caulfield12

QUOTE (QuickJones81 @ Dec 8, 2016 -> 09:10 PM) Missed my point. The point was that success in small samples should be taken with a grain of salt. Still plenty of opportunity to go in either direction. If you remove all the Trea Turner statistics against a pretty terrible/outlier of a Braves' team, he starts to look more like an ordinary mortal. His overall numbers being lifted largely through that opponent would cause me to pause in anointing him a superstar just yet. Same with Benintendi's initial success, or Moncada's struggles. Or you could look at someone like Byron Buxton, who struggled/failed repeatedly and has FINALLY just started to figure things out the last couple months of the 2016 season.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 8, 2016 -> 08:52 PM) If they succeed during a call up, they are the next Gordon Beckham. If they fail, they suck. Oh Soxtalk. And even if you initially succeed, you can STILL end up "failing" or at least falling off significantly. Look at Puig and even Abreu for two examples. That's why I'm really hoping Tim Anderson continues to progress and doesn't have typical the sophomore slump. Game of adjustments...and he's made them every step along the way, SO FAR.

The last two or three months of the 2018 season will be key. How close are you to contending? Do you "jump start" the rush for competitiveness by spending into that huge 2018-19 market...or patiently wait it out another year and then really set yourself up even better for 2020-2022/23 (see the rush to sign Robertson two years ago)? Left unspoken is the obvious point that a huge name like Harper/Machado/Donaldson, etc., can basically be signed with a backloaded deal with money essentially being "borrowed" against the new broadcasting rights/t.v. deal. Then the question becomes for those running the team whether the franchise has MORE value with a huge marquee name added (thus securing an even better media rights deal), or whether they're better off allocating that money in the traditional White Sox way of contracts under 5 years and definitely under $100 million.

QUOTE (bmags @ Dec 8, 2016 -> 08:07 PM) I know we've been burned like crazy but still feel most comfortable leaving 1b power hitter as the position we find in FA It's easy enough with money and/or a deep farm system. The problem is when you're trying to find a "high quality" DH on a 50 cent budget, you end up with band-aids and quick fixes and reclamation projects (see Morneau). As usual, the rotating DH (to rest 4-5 regulars) would be another idea, but perhaps is not idea for a young team. It would work better with veterans in their early to mid 30's, like Yankees teams over the past 2-3 years.

The key here is that catching spot, and CF. Can Collins play it well enough...and not impact a young pitching staff from a defensive/leadership standpoint in a negative way? We'll find out soon enough, because he's going to spend time with a lot of those young pitchers before they reach the big leagues. We've seen with Eaton, Cain and Heyward the value that the market is playing on DRS/WAR now (and also the difference between Eaton/DeAza/Rios/Pods in CF vs. on a corner). If the White Sox can develop Basabe (big if) or bring in another version in Cameron, then that solves your four main pieces to the puzzle, and you can address the corners much more easily. In reality, CF and catcher has been an issue for half a decade now...and CF, much longer. And with AJ, you lived with the defensive shortcomings because he made up for it offensively and with gamesmanship, for most of his White Sox career. Fwiw, Tucker was playing CF in the Quad Cities this summer and looked pretty natural/fluid in the few balls hit to him, but he's not Devon White out there either.

You better be 100% right on Bregman if you do that, obviously. Too risky, to me. I'd prefer to get that package of 4-5 guys, you have a Cameron and a Basabe together in the system, the odds are greatly increased that you're going to hit on at least one of them. Of course, as part of that trade you still have guys like AJ Reed/Tucker/Martes, etc. Putting all your eggs in one basket is risky in investing, and it's the same for prospects.

Moncada? Unless we made the greatest under the radar trade for Manny and stashed him at Charlotte. That, or dreams of 2018 FA market, haha.

Have spent about six months over the last decade in the Phils, mostly Manila and Cebu...just sent this photo essay to one of my friends who said she was originally in favor of Duterte (they're from same hometown, Davao.). She's VERY Catholic, as well. Interested to hear her reaction/s.

After reading story after story about Goldman Sachs/Obama/Clinton speeches...now roughly half of his nominees have direct or indirect connections there. Not to mention those same 2-3 big banks are the ones primarily responsible for pushing the Dow Jones to record numbers since the election.

http://www.avclub.com/article/right-wing-c...dc-pizza-246891 Just this last week, you have the Pizzagate alt-right conspiracy gun nut situation. That did result in the son of a Trump nominee getting the boot, but it could have turned out much worse if not for quick intervention. I do think we're not far away from the point where an Alec Baldwin or Tina Fey or even the woman who came out very directly in an "in your face" way (for wasting time on Twitter) against Trump on Twitter is attacked (her name was made public very quickly). And then you have the reverse side, people seeking fame/attention/notoriety from attacking Trump online and drawing his return fire. Both are not positive developments, obviously. You're still having these headline-grabbing stories every week...this time, the NYC hijab attack by a group of drunken idiots. http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/08/opinions/fre...itis/index.html On Trump's effect on free speech...Boeing losing $1 billion in market value due to tweets on Air Force One contract is yet another example

QUOTE (Two-Gun Pete @ Dec 8, 2016 -> 07:32 AM) While I believe you're correct, in that there is ZERO reason to rush them/EVERY reason to max out their controllable years, be prepared for morons in the media and moron fans to b**** about how they "want to see Moncada and Giolito play" right away. This will be especially true if any of them show anything in Spring Training; historically, this front office has been suckered by spring training performances. For my part, Id be ok with any of the new acquisitions not making their debuts for the Sox until they're not only "ready," but DOMINATING down in Charlotte, and they force a move up. http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=2...22&sid=l122

Zunino? Or the Mariners are going to give him one more chance?

They can't go with both Smith and Narvaez when they're breaking in Fulmer, Burdi, Giolito and Lopez. They'll need at least one veteran "mentor" type...as there's almost zero likelihood either of those guys are capable of taking 75-80% of the playing time offensively, and in this case defense is even more important to protect the young pitchers' confidence.

The Padres are projected to be paying over $30 million to players on other teams this year...might even be more than their own players. Wil Myers could be the only one over $1 million barring a trade.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/gop-sets-clo...-162900269.html 7 1/2 years later, GOP still without a realistic replacement for ObamaCare

Jose Bautista (depending on money and has to be a one year deal) Pedro Alvarez Wellington Castillo (not sure about his pitch framing) Ryan Hanigan Jarrod Dyson Chris Carter Boone Logan (especially if Jennings is traded) Greg Holland (depending on money) Derek Holland Doug Fister Robbie Ray Colby Lewis Yasiel Puig (well, just because) Chase Utley

Let's not overlook that especially Jennings...but also Petricka and Putnam could have some value as veteran trade deadline acquisitions by contenders. Jennings, as an additional selling point, doesn't have the relatively big contract like Duke did for a loogy.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Dec 7, 2016 -> 09:22 PM) The local Union president for the Indiana Carrier workers dared to criticize trump for misrepresenting the situation today. The president elect took to Twitter to publicly and directly insult the man. That man is now receiving death threats. This is how authoritarianism takes hold. Silence all critics, make it clear that anyone who speaks up will face retribution. http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/201...ltitasking.html Didn't hear the part about the death threats until now... Just talked to Chuck: "He needs to worry about getting his cabinet filled and leave me the hell alone."https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/806660011904614408 …://https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump...0011904614408 … Chuck, a union leader in Indianapolis, says he is now getting death threats. https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/806660011904614408 …://https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump...0011904614408 … http://www.islandpacket.com/news/politics-...e119594213.html

QUOTE (iamshack @ Dec 7, 2016 -> 11:25 PM) I think they're trying to replicate the Royals model. THE OPPOSITE, THOUGH IN TERMS OF PRICING STRATEGY That model was predicated on scrap heap signings (Blanton/Wang/Chris Young/Madson), being cabled together with an impressive core of arms developed internally. Hochevar was a high profile starting failure, then 6th-7th inning guy...but they obviously hit big with Herrera as a Latin American signing and then Wade Davis in the James Shields trade. Not to mention having a veteran closer in Holland. So you had only Holland who was semi-expensive, and Davis who's finally NOW getting to $10 million in his final year before hitting free agency but was a bargain at the time. That whole time, KC never had a "lock down lefty," going with guys like Tim Collins and Morales. They added Strahm this year, but Soria's high profile struggles pretty much cancelled anything he did out, and then Davis and obviously Holland were both hurt.

QUOTE (2005thxfrthmmrs @ Dec 8, 2016 -> 12:28 AM) Here's the thing - if you don't take the Nats offer, you are in a lose lose situation. That's why the deal had to be made, regardless if it was pitching heavy. 1. You aren't going to find a better offer for Eaton than the one you got, take the best offer, regardless of position, we did not yet have a surplus of pitching 2. His value is at an all time high, his playing style is more prone to injuries. What if you hold on to him and he gets injured or he could not repeat the season he had? 3. If you don't trade him when the offer is right, the other fans will b**** about this being a half ass rebuild, no one should be off-limits yaddy yaddy yadda. There's no way Eaton is more than a 3-4 WAR (assuming he stays healthy) if he plays CF anything like he did in Chicago. It's shocking they were so willing to gamble on him going back to that spot (and sure, they can move him to RF when Harper is gone in two years)...that they didn't analyze a lot of video from 2014 (when he played the position pretty well, except for erratic throwing) to 2015 (terrible everything, complete loss of confidence) is unfathomable. It's almost like the whole Alex Rios in CF vs. RF thing. To gamble your job (in the case of Rizzo, especially if Lopez/Giolito both burn him or Eaton gets injured) on Adam is pretty crazy/desperate/nutty to me. That's not even taking into account his "mixed history" from AZ and then all the Drake LaRoche/pro-Sale and anti-KW stuff in 2016 and a few of his Twitter outbursts. Just too many things could go wrong.

QUOTE (Leonard Zelig @ Dec 8, 2016 -> 12:21 AM) I think you all are too hung up on rankings. They are all based on opinion, so they really don't mean anything. They mean more for college basketball recruiting, but, sure...inexact science. (This comes from someone who had to be contented as a University of Iowa fan occasionally turning 2-3 star recruits, and even walk-ons like Dallas Clark, into NFL/NBA players...and one McDonald's All-American every decade was like a miracle from heaven.) On the other hand, they were pretty darned accurate for the Cubs. Despite all the hype and PR, the only one who was expected to be a regular player who hasn't made it is Soler, and that's partially based on injuries/not being able to stay healthy, and the other half on performance. Dick Allen has gone through the 1st round draft picks, Top 10's and BA Top 100 lists a number of times here (listing them out by year or decade), and there's a tremendous bust ratio outside of the Top 3-5 picks, and, even then, you can look at Gordon Beckham's draft class or Aiken/Kolek to see the inherent risk, even in drafting in the Top 5. White Sox fans only need to hear the names Jon Rauch and Joe Borchard, lol.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Dec 8, 2016 -> 12:02 AM) I think people also forgot how good this past draft class was and that we're finally bearing fruits from our Latin American operations. Our A-Ball outfields will likely consist of Basabe, Call, Fisher, Adolfo, Rodriguez, & Schnurbusch. While none of those guys are top 100 prospects, they collectively represent quite a bit of talent. And there are plenty of other interesting positional prospects in the low minors like Nunez, Cruz, Curbelo, & Zangari. Anyways, my point is simply that the cupboard isn't nearly as barren as some here are making it out to be. Obviously we still need to add some guys who are closer to the show if we want to accelerate this rebuild, but we're finally starting to see some real positional depth in the lower minors. Not to mention that all those players will finally have an assembly of talent together on one team, and instead of them being promoted individually...the front office will start thinking more carefully about building a "winning tradition" in the minors and moving them together more strategically, rather than just rushing/challenging them or whatever the system was before. Forcing them to fail so they could deconstruct them later, but that failure creates doubts in the heads of so many young players when they're so used to success. Brian Anderson, for example, could never adjust once the game actually got difficult and more cerebral and less physical at the major league level. (Partying all the time didn't help, either.) This "wave after wave" approach is one that has a lot of merit, and one you could clearly see paying off for teams that had 2-3 "top prospects" bunched together at each level of the organization...those teammates learned how to trust each other, how to play the game in a fundamentally correct way and how to win together, so they weren't just thrown together like the island of misfit toys and expected to gel at the major league level, where coaching/instruction tends to take a back seat and you're thrown directly into the great blue ocean to "sink or swim" without a lifeline.

QUOTE (Dam8610 @ Dec 8, 2016 -> 12:00 AM) Well, Moncada is no longer with the Red Sox, so that makes sense. Are people really this influenced by a ML cup of coffee at 21? If so, hopefully they can get Reed/Martes/Fisher/Tucker for Q. There's absolutely no way Moncada moves out of the Top 10 based on looking bad over a week's worth of games against offspeed stuff. Byron Buxton had more ups and downs than that (in 2014 and 15), and barely wavered in his ranking. It almost feels like the only way that happens is if Sox prospects get automatically downgraded for having White Sox next to their names. Giolito, it's a little more reasonable to expect a slide...because he did suffer a pretty pronounced velocity drop over a sustained period of games, and his ERA/peripherals were more or less terrible (other than results from off-speed pitches). Someone like AJ Reed (if he's still even eligible for the lists, don't you go off with 130 AB's for 50 IP?), that's a bit more understandable when you saw him slide, or Gallo, previously.

The best way to look at those two deals is as a combination. Q or Eaton wasn't enough to pry lose Moncada, who was apparently the only "untouchable" (along with Urias, Bregman, Turner, Benintendi) on the market. For all we know, if Moncada goes 12/20 and becomes an integral part of the line-up down the stretch for Boston, he would have been untouchable as well. Those 12 k's in 20 at-bats might have changed the fortunes of two organizations quite dramatically. If Hahn turned down the Giolito/Lopez/Robles/Dunning deal (as confirmed by the Washington Post)...it's only because he knew there was no way to get one of those two key (Moncada or Benintendi) players from Boston, but he also had the knowledge he would get everyone he REALLY wanted in the two combined deals except for Devers and Robles. So instead of looking at it as two individual/distinct trades, I'll always see it as those two key pieces for a "package" of 7 guys which was only available in that "one-two" punch. It's also quite possible the position players that Hahn is targeting are going to come from the Astros, Dodgers, etc., for Q, and he feels quite confident the framework is basically in place to make a move in the next 6-7 months. Not to mention the fact that any contender losing a starting pitcher to a season-ending injury is automatically going to be in a desperate position to be raked over the coals (that said, would prefer they trade Q now as well, as long as they get a fair price, before spring training). It's going to be tempting not to glance frequently at ESPN or BR and watch what Benintendi, Devers and Robles are doing, but it's kind of one of those situations like when you've already bought or sold a stock...monitoring the day to day price after you've already sold will simply drive you crazy. (Plus, that's for the messageboards to do!)

The Yankees are insane. Next, they'll be taking Robertson back again (well, they already tried that once, if not twice)... And how exactly are the Marlins planning to compete this year without Fernandez? It's almost like they're contemplating this upcoming season and competing for the playoffs as if he's still a member of the team. Weird.