Dick Allen

QUOTE (nathanbusch @ Jul 20, 2016 -> 04:51 PM) The fact that Duke is still pitching reinforces the fact that Ventura is a complete bottom of the barrel manager Albers with the bases loaded vs. Cano isn't exactly a compelling match up from a White Sox point of view.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Jul 20, 2016 -> 04:51 PM) Exactly what I said Caulfield Jr,

I didn't see that coming.

How is a veteran be so far off?

If Cooper was the magician he is advertised as being, you would think strikes would be part of the gameplan.

QUOTE (Condor13 @ Jul 20, 2016 -> 04:45 PM) Bring in Fulmer. He is the only pitcher I trust in the pen! According to many on Soxtalk, you can't bring in pitchers with runners on base. Too much pressure.

Miguel doesn't have good stuff yet.

QUOTE (TheFutureIsNear @ Jul 20, 2016 -> 02:51 PM) If Shields can string together another 2 good starts I think there's a real possibility we could flip him for more than we gave up. Am I the only that would gauge interest on Nate Jones too? I know he's young and controlled, but I can't be the only 1 that sees his elbow going again before too long. I wouldn't just trade him for the sake of getting rid of him, but with the # of contenders looking for backend bullpen help he might be able to net us a pretty good prospect. They covered themselves with an elbow injury. He plays a season for the minimum.

Maybe I am just used to White Sox hitters swinging at so many pitches, but it seems to me White Sox pitchers throw a lot more balls than most pitching staffs.

QUOTE (Jerksticks @ Jul 20, 2016 -> 02:46 PM) Super spot on post. No debating any of that really. And like you said, there's a very very very likely chance he would get exposed if he played every day. Methinks they have been protecting him from good RHP exposure to flip him at the deadline. The other thing is he makes my point for me even though he is trying to argue. If they thought Baez was a top 10 can't miss prospect, isn't that the type of player that helps you make the playoffs? I agree. They are trying to make people think he is close to untouchable, but there actions speak louder than words, and the longer they hang on to him, and don't play him every day, the lower his trade value goes. I think he is their main chip at the deadline as well.

It seems Frazier thinks its the HR derby every AB. It works out fine sometimes.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jul 20, 2016 -> 02:00 PM) Last year they didn't come into the season thinking they were a world series contending team. Signing Zobrist was pricey but sensible for a world series contending team. It's the opposite of counting on Avisail Garcia and getting burned when he isn't a contributor - they weren't going to risk something like that derailing their season and that makes sense. They're trying to win a world series. Correct, but to compare Baez and Avi as prospects is beyond ridiculous. Baez was a top 10 prospect in the game. Top 5 by many. Most teams don't sign a guy or guys that could keep that prospect blocked for several years. If Schwarber was around, he probably plays even less. I doubt Theo was anticipating year ending injuries the first week of the season. All I am saying is if they were sold on him being a great player, they don't acquire blockage. They create a spot for him whether they are trying to win a WS or not. Or if they think he will initially struggle , they may sign some sort of stopgap. Not a guy like Zobrist. He certainly didn't spend much money on his bullpen. I don't look at that part of the team as say this looks like the bullpen of a WS winner.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jul 20, 2016 -> 01:39 PM) I think it's very clear - they wanted to win the world series this year and were smart enough to realize that relying on 23 year olds who haven't proven anything and have a long way to go is a great way to sabotage that. They relied on young guys last year, they relied on young guys this year. They must not be as high on them as they want everyone to think. Signing Zobrist to the contract they gave him is curious if Baez is half the player they try to pass him off to be, and they have no intention of trading.

QUOTE (Lip Man 1 @ Jul 20, 2016 -> 01:33 PM) Saw this on another web site and thought it was interesting. Just wanted to pass it along. The comments/ summery are the original posters: "Stoney was interviewed by Rongey and Bernstein, Tuesday afternoon show on the Score.. He didn't hold back when asked about where he thinks the Sox are, where they are headed, etc 1) he basically said Robin blew it by sending Robertson out there cold, on 9 days rest on the 7/18 game 2) the Sox are kidding themselves if they think they can acquire hitters and position players from their prospects and mid level free agents to compete for a postseason spot while the "core" is intact, over the next couple of years..the offense as it stands, is no where near the caliper you need to realistic think you have a shot at the postseason, this, or next year 3) he said he knows for a fact JR wants to win...badly... And for that to happen, he's going to have to make some "uncomfortable" decisions and do "whatever it takes" 4) He thought it was a slim to none chance JR is selling .. But given JR's age, he might have to think outside of the box, citing the poor record from 2006 to present and consider, FO personnel changes, if need be 5) there's Teams out there with great farms, and near ready prospects, who need pitching. So don't necessarily shop Sale and Quintana, but listen to all offers. Especially if the budget isn't there for the el primo free agents." Mark If he really said Robin blew it sending Robertson out there, I have no respect for Steve Stone. During the game, he said Robertson should be strong, but might have a little problem with control. And most of these comments don't mesh with the others.

QUOTE (Deadpool @ Jul 20, 2016 -> 01:14 PM) I would expect his defensive value to go up playing just one position. I know there are some intricacies regarding player value adjustment based on position, but don't most organizations prefer their top players get more at bats? The fact that Baez has improved without everyday at bats is remarkable. He is facing RHP about 67% of the time vs. 80% or so an everyday player would face them. He is .245/.268/.390 vs. RHP. Defensively, I have no idea, but as an everyday player I think his offensive numbers per AB drop a bit. Still young, still improving, so who really knows what the future holds. He could be great, he could suck, he could be average. What puzzles me is if the Cubs were so sold on him, why did they put so many blocks into his playing time on the roster. Something there doesn't add up IMO.

He also has his spots picked for him. If he was playing every day, his production on a per game basis probably takes some sort of hit.

QUOTE (Lillian @ Jul 20, 2016 -> 12:11 PM) This is what I wrote: "While a BP fastball, thrown from a shorter distance, may approximate the reaction time, the speed, at which the pitch is traveling is vastly different. Major League hitters have the bat speed to catch up to high 90's pitches. However, their eyes require some adjustment to pick up the ball, if they have just been looking at pitches traveling 70 miles an hour." Perhaps you missed the point. Finding guys who could throw fast balls, from the mound, would not be a difficult challenge. I'm sure that there are plenty of failed prospects, who could perform that function. Yes it would be a difficult challenge. An impossible challenge. Every day throwing hundreds of pitches. Plus they would have to be somewhere near the plate. Guys that throw in the 90s with good control usually are on rosters. Failed prospects failed for a reason.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jul 19, 2016 -> 08:31 PM) You've done an impressive job rallying more fans to this HoF manager and irreplaceable front office. At this rate, the White Sox won't even have any lemonade stands open the final two months. Ironically, you argued a lot more than most around here for Alex Gordon this offseason. Great call on that one. That's,who I wanted. Of course you were giddy when your Royals brought him back. So I guess you were wrong.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jul 19, 2016 -> 08:27 PM) Do you have 2012 and 2013 pitch fx data? His fb was higher velocity in early 2014. Look at fan graphs. It isn't hard. You are wrong again. Ice throws harder now than 2012 and 2013. n fact, when he signed, fangraphs had an article about him and his 92 mph fastball. Maybe once in a while you can link your made up numbers. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/david-rober...trange-arsenal/

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jul 19, 2016 -> 09:17 AM) Avila and Jackson made the playoffs four consective seasons. Shields in 2008 and 2014...in the World Series. Robertson with the Yankees when he could throw 96-98. Cabrera with the Giants. Robertson never threw 96-98. In fact he is throwing as hard now as he ever has.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jul 19, 2016 -> 06:09 PM) 698 ops for Parra, 638 ops for Avisail Garcia. I guess now you aren't into the advanced metrics. But that OPS Parra is putting up in Colorado has to be worth the $8 million you wanted to pay him. Unfortunately I don't think anyone in baseball is ever going to read any of your realtime ideas and offer you the GM job. I doubt anyone would let you generally manage a lemonade stand.

QUOTE (FT35 @ Jul 19, 2016 -> 02:48 PM) I'm not sure a team's market determines whether $46M is spent on a closer. Isn't it more about the competitive state of that team or who is capable on their roster (no matter what their salary is)? For example...Philly is one of the larger markets but they do not have a $46M closer because they aren't that good. Many big market teams do have an expensive closer because their team warrants one. But many large market teams don't--K-Rod is $3.5M in Detroit, Harris is 514K for Houston, Mauer is the minimum in SD. Let's not forget everybody's favorite Cubs--$544K for Rondon. Market may be an independent variable to closer cost. They had one until halfway through last season.

QUOTE (captain54 @ Jul 19, 2016 -> 02:09 PM) Here's a concept. I'll just throw this out there. Tell me what you think How about the organization start operating like a big market franchise, instead of a company softball team, and maybe all the second guessing be dramatically reduced? Isn't spending $46 million on a closer a big market move?

QUOTE (Thad Bosley @ Jul 18, 2016 -> 10:51 PM) Your wafer thin argument doesn't hold, but nice try. I don't have to try. You already lost. Your standard, one track mind post doesn't work here, but keep making yourself look bad.

QUOTE (Thad Bosley @ Jul 18, 2016 -> 10:21 PM) LOL - oh, so NOW you believe the Forbes list. Earlier today you were very dismissive of their information, but now you are citing it because you think it somehow defends your wrong position on this matter. Pick a side and stick with it, wouldja!! Not necessarily. I really don't know but the guy's net worth shot up over $1 billion in a year. I guess the big money kicked in on year 24 of the lease. You,really are making a fool of yourself now. Nothing about the Bulls being worth $2.3 billion, more than double the Sox even with the lease that guarantees you billions, has anything to do with JR's net worth.