ptatc

Must....keep...thread......going.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Dec 20, 2014 -> 10:29 AM) I don't disagree whatsoever, just that it's possible. I think it will be closer to 6 which I think you can stomach so long as you believe he will be a capable pitcher all 6 years, including a mid to back of the rotation starter at the end. Samardzija has stuff that would seemingly age better given the downward movement of it. 6 is even pushing it for my taste. I think it will depend what I see from Rodon this year. If it looks like he will be capable of being a top of the rotation starter in 2016, I may let JS walk. If Rodon still needs more time then 6 years might be ok.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Dec 20, 2014 -> 08:43 AM) I don't understand the need for snark here, it's an entirely valid point. If he is 100% set on hitting free agency, then it's going to take a monster contract to retain him. You have to let him go, if it's for 7 years. That is entirely too long. I guess one reason would be is to hpe he has season ending injuries in the latter part of the contract and insurance will cover part of it. However that's really depressing hoping someone gets severe injuries.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Dec 19, 2014 -> 09:20 PM) 1. While I don't think Wilkins is a major league starter, I also think you can't go by a single September call-up to make a real call. 2. I think people are misunderstanding what minor league backup depth is. No one is getting a really good bat to be a 1B/DH in the minors waiting for an injury. If they are good enough, they have a job elsewhere. So this isn't a question of whether or not Wilkins is good, or Black is good. It is a question of who you think is better that would be willing to just sit in Charlotte all year on the 10% chance someone gets hurt. Because that guy is one of two things - a legitimate prospect (who is expensive to acquire and who you are now blocking), or an Andy Wilkins or Dan Black kinda guy. I understand what you are saying. Believe me I've spent my time with these players. However, I go back to my original point., from what I saw Wilikins is not the guy even for this role. I'm not expecting this type of player to contribute much but he was lost and didn't have a clue. Again, he struck out in almost half his at bats. There are plenty of minor league fillers that I woild rather give at bats to.

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Dec 19, 2014 -> 07:45 PM) I don't know. Classic.

QUOTE (thxfrthmmrs @ Dec 19, 2014 -> 08:24 PM) I need to watch more National League games... I wouldn't if I were you.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Dec 19, 2014 -> 04:19 PM) While I don't disagree with the latter, you are making a pretty quick judgment based on 45 plate appearances. Personlly, I thought his swing looked long but it also looked like his timing was off as he was behind everything. It can take some time to get that down. I don't disagree with the last part, and I don't want Andy Wilkins getting significant at bats at all, but given the choice between Wilkins or Shuck if LaRoche were to go down for a short period of time, I'd rather take my chances on the guy who went bonkers in AAA last year than a guy who is a career .264/.307/.333/.640 hitter who was barely better than league average in the PCL last year. Wilkins seems to be a guy who can at least run into one or two. I am making a quick judgement. I usually am the positive one with giving players a chance but he wasn't just bad he had no chance ar the plate. I would rather give someone else a chance, Black or anyone. Wilkins at bats would not help anyone.

QUOTE (flavum @ Dec 19, 2014 -> 04:44 PM) If they wanted to sign him before opening day, 7/140 seems about right. If he was looking at 6 year deal after 2015, then 10 this year, and about 21-22 the other 6. Something like that? 7 years. No, thanks.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Dec 19, 2014 -> 04:01 PM) You're right, JB Shuck, Matt Davidson, and Jordan Danks are much better options. Unless the Sox bring in someone that represents depth like that, Wilkins isn't going anywhere. The guy tore the absolute cover off the ball in AAA last year. He's good insurance to have in the event of an emergency. He was absolutely atrocious in the MLB. He struck out almost 50% of his plate appearances. He has no place on a MLB roster. I'm the eternal optimist about players being able to improve and progress but not from someone that bad. With him it's that classic saying "if he gets any at bats, something went seriously wrong and it was an awful season."

QUOTE (Brian @ Dec 19, 2014 -> 06:53 AM) So I stopped doing bench press a year ago because it was hurting my shoulder. Decided to give it another shot on Wed. Of course woke up today and my shoulder is killing me again. Sucks only being able to do pulley's and machines for chest. Have you tried only lowering until your humrus is parallel to the floor? Many people let it go to low and injure the anterior capsule of the shoulder.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Dec 19, 2014 -> 02:03 AM) How could the Dybber be so fricking stupid?? Sox had the pennant won! What is Drysdale doing broadcasting the Sox game? He was one of the best btoadcasters. You get a job where you can get it. Why is Jim DeShaeis with the cubs?

QUOTE (Jake @ Dec 18, 2014 -> 04:08 PM) He meant adding teams to the playoffs. Yep.

QUOTE (GreenSox @ Dec 18, 2014 -> 03:08 PM) What do you use for stats. When I run all catchers to see individual numbers on ESPN or fangraphs, they exclude about 1/2 of the catchers, including Flowers. Yes the number I put above is based on at bats from all catchers. Thats what I thought. He can't be above average for starters for hitting. That being said im all for catchers being primarily receivers. If the pitching staff likes throwing to him and the coaches like his catching and defense. Its fine with me for him to start. Unless you have one of the premier offensive catchers, this should be their role.

QUOTE (Vance Law @ Dec 18, 2014 -> 03:54 PM) More like if Adam Dunn were a catcher. 14% career walk rate is impressive. .762 OPS in 300 PAs the last 3 years.......but that's on 6 different teams. Why does no one seem to want to keep this guy who is productive? Defense?

QUOTE (shipps @ Dec 18, 2014 -> 03:52 PM) What is most disturbing in all of this is that I feel that they are continually making decisions now that will put this franchise back years and years to come with no end in sight. They have already predetermined failure for the next couple years just based on bad decisions in the past two years but I feel like the time table is continually being pushed forward by this idiots. They need to leave like yesterday so we can stop regressing further...IT JUST WONT STOP GETTING WORSE. The NFL is n the easiest sport to turn around though. Teams go in and out of the playoffs. If they truly do add more teams next year it becomes even easier. They can change their direction quite easily if they make a few good decisive actions. It sounds likethey are going to make a few after the season.

QUOTE (Dunt @ Dec 18, 2014 -> 03:03 PM) I dont know why, but I like this move a lot. Hasn't had an OPS+ below 98 since 2010, high walk rate, good BB:K rate. Makes a lot of sense as a back, makes you kind of wonder why they even traded for Brantly as Kottaras seems like a much better backup option. Unless this is an indication that Flowers might be headed elsewhere? I don't know enough about either. How does the defense compare? This is usually the role of a backup catcher.

QUOTE (GreenSox @ Dec 18, 2014 -> 02:57 PM) League average OPS for Catchers: .688 OPS for Flowers: .693 Is that starting catchers or all catchers?

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Dec 18, 2014 -> 01:03 PM) I agree with this. If Davidson has a good ST, he can very well be the platoon at DH/3B that we could possibly be looking for. Not saying its going to happen, but it is a possibility. I don't think the sox will platoon two young players. It just thier development too much.

QUOTE (GreenSox @ Dec 18, 2014 -> 09:04 AM) Not at all. I think he COULD be. I'd say it's 20% chance he is an ace 40% chance he is a 2/3 30% chance he is a 4/5 10% chance he's a dud Those are strong odds for a prospect. Thus more valuable, in my mind than a 3-4 WAR veteran who's already reached his peak and is likely to decline and would likely put us back to 2009-2012 territory of mediocrity and bad contracts. The reward is too high not to take the shot - we'll either have the best starting staff in MLB OR it will allow us to trade one of them at their youthful peak and shore up 3-4 other positions. Very strong odds considering you made them up and haven't seen him pitch let alone pitch in the MLB.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Dec 18, 2014 -> 08:25 AM) I actually think Rodon is more similar to David Price. Still an ace though. Carlos Rodon is a future #1 starter in the major leagues. Not sure why people are really doubting that. I always doubt prospect until they show at least something in the MLB. The minors can be an indication of what they might be but it's nowhere near a guarantee and he has very little experience in the minors. Many top minors league players let alone draft picks have flamed out and have not been good MLB players let alone aces. Until I see him pitch a few times, the chances are better he fails than success. I've worked many successful minor leaguers who just couldn't cut it in the MLB. He may currently fall into the "ace stuff" category but we'll see. I'm hopeful but to say he is a MLB ace is getting out way over the skis right now.

QUOTE (GreenSox @ Dec 17, 2014 -> 06:51 PM) The fact that the Sox have a good chance to have Chris Sale #2 be damned. Really. Wow, I think you are getting way ahead of yourself. Hsve you seen his walk rate? That could be a real problem for success in the mlb.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 17, 2014 -> 07:34 PM) First MLB game was 1979...Gary Templeton and the Cardinals played at Wrigley. Do those 45 and older get a SoxTalk member discount or at least a discount card for Arby's or something? Love me some Big Beef N' Cheddar sandwiches with curly fries!!!

QUOTE (dasox24 @ Dec 17, 2014 -> 05:35 PM) Boom. Can't believe they're actually doing it. But he deserves to be benched.... I assume this means he'll be gone in the offseason. You can't bench him and then bring him back. I think its more that trestman realuzes he's gone and is finally just goung to do what he wants.

QUOTE (BigEdWalsh @ Dec 17, 2014 -> 03:42 PM) When I was 16 Nolan Ryan was a rookie with the Mets. I don't feel so bad. Ron kittle was ROY when I was 16.

QUOTE (Chilihead90 @ Dec 17, 2014 -> 04:20 PM) And they also got rid of Bauer because of his long-toss rituals. The Dbacks are such a screwed up organization to play for, it seems. This I can understand. Its one thing to try to keep someone s musculoskeletal system healthy, there aren't that many variations to the anatomy. An injury can cost a great deal of money. However, not eveyone needs the same diet. Gluten free isn't needed for everyone. Different people have different sensitivities and needs nutritionally. I happen to agree with the long toss regimen and think it's the best way to keep the arm healthy but I can see where a different philosophy could cause difficulties.