NorthSideSox72

Flying overseas, biz or 1st class is a HUGE bonus when you can get it. Domestic flights it is a lot less value IMO, unless you are going coast to coast maybe.

Elmore isn't going to be traded for anything (by himself) useful for the Sox major league roster. If you package him with a guy like Petricka, he might maybe get one of the backup guys like Romine, but I don't see too much value in doing that. Most likely, Elmore gets traded for a minor leaguer, and not a significant one either.

In that same Kanny/W-S rotation discussion, I am skeptical of Cose, he has major consistency issues. He might move to the pen and focus on a couple pitches, which again puts Recchia (who I personally like more than most do) in the BHam starting 5.

QUOTE (Señor Ding-Dong @ Feb 26, 2014 -> 03:14 PM) Great job. Even if it's not likely to be 100% accurate, it's still a great reference tool. I tried making one of these about a week ago for personal use and I just gave up. Only thing I noticed is you have Danish in Kanny and WS. Haha, good point. Spreadsheet is kinda big and I missed that. I'm not 100% sure which rotation he'll be in, but off hte cuff, I'd guess he's in Kanny... so move Bucciferro to W-S's rotation, Freudenberg to Kanny's rotation, and Anthony Santiago to Kanny's 'pen. Other possibility is Recchia in W-S's rotation.

Dan Hayes now quoting Rick Hahn as saying they'll be able to trade Elmore in the next couple days. 1. Weird to see a GM actually say they are going to trade someone in a few days 2. Weird they claimed him (Elmore) in the first place if you ask me, with Leury Garcia around.

LOL, and less than an hour later, add another name - Cleto.

Alright, assuming the 25 man roster in Chicago goes like this... C Tyler Flowers 1B Jose Abreu 2B Gordon Beckham SS Alexei Ramirez 3B Conor Gillaspie OF Dayan Viciedo OF Adam Eaton OF Avisail Garcia DH* Adam Dunn SP Chris Sale SP Jose Quintana SP Erik Johnson SP John Danks SP Felipe Paulino RP Nate Jones RP Matt Lindstrom RP Scott Downs (L) RP Donnie Veal (L) RP Daniel Webb RP Mitchell Boggs RP Ronald Belisario Bench Josh Phegley © Bench Jeff Keppinger Bench Alejandro De Aza Bench Paul Konerko Here is who my guess is will be at each level, followed by a list of guys for each level that I just couldn't find a spot for. In the case of AAA, it is a loooooong list of extra guys. The surplus is mostly in pitchers across the system right now, and I had to put guys who really should be starting (i.e. Blough, Recchia, Leyer, Freudenberg), into some bullpens. AAA Charlotte C Miguel Gonzalez 1B Andy Wilkins 2B Marcus Semien SS Carlos Sanchez 3B Matt Davidson OF Jordan Danks OF Michael Earley OF Blake Tekotte DH* Dan Black SP Andre Rienzo SP Eric Surkamp (L) SP Charlie Leesman (L) SP Spencer Arroyo (L) SP Stephen McCray RP Jake Petricka RP Deunte Heath RP Brian Omogrosso RP David Purcey (L) RP Taylor Thompson RP Evan Crawford (L) RP Nestor Molina Bench Hector Gimenez © Bench Leury Garcia (INF) Bench Cody Puckett (OF) Bench Alex Liddi (3B) AAA LEFT OVER: Zach Stewart Matt Zaleski Scott Carroll Salvador Sanchez Ryan Kussmaul Mike McDade (1B) Parker Frazier Tony Pena Jr Dylan Axelrod Frank De Los Santos (L) Jake Elmore (UTIL) Terry Doyle AA Birmingham C Kevan Smith 1B Rangel Ravelo 2B Micah Johnson SS Tyler Saladino 3B Chris Curley OF Keenyn Walker OF Jared Mitchell OF Mark Haddow DH* Christian Marrero SP Chris Bassitt SP Myles Jaye SP Scott Snodgress (L) SP Chris Beck SP Jake Cose RP Sean Bierman (L) RP Cody Winiarski RP JB Wendelken RP Jarrett Casey (L) RP Henry Mabee RP Bryan Blough RP Kevin Vance Bench Mike Blanke © Bench Eric Patterson (INF) Bench Jaime Pedroza (INF) Bench Grant Buckner (OF) AA LEFT OVER: Luis Sierra (UTIL) Dan Wagner (INF) Jeremy Farrell (UTIL) Dan Remenowsky Jake Floethe David Cales A+ Winston-Salem C Mike Marjama 1B Keon Barnum 2B Joey DeMichele SS Tim Anderson 3B Eric Grabe OF Courtney Hawkins OF Jacob May OF Jason Coats DH* Adam Heisler SP Jefferson Olacio (L) SP Tyler Danish SP Kyle Hansen SP Frank Montas SP Braulio Ortiz RP Brandon Hardin RP Terance Marin RP Mike Recchia RP Euclides Leyer RP Storm Throne RP Andre Wheeler (L) RP Stew Brase Bench Omar Narvaez © Bench Ben Kline (UTIL) Bench Jake Brown (INF) Bench Joe DePinto (OF) A+ LEFT OVER: Martin Medina © Brent Tanner © Michael Johnson (INF) Josh Richmond (OF) Zach Isler Diogenis Rosario Jeremy Dowdy © David Putman Nick Basto (INF) A Kannapolis C Trey Wimmer 1B Danny Hayes 2B Cleuluis Rondon SS Tyler Shryock 3B Christian Stringer OF Adam Engel OF Jacob Morris OF Nolan Earley DH* Zach Fisher SP Brandon Brennan SP Tyler Danish SP Tony Bucciferro SP Brad Goldberg SP Andrew Mitchell RP Alex Powers RP Jacob Sanchez RP Matt Abramson RP Jose Bautista (L) RP Matt Ball RP Joey Wagman RP Chris Freudenberg (L) Bench Dillon Haupt © Bench Kale Kiser (OF) Bench Justin Jirschele (UTIL) Bench Jean Almanzar (INF) A LEFT OVER: Yoandy Barroso Anthony Santiago Zach Voight (3B) Juan Ramirez (OF) Hunter Jones (OF) Grant Monroe ROOKIE, EXTENDED, DL or RESTRICTED Sammy Ayala Patrick Palmeiro Jose Barraza Toby Thomas Trey Michalczewski Michael Carballo Dane Opel Thurman Hall Corey Thompson Thaddius Lowry Jose Brito Tyler Barnette Sam Macias Angel Rosario © Audry Santana (INF) Tyler Williams (EXT) Adam Lopez (DL) Jeff McKenzie (EXT) Nick Blount (SUSP) Kyle Bellamy (DL) James Dykstra Sean Hagan (L) Eric Jaffe Charlie Sharrer Devin Moore Jon Bengard Brad Salgado Carl Thomore (OF) Cody Yount (1B) Nick Parent (SUSP)

It is really hard to predict at this point, but I gave it a shot the other night. Thing is, at each level of the minors, there is way too much player depth. As the spring goes on, players will be traded, released, hurt, or sent to extended. That all said, I'll put in here what I got for a big board based on my best guesses, in my next post. It is a long list.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Feb 26, 2014 -> 01:02 PM) Should be interesting to see what they do with Semien and Sanchez in Charlotte. Sanchez is the better SS but you would think Semien takes precedent over Sanchez there. Perhaps they switch them back and forth like they had last year. I think those two will rotate with Leury Garcia (assuming all three are in Charlotte), with all three getting time at each spot. That seems the smart thing to do. They might have Garcia play a little OF too, to see if that can work as part of his utility profile. We'll see how Sanchez does, but one thing that concerns me with him, is that it appears (from pictures I've seen and some reports from VWL) that he's put on noticeable weight. That could be a good thing if it helps him add some pop, but hopefully that doesn't compromise his athleticism or range. Could be nothing, but I thought it was worth mentioning.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Feb 26, 2014 -> 12:56 PM) I think if they through Semien was ready, Alexei Ramirez would now be a former White Sox. I'm glad they are giving Semien looks at SS (based on one game so far, LOL) this spring, because his value is highest there and there is a chance he could stick. Start at the position of best value for him, move him when or if needed. And I agree with others that a little time at AAA is probably a good thing for him.

QUOTE (IowaSoxFan @ Feb 26, 2014 -> 12:02 PM) Phegley and Murphy have pretty similar profiles, so much so that giving anything up of value of this point does not make much sense. I do still believe that Beckham can be a pretty good hitter, he has shown flashes, and just needs to find a consistent approach, something that I think has been hampered by having three hitting coaches in three years. If can't put it together this year, he is a non-tender guy at the end of the season. But I am not going to give him to the Yankees and let him put it altogether there. Keppinger on the other hand, while I think he will rebound, would be a good salary move for the team. Cervelli definitely is a backup, though backup offensive production is a step up from last season. I don't think acquiring another backup guy makes much sense here. I think Flowers can be that and be decent at it - he handles the position fairly well, the pitchers like him, he's got a little pop, and won't be terribly expensive. Seems you think a little less of Murphy (or more of Phegley?) than I do, and a little more of Beckham, so I can understand where you are coming from. I still think it would be a smart deal. Good discussion though.

QUOTE (IowaSoxFan @ Feb 26, 2014 -> 11:19 AM) We already have JR Murphy, except we call him Josh Phegley. Cervelli is intriguing for his defensive prowess and ability to handle pitchers, but does not have a ton of value as his profile is that of a backup. Keppinger for Cervelli, $25K to cover the cost of Nieto, and international slot money works for me. I don't really see Phegley being as solid a prospect as Murphy. And I'm one of Phegley's bigger proponents on this board. Murphy's defense, looking at what scouting information I could find, looks better than Phegley's - but as we saw with Phegley, sometimes reports of improvement are exaggerated. Murphy's walk rates are higher, contact rates similar, power potential similar, but Murphy also did all that at younger ages per level. I think he's an upgrade, though not a huge one. Part of the equation is, I'm not believing that Beckham can even be an average starting 2B. That may be his ceiling, but his defense is decent (not great), and hitting-wise I think he'll be below average just as he has been. And, key here, he'll cost a lot more in the coming years, versus Murphy being just into his pre-arb years. As an overall transaction, replacing Beckham with Semien (who I think can be an above average overall 2B), Phegley or Flowers with Murphy (a small upgrade), and saving the club a few million a year is a deal worth doing. Cervelli on the other hand, looks like a backup to me, and if you want a defensive backup C, Miguel Gonzalez is there and has options left.

Trading Beckham for Murphy, having Kepp start at 2B to get a groove back and up his value, then flipping Keppinger at the break if/when Semien or Carlos Sanchez is ready... that's a pretty ideal scenario to me. Similar move with Davidson could be done too, let Gillaspie hit a bit, if he completely fails release him, if he does something trade him and Davidson comes up. This avoids Super 2 status for Semien and Davidson as a nice side effect. Leury Garcia can be the utility IF, which is future anyway.

Regardless of airline, it is amazing the difference between various flights within each airline and boarding routine. For a while I was on the same 6:15am flight on Monday morning from O'Hare to LaGuardia on AA every week. On that flight, by the time they finished calling the high-status groups, the plane was 90% full. And everyone was in the seats quick, it was like a complex dance. On the other hand, I remember around that same time on the same airline (AA), flying on a Saturday from O'Hare to Albuquerque, and it was me and one other dude in the high-status group to board. QUOTE (RockRaines @ Feb 26, 2014 -> 09:04 AM) Sometimes they have that, sometimes they dont. If getting on and off a plane is a top priority of anyone do not fly frontier in and out of Denver. They actually have longer boarding times because it takes people a really long time to get on and off. I am sure its because of tourism and all the gear but also it seems like I sit next to a first time flyer almost every time back from there. of course they have Directv (like SWA does now BTW) and you can watch things like Blackhawks games in the air. Do you know the A-terminal trick at DIA? You can avoid the security and tram bottleneck if you have a gate in the first terminal if you just take that skywalk across. The security lines are usually a ghost town over there.

QUOTE (Sonik22 @ Feb 25, 2014 -> 05:19 PM) Anyone have any opinions on AirTran? Flying out to the Dominican Republic in a couple weeks with them. I know they're owned by SWA but wasn't sure if they deliver a similar experience. I flew them a number of times when I was living in Memphis, though that was like a decade ago now. I liked them. Planes were all new and comfortable - and quiet (in terms of engine noise). Airfares were cheap. Only downside is they fly almost exclusively in/out of Atlanta, so their routes only make sense for some destinations, and you generally need to make a connection (unless you are going to or from Atlanta). Of course, going to the DR, you'd likely have to make a connection somewhere anyway.

QUOTE (maggsmaggs @ Feb 26, 2014 -> 08:06 AM) The best option has to be Murphy. FanGraphs ranked him the No. 2 prospect in the Yankees system and he is the youngest (at 22). By far, the most potential and a legit starting catching prospect. I am not sure Beckham alone could get the deal done. But both teams dealing from a position of strength. I am somewhat skeptical of Murphy, as his defense has never been said to be very good. Though it supposedly has improved. Just remember, that's what we heard about Phegley too. And this is a guy who has no role with the team right now. That said, the Sox do have some intriguing relief arms that the Yankees may want. I'd have to think a package of Beckham and Petricka would probably get it done.

Also worth noting that the Yankees are looking for relievers as well.

Not surprising, though the Yankees would know that Keppinger is hurting. I think he's basically untradeable at this point. That means it would really have to be Beckham or Gillaspie, likely Beckham. So which one of the 4 catchers they mention are worth it for Beckham? Which one(s) is(are) better than Flowers/Phegley, really?

I see a couple requests for big boards, aka org depth charts, or the like. Those would be pretty huge and tough for a Podcast format, in terms of discussions. However, I think I can do an article on it and put the information up on FutureSox later in ST, if people would like to see that.

QUOTE (flavum @ Feb 25, 2014 -> 09:50 AM) Nobody get hurt... https://twitter.com/CST_soxvan/status/43833...5483264/photo/1 Rondon on the list is interesting, he and Coats are the only guys on there who haven't played above Kannapolis/A. Sometimes these sorts of things are hints about how the org sees guys.

QUOTE (balfanman @ Feb 25, 2014 -> 08:50 AM) I don't have a suggestion at the moment. I'd just like to thank you folks for all of the time and effort you put in. I really enjoy reading your posts and learning about all of the prospects. THANK YOU! Glad you like it, thanks!

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Feb 24, 2014 -> 04:25 PM) Wouldn't they just cut like half of those guys to free up a spot? Seems like dumping someone on the DL would be more harmful because of missed playing time. Some will get cut, some maybe traded in a nothing-for-nothing deal. But last season they put a whole slew of pitchers from the upper levels on the DL, like a shadow roster for depth. Talked with Gonzo about it at the time, and the injuries were, in some cases, very questionable. When they are on the DL, they can still work out in AZ with the extended guys. A bunch of that list is filler guys of course, but there are also a number of key guys in there. Hard to say what they'll do. I just think it is interesting that they seem to have set themselves up to have a large depth of near-majors arms ready to go. Then they have to decide what to do with them come April.

QUOTE (IowaSoxFan @ Feb 24, 2014 -> 04:30 PM) True, goes to show the myriad of factors to account for when selecting a player that high. He has a ton of talent, but that isn't all you need to be successful. All picks are tenuous at best, the #3 position is no guarantee of getting a great player. Just to expand the scope to ten years for more of a sample size: 2013 Gray 2012 Zunino 2011 Bauer 2010 Machado 2009 Tate 2008 Eric Hosmer 2007 Josh Vitters 2006 Evan Longoria 2005 Jeff Clement 2004 Phillip Humber 2003 Kyle Sleeth Just sayin, this pick is no slam dunk. There is a gigantic list of players that slide that have success as well, its all about identification and scouting. You have to evaluate make-up, projection, ceiling, lots of factors that aren't accounted for when these mock drafts are created. One thing that does stand out in that list to me, is there are really only a couple busts. And Sleeth had injury issues. Bottom line for me is, the #4 pick has a very good chance of getting you a useful major leaguer, and a small but significant chance of getting you more than that. Chances of a bust are about 20%.

Not that this should be a determining factor, but I think it is interesting how big a crowd there is to fit onto Charlotte's roster in terms of pitchers. Assuming Paulino is in the rotation and Webb takes the open bullpen slot, with Veal taking the LOOGY spot, here are the pitchers you'd assume would be in AAA: Andre Rienzo* Eric Surkamp (L)* Charlie Leesman (L)* Spencer Arroyo (L) Stephen McCray Jake Petricka Deunte Heath Brian Omogrosso David Purcey (L) Taylor Thompson Evan Crawford (L) Nestor Molina Zach Stewart Matt Zaleski Scott Carroll Salvador Sanchez Ryan Kussmaul Parker Frazier Tony Pena Jr Dylan Axelrod Frank De Los Santos (L)* That's about 9 guys too many to fit. And if the Sox have to go with only 6 in the pen, it gets tighter. Again, don't misunderstand, I'm not saying this should effect who makes the team because it absolutely should not. But it is worth noting that you have about 10 starters and 11 relievers there. The ones with an asterisk are on the 40 at this time. There are even more guys who, under normal development, may also be at AAA (Vance, Mabee, Remenowsky). As they did last year, I predict they will use the DL for capacity, citing dubious "injuries".

Alright, we're going to do a podcast for FS. First in a while. While we will ultimately choose the topics, is there anything in particular people want to hear about?