Dick Allen

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Oct 11, 2009 -> 05:33 PM) Yes, the computer has a hard on for Swisher. When you're 18.7 runs below replacement defensively you're not going to be worth s*** unless you're absolutely raking. Swisher came in at 0.1 runs below replacement which is average. They use weighted on base average to determine a hitter's park adjusted runs above average, if you want to know how the number is calculated then you can read about it here. So if you knew exactly how they would play and you were running a team, you would take Nick Swisher's 2009 over JD's 2006 and Nick Swisher's 2008 over JD's 2009, because fangraphs has them both worth $5 million more than the other choice. In fact, Juan Uribe's 2009 is worth a couple of million more than JD's 2006. How come no one is b****ing about letting him go for nothing? At least they received some bodies for the other guys. Stiffs, but bodies. As far as Swisher's defense vs. JD's this year, I know JD is horrid defensive, but even fangraphs says Swishers defense was on par with Scott Podsednik's this year, I don't see $17 million worth of production difference between the 2. Its a lot of money.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Oct 11, 2009 -> 05:16 PM) You can't just say that off the top of your head. Dye was the worst defender at his position and posted below average offensive production, there's no value in that. If you're going to be horrible at one facet of the game then you need to be above average at another, unfortunately Jermaine was not. Look at the numbers. Another 24 AB, Dye might hit 2 homers and would have more homers and RBI than Swisher and a higher average. Swisher was below average defensively as well. I can definitely say Swisher's 2009 performance is not worth 17 million more than JD's performance and I am really no fan of JD. They also had Swisher's value in 2008 over $5 million higher than Dye's in 2009. Check those numbers. Dye outdid him in hr, ribi, avg, obp and slug. pct. They obviously have a hard on for Swisher and walks must be the most important stat. In fact, Jermaine Dye's 2006 season when he hit 44 homers, had a .385 obp and an OPS of 1.006 is worth $5 million less than Nick Swisher's 2009. I know Dye hasn't been a plus fielder, but neither is Swisher. There is a flaw with their system.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Oct 11, 2009 -> 05:02 PM) Dye put up a .793 OPS this year, .826 is his career OPS. So there's a 76 point difference in OPS, that's f***ing huge. Just look at their OPS+'s, Swisher: 126 (well above average) and Dye: 102 (just about average). Jermaine put up a below average OPS for an AL right fielder (.793 compared to .803) and that's while playing half his games at the cell. So Dye put up average to below average offensive production for his position and was the worst defensive outfielder in the AL according to UZR where as Swisher was a well above average hitter and an average defender, that's where your tremendous difference in value comes from. They actually take into account defense. You also can not downplay the value of 33 extra walks over the course of a season, there's huge value in that. You're unintentionally highlighting the inherent flaw in using straight OPS to compare 2 players. OPS treats OBP and SLG as equals when they're anything but, OBP needs to be weighted more heavily. The difference is not $17 million worth of production. If it is, most players in the major leagues are vastly underpaid. Swisher made a few more plate appearances. I really doubt 33 walks, 5 walks a month is worth anywhere near $17 million.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Oct 11, 2009 -> 09:49 AM) Fangraphs has their say on the Swisher move. Comes down somewhat hard on KW for making the move, when all indicators pointed his year to be a statistical fluke. "It’s not very often that one can say this about a Yankees acquisition, but swindling Swisher from the White Sox last fall was a thrifty move. New York bought low on a quality player, parting only with a future 5th starter, a decent relief prospect and a reserve infielder with platoon issues and no defensive home. Swish made just $5.3M this year, while providing $16.5M worth of value. He’s under contract for a total of $15.75M over the 2010-2011 seasons. Even if he regresses back to the three WAR range, he would give $27M worth of production over that time period. If you’re keeping score at home, that would mean Swisher offers the Yankees about $22.5M worth of surplus value from 2009-2011 (what his production is worth on the free agent market based on the $4.5M/WAR standard, minus his actual salary). And, he also has that reasonable option for the 2012 season. During an off-season in which the Yankees spent more than the gross domestic product of Tonga (no, seriously), the club also added Swisher for a song. This is a great example of why it’s vital to not just take a cursory glance at a player’s numbers and come to a definite conclusion about his talents. Fantasy owners who did their homework picked up an offensive cog without coughing up a high draft pick. " More At the Link. http://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/index.php...hers-resurgence To put things in perspective while you are making arrangements for Nick Swisher's enshrinement into the HOF, he basically had the same offensive year as Jermaine Dye, except with a few more walks and a few more strikeouts, check the numbers, yet fangraphs has Swisher's production worth $16.5 million and Dye's worth -(yes that's negative) 600k. Could you say with a straight face their production is over $17 million worth of value apart? 498 AB 29 HR 82 RBI 97 BB 126 K .249 AVG .371 OBP .869 OPS 503 AB 27 HR 81 RBI 64 BB 108 K .250 AVG .340 OBP .826 OPS I don't see $17 million in difference. Obviously, Swisher's is slightly better, but fangraphs obviously has a major flaw in how the value players. If Dye had 20 more walks their numbers would basically be identical.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Oct 10, 2009 -> 03:19 PM) Forget Abreu. It's not happening. The Angels are going to keep him, and/or Figgins. Why would they let these guys go, as they are marching along into the postseason? Not sure if people recall, but the Angels have not exactly been manufacturing big bats in the farm system recently. They've always looked to free agency or the trade market to fill that need, and I can't imagine now that they finally have the offense they need that they are going to just let them all walk away. I heard today Abreu is near an extension.

QUOTE (son of a rude @ Oct 10, 2009 -> 03:24 PM) I guess i like risk taking in baseball you guys then. I would love to see him keep doing it. We could probably at leasst get some sort of decent relief pitchers for AJ. The probability of Johnson getting hurt at DH is less than it normally would be. Flowers has potential, but i agree he would probably have worse offense year than AJ. Johnson + Flowers + whatever we could snag with AJ > AJ in my opinion. I would rather Kenny take the risk. If he does, chances are we either narrowly make the playoffs and get eliminated first round, or have a great chance at winning it all. Trading AJ and signing johnson wouldn't hinder us for the future either. AJ is probably gone after this year regardless. If it were possible, i would like to see how Flowers can handle the rotation in spring training before we trade AJ. That would be the biggest concern i have. So you are A. Going to base everything off of spring training performance and B. Make spring traing as awkward as possilble for everyone involved. Do you act like AJ is the #1 catcher, because if you do, Flowers isn't going to provide you any answers, or do you say Flowers is the starter and AJ is the back-up? That has disaster all over it, not even considering teams would be less inclined to give up anything too valuable for a C making $6 million who the Sox don't intend to play much. The White Sox are going to have to keep AJ and they are going to have to find a couple of hitters, and they are going to have to find a way to fix the bullpen. That is what will make them solid. For some reason, it wouldn't shock me if they traded a starter for some pieces. They have Hudson in the wings. Floyd, Danks and Buerhle all are worth some significant talent coming back. The way they have been babying Buerhle the last couple of years(I know he's still getting 200+ innings) it has to make you wonder if they think he is about ready to fade, plus he gets $14 million a year and Ozzie made it a point that he may be the #4 guy next year. It may be a PR nightmare but baseball genius to move him out and fill a few other spots. At some point next season, AJP and Buerhle become 5/10 men. If the Sox re-up with Dye, something nobody mentions, he will have full no trade rights. That's another reason to color him gone.

QUOTE (son of a rude @ Oct 10, 2009 -> 02:38 PM) You never know. It would allow us to sign somebody like Nick Johnson for DH. I'm pretty sure he could replace AJ's production. Plus, if Flowers has a good year, it would make us even better. It would all depend on what kind of year Flowers has. He has the potential to be much better than AJ. He basically put up a 1.000 OPS in AA. I still look back at his 1.443 OPS in the AFL a few years ago and get hard. Just what the Sox need more question marks. Put a rookie behind the plate, have him call pitches (because the bench does not with the White Sox) and tell him they need him to hit. Then spend $5-6 million on a guy who everyone know will get hurt. AA and the big leagues is a big difference. Let Flowers work his way into playing, don't throw the kitchen sink at him right away. He's really still a baby and he has some more growing pains he will have to work through. Just say no to Nick Johnson.

Trading AJ would set this team back several wins and they need to be picking up wins not discarding them. I heard today that Abreu is about to sign an extension with the Angels. While a nice hitter, he is getting older and can't play or at least shouldn't play defense.

Pods is looking for a decent payday and probably multiple years. I don't mind that the Sox kick the tires on a new contract and if Pods is willing to come back here for reserve OF money, bring him back. If he wants starter money for multiple years, say good bye. His fielding and baserunning are only going to get worse and chances of him duplicating his offense from 2009 are very slim. I want the White Sox to quit "settling" for guys with low baseball IQs, which Pods has. I understand you can't have a roster full of guys who really know what they are doing, but finding a leadoff man, if its someone new or even a guy like Beckham who just knows what he is doing at all times on a baseball field, is imperative. Bringing back essentially the same cast that led to 2009s dissappointing end will not produce an exciting 2010. I expect a lot of changes. Giving Pods some decent money, or at least money that guys at least used to get when they put up his 2009 numbers, is a mistake. A big mistake. Coco Crisp will probably be out there cheap. That's one guy I would look at. If he's healthy, I think he would be an excellent fit, plus you don't have to worry every time a ball is hit in his direction.

Ron Darling reminds me of Ed Farmer during the game.

QUOTE (jamesdiego @ Oct 9, 2009 -> 05:51 PM) That was me, damn proud of it too. Sure, maybe my prediction that he'd "dominate the league" was over blown;) Even me, he's biggest fan, knew he should of never been in the leadoff hitter. He should of been buried in the 9 hole, without pressure, even though many here say that don't mean a damn. He will sign with someone, for sure. Away from Greg Walker, who knows what the black Ross Gload may accomplish. Walker ruined another one. Before Wise met Walker, he was a HOF type player.

QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ Oct 8, 2009 -> 08:30 PM) He did his job, the game is over and the series tied if Matt Holliday makes a play that would have been easier for a high schooler. But instead, he turned the Cardinals stealing home field advantage into a potential sweep in one fell swoop. That play might not be remembered quite like the Bill Buckner play or Merkle's boner, but it should be. Kind of like Tony G letting a grounder roll through his legs and Iguchi going deep to give a certain team that was dominant most of that year until it sort of limped home until the final week a 2-0 lead in the ALDS. Maybe the Dodgers are the team of destiny this year.

QUOTE (GreatScott82 @ Oct 8, 2009 -> 07:38 PM) Hopefully Ozzie's Venezualan connection could bring Abreu over here.This guy is exactly what KW and Ozzie are craving for offensively. And exactly what they are not craving financially and defensively. He makes the current version of JD look like a 25 year old Vlad Guerrero in RF.

QUOTE (G&T @ Oct 8, 2009 -> 07:58 AM) I want to try absinthe, but I have some block that makes me believe that something strange will happen. Anyone ever try it? They have it around but its not the original stuff. Even in Amsterdam its not the original. You have to go to Prague I believe to get it. I've heard its effects are overblown and I've heard you do really strange things hopped up on it.

What Rosenbloom says about Pods is pretty good IMO Scott Podsednik - What does it say when a guy who’s bad on defense and worse as a baserunner considering his speed is the best this team can do at leadoff? . . .

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Oct 8, 2009 -> 06:30 PM) It may not be an argument, but I don't care! Somebody is going to give Pods a fairly decent multi-year contract I believe. Probably by June they will wonder why.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Oct 8, 2009 -> 06:23 PM) I'm glad they are leaving them the same, sort of figured they would after a disappointing season, in a bad economy, and after a big ticket price hike. Still on that fifty cents for a dollar thing though, huh? If they dropped it when they had higher attendance, more dates, more than likely a much higher renewal rate, and raised the price, what will they do now? Its going to go lower, I think that's pretty much assured. The question is how much lower, and for the record, you mentioned .50 vs $1, not me. The renewal rate is going to be interesting and maybe scary.

I think guys like Wise, Fields, Lillibridge were the Sox MVPs this year. Some guys played well, but what does that matter when you aren't even a .500 team? Wise et al, I think humbled KW. KW was humbled in 2007 and did something about it in 2008. Then his held swelled again and he thought garbage like the 3 mentioned actually were major league contributors let alone major league ballplayers. I think he's going to have a much better offseason and there should be some optimism on opening day. BTW, anyone catch the little blurb in the Sun Times written by Bill Zwecker saying KW and Marion Brooks are a couple? Nice job KW.

Just received an email from the Sox about renewal. (I did not opt for playoff tickets) Prices are remaining the same. That roadtrip from hell hurt the Sox more than just in the 2009 standings. They didn't have enough people locked in to jack prices up a couple of dollars a game. Since last year they had 3 extra games, all sellouts, and jacked up ticket prices and dropped payroll, I wonder how low it will go for 2010.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Oct 6, 2009 -> 03:48 PM) Sox brass likes Chris Getz and the different set of skills he brings to the club at 2B and they also like Beckham at 3B. So in closing, they will not be messing with either of those positions and I'd be very surprised if they messed with Alexei at SS as he's cheap, very talented, and despite all the b****ing a better than average shortstop (who will get better next year). The Sox moves will be in the bullpen, outfield, DH, and 1B potentially. And you can bank on that. That's the thing about Ramirez, as much as he probably pisses the Sox off with his sometimes questionable approach, they aren't going to get that production or potential for the price they pay him anywhere. He's staying where he's at. I thought at one point the Sox may look to move him, but that contract is too good to move, especially if the budget is going to be tight.

The Sox could always use a guy playing the DL role.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Oct 5, 2009 -> 10:42 PM) I really wonder if we could have an O-Cab type deal. Where we offer Dye ARB, and highly suggest that he not take it. If JD or his agent agreed to that they would be dumb. It only would hurt his value, so it would make zero sense for him to go along with it and not accept. They were lucky Cabrera hated it in Chicago so much or they would have been stuck with him for $10 million and unless he was just brutal in spring training and they released him and still would have been on the hook for $2.5 million, if they released him they would have been challenged and it would have been ugly. Those days, I believe, are done and Dye isn't going to do the Sox any favors that hurt him but help the Sox.

I'm old enough to actually remember Nancy working some Bulls games. She will be missed. At least we have a season to prepare ourselves and give her the proper send off. I read where Brooks Boyer hopes she still will make occassional appearances when she retires. Over 40 years of service, she truly is a gem.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Oct 5, 2009 -> 09:08 AM) The Padres had a proposal on the table IIRC, Hendry just didn't want to do it. I think it was something like 5 players for Peavy. I thought you have said the Cubs couldn't add to their payroll until the ownership issue was settled? Now its all on Hendry?

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Oct 5, 2009 -> 08:04 PM) I agree with you. My arguement has never been that Nix is a great player, just that he's better then Chris Getz. The fact is Nix looks like a guy who could hit you 20 or more home runs, and i find it bizzare that Ozzie wants him to play away from an obvious strength. Ozzie played him a lot against LHP. If he played every day this season, he might not have hit .200. He needs to change. I think Ozzie knows he's not a 30 homer guy. If his approach remains the same, he's not going to be a MLB player for long. As for Lillibridge, I think the Sox should just release him.