Princess Dye

I grew up around Cubs fans, rooted for both teams..but eventually the people I grew up around got annoying enough where honestly they pushed me solely to one side. I also enjoyed the outsider role that provided me, probably. Also around that time (last two years of high school) I was an usher at the park My father's family is from Beverly, but honestly that did not directly play into things ..since he is not that into sports.

I wouldn't be surprised that Hahn likes Guillen. Guillen is very likeable from most accounts, as he has a personality that is very very rare to the game, in that you see him buddy up with non-baseball people(that is just not the MLB way). Ozzie always saw himself as part of the general populace. There's slightly more than 0% chance he ever manages the Sox again, but it would not surprise me to hear Hahn is a fan. You get used to people when you're around them for years at the workplace.

My eastcoast and westcoast sources are currently not returning my calls, otherwise i'd chime in here

I basically just dislike losing our cheap labor guys. If they're good and they've got several years of cheap labor on the way for us, I hate to lose them. Plain and simple. I'd like to keep guys like that, and spend all the money it takes to get free agents that cost me no player in return. Call me crazy, but these are my hopes. If we have already told ourselves "WE'RE THE WHITE SOX WE HAVE TO BE CRAFTY TO GET THE REALLY GOOD GUYS" then that's about defeatist enough where I will expect zero titles for my last 40-50 years on the planet

Some questions: What teams are gearing up to be the losers of the Greinke derby? What would these teams then have to offer us prospect-wise for Floyd? Perhaps it wouldn't turn out to be just Floyd going out....but just curious if there are any names I should know

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Dec 6, 2012 -> 01:17 PM) 5-9 are up in the air if they will even be with us next season. Some of those pieces may be gone. If Keppinger signing (versus other options) points to anything...its that we're about to prize not-making-outs way more than we have in the past. Not to say Keppinger is OBP king, but this and contact are the only things he brings to the table to warrant 3 years (over cheaper options).

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Dec 6, 2012 -> 12:31 PM) If the Sox can get something of value for Morel, they should leap at the chance. Actually, unless there's someone willing to overpay..i think i'm going to disagree with this. If the player that once was fell off due mainly to injury, and you believe the injury is not career-threatening (unsure on that)........ then isn't he of greater value as a young guy to just monitor while Keppinger gets older and older?

is Granderson actually considered at all available?

To clarify (if i'm not mistaken) floridafan is Grabe's father hence his comment about Keppinger "glad he's old" heh

QUOTE (floridafan @ Dec 5, 2012 -> 09:29 PM) Two years for Grabe to move through the ranks. I like the Kepplinger deal, we saw a fair bit of him in the Florida market. A solid player. Glad he is older! If Grabe can come close to what he did in his debut season at subsequent levels you guys will learn his name. OPS over 1.000 against lefty's and over .900 against righty's. He has played 3rd his whole life, with stints at short. Power will be there by ST. Sounds good to me. I will make sure to follow EG this next season.

wilbur wilhelm ..wilcome.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Dec 5, 2012 -> 04:30 PM) If it's not about money and he wants to play in front of a big crowd, then there are other teams he can sign with. If he signs with Cleveland, then he's a hypocrite. Well, lets be realistic..the thing about fans in the seats is perhaps something he cares about, but not a huge determining factor. That would be a little much. The fact that he's from Ohio, and Francona's there...these are also non-monetary things that I have respect for I always respected Buerhle's honesty regarding St Louis...because usually players are far from being fan-like

Surely Youk will make some money here in a day or less...but I have to note...if it really is a reason he didn't like playing here-- I respect that. So many ballplayers seem to just collect the check and not appreciate things about the game itself, or being at the ballpark, etc I actually like the idea of someone appreciating that stuff. Fans should be at the park, if you want those three hours to be the ultimate experience. And they should be loud and add to the atmosphere. If they're not there and/or not loud, what is wrong with noting that?

Could it be time to package Floyd and Viciedo, and add LH bat with a difference maker in the outfield? One would think this is the last offseason that any mystery surrounds DV's value.

Beckham has more value here (in pining for improvement) than in any deal one would get right now

I have wanted to see Flowers for awhile now. But for some reason I think A.J. has been IDed by other teams as having possbily PED-inflated stats.....and it'll lead to either us getting a team-friendly deal or a Yanks overpay. One or the other.

If you're win-now, you just absolutely can't let 3b go to the dogs with Morel/Hannahan. In that sense, I understand this and am curious about the dollars. But this also has to mean left-handed hitting and catcher (or OF?) is getting addressed in similar win-now fashion... otherwise why bother doing this

It is sad how I look at this guy's OBP over the years and actually think it's good for a Sox player.

right handed...puts AJ more in play?

Initial reaction: this means i am spending my lunch with you guys and my desk

Very sweeping to say 'one of the studs go down, we have no chance of winning'. Danks went down last year, it was nearly enough with the other guys. What if a stud goes down for a chunk of the year (that determines playoff viability) but then will be back for the playoffs? If you guys can paint random scenarios, so can I. The only reason I take these positions is the following: in MLB, you just want to get into the playoffs. It's not like the NBA-- in MLB, once you're in, you have a chance. That's how chaotic MLB playoffs can be. Innings-eaters give you a chance.

QUOTE (balfanman @ Dec 5, 2012 -> 12:03 PM) Okay, now you got my mind working (my boss has been trying to for years now), who did we trade Garland for again? o-cab

I'll be interested to see what return would be for Floyd. For me to say 'dont trade Gavin' seems to be becoming a more and more outsider opinion. I don't totally see why. Between Sale, Peavy and Danks..injury is (as is the case with everyone) a concern. And at the end of the rotation, there's suckage potential. Again though, want to see what the return will be. I suppose this will be reminiscent of how we traded Jon Garland for an infielder who played a key role for a bit.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Dec 5, 2012 -> 11:02 AM) Sanchez's optimal value is as a SS, he should not be moved to another position. I personally worry less about the opportunity cost of rushing prospects or changing their positions..when I see contracts out there like what Victorino just got in Boston. This will come off as wildly basic, but I want my organization's ready talent on the field if and when we've made the decision to be 'win now'. I'm at least open to Sanchez being ready, and being a 2b. Keeping flexible (because of what we frankly are right now...a team losing production at catcher and maybe 3b unless other things change)

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Dec 5, 2012 -> 10:26 AM) That's the thing, he was still far, far below his career averages even after getting traded and seeing that spike. .236/.346/.425/.771 with the White Sox .283/.384/.482/.867 for his career He's going to be 34 next season, has a bit of a bum back, and fell off big time last year. I think he's a bigger risk than people tend to realize. I understand what you're saying. But, I mean, if he was still at his career averages...this guy isn't even in the conversation for us...would be making tons of money, and would not have been acquired for Brent Lillibridge. That Red Sox Youk is gone, but that doesn't mean we totally disregard what he's shown he can still do. If the championship window is something we determine is open, then the question has to be....are our chances better hoping Youk stays healthy, or hoping Morel/Hannahan/Keppinger beat their career stats? All are risks, but I'd consider the former a lower one. Like you, though, I will be interested to see what the price for him ends up being....I want him back at something reasonable, but you're right to fear what the 3b market will net for him..that I grant.