Texsox

I have always liked AJ, this just makes me like him more.

While I am disagreeing with Balta through much of this thread, I do agree with him that there needs to be a reasonable back-up for basically everyone. It isn't good when a manager is forced to play a guy because there are no other options. And that is the single best reason in my mind why the current roster needs work.

And there are a lot more Duke's out there. As a white male in the USA I don't see it as much. Living in an area that is 90% Hispanic and having most of my friends be minorities I have begun to understand this. In real life he probably smiles and is tolerant of people who are not like him, but that's just an act.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 6, 2013 -> 01:09 PM) If the biggest problem the White Sox have is who the back up to the back up is because Paul Konerko took up a roster spot, the Sox will be a lot better than anyone could imagine in 2014. That would be a nice problem to have

QUOTE (lasttriptotulsa @ Dec 6, 2013 -> 09:51 AM) I agree with the statement that he shouldn't play 160 games, but I don't want to see him playing less than 150-155. If he starts to wear you've got both Konerko and Dunn who can play first for a game here and there and have Abreu DH. And I am fine with him playing that amount. I want to see the team doing what is best for his development. If he is having Dunn-esque struggles at the plate, then much less. If he's doing anything close to what we expect than 150 games would be fine. Or putting this another way Of the available players that could mentor Abreu through a full season at first I rank them Konerko >>>>>>>> Dunn >>>> Kep And I do agree with Balta and others that the move makes the team less flexible overall and even less likely to win their division. I see it only as a win for Abreu's development, nothing else.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Dec 6, 2013 -> 07:50 AM) I actually like the dh platoon but I hope that's where it ends when it comes to PK playing time. I have no interest in easing Abreu into the major leagues. He's 26 years old on a rebuilding team, he shouldn't be playing almost everyday, he should be playing everyday. He has never played more than 90 games in a season. I'm not certain playing 160 games is best for his confidence and long term health. I guess I should add, I don't think the signing was essential, but I also don't think it's the worst thing ever. Having someone like Konerko mentoring him has some value. Konerko has gone around the league playing the field a few times and I am certain he can offer some valuable insights. This signals to me that Abreu's development is the #1 priority for the team this season and they are willing to pay Konerko a few bucks to do that. If Abreu has a Konerko+ career on the southside that would be a very good thing. What I would like to see now is someone, anyone, willing to take Dunn.

QUOTE (DukeNukeEm @ Dec 5, 2013 -> 11:33 PM) Killing civilians is generally bad, particularly in domestic conflict. So you would be against dropping a nuclear bomb on a city?

Bottom line after reading and rereading most of the posts here I believe there is a benefit to having Konerko signed in helping Abreu's rookie MLB season. I also agree with Balta there is a possibility that having a someone available that could, if called upon, play 60 games, could cause them to be too protective of Abreu and actually stunt his growth. If the organization cannot bring Abreu through his adjustment to the MLB, then those responsible should not have their jobs. But I would rather the team have flexibility than Abreu being forced to play 150 games no matter what.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Dec 5, 2013 -> 02:45 PM) You already have a backup 1b in Dunn. You can then fill the DH spot with one of your OFs or 3B options. Yes, you have an emergency backup in Dunn. I'm suggesting the team wants a no pressure situation to protect their biggest investment. Around July when Abrue has already played his usual full season, I can see having Konerko would be a good thing. I agree with Balta there is a chance they will mismanage the situation. But in bringing Abreu up to MLB levels having the most flexibility, including him resting for a couple games, is a great tool. I see signing Paulie as being 90% about Abreu and 10% Konerko. Abreu has never topped 400 abs in a season. Having him jump to 600+ and lpaying no matter what is possibly not the smartest move for the future of the franchise.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 5, 2013 -> 02:28 PM) If I were considering taking on say, $7 million of Adam Dunn's remaining contract in the position of an opposing GM, yesterday I'd drop that to $5 million, no question. The White Sox just surrendered bargaining power. Their roster doesn't work right now and they're forced to make a move. I guess I've missed something. What teams have been discussing taking Dunn?

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Dec 5, 2013 -> 02:05 PM) No, I realize that Abreu will get the majority of playing time. But if he starts 120 games instead of 140 simply because Konerko wants one more go around is silly and could stunt Abreu's development and adjustment to the majors. And if Abreu is forced to play because there is not a decent backup that too can stunt his development. He has never had more than 400 ABs in a season. Now you are asking him to make over 600. I'm not a math guy but that looks like his regular season and another half season on top. Having a competent back up seems like insurance to bring him along at whatever pace necessary. If that means Paulie sits, it has been made clear Paulie will sit. If that means Paulie has to play some at 1st, well there is an ok option. As I see this, more and more, I see it as the team wanting flexibillity to do what is best for Abreu and to protect their biggest investment. This season isn't a contending year, so protect your assets. And one of the top assets is Abreu.

A little late but Ryan Braun is (now, finally) doing all the right things.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 5, 2013 -> 09:20 AM) Frankly...no. I don't think they'll try to play him everyday but I think they'll play him often enough that it infuriates me. I'm so used to it from this team I just expect it. I want to see Robin have a decent option to rest Abreu as he finds necessary. I think we agree it should be Abreu's needs, not Konerko's that should determine how often that is. I can see Konerko playing 3-4 times a month, perhaps as many as 35 starts, at 1st and of course the platoon with Dunn for DH. But again, I believe we agree that what is best for Abreu trumps Konerko. Our difference is I believe that will happen, you do not.

Every year a few deer are injured and are able to elude even the best trackers. Assuming you took a shot clearly within your ability level I wouldn't beat yourself up too much over it. There are a couple vegans here and I appreciate their position on hunting animals. Our corporate ranching isn't humane for making those burgers. The vasy majority of humans on this planet at carnivors. Killling animals is something we do with great frequency. We've lost touch with our food supply when we aren't willing to kill an animal ourselves. How many here would be willing to take an orange traffic cone, flip it upside down, jam a chicken's head through the opening and cut off the head, clean, and cook the bird? Yet we can enjoy those chicken nuggets.

QUOTE (BigEdWalsh @ Dec 2, 2013 -> 07:05 PM) Would you believe I drove through Cooperstown once and didn't go to the Baseball Hall of Fame?! I did the same thing. We were returning from Acadia National Park and I decided I really wasn't interested. I will when Thomas is elected.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 4, 2013 -> 01:16 PM) Are you going to trade Paul Konerko mid-season in a "farewell year"? That only works if you drop the names. On top of that...he has full no-trade protection as a 10-5 player. The only way he gets off the roster is the disabled list. Are you finally going to be able to trade Dunn? The odds of trading either one is low. The only chance is if one is playing at a very high level. I'd rather bet on either/or than Dunn only. And Sox fans wouldn't mind seeing Konerko head off to a contender at the trade deadline if the team is out of contention.

I wonder if he negotiated a no trade clause.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 4, 2013 -> 01:10 PM) That'd be equally silly. Dunn got off to a terrible start for the first month last year then found a groove in May when he started swinging for the fences again. He was homering enough that you could conceivably see a team being willing to take on part of his contract at the deadline. He didn't hit well enough to make it worth it for the Sox to take the loss on his contract yet...but he was getting closer. Do that this year...Konerko takes Dunn's at bats starting in late April, and there goes any chance we had of trading him because he's now consigned to the bench while the Captain gets the at bats he deserves. So keep playing Dunn, no matter what, hoping he can be traded. Why not just play the hot bat and trade that one?

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 4, 2013 -> 01:03 PM) Especially since the Cuban season is 90 games long. Exactly. And doesn't Paulie just have to outplay Dunn for more playing time? With both their histories, it could happen. Taking the names out of the equation, if a team announced they were planning on carrying a backup DH, it would sound crazy.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 4, 2013 -> 01:01 PM) The only way to learn to hit big league pitching is to face big league pitching at some point. He's not going to learn that on the bench. OK. So you are in favor of rushing players into the lineup and keep them in while struggling. It seemed like you were saying the opposite. That you should not rush them into the lineup and play them when they struggle.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 4, 2013 -> 12:53 PM) They rush them upwards through the minors, not giving them enough time to struggle or learn how to get through difficulties, then they get to the big leagues early, are expected to produce rapidly, and then lose their spots if they don't. You lost me. Doesn't this take some pressure off Abreu? He doesn't have to be rushed into playing 150 games?

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Dec 4, 2013 -> 12:10 PM) Why would they trade him though? He was the centerpiece of the one the Sox won offensively, and Konerko doesn't seem to be the type of guy who needs to win to stay in the game. I don't see any reason why he or the Sox would want a trade in this situation. They would trade him if a contender came asking and he wanted to go. I see the contract as an accomodation to both. I show of respect by the team. But Konerko has to be able to read the writing on the locker room wall. If I had a write an ending for his career it would be something like this . . . Maybe half a season to help in the transition, a little player-player guidance, then half a season in some AL city still in a pennant race. Then retire. Then the team should retire his jersey and he starts coaching if he likes.

No way he finishes three years there.

I wonder if he also gave the team a list of AL teams he would accept a trade to.

Since I knew mine would be banging around backpacks, in mist and rain, putting a brand new Galaxy 4 in a case seemed like a good idea. Since I never used the phone without, the bulk is nomal. When I have taken it out it is really slick.