witesoxfan

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Feb 4, 2014 -> 12:11 PM) We also know the Sox have been actively trying to add talent to the catcher position in our farm system. That much is true, and I could see them involved with the guy, but I think you just try and add as much talent as your buck will allow.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Feb 4, 2014 -> 12:43 PM) Four years ago, no. The Sox were tapped out of cash after they signed him and still needed help. They still need lots of help, but they have cash to spend. I genuinely don't think you understand the definition of the word cheap. If Adam Dunn is not cheap, then neither Ervin Santana nor Ubaldo Jimenez are cheap. They will be making the same amount of money, roughly.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Feb 4, 2014 -> 12:32 PM) I think Santiago was part of the core. Plus stuff, cheap left-hander. He was. Then he was dealt for another valuable piece. Right now, I would consider Marcus Semien and Dayan Viciedo part of the core. That doesn't mean they can't be turned around and traded for other valuable pieces at some point in the future.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Feb 4, 2014 -> 11:51 AM) Interesting that the top player is expected to be a catcher. Eh, just turned 16. If he sticks at catcher it will be a minor miracle.

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Feb 4, 2014 -> 11:25 AM) Didn't John Wayne say that? Actually Evelyn Beatrice Hall under the pseudonym S. G. Tallentyre in a biography on Voltaire.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Feb 4, 2014 -> 11:18 AM) At the very worst it's a cheap insurance policy as they develop their rotation. A top three of Sale Quintana and Santana is pretty good. Is Adam Dunn cheap?

I disagree with what you say but will defend to the death your right to say it.

Right, and some will use age too, they are all goofy to some extent. The point being not that it matters where the Sox end up on these lists but the sheer fact that they are bringing talented players into the system all over and that the talent level is improved. You win absolutely nothing for having the #1 minor league system, except maybe a plaque or something.

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Feb 4, 2014 -> 10:50 AM) What if Laumann and the rest of the staff find a gem (or two) after the #3 pick in the '14 draft? What Q and myself are saying is, you just never know what will happen that can derail the FO's plans good (as in that, other or under the radar prospects shining, young players in the bigs living up to potential) or bad (serious injuries, prospects busting, young players taking years to develop, or struggle/never get it) Right. Just keep the talent flowing in. At this stage of the process, young talent is ideal.

QUOTE (The Ultimate Champion @ Feb 4, 2014 -> 10:41 AM) If Paulino puts up an ERA of 9 in the bullpen then you stuff his ass into a rocket shell and fire him at the Astros or Cubs. That second year is only an option homeboy. But he is fairly good as a starter. So maybe they're just going to give him a shot there.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Feb 4, 2014 -> 10:34 AM) I think it *could* too which is one reason they should sign a Santana or Jiminez this year. I disagree with what you say but will defend to the death your right to say it.

QUOTE (The Ultimate Champion @ Feb 4, 2014 -> 10:36 AM) Ervin Santana 3 years $45M? Yes. Sale-Santana-Quintana-Johnson-Danks, done and done. Now we don't need to rush any of the pitching prospects. Paulino to the pen, Lindstrom is traded, etc. Great move. Paulino's career ERA in the bullpen is over 9. Otherwise, I disagree with what you say but will defend to the death your right to say it.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Feb 4, 2014 -> 10:13 AM) The problem with the core is there is going to be a gap before they get any more help from the minors. Quintana is going to have to be sacrificed to supplement the holes. This sounds rather primitive and quite grotesque. Couldn't they just trade him? All kidding aside, I think you have to let it play out before making assumptions like that.

I think the most important part of this is not the names but that they actually have pieces and maybe a bit of depth. This team lost 91 games. And then, with very much the same pieces, this team won the American League in 2006. It wasn't but a year later and the team looked drastically different. That is what can and does happen in baseball. It's important to keep everything in context. Frankly, the most important aspect in all of this is that they are bringing in a lot of talent. It's vital that they remain doing so.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Feb 4, 2014 -> 10:17 AM) Considering this core wasn't on the opening day roster last year aside from Sale, Quintana, and Viciedo, I'm not going to rule it out. What if the #3 pick becomes a star? What if Danish becomes an ace out of nowhere? I like Beck breaking out this year.

QUOTE (rowand's rowdies @ Feb 4, 2014 -> 10:14 AM) Why don't you moderators with nothing to add to the conversation topic start some new brilliant topics so we can discuss them. I don't know what you want in pale hose talk if news of the top starting pitcher left on the market's price dropping in the news isn't topic worthy. God forbid someone tries to bring up a new non 44 page topic about this news/pitcher. Sorry about the poor topic for baseball conversation that you feel is not topic worthy, please feel free to take this topic/thread down. It has nothing to do with this. We've run this course twice already and it results in nothing but bickering, patronizing, veiled shots, and insults. The fact of the matter is, this is a very, very slow time for baseball, and there's not a lot to talk about. That's the nature of the business.

QUOTE (staxx @ Feb 4, 2014 -> 10:11 AM) Oakland never had a pitcher of Sales' Caliber. Mulder, Zito, Hudson, Haren, Harden, should I continue?

From this point forward, for anyone arguing or trying to justify the White Sox adding a starter, rather than arguing a moot point, I will merely reply with: "I disagree with what you say but will defend to the death your right to say it."

How many publications included Matsuzaka? All of them. Nevermind that Abreu is only 8.5 months older than Daisuke was when he debuted in the majors.

Rick Hahn has said the White Sox are not interested in anything that involves the White Sox giving up a draft pick, and you aren't bringing in Bronson Arroyo to trade him considering he turns 37 in 20 days, so that should summarily end this thread before it begins.

QUOTE (Joxer_Daly @ Feb 4, 2014 -> 09:43 AM) Ach, it was more like the inappropriate use of 'e'. Which seems quite apt, really. This is awesome

Of course, you can also take an extra two sentences, type it "PHENETICALI" into Google and find out that it's actually spelled phonetically.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Feb 4, 2014 -> 08:44 AM) It's not just scouts. It's the developmental people. The Sox seem to be able to get pitchers, at least relievers, to the major leagues fairly easily. Hitters always seem to struggle. When was the last time a White Sox position prospect came up and actually looked like he had a clue at the plate? One thing that always seems a given is a ridiculously high strikeout rate with a ridiculously low walk rate and other numbers that seem to be, at best, ordinary. It makes me wonder, are they having problems identifying guys who can be successful offensively, or is their developmental team just lacking. Every team has it's busts, but does Courtney Hawkins hit like a pitcher with power in A+ ball if he is with the Cardinals? Semien looked OK last year, and Beckham was great when he came up, only to fall by the wayside shortly thereafter. Viciedo also had a decent cup of coffee originally too. How much of this has been on the major league staff failing to make adjustments throughout the course of the season? In the last 5 years they've either been terrible or they've lost to the absolute one team they could not lose to (Twins and Tigers).

QUOTE (chisoxfan310 @ Feb 4, 2014 -> 08:33 AM) Also (since the Adam Dunn thread is closed), I think they should sell on De Aza now. I think he has pretty much reached his ceiling as a big leaguer: decent blend of power and speed, capable of playing a litter center. He's not a bad ball player, but not a part of the future. He's at least solid enough to start on a few teams. Also a left-handed bat. Having him as the 4th outfielder would just decrease his value. Playing Dunn for half a season may bring his value up from none to at least a little. If the Sox got an offer they felt was right or close to for De Aza, they likely would have taken it by now. I don't think that has happened. The gist as I understand it is that the Sox are looking to move him but haven't received the offer yet for a number of reasons. Come Spring, there will likely be a team that shows interest in him and they'll be able to work something out. They still have almost 2 months to move him prior to the start of the season. The other thought is that he can play anywhere in the outfield and is still cheap enough to be used as depth. There's no rush to move him, but trading him would be ideal.

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