chitownsportsfan

Dude, if the Sox had lost as many games as the Cubs over the past decade they literally would have to pay people to come through the gates. Comparing the Sox to the Cubs is pretty dumb imo. One team has a destination ballpark that is part of a historical neighborhood. The other has a nice, but fairly hard to get to park, located in a fairly s***ty neighborhood (for an urban park). Apples to Oranges. Soler and Baez literally have nothing to do with the Sox' situation. I can't believe it's even occurring to link the Cubs' farm system to the Sox' attendance problems. It's like blaming Obama for it. Heck, that would make more sense it's a s*** economy.

He's started pulling off fastballs a bit. I think that's the new plan against him, just try and jam him in as much as possible. He's really cleaned up against hanging breaking balls for much of the year but right now it seems he's being thrown nothing but inside fastballs and junk outside. He's missed a few very hittable 90-92 mph heaters the last couple days.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Aug 6, 2014 -> 06:46 PM) Less than a week ago, they were yet another bad bullpen appearance from being just one game under .500. Do you expect the White Sox to at least PRETEND to compete in 2015 or are you willing to concede that the bar for competing for the playoffs realistically is being moved back to 2016, minus some dramatic free agency additions this off-season? Of course they are going to try and contend in 2015. Look at it this way, how much did they improve last offseason? Probably about 10 WAR. They added Eaton (3), Jose (5) and Avi (2-4 if he stayed healthy) as major additions. They didn't spend on pitching because they knew they weren't that close. If they bring in 10 WAR on the pitching side of things this offseason and Avi comes back strong then they are in contention for the 2nd WC. Things are going well I don't know why so many fans are complaining this team is way better than last years and all their good players are locked down and young. They somehow got the consensus best player in the draft (Rodon) and the farm system, while still lacking much high end low floor guys, is as deep as it's been since the early aughts.

QUOTE (Charlie Haeger's Knuckles @ Aug 6, 2014 -> 06:43 PM) I'm fairly certain that Jerry Reinsdorf and Rick Hahn would much rather trim the payroll down even further, below the 60MM mark, and let attendance carry on around the current levels. Tread water during the rebuild and make a splash when the team is ready to compete. Adding a "big ticket" free agent isn't going to do much of anything for attendance. Besides, that logic assumes the big ticket players that would be available would even sign here. For what? To participate in a rebuild? I will be fairly concerned if payroll isn't top 12 by 2016. Until then I'm just going to assume this is part of the rebuild, there isn't much reason to think otherwise as JR has usually opened the pocketbook when in contention. Unlike KW, I think Hahn will actually tell JR when he think they are ready to contend. KW probably was always thinking he had a contender.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Aug 6, 2014 -> 05:05 PM) Ball, wall, ball, they teach you that s*** in little league. I get that he was approaching at an odd angle and he's a psychopath who refuses to give up on any fly ball but playing with full reckless abandon is a great way to cut your career short. His aggressiveness is awesome and it's probably the #1 reason he's in the bigs (though it's also lead to some truly embarrassing baserunning) but he has to show some self control and awareness out there. This was just kinda stupid. Certainly agree. But for some of these guys they only know one way. You can't take the Derrick Rose out of Derrick Rose and I don't know if you can take the Spanky out of Eaton. In his mind that's how he has to play to be a success. That said, the sliding headfirst has to stop, unlike making a spectacular catch at the wall diving headfirst usually has zero benefit. Teach him the hook slide in the offseason.

QUOTE (MAX @ Aug 6, 2014 -> 06:13 PM) I don't agree with the implications in the phrase 'only 5 1/2 games back in the WC'. The sox suck. That's why people don't attend. They suck. There are 4 teams who suck more in the AL. That's all. They were horrific to watch last year. Its going to take more a lot more winning than they have been doing to bring back the fans in numbers. eh, this year they are mediocre. But yea, they did suck badly last year.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Aug 6, 2014 -> 05:53 PM) What's the reason...because he's 27 and doesn't "feel" like a rookie because he's not the same age (20-22) as Baez/Soler/Bryant? Because he never spent time in on our minor league system developing or wasn't drafted? It's hard to figure out why a team with 2 of the 10 best players in baseball is 28th in attendance. It is rather baffling they can't get more folks into the park when you have an MVP and Cy Young candidate on the roster. I just don't get it. Is the train stuff still screwed up near US Cellular?

I like Sierra I wish they would give him the next 40 games all to himself to see if he can prove something. Bench Tank and De Aza everone in MLB knows what they are anyways not like a hot week is gonna convince any team to try and move for them.

Good, this Avi thing like the only good news we've had lately other than Jose mashing. Some quotes from the Charlotte Observer tonight: You have to think he's going to force their hand possibly even next week. While there is no rush to get him back there also isn't much point in seeing him lace AAA pitching if fully healthy. Once he gets 3-5 games under his belt in RF and sprinkles in just a few more hits, it's time to bring him up.

QUOTE (fathom @ Aug 6, 2014 -> 03:03 PM) This team is playing some of its dumbest baseball of late....and that's saying something. I think some guys were expecting to be headed to contenders and it didn't happen.

This f***ing team man.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Aug 6, 2014 -> 02:57 PM) That's just silly. The manager should not be able to stall the umpire until his dugout gives him answer. Once you go out there, it's a challenge. The challenge system should be completely booth reviewed in NYC, no more f***ing challenges is slows the game down and it's un necessary.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 6, 2014 -> 02:47 PM) If he were at all willing to go to the left side, I would entertain this idea. Personally I'd go, against RH: Eaton Conor Jose Dunn Ramirez Flowers Viciedo Beckham s*** outfielder de jur I just don't understand how Conor gets pushed down so far.

Surrounding Jose with Ramirez, Dunn and Viciedo is like parking your BMW 5 series outside your single wide at the trailer park.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Aug 6, 2014 -> 02:37 PM) Wtf is wrong with Eaton? How did he have NO idea the fence was coming up? I honestly think he has blinders on at times mentally. He does stupid s*** like this too often for it to be a conscious thing. He needs to "unlearn" diving into 1st and running into walls.

jesus christ, this team is falling apart.

Dunn swings under so many crushable fastballs. Dude's just old, the apendix problem really did him no favors seemed to have aged him more quickly.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 6, 2014 -> 02:21 PM) Come on Alexei. Do you not know who is at the plate? He just isn't a good two hole hitter. I swear to god if I'm Jose and Conor I'm calling a meeting with Robin about it. How many runs are we going to give away because Abreu is batting with nobody on?

QUOTE (ptatc @ Aug 5, 2014 -> 09:20 PM) It's possible, but I don't think he will not be out of baseball in 12 months. I think the over under is 50%. 2 years, 75%. here is the SSS must read article imo: http://www.southsidesox.com/2013/3/20/4125...urgery-pitchers

QUOTE (ptatc @ Aug 5, 2014 -> 09:16 PM) It shouldn't be loose anymore. The surgeon tightened it. Usually if anything it's too tight and that's why he doesn't have the fastball anymore. regardless, larger point is nobody that ever had the same surgery came back to amount to much. SSS had a good breakdown, it's bleak. He'll probably be out of MLB in 12 months.

wow ramirez, that was a willie mayes hayes esque bat flip for a ball that didn't even mack the warning track.

Fans giving as good of effort as Danks on the fould ball, pathetic.

QUOTE (IlliniKrush @ Aug 5, 2014 -> 08:51 PM) This is why I was advocating taking ANYTHING from the Yankees, not playing hard ball. Get out from under this terrible contract for a pitcher who is just bad now. Yea I was right there with ya. Nobody needed FIP (hi Dick) to tell you John Danks was gonna regress when you saw him throw 88 mph fastball up followed by 82 mph changeup up followed by looping breaking ball.

God damnit.

QUOTE (fathom @ Aug 5, 2014 -> 08:47 PM) Danks has decent velocity tonight too Probably over throwing. Hey, bases loaded, cool.