scenario

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jan 28, 2009 -> 10:23 AM) Im sorry but 2 weeks of training isnt going to drastically improve your defense. Sure it can, if the result is a change in technique. The key to success after that is being able to consistently apply it without lapsing into bad habits.

The Trib has an article on Fields too. Chicago White Sox's Josh Fields to skip SoxFest to concentrate on training Josh Fields won't attend SoxFest—a decision he and the club are at peace with. That's because Fields, the club's leading contender to start at third base, is working on his defense that he said has improved considerably thanks to spending two weekends in Miami this month under the supervision of coach Joey Cora. "I've noticed a big difference," Fields said Tuesday from Bradenton, Fla., where he was in the midst of twice daily workouts. "I'm excited about the progress I've made." Fields, who hit 23 home runs in 100 games in 2007 but was stuck at Triple-A Charlotte nagged by a right knee injury in 2008, has noticed an improvement in his flexibility since undergoing lateral release surgery in October. "I can stay lower—not have to stand up and then move," Fields said. "I've learned a lot from Joey, who can wear you out quickly from hitting grounders. But I've been able to do things over and over. I've been getting positive feedback from a coach who you look to for advice."

Link to Suntimes article by Cowley. "Camp Cora has been up and running all winter for the White Sox, and the progress reports have third baseman Josh Fields emerging as a leading candidate to ''shock'' the organization when he reports to spring training in a little more than three weeks. Manager Ozzie Guillen criticized Fields last season for what Guillen felt were diminishing skills. So after clean-up knee surgery in the fall, Fields made a trip to Florida to work with Guillen and bench coach Joey Cora in preparation for taking over for free agent Joe Crede." His goal? To make sure Guillen can't criticize him -- specifically his defense -- any longer. ''I talked to Joey [on Monday] and he said [Fields is] moving better by far than he's ever moved,'' hitting coach Greg Walker said. ''He said we'll be shocked.'' There were also comments in the article about Alexei, Viciedo, and Paulie.

QUOTE (Melissa1334 @ Jan 26, 2009 -> 05:36 PM) "He told me last year was his most miserable year in baseball," one scout said It didn't have to be that way. He brought it on himself. The Sox were looking to him to provide veteran leadership. Instead, he came off as a selfish SOB. The phone-call episodes set the tone pretty early.

QUOTE (jenks45monster @ Jan 25, 2009 -> 04:03 PM) He's their 3rd best prospect next to Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson and their top hitting prospect. He likely wouldn't come very cheap. Not sure what it would take, but I'd like to have him back. I find it interesting that former WhiteSox draftees fill three of the top ten spots in the Oakland's farm system this year.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jan 25, 2009 -> 11:27 AM) http://articles.latimes.com/2001/aug/19/sports/sp-35951 Speaking of the Dodgers, I came across this really inspiring story that could warm up all but the coldest hearts... Very nice article caulfield. Looks like Sarah has gotten decent exposure since. She had an article about the Dodgers on mlb.com yesterday.

Things are looking ugly for a couple NBA teams. But the Magic is looking pretty good IMO. And the Bulls showing some potential.

I predict Garland will sign with the Dodgers.

Mets up offer to Oliver Perez "The Mets reportedly have upped their offer to Perez with either an additional year or more dollars above the three-year, $30 million contract they've had on the table for several weeks."

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jan 23, 2009 -> 02:09 AM) and then you have Rowand, who many thought might turn out to be more like Aaron Cunningham/Jeremy Reed in terms of a big league career as a 4th OF. I wouldn't be so quick to label Cunningham as a 4th OF type. He's only 22 and absolutely destroyed minor league pitching the last two years. Given Oakland's glut in the outfield maybe KW can find a way to get him back. I'd be pretty happy to stick him in left in 2010... after Dye leaves and Q moves to right.

QUOTE (Greg Hibbard @ Jan 20, 2009 -> 02:53 PM) So we should throw our hands up and say "we have no clue what's going to happen" with any pitcher 25 or under? How is this useful? Would evaluating Floyd's pre-2008 MLB stats have given you any clue about how he would play last season? Ditto for Danks. So... how were they useful?

QUOTE (Greg Hibbard @ Jan 20, 2009 -> 02:33 PM) What about Gavin Floyd's peripherals suggest that he's going to be able to sustain success long term? Other than "he won a lot of games despite he peripherals not being very good" - what exactly is your argument for him? He pitched a ton more innings than he ever has before and I'm afraid of dead arm and the fragile psychology that has plagued in every year except the last. I don't see him being quite as bad as he was in philly, but I just can't see him being quite as good given his peripherals and history. I always find it interesting when people try and project a 25 year old pitcher's future based on his 'career-to-date' MLB stats.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jan 20, 2009 -> 07:29 AM) What have the White Sox produced in the last ten years? Rowand Crede (Carlos Lee, Durham and Ordonez don't count anymore) Buehrle Frank Francisco (that's a major exaggeration to credit us, we had him less than a year I think) Chris B. Young Garland (once again, the Cubs drafted him) Brandon McCarthy Ryan Sweeney Miguel Olivo Jeremy Reed Josh Fields Chris Singleton (another big stretch) I'm really struggling to name any more from the past decade that had a huge impact. You can expand a little to Kip Wells, Josh Fogg, Jon Rauch maybe...Willie Harris, he was Baltimore property. I vote for Chris Carter. The kid hasn't even sniffed AA yet... and look what a huge positive impact he has had on our ballclub. Not shabby for a 15th round draft pick.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jan 19, 2009 -> 02:26 PM) Colon looked pretty damn good at times last year, im hoping he is in even better shape. Yep. When he's healthy he can still bring it. There are a couple of good video clips of games he pitched in last year on whitesox.com. Against Seattle, he hit 95mph on a couple of pitches. The key will be keeping him on the field and off the DL.

QUOTE (Melissa1334 @ Jan 19, 2009 -> 11:56 AM) i think we have a hole at 2b, 3b, cf, 4th sp, 5th sp, a spot or 2 in the pen and i dont care too much for our bench( such as back up catcher) thats not for sure We don't have holes in those positions... we have unproven players. There's a difference. For example... Last year we started the season with similar 'holes' in LF, 2B, and both the #4/5 starters... Because Quentin, Alexei, Danks, and Floyd were all unproven going into 2008. Thank God we didn't go out and fill those 'holes' with over-priced POC free agents... and instead let the unproven players have a shot.

QUOTE (jenks45monster @ Jan 18, 2009 -> 10:14 PM) I'm a little surprised that Betemit is penciled in at 3rd and that Anderson is penciled in at CF considering the organization's fetish for Owens. No chance of Marquez as a starter? I know that we still have a few months to go but with the way KW talks about Marquez you'd figure he'd be somewhere on the SP depth chart. I doubt there is anything 'official' about this list. Probably just put together by some mlb.com employee.

QUOTE (kyyle23 @ Jan 18, 2009 -> 02:56 PM) Dont you think this massive trade would have been done by now? I really dont think Olsen would be the tipping point in the deal instead of Pie. Because of the size of Peavey's contract, the Cubs aren't likely to pull the trigger on this without the new owner's approval. The only trades that will take place until then are ones that keep the current payroll at about the same level. (For example, that's why they had to trade DeRosa + Marquis before signing Bradley.)

QUOTE (fathom @ Jan 18, 2009 -> 01:26 PM) This only means they'll get Peavy sooner, rather than later. Yup. I would not be surprised at all if the new owner pulls the trigger on this deal the day after the Cubs sale takes place... as a way to play up to the fans and make a PR splash.

Did a little more digging to see how well these people have done in projecting the Sox in the last few years. Here are the projected and actual wins for the last 4 seasons. The last column show the number of games that the Sox either outperformed(+) or underperformed(-) the projections. WhiteSox Year - Proj. / Actual / (+-) 2005 - 79 / 99 / (+20) 2006 - 82 / 90 / (+8) 2007 - 77 / 72 / (-5) 2008 - 67 / 89 / (+22) So... over the last 4 years, they have projected the Sox on average to win 76 games per year. And they projected them to win more than 80 only once. But... in terms of actual performance... the Sox have averaged 87.5 wins over the last 4 years. And have won 89 or more games 3 times. Bottom line... system? what system? Wrong on average by over 11 games per season. Wrong by 20 or more games 2 of the last 4 seasons? Dung flinging monkeys could've done a better job pulling numbers out of a hat.

Regarding Chuck James... I believe he is expected to miss the entire 2009 season due to injury.

Here's a special diet to help keep Colon healthy.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Jan 16, 2009 -> 03:53 PM) Wasn't meant to be a perfect parallel - more a similar career start with similar potential in a player, and similar in the way the organization handled them. It really seems strange though that they didn't give Pie more regular playing time before deciding to pull the proverbial plug on him. For example, in his entire time with the Cubs there have only been 51 games in which Pie has had 3 or more at-bats: 34 games in 2007 and 17 games in 2008. What kind of shot is THAT? To put those numbers in perspective... Brian had 38 games with 3 or more at-bats in 2008 alone... a year where he was seemingly buried on the Sox bench. (And Brian had 83 games with 3+ at-bats in 2006). So... how much of a shot did the Cubs really give Pie (considering Brian Anderson has had significant playing time in more than 2X as many games as Pie at the major league level)?

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Jan 16, 2009 -> 02:44 PM) Pie's treatment by the Cubs is pretty similar to BA's treatment by the Sox. Both are potential break-outs, or potential busts. Except that Pie is 3 years younger than Brian. Seems bizarre that the Cubs would stick a fork in the guy at 23 years old.

Alexei is not what most people would think of as a normal #2 hitter, but it's where I'd put him. Alexei is a very good fastball hitter. And #2 hitters (statistically) see the second most fastballs of any hitter in the order. Plus with Q hitting behind him, most pitchers are unlikely to screw around and risk walking him. So, I think he could have a very productive season in that spot.

QUOTE (GREEDY @ Jan 12, 2009 -> 07:26 AM) What is with the White Sox fan's obsession with putting players barely good enough to play a corner outfield position in center? Oh wait, it is their GM and Manager's trademark. Well... actually the problem is not being able to find someone who can both play defense and hit. The only guys we've thrown out there who can field... but can't hit... and vice versa. And the GM and Manager's 'trademark' as you call it is simply showing a preference for guys who can hit.