Dick Allen

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jun 19, 2015 -> 10:56 AM) White Sox struggles are first and foremost on the players and the team that put the roster together. In some cases, hands were tied and rebuilding was going on. I'd say Robin is the least of the perpetrators but he's also the easiest to get rid of. And I've consistently said, look at the roster he's been given, you are going to suck defensively no matter what. However, seeing Alexei and Eaton, who should still be avg. and above avg defenders, respectively, also stink, is a disturbing trend. But as Robin said, they practice it hundreds of times. There is no doubt that was Eaton's ball. Alexei shouldn't give the impression he is camping under it because, like most teams it will make the OF pull up. They shouldn't, but they do. It's still Eaton's fault all the way. People can blame Robin all they want. I just think that whichever other guy they want to have the job, if they were given the exact same circumstances, it's not like there would have been an extra 15-20 wins a year. IMO, firing Robin, and I don't think they will, isn't going to solve the problems. It will make some people happy, but they still won't go to games, and they will find someone else to blame when the same crap keeps happening. If Robin was fired today, and they continued to play like they have played, I am certain the fire Steverson threads would be popping up next.

So the White Sox struggles the past 3 seasons are all on Robin. If they would have hired Dave Martinez, there probably would have been playoff appearances and capacity crowds?

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jun 19, 2015 -> 10:18 AM) http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2015/06/...KhLJ/story.html Who gets the axe first, Ventura or Farrell? Eaton's coming close, but nothing like Sandoval...interestingly, the Boston problem is perceived to be the veterans, and it feels like it could equally apply to Cabrera, Samardzija or Bonifacio right nowin the Sox clubhouse. Everyone's kind of just going through the motions...but the season is just too long to go on like that without some blowups/frustration coming out. You can read it coming from Hahn and Ventura in the last 2-3 days as well. Who on the White Sox is just going through the motions?

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Jun 19, 2015 -> 10:07 AM) I'm sure Jose would be an improvement. I'd still like to hire Dave Martinez though. Why do people like Dave Martinez so much? What has he ever done except stand next to Joe Maddon during games ? Seriously, this guy has been interviewed countless times and never landed a job. I remember when the pitchforks were out for Greg Walker, and the guy here who convinced a few posters that Walker had a "lift and pull" philosophy, wanted the Sox to hire Rudy Jaramillo's "assistant". If he knew what he was talking about, Rudy Jaramillo was the hitting coach with a "lift and pull" philosophy. Just because a guy coaches under Maddon, doesn't mean he's just like Maddon. And really, the Rays sucked last year and finished under .500. Maddon flees, they are devastated by injury, and are in first place. Maybe his genius is overstated.

QUOTE (BigHurt3515 @ Jun 18, 2015 -> 09:46 PM) Why is Eaton swimging at the first pitch I wish hitters vs Samardjiza didn't swing at the first pitch. They said earlier they are hitting .580 .

QUOTE (Lemon_44 @ Jun 18, 2015 -> 09:43 PM) I know you don't think any coach could do any better than what RV has been doing and are perfectly happy with how he is handling things. That's fine if that's your opinion. That doesn't make mine, or anyone else's opinion less valid. What does Gentry's record as HC have to do with anything? Having been a HC for many years, he can offer insight to Kerr. I don't see how it's that tough to see where experience can help out. And nowhere did I say the won because of Gentry, just that he was part of a very successful year one staff that won it all with almost the same roster. Coaching staffs can and do make a difference. As for OG, there are examples to offset any explanations. Nothing is 100% and I think an experienced bench coach would have been good for RV. Basketball and baseball are 2 very different things. Running a basketball, hockey or football game is far more complex than running a baseball game.

QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ Jun 18, 2015 -> 09:43 PM) I get that but why not still throw to 2nd? He Bobbled the ball. It was his only out.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jun 18, 2015 -> 09:20 PM) Farmer and DJ disagree with you. But they have an anti-Alexei agenda, I guess. It is the CF's ball Eaton needs to quit being polite and be a ball hog. Alexei did act like he was going to make a play on it, but it still is Eaton's job to call him off. I suspect simce Alexei sort of showed him up, that won't be an issue anymore.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jun 18, 2015 -> 09:10 PM) Keystone Cops. Those are supposedly our two best defenders. That one is 100% on Ramirez...you can't act like you're going to make the play and then back off at the very last second when it's too late. I know pilimg on Alexei is fun, but anyone who has ever played even little league knows that was Eaton's play. He can't assume Alexei is goimg to make the play. Run to it and call everyome off.

QUOTE (Lemon_44 @ Jun 18, 2015 -> 08:33 PM) I think a major flaw in the Sox coaching staff is that there isn't anyone on the staff that has/had previous MLB managerial experience. I guess you can say Cooper managed a couple games but many times a first time manager will have an experienced former manager, like a Gene Lamont or Don Zimmer, to act as a sounding board as their bench coach. I think having a veteran that has been in charge through the rigors of major league season and show RV the ropes until he got his feet wet, would be nothing but a good thing to have on the staff. The team has been poorly coached from day 1. Maybe an experienced manager could have helped RV establish a better baseline and then improve and develop over the years. Right now, it's pretty much a dumpster fire out there and there doesn't seem to be much promise in the offing. If you don't think a coach or staff makes a difference just look at Golden State. Mark Jackson was a 1st time HC that had a staff full less experienced guys that were never HC's and didn't threaten his authority. Thus, the team played below expectation. First time HC Steve Kerr was the right guy to lead but he also brought in a veteran staff that included former HC Alvin Gentry and they win it all. So because Alvin Gentry he of the 2 winning seasons as a HC and well below .500 was on the staff, they won? Who other than Ozzie's 1 year had managerial experience on the 2005 staff?

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jun 18, 2015 -> 07:43 PM) The point is that it IS POSSIBLE for other teams to help their players improve defensively once they've reached the major league level. Instead, most of the White Sox players have been getting worse, by defensive ratings and/or the eye test. Explain what has been done by the staff to address that. Explain how you know nothing is done. It is really a ridiculous assumption. I thought you said you interned for a baseball team.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jun 18, 2015 -> 07:43 PM) The point is that it IS POSSIBLE for other teams to help their players improve defensively once they've reached the major league level. Instead, most of the White Sox players have been getting worse, by defensive ratings and/or the eye test. Explain what has been done by the staff to address that. Castellanos is still a negative defender and offensive player. Sorry. Some guys get better, but it is no lock. I am sure the White Sox work with all of their players.

Beckham wouldn't have requested it if he missed him, and that was the only issue.

QUOTE (Leonard Zelig @ Jun 17, 2015 -> 09:49 PM) How many shows are you catching this tour? Just 2. It probably is their last tour, unless they do Europe next year. Since my brother lives there and owes me a business class ticket, if they do play there we may follow them around for a week or so.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 18, 2015 -> 03:01 PM) My exact phrase would have been "last year he was above average as a 5th starter and below average as a 4th starter" which is true. Unfortunately he did not perform at that level this year. Therefore he's been replaced. I'm also not concerned with the payout JR's heirs will receive. For example, I want them paying the salary of 2 managers because one of them was removed while still under contract in the middle of 2015. I assume you're also ok with that since you want to minimize the payout JR's heirs will receive. Your exact phrase was Noesi and Danks were not problems with this team. Now you are saying that the executives that thought as you did needed to be fired. So obviously you feel anyone thinking that is incompetent.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jun 18, 2015 -> 03:04 PM) The Rangers gave up on Noesi because (even though they were going to find themselves in a rebuilding situation soon enough)...they believed they had numerous better starting options in the minors and felt they needed immediate results. They waived him because he sucked, and they thought he would continue to suck. They were right.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jun 18, 2015 -> 03:09 PM) You're right, Castellanos sucks, he's even 0.25 OPS points behind Gordon somehow. I don't know what that has to do with it. But have fun praising other teams' crap.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 18, 2015 -> 02:56 PM) Yes. But I wasn't willing to risk a $115 million payroll and trades for a guy about to become a FA on that. I would have been ok risking an $80 million payroll on that because we'd still be looking long term. If he failed in that case, what's the harm? It just becomes a spot that the next guy up from Charlotte tries out. Why are you so concerned about the payout JR's heirs will receive. The fact is, you thought he was pretty good. I can't believe people wrote this post without actually considering how Noesi's season went. Yes his ERA and FIP were poor, but somehow everyone has forgotten that: 1. His ERA was 0.35 runs lower if all you do is focus on the time he was with the White Sox 2. Focusing on the time he was with the white sox alone isn't smart either, in his first 4 starts with the White Sox they still needed to stretch his arm out so they left him out to die in the 6th inning several times while exhausted (ERA in those starts; 5.35) I posted this version of average fWAR by pitcher's spot in the rotation in the advanced stats forum earlier this year. You can quibble with the exact numbers a bit, but what they come up with is that on average, a #4 starter is worth about 1.5 fWAR and a #5 starter is worth about 0. In other words, if all that happened was those guys repeating their 2014 seasons, we may have a below average #4 starter, but we have an above average 5th starter, to the point where we're league average in our 4-5 starters. And again, that's assuming no improvement from Noesi, which there's a good chance of happening in fWAR just by getting more innings, no improvement from Danks another year removed from surgery, and no point where Rodon replaces them. And on top of that, we should very likely have above average #2 and #3 starters and if Chris Sale doesn't hit the DL we very likely have above average #1, #2, and #3 starters. Noesi and Danks are not problems with this team outside of Danks being overpaid for what he produces. If you can move Danks, great, but especially factoring in Rodon, this team is well set up to have an above average starting staff. That could change if someone gets hurt obviously, but a new #4 starter isn't going to make up for Chris Sale getting hurt no matter what we do.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 18, 2015 -> 02:53 PM) Apparently the front office included because they were willing to massively increase the payroll while still leaving him a spot. I assume you agree this is a fireable offense. Funny thing is, you were one of them.

QUOTE (chitownsportsfan @ Jun 18, 2015 -> 02:49 PM) And who usually makes the "I can fix him bring him in" suggestion? Cooper. He said he thought he could help Shark as well. What a joke. He's lost his magic. Coop was boasting of the big plans he had for Noesi at Soxfest. A lot of people bought the hype. He does have talent, maybe bouncing around for a few more years may make something between his ears work a little better.

QUOTE (chitownsportsfan @ Jun 18, 2015 -> 02:46 PM) Piddling change that does nothing. Lose another 8 of 10 and maybe we'll see some real changes like finding a taker for LaRoche, (start teaching Avi 1B), DFAing boni (sanchez slides to his role) calling up Micah, moving Danks to the pen and calling up Johnson, etc, etc, etc. God, I'm rooting for the tornado (as Jim at SSS put well) instead of wins, what a s***ty season. So now Bonifacio needs to be DFA'd, a guy you loved, said the Sox wouldn't miss a beat if he had to play for a month. Sanchez is supposed to be in his role. A guy you said they had to call up for defense alone, that it was stupid Micah was playing 2B and he wasn't, and the Micah, the guy who wasn't supposed to play 2B, any fool could see that, should be back at 2B. Wow.

QUOTE (OmarComing25 @ Jun 18, 2015 -> 02:37 PM) Heh, there are much better examples to point out how the Sox are poor talent evaluators than Scott Carroll. He's meant to be a spot starter/mop-up guy/long reliever, and he actually does fine in that role. It's not like the Sox believe he should actually be in the rotation. Exactly. Guys like Noesi, where even some of the talent evaluators here thought was a solid #4 or #5 starter. Some of the same evaluators who like to call the Sox dopes. Noesi was basically waived off of 2 teams. Not many of those guys become really good options in the rotation.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jun 18, 2015 -> 02:12 PM) The Jordan era cap is nothing like the cap today. I don't know if it is really that different. I think players have a different mentality. The top ones wanted to win with their original team. Jordan wouldn't have thought about joining Magic or someone for a super team like Wade and LeBron.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jun 18, 2015 -> 02:15 PM) Hey, he has that "cool hat marketing thing," he played QB for Purdue, he's a good "human interest story" and has a sense of humor to boot. What more can you ask for with this organization? Results/performance, too? Who should they have called up? You know, they shouldn't "rush" anyone.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jun 18, 2015 -> 02:08 PM) First of all, Beckham was actually FIFTH in the REAL voting that everyone considers most important. Beckham was moved from SS to 3B to 2B. Viciedo went through, let's see, five position changes by my count (3B, 1B, LF, RF, DH). To think that moving those two guys are all over the place didn't affect their eventual development at all...I'm not buying it. We also did the same thing with Marcus Semien (2B, SS, 3B). So we're either bringing in incredibly limited players defensively (also, Micah and Anderson) or we don't know how to improve them. There's a long article about Nick Castellanos and all of the things the Detroit coaching staff has done (since the beginning of the offseason last year) to get him to major league average or a notch above...I'd have to hunt it down again. Beckham being 5th was due to his in season call up. After 2010 Viciedo was done as a 3B. He played RF and LF, something hundreds upon hundreds have players have done, and got some 1B last year. It wasn't the position changes, it wasn't impatience. In fact, most here thought they were too patient. As for the Tigers, Castellanos sucks.