Vance Law

QUOTE(ptatc @ Jan 11, 2008 -> 03:25 PM) I disagree. The one thing club doesn't need is a guy who strikes out alot. We have enough trouble with that. I love his defense but he is not a good fit for the club. What we have (had) trouble with is guys that don't walk, and thus don't get on base enough. Uribe, Crede, AJ, Erstad, virtually every bench player of the last couple years except Mackowiak. Cameron walks. Would have put up some impressive slugging coming from Petco to Cellular, in my opinion.

QUOTE(sircaffey @ Jan 10, 2008 -> 02:14 PM) I don't know how big of a dropoff you'll see from Pudge or Sheff. Each had their worst seasons of their career. Personally, I think we'll see a better season out of Sheff. As far as the Sox, Thome and Cabrera should have some fall off. I think the difference between the Sox and Tigers are the players that will likely see an increase in production, and not necessarily a dropoff. I think we'll likely see Orlando's batting average go down, but I'd bet his slugging goes up. He's averaged 40 doubles over the past 2 years, and some of those will turn into home runs in Chicago. If Thome's healthy, I don't see why he can't do what he has been doing. Magglio (especially) and Granderson I expect to come back down to earth.

QUOTE(sircaffey @ Jan 9, 2008 -> 03:27 PM) Also, the media has been pretty "on" with regards to what the Sox have been doing this off season They didn't know about the Orlando for Garland trade, the Quentin for Carter trade, or the Swisher trade. They knew about stuff like the pursuit of Hunter, which Kenny himself trumpeted, and they managed to speculate, "well if not that center fielder, the Sox would likely be after some of the other ones

QUOTE(IowaSoxFan @ Jan 7, 2008 -> 01:46 PM) I am not sure why everyone is penciling in Dye in RF. At this point in their careers Quentin is probably the better RF. Because people doubt that Guillen will move Dye to left even though Quentin is better.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jan 5, 2008 -> 10:44 AM) Putting Swisher at 1B would really diminish his value. This is a good point. I'd be willing to bet that the difference in runs on offense between Figgins and Konerko is bigger than the difference in runs on defense between Figgins and Swisher (in CF).

QUOTE(bighurt4life @ Jan 4, 2008 -> 11:47 PM) I don't see any way that we make a trade with the Angels for Konerko, as it stands right now Kotchman is already blocking Kendry Morales from the majors so they don't really need another 1B. Also, if somehow we do give them PK, I'd be surprised if he didn't DH for them, again, they don't need a 1B, BUT, for him to DH that would mean that he'd take AB's away from Guererro and Garret Anderson who are going to be seeing time at DH to try and cut down on their injuries. It doesn't make any sense for them to take AB's away from Guererro. The Angels have at 1B- Kotchman, Morales RF- Guererro, Matthews Jr. CF- Figgins, Willits, Matthews Jr. LF- Anderson, Matthews Jr. DH- Guererro, Anderson, Rivera They are absolutely loaded at all of those positions so there's almost no way to move guys around to make Konerko fit into their everyday lineup, they simply have too many players who are either 1. too talented not to play or 2. too highly paid to move to make it work SO, given all this information, the Angels just look like a really bad fit for him even though they were at one point interested in bringing him in, this rumor sounds like pure smoke. Agreed on all counts. Konerko's OPS+ last year 117 Kotchmans 119 I am willing to bet Konerko puts up a better year than Kotchman next year, but by how much? Not $11,600,000 better.

QUOTE(bmags @ Jan 4, 2008 -> 10:54 AM) So, since this has become a general sox thread now... I really want to know whether ramirez is thought to be a future starter for us, and if so if that is taking over SS or in the OF? I wish KW would talk about him, so those of you going to the fan convention, ask away. I think there's something where actually he can't talk about Ramirez because the deal isn't finalized. Ramirez is still going through the red tape to be able to get into the U.S. in order to take a physical. I would say that at the moment (before any games are played, nor spring training) he is not expected to be a starter, but come off the bench at ss 2b and potentially cf. Depending on how he does during the year- best case scenario he's awesome, potentially could be our starting ss next year. See how it goes. If not, he stays as a super-sub. He's only making $1 million a year.

QUOTE(bmags @ Jan 4, 2008 -> 12:48 AM) what the hell is this about? Not a personal attack or anything. Just illustrating my point that people will hyper-focus on the question marks surrounding our team (our rotation in this case) and the COMPLETELY GIVE A PASS to other teams with the same or similar ????s. Chisoxfn pointed out how Bonderman's stuff is great but admitted his performance hasn't measured up. If Bonderman were on the Sox all these years putting up the EXACT same performance, a majority of people here would have been calling for his head by his second season (and probably his first). "He's worthless, sell him for a bag of balls, he's a head case, I don't give a crap about STUFF if you can't get hitters out," etc, etc, etc. And that's just Bonderman. That's not even mentioning their 3-5 starters.

QUOTE(max power @ Jan 4, 2008 -> 09:17 AM) QUOTE(Vance Law @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 01:33 PM) * and almost as bad as Detroit! lol, I know you are kidding but I honestly believe we will finish the year with a better record than detroit. Their rotation is the most questionable in the AL central. I wasn't really kidding. "bad as Detroit" was referring to the farm system's now. Someone wrote that we're worse than Houston. Obviously, all 3 are totally depleted but I can't tell which one is actually worst. I'd guess Houston. I agree with you that 90% of people worry, complain, and convince themselves of how bad our rotation (or team) is and willfully ignore gaping holes on other rotations (and teams).

QUOTE(bmags @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 10:46 PM) i don't know about that, I really like Det's rotation, at least 1-2-3, it is their bullpen that I don't think much of. You like them because it is not our team. Contreras, Danks, and Floyd are finished/not good enough yet respectively because, emotionally invested, you watched them do poorly last year. Bonderman, however, is great. He's Bonderman, that guy who everyone's talked about for a few years and he's gonna be great, so he's very good. Never mind that he was bad last year and in 5 full years as a starter he's had exactly 1 year that was at least league average. He's good, he's to be feared, he's Bonderman. Oh, and Willis, too. He almost won a Cy Young. Last year didn't happen. And Kenny Rogers is fine he's great. He started 11 games last year. Contreras, that guy is old, he's done. He's 48, really. Sure he was pretty awesome when he was like 46, but he's 48 now. Rogers is only 43.

QUOTE(RME JICO @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 09:49 PM) Swisher can play 1B. Wouldn't it be nice to have Swisher move to 1B and Paulie DH against LHP? A better move is Dye to DH Quentin to right Swisher to left and Owens to center.

A silly article from a silly "writer." All of the points above plus- as I and others have mentioned, he brings up the "they aint gonna have anyone in the top 50 prospects list!!!!" "they're giving all of their prospects away, all their top hitters!" Phil, they got Richar for Cunningham and they got Quentin for Carter. Young guys, Phil. They make, like, the league minimum salary. Either of those guys would by far be the top hitting prospects if they were in AAA, but they're good enough to be in the majors instead. You're essentially penalizing them (no one on the top 50!!!) for being good enough to be in the majors. "But no prospects!!! Who do the Sox have to take the place of Swisher, Quentin, Fields, Richar, Ramirez 5 years from now?!? Stuck with all of these young starting position players on the major league team for 5 years an no one lined up to take their place in '13" Run through the line-ups, Phil, tell me why Cleveland has a better line-up. Let's see your projections. Quentin and Richar are ".230 hitters" and nothing more, and Dontrelle Willis helps the Tigers how? Rogers says "the Sox scored 693 runs, which ranked last in the AL. They allowed 839, more than all but three other teams. It defies logic to believe they somehow will improve enough to make up those differences." It also defies logic that they'd score 868 runs in 2006 and then drop to 693 in 2007, but that's what happened. It's baseball. Sometimes that's what happens and you get perfectly bad luck. from Keith Law at Espn "The White Sox are immediately three to four wins better, perhaps more, as a result of making this deal."

QUOTE(JoeCoolMan24 @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 06:44 PM) Agreed. You CAN'T keep talented guys on the bench incase someone gets hurt. However, that is not the case. We are talking about Jerry Owens here. We can spell the older/injured risked players (Thome and Dye) in favor of giving Owens some experience, and having a better defensive CF in there. Exactly. Anytime you have Thome, Dye, or Konerko taking days off, Owens plays center, Swisher moves to right or 1B. If you expect: Thome 130 games Dye 140 Konerko 150 Owens could potentially start in center 60 times.

QUOTE(Pants Rowland @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 05:19 PM) "Feel Lucky" on Google with her name and you won't be disappointed. fake cans = bs

The moves Williams has made in the past and this year: Orlando for Garland, Carter for Quentin, 3 hotshots for Swisher - and the fact that no one ever had ANY inkling, guesstimate, or prediction before they happened seems like great evidence in support of 'pay no attention to moron radio jocks and hometown sports "writers"' who are simply trying to generate listeners/readers by making baseless speculation because they have nothing else to write/talk about in the offseason. All Soxtalk trade suggestions, however, should be considered 85% accurate and likely to happen.

QUOTE(Jeremy @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 03:20 PM) Furthermore, if you never inject homegrown young talent into your system then you end up paying everyone on the roster a ton of money and the only way to win with that type of team is if you have a $200 million payroll Your argument here doesn't work logically. If you trade away prospects and get back prospects, players making the league minimum, or other young relatively cheap players you aren't hurting your payroll. You won't end up with a $200 million payroll. Carter for Quentin (making $400k) 3 prospects for Swisher (making $3.5 million this year)

QUOTE(Punch and Judy Garland @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 01:47 PM) Well I think there is a Death valley between Swisher and Miggy Cabrera in terms of who they are. Cabrera is 3 years younger and is a far better hitter. That said, most people shouldn't hammer Kenny for not getting Cabrera because he couldn't get cabrera. They didn't want the White Sox Pu Pu platter. Miguel will put up better numbers than Swisher this year. But with Miguel coming to the AL and to Comerica, and Swisher leaving Oakland and coming to the Cell. How much better? Now take into account that Swisher will be playing CF and Cabrera 3B. I'd suggest that the difference in overall value (offense and defense [incl. position]) between the 2 is a whole lot less than some people would guesstimate at first glance.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 01:42 PM) We have a Rick Porcello? Can you point him out to me? He is the #8 pick in June.

QUOTE(fathom @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 01:25 PM) Swisher really should be our leadoff hitter. I sure wouldn't mind it. Fathom, were you the one that started the "have Thome lead off" theoretical discussion? If you go on the Lineup Analysis tool on baseballmusings.com, you add in players with projected (or historical) OBP and SLG numbers and it spits out the lineup order that creates the optimal expected number of runs. It puts Thome leading off in every one.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 01:14 PM) It looks to me like the Sox are taking the approach that they will outslug the rest of baseball. outwalk the rest of baseball too. Swisher and Thome is 200 walks. Add in Quentin and Konerko and the rest...

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Jan 3, 2008 -> 01:06 PM) Holy s***, We are worse than the Stros. and almost as bad as Detroit!

QUOTE(sircaffey @ Dec 31, 2007 -> 11:12 AM) Kouzmanoff is also an absolute butcher in the field. A lot of people complain about Fields at 3B, well Kouz is worse. I can't say I've seen him play much so I have no personal opinion of his defense. A quick look at one defensive measure, David Pinto's Probabilistic Model of Range, says he's indeed subpar, but was better than Ryan Braun, G. Atkins, Miguel Cabrera, Josh Fields, Casey Blake, Jose Bautista, Mark Reynolds, and Ty Wiggington. http://www.baseballmusings.com/archives/023949.php

QUOTE(sircaffey @ Dec 31, 2007 -> 01:02 AM) Slightly different situations there considering the Sox now have a black hole in CF and the Indians still have a good 3B. That's why one is magnified and one isn't. I would suggest that one is magnified because of fans' hyper-focus on and overly emotional reaction to anything that doesn't go well for their team. Such fans will generally also sport 20/20 hindsight. If you are suggesting that soxtalk fans, sox fans, and fans in general manage to take in all of the information on players' performances, GMs' trades, draft picks, contracts and free agent signings across the league and put them all into perspective and give thoughtful, rational reactions, I would disagree. Kouzmanoff completely torched the minor leagues all the way through. Put up a better rookie season than Josh Fields last year. And for all intents and purposes, the Indians gave him away for nothing. If that happened to our team, there would be 14 35-page long threads about it.

QUOTE(scenario @ Dec 30, 2007 -> 04:00 PM) To put it in perspective, he has a better offensive history (especially slugging-wise) than Asdrubal Cabrera who is being pencilled in as Cleveland's 2B. Anything that doesn't go well for Richar will be magnified by 50. Anything that Asdrubal does well will be magnified to "prove" how all of the other teams, and particularly our rivals, have all great young players. Their GMs never make moves that turn out bad. Their GMs would never trade Kevin Kouzmanoff for Josh Barfield (who would have to be sent down to the minors). But us suckers get stuck with Javier Vazquez in trading Chris Young. Chris Young would never put up an OPS+ of 89 last year and Kevin Kouzmanoff would never put up a 109.

QUOTE(scenario @ Dec 30, 2007 -> 04:00 PM) Just to make sure we're not barbequing Richar inappropriately for small sample size periods... Here are his last 3 full years of stats (including the combined 2007 Tucson/Charlotte figures). Year (Level): BA/OBP/SLG/OBP 2005 (A+): .300/.347/.537/.884 2006 (AA): .292/.360/.415/.775 (these stats while batting leadoff in the Southern League) 2007 (AAA): .305/.365/.505/.870 So... he projects very nicely as someone who could help us if he gets a chance. To put it in perspective, he has a better offensive history (especially slugging-wise) than Asdrubal Cabrera who is being pencilled in as Cleveland's 2B. Bill James projection .277/.338/.451 for an OPS of .788. Not too shabby.