NorthSideSox72

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Jan 3, 2016 -> 08:16 AM) Right wing terrorists take over federal building in Oregon; includes two of cliven buddy's sons http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2016/01/0...deral-building/ Terrorism isn't the right description. This isn't an attempt to make the populace fearful for random attacks. This is specifically directed at government, and is an armed seizure of property. It is sedition.

QUOTE (Alpha Dog @ Jan 1, 2016 -> 02:11 PM) So shiny....and empty. Like the veneer of your average politician!

Raines should 100% be in. My ballot would be: Griffey Piazza* Bagwell Raines Edmonds Martinez Trammell Mussina I still think Dale Murphy got shafted, but he's no longer on the ballot. Piazza I am having a hard time with PED-wise, but the evidence on him is just too thin for me to weigh it in. Clemens and Bonds the evidence is huge, clearly they're out for me. Mussina and Schilling are tough calls for me, could go either way on both.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Dec 28, 2015 -> 11:33 AM) Well done NorthSideSox. What do you think of Jace Fry's future, is he destined to become a reliever? Fry is on his 2nd TJS. At this point I'd be shocked if he became a prospect again, of any sort. His career is in jeopardy. QUOTE (ChiSoxJon @ Dec 28, 2015 -> 03:39 PM) Not really prospective at his age, maybe a midseason promotion to CHA You really can't make it about age that simply for Alvarez. He's definitely a prospect for me, probably in the teens in this system. A good performance in AA is huge, as it's the biggest leap for hitters. If he does well there (continues OBP/AVG strengths, and solidifies defense a bit) and hits Charlotte during 2016, then he's on the board for a potential role with the big club in 2017.

Since at this point it isn't likely the club makes more major moves that effect the farm system (signing an FA outfielder doesn't take away or add prospects), we have a good idea who will be on the farm come April. So, since things have been slow, I took a shot at projecting who would be with each minor league affiliate to open the season. These are just my guesses, and I'm sure some will end up wrong when it comes down to it. But it gives a nice overall view of what to expect from certain clubs and levels. For any of you other prospect geeks out there... where would you project differently than I did?

QUOTE (scs787 @ Dec 24, 2015 -> 11:18 AM) Really well put together. I don't remember much talk of him last year, but I'm now very intrigued, particularly after reading the same quote ss2k5 posted. Wonder if, as a pitcher coming out of college, he'll get fast tracked a bit. QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 24, 2015 -> 11:28 AM) Losing a year to TJS will put him back a bit, but the Sox have shown that if a pitcher is ready, they will move through our system. I'd say he'll be probably be at Kanny (Class A) to start 2016, though it's possible he skips to A+. No chance he goes back to rookie ball at 23 years old.

QUOTE (oldsox @ Dec 23, 2015 -> 08:07 AM) Great article, Kim. I feel like I know Jordan. Just wondering, since you saw so many AZL games, how would you compare Jordan to Zach Erwin, the kid we traded to Oakland for Lawrie? Kim is rarely on SoxTalk, but you can find her on twitter: @FireLeagueKim. She's very open to conversation there.

Our AZL/AFL/Instructs correspondent, Kim Contreras, got to know quite a few of the 2015 draftees this year. She's writing up a full-picture article on three of them, to give you some serious depth into the players and what a rookie pro year is like. First up - RHP Jordan Stephens, 5th round pick. She talked with a ton of people - his high school and college coaches, the scout who got him drafted, Nick Capra and others. It's a long but fun read. She's also doing this on Corey Zangari, and Seby Zavala, in the coming weeks.

QUOTE (Brian @ Dec 20, 2015 -> 06:49 AM) MVC > Big 12 Saw that game coming. ISU playing with fire too often, lost Naz Long, and they just aren't a T10 team.

QUOTE (Hatchetman @ Dec 18, 2015 -> 02:33 PM) Let's watch the Dodgers use him somewhere other than 2B. In fast motion with keystone cops music in the background. He is terrible reading pop-ups. His arm is fringy and his throwing mechanics cause him problems that led to multiple surgeries. He's never played elsewhere in his pro career. Putting him in the outfield would be a comedy of errors, literally and figuratively. They'll either flip him, use him as a AAA backup plan, or platoon him at 2B if they think he can handle it defensively at some level of competence. Or heck, bring him up in September purely for PH and PR work, like a lot of contending teams do nowadays for the stretch run - add a burner.

QUOTE (Hatchetman @ Dec 18, 2015 -> 02:12 PM) It should have been obvious years ago that Micah would never play 2B. Not sure what they were thinking. OK back this one up a bit. First of all, "years ago" he was still a developing minor leaguer, and they all have warts. You don't give up at that point. Second, his speed and hit tool mean you have to keep giving him a shot and hope the defense improves. Third, there is no logical position move for him. He'd be even worse at short or third, and he'd be a disaster in the outfield with his twice-surgically-repaired arm that was fringy even for 2B even when healthy. Basically, he's a 2B or he's not a pro ballplayer. And with his tools, the team had to give him a shot.

For me, just a few things I'd like them to do, and then I'd feel like they're in the right place. In terms of at least semi-realistic scenarios... --Sign one of Upton, Cespedes or Gordon, in that order of preference --Trade Avisail for prospects - I do think he could get you one good one at this point. I think he's a lost project, but other teams may try to wring something from him. --Re-sign Alexei for 1/7 (I think he takes it, maybe needs an option) That should put the 2016 payroll in the $130-135M range, which I think they are willing to do. Lineup, roster: Eaton 8 Carbera 7 Abreu 3 Frazier 5 New OF 9* (lineup spot and OF slot could vary based on which one) Lawrie 4 LaRoche 0 Ramirez 6 Navarro/Avila 2 Bench: Sanchez, Saladino, Shuck, Navarro/Avila Rotation: Sale, Rodon, Quintana, Danks, EJ/Turner/? Pen (no order): Robertson, Jones, Duke, Petricka, Putnam, Kahnle, Jennings/Phillips Eh?

Naz Long out for the year for Iowa State, hasn't been able to heal up from hip surgery. Will seek a medical redshirt.

QUOTE (L. Ron Paultard @ Dec 16, 2015 -> 04:11 PM) The only reason Trump's not over 50%, and a outright favourite in Gen. election is his runaway Narcissism & inexperience. Or the fact that only about 6 to 8% of the voting public is backing him. Roughly equivalent to the number who believe the moon landings were faked. Could be that too.

QUOTE (Y2HH @ Dec 17, 2015 -> 06:59 AM) Is this really any different from kids hiding beneath their desks like we did back in the day because of threat of World War 3? At least in this case, hiding in the bathroom can actually help. Hiding beneath your desk doesn't stop a multi-megaton intercontinental ballistic missile from melting you. While I remember those WW3 drills, I'm guessing a lot of posters here weren't in school or even alive yet during the cold war.

QUOTE (Knackattack @ Dec 16, 2015 -> 01:20 PM) 3 top 50 picks should help. Even 2 in the top 50 to add a couple high upside players to Fulmer/Anderson should be helpful. Plus, how many of those guys were top 15 prospects? Not very often I would imagine a team cares about adding the 18th ranked prospect in a system... so these guys aren't a major loss, IMO. QUOTE (fathom @ Dec 16, 2015 -> 01:21 PM) And after the upcoming draft, we will have three prospects that should be top 15 off the bat. Agreed. As I said, not big prospects. Montas and Micah were Top 15 guys, actually Thompson was too, so... it isn't a huge loss, and I agree it was the way to go. Just pointing out that there is a consequence worth noting.

If you want an in-depth look at what the Sox gave up for Frazier, read this.

For the record, I like the trade. But just to keep something in mind, look at this list: Frankie Montas (TRADED) Micah Johnson (TRADED) Trayce Thompson (TRADED) Tyler Saladino (GRADUATED) Zack Erwin (TRADED) Myles Jaye (TRADED) Yency Almonte (TRADED) JB Wendelken (TRADED) Junior Guerra (CLAIM) Those are all prospects that were either in the summer Top 30, or were likely to become that in January (in Almonte's case), all of whom the team has lost in a few weeks. Just pointing out that, this Frazier deal was good, but in exchange the team has taken a pretty big bite out of the system. They kept the top two in Anderson and Fulmer, but beyond that, an already not-fantastic list is much thinner now.

QUOTE (Alexeihyeess @ Dec 16, 2015 -> 12:23 PM) Hate this deal for a lot of reasons. 1. Avi - Eaton - Melky OF is all but confirmed. Another year of negative WAR from both corners really make acquiring Lawrie and Frazier pointless. The only internal option that maybe makes a splash just got traded for... 2. The next player to come to the White Sox and collapse. Frazier is about to cross the 30 barrier and look at his 2nd half splits last year. Look at how bad he was. Hard time seeing him turning it around, especially with the Sox track record of aging sluggers. 3. We gave up 3 dynamic players. Thompson is a great defender, Micah has that speed, Montas has the big fastball. These guys were all set to the contribute in different, meaningful ways and instead the Sox dealt them for the same exact kind of player we've seen every offseason since 2005. 1. Far from it. Sox will undoubtedly look at improving on Avi, though we'll see what can happen. And Melky posting negative WAR is unlikely. 2. This isn't LaRoche or Dunn. This is an All Star-level player, and far younger than those two were when they came over. Apples and oranges. 3. Sox gave up three players with flaws big enough they are probably an inconsistent reliever, 4th OF and possibly not major leaguer. All have SOME big tools, but also SOME big flaws. It's a really good trade.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Dec 16, 2015 -> 12:21 PM) lol, was just about to post this. The Score has always been a joke in terms of baseball coverage, but the shift to being the Cubs flagship station has made them unbearable. Holy crap, they really said that? There are like 6 guys more likely than Hawkins. Yikes.

Montas has a big arm, can hit 100 and his slider is nasty at times. But his command is rough on all his pitches, his mechanics are inconsistent, and he is far too gun-happy which makes his pitches flatten. He's a reliever, and it isn't guaranteed even that will work. Thompson is a solid 4th OF right now, with a ceiling of a starting CF regular, but that's a roll of the dice. Micah can hit in the majors and has game-changing speed, but he can't defend his position at second and can't handle other positions. Plus he has repeated health issues. The Sox got an All Star-level 3B for at least two years, for that? Win. Big win. And this coming from a guy who follows (and writes about) the minor league system closely.

A fully equalized state education funding system will never, ever pass. And it doesn't exist elsewhere either, they all have a state component (Most in a way that IL doesn't), but then various methods of add-on occur.

QUOTE (L. Ron Paultard @ Dec 16, 2015 -> 01:30 AM) It's incredible how many people still refuse to come to terms with the Honey Badger phenomenon. He's had it on lock-down since the summer, Jason. Now it's only a matter of how many ISIS attacks on US soil, some via the wide open Southern border..... will it take between now and next November, to terrify enough "independents" in Florida & Ohio, to swing for him. . End/thread This post is... random. WTF is a honey badger phenomenon?

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Dec 16, 2015 -> 08:18 AM) The article suggests trading Quintana, but it's hard to keep wasting Sale/Abreu in their primes. I'd either go all in or all out, meaning if I trade Quintana for a non-Earth shattering return, I'd blow it up and trade Sale/Abreu too. That's been the general thought process - that those are the only two paths. Brian was pointing out that there could be a third, that might work better. Part of his point is, going all-out isn't really an option for the White Sox in their particular situation market-wise.

Mr. raBBit wrote a piece for Future Sox, suggesting that maybe there are more than two potential paths to success for the White Sox. Not all-in for this coming year, and not a complete tear-down, but something in the middle that addresses the team's constraints and leads to success. It's really good stuff. Here it is. What are your thoughts on this?