witesoxfan

QUOTE (greg775 @ Aug 22, 2014 -> 02:24 PM) Unbelievable. It shows what human being are capable of. When the end of the world hits it's certainly gonna be ugly. Pity to the people who have to live out the earth's final days whenever they may be. Those who say people are inherently evil have this plus the holocaust to point to as proof. Those who say people are inherently good have individual acts of kindness to point out I guess. The end of life on earth is projected to be 500 million years to 2.3 billion years from now, so there's a little bit of time left.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Aug 13, 2014 -> 08:51 PM) Well, yes, you are correct there. Many other players could have provided more value to the Sox. But you are talking about a team with L. Garcia as a key reserve. This team has a ton of unfilled holes. It's not like the Sox have a bunch of prospects being held back by Paulie digging in at the plate and shrugging his shoulders once in a while. Do you know why Leury Garcia is on the bench? Because he can play every position on the field. And they need that because your boy PAULLY is on the bench acting as a pinch hitter against lefties and occasionally catch balls at 1B.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Aug 22, 2014 -> 02:03 PM) There's still some support on this board for Adam Dunn as being a productive ballplayer. So let me ask you guys to grade his performance for his entire tenure as a White Sox. I would give Adam Dunn a D. I was tempted to go D-minus. So why in the heck would any team risk having him around in September if they have a chance to win anything of note? I'm taking the troll bait on this one...why on earth would you give Dunn a D? List actual reasons. Do you look at statistics or know how on base percentage works? Have you looked at how the league has produced? Do you understand what a good hitter is in today's environment? No objective person who knows anything about baseball would give Adam Dunn a D. This either means you are not objective or you know nothing about baseball, and I've seen that you have knowledge regarding the game of baseball. And, while we're at it and giving out grades, what would your grade for Paul Konerko be this season? I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT HIS PAST. I'm talking about this season.

QUOTE (SCCWS @ Aug 22, 2014 -> 12:42 PM) www.hardballtimes.com/how-are-wins-attendance-and-payroll-all-related The attached, using data from 2000-2011, concludes there is a major correlation between payroll and attendance. I wouldn't say a major correlation, but there is correlation. It also removes bias within those 3 variables, which sounds like a good thing but is not because bias does exist in real life. It also doesn't show the effects that new stadiums has on it. If a team opens a new stadium, they'll draw much better than previously. You will usually see teams spend a lot more money when a new stadium opens up to build excitement for the fans in the area. You also could not draw the conclusion of "spend money and people will show up." Yes, to some extent that may be true, but it will not be true 100% of the time and it is not a good way to build a fan base.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Aug 22, 2014 -> 12:53 PM) I hope its through trade because free agency doesn't tickle my fancy at any position unless its Lester or Shields for the rotation or Miller/Gregorson for the pen. After listening to the interview, he was hesitant on the free agency front. I could definitely see Hahn adding salary through trade. I'm part of the whole "don't spend a ton on the pen" group, but Miller is a guy I could see them being very interested in. Big arm, still relatively young, won't require compensation, ability to spend maybe a little too much on him without it being a huge burden long term. It's likely an overpay, but I could see a 3 year deal worth $7-8 million.

QUOTE (shysocks @ Aug 22, 2014 -> 10:56 AM) He's referring to the Davenport translation system that attempts to project how Cubans will do in MLB. For the record, Abreu has majorly underperformed his initial translation because it was so absurd. Just fun stuff to think about. Ehh, his Davenport translation was .321/.446/.660, he's at .303/.361/.594. That's really not terribly far off.

QUOTE (scs787 @ Aug 22, 2014 -> 10:15 AM) Ya Semiens got a good walk rate but can he hit? In 288 ABs vs RHP the last 2 years at AAA Semien is batting just .226. Couple that with his .196 average vs RHP in 107 ABs at the major league level and you got me thinking he's a platoon player. Idk about you guys, but that's a bit of a red flag for me. (Hated bringing up those stats because before I looked at em I too had high hopes for him) It's a valid point, but he hit .276/.412/.465/.878 in approximately 370 plate appearances at AA. Frankly, if his penchant to draw walks and hit for power translates to the majors, he could hit .240 against righties and be OK.

QUOTE (thxfrthmmrs @ Aug 22, 2014 -> 09:46 AM) If Sanchez plays well in the next month, he gets the starting 2B job, if not then the job is up for grabs between him and Semien, and even Micah heading into next year. And if Sanchez hits a bump next year or Gillaspie comes back down to earth, I think Semien is next in line to take over. With his position flexibility, he can easily get 300-400 PA's next year. The point is I'd prefer a platoon of Gillapsie and Semien to maximize the production out of the 3B position. I understand what you're saying. I just think that a lineup with Semien in it full time maximizes maximizes the production of the team. I've had many discussions on the board about that so I don't want to delve into it any further, just that I hope they have some kind of big role in line for Semien. Frankly, if he can learn to play a competent OF and he's OK with moving around the field, you could play him damn near every day between DH, 2B, 3B, SS, LF, and RF.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Aug 22, 2014 -> 09:28 AM) Right, all of that has nothing to do with how well they play. It's fine, but everyone should be aware that they are hating on Dunn because they don't like him, not because of his performance. This is why witesoxfan has come off like a DUNN LOVER all the time when he isn't really -- it's just so confusing when everyone has wanted to "improve" the team by making the offense worse. You can have personal problems with a guy and want him gone, but let's acknowledge that is entirely separate from what our team should do in order to win. I am actually a Dunn lover though. He makes a fantastic big spoon.

QUOTE (thxfrthmmrs @ Aug 21, 2014 -> 11:58 PM) Really, the only crime Conor Gillaspie has committed this season is leaving Moises Sierra hanging dry, and forgetting to smile when Santa stop by to give him his Christmas present. The perfect platoon partner for Gillaspie is Semien, who has been one of the best hitters against lefties in our system throughout his career. Meanwhile, Gillaspie is hitting a cool .337 against righties. If we head into next season with Sanchez at 2B, Ramirez at SS, platoon of Gillaspie and Semien at 3B, with Semien spelling Sanchez and Ramirez, we'd be in a good shape for our infield positions. I have an obvious bias, but I think Semien deserves more playing time than that.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Aug 21, 2014 -> 06:26 PM) It's still that way, though. Semien didn't exactly take the job and run with it. Johnson couldn't stay healthy this year. Anderson's too raw, Sanchez doesn't have one outstanding tool and Rondon's got to put up at least a 700 OPS for 3-4 months in Winston-Salem before I'm ready begin taking him 100% seriously as a full-time future big leaguer. I don't think we can positive we have even one player in that group POTENTIALLY capable of being above average at the major league level other than Anderson. There's reason to be excited and, given reasonable expectations, we can make a pretty safe assumption that 1 of those 4 will be a regular at the MLB level.

QUOTE (scs787 @ Aug 22, 2014 -> 09:19 AM) Eh, I'm merely just hoping they get something intriguing for him because I too am a Dunn supporter. They're gonna take whatever they can get. If it's intriguing, then awesome.

Here's why Dunn will be traded and Danks won't be traded: 1) Dunn is a free agent after this year. Danks is not.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Aug 22, 2014 -> 08:30 AM) 98.333333333%? I like that number. Yes, 98.333333333%

QUOTE (scs787 @ Aug 21, 2014 -> 08:22 PM) I think Dunn only goes if the Sox get something intriguing back. After hearing Abreu talk about the influence Dunn has had on him he sounds like a guy who would be helpful to have around the young guys coming up. I am probably Dunn's biggest supporter on this site, but what is the point of keeping Dunn in September? The team is out of it, there are a lot of intriguing players at AAA who need a chance to show what they have at the MLB level, they absolutely are not going to offer him a qualifying offer, and you want to try and get a guy who has the reputation of an all around good guy a chance at winning a World Series ring. I'm not as sure as I was about Rodon signing, but I'm quite confident Dunn will be moved.

This DOES explain why he wasn't in the lineup last night against a lefty. In any other circumstance, he'd be there, but this trade (or another one) had to be close. The Sox could have been waiting on a team to guarantee them the option of PTBNL or cash or maybe they get a choice or who knows really.

Also, I can't see any way this isn't Semien coming up. What will be interesting to see is how the minors shake out. There's only a couple weeks left in the season, do we possibly see Rondon moved up to Charlotte for a 2-3 week spell to continue getting him consistent playing time?

A change of scenery is good. I'm guessing he's going to play SS and 3B for the first time in a long time too. Aybar is not good against lefties whereas Beckham has hit them very well, even in a poor year overall.

Angels MLB.com beat writer: https://twitter.com/Alden_Gonzalez

QUOTE (sammy esposito @ Aug 21, 2014 -> 04:33 PM) sorry we are only paying a pawltry 15 million for his stellar play in 2014 He's been the 3rd best full time offensive player on the White Sox, so I have no problem with what he's done for the Sox this year given the expectations put upon him. Frankly, he's performed better than most players do in the final year of their contracts. But I suppose you'd rather the Sox spent $25 mill AAV while backloading the hell out of a contract for a guy like Josh Hamilton and had to pay him $30 million per year over the final 3 years of his career contract while he walks less often, strikes out more often, and isn't good defensively.

QUOTE (sammy esposito @ Aug 21, 2014 -> 04:14 PM) we pay 18 mil for a guy per year who is not worth anything to another team/ even for one months salary, sad. Pray tell, whom dost thou speaketh? Thy closest examplar is thee Sir Jacob Peavy of Yorkshire in year Two Thousand and Twelve.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Aug 21, 2014 -> 03:43 PM) That's neat somebody is suggesting the A's acquire Dunn. Although I'm sure Billy Beane has assessed the situation over and over. It would be nice to know Beane's true thoughts on Dunn. "He is a good power hitter from the left side, he hits righties well, he hits a lot of home runs, he strikes out a lot, he walks a lot, he doesn't hit lefties very well, and he doesn't play very good defense." I just got off the phone with Billy Beane and he said that word for word.

QUOTE (Charlie Haeger's Knuckles @ Aug 21, 2014 -> 01:26 PM) Why does everyone thing that Catcher is such a hole that needs to be filled? Tyler Flowers has been and will be just fine. He's a positive WAR player at a really tough position. I don't think it's a hole that needs to be filled, personally, but I think it's an area where they'll look around to see if an upgrade is available.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Aug 21, 2014 -> 12:16 PM) So you're willing to wager they are going to spend $77-80 million or more on payroll next year? Because that's what you are arguing. NOTICE I DIDN'T SAY SPEND ABSOLUTELY NO MONEY. WHERE ARE YOU READING THAT? As we've been repeating for months and months, we could easily be around $45-50 million next year without doing anything. In fact, we could actually be lower if we dumped Danks and traded Alexei Ramirez, not to mention you're going to be subtracting Belisario, Beckham, DeAza and probably Dayan Viciedo. If they did spend around $80 million, that would barely put them at 25th-27th. Arguably. Since we don't know what those teams are going to do for 2015, although we have a pretty good range or idea. As far as your last point, that WAS true for most of the last ten years, attendance ranking lagged payroll spending significantly, without correcting for higher ticket prices, parking, etc. I'm sure this is the closest (next year) these two numbers will have ever aligned together since the 1980's. I believe 100% that they will spend $70-80 million on their payroll next year. Their payroll commitments currently are $45.4 million. This does not include De Aza, Beckham, Belisario, Viciedo, Flowers, Jones, or Noesi, who are all arbitration eligible players, nor does it include pre-arb players. Beckham and Belisario will certainly not be back, and Flowers and Jones' raises will be slight but still signficant. De Aza and Viciedo certainly could be non-tendered as well, or they could be kept. Regardless of what they do (I believe they'll trade both De Aza and Viciedo), they still have to replace that production in LF, and given the strides the team made this year - that they may be closer than they think, but with an ultimate goal for 2016 - they certainly aren't going to go with Michael Taylor, Jordan Danks, and Moises Sierra in LF. They likely have a replacement at 2B within the system. They could also justifiably bring in a catcher too and they will do something to address the DH situation too (whether that's internally or not). They will also need bullpen arms, and after this disaster of a season, you can believe they aren't going to go with Taylor Thompson and Andre Rienzo as options out of the bullpen. You figure all of that, and you are talking about adding $25-35 million between all of it at bare minimum. Where does that put the Sox payroll?

QUOTE (chitownsportsfan @ Aug 21, 2014 -> 12:16 PM) Paulino is just going to get DFA right? Are they really going to keep him around? If he has any sort of shot to get his career jump started it would be with Cooper as a non roster invite next spring IMO. He only signed a 1 year deal with a club option for year 2. The buy out is $250k. He's not coming back.