witesoxfan

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Feb 3, 2015 -> 02:50 PM) So if he's a free agent, are there still penalties in signing him over your bonus pool? Or is he like a regular MLB free agent now? Sorry I'm confused. Micker Adolfo Zapata was a free agent as well when he signed too. If you are a free agent, it just means you can sign with any team and can be employed legally by a US (or Canadian) company.

QUOTE (AlSoxfan @ Feb 3, 2015 -> 01:26 PM) To be honest for that kinda contract I think he'd have a line of GM's at his door. There's no question he would.

QUOTE (Chilihead90 @ Feb 3, 2015 -> 12:53 PM) 40-year-old Joe Nathan who had an ERA of almost 5 last year is better than Zach Duke who had a 2.09 xFIP, 3 more K/9, and 2 less BB/9, while both pitching 58 innings. Yeah.....no. But Joe Nathan also had decent peripherals and has a much more heralded career. Prior to last year, Zach Duke was a journeyman swingman who was bordering on AAAA player. He had Brad Boxberger on his bubble and he was nothing short of filthy last year, with a K/9 of more than 14. Relievers are volatile, and going on guys who've proven it over the last 10-15 years means something, even if they are old and struggled last year.

QUOTE (Chilihead90 @ Feb 3, 2015 -> 12:59 PM) He's been worth $20M+ a season 7 out of his 8 full seasons. The guy is completely worth $15M a year in my mind. The problem is that he is 33. I would totally do 3 yrs/$50M on him. But so would the Yankees or Angels or Red Sox or Blue Jays or Tigers or Diamondbacks or any number of other teams. Are you willing to go 3/$60? Or 4/$72? I think someone is going to realize that he could add a lot to their team and give him that kind of contract.

QUOTE (AlSoxfan @ Feb 3, 2015 -> 12:29 PM) It sure does make you stop an think, it would put us over the top I think...3/50 maybe? It'd be nice but how much would that cripple future moves? Could we give Danks away for aptbn next season/mid season? I'd be most concerned with how it might affect resigning Shark. If they signed Shields, you can forget about Samardzija signing an extension, unless the Sox win the World Series or something.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Feb 3, 2015 -> 12:24 PM) Yeah I was just wondering because my girl asked me how long I think we've been together and I really couldn't put a date to it. We have been friends since I was like 15 and have had a few different periods where we were going out since then. I just told her I remember getting whiskey dick on St. Pattys Day and she didn't particularly like that answer. LOL

QUOTE (raBBit @ Feb 3, 2015 -> 12:11 PM) What day is considered the first day of your relationship? The day I asked her to be my girlfriend, 3/26/14. This is the longest relationship she's been in, but as the thread starter (and at the time, boy in mourning ) it's not mine, so these monthly anniversaries mean a lot more to her than they do me. In a new relationship, the 3 big milestones to me are 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year and then every year after that.

I see no way that Shields ends up getting $14 mill per year. If he'd take that, he would have signed already because there would be a ton of teams willing to give him that. If he "settles," I think it'll be for something like $17-18 mill a year, which puts him in the $68-72 million range for 4 years, and I think he could still get $20 million a year too. Also, this sort of thing scares me a bit too: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/whither-james-shields/ In a vacuum, I think I'd take the risk at 4/$68, but I'm becoming much more cautious about bringing him on board. There is a non-zero chance that James Shields could be a total sunk cost and it seems like an incredibly risky endeavor that could cripple any future moves and really hurt the Sox. Your upside is having a strong 1-4 with a few guys waiting in the wings. The downside is Shields getting hurt and never being the same, having a $17 million #4/5 starter (and the Sox already have a $13 million #4/5 starter), limiting what the Sox can do in free agency and with regards to signing their own guys, and the subsequent buyer's remorse and apathy that comes from giving out a bad contract. Ultimately, it's not a risk the Sox should take.

We actually just recently celebrated our 10 month anniversary and we just did the hibbity-dibbity last night. So there.

QUOTE (BamaDoc @ Feb 3, 2015 -> 10:45 AM) Interesting thought but I remember the days of Herb Washington. Herb may be a great guy but in two years and 105 games he never had a plate appearance. I am in favor of baseball players having baseball skills not further specialization. I believe in platooning and match ups but there should be a trade off involved i.e. less flexibility later in the game. It is part of the beauty of the game and I am hoping that the versatile player like a Zobrist or even a Bonifacio is appreciated over players who are strictly one dimensional. There should be a price to pay for lineups with a slow, high strikeout, poor defense power only hitters. There is value beyond just stats for the rubber armed reliever who can pitch multiple days or give you several innings or spot start. He protects the rest of the pitching staff. We have historic rates for lack of contact and the ability to do the little things especially on defense. I love every time Herb Washington is brought up.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Feb 3, 2015 -> 10:30 AM) "You are so good at this you could be a whore." Mine haven't been quite like that. With my current girlfriend, I said "you do such a good job cleaning around here, why don't you just do it all the time?"

god, I love the "being too drunk and trying to say something cute and having it backfire on you."

QUOTE (Brian @ Feb 3, 2015 -> 05:45 AM) I just don't get the point of articles like this. I guess for discussion. It's February. Gotta write about something.

It's not wrong but it's misinformed in a lot of areas. No mention of Carlos Rodon nor the two players at 2B who are actually going to go into Spring Training as the starters.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Feb 2, 2015 -> 01:08 PM) Just over a week ago, Budweiser’s parent company bought well-known Seattle craft brewery Elysian . Among the beers that brewery made last year? The Gourdgia on my Mind Pecan Peach Pumpkin Amber. So they're hypocrites and they sell s***ty beer piss-swill! LET'S HANG EM

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Feb 2, 2015 -> 12:22 PM) YOU SISSIES WITH YOUR NON BUDWEISERS Besides, if I want to slug back 14 beers just to get drunk, I'm taking a light beer every time. AND THAT BEER IS MILLER LITE, THE ORIGINAL LIGHT BEER

The Budweiser dog one was good, but their commercial making fun of beer "snobs" (people tasting and smelling beer) and basically declaring that "We only want people who like to drink beer to drink our beer!" (or something) was a total turn off. It's OK if people like drinking craft style beers because that is good. People don't need to force piss-swill down their throat to be a TRUE BEER DRINKER.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Feb 2, 2015 -> 12:16 PM) Sorry, but what is P&C? As far as Jones, I don't think it's that crazy to think the Sox might be one of the two teams involved. The Sox pride themselves in looking absolutely everywhere for talent, KW loved him and with Bonifacio being the de facto back up CF, they don't really need their 4th OF to be that pysically able. If he can still hit I wouldn't mind it. Pitchers and catchers

QUOTE (Brian @ Feb 2, 2015 -> 05:28 AM) Will James Shields sign with a team before P&C's report? I think he will.

QUOTE (GreenSox @ Feb 2, 2015 -> 09:51 AM) I agree with Roost but it's water under the bridge. Anyway, Samardzija will be, at best, the third to best starter on the FA market next year; and maybe the 5th to best. What does that do to his leverage? Nothing. Teams need good pitchers and Jeff Samardzija is a good pitcher.

QUOTE (Douglas Rome @ Feb 2, 2015 -> 06:36 AM) most historic game ever, surpasses the '05 postseason, not even close. name any other single game that had more impact. Johhny Danks will always be remembered for his performance that nite. I think he still has it in him and he will shine in 2015. thanks, douglas John Danks is not a good pitcher anymore.

Since we're talking about him, here's Kylie McDaniels' breakdown http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/evaluating-...cago-white-sox/ Video attached. I think a lot of his future is tied to Samardzija, Rodon, and Montas. I can explain later, but right now I'm a bit tuned up and playing Destiny, but wanted to provide this. I feel that he is going to pitch in the majors and he is going to be good, but there are others with more natural talent who will be ahead of him who will get chances at starting first. If he ends up as a set up guy, that's not a bad thing.

QUOTE (Stan Bahnsen @ Jan 30, 2015 -> 05:55 PM) Well, you're right, of course. But to summarize the overall intent of my previous post, opinions vary widely among experts, and I can guarantee you that the org. has huge belief in the kid's abilities - not letting any pre-conceived ceiling ideas cloud their thought. But I'll do it anyway: Tim Hudson stuff with near Buehrlesque runner-holding and D. That guy would be GOOD. What can I say, smitten with the kid's makeup, backstory, mind for pitching and talent. Tim Hudson is really one of the best pitchers of our era. He may not be a hall of famer, but he's going to get a lot of votes. At his best, he was a low to kid 90s guy with great sinking stuff and the ability to strike you out. He's lost some of that over the years but he's an incredible pitcher. If Tyler Danish has half the career Tim Hudson has had, we'll be ok. QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 30, 2015 -> 06:15 PM) There are many cases in baseball where something odds as a pitcher is what makes you good. Take a Jake Peavy for example. Jake Peavy? He has kind of a funky motion, but the dude had incredible stuff. That's what helped him. The pitcher that comes to mind when I think "something odd about him" is Paul Byrd with his antiquated wind-up towards the end of his career. I also seem to recall something about PEDs about him too. Tyler Danish isn't odd, and a 3/4 or sidearm delivery isn't odd, but they have their advantages and disadvantages. If that changeup turns to good (meaning good velocity differentiation, good downward movement, good control, and good command), he's going to be a starting pitcher.

Stan, I think this is where these minor league rankings become a bit overrated. Guys who are very good prospects like Tyler Danish tend to fall by the wayside because of preconceived biases. At the same time, these scouts have also been around a long time and can see weaknesses in motions and deliveries and have reasons for their beliefs. When a guy is 20 years old and we are viewing him as a guy who certainly should be a good reliever at the MLB level, you have a good prospect. If he ultimately ends up as a reliever, that's OK. In the mean time, he will continue starting. If he can ultimately be a #3 starter at the MLB level, you have yourself a damn fine pitcher.

QUOTE (chitownsportsfan @ Jan 30, 2015 -> 03:30 PM) Ironically if you plugged in Rodon and Bonifacio instead of Sanchez and Noesi, you'd probably gain 2 wins in most projection systems. I too peg this team at about 85 wins. They can slide down to 80 with a big injury to star, but you can say that about most teams. Other than the Nationals, I don't see a "super team" out there this year that could sustain multiple long-term injuries to their top handful of guys. I think the Dodgers would be OK too.