Al Lopez's Ghost

QUOTE (Sleepy Harold @ Feb 10, 2017 -> 02:50 PM) Chicago White Sox @whitesox 10s C Kevan Smith has been outrighted to Class AAA Charlotte. He will still participate in major-league camp as a non-roster invitee. Seems curious to me. Why open a roster spot right now?

QUOTE (ptatc @ Feb 8, 2017 -> 12:08 PM) In one time around the league, he will learn and understand the tendencies of the entire pitching staff and get comfortable in all the different ballparks? most hitters will tell it takes the first year before getting comfortable with the change. This usually shows for most hitters. I think that was truer in the past, but with interleague play there's less mystery in changing leagues. He's talking about a fundamental change in his approach which may not even be warranted. Didn't he have the worst BABIP last year, suggesting he was horribly unlucky? However he does it I hope he has a great year, because he seems to be a great guy. And of course a candidate to be flipped mid season.

QUOTE (Lip Man 1 @ Feb 8, 2017 -> 11:32 AM) In 1970 the Sox went 56-106, most losses ever in a season and they drew 495,000 fans for it. Had three managers that season. Mark Don Gutteridge shouldn't count.

All he said was something's gonna happen. Pretty hard to argue with that.

QUOTE (miracleon35th @ Feb 7, 2017 -> 07:36 PM) If Frazier stays, I think he will hit for a better average, especially with RISP. I looked at an interview with him on CSN and he indicated that he will try to hit to Right Field more. He was hurt by teams shifting on him as were other power hitters around the league. Defensive shifting has become a science now and Frazier knows he has to make adjustments to beat it. If he does that * I think * he can increase his RBI substantially, even if he doesn't hit 40 HR. His adjustment might - might - last one time around the league. Then pitchers will start jamming him, he'll get frustrated, and go back "to what always worked for me in the past". Not that I dislike the guy. I just don't believe what guys say in the offseason.

QUOTE (turnin' two @ Feb 7, 2017 -> 06:30 PM) The Twins won 59 games last season. What exactly have they done to get better? The Padres and Reds won 68 games, and again, haven't gotten any better. Brewers won 73, and haven't gotten any better. The Sox have to be pretty bad to get that first pick. To me it is more of a difference than Quintana alone can make. A full year of Shields, no Eaton, no Sale...we can give them a fight if Q is dealt.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Feb 7, 2017 -> 01:47 PM) They might not be the worst, but the aren't going to be middle of the pack without some 3 standard deviation seasons from almost every player on the team. And perfect health.

Fangraphs has us at 71-91, AL worst.

QUOTE (ChiSoxFanMike @ Feb 6, 2017 -> 06:45 PM) First time I've seen the Phillies connected to Q. https://www.fxtribune.com/m/?id=537307 I never dreamed a new team would be thrown in the discussion.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Feb 6, 2017 -> 12:21 PM) Is that just based on the stuff this morning or is it like fresh within the past hour or two. It came out 4 minutes ago. Does that mean it's new? I dunno.

@Inside Baseball tweets that after missing out on Romeo, the Nats have "intensified" Robertson talks.

No wrong choice.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Feb 5, 2017 -> 03:06 PM) Q traded during half time of the super bowl. Book it. So you're saying you have a feeling something's gonna happen soon? I wish I'd trademarked that a few weeks ago.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Feb 4, 2017 -> 01:00 PM) So what you're saying is that the Sox are looking good for a top pick in the '18 draft? ZIPS is saying have a beer on them!

Saw on twitter that ZIPS WAR projections are: SD 23 Sox 26 Reds 26 Mil 26 Oak 27 Atl 28 Phil 29 Angels 30 Min 32 Presumably that includes Q in our total

QUOTE (La Marr Hoyt HOF @ Feb 1, 2017 -> 08:43 PM) We're going to get a great prospect, the greatest prospect Please, not here.

Tomorrow is Groundhog Day, when you keep doing the same thing over and over until you get it right. Does that sound familiar?

QUOTE (ChiSox59 @ Feb 1, 2017 -> 09:37 AM) At least we'll have baseball to watch in 2 months...even though about 85% of Soxtalk is going to be rooting for losses. Not rooting...rationalizing, accepting.

QUOTE (BamaDoc @ Jan 30, 2017 -> 06:31 PM) If the Sox don't get an offer they like, what about an alternative. Consider, 1) Q has been a great teammate and never b****ed about anything publicly. 2) He has been good and durable. 3) Could he be a great mentor for the young guns coming and anchor the staff? He has a four year deal with the last two being options that are considered team friendly given his production. What if the Sox guaranteed those two years (good for him) added two additional option years at a reasonable/slight discount (good for Sox). You could give him a slight signing bonus now or have moderate buyouts on the options to further sweeten the deal for him and to provide he doesn't get jerked around with rumors a full no trade clause for a couple years and then maybe limited no trade after. I hate to say that I prefer trading him but if the offers really aren't there wouldn't this be a viable alternative? You could also do this after this season to minimize the Sox risk but if he has a bad year it hurts everyone. You've. Given it a lot of thought, but I think you're overthinking it. He's gonna get traded.

Rays released him. Still a chance all you Coats fans!

QUOTE (ptatc @ Jan 29, 2017 -> 02:03 PM) While RV had the final say, cooper did a great deal of advising on handling the pitchers. So, if Rick is willing to listen to cooper, I don't think you'll see a great deal of change in how the pitchers are handled It seemed To me that Robin misused Robertson, letting him sit for several days before using him in a save situation. Maybe that was due to ouchiness, of course I have no way of knowing. You could sure make a case that he overused the pen in April, and just about broke Zach Duke. This year's team won't need to overtax the pen because we don't figure to contend, but still, I hope to see a better use of the bullpen this year than last.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Jan 28, 2017 -> 08:53 PM) Maybe it came down to Benintendi having a better MLB debut. #1 or #2 doesn't matter to me, it's just great to have the caliper of talent that Moncada is. Really looking forward to seeing how Collins plays in his first full season. Fisher and Call should be interesting to keep an eye on as well. Hansen could jump too.

QUOTE (flavum @ Jan 27, 2017 -> 06:25 PM) Just watched that. Nice to see Giolito and Collins interviewed. They both can string a sentence together without sounding too programmed. I'm an easy mark for a rebuild, and it may all go to hell in three or four years, but for me it's exciting to see young talented players who are enthusiastic about playing for the White Sox.

QUOTE (Con te Giolito @ Jan 27, 2017 -> 04:50 PM) wow everyone at Soxfest must be going totally crazy Very funny!

David Robertson is gonna be on Team USA in the World Baseball thing. Let's call it an audition.