caulfield12

Think Alexei doesn't hear the footsteps with Saladino and Sanchez around? They're all seemingly pushing each other now to make better and better plays, not unlike when Omar Vizquel was playing 3B in 2010. Maybe that's the one thing Alexei needs the most, some competition around him. Because when Micah was playing 2B, it seems to infect the rest of the team like a virus but all of a sudden the whole team's playing much more focused baseball. Maybe it's the pressure of the deadline, of losing Samardzija as a teammate, but there's definitely a new dynamic at play recently.

That makes a lot more sense, Atlanta has to be getting someone more helpful than Morse when they move Wood. Olivera's on the OKC DL, but this is clearly a long-term move for them at 3B. It's crazy how the Dodgers can just go out and stockpile all these Cubans like Olivera, Guerrera and Arruebarrena and then use them as trade chips right and left.

So Cashner/Ross/Shields are the big pitching names right now, other than Price/Hamels? The Yankees could really use Hamels to solidify their playoff chances, but do they have the minor league pieces? Cardinals one of the few teams in baseball that can survive so many injuries...due to their farm system. Red Sox were really interested in Zach Wheeler, fwiw. Boston also hoping to deal Napoli...who's an 805 OPS guy against LHP. From 2012-2014, an 851 OPS against LHP. Good match for the White Sox there?

The Dodgers must be paying all of Morse's salary, because the rebuilding Braves with Freeman at 1B don't have much need for Morse in the OF obviously. Doubt Puig would be going anywhere without Teheran, because Wood's given up quite a few more hits than IP and has a relatively pedestrian 3.54 ERA in the NL. LA surely thought about Price/Hamels/Samardzija and decided to go with packages that would protect their Top 3-4 prospects instead...while solidifying their bullpen with some additional experience. It's not a "hey world, look at me" move like the Jays for Tulo, but it's giving you two innings eaters and reliable arms for the back end. Wood's only 24 years old.

But A. Garcia is leading the AL in outfield assists!

Three hits again today (another homer) after being the hero for the White Sox last night. We should send him a playoff share if we make it, along with one for A-Rod (KW would be happy to deliver that personally). Fwiw, the Pirates have been really shrewd with budget-conscious acquisitions like Russell/Volquez/Liriano two years ago, then Cervelli and Kang as well this year.

QUOTE (SouthSideSale @ Jul 29, 2015 -> 02:12 PM) Montas is ready to be the Brandon McCarthy 2005 version ten years later. Brandon really saved the Sox with a handful of starts that year, especially memorable was one against the Red Sox.

QUOTE (shysocks @ Jul 29, 2015 -> 02:09 PM) Or they just want him to keep getting regular AB's. Well, there's no compelling need to bring him up if he's just going to sit on the bench and there's one more month of games left at Charlotte. He'll obviously get called up in September, and playing time will depend on Saladino/Alexei (if they feel the need to try out Sanchez or Saladino at SS for awhile) and where we are at in the race.

They're seemingly determined not to have Micah Johnson set foot anywhere near the MLB defense for now. And/or they're looking to trade him, but who knows with KW and his penchant for dealing prospects...

Apparently word is going out that the Tigers are now again willing to listen on Price, Cespedes, Soria, Rajai Davis and Avila. Not sure about Kinsler...he hasn't had that great of a season, so probably if the right offer came along for him as well.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Jul 29, 2015 -> 01:52 PM) Bowden says the Tigers are now listening to offers on Cespedes and the Twins are a possible destination. If they're willing to trade in division that could be something to look at, maybe. Supposedly the Twins are looking to deal Arcia for relief help...not sure if the Tigers would still perceive Oswaldo as a potential starter or not.

QUOTE (shysocks @ Jul 29, 2015 -> 01:49 PM) Yeah you'd really have to be going for it to go after him. He'd take a package a step above Bruce's and two steps above Cargo's. All you have to do is undo the Sergio Santos deal for Molina...that would probably be easier.

QUOTE (SouthSideSale @ Jul 29, 2015 -> 01:43 PM) Cespedes from Detroit in a three way deal maybe like the Peavy one. I've thrown out Chris Davis as another name maybe even Nelson Cruz if Seattle eats his contract. Unfortunately the Tigers won't trade Cespedes to us and the Orioles are in the same situation leading us for the WC. Rajai Davis or Avila at least would have been worth considering, especially with McCann obviously the heir-apparent at catcher for next year. Rusney Castillo was essentially just given two months to win the 2016 RF job with the trading of Victorino. Who's left? Holt, Nava, Allen Craig? If we can't come up with something better than Craig, ouch.

It's amusing that for the last week the talk about the White Sox has been as if Rick Hahn didn't even exist. Like he's lower than Jed Hoyer now and there's no pretending he's calling the shots anymore. All of these NL names like Puig, CarGo, Bruce, Kemp, Carlos Gomez keep coming up...isn't there an AL version of those names? Still think if you're going to take the risk of hamstringing our future payrolls you need to find players who can defend as well as hit...there's not thing worse than a bad contract on a veteran (see Hanley Ramirez) who can't at least offset his hitting with solid defense.

So are we happy that Verlander's actually starting to pitch as well as he has in the last two years? That start might have been enough to give them confidence that Verlander and Price can hold them in it...it's three consecutive pretty good starts, the velocity's a lot better, the curveball wasn't as strong but that's always a feel pitch and will return eventually as long as he's got the crispness on his hard stuff.

What the hell was Nunez doing there? Twins playing really tentatively now...maybe playing not to lose, worried about making the out at 3rd and almost got caught in between. Hurdle with the quick hook, let's hope he doesn't wait until it's a tie game to utilize Melancon this time.

Twins' not playing 2000's brand of defense. Should only be a 6-3 lead if not for Rosario misplaying the ball in RF and then a terrible throw from Dozier that skipped into the dugout or crowd. Of course, a 7-3 lead disappeared in a heartbeat last night thanks to Watson.

QUOTE (Lip Man 1 @ Jul 29, 2015 -> 12:54 PM) In all fairness, it was more to point out the lack of playoff appearances from 1959 on (which is basically zero until you get to 1983) and the relative lack of success (although still better than the 60's and 70's) under Reinsdorf. For those who don't know, from 1960 through 1967 the White Sox had a winning season. Between 1963 and 1965 they AVERAGED 94 wins a year. I'd take that in a heartbeat today. Unfortunately for the Sox it came at a time when only one team got to the World Series from each league, there were no expanded playoffs. But I'd argue the Sox had tremendous success in the 1960's. Mark Yeah, I guess that gets lost....those Fox/Aparacio/Pierce teams (Minoso as well?) in the fact that Hawk's obsessed with 1967 (Red Sox in him coming out) and the four teams being tied down the stretch and how the White Sox offense struggled to score that season.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jul 29, 2015 -> 09:34 AM) The context is all there. You are keep trying to pull back to generations earlier and use it against the team, but then try to claim that you aren't using as a reason for 2015. It is trying to have it both ways. It is really obvious, even if you don't want to admit it. I honestly don't think you will ever be able to have a "reasonable" conversation on this topic, because the grudge and anger here seem to run really deep, which is why the same posts about 35 and 55 years ago keep coming up over and over and over again in so many other topics and threads. Referring back to the 1960's/70's/80's fan bases, in multiple conversations about attendance in 2015, but trying to claim they weren't about attendance in 2015 is disingenuous at best. You can rant and get angry all you want, but the point you were trying to make is obvious, even as you retreat from it because you see how absurd it is. If you didn't want to make the point, you wouldn't have mentioned it in the first place in the context that you did. In all fairness, it was more to point out the lack of playoff appearances from 1959 on (which is basically zero until you get to 1983) and the relative lack of success (although still better than the 60's and 70's) under Reinsdorf. On one hand, JR has worked miracles, if you want to compare it to the previous two decades. On the other, if you compare it with all the teams in baseball history, we're going to end up in the bottom 3rd in terms of recent success and definitely historical playoff/postseason success. Actually, you could probably argue the opposite point. That winning the World Series in 2005 took some of the interest and pressure off fans who had waited a whole lifetime and they went back to normal lives and families, much as a lot of the old posters at SoxTalk and WSI disappeared. Of the oldest franchises, it's hard to think of one besides maybe the Cleveland Indians with a less successful track record. And even the Indians had that amazing run in the 90's with all those consecutive sellouts at Jacobs Field. Basically, from 1994-2002. Of course, it didn't end in a World Series title, but that was one of the best teams ever not to win one.

If we're going for utility infielders, can we at least add one who's already familiar with the AL Central?

http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/splits/_/id/30196/mat-latos If we're going to worry about Puig's last month or CarGo's last 28 at-bats, then the Dodgers are definitely paying attention to the June and July stats of Latos. He's got at least 2 MPH of velocity back on his FB of late as well. 45.2 IP, 33 H, 15 ER, 9 BB, 43 K's, 2.96 ERA BAA of .224 and .159 Last 7 starts. 6.5 innings per start. Allowing less than one baserunner per inning, which is always a good thing.

QUOTE (Swingandalongonetoleft @ Jul 29, 2015 -> 09:39 AM) Hopefully for a bus ticket to send LaRoche far from here. What are we going to buy with LaRoche besides some salary relief?

QUOTE (fathom @ Jul 29, 2015 -> 09:40 AM) Rangers, Cubs, Astros, Red Sox, Dodgers, Giants Keep forgetting about the Cubs. Are they coming off the "Starling Castro will net us any pitcher we want" routine and throwing out some legit prospects like McKinney, Gleyber Torres, Edwards, Almora, etc.?

Which suitors are left for Hamels? Yankees? Blue Jays? Twins in a shocker? Rangers? Astros? Cardinals? Giants? With how well Latos has been pitching recently, they're not forced to jump into the market for another pitcher...although they'll be happy to take another one at desperation sell prices (see Shields) on the 31st.

Which suitors are left for Hamels? Yankees? Blue Jays? Twins in a shocker? Rangers? Astros? Cardinals? Giants?