NorthSideSox72

QUOTE (Chilihead90 @ Dec 8, 2015 -> 11:53 AM) My point is you can't just point to an older player who had success as a reason to discount other players who have had success. I see it all the time and it's weak. Very few 3B's, regardless of where they come from, do well into years 33, 34, 35. There are some, but there is risk there. Not talking about a 1B here, or a pitcher. It is a valid point.

At his age, and the effect of coming over to MLB from Japan usually meaning players get caught-up to (with a few exceptions), he seems like an interesting option for a 2 year deal, or 2 plus an option year maybe. 3 is pushing it. Also, his defense is a key factor, and I can't find anything about that anywhere.

My apologies, I just realized that the article on FS incorrectly stated the Sox have the 7th pick in the Rule 5. They in fact have the 10th pick. Article corrected.

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Dec 8, 2015 -> 09:47 AM) My wife's a public school teacher. They can't do anything anymore. This year their Halloween parties were cancelled as well because a parent complained beforehand that they might be detrimental to their child's state of mind. Again with my kid's elementary school, they had a huge Halloween parade and everything. All the kids, and the teachers and even the principal, all dressed up for it. Maybe I'm just not seeing these things.

The first poll section would have been great to have a split. The originals (Ep 4, 5, 6) I liked a lot, still do. The prequels (Ep 1, 2, 3) were 95% steaming piles of garbage.

QUOTE (Alpha Dog @ Dec 8, 2015 -> 08:56 AM) Go visit a school and watch their Christmas, I mean Winter Season, play. They have colleges with Diversity Departments warning people that even a Christmas tree would be bad form and not 'inclusive'. The elementary school my kid goes to does a "Winter Sing", but it is more than half Christmas songs, along with a lot of Jewish holiday tunes (our district does have a large Jewish population), and a couple secular wintery things. There are christmas trees and menorahs, and the usual decorations. Nothing sanitized about it.

LaRoche is definitely a guy who could benefit from a change in scenery. Also recall, even Dunn bounced back pretty big, and he was older as I recall. But the Sox would need to kick in some money, no doubt.

QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ Dec 8, 2015 -> 07:45 AM) He's another cheap name to add to the mix, since nothing is settled there. I'd bring him in for spring training if we aren't adding another IF as insurance (if anyone gets hurt or Micah gets traded). If we have to offer him back, offer him back. Better pick IMO, than a pitcher (where we aren't even protecting our own talented pieces) or OF (I'd even want Avi over anyone not named Blash and Trayce/Shuck seem firmly locked in as 4th OF). I was thinking about this one yesterday after you mentioned him. I'll add him to the article, thanks for talking me into it, haha.

QUOTE (Heads22 @ Dec 2, 2015 -> 05:54 PM) NDSU went on a big run when everyone thought Niang blew out his knee. The team is still learning to play under Prohm as well. The defense is already miles ahead of last year. Ken Pom efficiency ratings, while still early Offense last year: 11 This year: 15 Defense last year: 71 This year: 22 They've been rusty on offense at times, but the defense has come miles already. They lose the Colorado game last year. Same thing happened again with Buffalo. Was a near-tie early in the 2nd half. Iowa on Thursday will be a decent test. But the game @ Cincy on the 22nd will be the first ranked team they play (assuming they remain ranked). And they open the B12 season on Jan 2 at OU, which will be very interesting.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Dec 7, 2015 -> 01:19 PM) Whelp, the wife and I are expecting baby boy #2 in June. The house is about to get more crazy. Congratulations! Second kid definitely changes things. You are going from a double-team to a man defense. Lord help you if you go over two and have to move to a zone.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Dec 7, 2015 -> 01:41 PM) I'm not saying they won't find ANYTHING. I bet their finding concludes some racial disparity in policing/arrests. But it's not going to be some damning report that implicates the mayor's office in any way, shape or form. You would know as well as anyone, people in those positions vary in terms of how much they are willing to - in some cases even love to - break the machine down when they face it. Fitzgerald had no friends in his work, that's the way he approached it. I don't know if the people involved this time are the same.

QUOTE (fathom @ Dec 7, 2015 -> 10:51 AM) Won't he be in AAA to start Yes, but my point is, he's not the Opening Day shortstop. That would be a jump from AA to the majors. AAA is the right test for him. Work against more mature pitching that can exploit weaknesses better, and not allow him to be purely a mistake hitter. He needs that step.

QUOTE (IowaSoxFan @ Dec 7, 2015 -> 10:47 AM) I'm not sure he his defense is ever going to be ready for the position. He made pretty big strides in 2015, and for me, I've gone from like 50% to 80% on him sticking at short.

QUOTE (fathom @ Dec 7, 2015 -> 10:22 AM) Never stopped the Sox before from rushing up a top prospect. If Saladino gets the job and struggles, Anderson is clearly next up. Find a list of position player prospects the White Sox have taken from AA to the majors in the past decade. And in Anderson's case, he is more raw than his age in terms of baseball experience. I find that very, very unlikely.

QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ Dec 7, 2015 -> 10:28 AM) I think we make a pick. If Blash is there I think you have to draft him. If not I think we go with TJ Rivera. And I'd like that a lot. Rivera seems like a utility infielder, which doesn't seem like a need. Unless you think he can start at 2B over Sanchez and Micah?

QUOTE (fathom @ Dec 7, 2015 -> 10:15 AM) Makes sense, as I'm sure we see Anderson up sooner than later I'd be shocked if he was up before September, and more likely 2017. He's not ready.

I think Saladino is the default plan. I am highly confident he is not Plan A, but if their efforts to upgrade (or re-sign Alexei, which would make sense) fail, he's the fall-back. Thing is, if the team has to fall back to that, unless they make big upgrades at both 2B and 3B and improve RF, it's hard to see the lineup as one that can contend.

I've always thought Soler was a better bet than Baez. Have this feeling Baez may become Viciedo with the bat (though with more defensive value).

How about we don't assume evil intent from a billion Christians or a billion Muslims based on these actions, considering neither religion endorses them? Both have, historically, been a part of awful things historically. Both have problems with people using the religion as an excuse for their violence. The nexus today is a little different. For Islam, it is significant swaths of people, sects and organizations, that are pushing violence. Modern Christianity isn't doing that, but they do have a problem with angry and hateful rhetoric that fosters an environment which may encourage bad acts. Either way, calling everyone who is part of organized religion "sheep" is empty platitude, and can just as easily apply to atheists or those in some smaller faith or spirituality. It also fully misses the point, which is people lacking an appreciate for life (something that can be a problem for any religion or lack thereof).

While we may be focused on the Hot Stove during the Winter Meetings, don't forget the Rule 5 Draft on Thursday. People here have asked about it, and it is certainly possible the White Sox could pick up - or lose - some players via that route. Here is a preview, including where the team stands, who they are at risk of losing, and who they may target to acquire if available. Looks to me like there is more risk of them losing prospects than drafting them this year, but it's hard to predict. Anyone have any predictions for the Rule 5? Sox pick someone up? Who they will lose?

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Dec 4, 2015 -> 03:00 PM) Opec intentionally keeping supply high to ward off other sources ie north American shale oil right? Not OPEC - specifically Saudi Arabia and a couple other Gulf countries, who have enough cash to afford to do so, are flooding the market with cheap supply. Other OPEC nations that don't have those kinds of reserves are NOT happy about it, there is a rift growing in OPEC. But yes, the main goal of the Saudis is to shake off shale oil in US, Canada and a couple other countries jumping into that. Plus a nice side effect of slowing down efforts and desire for alternatives. Then they'll bring supply back down later. Yet another reason why alternative energy should really be a priority in this country. National security and risk abatement.

QUOTE (Cknolls @ Dec 4, 2015 -> 01:56 PM) Strong dollar is not good for oil.......Nor emerging markets.....I think the big indicator is corporate debt and Corporate bonds....When that mkt starts to dry up then all bets are off...Cannot engineer fake earnings QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Dec 4, 2015 -> 11:54 AM) You have successfully predicted 142 of the last two recessions though

Rates will go up soon. They need the wiggle room back and start the preemptive work against the inflation snapback, and this is about as good a chance at it as they've seen in a long time.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Dec 4, 2015 -> 01:55 PM) Are we really that different from any other team? That's a serious question but I feel like it's not exactly the smartest move to not play your cards close to the vest. Oh I think all teams want to do that. The Sox just seem better at it. I haven't done a statistical sampling or anything, but it seems with most teams, the media are all aware of the direction they are going, and seem to know a lot about what players they are on. For Sox, there are a few here and there, but most of the time we don't hear much until it is done. Could be my biased perspective, that's why I asked.

Genuine question. It sure seems like you see fewer rumors, leaks and statements from the White Sox than any other team. And it seems people know far less about the direction they are taking, than other teams. Is there another MLB team at the Sox level on this? If so, whom?