witesoxfan

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Jan 19, 2010 -> 06:34 PM) Take away his 2 outings at Yankee Stadium and his seasonal numbers are: 1.08 WHIP, 1.08 ERA and 11.3 K/9 in 16.2 IP. He did have a .162/.279/.270/.549 line against lefties overall. If he can be used as a strict LOOGY, Williams is fine by me. The problem is a real DH is far more valuable than a LOOGY, and I think an extra bat off the bench is more valuable than a LOOGY too.

QUOTE (since56 @ Jan 19, 2010 -> 06:10 PM) I'd still rather have one world championship than a dozen division championships. Creating high expectations is not winning. Building confidence sounds like a moral victory. Cleveland won how many divisions and went to two world series in the nineties. Did it get them a world championship? Minnesota is respected and competitive but I'd rather have 2005 and finish last every other year than be them. You gotta win it man.............don't settle! To be fair, the Twins have more division and World Series titles in the past 25 years than the White Sox, yet the White Sox have spent more on player personnel and have consistently outdrawn them in the standings. Further, your point was that the White Sox didn't win with Jim Thome, and that only winning a World Series is winning. If during a 10 year period, a team wins a fluke world series and loses 90-110 games in the other nine, and another team wins 10 straight division titles, makes it to 4 World Series, but doesn't win one, which team is the bigger winner of the decade? I'd say the team that showed that they can consistently play at a high level, rather than some fluke. I don't have any teams in mind, but there are enough examples like this out there that someone could come up with one.

QUOTE (since56 @ Jan 19, 2010 -> 09:54 PM) Hopefully he will be OK. I just don't want to hear this best starters in the league stuff until they have done it. Going into the season, the rotation looks pretty damn good and it's a top 5 rotation in the league. Injuries can and have happened, but they haven't yet. Prove it, right now, this second. One or two of the five COULD very easily go down for a period of time, but I don't think WILL go down for some time is even close to correct. Ready enough. In Pittsburgh. He started one game for the White Sox in the past 2 seasons, that's how much they trusted him. He signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates, that's how highly he was sought after. Carrasco is a mediocre pitcher who was barely used in non low-leverage situations. Considering he's been a full-time starter for 9 years now, has had only one season with an ERA+ below 100 and only two seasons below 121, I'd say he's just fine. He knows how to take care of himself, and it wouldn't surprise me in the least if he went through a dead arm period late in the season. He has, throughout his entire career, generally had about a month stretch late in the season where he has nothing. I think you worry a bit too much.

It's still awesome to consider King Felix remaining in Seattle until that age. He should win a Cy Young or two during that time frame.

What the hell has Starlin Castro done to deserve how much love he has gotten this offseason? Yes, he's been young for his league, but his walk rate isn't fantastic, his strike out rate is good but it's not the best I've ever seen, he's only displayed doubles power and that was relatively weak. I've heard people mention how special his AFL was, but he didn't do anything that was really all that spectacular - yeah he hit for a really good average, in like 100 at bats, against pitchers working on certain pitches in the heat of Arizona. He still didn't walk, he still didn't hit for power, and his strikeout rate was, once again, good but not fantastic. If people begin comparing him to players like Jose Reyes and Hanley Ramirez, I think they're all full of s***. He had a better contact rate at that age, but didn't hit for the same amount of power, didn't walk as much, and wasn't stealing bases as proficiently either. I don't know how his defense is, but he better be like Omar Vizquel good in the field to be getting the love he's gotten. He looks like a good prospect, but not among the top. In fact, from what I've been reading on him, he sounds a lot like Alexei.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Jan 19, 2010 -> 06:25 AM) now you are a liar too and you are now a winner too, climb aboard the wite and Jim Thome train! Woo woo! QUOTE (La Marr Hoyt HOF @ Jan 19, 2010 -> 12:38 PM) Juanny Damon, what's another $12 mil? Why, oh why, did we pick-up Rios again? because Rios is going to be a much more valuable player than Johnny Damon this year and in the years coming up. It's been said before, but players have bad years, just like they have good years. There's always that fear in the bottom of my stomach with a guy like Konerko, who has struggled before, or Rios, who struggled last year, but at the end of the day I look at career numbers and realize that last year was a fluke and is very likely not to happen again. If it does happen again and again and again Jamie Navarro moves down the worst contracts in White Sox history list.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Jan 19, 2010 -> 01:54 PM) It depends. Are you a big fan of Jacque Jones? If we're entering the 2006 time machine again, sure

You can't fault the Bills for trying. At the end of the day, it's just not an attractive option. There's not enough talent there to win, but it's too talented to be one of the worst teams in the league and ending up with a top 5 draft pick. Instead, they are consistently stuck with a pick between 7-12 and just haven't gotten any impact player from that position. They don't have a franchise QB, and Brohm might be the only QB with tools capable of starting at some point in the future. The left tackle entering the season was like a 7th round pick from the previous season and was still raw, their OLine is mediocre, their starting running back is closing in on 30 (though he's playing younger than that), their backup running back is a 1st round bust who should get released this offseason because he's not very good and he's an idiot. The best wide receiver on the team likely won't be returning; not because he doesn't want to, but because the front office doesn't want him. The #2 receiver used to be a great deep threat but now he's not any more intimidating than Dennis Northcutt, the TE's are pretty much garbage with Shawn Nelson being the only one with a lick of potential. The defense had talent, but fired their defensive coordinator from the previous season because he took over as interim coach and the team wanted someone else. He's now in New York. The special teams was arguably the best special teams returning unit in the entire NFL (though probably behind the Cleveland Cribbs' special teams), but they lost that coach too. It's a sad situation, and the team needs a great pick, some bold moves, or for Zeus himself to play quarterback.

QUOTE (since56 @ Jan 18, 2010 -> 10:59 PM) The white sox did not win with Thome. That is the truth. Winning the world sieries is the only win. If you think winning 90 games or a division is winning maybe you belong in wrigley where they accept losing and losers. Wow, OK.

QUOTE (since56 @ Jan 18, 2010 -> 04:46 PM) I might be mistaken but I'm not a liar. You go too far. We are on the same team remember. Can't some one disagree and still be loyal? "(The White Sox) never won with Jim Thome" is a lie.

QUOTE (Controlled Chaos @ Jan 18, 2010 -> 08:24 AM) http://www.lowc.org/ You always think of how awesome this sounds, but when you really get down to the nitty gritty of it all, do you really want to see most Americans naked? It's like, OMG I see her boobs! Too bad they swing to her knees.

QUOTE (since56 @ Jan 18, 2010 -> 08:30 AM) I'm sure we would like a five tool player at every position including DH. I think the differing opinions here are more on the definition or type of DH than on individual names. Thome is a HOF player and did a great job for us, no doubt. I think the team wants to move on to a platoon and different approach at DH. I know there were alot of other factors but we did not win with Thome. Give Ozzie his rope and let him hang himself or prove he can really manage. That's a BS statement and you know it. In 2006, the pitching staff took a s*** and the entire team ERA jumped by a run (and they still won 90 games). In 2007, the White Sox depended on Darin Erstad to be a competent player. In 2008, they won the division (and 89 games). In 2009, the White Sox got like 2000 plate appearances - which is about 3 full, 162 game seasons - of an OPS of around .625-.650, meaning the offense around everyone other than Jim Thome was bad. The fact of the matter is, the White Sox DID win with Jim Thome, and saying otherwise is flat out lying. I also don't want to give Ozzie his rope because quite frankly his NL style of managing costs the Sox runs in the end. He's been given his slap hitting, base stealing LFer. Now the team should get a DH that can hit the ball a long ways and do it often.

Yeah he's been here since July, where the hell have you people been?

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jan 16, 2010 -> 01:49 PM) Fixed. How come you do everything naked except corn hole?

Renegade - Styx Paradise by the Dashboard Light - Meatloaf that should get you started off pretty well

QUOTE (CryptviLL @ Jan 17, 2010 -> 06:29 AM) I root for the royals, I just want to see them become a competitive team. I watch sports for the Good games, and competition so seeing them terrible so long in our division saddens me . so cheer for the Pirates

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Jan 16, 2010 -> 11:44 PM) I would not sleep on that guy just yet. Usually it takes a full two years to really get back to pitching like you should from TJ. The main thing most Twins fans will tell you about Liriano is he lost his command (especially on his fastball, which BTW, dipped in velocity as well) last season. The key for Liriano is if he can throw his change-up like he once did. Yes he won't have that slider to throw to as often (though he still throws it, but very limited in winter ball) and of course, which is usual baseball 101 for pitchers, is he has to find and locate his fastball. Reports say he's throwing a little harder in winter ball than he was all of last season. (and he could possibly get stronger in his arm and velocity come the spring or the season) But if he can find that changeup, not to mention that extra 3-5 MPH off that fastball he lost and LOCATE it (not to mention being very unlucky last season looking at his higher than usual BABIP) he should be fine. Bill James and Chone have him at solid/serviceable this comming season. We'll all see personally since he is in our division. He's not Johan, and his changeup is not his bread-and-butter. Francisco Liriano was and still is completely dependent upon a slider that moves 18 inches horizontally and 4 inches vertically, and if he wants to get that back, then he is a ticking time-bomb, because they way he threw his slider was the reason his elbow blew in the first place. He becomes a good starter again if he can get the previous two measurements to even 12x2, given location (because the velocity is there...I watched him pitch all summer, he's around 93-96 with his fastball) and he can locate. Without his slider, he is bound to become JC Romero with worse stuff.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jan 16, 2010 -> 07:07 PM) You do realize the Twins are a coin flip, Thome homer, Griffey throw and Danks outing away from winning 6 ALCD championships in a decade? Dismiss them at your own peril. The Twins were also 2 wins against 4th place (and last place at that time) Kansas City at home away from clinching the division. And the Sox were without Quentin, Contreras, and Crede for their playoff push. And the Sox also had to beat Cleveland AND Detroit to even get to game 163. Or, the Sox were a simple managerial decision away from the final game of the 3-game sweep in the Metrodome away from keeping the game tied. If Konerko is guarding the line in the 8th inning, like he's supposed to be doing in a 1-run game with a runner on 1st, Span's triple becomes an easy 3-unassisted putout, or a 3-6 putout at 2nd. Pick whatever route you like. The Sox didn't have an easy road to the division title, and they earned it. Don't act like the Twins had it hard. Don't mention that they also had one of the best offenses in the league. They scored like 825 runs with the MVP on their side (from May on) and a sudden resurgence/breakout from both Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel. Their bullpen was also one of the worst in the leagues. And I don't think Liriano can even be considered as a threat at this point. He's been fully removed from TJ surgery, and something about his near 6.00 ERA doesn't really scare me. He can't throw the slider like he used to because it's either going to f*** up his elbow further or he simply can't throw it. The Twins would be smart (and I imagine they will actually follow through on this) to make him into a reliever, because then his velocity is actually a plus and not merely something that just looks sexy. Baker is good. Blackburn is good, but gets lit up by good offenses. Pavano put up an ERA over 5 last year. But then who? Brian Duensing? Glen Perkins? Jeff Manship? Anthony Swarzak? Kevin Slowey? Francisco Liriano? The back of their rotation looks like something a 3rd place team would trot out there. Denard Span was a 1st round pick. As was Michael Cuddyer, and Morneau was a 3rd round pick. The fact of the matter is that the Twins development is far better than most teams in the league and that their scouting really isn't all-world. I also don't think that "odds are" Delmon Young will have a breakout season. He's had over 1800 plate appearances in the major leagues, his defense is still awful, and he's shown no type of power whatsoever in the major leagues. That doesn't mean he can't get better, since he's only 24, but I would say that he's probably going to end up being the same player he is. The only reason the Sox have to worry about the Twins is because they are good. They play good defense but traded their best defensive player away for a good shortstop in Hardy, they have 2 very good hitters in Mauer and Morneau, and have several other players who are good but not great in Kubel, Cuddyer, and Span. If anything, it seems like you are giving the Twins far too much credit. They have just as many question marks as the White Sox do, but I would say the Sox main problem - the lineup - can be fixed pretty easily. I would say the Sox are a heavy favorite to win the division, even with a poor offense.

QUOTE (MattZakrowski @ Jan 16, 2010 -> 07:31 PM) It's too bad we couldn't lock up Quentin long term while he's cheap. I don't think Quentin is injury prone, but he needs to put up atleast one season without getting injured before you consider signing him long-term.

QUOTE (zenryan @ Jan 15, 2010 -> 07:17 PM) I have a feeling Leach is telling the truth about this. Craig James is going to look real bad when the dust settles. and is going to lose his job at both ESPN and ABC, along with any other major affiliate. Craig James is going to become a nobody beyond this season, especially when calls get traced to his cell phone at the exact times that Leach said they were. I still say Leach comes out smelling like roses in this, and he goes on to coach a C-USA or Big East program that needs help. As a semi-Orange fan, I hope he ends up there, because he could run the table in the Big East each and every year.

QUOTE (beck72 @ Jan 16, 2010 -> 06:20 AM) The Sox need someone who can get on base and hit for power vs RHP at DH. Esp. seeing how PK can't hit RHP, the sox can't afford to have a power vacuum at DH 3/4 of the time. It's idiotic the sox say they are considering Jones/ Kotsay/ Vizquel for that spot. Carlos Delgado makes sense. He'd be cheap, and mashes RHP. He also is a 2nd half hitter--something the sox could use in the months of July and Aug. As Delgado is coming back from injury and may need some extra time to come back, the could use their "rotating DH" and get Delgado some rest as well early in the season Carlos Delgado makes sense, a player the Sox front office attempted to acquire but was turned down by said player because he refused to play for an American team - until it was necessary when the Jays wouldn't resign him - yet Jim Thome, who has spent the past 4 seasons here putting up perfectly good numbers doesn't make sense. Makes sense to me. Or, seems to me, you are coming up with names the White Sox haven't had before and you just don't want to say "Jim Thome makes sense" even though you know he does. It's not exciting and not someone new, right? BTW, I consider Carlos Delgado washed up and old, and the Mets do too. The Mets were his former team, and the Sox have absolutely no interest. At this point in time, I'm believing it's Thome or bust.

QUOTE (knightni @ Jan 15, 2010 -> 08:26 PM) Funny that you bring up Brian Anderson. I heard... s***, jokes on him, he plays in Kansas City.

Slusser says the prospect is Eric Sogard. THXROTOWORLD The A's still have enough former Sox. Basically, it's Bay Area or San Diego if you're drafted by Chicago. Probably not a bad thing at this point in time if you're drafted by Chicago if you don't like cold weather, because you're likely to end up somewhere south.

QUOTE (flavum @ Jan 15, 2010 -> 08:23 PM) Only if there is an injury. I don't give any of the NRIs that much of chance. Maybe Threets since he's really the only one competing with Randy Williams for the 2nd lefty in the pen. As far as somebody on the 40-man, I think a surprise could be Sergio Santos only because he's out of options. I think Santos is a favorite to make the roster unless the Sox can find someone who is willing to take on the risk of Santos for either someone who will project well to the MLB roster or a semi-decent or raw prospect who has options and the Sox can try and work on. They just seem to like his arm too much.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 15, 2010 -> 05:31 PM) I don't think there is much of an argument that Peavy is the better pitcher. It still doesn't make him the leader of this staff. Agreed. It's actually a good thing, because I don't think the Sox have ever been that good when Buehrle has been the #1 starter come postseason time. He was the best pitcher during the entire 2005 season, but Contreras was the unquestioned ace of that staff when the playoffs came around.