Dick Allen

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Jan 1, 2014 -> 08:09 PM) The Wolf of Wall Street was nuts. I saw this on Saturday and thought it was entertaining. I haven't read the book, but to me, it was way too predictable and it seems like a movie that has already been made. A good one to watch, but I don't think it's one that is award-worthy.

Wasn't there some article written years ago which pointed to the zits on Piazza's back as some proof he was juicing?

QUOTE (midway @ Jan 4, 2014 -> 04:31 PM) Before hiring Ventura there was talk of offering Paulie a player/manager position...so is this year a learning experience for him being.. able to sit back with Ventura in the dugout on days off? I was listening to a teleconference with Paulie a couple of weeks ago. He has no interest in coaching or managing in the major leagues at least for several years.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Jan 4, 2014 -> 09:31 AM) I don't know what the Rays have to do with it, he was no longer under contract with him. And maybe he looks better in spot duty in the first half and maybe you can trade him for a warm body instead of just dumping his salary because the owner is hamstringing his young GM. And I'm still not convinced Robin won't feel pressure to play Paulie more and he will take some at bats from Abreu, a potential All Star. That is also based on no facts. The White Sox and Paulie have already mapped out his role. Obviously it could change with injury or a trade.The White Sox didn't pay Abreu $68 million to watch. People complain Adam Dunn is still around and playing because of money. If this is true, you have nothing to worry about regarding Abreu's playing time.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Jan 3, 2014 -> 09:27 PM) Because he plays the exact same position as your newest important asset. Because his presence on the roster takes away the option to give other young guys a day or two off at DH. And it might not be Danks/Elmore, it may be De Aza or Keppinger traded for pennies on the dollar because everyone knows the Sox are in a roster conundrum. That just makes no sense. What exactly is Jeff Keppinger going to bring you in a trade whether you are desperate to get rid of him or not? The Rays let him walk for nothing and survived. There is no future All Star being screwed because Paul Konerko is going to get 150 AB vs LHP. You never know, he might even help win a couple of games.

Terry Bevington. He wasn't ready when he had the job before, but he has had some more coaching experience and managerial experience on the minor league and independent league levels. He is now ready. Maybe bring in Jaime Navarro as a pitching coach if Coop puts up a stink, and the Sox will be really rolling coaching-wise.

QUOTE (Harry Chappas @ Jan 3, 2014 -> 03:27 PM) All it takes is an offensive line or QB run and he drops. A good amount of talk and tape on him taking players off and durability issues. Doubt it happens but it could I hope it does, because he is a HOFer if he stays healthy.

QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ Jan 3, 2014 -> 03:09 PM) Fanspeak's On the Clock NFL Mock Draft Simulator My third draft: 14 - CB IFO EKPRE-OLOMU (OREGON) 51 - DT AARON DONALD (PITTSBURGH) 82 - S CRAIG LOSTON (LSU) Nick Shepkowski 's draft: 14 - DE JADEVEON CLOWNEY (SOUTH CAROLINA) 51 - DT AARON DONALD (PITTSBURGH) 82 - S CRAIG LOSTON (LSU) 113 - ILB MAX BULLOUGH (MICHIGAN STATE) 144 - S NICKOE WHITLEY (MISSISSIPPI STATE) If Clowney drops to 14, there are going to be a lot of teams kicking themselves in a year or 2.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 3, 2014 -> 02:39 PM) I've said the phrase "maximizing resources" repeatedly but you've seemingly ignored it. Conor Gillaspie and Jeff Keppinger. Is there really anything about these players that says building blocks to a championship? Besides, if Davidson shows he's more Morel/Fields than the middle of the order bat the Sox hope he is in spring training, your two boys may be splitting some time at 3B.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 3, 2014 -> 02:27 PM) Or we could just let Adam Dunn face lefties. Yeah, it really sucks the Sox are letting one of the team's all time great players to go out on his terms, even if it won't effect their record. They should be getting Conor Gillaspie ABs. Fools.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 3, 2014 -> 02:27 PM) No, the bottom line should also include cost and player development as well given where this team currently sits. All of which are hurt by having Paul Konerko on the roster. But again...none of them...winning games, player development, or maximizing resources were the goal of signing Paul Konerko. The Sox acquired Davidson and Abreu this offseason. That pretty much tells you what they think of Conor Gillaspie being much of a contributor in the future. And what does Keppinger have to do with player development. He's here because he has 2 years left on his contract. All this stuff with shake out eventually. No roster looks the same in May as it does in January.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 3, 2014 -> 02:21 PM) Or, if we're really desperate to keep Dunn out against LHP, we could play Keppinger at 1b/DH, give Abreu some extra time at DH while still getting at bats, and keep Davidson in the lineup at 3rd, with a left handed bat on the bench available should a right handed reliever be put in. So what do you think the Sox record will be with Konerko on the roster vs. without? Isn't that the bottom line? And if it's better but not playoff worthy without, isn't that better for the draft pick to have him around?

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Jan 3, 2014 -> 02:19 PM) If the Sox aren't gonna compete this year, then who cares if Adam Dunn faces LHP? It doesn't matter, right? I want the Sox to win myself. If you don't care if Adam Dunn faces LHP, why would you care if Paul Konerko is taking Jake Elmore's or Jordan Danks' spot on the bench?

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Jan 3, 2014 -> 02:14 PM) We've had quite the offseason so far. Hopefully more to come. There should be more to come. And there usually is some sort of Soxfest surprise.

QUOTE (Jake @ Jan 3, 2014 -> 02:12 PM) In his last prospect year, Baseball America had this to say: Baseball Prospectus gave him a 1.9 FRAA (fielding runs above average), which is not great but is indeed above average. FanGraphs had him as -1.1 runs above average. His -2.4 UZR/150 (not "awful" in itself) is almost completely dragged down by his 16 errors, which at times appeared rather flukey and, at worst, correctable. Even if not, there are no metrics calling what he did last year bad. His worst statistic is the not-all-that-well-regarded Defensive Runs Saved, from which he got a -4, which is between what Bill James calls average and below average. They use the word "awful" to describe a player that gets -15, FWIW He started the year great, but became horrible. When I get home I will break out my BP and give you what they said about his glove coming into 2013. It wasn't pretty.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 3, 2014 -> 02:09 PM) So he should clearly have 2 guys without options in his way. Because that's the sign you give to a guy you want him to earn the big league spot. You have been complaining about Konerko. He has nothing to do with Davidson making the team. Keppinger is either going to be on the team or traded, not released, and you seem to be the president of the Conor Gillespie fan club. So now you are even complaining about the things you want.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 3, 2014 -> 02:05 PM) And so therefore he should not have any chance to earn the job. More hyperbole. I already stated it is all up to him. The White Sox traded one of their better players to get him, and they would like nothing more to have him playing every day batting in the middle of the order for them, but he does have his warts. AAA may be where he needs to be in April.

Joe Borchard, Brian Anderson, Josh Fields, Tyler Flowers, Brent Lillibridge, Brent Morel, ....just some names that BA had ranked just as high as Matt Davidson as prospects at one time. It's really not that crazy to think Charlotte might be a logical place for him to start the 2014 season.

QUOTE (Jake @ Jan 3, 2014 -> 01:53 PM) To call Conor Gillaspie's glove "awful" is quite a stretch. I'd say "solid" or "adequate" or "a tick above Keppinger." He was having an excellent year until a weird, De Aza-esque run of errors late in the season Not a stretch. It was awful the last 3 or 4 months of last year, which is exactly what his reports said he was before he was acquired. Look at the 2013 BP.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 3, 2014 -> 01:48 PM) What is it about Paul Konerko's .669 OPS and awful glove that makes people excited to watch him play? Track record. Reduced role. Even in a down year an over .900 OPS vs. LHP, which also keeps Adam Dunn out of the line up vs. the same LHP. Captain. Good influence on others. I heard him talking, saying playing less will allow him to help these guys more. Besides, if you want Gillaspie on the team, he plays 3B and 1B and would be taking ABs away from Davidson and Abreu. I thought that was a no no in your book.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 3, 2014 -> 01:43 PM) So they're going to keep the right hand hitting backup who plays a poor 3b because he makes $10 million over the next 2 years and release the much younger, left handed hitting guy who fits the roster much better. Well that's a relief. What is it about Conor Gillaspie's .695 OPS and awful glove that makes you excited to watch him play? Besides if Gillaspie is 1/10th as good as you think, there is no reason to release him, teams will be lining up to acquire him.

QUOTE (GREEDY @ Jan 3, 2014 -> 01:38 PM) I disagree. If Konerko isn't on the roster it is possible (not ideal) that Gillaspie, Davidson & Keppinger all make the opening day roster. In fact, I think as the team currently is assembled (minus PK) that would be the most likely scenario. With Konerko, it is impossible. I don't see how a lineup with De Aza & Viciedo in the corners with Abreu at 1st and PK as the designated hitter isn't possible? If PK isn't on the team it allows Viciedo to DH... but I understand that is a stretch and would only cost Garcia a few appearances but it was worth pointing out. Unless one of the kids flat out has a horrible spring and just cannot be started at the major league level, I don't see how PK won't take at-bats from one of them. If the White Sox biggest problem in 2014 is Paul Konerko on the roster, everyone should get season tickets. The playoffs are a lock.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 3, 2014 -> 01:38 PM) I don't know why we should have to release 2 players and pay $10 million for the privileged in order to keep a backup DH on the roster if Davidson does earn the spot. Who are they releasing that will cost them $10 million? Keppinger isn't getting released. Why do you make things up just to complain?

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 3, 2014 -> 01:29 PM) Right now, if he and Gillaspie both put up similar numbers in spring training, he'd miss the roster because we'd want to keep the guy who was out of options and there's no room for both of them. That could be the case no matter how good their numbers are. There could have been room for Gillaspie, Davidson, Keppinger, and a backup OF on the roster if Konerko were not there. The roster will take care of itself. I don't know why you think Davidson absolutely shouldn't start the year in AAA. Someone will probably get traded. Someone will probably suck, someone will probably get hurt. It happens every year, although for a guy who constantly cries about a team that lost 99 games, you sure do seem to think they have a lot of guys who just need to play. Gillaspie, Jordan Danks....these guys aren't difference makers. They ride pine and play for second division teams. The goal is to be better than that. If they go somewhere else...........who cares?

QUOTE (GREEDY @ Jan 3, 2014 -> 01:20 PM) I think there is a real chance that Davidson doesn't break with the big club because of Konerko's place on the roster. Also, I think it is possible Viciedo could have plate appearances at DH taken away by PK. It could stream all the way down to Avisail sitting for PK as well. Finally, the most obvious is Abreu. So, there are 4 players that are crucial to the future of this ballclub that will be directly effected by your opportunity to chant "Paulie, Paulie".... from your couch at home because no one goes to the..... If Davidson is not on the opening day roster, it isn't because of Konerko. It would be because of Davidson. Why would Garcia sit for Konerko? That makes zero sense. Abreu might get a break, but the White Sox gave him $68 million. He is going to play. The guy who will have his time cut is Adam Dunn vs. LHP. I don't think anyone is opposed to that. All other complaining, is complaining to complain. It really is ridiculous. If the Sox win 85 games, they should have lost more so they would get a better draft pick. If they have Konerko on the bench, it's going to really hurt them because a guy who most likely should be in AAA anyway isn't going to be on the roster. Give it a rest. Konerko on the roster hampers Ventura a little bit, but not enough to make the difference between going to the playoffs and having a miserable season.