spiderman

As much as I don't like the lineup, I think I'd be tempted to go into spring training keeping the pitching staff as strong as it could possibly be. If Gavin Floyd is the #3 or #4 starter, depending on John Danks health and production, that's a pretty strong rotation, and given the questions that will remain about Peavy lasting a long season, Sale piling up innings on his arm, Danks coming back from injury, and Quintana possibly turning into a gas can, I think keeping Floyd is pretty important in the middle of that rotation despite him being inconsistent from start to start. This rotation has the potential to be amongst the best in baseball if health is assumed. Add a guy like Santiago to the mix as an occasional 6th starter which I don't put past the White Sox doing for stretches to keep everyone as fresh as possible and it's a very deep rotation. Now, saying all that, Floyd is a free agent after the season, and the White Sox will eventually have to give Sale more money. Peavy and Danks are both making big money. They probably do need to balance out the rotation, and Floyd can return a solid prospect in return or be used to strengthen the major league team. It does make sense to move him for something rather than eventually lose him for nothing - this can also be done at the trading deadline, but I think they can get more from him now, considering a team would get him for an entire season at a reasonable cost rather than 8 or 9 late season starts.

It's obviously a lineup with 4 or 5 holes, but, as has been said, I think we'll still see 1-2 of those holes be filled (or attempted to).

Barring any trades, I don't see the urgency to spend any additional money on the bullpen: Closer: Addison Reed Late inning setup: Matt Thornton, Nate Jones and Jessie Crain Lefty specialist: Donny Veal That leaves 2 spots - Hector Santiago, should they decide to keep him in the bullpen, which may be unlikely, if he doesn't earn a starting job, could be one of these two spots, but, almost guaranteed, that one of these spots will be for a long-relief option so that could be a battle, if not Santiago, then for Axelrod and few others. If they end up being short one guy, and are in contention, they can probably find another middle reliever without giving up the farm.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 26, 2012 -> 11:40 AM) So letting a 35 year old catcher walk is the Sox being cheap, but replacing a 37 year old 1B with a 34 year old 1B on a longer term deal is prudent? Ok. I don't think the White Sox are in the market for any more 1B types with Dunn/Konerko hanging around. I'm fairly sure there will be a significant move made in the next few weeks, whether we like the move is another story, but I think Hahn may just prove to be a bit more patient in finding what he considers his best trading partner, and with the payroll pretty stretched as it is, it's probably causing him to think outside the box as well.

QUOTE (chisox2334 @ Dec 20, 2012 -> 08:01 PM) white sox are about the future and not about now. I think it's tough to do both. TB seems to have figured it out, keeping a pretty low payroll, but consistently bringing in young talent to replace veteran players. The White Sox farm system has given the major league team Sale, Beckham, and then guys from other systems in trades...Flowers, Quintana, De Aza, Danks, Floyd(if you consider him a Sox prospect), but they do need more of their home grown talent to be productive for their if for no other reason than to balance the payroll. I say it's tough to do both because the White Sox have had to trade what young talent they've had to try to compete at the major league level, and their payroll, while pretty respectable, has been sort of locked of late because of lot of money is going to a 1/3 of the payroll overall. When there's more flexibility, both in payroll and a better minor league system, the Sox will find it easier to do both, for now, they seem to be a slighly above average MLB team with a very bad minor league system - to me, that's not doing either well.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Dec 20, 2012 -> 11:33 PM) He's still considered one of the best LH relievers in the game. He has alot of value and I expect contending teams on paper to call for him very soon. I see us getting A or AA talent in return. I don't think the return will be much more than shedding salary though.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Dec 20, 2012 -> 11:32 PM) 7.5 million is not close to what the Sox would have paid if they could have gotten him on the cheap. I honestly see that money going towards one of the trade target's contracts. If we unloaded more players during last season I would have expected us to sign Saunders as they tried to acquire him last season. Now I assume after we unload Floyd we are going to reinvest in the pen/OF What are are the White Sox looking to do in the trade market? Any names being rumored? Any positions?

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Dec 19, 2012 -> 05:01 PM) Looks like Morales just went to Seattle for Vargas. Bad news -- one more Floyd suitor off the market. Is it possible that this is the team outside of some minor tinkering on the bottom of the roster? A healthy Floyd does provide 200 IP next season, and is no better than the #3 starter to open the season. It does help make the starting rotation a strength, and, despite last season, is probably the most durable starter on the staff with Sale/Quintana still building his arm, Peavy one year off the surgery, and Danks trying to get back. Even though his long-term future here is probably in doubt, he may be that bridge guy in the middle of the rotation that helps keeps this staff together to some extent. There is still a long time to go this off-season so perhaps the Sox make a few moves, including Floyd, but if they decided to hang onto him, and make the pitching the strength with the offense full of low OBP guys, and struggling to score with a Home Run, I can understand if they go into the season with him. It's not as if there are a lot of free agents left at this point to pursue by moving Floyd to free up money, and they don't seem interested in bringing AJ back.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 14, 2012 -> 02:43 PM) It is the same spot the White Sox are in with John Danks. I think he would actually be #1 on their list right now with all of the lefty pitching we have. You mean, in terms of being traded?

Are the Cubs going to move Garza? It doesn't sound like it given that they are rumored to be in stealth mode on a few pitchers.... As for the White Sox, I think they are quiet, for now, because they simply don't have money to spend. Other teams are still mostly adding through free agency. Eventually, the dust will settle, and the White Sox will probably then be in position to make a move or two.

QUOTE (fathom @ Dec 12, 2012 -> 02:59 PM) As of today, I don't think the bullpen is very good at all for the Sox. I would like to see Hahn add a few veteran arms to the bullpen in case Jones and/or Reed have a sophomore slump. As of right now, they have Reed closing, Thornton/Crain/Jones in the 7th/8th, Veal as a lefty specialist, and perhaps a guy like Hector Santiago (we'll see if they prefer to have him stretched out in the minors) in a long-relief type role. I think that's a pretty good bullpen, but things will look a lot better if Reed becomes more consistent in the closing role. Everything else will better fall into place. I know Reed had a pretty good percentage as a closer last season, but he was always on the verge of damage in quite a bit of these outings. He needs to get better. Thornton/Crain have to avoid being overworked, and that can't be at the expense of Nate Jones. Ideally, the starters can pitch a lot of quality starts, and the offense can win some games by more than a run or two, avoiding stress on the bullpen. Barring injury or some horrible spring training by a guy like Veal, there's probably only 1 spot open (2 depending on how they handle Santiago).

I liked Youk, but don't think it would have been a wise gamble to pay for him on a 1 or 2 year deal. Keppinger seems like more of a stop-gap move, but it comes at a 1/3 of the cost (albeit for 2 more years) and I think that makes a bit more sense. NY can gamble on Youk being productive with their payroll.

I don't have a huge issue with AJ returning - he is still a good offensive hitting catcher, BUT, I'd want to see his playing time cut back to about a 55-45 (towards AJ) so that he's fresher in the 2nd half. Maybe I'm incorrect in my perception, but he seems to hit the wall by August/September the last few seasons. He is a left handed bat though so I see value there, and I wouldn't be opposed to using him, if not in my split above with Flowers, but perhaps 2 times a week at catcher and then maybe 1 once a week at 1B/DH to help rest Dunn/Konerko.

QUOTE (Lemon_44 @ Dec 10, 2012 -> 06:17 AM) I like the trade for the Royals. Those prospects may turn out to be nothing at the MLB level. Wasn't Davis a hot shot prospect, like top 20, a couple years ago? Shileds and Davis have already shown they can play in the majors. It does make the Royals more formidable for next season. Their starting rotation had lagged behind their lineup the last few years. Now, it should be better although it's hard call that rotation special or really much better than average.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Dec 6, 2012 -> 11:29 AM) 1 CF Alejandro De Aza* 2 3B Jeff Keppinger 3 DH Adam Dunn* 4 1B Paul Konerko 5 RF Alex Rios 6 LF Dayan Viciedo 7 SS Alexei Ramirez 8 C Tyler Flowers 9 2B Gordon Beckham Way too many outs in this lineup. OBP needs to improve, specifically from 6-9 in the lineup. Is Konerko still a #4 hitter? On this team, he probably is, but the 2nd half of the season was ugly and he's now a year older. Alex Rios has been up/down/up/down...he's coming off an up season. I'm fairly comfortable with De Aza and Dunn in the lineup in their spots. Dunn will frustrate with his K's and low average, but on the hole, this is a poor lineup that the pitching will need to cover for.

Don't like it if he's a starter. I'd almost rather just give Morel the job as opposed to signing this guy to a 3 year deal, which is way too long, in my opnion, for a guy who may not be a starter.

QUOTE (pittshoganerkoff @ Dec 5, 2012 -> 07:49 AM) So far, the winter meetings have been coma-inducing in regards to the Sox. I realize there's still plenty of time before spring training, but I was at least expecting some rumors. Only rumors out there seem to have them considering the horrible list of available 3B options on the open market.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 3, 2012 -> 11:25 AM) http://sulia.com/channel/baseball/f/608e44...?source=twitter Phil Rogers Purely in terms of fit, Boston is emerging as a possible source of help for the White Sox. The Red Sox are kicking the tire on free-agent starters but have interest in Gavin Floyd. They are looking to move Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who would be a good piece for the White Sox as a platoon partner for Tyler Flowers. The White Sox would save some money, which would help them fill their needs at third base. Eric Chavez is an interesting name on the free-agent market there. He could share the position with Brent Morel, who gets at least half a mulligan to prove that he can hit in the big leagues. Definitely something to watch. Wow, I would hope that Floyd has more worth than a platoon catcher. I was hoping that if Floyd is dealt, it would be for a solid prospect who could possibly challenge in spring training for a job.

QUOTE (pittshoganerkoff @ Dec 3, 2012 -> 07:09 AM) I'd expect (and hope) the signing of Youkilis before AJ. I like AJ, but the hole at 3B looks a lot worse without someone like Youkilis. I think Flowers would be okay as the starting catcher. The Sox just don't have anyone in house who can take over 3B. I think their preference is to bring back Youkalis, but they probably don't (and won't) be able to match what a few of these clubs could offer. AJ seems unlikely to return, but I wouldn't completely rule it out until it's official.

QUOTE (pittshoganerkoff @ Dec 3, 2012 -> 06:21 AM) Anyone expecting the Sox to make any significant moves this week during the Winter Meetings? I don't think anyone can predict with any certainty what the White Sox will do. Usually, their moves don't leak until after the fact. I do think they are still hoping to resign Kevin Youkalis and some of their other action (which may be limited overall because of their limited financial flexibility) may be waiting that out.

QUOTE (IowanSoxFan @ Dec 2, 2012 -> 02:56 PM) Is Josh Phegley the backup catcher then? If they don't bring back AJ, my guess is that they will bring in a veteran catcher who can complement Flowers.

QUOTE (staxx @ Dec 2, 2012 -> 01:29 PM) if AJ is the difference between sanchez at third or someone else, i say flowers. What I am discouraged about is the White Sox seem more likely to find patches for 3B and maybe a backup type catcher to complement Flowers than actually upgrade the offense. I don't know the answer as to how to fix the offense, but it's got 4 or 5 guys in the lineup on most days who can't get on base. If the only off-season moves are to find some aging veteran on the cheap to fill out the lineup, I don't see how that makes the team better for next season. Saying that, it's a long off-season and we rarely know what the White Sox will do until they do so here's hoping that they address the OBP issues.

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Dec 1, 2012 -> 11:01 PM) Thank you Phil Humber for giving your all in Chicago He played a role here, was great in the 1st half 2 seasons ago, but reverted back to the inconsistent pitcher. The Sox need to continue to find these innings from unexpected, low cost sources to balance out the payroll.

QUOTE (The Ginger Kid @ Dec 2, 2012 -> 12:14 PM) AJP is going to be a 36 y/o catcher next season and teams aren't lining up to sign him? Shocking. It's still early. He may have had a career season in 2012, but he's still going to have better numbers than most catchers even if he comes back down to a .270, 15 HR and 60 RBI type of season next year. He's also a left handed hitter. I really think some team will give him a 1 year (maybe 2 year deal) for at least what Russell Martin got - maybe he's not a full time catcher anymore, maybe he can get some time at 1B/DH for a team. As for the White Sox, I think it does make sense to pass on AJ. I do think they'd be spending money on past production, not future, and just don't have the money to spend on what likely will be a reduction in his production. If they sign him back, it would have to be a modest increase over last season, and he'd have to agree to 4 days (at most) a week in the lineup since he has a history of wearing down in the 2nd half. With the lack of financial flexibility and the desire to see what Flowers would do with more time, I just don't see a path here for AJ.

QUOTE (justBLAZE @ Nov 29, 2012 -> 09:04 PM) Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal Source: #WhiteSox exploring addition of starting pitcher, lower-end type at the right price. Would give them flexibility to trade Floyd. Although they have some decent depth after Peavy & Sale with Danks hopefully on his way back followed by Floyd and Quintana with Santiago in the mix as well, they do have to be extremely careful with this rotation. Sale and Peavy both have durability issues (although last year went well), Danks is an unknown and Quintana in my opinion is more likely to be a gas can. Perhaps adding another lower end arm to the mix will help if the Sox do decide to occasionally use a 6 man rotation type at times.