Al Lopez's Ghost

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 8, 2014 -> 09:49 PM) She's (Susan Slusser) a baseball beat writer for the San Francisco newspaper (sfgate.com). That has more credibility than anything coming from the White Sox PR side/mlb.com. What did she say?

Too soon for him, right? Michelzewski I mean. Forget the spelling

This is worse than the trading deadline.

QUOTE (Buehrlesque @ Dec 8, 2014 -> 04:38 PM) Man, people are down on Danks. He's overpaid, I get it. But he's a serviceable number 4, and that is something the Sox need. The Sox are currently a starter short as it is. Unless trading him directly facilitates another move, like signing Scherzer (or trading for and extending Samardzija)or something big, I don't see the point of the Sox paying half of Danks' salary to pitch for someone else while still looking for starting pitching themselves. If you pay $7 mil to trade him and sign Masterson for about $9 mil, you are increasing your payroll by about $2 million in 2015 and not really improving the team all that much anyway. Is that really worth it? Don't overlook the final 14.5 million in 2016

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 8, 2014 -> 02:03 PM) Again, tweet is now deleted. Maybe his tweets self-destruct.

I never thought Tim Anderson's tweets would get so much attention.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 8, 2014 -> 07:46 AM) Oh joy, now we have to deal with another 20 pages on how this terrible idea is something the white sox should do. It's dirty, thankless work, but somebody's gotta do it.

Amen x 1000

Toronto trade for an injured player? Unheard of!

Oops

Maybe this would work. Have a base package, say, Semien and a lesser prospect, plus future considerations. Have the future consideration be player x if shark extends, air player y if he doesn't.

Maybe this would work. Have a base package, say, Semien and a lesser prospect, plus future considerations. Have the future consideration be player x if shark extends, air player y if he doesn't.

QUOTE (glangon @ Dec 2, 2014 -> 08:44 AM) Probably but if you showcase each of these players correctly, you may be able to get him for less that you thought you could play. For example, if you approach him promoting the speed and versatility of Leury and how he would fit Oakland's ethic. You then tell him about the promise of Erik Johnson and that he was a top 100 prospect that had a down year last year due to injury, then you mention the Charlotte total home run record holder in Jordan Danks and that as a sweetener you have the top pitcher in Brazil in Andre Rienzo. If Toronto can trade for Josh Donaldson for Brett Lawrie and a couple of prospects. Why can't we deal for a year of the Shark for 4 AAAA players. You forget that Oakland has seen Leury, Johnson, Danks and Rienzo play baseball.

You know a lot of people won't get this reference.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Nov 30, 2014 -> 10:01 AM) Look guys even cats have sources now: Monocled Cat Insider @CatInsyder · 2h 2 hours ago Hearing now that deal would be built around: Cespedes-CHW, Alexei Ramirez-OAK, Samardzija-BOS. No word on if other pieces involved yet I hope this is untrue. Cespedes is not that good. I'm sure Boston would love this trade.

If you want 100% onanything here, you'll be disappointed.

QUOTE (scs787 @ Nov 29, 2014 -> 01:45 PM) Everyone is hoping for Justin, not BJ Jesus, I can be stupid!

Not for nothing, but B.J. Upton doesn't look all that great on paper. Am I missing something here?

QUOTE (ptatc @ Nov 29, 2014 -> 01:20 PM) As you get older the blood flow decreases throughout the body. Mine has completely stopped.

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Nov 29, 2014 -> 11:56 AM) Anderson's friend tweeted at him "best of luck to you in Oakland bud" Well, now.

QUOTE (Lillian @ Nov 29, 2014 -> 10:22 AM) What is wrong with Alexei for Smardjiza, straight up? The Sox save money this year. They don't have to make a risky long term commitment, on a pitcher. Next year, they may not need "Shark," and if they are still short a starter, perhaps there will be another pitcher available, who is similarly in his final contract year. A #2 or #3 starter, is arguably more valuable than an aging SS, even if he's a good one. Notice, I said good, not great. Just how good Alexei is, seems to be very debatable. Frankly, I thought that he was better than many on this board assert, but the larger point is that a starting pitcher, with Smardjiza's performance capabilities, is worth what Alexei normally produces. The big question is 2016. The Sox would then have neither Smardjiza, nor Alexei, when they could have had their $10 Million, 34 year old SS. (Actually, he will be turning 35 in September of 2016. Is that necessarily bad? Would they really want that much money tied up in an aging SS? If he were a DH, first baseman, or even a corner outfielder, pushing 35 might not be too old. However, at SS his range is likely not going to be more than average, at best. And, remember that while he is a good hitter, he is nothing special for $10 million. If he were not providing considerably better than average defense, at that point, there would probably be better options available, especially for the money. Between all of the options available within the organization, and players who might be available then, I'd take my chances on finding a replacement for Alexei. Anderson will likely be ready by 2016, unless his defense is still rough. In the meantime, we can all argue about who the SS would be this season. Providing they land another solid bat, to fill the other outfield hole, I'd personally prefer the best fielding SS available, and not worry much about his offense. However, having that solid RH starter represents the answer to one of this team's most glaring needs. He and Quintana could very well perform about the same, and provide two #2's, to round out our top 3 starters. Then, when Rodon arrives, you could have a staff that makes the Sox a serious contender. The money available after removing Alexei's $10 million, minus whatever "Shark" gets in arbitration, should be sufficient to land a solid hitting outfielder, with adequate defense, and even leave a little "change" left over, for another bullpen arm. Therefore, such a scenario just might be the way that the Sox put together a competitive team for this season, without having to go over their budget, and without giving up any of their young core, going forward. Amen, sister.

QUOTE (SoCalSox @ Nov 29, 2014 -> 01:39 AM) Would all depend on who they give up... If a guy like Beck or Danish goes, it doesn't make much sense, IMO. A rotation of: Sale Samardijza Quintana Danks Noesi/Bassit Would look pretty nice this coming year. And then add Rodon mid-year.

QUOTE (flavum @ Nov 28, 2014 -> 12:56 PM) Belisario has opted for free agency. He gawn... We're already improved.

QUOTE (Lillian @ Nov 25, 2014 -> 01:58 PM) No, but you're right about my having commented a few times that most of the good southpaws are on the Sox. Of course, it's a little "tongue-in-cheek". Left cheek, presumably.

QUOTE (Lillian @ Nov 25, 2014 -> 07:57 AM) No one really responded in depth to my request for some scouting information on Juan Diaz, and there seem to be some here who consider him nothing more than a "Minor League filler", and therefore of no interest, or consequence. Nevertheless, it's still worth trying to get some better insight into what kind of player he is, so here are some quotes from various sources: SS Juan Diaz (Age 24, AAA) - With legitimate prospects at the three lower full-season levels and Asdrubal Cabrera in Cleveland, it's going to be tough for Diaz to stick around in this organization long. He's a big guy, but still a decent to good defender at shortstop. His bat has been what's holding him back, but he's always been young for his level. Short Stop: This may surprise some...but Juan Diaz is my everyday SS. If you read scouting reports, everything written about this kid said that if his bat ever catches up to his glove, he's good enough to be a major league SS. Well, he's 23 years old and he hit .306/.342/.458 in Columbus this year. He's not as good as Asdrubal offensively, but he is much better defensively. He's not the long-term answer at short, but let's give him the season while guys like Rodriguez, Paulino, Lindor, etc. develop in the lower levels. Juan Diaz, ss, Indians ..... He's a plus defender who covers the gaps in Oct 2, 2014 - New Orleans' Juan Diaz (Marlins) has a plus arm he used to lead ... a two-year track record for strong performance and glowing scouting ... Scouts regard him as an above-average defender with a good arm and plus instincts Juan Diaz (SS- Akron) .966 PCT, 127 G, 172 PO, 391 AST, 20 E, 583 TC, 83 DP Diaz had a very solid year and was one of the most consistent defensive middle infielders in the Eastern League this year, and finished with the most assists and double plays in the league. He also went up to Triple-A Columbus and took over the shortstop duties in the playoffs and was unfazed by the pressure of the playoffs or by the call up itself. Phone call away: At 6-4, Juan Diaz looks more like a shooting guard than a shortstop, but he made his big-league debut last season and will open the year at Class AAA Columbus. He hit .306 (22-for-72) in a brief look at Columbus last year and the Indians believe the right-handed hitter is improving offensively. They think he can play defense in the big leagues right now, thanks to a strong throwing arm that helps him slow the game down. That's all I was able to find. Finally, I had posted this before, but note that he it .316 with an OBP of .338 and a SLG% of .483, in 348 at bats, last year at AAA. Unfortunately, he was terrible vs. LHP. Great work Lillian!