caulfield12

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ May 5, 2014 -> 07:26 AM) Then what player drafted had no injury concern? You draft the player your scouts tell you will be the best player at #3. Being afraid to draft a Scott Boras advised player with really not a lot of leverage that makes much sense is silly. Except you're dealing with multiple variables or factors. On paper, Rodon would SEEM to be the higher risk, just like all the teams assumed that Sale (or even Danish) would be. In reality, the Strasburgs/Priors/Hoffmans get hurt just as often, seemingly. Or someone like Jake Peavy, with a very violent delivery. You're not going to like my answer, but I'm going to defer to Cooper and PTAC and Schneider on this and make a calculated guess. On one hand, the almost 100% certainty that we wouldn't be able to keep Rodon after Year 6. On the other, the fact that the recent injury concern/s make Hoffman a much easier signing and allow you to allocate even more money for later selections. Of course, all things being equal, you take Rodon. But all things certainly aren't equal here. Of course, were the White Sox to select Hoffman with these recent shoulder injury concerns hanging over his head, and were he to get seriously injured within the next 12-18 months, they'd look quite stupid. And yet on some recent draft boards, he's still going in the Top 5 (Twins). At this point, I'd actually prefer to take the guessing out of it and eliminate Hoffman entirely, but we have to wait and let things play out first with the rest of his collegiate season.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ May 5, 2014 -> 06:55 AM) OK I will rephrase, you are taking a player you believe to be a lesser player. Is that OK? Every pitcher is an injury risk. Rodon may be an injury risk. Chris Sale is an injury risk. Should the Sox trade him for prospects you don't believe could be as good as him? Hoffman is clearly an injury risk. The HS guys are injury risks, let alone history of HS pitchers taken this high. They might be Doc Gooden (he had his own problems) they might be Zach Greinke (but it really took 6 years for him to establish himself as a top of the line guy, and then he gets expensive and is gone) they may be Todd Van Poppel or they may be Gavin Floyd (some scouts said he could be in a major league rotation as a HS pitcher). If the Sox pass on Rodon because of signability concerns, the advantage they gained losing 99 games last year is lost. I don't think they will pass if he is still there, but it's all probably moot as I doubt he will be there. He has been the prize since last year. He hasn't been hurt. He still should be the prize. Boras can't negotiate, and the player he is advising has very little leverage if the Sox choose to take him. He could go back to college, but that's not going to happen if he is taken 3rd. Unless Hoffman becomes Verlander II and Rodon is simply another version of Francisco Liriano, tantalizingly talented, but, in the end, flawed. Hoffman has at least two more starts before the draft, the first will be this Friday, if ECU reports are accurate. Of course, there's no guarantee that Rodon/Hoffman both won't fall apart and Mr. Jackson becomes Joe Mauer Jr. with the Cubs.

Gillaspie could be back as early as WED, sending Semien/L.Garcia packing....one or the other, with Keppinger soon to follow.

On the other hand, the White Sox have the opportunity to generate some of their best ticket sales of the year during mid-week games before the school year is out (and that will be severely tested, as we might not even get 30,000), so that's a bonus. Plus, the two teams have not defined themselves yet as being completely hopeless, like if the series was played in mid to late June. There's still SOME optimism out there among Sox fans, especially after the comeback yesterday afternoon. But it's not like knocking off a rebuilding White Sox team is much for a Cubs fan to crow about. If anything, the major prevailing reason of the moment that they might be excited for the series is the opportunity to see Abreu homer.

QUOTE (DirtySox @ May 5, 2014 -> 06:05 AM) One month to the draft. Chris Crawford's updated board is up. http://mlbdraftinsider.com/2014/05/the-board-2014-volume-iv/ Rodon and a high school pitcher at 44. 44 Keith Weisenberg RHP Osceola HS (Fla.) NR Erick Fedde at 27. There's just no way he goes as high as the top five. And, if they do actually take Weisenberg, at least we can make some Breaking Bad references, now and again. Still don't think high school arms is how they'll go in Rd 2, but we'll just have to wait and see. Cubs would be taking Jackson, with Hoffman going to the Twins. Hmmmm....

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ May 5, 2014 -> 04:42 AM) No I haven't. You are advocating knowingly taking a lesser player at #3 so there is more money available for lesser players. It is the same thing as trading Sale for prospects. Quantity over quality. If you are so concerned the Sox will draft a bust at #3 the chances only get greater they choose a bust later in the draft. As of now, the only player to appear in the major leagues for the Sox in the 2009 draft is Josh Phegley. How can anyone know that before the year 2018 or 2019? Lesser ranked today by a preponderance of scouts means absolutely nothing tomorrow. There are a ton of scouts at the time of that draft who thought Mitchell had all the tools to be a wonderful player, and he'd proven it at the highest level of collegiate baseball, so it's not like he was one of the draft day wonders with a 52" vertical and 4.23 forty time for an NAIA team. Can we say that every team in baseball believes that Rodon is going to have the best pro career, yet quite a few of those teams will deliberately skip over him (including the Marlins and Astros) and take what THEY KNOW TO BE a lesser player in Aiken or Kolek? By definition, aren't the collegiate pitchers and hitters going to rank higher than the high school players, since 98% of the time collegiate players are much more polished and closer to the big league level at the time of the draft? Can you state with 100% certainty that Rodon will be a better player than either Hoffman or Jackson when looking back 5-10 years from now? Look no further than the Prior/Mauer situation. Everyone in baseball believed Prior was a once in a generation pitcher with repeatable mechanics. Or Strasburg from that draft. Or Bryce Harper. Doesn't guarantee anything. You're just as likely to end up with a talented enigma like JD Drew or Colby Rasmus as a franchise cornerstone. And even if you draft Harper/Strasburg, you can't guarantee their health. Looking at all the sliders Rodon has thrown already in his career, would you be surprised at all if he goes through TJ surgery? And for a pitcher we'll only control for six years, when you're staring right in the face losing 1 1/2 of those 6 due to surgery and recovery time, is he really the clear choice, and why is that?

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/pit/barry-...p;vkey=news_pit Million Dollar Arm movie coming out on May 16th....above is the update for Rinku Singh's career (with the Pirates' organization) and where it stands now (had a very solid season in the SAL in 2012, mostly as a reliever, went through a series of injuries, missed all of 2013 and is attempting a comeback in extended spring training in Bradenton). The other one, Dinesh Patel, hasn't played professionally since 2010. Positive reviews from The Hollywood Reporter and Variety http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movie/mil...m/review/697908 http://variety.com/2014/film/reviews/film-...arm-1201167439/ For what it's worth, after reading the book, I think the closest thing we're going to find to replicating the pitching motion (PTAC could back this up) of a baseball pitcher is Olympic javelin throwers.

QUOTE (BigHurt3515 @ May 4, 2014 -> 11:12 PM) Can't read it. Not a "Plus" member Try copying the title of the article into google...that always works for me here in China. https://www.dailyherald.com/article/2014050...0509287/photos/ For some reason, I can't get the Arlington Daily Herald website to open, but here's "State of the Sox, At a Glance" http://www.dailyherald.com/article/2014050...orts/140509287/ Gillaspie could rejoin the White Sox when the interleague series shifts to the South Side on Wednesday. (which means Semien will be going back down, in all likelihood, followed by Garcia when Keppinger's ready) Jose Abreu He's in a mild 4-for-21 slump (9 strikeouts), but Abreu hit his major-league leading 12th home run Sunday. Cubs pitchers would be wise to pepper Abreu with sliders and change-ups off the outside part of the plate. If you throw the Sox' new first baseman a fastball in nearly any location, he's going to hit it hard. Bullpen This was a shaky unit over the first three weeks of the season, but the bullpen has settled down while allowing just 10 earned runs in the last 49⅔ innings. You probably remember Zach Putnam when he was with the Cubs last season, but he's not the same guy that had an 18.90 ERA in five games. Since coming up from Class AAA Charlotte and joining the White Sox on April 17, Putnam has allowed just 2 earned runs on 11⅓ innings (1.59 ERA). Scott Carroll You'll see him Thursday at the Cell, and you're likely to see why he is the Sox' best starter despite having just 2 major-league outings under his belt. (a bit of hyperbole with that one, I don't think you will see Rick Hahn handing him a contract extension just yet...or one month from now, for that matter.) Carroll, a 29-year-old rookie and former college quarterback, works fast, throws strikes and has a nasty sinker. Abreu has had the biggest impact in the early going, but the good-natured Carroll is the White Sox' best story.

“To be honest with you, I’m tired of battling it for 21/2 to three weeks when I don’t have the legs I need to have,’’ Eaton said Saturday. “As much as I hate to be on the rack not helping anybody, your legs need a rest, and you need to take care of some stuff. That’s the [reality] of it.’’ Eaton’s gung-ho style doesn’t always lend itself to good long-range health, but the leg injuries were more from running hard and misfortune than recklessness. He has stopped diving head-first into first base at management’s behest, but he’s not about to stop crashing into walls to make plays in center field. “You don’t want to reel him in,’’ manager Robin Ventura said. “You do if you see something wrong. But the way he plays is the way he plays. That’s part of the attractiveness of him. You like that kind of player, and that’s what makes him good. You don’t want to take that away from a guy.’’ Eaton said he has contemplated scaling it back, but not for long. “I’m no good on the DL, I understand that,’’ he said. “It’s definitely something that runs through my head. But this [injury] has nothing to do with playing hard. It’s baseball; things happen. You can say this about any injury. Chris [sale] shouldn’t throw 92 in the eighth inning? That’s baseball.’’ “It’s a byproduct of his style,’’ first base and outfielders coach Daryl Boston said. “Eventually, he’ll grow into when he can and can’t do those things, but right now we just have to let the guy play. He’s the energy we’ve lacked in the past. He’s already given the clubhouse a boost, and I’m not going to ask him to back off. “He’s a dimension and presence we need at the plate and on defense. We need him on the field.’’ from suntimes.com/sports (Van Schoewen)

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseb...0,1739372.story Well, I should have expected a Cubs' (former Sox) beat writer to spend 70-75% of his total line space on the Cubs. Well, it's their home games, so have at it. Didn't mention anything about Semien, Erik Johnson (counted to be the 4th starter or possibly 3rd for the next five years) or Davidson. In addition, the improvement of Flowers merits a mention, as well as Dunn (if for nothing else but trade return value). Finally, Conor Gillaspie, when healthy, has been a huge bright spot in the early going, helping to provide more balance to the line-up.

QUOTE (Benchwarmerjim @ May 4, 2014 -> 08:37 PM) You might want to look at Dozier's numbers a little closer. Dozier is pretty good with the glove. Plouffe was the one who seemed to make more errors than Dozier, although it's hard to compare a "pure" SS in error totals, like a Florimon, to a 2B/3B type. For me, I think part of the issue with the Twins is comparing them to the model of a decade ago.....with Mientkiewicz, Rivas, Guzman and Koskie at 3rd. That might be one of the best defensive infields of all-time. So while the Twins might be closer to "solid/average," it feels disappointing because we're so used to them catching everything and making every right play in terms of fundamentals, never letting up against the opponent and waiting for them to make a mistake. 90% of the time, the White Sox would beat themselves. That said, the 2002-2004 and 2006 Twins teams really were extremely talented and a lot of fun to watch, even as a hated rival/opponent. I kind of miss those days, because, as a fan, I could always argue to myself that "they lucked out again" when Hocking or LeCroy or Blanco or Lew Ford beat us inexplicably. With Scherzer/Verlander/Cabrera, etc., they're just better. These recent Twins' teams don't have the lockdown bullpens, the overall athleticism in the OF (that will change with Buxton and if Hicks ever figures it out at the major league level) and, of course, the pitching combination of Radke/Santana/Liriano.

QUOTE (Ozzie Ball @ May 4, 2014 -> 10:22 PM) Ravelo "In the team photo" last week: http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/pros...s-for-top-spot/ And from the associated chat (with Josh Norris): http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/pros...h-norris-may-2/ Honestly, what credible commentator is going to answer "yes" to that question? It's like the articles saying the Rangers are doomed to have a "bad" Prince Fielder for the rest of his contract. Now if it's a pitcher with dramatically reduced stuff or changed mechanics, like Sabathia, that's an entirely different question than a hitter struggling for a month or two.

QUOTE (raBBit @ May 4, 2014 -> 10:06 PM) This would hurt the attendance. Pitchers would become more dominant and hitters would hit even less homers. We all know how the era prior to the current did with all the home runs. There has been a lot of talk about all of the idiosyncratic crap the players do and the dragging games but I'm not sure how that could be handled effectively. I really think baseball just lacks the stars/public interests it used to have. Baseball has become more wildly profitable in the last 20 years, but not necessarily more popular. Part of it is simply the fact that live sports t.v. programming/content is much more lucrative than ever before, compared to the costs of producing a television series, unless it's a reality show with a much lower cost basis. I think the split is something like 46% currently have their favorite as the NFL, 32% for MLB. In Chicago, it's even more dramatic in favor of the NBA and Blackhawks over the White Sox for the moment, because of the winning teams and playoff appearances. You also have to look at the rise of other sports like MMA, golf (with Tiger Woods in his prime) and NASCAR. Then you have to look at the demographics as well, with MLB trending towards older/male fans, NBA mostly twenty-forties, and NHL/NFL attracting almost universally across families, particularly teams like the Bears or Packers. Even when teams like the Hawks play in the Stanley Cup, it's quite common that the entire family becomes emotionally-involved, whereas younger/teenagers girls are often turned off by the pace of baseball, compared to NBA/NHL (violence)/NFL. Part of it's the traditional/conservative/historic nature of the sport itself, as well.

QUOTE (greg775 @ May 4, 2014 -> 08:41 PM) It's too expensive to go to a ballgame. There, I said it again. Yes, I know, if you bring your own peanuts and water and stay away from the concession stand it's fine. And I know it's expensive to go to a movie. But for the regular Joe and Jane and their two kids, Jack and Jill, it's too expensive. You can always watch it on TV. I'm glad baseball is being embarrassed by attendance problems. It's just ridiculous what it costs to park a vehicle for a fricking meaningless baseball game. Would you have said the same thing in 2005/06, 2008, 2010 (in the middle of our winning streak) and 2012? Right now, the main reason to come to a White Sox game is simply enjoyment from watching Sale or Abreu. It clearly wasn't a problem in 2006 when almost 3 million tickets were sold. Of course, we have the financial crisis, but it's more than that. And, as Jake pointed out, teams have so many revenue streams that attendance is only 20-25% of the total revenue generated (look at all the diverse properties teams like the Red Sox (especially), Yankees, Dodgers and Rangers are involved with), rather than the traditional 40-60%. That said, I'm sure the front office prognosticators were hoping for 1.6 million, rather than a total attendance number that might realistically come in under 1.5 million. If I was Boyer, I would put all of the marketing power of the organization behind coming out to see Abreu win ROY and/or MVP. In the end, White Sox fans only consistently supporting "great" baseball teams (since the World Series), and so the closest substitute is a great player. Even Quentin alone wasn't enough to move the meter in 2008, and Sale doesn't have nearly the effect on home crowds as say, Greinke when he was with the Royals, Kershaw in LA, Halladay in Toronto, etc. I would also quickly put together an Abreu Bobblehead Day, maybe one for Eaton (if he can prove he can stay healthy for at least a month)...Abreu cap/hat giveaways, t-shirt giveaways, everything centered around Abreu. Along with that, a Cuban flag themed (not the flag itself, but the colors/patterns) t-shirt with Viciedo/Abreu/Ramirez, etc.

It's a great sign when our hitters start feeding off each other with that opposite field doubles/homers approach. Reminiscent of Quentin at his best, as well. Or Beckham in 2008/09, when seemingly every other ball he hit was a hard double up the RCF gap.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ May 4, 2014 -> 07:01 PM) If you think it's only the Sox with an attendance problem, turn on ESPN. Half full Wrigley for a Sunday night Cubs Cards. Baseball is dead in Chicago. Yeah, I noticed going back through all the attendance records that the Cubs had the best attendance in baseball in 2005. Not a coincidence, as the White Sox were also the hottest ticket in Chicago in 2006 and have been sliding backwards ever since that follow-up season.

QUOTE (lord chas @ May 4, 2014 -> 07:13 PM) I expect that some sort of pitch clock will be put in soon. Games just drag too long Plus, the replay system isn't helping matters. Actually, it's just too easy to follow the games by audio, mobile devices, MLB.TV (depending on where you live) and sitting at home with your mammoth flatscreen t.v.

Daniel Haigood, haha? Isn't he related to Corwin Malone? What about Sidd Finch from the Mets' system? I've heard he is better than Wilson, Pulsipher and Isringhausen.

QUOTE (The Mighty Mite @ May 4, 2014 -> 02:57 PM) If he's a butcher, who is our late inning defensive replacement for Tank? Sierra. Theoretically.

QUOTE (robinventura23 @ May 4, 2014 -> 02:49 PM) I wonder if Dunn starts in left at Wrigley. Can't be worse than Jordan Danks, who hits like his brother. I think they have no choice. With the lead in the late innings, you go for the lesser of two evils with Dunn/Viciedo being swapped out for Danks.

What have been the reports on Hanson at Charlotte in terms of stuff/velocity? Seems his last start was a pretty rough one. For now, Rienzo and Carroll seem to be holding their own. The bigger concern is back to Danks again. We already know what we have in Andre, but it will be interesting to see if Carroll can get on a bit of a mini-roll or if he ends up more like Axelrod. Will be rooting for him, as it's a great story.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ May 4, 2014 -> 12:27 PM) The key word in the original post is "Qualifying" offer. That means if he turned it down a team would have to give up a draft pick to sign him. Knowing Illitch/Dombrowski, he will offer him a 2-3 year contract instead of going one year at a time. Even though the qualifying offer would be a much better move at this point in his career, where the bat can go in a matter of weeks/months (see Konerko). And I don't think even Martinez is worth $14-15 million per season as a DH to the Tigers, although they will stupidly offer 3/$30 and feel they're "getting a bargain," especially with Kinsler not insured to be a part of the roster after next season. Then again, seemingly, they can throw money at just about ANY problem. Well, maybe not enough to afford Fister, Scherzer and a top flite bullpen all at the same time.

QUOTE (BigHurt3515 @ May 4, 2014 -> 11:09 AM) We drafted a guy who was at a junior college in the first round last year. There are players drafted out of junior colleges, community colleges, and smaller colleges then Southeast. I know he won't be picked in probably the top 15 rounds, but after I think he will be a great pick up and will be a fun bat to follow.. Not many first basemen our switch hitters who have power from both sides of the plate. Here is what he did in the prospect summer league after his sophomore season: Prospect League Stats Yeah, I know, Sale came out of a tiny school still known more for basketball, and Pujols an even more lesser-known JC program in Kansas City (Maple Woods). It can happen. Will just have to trust the scouts on his hitting potential. Sometimes it's very hard to determine without top-flight competition and playing year-round, like what happened with everyone overlooking Trout tucked away in New Jersey.

28 RBI's for Hawkins, .291 for the year. Saladino coming back to earth for Charlotte, as expected. And Jared Mitchell must be in his very last few weeks in the White Sox organization. Time to move on for both sides. Almost to that point with Keenyn Walker. Keppinger 4/9 so far in BIRM. Actually think it will be nice to get some veteran stability back in Chicago on the bench if he's 100% healthy. Garcia can play everyday in Charlotte and work on his versatility and hitting. They need to decide whether to play Semien or Sanchez at SS, with Saladino and Leury playing all over the field, DH, OF, etc.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 4, 2014 -> 02:15 PM) SoxNet.net ‏@SoxNet 3s The Sox have seen their starting 2B, 3B, RF, CF, #1, #2, and #4 starters, plus their top set up man already spend time on the DL this year. You could even argue that Jones was going to be their closer coming into the spring. It should READ losing the 5 starter to non-performance/injury in Paulino and their 4 starter in Erik Johnson. Not really fair to call EJ or Paulino their legit #2, that would HAVE to be Quintana. Then you can add Keppinger in there as well, not that anything much was expected out of him in 2014.