Lillian

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Apr 19, 2013 -> 06:52 AM) Wow, you can measure the weight of his bat through the TV? You're awesome! I'm just assuming that if he had changed bats, or done anything else different, we would have read or heard about it.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Apr 19, 2013 -> 06:53 AM) So yeah, Viciedo goes on the DL for a time, the Sox then wait 3 months, Sign Grady Sizemore, and then realize Viciedo came back from the DL 2 months beforehand and they have no idea what they're doing. Of course, you're right if that is the timing. However, I read somewhere that Sizemore expects to be ready to play in June. I'm assuming that Viciedo will be out much longer. Aren't oblique pulls and tears very slow to heal? His swing is about as violent as anyone's, and I can't imagine him taking that swing any time soon, if he did indeed seriously injure his oblique.

If this is a muscle tear, or a pull, Viciedo would likely go on the D.L., for an extended period. Then maybe my wish for the Sox to sign Grady Sizemore, for the second half, might come true. I know that many on this board think that he is finished, but at 30, I would think that he would still be an offensive force. I'd love to see him bat right in the heart of the order: LF de Aza 2B Keppinger RF Rios CF Sizemore 1B Konerko SS Ramirez DH Dunn C Flowers 3B Gillaspie Great defensive outfield, improved OBP, better balance of right and left handed hitters, and more speed.

As a long time Adam Dunn detractor, this is actually getting interesting. How long will this "slump" continue? How long before he tries something radically different? How long does management tolerate this fiasco, before they make some changes? What do they do? They could sit him for a while, or move him down in the order, or strongly suggest that he try a different approach. Are pitchers doing anything different to him than they did when he was having relatively good results in the N. L.? In the meantime, I still contend that the best idea would be to emulate Paulie, or Rios or Flowers. Try to be as "short and quick" as possible. It continues to baffle me why the biggest guy on the team has to have a long swing. It's completely counter indicated and counter productive. With his size and strength, the objective should be to make consistent contact, and to hit the ball in the air. That would greatly improve his chances for extra base hits, and neutralize the shift. They are playing him to pull the ball to the right side. Therefore, he should try to hit any pitch away to left, through the giant hole on that side of the infield. I suggest that he back off the plate so that when a pitcher threw inside to him, it would be a ball. Then, any ball thrown for a strike could be hit to left, by reaching out and using the "hands before the barrel of the bat" swing. Eventually defenses would stop the shift. The other advantage of such an approach is that hitting the ball to the opposite field necessitates waiting for the pitch to get closer to the plate, which would give him more time to see the ball. That's always a good thing. However, instead we watch him continue to follow the same failing approach at bat, after at bat. He stands in the same spot in the batter's box, uses the same size and weight bat, assumes the same stance, and takes the same swing. What was it about such behavior that Einstein described as "insanity"? Very interesting, indeed.

He won't likely be able to resume drawing walks until he demonstrates to opposing pitchers that they need to pitch more carefully to him. At this point, it makes more sense for them to just pitch to him. Wouldn't you?

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Apr 15, 2013 -> 12:41 PM) Relevant http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/adam-dunns-failed-experiment/ Interesting article. I didn't know that he was attempting to alter his approach this year. Do you think it's time for him to abandon that experiment?

It isn't even so much that he has to go. As I've argued for a long time now; It's just that he cannot bat in the middle of the order. If we had a productive left handed hitter hitting clean up, it might be acceptable to have Dunn bat 6TH or 7TH. No one seems to offer any suggestions regarding who that might be, via trade or free agency, but the Sox better find someone quick. In lieu of that, all we can do is hope that out of desperation, he decides to try a different approach. What he's doing obviously doesn't work.

QUOTE (Hawkfan @ Apr 12, 2013 -> 11:29 AM) I don't know who it was, but whoever suggested Adam Dunn choking up on the bat; That's one of the best laughs I've had in a while. Thank you. When you stop laughing, you might want to read this: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/15/sports/b...ed=all&_r=0 In addition, a big man, with long arms and a long bat which he holds all the way down on the knob, is going to take longer to reach the "zone".

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Apr 12, 2013 -> 07:43 AM) Come on now, we're not taking Dunn out of the lineup. He hasn't been that bad, at least not since 2011. The problem is with De Aza, Keppinger, & Rios at the top of the lineup, guys with solid OBP and speed (at least De Aza & Rios), having Dunn's all or nothing approach in the cleanup spot is killing us. We need to flip flop him and Paulie. Let's take advantage of Konerko's significantly better contact abilities and not strand all these baserunners when Dunn fails to hit a HR. I'm cool with Dunn batting behind Konerko. PK is so slow that it's almost always going to take two hits to drive him from 1st. Having Dunn's all or nothing approach is fine there. I just don't see any value in batting Dunn in front of Konerko. That makes sense to me. Thanks

You guys are really funny. So you agree that we have to get rid of Dunn, but don't like the idea of taking a chance on Sizemore. OK, what left handed bat is available? You can't seriously believe that the Sox could be competitive without a single left handed hitter besides de Aza. Sizemore's performance before he went on the DL is irrelevant. You don't seriously think that he's a .220 hitter, when healthy, do you? His only issue is health. I'd rather gamble on that, then Dunn learning to make contact at this late date in his career.

Dunn has a .186 Batting Average in his 977 at bats in a Sox uniform. That's a big enough sample size for me. 1,000 at bats is enough to evaluate even a rookie. It's certainly enough to evaluate a veteran. I've said it before; this team is not a playoff contender with him batting anywhere in the heart of the order. Manto has to get him to change his approach. It just isn't working. Choke up, use left field more, shorten the long swing, or try anything else. If someone would take most of that contract, I'd much prefer that he be off this roster. Grady Sizemore for the second half of the season is looking more intriguing to me, every day. Move Viciedo to DH, put Sizemore in CF, and de Aza in LF. Lineup: de Aza Keppinger Rios Sizemore Konerko Viciedo Ramirez Flowers Beckham (when he comes back)

Keppinger's first strike out of the Spring, today.

Keppinger still hasn't struck out yet in 30 AB's. That along with his .500 AVG. is pretty impressive, even for S. T. Looks like he is the #2 hitter.

Because Alexei has claimed that his wrist really bothered him, after colliding with de Aza on July 28th, it's interesting to see if that might have been responsible for his numbers having been so far off the previous 3 seasons. Actually, he had a very good August, following the collision; AVG .290 OBP.321 SLG .480. So much for that hypothesis. If he rebounds, he's certainly an asset and probably worth this year's salary of $7.5 million. That's what I'm hoping will be the case. Next year, if Sanchez is ready, it would make sense to trade Alexei, as the last two years of that contract are pretty expensive. I appreciate the constructive comments from everyone, on both sides of the argument. I'm persuaded that it's probably too early to rush Sanchez, although he will probably be a very good player. Ramirez might have just had an off year, and apparently has trained very hard this off season. We can be optimistic that he will bounce back, and he is a great defender.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Mar 8, 2013 -> 05:18 AM) Shocker: Lillian wants to get rid of a productive major leaguer for some random minor league player. Like a few others on this board, I throw up for discussion many ideas. However, I don't think that I've called for the dumping of a lot of "productive major leaguers for random minor league players". "Productive" is one thing, but a $10 million a year productive is quite another. Moreover, Sanchez is not some "random minor leaguer". He is the Sox fourth best prospect. Although your remark was in teal, was it really called for?

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Mar 7, 2013 -> 08:47 PM) Alomar and Bill Mazeroski were the two best 2B of all-time. Let's not get carried away with hyperbole. I'll just go back to Brian Anderson in 2006. If we did trade Ramirez, and stuck Carlos Sanchez in that position and the offense was really struggling (not inconceivable that we'll have to rely more on pitching to beat the Tigers), then there would be pressure to send him down if the White Sox were falling behind in the standings. You have to give him one more year...or at least 4 months, to develop with his hitting at the highest levels without all the pressure. Trading Ramirez sends the signal to the team and fanbase that the team has already given up on 2013. In that case, why sign Peavy? It would make ZERO sense. If the team's 15-20 games back at the ASB, sure, go ahead and look at ALL options, including Konerko as well. The only tool Sanchez has right now that is better than Alexei is plate discipline/OBP/making contact, but he's not ready quite yet from a hitting standpoint...if Carlos Sanchez tore up the Arizona Fall League or in spring training, but even then it would be a stretch. Not only that, but Beckham's going to be given his final 3-4 more months (at least) to make a statement that he belongs or he doesn't. But you could still advocate for playing ANGEL Sanchez there instead of forcing Carlos Sanchez up too early and stunting his development. Finally, you're in a position of selling low or close to dumping Alexei. Looking at his career, there's no reason to think he's not due for a hot streak that will elevate his value...there's a greater chance that he will improve offensively, compared to mitigating any downside risk. Not to mention the fact that he has a thin, wiry frame which tends to stand up in your 30's more than someone who's carrying more weight. It may be hyperbole, but it's not my hyperbole. That is what the Sanchez' manager told K.W. He doesn't have to be Roberto Alomar to represent an improvement, considering the money the Sox are now spending on their SS. Look, I'm not saying that Alexei is terrible. I just don't think that he is a $10 million a year SS, and if they could get something of value for him, it seems to make sense to explore the possiblities, especially when they have a very promising young replacement like Sanchez. If the Sox can't get anything of value, or if they don't think that Sanchez is ready, then perhaps it would be better to wait, and hope for a rebound season from Alexei. However, I agree with Marty, in that I don't see Alexei finishing that contract in Chicago.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Mar 7, 2013 -> 06:14 PM) Apparently you have never heard of the great Pete Kozma You mean the same Pete Kozma who has produced an OBP of .287 over his last 845 at bats in the Pacific Coast League?

The scouting report on Sanchez is that he is very good at short or second. That skill translates immediately, and won't take time to develop, as hitting does. He is supposedly very good at handling the bat, and I'm still not convinced that he couldn't be an effective number 2 hitter, even now. You have to be impressed with this article: http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=2...;vkey=news_milb Anytime you start comparing a player to Roberto Alomar, I'm sold!!!

I agree that the Sox should be not simply be dumping the contract, but looking for something worthwhile in return. My suggestion was one of the Cardinal's many RHP.

The point that Sanchez is too young to be brought up is well taken. I hope that he demonstrates the same skills at AAA, and affords the Sox an opportunity to trade Alexei in the off season. I just don't think that Ramirez is a $10 million player. The Cardinals may be looking for a SS to replace Furcal next year as well, as his contract is expiring, and they still have a plethora of RHP, something the Sox minor leagues lacks. Floyd will likely be gone after the end of the season, if not sooner, and the starting staff is unusually weighted with lefties. I'm not sure any right hander in the minors projects to be an effective starter.

The point that Sanchez is too young to be brought up is well taken. I hope that he demonstrates the same skills at AAA, and affords the Sox an opportunity to trade Alexei in the off season. I just don't think that Ramirez is a $10 million player. The Cardinals may be looking for a SS to replace Furcal next year as well, as his contract is expiring, and they still have a plethora of RHP, something the Sox minor leagues lacks. Floyd will likely be gone after the end of the season, if not sooner, and the starting staff is unusually weighted with lefties. I'm not sure any right hander in the minors projects to be an effective starter.

QUOTE (southside_hitman @ Mar 7, 2013 -> 05:03 PM) Yes, you are wrong. 8-1 Sox over Cubs in the 9th! I wish I had your confidence.

There is still $26.5 million remaining on Alexei's 3 year contract, and his play last season was not close to that value. He's getting pretty old to expect much improvement, but I hope that I'm wrong. A big intangible in Sanchez' favor is that he is an ideal #2 hitter, something the Sox lack. Keppinger is currently slotted there, but that is not where he batted last year, in his best offensive season. By contrast, Alexei is not capable of hitting in the two hole, and doesn't really profile especially good in any spot in the lineup.

Let's just hope that Alexei can improve on his OBP. I understand that he was dealing with a very sore wrist after the collision with de Aza, but how does that explain taking just 16 walks, and having an OBP of .287?

I just really like Sanchez and would like to see him get a shot. I know that he's very young, but the scouting reports say that he can play.