chitownsportsfan

also, as Sox: Dunn: -1.2 fWAR Pierre: 1.5 fWAR The version of Pierre the Sox got the first year they had him was a better player than Dunn as a Sox without a doubt.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Mar 2, 2015 -> 02:39 PM) I think it'll depend on how long Sale is actually out. If they just have to skip him once and then he makes the next start, they'll set their rotation as though he would be there so that he can just step in. If he's out longer, they might do something different in order to limit the outings on whoever they bring up in his place. I think he misses one start and with the off days they should be covered. s***ty way to start the season but not that big of a deal long term. Say moderate case he's throwing long toss on march 23rd, does a bullpen session say on the 26th, and then makes two starts in extended spring ball he should be ready to go around April 8th. Of course, if the foot doesn't heal as expected, push that back another couple weeks. But I really do think there is a chance he only misses one start. The foot isn't really broken it's more like a ligament strain from my understanding the bone "breaks" when the ligament gets pulled off the bone. I think worst case he's off the rubber for 4 weeks. Even then he should only miss a handful of starts at most.

Sounds like he jumped out the back of his pickup. Dagnabitt.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Feb 27, 2015 -> 11:16 PM) Lip service. I expect improved technique but not overall more attempts. I just want the Sox to become better overall at baserunning. The turn at 1st, going 1st to 3rd, knowing when to advance and finding the ball etc. Actually, this could be a very under rated improvement from the Sox. Getting rid of so many slugs like Dayan, Dunn and Paulie might result in a few more extended rallies.

QUOTE (asindc @ Feb 27, 2015 -> 01:54 PM) I think so. As a fan of the Sox, I would love to see the Sox adopt a more proactive approach to baserunning. The general approach to baserunning around baseball has become more passive in the last 20 years or so, especially more emphasis on advanced stats that seem skewed towards power hitting. An example of something that really needs to be improved upon IMO is sending a running home with 2 outs. Obviously, no one is sending Paulie unless the ball is on the warning track, but most guys can go for it. Otherwise, if the runner is held up on 3rd with 2 outs there is less than a 40% chance he will score. I would like to see some statistic analysis that addresses my hunch, which is that I think the average runner has a better than 40% chance of scoring if sent. I like your style keep posting. And I agree on your point. With 2 outs, I'm sending most guys, most of the time. Even with a great hitter like Jose up next the odds he gets him in or a wild pitch aren't better than 50%.

fair enough. I'm convinced the org likes him. I hope he produces. 2B is by far the team's weakest position. For once, they only have obvious 2-3 holes instead of 4-5 rosterwise and the most obvious is 2B. It will be an interesting camp.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Feb 26, 2015 -> 03:07 PM) The hype is not many guys have the 80 speed he has. Remember, he was the 2nd leading base stealer in all of the minors in 2013 behind only Billy Hamilton. You can't teach that. Speed like that changes games. Too bad they aren't fielding a track team. Seriously though, he's gotta translate that speed to production. AAA is the place to start proving it. Hamilton also plays a a solid CF, something Micah hasn't proven he can do at 2B.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Feb 26, 2015 -> 02:47 PM) Scott Merkin, the Sox MLB.com beat writer and a good barometer of how the team sees guys, wrote a full article in the fall predicated on the idea of him being the guy but Johnson not wanting to take if for granted. Bruce Levine (whom I dislike as a writer but he's close to the teams) specifically said that management sees him as the guy. Then there are the facts other have said - he was hinted as a September call-up last year, for example. It's been pretty obvious for a while they see him as the guy, either now or very soon. Thanks for this. If you ever read Larry on SSS I'm the exact same way on Micah. I don't see the hype and I guess I don't see why the hell the Sox do. I mean, WTF has he done other than put together 200 nice PA in high A ball? He hasn't even STAYED HEALTHY in for a full season yet. FFS, back the hype train up on this guy. The Sox can totally carry Sanchez' 240/280/330 if he's 10 runs above average at 2B, and I think he is. Micah won't hit much more than that and he might be -20 runs at 2B. Put him AAA, wtf is the rush.

I'm looking for the PRIMARY SOURCE on this Micah hype. Like, Rick Hahn saying "we think he's the 2B of the future". FFS someone, post it please and I will shut up about it. I'm so sick of the Micah hype, it's like officially a thing and I'm not sure how the hell it ever got to be a thing.

QUOTE (shysocks @ Feb 26, 2015 -> 02:18 PM) I've seen "The Sox want Micah to win the job" an awful lot in the last few months and I'm curious what is making people say that so often. Is there something specific you can point to? Just that's he the better prospect and they want all the better prospects to do well? I think I have an idea but I want to hear what people say first. No kidding. Repeat it enough and I guess it becomes a fact. I've seen NOTHING from the Sox that indicates they think Micah is anything other than a future utility guy.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Feb 25, 2015 -> 09:49 PM) It's a lot more about technique and reading the pitcher at the big league level. In the minors, pure speed, pitchers not holding runners and just poor fundamental throwing mechanics from catchers are the main culprits. Actually, Micah had a technique thing going, but it was felt by most scouts that it wouldn't work at higher levels and that he would have to make adjustments in his approach to be effective. Right, the Sox have plenty of fast guys at this point, question is, do they have any base stealers? Hopefully Vince can help out. I stole hundreds with him on RBI baseball.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Feb 24, 2015 -> 10:02 PM) Was rehabbing the back injury last year and went down for Tommy John Surgery after tearing UCL in his elbow, good chance it was due in part to extra stress during the back injury rehab. wow totally missed that. Ugh, hate to see that. Thanks for the info. Wish him well he should make a full recovery but for a young athlete like that it had to have been a tough blow.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Feb 24, 2015 -> 07:59 PM) I'm hoping for at least a 2.5 this year from Conor. I'm hoping, but his limits against LHP kinda rule that out. Unless he improves to "average" defensively that is. I like Conor his candid attitude is a breath of fresh air and he has talent -- he wouldn't have been a 1st round pick without it. Hope he puts together a nice 280/330/410 year with solid defense.

What the hell happened to him anyways? Last I read he had a back issue but he's been shut down for what, 6 months now? Long toss is nothing. It's like a basketball player taking warmups. When does he think he'll be throwing from the mound, end of March? Have to think they'll have him stick around extended spring training until early May and then assign him to a rehab stint.

First time Eaton gets thrown out with Jose, La Roche and Avi due up, imma be a little pissed. Please just be smart about it. I don't care if they steal more, but do it in the right situations and above 66% please.

QUOTE (flavum @ Feb 24, 2015 -> 05:54 PM) Anderson is in minor league camp. You may see him late in a spring training game, but he's not there to make the 25-man. It doesn't matter right? At least until they do something stupid like bring Konerko back and give him 220 PA. Yea it was a punt year, but it's a slippery slope.

Man the Sox are ridiculously loyal to their scrubs. They got BA and Mitchell in camp this spring. Personally I don't get it, but if it makes them look better for potential FAs, great.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Feb 24, 2015 -> 03:42 PM) Dude still sucks. lol a 1-2 WAR player that was acquired for diddly squat and is pre-arb. Great guy to say "sucks". He's a decent starter and a great guy to have on the roster at his salary.

QUOTE (Tex @ Feb 23, 2015 -> 09:18 PM) FWIW good article. teams will realize soon that platoon guys and defensive specialits on the bench are more important than 12 and 13 man staffs. Find one guy as your rubber arm long guy instead of 3 "middle relievers".

QUOTE (Tex @ Feb 23, 2015 -> 06:27 PM) Anyone know off the top of their heads who has done it before? I guess I never really noticed a team stacking relievers. The Royals (of course) have talked about carrying 13 pitchers this year. http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-colum...le10634720.html

Yuck. How often is the 8th man in the pen going to pitch in April? You're going to get rained out at least once, and the schedule is soft anyways with several off days. Makes zero sense IMO. Better to have a legit outfield defensive replacement rather than carry a extra reliever.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Feb 23, 2015 -> 02:02 PM) Maybe Brantly has a reputation for calling a good game. In non punting years the Sox seem to want a backup catcher that meets the criteria of "would the staff not mind throwing to him if the lead guy goes down for a few weeks". Nieto obviously didn't meet this criteria, but they weren't really trying last year either. Whoever has the most comfort with the staff will win the backup role IMO. Personally, I'd much rather see Kottaras win the job because of his OBP skills.

Micah with Coleman: https://twitter.com/CST_soxvan/status/56920...2203776/photo/1

Robin is saying this because Hahn has told him he expects to make the playoffs and Hahn because JR expects to make the playoffs.