witesoxfan

QUOTE (The Ultimate Champion @ Dec 30, 2013 -> 11:32 AM) Yeah that's what I'm saying. The league is terrible. Our failed prospects here are better IMO. The NPB is typically compared to AAAA. Better than AAA, not as good as MLB. You can feel how you want, but I don't think you will find many people that agree with you.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 30, 2013 -> 10:19 AM) Thus, it's floor barring an injury to 1 guy who I won't name is a staff in the middle of the pack in baseball and its ceiling is one of the top staffs in the league? No, it's floor is a bad pitching staff. I see Sale as one of the best and Quintana as good, but those last 3 rotation spots can all be very bad. That's not including Donnie Veal, Nate Jones (who is an enigma of sorts), Lindstrom, Belisario, and whoever the last righty is. I could see all of those guys around 3.50-4.00, which is mediocre to below average for a reliever. I think the front 5 of the pen will be fine, but we simply don't know yet.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Dec 30, 2013 -> 10:13 AM) 2013 Park Factors: http://www.fangraphs.com/guts.aspx?type=pf...13&teamid=0 You should also factor in home-field advantage. I saw an interesting study that show a statistically significant effect for hitters having home field advantage, not sure if the same exists for pitchers. I assume it does, but I simply can't assume that the Sox pitching staff is anything other than average at this point. As I've indicated, it is certainly capable of being above average and a top 5 pitching staff, but Erik Johnson could put up an ERA/FIP of 3.25 or 4.75 and I wouldn't be surprised either way, and I feel the same way of both Danks and Paulino too.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Dec 30, 2013 -> 10:06 AM) At the same time, the refs weren't calling any of the holding or delay penalties on the Packers, so I could give a s***. The unnecessary roughness call on Shea was a total crock of s*** too. I couldn't believe that. The Packers played better and ultimately deserved the win, but the refs called that game in favor of the Packers.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 30, 2013 -> 09:46 AM) It put up a league average ERA in one of the best hitters parks in the league. Then, theoretically, they should have put up a better ERA on the road. Home - 3.77 ERA Road - 4.23 ERA Now that homers have died down, I don't think it's a particularly great hitter's park. It certainly could be, but it's park factors were 100 and 101 last year.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Dec 30, 2013 -> 08:47 AM) I agree. I don't think he was the problem, but obviously that's how it goes in the NFL. Frankly, I think being an NFL head coach would be one of the most stressful jobs you could have. Frazier gets fired, but what more could he have done? Spielman gave him a pile of s*** for a roster with jack squat for QBs...what do you expect to happen?

QUOTE (iamshack @ Dec 30, 2013 -> 08:41 AM) Did the Browns coach really get fired too? Yes. As much as the Bills have become a running joke around the league, they'll never be worse than the Browns. I really thought the Browns and Chud had a good thing being built, but at some point, you need talented players. They ran all year with Weeden, Campbell, and Hoyer.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 28, 2013 -> 04:36 PM) This just isn't true. They were 8th in MLB last year in fWAR. That's a solidly above average pitching staff. It's not great, but if it was teamed with an average offense and an average defense it could pitch this team to the playoffs, or at the worst right on the edge of it. And just to stress...that was 8th in MLB in fWAR with Dylan Axelrod making 20 starts and a couple guys traded away from the staff midseason. In what way is it above average? It's plenty talented, but it put up a league average ERA last year, which was 9th best in the league. They are replacing a guy who put up a 5.68 ERA, but also lost guys that put up ERAs of 3.56 and 3.79. It's certainly talented and has room to grow into an above average pitching staff, but saying that it is above average at this point is wrong. Frankly, we have no idea what they'll get out of the 3-4-5 spots in the rotation. I would not be surprised if they are all good to great, nor would I be surprised if they all struggled badly. The difference between a pitching staff actually being above average and having the capability to be so is huge.

Joaquin Benoit to San Diego, 2 years $15.5 mill

Givenchy Play, the mid-scent (there are 3 different types of Play with no differentiating characteristics other than the color of the bottle).

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Dec 28, 2013 -> 10:05 AM) someone should teach Antonio Cromartie how to do that. +1

QUOTE (greg775 @ Dec 27, 2013 -> 10:41 PM) I have one question for you guys who think it's determined the team will stink in 2014 ... why do we have this playoff-ready pitching staff for a team going nowhere? Why didn't we spend some cash like the Yankees to upgrade maybe two more positions go with these dandy trades and win our s*** division right now?? With Leyland gone, the Tigers will be nothing to fear anymore. If this team is going nowhere FOR CERTAIN, then why not shut down Sale until we're ready to contend. Just don't even pitch him. I mean he's developed. Why waste one pitch out of that arm if it's 100 percent certain we're not winning anything next season?? Before you blast me, I think it's a legitimate question. Maybe even leave Danks on the shelf all year, too. And Quintana. He's also been stretched out enough that he's major league ready for contention. Why are you of the opinion that this is a playoff ready pitching staff? It is very talented, but it was essentially a league average pitching staff last year.

The Sox have fared better with players closer to the MLB talent level. They have not been good about developing players, but they have helped players make adjustments in previous years to improve their overall play. Pierzynski hit 23 homers, Rios has a phenomenal year (and then a fairly good year), Ramriez has become a decent hitter for average, De Aza a solid regular, but pretty much anyone who has played in AA or lower for the Sox at any point as a prospect has become a bust of a prospect. Garcia has some semblance of an idea as a hitter, and if they can shorten up his swing, he can become a really nice player. I like his odds of making it as a regular far more than I like Carlos Sanchez's.

QUOTE (Tex @ Dec 21, 2013 -> 11:20 AM) Those that said players take the risk, it's on them . . . Should we say the same thing about mine workers? Agricultural employees? Firefighters? OSHA exists to make workplaces safer, why should we treat athletes differently than other workers? Are you suggesting that the NFL and NCAA and whoever else are not working to make the workplace safer? I think they're doing everything they can and are continuing their research and development into the area to make the sport safer.

QUOTE (The Ultimate Champion @ Dec 27, 2013 -> 09:36 AM) Who still needs a SS then? I think Alexei would be a perfect fit for the Yankees. They have Kelly Johnson at 2B, nothing at 3B, Jeter at SS. They can play Alexei anywhere and make an improvement. Not sure what they would trade though. I don't think it's a move you necessarily rush into. Frankly, Alexei is currently a much better player than Garcia is, and I would honestly be surprised if Garcia put up .225/.275/.325 this year. If the Sox had something they needed the money for, then yes, it might be worth it. I don't foresee them needing that money at the moment as they still have some that they can spend and, barring them getting crazy and signing Tanaka or trading for someone like Kemp, they really shouldn't need that money. They can run Ramirez out at SS every day, let Garcia remain in the minors, and find some combination of players to perform the backup outfield and infield duties. If the time comes during the middle of the season when the Sox are out of contention and a team is in need of a SS, then you consider trading Ramirez so as to maximize his value.

QUOTE (DukeNukeEm @ Dec 26, 2013 -> 09:52 PM) Every year these vaunted defenses get torched by a QB who catches fire in the playoffs. The Eagles, Saints, Bears/Packers winner... they get in and suddenly their extremely dangerous because if the game devolves into a shootout you're taking Brees, Rodgers, Foles and the Bears ungodly 1-2 WR combo against whatever offense Seattle, Carolina and San Francisco can muster. When the wheels come off and everyone is just heaving that s*** the defense stops being so important. Not necessarily saying the Bears specifically trip into the playoffs and go on some magical run, but I wont be as shocked as everyone else when Seattle gives up 30+ points in the playoffs and loses because they can't keep up. I just don't buy this at all. The 49ers made it last year with a defense that was crumbling without the presence of Justin Smith, while the Ravens defense was playing very well and Flacco was playing well. The Giants won it 2 years ago due to an absolutely insane pass rush that was stopping the run, accumulating sacks, and forcing turnovers. They beat the open gate that was the Patriots defense. The Packers defense played incredibly well down the stretch 3 years ago and Aaron Rodgers is still one of the best QBs of this generation. Oh, and this doesn't include the fact that the Seahawks have one of the best offenses in the NFL. They only throw for 218 yards a game, but they rush for 146, they don't really turn the ball over (1 in 10 drives ends in a turnover), and they have good weapons offensively. I'm not saying they will win, but saying they won't win because defense suddenly stops being important in the playoffs is ridiculous. Defense (and special teams) is the MOST important in the playoffs. Yes, you need a QB who can drive you down the field, and a running back who can chunk away some yards, but if your defense doesn't play well, you don't stand a chance.

QUOTE (chitownsportsfan @ Dec 26, 2013 -> 04:14 PM) It's not really a hard methodology, it's just instead of using MLB average and then factoring in park and league adjustments you just use qualified players by position as the denominator. It's a new run environment in MLB right now, a shortstop that is good defensively doesn't have to hit much more than 240/295/340 to have value above replacement, in fact assuming that hypothetical SS is +10 or so runs above average with the glove and decent on the basepaths, that's a 2 WAR shortstop, solid starter territory. This is actually why the prospect of Leury Garcia excites me, even if he's a weak hitter. If he can be a .250/.300/.350 guy while stealing 30-40 bases at a 75-80% clip and playing excellent defense, he could be a 2-3 WAR player for the league minimum. That's almost exactly what he's been in the minors while being pretty young for each level, and he's shown better power than a prospect like, say, Carlos Sanchez.

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Dec 26, 2013 -> 01:15 PM) Not sure if this was posted yet.. Had a nice year with Gwinnett last year. Big, tall guy - 6'3'', 235. Likely just a AAA guy, but it's a nice, small signing.

QUOTE (PolishPrince34 @ Dec 26, 2013 -> 01:06 PM) http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/04/sports/b...ncher.html?_r=0 http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1837558...akas-abused-arm Hopefully this will scare people off. Injury waiting to happen. That is why you do your homework on him. If everything checks out, then he is worth the risk. If he is getting 7 or 8 years, the Sox won't be in on him. If he gets closer to 5 or 6 years, then the Sox will have a chance. Ultimately, I don't think they'll sign him, but I think they'll submit a bid to at least have the ability to negotiate with him. Considering there is no payment due if you do not sign him, there's no reason for any team not to submit a bid.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 26, 2013 -> 10:37 AM) They can bid all they want, they just aren't going to outbid the rest of baseball. I believe you will be right, but if the scouting report checks out, they should be involved anyways.

QUOTE (The Ultimate Champion @ Dec 26, 2013 -> 10:06 AM) You guys are bringing NPB stats into this thing, not me. I'm just pointing out how ridiculous it is to post them as some sort of indicator for success. Just like with the Cuban players, you go by talent & scouting. The Cubans seem to be far, far superior natural athletes anyway. In general. And they grow up with competition, just like in Japan. And while much of the league over there is junk, same thing in Japan, but the stars in Cuba are better, period. Tougher league, better players in general, better athletes. Give me Cubans over Japanese guys 7 days per week. But that's still not my argument, nor does it have anything to do with my argument. My argument is that it's foolish to chase Tanaka at what his cost is purported to be. Posting NPB stats does nothing to change that, nor does the posting of absurd contracts given out by other teams. We don't do that stuff. Abreu was the craziest thing we've ever done with an unproven player and there have been no signs from this organization anywhere that we'll not only continue that behavior, but go even wilder. No pun intended. If he is a guy that is going to be a 2.50 ERA, 220 IP pitcher, he is a bargain at $20 mill per year. Guys like that get $175-200 million on the open market. I also don't see how anything Dick and I have said indicates otherwise. On multiple occasions, we've both said that if the Sox brass thinks highly of Tanaka, then they should be involved. If not, then they should remain out.

QUOTE (fathom @ Dec 26, 2013 -> 09:49 AM) Enjoy http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/newsst...ollecting_gizmo It would be pretty incredible to see Thomas inducted on the first ballot while Sosa is eliminated on his second.

QUOTE (The Ultimate Champion @ Dec 26, 2013 -> 09:37 AM) The Sox were desperate when they were bidding for Abreu, and they still got him at an average annual value of a shade over $11M per for 6 seasons. Compared (probably ambitiously) to Miguel Cabrera. If they could get Tanaka for anything even remotely close to it then go for it. You can't. That's the point. You have to draw a line somewhere. There is also far greater risk and far less certainty when it comes to Cuban players too. Their track record is no where near as good, and highlights and scouting reports from Cubans are far more scarce. It's just as likely that a hitter of Abreu's apparent quality came over from Japan, he'd get $20 mill per year. Again, if their reports indicate that the guy is going to be an ace, then they should be involved in the process.

QUOTE (The Ultimate Champion @ Dec 26, 2013 -> 09:20 AM) http://bis.npb.or.jp/eng/2013/stats/bat_c.html Your top-5 best hitters in the central league last year: 1) Tony Blanco 2) Wladimir Balentien 3) Some Japanese guy 4) Matt Murton 5) Jose Lopez Haven't some of our prospects pitched in Japan recently? Anthony Carter maybe? Carlos Torres or Heath Phillips maybe? I know there have been a couple. I bet they look awesome too. Carlos Torres had an ERA of 3.44 last year with the Mets. His ERA in 6 starts with the Yomiuri Giants was 6.26. That's a poor argument anyways. The Sox may as well have let someone else sign Jose Abreu too because I'm sure the best pitchers in Cuba were pretty terrible last year too. QUOTE (The Ultimate Champion @ Dec 26, 2013 -> 09:23 AM) Actually Randy Messenger & Jason Standridge (remember him?) were your #3 & #4 pitchers in the Central League http://bis.npb.or.jp/eng/2013/stats/pit_c.html There was talk of MLB teams potentially willing to offer Randy Messenger $8-10 million this upcoming offseason, but he ultimately stayed in Japan. Colby Lewis came back and was pretty good too. --- If the White Sox believe that he is a pitcher who is capable of performing at an ace level, then there is no reason they should not be involved. If they don't, then they should remain out of the bidding. I don't understand how or why you are arguing with that.

If the Sox sign Tanaka, I have no problem calling them contenders for the AL Central. I have no problem if they don't, but they'd be in a position with their rotation and bullpen to have the very best pitching staff in the AL. If the offense can score even 650 runs, they'd have a chance to win 88-90 games, and they can always upgrade that or get a little lucky and end up scoring 700+ and winning 95 or so.