Dick Allen

There is ivy at USCF, and padded walls.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ May 28, 2013 -> 12:56 PM) If they were "trying to win" Flowers and Jones wouldn't be on the roster and Danks would not get a rotation spot over Santiago. As Alex Lifeson would say, "blah, blah, blah...blah, blah, blah.."

QUOTE (pettie4sox @ May 28, 2013 -> 12:56 PM) I work at IIT. I am hoping that the prices will drop heavily before the game starts so I can snag a ticket. We'll see. Just remember they go off 2 hours before game time. Sometimes those last 5 minutes or so are fun. You hit refresh and prices change.

QUOTE (fathom @ May 28, 2013 -> 12:56 PM) But his defense has been significantly worse, and I still worry about him being a complete liability when having to face the powerhouse Tigers rotation for probably 14-15 games. Obviously. But I think everyone was fine with him as a back up. I don't know what happened defensively, my theory is he's not catching Peavy half his playing time, but he's been about as bad as his reputation when he was acquired. If he can get back to where he was defensively last year, he is a good back up who may go on a roll with power every now and then.

QUOTE (fathom @ May 28, 2013 -> 12:54 PM) How's this for a hypothetical situation: - Flowers' miserable season continues, as he bats under .200 for the season and struggles mightily behind the plate - Phegley puts up an OPS around 1 in AAA for the full season Do the White Sox go into next year with a catching tandem of Phegley and Gimenez again, or does Phegley become the back-up and a starting catcher is acquired via trade or free agency? Something you really don't want to see happen is a repeat of what's happened so far this year behind the plate during next season with an inexperienced catcher being thrown into the starting spot with an inexperienced catcher at the back-up. Of course, if the Sox go into a full rebuilding mode, then who cares about how inexperienced they are. The funny thing is, Flowers is only 2 good games from meeting his offensive numbers last season while making more contact. Personally, I think he is a back up, and not a bad one. I don't know what the scouts actually think of Phegley's chances of success, but if they are trying to win next year, starting a rookie who isn't a top 100 prospect probably isn't the way to go. If it were me making the decisions, I would think Phegley would be trade material. Flowers has shown he can be a good back up, and a catcher would have to be acquired.

White Sox fans are the only fans in MLB that get mad at their team for trying to win.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ May 28, 2013 -> 12:45 PM) I guess not since you can point out the problems but not the solutions in any specific terms. He doesn't know of any specific solutions or he would point them out. He actually asked me to be specific in another thread with a ROTF. He's just one of those dump everyone guys who actually gets a bigger kick out of the White Sox not winning than winning.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ May 28, 2013 -> 12:06 PM) When the players are as bad as Flowers and Jones, the who replaces isn't the primary concern. Another non answer.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ May 28, 2013 -> 10:50 AM) ROFL, you go ahead and wait on Nate Jones and Tyler Flowers. "Look, we developed a mop up man and a backup catcher, hoorray for us!" Nice no answer again. But once again, a couple of guys struggling, Marty is in his Soxtalk glory. When they go on a roll, Marty doesn't post at all. He loves when the White Sox suck.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ May 28, 2013 -> 10:35 AM) ROFL, If you don't know already, I can't help you. So no surprise, no answer. For a guy who asks for specifics, you certainly provide none. You asked me about free agent hitters. You were answered. I asked about the free agent pitcher you would sign to replace Peavy in your plan, you, no surprise, had no response. Now this. No answer. Trying to spin it like if anyone doesn't know they are dumb and you're the smart one. Nice try. People are finally seeing you for what you are. You must be just trolling.

QUOTE (IlliniKrush @ May 28, 2013 -> 09:38 AM) He's done more than shut down the Sox. Stats last year pretty good, stats this year pretty good. I consider him not "hot garbage." I guess it depends on your definition, but I don't really think it's an argument. I think the whole thing started when everyone was singing his praises last year, I mentioned I would trade him because up until last season, he pretty much was hot garbage. In fact, after I mentioned it, he did struggle a bit. Now some media is comparing him to Verlander. If other MLB teams think that, I still think the Cubs should trade him. Of course I may be a little biased as I hate the Cubs and hate ND.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ May 28, 2013 -> 10:15 AM) Guys like Flowers and Jones, aren't guys you wait on. Who currently do the Sox have that are worthy of "waiting on"? Provide some specifics.

QUOTE (IlliniKrush @ May 27, 2013 -> 10:31 PM) Dick Allen, I guess samardzija is back to being hot garbage again... We will see how it all turns out. He shut down the White Sox. He was great last night, but a lot of pitchers have shut down the White Sox. It takes a little longer to really be considered what you consider him.

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ May 28, 2013 -> 09:06 AM) Well, I'm not going to be in a position to download/print tickets that close to gametime. About 5-6 hours before first pitch would be my deadline. IMO, you should check it occassionally. I doubt the prices will go up. Maybe focus on a couple of options, if one dissappears, get the other one, otherwise, wait until your deadline or when it has dropped into the range you like. Chances are the price will drop.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ May 28, 2013 -> 03:28 AM) Of course, the Cubs' beat writer for the Sun-Times (Gordon Wittenmeyer) would pronounced him "the city's ace." As if an All-America football career spent getting slammed by NFL-bound safeties wasn’t enough to prove his fearlessness and competitiveness, there was Samardzija on Monday night, pitching the best game of his professional career on what’s probably the biggest stage he’ll be on this season. His first complete game. A two-hit shutout. The tone-setter in the four-day Crosstown Showdown. The power. The swagger. The future. The ace. Forget Chris Sale. The Cubs right-hander is Chicago’s pitching ace, as he proved in Monday’s 7-0 victory at U.S. Cellular Field. “That football mentality helps,” said teammate James Russell, who’s been around big-league baseball since his dad, Jeff, made All-Star teams as a starter, then a reliever. “He instills that fear in the batter, which a lot of guys don’t do.” On Monday, Samardzija had a 98 mph fastball working in the first inning, threw 97 on his 100th pitch and until a one-out walk in the ninth had faced just one batter over the minimum. “He was as good as anyone we’ve seen,” said Sox manager Robin Ventura, who compared him to young power-pitching Mets phenom Matt Harvey — a guy Ventura compared to Tigers ace Justin Verlander just a few weeks ago. Harvey. Verlander. “Stuff-wise, he’s as good as it gets in my opinion,” said Sox third-baseman Conor Gillaspie — the only South Sider with a hit until the ninth — of Samardzija. What about Nationals phenom Stephen Strasburg? Former MVP Joey Votto of the Reds drew that comparison when talking to a Cubs coach this season — and then said it was no comparison. He’d rather face Strasburg, he told the coach. Russell, one of Samardzija’s closer friends in the clubhouse, isn’t surprised by the comparisons. “He’s a little harder mentally and stronger physically than a lot of those guys out there,” Russell said. “Yeah, Strasburg’s got 98 [mph], but you’re not as timid getting in the box against him as you would be against somebody like Jeff.” That’s why Samardzija is the front office’s next priority. Why he’s the manager’s best hope for a turnaround anytime soon. Why he’s Chicago’s ace. No doubt Sale has the recent results and the stuff from all those knobby left-handed angles. But he also has the recent bouts of soreness, the toothpick frame and the hold-your-breath mechanics with that skinny body that doesn’t inspire nearly the long-term confidence as the power-throwing Cubs ace with the Notre Dame football frame. The Sox offense has been horrible. If they want to declare him the best pitcher after he shut down the Sox, I wonder when the campaign to put Guthrie in the HOF will begin.

QUOTE (pettie4sox @ May 28, 2013 -> 09:01 AM) I don't know what people's beef with Gimenez is... in his limited at bats, he's driven in some big runs. Not to mention he saved runs from scoring and has throw out runners.. T-flo has won some games with his bat but he just seems clueless at the plate (he's probably also lost a lot of games 'K' ing with RISP not that he's the only culprit) Gimenez being a switch hitter helps as he'll always get the better look at pitchers. I don't have a beef, but he's not a starter and if you are getting rid of a catcher, I'd keep Flowers over him as a back up. He's younger and hits for more power. Losing Gimenez isn't going to cost the White Sox wins.

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ May 28, 2013 -> 07:49 AM) Do Stubhub prices generally drop closer to the game date? I'm looking for 6 seats for Saturday 6/8 somewhere between Secs 128-145. Right now lowest price is $50 each. Would love to be able to get it for $40 or less. Yes. If you are willing to really roll the dice, the listings expire 2 hours before the first pitch. Those last couple of hours there are plenty of deals to be had, and if you look at it the last 15 minutes, it can get really cheap. Although 6 together might be tough, but on the other hand if the seller is selling 6 and not breaking them up, they could drop like a rock.

Personally, I would have called Phegley up a week or 2 ago and let Gimenez go. Flowers has shown he's a good back up, and when he gets on a roll, can hit some homers. I can understand the White Sox wanting to give Flowers more time. It's not what I would do. It's not like he's a 23 year old just up from AA. Cooper was really chewing him out yesterday. It had to be pitch selection and/or location, but location with Jones pitching is something I find hard to be screaming at the catcher about. I also think ultimately pitch selection is on the pitcher. Since then, Gimenez has done a decent job, although he does make the last out of an inning often and takes forever to put his gear on. Flowers is a streaky guy offensively. Even when he was struggling in he minors he would go on hitting binges. I suppose they want to give what they would think is a fair shot to Flowers. In the end, they do have a decent back up in him. He can be Peavy's personal catcher, and perhaps without the mental load of playing regularly, can get back to being decent defensively. Currently the White Sox line up is featuring too many guys who are hitting so poorly, that drawing a walk is like hitting a 3 run homer. Flowers is one of them.

QUOTE (Cerbaho-WG @ May 27, 2013 -> 09:50 PM) Before someone spouts off about the possible disruption of the handling of the pitching staff, it should be known that the Sox are on pace to score less than 600 runs this year. Worrying about possible adverse affects to the pitching staff is the equivalent of yelling, "Fire, fire!" in Noah's flood. That's true. It's kind of hard to win when you don't score at all. You need a forfeit.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ May 27, 2013 -> 07:15 PM) Well, there's no reason Quintana shouldn't be throwing a shutout at this point in the game...after two misplays in the first inning (the ball that landed in the first row that Kepp/Konerko didn't get to is arguable). That would have been a tremendous play.

QUOTE (The Ginger Kid @ May 27, 2013 -> 07:06 PM) Agree,that was 100% on Ventura. Yep. I have seen the light. Any shortcoming probably goes back to spring training, and even though I wasn't there, it is safe to assume they pretty mush spent their days swilling beers and not working on their games. Robin probably bought the beer.

QUOTE (hawksfan61 @ May 27, 2013 -> 07:02 PM) Why is Peavy criminally underrated on this site? I think people are underestimating how good Peavy was last year and how good he has been so far this year. Yes I know the Tigers lit him up last year but Danks stands as a very very poor man's Jake Peavy. The only year Danks has even come close to matching Peavy's numbers from last year is in 2008, which was 5 years and a shoulder surgery ago. Keep the rotation, buy/trade for bats. I don't understand it either.

Whatever spring training drill they have to avoid losing balls in the lights, Rios didn't take seriously. f*** off Ventura.

QUOTE (Heads22 @ May 27, 2013 -> 06:52 PM) I assume Dick Allen loves Keppinger thanks to the Rush at bat music. I do like the music. I just wish he was worthy.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ May 27, 2013 -> 06:54 PM) Everything that has been written, inferred/implied....going from the best defense in the AL to the worst with almost the exact same line-up except for AJ/Flowers and Beckham's injury. Many, many more fundamentals errors, missed cutoff men, base-running....it has been endemic, and a good explanation has never been provided, beyond the carryover effect from the last 6 weeks of 2012. How else can you explain it? Farmer saying more Cubs fans there than Sox fans by the sounds coming from the crowd on the DP. From the noise, you would have thought the throw got away or went into the stands, but it was Cubs' fans cheering.... For one thing, their best defensive player is out. For another Adam Dunn is playing a lot more first base. Everything that has been reported says the Sox did the same stuff this year during spring training. Making up they were complacent is silly. I don't know how spring training has anything to do with Ramirez forgetting to cover a base. It is something he has to do and has done just about every game.