Princess Dye

He doesn't have to be AJ. The game played on our minds this year is going to be "well he's no AJ"...and hopefully he can fight through that. I guess in ways that Brian Anderson and Josh Fields couldn't. Replacing someone takes talent, luck..AND a little above average mental fortitude, I would think. That first year. Lets remember, in 2005...we didn't necessarily replace Carlos Lee with anyone 1 for 1. We filled his production over a variety of spots on the roster.

Just to chime in: It is possible to appreciate everything AJ did here, and just not particularly care for him personally or whatever. His persona or whatever aside, he's a professional and would actually probably prefer to be treated objectively as a professional than to have your undying blind worship. Not calling anyone out in particular, just chiming in

(1) is Kubel outstanding? No (2) does Kubel have a place on this team? Absolutely. We have offense and power that needs replacing. Some here are acting like we're one offensive piece away or something. I expect multiple roster changes still.

Just to clarify since, to be honest, there are a crapload of filler posts in this thread now...... is the debate whether you can get "anything" for Thornton, or something "significant?"

Value is based on what the various needs are on teams wanting badly to make moves. Can't really discuss someone like Thornton in a total absence of context. We've seen relievers be overspent on and also be not very pursued

Flowers won't have the all-around impact of AJ...after all, we've mostly seen him slugging off lefties, and he's about to get into a more everyday role (barring additional moves). But - Flowers does not have to have that impact. We've saved money by going with the cheap labor route at C. We may have even added some defense. Now we spend said savings elsewhere. We don't have many young players in the ranks ready to be just-decent at the major league level, but Flowers is likely one of those. Teams plug those guys in and then spend money on the areas they don't have. That's what you do.

QUOTE (hi8is @ Dec 20, 2012 -> 08:26 PM) The likely hood of a trade for a position player who hits LH just went way up imo One would think that if this was really that meaningful to the Sox, A.J. would be signed here. One year would've been doable. Instead it sounds like the plan is and always was Flowers, and that another LH bat is part of this next move, whatever it is.

You don't have to REPLACE a.j. with flowers completely. You have to replace enough of him to warrant saving a ton of money at the position.

Can Flowers get the typical AJ OPS of say .750, when facing both righties and lefties for a year? Probably not, but also probably wont be astronomically lower than that. He also costs way, way less. Then factor in defense. Then factor in that Flowers is cheap labor and a not-developing asset. The choice is clear. AJ out, and you spend that money elsewhere.

Chuck Garfien sounds like owns Mayan calendars

QUOTE (Lamar Johnson 23 @ Dec 19, 2012 -> 09:49 AM) IMO a 1 year/$4 million offer to AJ is insulting, and sends a bad message as to how some players are "taken care of" by ownership. You have to offer something. Reason being, it's an offer...so the Sox are probably willing to do it for a little higher if it came down to actual negotiation. And if by some insane miracle he signed somewhere for that or lower, you're basically idiotic. He's been well taken care of here. Had his career resuscitated and made a lot of money as a Sox. Also pissed a lot of people off, and frankly I wouldn't be surprised that they see his power spree last year as pre-FA juicing....which puts the team at risk for individual goals (since a suspension would affect the entire pitching staff, the batting order's balance with lefties etc)

Payroll helps, but when you have a great thought process...there are still so many teams you can unseat As with all things, spend the money you do spend wisely. Get a few strokes of good luck. ...and you're on your way. Playoff time is chaotic. Thus, a team's goals really just need to be: (1) get into the playoffs (2) have a pitching staff (3) have an offense/defense people aren't jeering at.

QUOTE (justBLAZE @ Dec 18, 2012 -> 02:33 PM) Why would they replace a LHH leadoff hitter with a LHH leadof hitter and take on much more money? Entirely reliant on what you would get back for De Aza. Cannot judge any such speculation without knowing what would be coming back in return. It'd be like hotdogs without mustard. Like ESPN First Take without clowns.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Dec 18, 2012 -> 01:17 PM) Please, something happen with the Sox soon. Please. This thread is like a bunch of people trapped on a ship that lost its engine. We need food!!!!! Who would be the first poster to be eaten?

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 18, 2012 -> 12:16 PM) Have you got a link for that? If I remember correctly, this was rumor mill stuff. But I believe I heard a KW interview where..when pressed on this...he gave one of his direct indirect answers (implying that they preferred future cost control at a position that can be tough to get a great player at) And yes, by answering in this way sans link..I am piling on rumors. I will be interested to see if anyone has links

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 18, 2012 -> 10:52 AM) De Aza was good with the Sox for a short stint in 2011. What is the cutoff for becoming REAL? Perhaps a good time to note: looking at De Aza's entire minor league career....he has the look of one of those guys that (1) produced well at all levels (2) got an injury (3) came back eventually and actually didn't miss a beat (4) just got lost for awhile in the blob of prospects out there (5) performed well when he finally got his late 20s real chance. He never really was a crappy prospect, just an ignored solid one.

QUOTE (balfanman @ Dec 17, 2012 -> 08:55 AM) I'll choose Jordan Danks. I'd love for his great defense to be a staple in the Sox lineup for many years. If he could man centerfield and be a 280 - 300 avg. hitter with some power and speed it would allow the team to trade one of their other outfielders for help elsewhere on the diamond. This strikes me as a shocking choice, as Danks very well is at his ceiling as we speak. If the point is ..just name someone who you want to be all-star level.. then I guess I'm misunderstanding the overall goal. If anyone is going to be at all-star level, then anyone can be the answer.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 17, 2012 -> 09:49 AM) I think you conveniently missed that part. He gets under people's skin but he doesn't use out-and-out insults. There's a difference there, because personalities clash but it's not like he's on the warpath going after people personally. Also to be debating this indicates how unbelievably bored I am .yikes.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 17, 2012 -> 09:25 AM) So you say you have no evidence of anything, no history, no similarities, yet you expect your opinion to be just as valued as a medical professional who has experience in this exact area. Then if people don't give your opinion the same weight, it is Soxtalk Group Think, all in capital letters. Read that sentence again, and as yourself why people think you troll. Marty is a guy who posts here. He doesn't insult people. Why is that we treat him like this villain when he's simply a guy who posts here? If he thinks there is group think here, and it blinds us to a few things, and wants to point it out, it's his right. No one needs to take offense to that. o i forgot he's cowley

Arguing with Marty basically is the White Sox offseason thus far. What fun. Gimme more please

QUOTE (greg775 @ Dec 13, 2012 -> 01:45 PM) I sure hope Tyler Flowers can hit because this is one of those offseasons where the Sox are doing nothing. Keppinger for Youkilis is a blah move on paper. And Flowers for AJP is a downgrade as well, except for defense. And AJ's throwing ability was better last season for whatever reason. Note: The offseason is not over yet. QUOTE (Lamar Johnson 23 @ Dec 13, 2012 -> 01:46 PM) I agree 100%! Looks like Greg has a buddy now. Lets drink til our hearts stop.

FROM WHAT I HEAR FROM HIM

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Dec 13, 2012 -> 01:57 PM) A move from Texas to LA has to increase Hamilton's chances of relapse at least twofold, right? It's much easier to follow God down South. SATAN KNOWS NO AREA CODE

QUOTE (Lamar Johnson 23 @ Dec 13, 2012 -> 10:44 AM) Just wondering...a previous poster mentioned that DeAza was a better ballplayer than Ichiro; could somebody please try to explain this inane comment? Ichiro has gotten substantially worse. Old and showing it.

Toby Hall was more a fan of giving someone the high pie When he injured himself throwing a pie on television, I laughed 1000 laughs.