Dick Allen

QUOTE (chw42 @ Dec 2, 2014 -> 09:54 PM) Gasol with his best game as a Bull. I guess Shaq was a little off when he said Gasol was done.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Dec 2, 2014 -> 03:40 PM) Now look up the home/away splits for other players. Turns out most guys are better at home. The difference between his split at Coors and everywhere else OPS wise for his career, not just cherry pickimg seasons,is equal to the 2014 difference between Gordon Beckham and Miguel Cabrera.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Dec 2, 2014 -> 03:11 PM) There are plenty of players who have divergent home and away splits that do not play in Coors field. It isn't entirely a product of the thin air. It also has to do with comfort level, experience, etc. 3100 career plate appearances .329/.387/.601 vs, .258/.314/.437 which includes around 400 appearances as an A where his splits were close to the same home and road. .339/.400/.625 at Coors Field in his career. I think a lot of has to do with the thin air, and big field.

I don't know if it is improved today, but one thing I read lead to a lot of minor league errors was the infields aren't or at least weren't as highly manicured as they are in the major leagues.

QUOTE (Lillian @ Dec 2, 2014 -> 09:14 AM) Clarification: 1) I did not, and am not, advocating a trade of Anderson for Samardjiza. I was addressing the "untouchable" label some attach to him. 2) There is much more substance to Anderson's defensive short comings than his 31 errors, in just 302 chances. 3) Most scouting reports that I have read indicate that he is a "fringy" defensive SS, with an average arm. Here are some quotes from said scouting reports: From Scouting Book.com: "A good but not standout shortstop, he shows plus range but only a so-so arm, which suggests a move to second base might be coming in the future". From Adam Wells, Bleacher Report: Defense: 45/55 "Fringy range with below-average footwork and instincts; ability to use speed makes up for deficiencies right now; needs to position himself better to get better reads off the bat; average arm strength makes it difficult to throw from the hole; quicker release and repetitions could make him average or better in the big leagues." Arm: 50/50 "Average arm strength; transfer from glove and release are solid, but overall velocity leaves plenty to be desired; chance lack of arm necessitates move to second base or center field, with the latter maximizing his overall skill set; with better positioning, could stay at short in pro ball." Baseball America: "Winston-Salem’s Tim Anderson (White Sox) lacks efficiency in the field, with an .897 fielding percentage and Carolina League-leading total of 31 errors in just 66 games, but he also used electric athleticism and range to record +12 assists in that time. Plus, he continued to rack up assists in 10 games Double-A Birmingham (3.20 A/G)" MLB.com: "Leading up to the 2013 Draft, some scouts projected Anderson more as a center fielder than a shortstop, but the White Sox have no plans to move him off his current position. Anderson has the actions, range and arm to play short, and he has the work ethic to make the necessary refinements". This scouting report is more favorable, regarding his defense, but even then, it suggests that he will need to "make refinements". The emphasis is on the tools, not the skills. The other thing is, offensively he makes Dayan Viciedo look as selective as Frank Thomas, but he is very raw. He could be a star. He could be a bust, but he definitely appears to be headed in the right direction, and his talent is off the charts.

QUOTE (AlSoxfan @ Dec 2, 2014 -> 08:46 AM) that was an interesting comparison, thanks. I remember hearing Hawk say one time that Ripken was the luckiest ss in the history of baseball, every ball was hit right at him. I didn't know whether to laugh or scream at him. He meant it as a compliment. Ripken didn't have much range but like the shifts of today, a nice thought process can make up for it.

QUOTE (lasttriptotulsa @ Dec 2, 2014 -> 08:19 AM) Without context, fielding percentage means next to nothing. Let's compare Derek Jeter and Jose Valentin just for fun. As most probably remember, Jose Valentin made a lot of errors but had great range. Let's use 2004 as an example. This was the first year that Derek Jeter won the Gold Glove. Jeter made just 13 errors (good for a .981 fielding percentage), his range factor per 9 was 4.46. If he were to play all 1458 innings that year he would have had 723 chances and his .981 fielding percentage would mean he was successful on 709 of them. Valentin made 20 errors (good for a .965 fielding percentage), his range factor per 9 was 4.91. If he were to play all 1458 innings that year he would have had 795 chances and his .965 fielding percentage would mean he was successful on 768 of them. So despite the fact that Jeter had a higher fielding percentage, Valentin actually would make an additional 59 plays over the course of the year that Jeter's limited range would not allow him to even field. Yet because people still like to just look at archaic stats like fielding percentage, Jeter wins the Gold Glove. It does, but the fact remains, Semien was a bad defender in 2014. People are intriqued with his offense so they don't want to admit that, thinking whatever he screwed up is a simple fix. Players they don't like that make the same mistakes are awful fielders. I will give him the benefit of the doubt because he is young and improving defensively happens all the time. But to think he is anything but bad now is ridiculous.

He is going to cost something decent because you get him for a season under market price and if you don't re-sign him, you most likely will give him a QO get a comp pick in the draft. If the White Sox truly aren't totally going for it now, just hoping this goes right and that goes right, which could happen, it doesn't make very much sense giving up one of their top 3 or 4 prospects and then something for a guy they can sign next offseason if they need him so badly. If JR is willing to up the payroll to $125 million or so now, and adding pieces, then it may make sense.

QUOTE (Leonard Zelig @ Dec 1, 2014 -> 03:08 PM) I'm sure someone has some stat to show otherwise, but I didn't think he looked very good in the field for the Sox last year. His fielding pct at 3B was almost .900. He sucked, but he's young. Maybe he gets better. Frankly, he probably has to.

When Nelson Cruz was Tank's age, he was pretty turrble.

QUOTE (LDF @ Dec 1, 2014 -> 01:58 PM) i am on lunch at work, while i was reading about the sox wanting Shark. this reminds me of when the sox had a chance of getting this young unproven pitcher from Sea. it came down to a final yes from JR. JR said no. now my cuz and friends were all for the trade. the pitchers Sea wanted where 4 and were in the minors. One was Richard Dotson. that pitcher was Randy Johnson. now i am not saying that Shark is going to be the next Randy Johnson. but the cost is still too much for this trade. Anderson, no freaking way. I do know I once read the Sox were so close to a deal to get Randy Johnson, and this was before he broke out as a good pitcher, they actually had a uniform hanging for him in their clubhouse. Johnson is a weird pitcher. Didn't become decent until he was 26. Didn't become dominant until he was 29, and was awesome pretty much through his entire 30s.

QUOTE (GreenSox @ Nov 29, 2014 -> 07:46 PM) Alexei remains the Sox best trade piece, and he can be used to improve the ball club next year. He's a nice shortstop but he isn't that great and the Sox can cover the position. they can't cover pitching and LF. If he isn't that great, why would any team give up much to get him? He's old, he's falling apart, but he should net a really good prospect. How does that make any sense?

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Nov 30, 2014 -> 08:08 PM) The 1.9 you speak of was when his father in law was killed so he had personal issues to deal with while being 31 years old at the time. The seasons he's had since then are the sole reason why he's our best bet to get higher level talent. Father time will win the battle as he does every time. If you have to bring up Davidson as a reason why he shouldn't be traded when do you trade for young talent? It's guaranteed Alexei will eventually get worse with every passing year. Like Shack said better a year too early than a year too late. I bring up Davidson because people look at the ranking and say no matter what, good trade. That is wrong. If Alexei is this top trade chip you mentioned, if he is traded, they need to get it right in reality.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 30, 2014 -> 09:00 PM) We have to offer Viciedo arbitration or non-tender him this week. It would be shocking if he is non tendered.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Nov 30, 2014 -> 07:38 PM) The "we love Alexei but father time never backs down" group which includes me isn't really thinking about a replacement for him but getting more controllable talent either in the farm or ML ready. He's a trade chip that still has plenty of value which is why many don't want him to go but the Sox are filled with stars and stiffs and we just need more talent. The fact that Alexei is pretty much our only realistic movable trade chip among the position players bears that out. Are you confident that some of our better players from last year won't regress. ? Flowers ? Gillaspe ? Quintana , Sale, Eaton , Abreu may all have just had career years. It's hard to say that considering they all are just getting started but it might be true . We know Alexei isn't going to get better but others are also candidates for regression and more talent around the core needs to be addressed. I don't know how we all know Alexei won't be better. 2 years ago he dropped to a 1.9 WAR and it was said he is on the downslope and only going to get worse. The next year he puts up a 3.1 WAR, and last season a 3.3 , when again, he is supposedly just going to get worse. Steamer projects a 2.3 next season, which supposedly is good for $10 million. If they do trade him, if it is for a Davidson like prospect that doesn't pan out, it will be a godawful trade, even if people post the "you make that trade 10 times out of 10". BS.

QUOTE (SoCalSox @ Nov 30, 2014 -> 06:54 PM) Welp, sure seems like Jim Benson was full of s*** or jumped the gun on his original tweet Friday night... Hate getting myself overly excited for absolutely nothing to happen. Ultimately, it seems to be better if the Sox don't trade valuable pieces for a 1 year rental when they could get something similar for simply money on the FA market. I figured if it didn't go down yesterday, no dice for the weekend. I think Sunday news in the offseason is pretty rare. Plus the Tribune said nothing was close. I am still intriqued by Anderson's sad faces tweet. Apparently he blocked the people that asked him about Oakland.

On a broadcast at the beginning of September, they showed a graphic which gave SS points, x amount for making a routine play, another amount for making plays considered out of regular range, and Alexei had basically clinched the win with a month to play. I think the story of his demise is being exaggerated just as they have been the past few years. If they do trade him and don't sign a replacement, I think many will find out he was a bit better than they think. A poor defensive team taking a step back defensively at SS is going to make all those who think the Sox don't have a chance next year correct. Only 8 SS had a higher WAR in 2014, 3 of those only .1 higher, so for what he gets paid, and considering he was only going to get worse 2 years ago, I wouldn't get rid of him unless you are very sure you have a legitimate replacement.

QUOTE (LDF @ Nov 29, 2014 -> 06:45 PM) no offense, but it is too much. I don't think Semien is ranked any higher of a prospect than Matt Davidson was last year, and I would have to think Samardzjia is worth more than Addison Reed on the trade market. Subtract for only one year of control. I would much prefer the Sox send Semien than Anderson, unless they have determined Anderson is not going to be a SS. Frankly, I would rather they hold off a year on him. Keep Semien and Anderson.

QUOTE (SoCalSox @ Nov 29, 2014 -> 06:35 PM) So what's a reasonable trade for Samardzija, operation on the assumption that he won't sign an extension? Semien and what other 2 prospects? I don't like him, so to be honest, my opinion on what is reasonable is probably not reasonable. Bit Semien and a couple of A ball guys in the 15-25 range seems fair to me.

QUOTE (SoCalSox @ Nov 29, 2014 -> 05:45 PM) Via tweet from Bruce Levine: " Billy Beane will wait until Scherzer and Lester are off the market in order too max out on a trade of Samardzija." FWIW If they wait for Scherzer, it will be spring training.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Nov 29, 2014 -> 06:24 PM) Semien was MVP of the Southern League when he was in Birmingham posting a .420 OBP and solid batting average and power numbers. His early season trial with the Sox didn't go well but he had a handful of game winning late inning hits. He got more seasoning in AAA and when called up in September looked much better. Defense is still a question mark in some's eyes since his error total was not optimal at 3rd or 2nd base. He got time in the OF in AAA but not on his recall and I get the general feeling that the OF might be his future but would've liked to have seen him out there in September but he was never put out there. Avi, Montas and Rondon (low minors defensive whiz of a SS ) came in the Peavy deal. Josh Fields, Jery Owens, Brent Morel, thise guys all lit it up in September. As Ozzie said, if you aren't in the race, don't believe what you see in September. The jury is out on Semien. If he is the main piece in a Samardzjia trade, there are going to be a few more pieces. He does seem like the type of guy Oakland would like.

QUOTE (Jake @ Nov 29, 2014 -> 06:22 PM) Assume Samardzija won't sign for a discount. Then it doesn't matter whether he's going to sign an extension before you trade for him. You trade Player X with no extension for him, you sign him for whatever he's worth. or... He signs for whatever he's worth, and you trade Player Y. Why would the player change? The only way you pay more (in talent) for an extension now is if you think his value is likely to increase dramatically between now and the end of next season. I don't see why it would. I don't remember if it was Heyman or Rosenthal or both, but it was said Beane wouldn't grant a window to work on an extension.

Heyman has now thrown Anderson out there as a possible price. Maybe he read this thread with his twitter.

If the Sox are willimg to send Anderson for Samardzjia, they probabky could have worked something out for Donaldson. Donaldson and a free agent pitcher seems like a nicer upgrade than possibly one year of the former Cubbie.

QUOTE (Lillian @ Nov 29, 2014 -> 03:49 PM) Putting aside, for a moment, the cost in players to acquire Jeff S., if he would ultimately get close to $20 Million per year, on a multi year free agent contract, why isn't it far more attractive to simply acquire him for one year, at approximately half of that? He's already 30, and at the end of the year, he becomes even less attractive, as a long term commitment. I'd prefer to have him for one year, at a far more affordable annual salary, without the risk of being stuck with a bad contract. At the end of the season, the Sox could make a qualifying offer, again for one more year, and receive a draft pick. They could then go back into the market, and see who else could be had. Why isn't that preferable to signing any 30 + year old pitcher to a big, long term contract? Comparing the deal Beane made to acquire Samardjiza is not relevant, as he was acquired for a season and a half, during Oakland's playoff run. Now, he would be dealt with one year remaining, and Oakland may be back to a rebuild mode. The circumstances are not the same. I originally assumed that it might require dealing Alexei, to which most reacted negatively, asserting that such a move would fill one hole, while opening another. So, now we are talking about a deal that would net them this year's #2 or #3 starter, a right hander yet, and not create a hole at SS. If the Sox take on "Sharks" approximately $10 million arbitration salary, they would still have about $15 million to spend on an outfielder, and a closer. To reiterate, they could then stay within a projected $100 million payroll, with no long term commitments, and field a very competitive team. In the meantime, it gives some of the youth in the system more time to develop, and the front office would have a better idea of the team's needs for 2016. Then, there is still the outside chance that they could move Danks, who would be completely expendable with the Samardjiza's acquisition. Therefore, while the fact that he would be a mere one year rental would reduce the asking price, it could actually be more attractive, IMO. The question is; what would Beane take in exchange for one year of the "Shark"? If Anderson is the guy in the deal, if there is a deal, and he becomes a good SS and Samardjia is around for one season and the Sox don't at least make the playoffs, it is a horrible trade. There are a lot of ifs. But if the Sox are willing to trade Anderson, there may be something more attractive than on year of SamArdzjia available. Doesn't hurt to float his name around and see what someone else may be willing to give you.