NorthSideSox72

QUOTE (Heads22 @ Feb 21, 2015 -> 03:38 PM) We do ok. Big win at Texas and starting to put a bit of heat on Kansas Wins at OSU and TEX have helped assuage my earlier-stated fears about how this team can do away from Hilton. Feeling much better about our chances in March now.

The phrase "forearm tightness" always concerns me. Seems like it often ends up being an elbow thing.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Feb 20, 2015 -> 12:51 PM) That's not true though -- to get the extra year of control, they only need to wait a couple weeks. The June date is relevant if they want to dodge the Super Two deadline, but you can throw that out the window and still get the extra year. And the year is WAY more valuable than avoiding Super Two. The cost is just basically nothing. You're talking about getting a seventh year of control and all you have to do is give Hector Noesi two starts. Pending some kind major injury/depth issues, it would be a flat-out boneheaded move for the Sox to break camp with Rodon. Are we sure that it is just a couple weeks for the extra year though? If so I agree, complete no-brainer for him to be in Charlotte (barring injuries that force the Sox' hand).

Pitchers. And. Catchers... REPORT.

QUOTE (chitownsportsfan @ Feb 19, 2015 -> 04:55 PM) Thanks for the report I'll readily admit I don't watch these guys film, don't go to the games, I rely on the reports from scouts. It's interesting to me that the problem is with his glove work because usually what you see is that slower guys rush the throws, rush the transfers, rush everything because they don't trust their own ability to get to the ball quickly. Usually guys that are fast in the infield are also slick with the glove just because they have so much time to get a good grip on the ball, a smooth transfer, whatever. Hopefully he just needs more confidence and seasoning. Keeping his legs healthy, much like Eaton, will be key. I have a feeling Micah is another "sports car" type like Eaton, if he isn't fully tuned, he isn't going to be very effective. I like the sports car analogy, it's spot-on. He will be high maintenance. QUOTE (RockRaines @ Feb 19, 2015 -> 09:36 PM) Really nice piece dude. Gonna be a fun spring. Anyone going down there? Looks like we have a thread for that! QUOTE (chitownsportsfan @ Feb 19, 2015 -> 10:40 PM) Perhaps awkwardly worded. Was saying Jones won't be pitching until May or June, but he'll be in camp getting in his workouts.

QUOTE (chitownsportsfan @ Feb 19, 2015 -> 03:57 PM) Thing is tho NorthSide he isn't "knocking on the door of the majors" with his play in the minors. He's only there by default as the Sox don't have anyone obviously better than him either in MLB or MilB. It's faint praise IMO. I'm not high on guys that can't translate their speed defensively. Speed needs to play not just on the bases but defensively and in getting on base (Eaton is a master of the slap hustle single). Maybe Micah puts it all together this year in AAA and forces his way onto the big club. I just don't expect it. "Middling prospect" was too harsh but I personally have him ranked outside the top 10 in the ORG. His speed is not an issue defensively - it does translate that way. I've watched him play in person and the range is very good, saw him make some plays in short right that were tough for most people. And me makes the occasional spectacular play too. His arm is fine for 2B, but isn't strong enough for an outfielder from what I've seen and read. The problem is the glove work, which is very inconsistent. Part of that seems to be mental - a lack of focus on routine plays, and a tendency to try to do too much and force a play. Those are things that can be learned, which is cause for optimism. Doesn't means he WILL fix them, but it means he can, and he's a sharp guy.

QUOTE (chitownsportsfan @ Feb 19, 2015 -> 03:12 PM) The irrational exuberance on Micah Johnson is one of the most inexplicable things I've seen. He can't field 2B. Until he does, he's a 25th man, at best. If he gets 400 PA in Charlotte and goes 300/340/440 with 30 out of 40 SB and the reports on his defense are better -- than fine, pencil him in for 2016. Until then he's just a middling prospect IMO. He's not 22, he's 24, that's a major blow. He's older than Sanchez FFS. Well first of all, he's not a "middling prospect" by single-org standards. He's probably in the 150-220 range across MLB, and 6th or so on the Sox. Second, Sanchez is very young to be at his level right now. When he started Charlotte in 2013 he was the youngest player in all of AAA baseball, and was still among the youngest on return in 2014. Your standards on age are a little odd to me. Third, at 24 knocking on the door of the majors, Johnson is right around where many key prospects are age-wise, even on the young side for a college guy. I do agree with you on the reservations about his defense - that is something people seem to be forgetting and shouldn't. That's a major issue. How many bases he steals in AAA is almost irrelevant. Minor league SB numbers are not quite useless, but their value is very small, as players are on all sorts of different orders for doing different things (and not doing other things). He's already shown he can steal a lot and do it at a high rate when he's given a permanent green light, and he's got 70 grade speed or better. If he's healthy, all that is left on that topic is technique, which he'll be learning. Finally, Johnson isn't a 25th man because he isn't a bench player. He isn't a bench player for the very reason you noted earlier - his defense. He has trouble at 2B as it is, and doesn't have the arm to play elsewhere probably, so he's a one position guy. Either he's a starting (or at least heavyweight platoon) 2B, or he's not in the majors, at least right now.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Feb 19, 2015 -> 01:39 PM) I think most people think the Rodon thread is most interesting, but to me, it's catcher. I would love for the Sox to at least be considering the idea that two catchers could play Flowers off of the 25 man roster. None of these, obviously, are sure things, but Soto/Kottaras could be noticeably better than Flowers/anyone else if the aforementioned are actually healthy. I personally think Kottaras is the least likely of 5 guys to be anything. I also think that Nieto and Smith have the potential to be at least as good as Flowers, with ceilings that are better than Flowers. But they are both about a year away from being at that point, and neither are likely to be above average starters even if they reach their ceilings. This is the position which, to me, is the biggest depth problem in the organization. You've got an MLB starter who is probably below average max, a group of Soto/Brantly/Kottaras for the backup job that aren't starting grade, a pair of prospects maybe a year out with at-best average MLB catcher ceilings (and likely not even that), and then... nothing, really. I suppose Barraza has MLB ceiling but he's never been above rookie ball. Austin looked awful behind the plate in Kanny and didn't hit much either. I usually don't advocate for specific positions in the draft and I certainly think you go BPA the first few rounds, but I would really like the Sox to grab a catcher or two in relatively high rounds if at all possible in June.

QUOTE (kapzk @ Feb 19, 2015 -> 12:11 PM) Can anyone explain the Super 2 status and how it will be in play for delaying Rodon's call up. Someone wrote up a thread on this site last year that went into all the details on this, including gory math. But the key is, there are two aspects. One, the Super 2 issue, is about having an extra year of arbitration (one less of pre-arb) which would get the player a higher salary. Two, which to me is more important, is about how many years of control the team has before the player reaches free agency. When Rodon gets called up will dictate both. Waiting until June-ish can help the Sox on both fronts, potentially.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Feb 19, 2015 -> 11:54 AM) Has anyone heard anything on EJ this offseason? I know he's the forgotten man but it seems kind of odd that there's been no reports on him at all. After I wrote that piece in October, I had a conversation (electronic) with Scott Merkin (MLB beat writer) about it. He said that the team was 100% convinced it was primarily a mental thing with Erik, FWIW. Haven't heard anything since though. We (FutureSox) are hoping to get someone out to ST in person this year to take some video etc., hopefully we can get a look at Johnson.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Feb 19, 2015 -> 11:48 AM) Odds are slim. To my eyes it would take the following 1. A big spring from Johnson, where he has his form, velocity, and results back to 2013 type. 2. A bad spring from Noesi, and/or an injury to another pitcher 3. Rodon, or another highly ranked prospect, not having a huge spring in front of Johnson, as all things being equal, Rodon would win out. I agree on one and two, not sure about three. If Johnson does look really good, I think that only increases the chances the Sox keep Rodon in Charlotte a few months or put him in the bullpen.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Feb 19, 2015 -> 11:13 AM) Dont forget the minutes as well if there are any. Thats where many of our rule changes were actually documented. When you register annually with the State, you are supposed to submit the full rules - but I suspect some associations fail to do that. For us, it was only three units, and we were a new building with no previous residents, so it was pretty smooth. And since the three units essentially made up the board, we had complete control without having to worry about upsetting anyone else. Which was nice.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Feb 19, 2015 -> 11:00 AM) Meet the association president before you buy if you can, I routinely gave people an overview of what was coming in my building as well as "undocumented" regulations. Sellers and seller agents can lie all the way to closing time. If you request the full condo association rules, and you close based on those with lawyer present, and find out later there were "other" rules... then the sellers were fraudulent or at fault, and you can pretty much say "I'm not following these rules, and if you try to enforce them on me, I'm suing you and will win". Should end the discussion. Anyway, that kind of thing should be rare, if you actually ask for the full condo documents.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Feb 17, 2015 -> 09:51 PM) Well I am kinda biased and over reactive given that I'm a landlord for two condos now, and not by choice. (One in Old Irving which is near where you are looking) Obviously it's a different marketplace now than 8-10 years ago though. I would say just try to do your due diligence on the building and the association. You don't want to sign your life away then suddenly get hit with a huge special assessment or find out your association is broke. I've heard of plenty of horror stories with buildings needing major repairs, having no money, etc. I got hit with a nearly $6k special assessment to build a new porch and fix the roof and masonry. Also, be sure to look over the by-laws to ensure that you are allowed to rent your place out, some groups forbid it. That's important. The possibility to rent in the future is good, but you should only buy if you are ready to live there for at least the next 5-7 years, if not more. You should be able to rent, but you never know what will happen. I agree on the parts about making sure you know the condo association covenants, and their financial condition, what their monthly revenue and costs are. Very key. That said, if that all checks out, I wouldn't hesitate on buying a city condo, as long as you aren't in a very fringe neighborhood (which is just higher risk but could be higher reward). We bought out Bucktown condo in 2004, moved out in early 2011 after not being able to sell at a good price (it was the depths of the downturn). But we rented it out the past 4 years and that has gone well - basically break even on a cash flow basis, and make money on an investment basis. Now we're selling, now that the market has improved. Just remember if you do rent it out, work with a realtor or someone to help find a good renter. You lose a half month rent to commission, but the risk mitigation is very helpful.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Feb 19, 2015 -> 10:45 AM) I would just make 3 a deep space sleep dream. If you want to bring those actors back, just pretend it didnt happen Could do that. By the way, if you want to feel old... Sigourney Weaver is now 65 years old (turns 66 in October), and Michael Biehn is 59 (turns 60 in July). Wow.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Feb 19, 2015 -> 09:28 AM) I agree, I liked 3 and despised resurrection. But if they stick with 3 as the jumping point, then i guess both of them are brought back from the dead Would have to be.

By the way, here is what we wrote on Johnson in October, and it still applies.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Feb 19, 2015 -> 10:18 AM) I completely agree, but it will be interesting to watch him this ST and see if he bounces back at all. I probably should have included a note about Johnson in the article. He's definitely one to watch, though I think the chances of him grabbing a rotation slot straight away are pretty slim.

QUOTE (staxx @ Feb 19, 2015 -> 09:28 AM) I really hope Rodon dominates, but health of the team is my #1 this spring. We NEED to stay healthy. Also, the backup C. I can still see someone like Soto end up taking away substantial playing time from Flowers. On Rodon, I am perfectly fine with him in Charlotte as long as Noesi and Danks look good. On the backup C, I think Soto has the possibility of being that. And long term, Nieto and/or Smith might push Flowers, but that is later in the year or next year if ever. Brantly and Kottaras aren't pushing anyone out of a starting role though.

QUOTE (ChiSox59 @ Feb 18, 2015 -> 09:17 AM) Yeah, I know. I will probably just buy them through the box office when single game tickets go on sale, but figured I'd throw it out here too. I'll have my annual 4-seat section of season tickets this year again. But I won't know for sure about those specific dates until March. Feel free to send me a direct message on here if you want more details.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Feb 19, 2015 -> 08:54 AM) Maybe they retcon Alien 3 and Alien Resurrection? I realize folks may disagree with this, but... I really liked Alien3 and thought it was a good ending for the film set. I really did NOT like Resurrection and like to pretend that movie doesn't exist. But since they used the phrase "back from the dead" for Hicks, and showed him with lots of burn marks, I have to think they are acknowledging A3's story line is still in place.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Feb 19, 2015 -> 05:36 AM) Neil Blomkamp to make the next Alien movie http://io9.com/holy-xenomorphs-neill-blomk...0883.1419297631 They're going to bring Hicks back from the dead? I wonder if it would be played by Biehn. Always liked him.

Wrote up a Spring Training preview covering the main story lines and questions to keep an eye on in Arizona. Pitchers and catchers report (officially) tomorrow! Which story holds the most interest for you?

Now there's a quality road win for ISU. Now have road wins over two ranked B12 teams. Looking better. Jameel McKay is the real deal. At Texas Saturday will also be a challenge.

QUOTE (shipps @ Feb 17, 2015 -> 04:44 PM) And faucets dripping. I lived in Memphis for a few years, and this was a big thing there. Their building codes aren't what they are in Chicago, so there were many situations where pipes were run in outside walls, sometimes with no insulation. On nights when it was going to go below about 25 degrees, the news covereage went into hyperdrive and told everyone to open all the cabinets and run all their faucets all night. It was so cute. And the one time in 3 winters down there they got a measurable snow that stuck (2-3", stayed for a day), the entire city shut down. I mean, other than FedEx's operations at the airport (FedEx literally owned the only snow plows in town, and they NEVER shut down for ANYTHING), NOTHING was open. And of course the night before, there was the bum rush on bread and milk at the grocery stores.