire another hitter, it should be plenty cheap trading with the Royals.
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I thought this little blurb from rotoworld was funny:
In their ongoing effort to treat him like dirt, the White Sox demoted Brian Anderson to Triple-A after giving him 17 at-bats in a month -
QUOTE(Flash Tizzle @ Apr 29, 2007 -> 02:50 PM)4.5 games behind first.
No way Podsednik or Ozuna catches that ball in LF. Sweeney saved two runs.
Wait, wait, wait. Isn't Sweeney a RF? So you're saying that a player can easily transition from RF to LF? Well, that just defies logic...
QUOTE(SoxAce @ Apr 29, 2007 -> 03:17 PM)K-Rod comming in. f***.QUOTE(Flash Tizzle @ Apr 29, 2007 -> 03:18 PM)Before Hawk goes on complimenting Rodriguez, it should be pointed out his velocity is down and he has been hit recently. Ordonez took him deep several days ago. It's not impossible to score off him.He really doesn't need his fastball against us. All breaking pitches should do. I wonder what Shingo would do against us right now?
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Not that this would really help if Thome is out for an extended period, but Houston just called up Hunter Pence to play CF, putting the struggling Chris Burke back into a utility role. I know many liked the idea of getting Burke before, I wonder if he's in the doghouse a la Anderson?
Is Chris Getz revamping the org?
in Pale Hose Talk
Posted
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10115581-mlb-farm-system-rankings-for-the-2024-season
Didn't see this posted. Wasn't April Fools a couple weeks ago? I can only hope my blind rage towards this org has rendered my objectivity useless, and that there's a shred of truth to this ranking.