caulfield12

QUOTE (TaylorStSox @ Oct 6, 2012 -> 06:06 PM) Jenks had some of the best stuff I've ever seen. 100+ FB, 2+Curves, +Slider, +Change and a Cutter. Dude was just flat out unfair. There are too many variables to determine how much of an effect a catcher has from one year to the next. I do know that his pitch calling was predictable and he didn't like to change eye levels enough. He also didn't call for enough pitches in the dirt with 2 strikes. I'm not going to speculate why, but I have a feeling of what it was. He's never been good at blocking pitches...whether it's laziness or just poor technique or a combination of both. The "changing eye level" thing was thrown out there a lot with Addison Reed, as well. Just like changing managers was largely credited as a plus (getting rid of the Ozzie distractions and having a level-headed manager in the Bob Melvin mold), we'll have lots of theories next year if the pitching staff struggles WITHOUT AJ.

QUOTE (TaylorStSox @ Oct 6, 2012 -> 05:56 PM) Jones doesn't get swings and misses on the fastball because he doesn't know how to pitch yet. He needs to elevate it more. AJ's pitch calling isn't helping either. Crain's lost some velocity, but his breaking stuff is nasty when he's on and he can throw it for strikes. We'll see. Remember when Jenks came up in 2005, he didn't know how to pitch yet either but his raw stuff carried the day. Same catcher as today. With AJ likely gone, we'll find out the affect he really had (or didn't) on this pitching staff in 2013, in all likelihood.

QUOTE (kitekrazy @ Oct 6, 2012 -> 09:16 AM) There ya go. Worst collapse belongs to the Rangers. Seems they are going in the direction of trading Kinsler, Cruz, playing Profar and Andrus together....Leonys Martin could be the RFer, that's where they are going to have to worry about losing too much offense. Rios might be interesting for them, as they clearly won't bring back Hamilton now. They have to figure out what to do with Michael Young, as well. They could trade Martin Perez, Olt/Gallo and some combination of Kinsler/Andrus/Cruz to make a super package to get anyone in the game, almost. Napoli could also be an interesting name for the White Sox to consider. By Kevin Sherrington / Columnist [email protected] 11:21 pm on October 5, 2012 | Permalink Too many players make mistakes on this club and shrug them off. Too many guys picked off, too many errors on routine plays, too many bad at bats. If the players won’t police themselves, then, it’s up to the manager. But that’s not Ron Washington’s style, either. He asks a lot of a veteran bunch, with seven on the wrong side of 30 going out day after day after day. Granted, he had an awfully short bench. But when GM Jon Daniels gave him Jurickson Profar and Mike Olt, Washington didn’t take advantage of them. Funny, then, when he sent Profar up to the plate in the ninth against Baltimore’s closer, Jim Johnson, and Profar lines his first pitch the opposite way for a single. The rally ended there, though, as did any other rally Friday the last 18 games. When the Red Sox suffered through a meltdown of their own last season, it cost Terry Francona his job. And he had a couple of World Series titles on his resume. Washington made mistakes this season, the most glaring his blind loyalty to Michael Young. The manager won’t lose his job. The hitting coach, Scott Coolbaugh, may take one for the team, though. Possibly Gary Pettis, too. Hitting and baserunning were not Ranger strengths. Other changes should come, too. The Rangers need to see what Profar can do, and it doesn’t need to come in pinch hit appearances. Bottom line: Ian Kinsler should have taken his last uppercut as a Ranger. In many ways, he symbolizes the Rangers’ woes. A player of vast potential, he didn’t come close to it this season. Too many errors, too many pickoffs, too many shrugs. He has good trade value, though, and his exit opens up a position for Profar. Give Profar a year or two at second, and the club can make an educated guess on what to do when Elvis Andrus’ contract comes up in two seasons. The Rangers need to get younger. They need more pitching, too. Daniels should put together a package of Kinsler and perhaps Martin Perez, maybe even Mike Olt, and see what it brings. Tampa Bay will trade a pitcher this off-season. James Shields? David Price? How about Josh Johnson, a perennial target? They need better production out of first base. They need to make a decision on Young’s role. They need to change their style if they don’t bring Hamilton back. Daniels has plenty of decisions to make in the next few months. The arc of any team, no matter how good, always descends eventually. By any measure of what we’ve seen as the last two seasons have played out, that time has come. He seemed to work the room quite well Friday. Let’s hope it takes.

QUOTE (TaylorStSox @ Oct 6, 2012 -> 05:49 PM) Jones, Crain and Veal have the best "stuff" on the team IMO. Obviously it's subjective though. We're talking starters, though, at least I thought. Jones still has struggled against RHB'ers and while he pitched well in stretches, he also doesn't get nearly as many swings and misses on his fastball as one would expect. He throws a very "light" fastball. You watch lots of other guys throwing 97-100 MPH, they're totally dominant with the fastball alone. Jones can't get away without having a breaking pitch he can get over. Crain's lost something off his fastball from 3-5 years ago, probably due to overuse by the Twins.

QUOTE (The Ultimate Champion @ Oct 6, 2012 -> 02:33 PM) Yeah well my own eyes tell me different so I guess we'll just disagree. Jose pitches to contact & throws fewer pitches. Santiago OTOH pitches for the K and his pitch count shows it, along with his career BB numbers. K total doesn't always correlate to raw stuff. Neither pitcher is really a "stuff" pitcher anyway. Both are deceptive lefthanders. That screwball isn't going to work over a full MLB season, just my opinion, and if Santiago stays here and works a full season as a starter than I certainly hope I'm wrong. If you define "stuff" as someone who consistently pitches at 95+, then you're only going to be talking guys like Scherzer and Verlander. When they're on, Gavin Floyd has the best overall stuff on the staff (and clearly, many would argue a healthy and rested Chris Sale still has the better overall arsenal), but his fastball is about the same velocity as Santiago's. The main difference with Santiago and Quintana is the same thing we've seen with Danks recently, or even Matt Thornton...they have a hard time fooling hitters with the stuff they do have, they don't get nearly as many swings and misses. Lacking a true put-away pitch, Santiago's essentially another Mark Buehrle with a tick faster FB but obviously you need to have pinpoint control to get away with that consistently. Quintana did have an extended string of great pitching, until he faded down the stretch. So is he Humber or Buehrle? Probably something in between. But yeah, one thing that was impressive about Quintana in the first half of his starts was keeping his pitch count so low and not extending the game into the bullpen in the 5th and 6th innings.

QUOTE (2nd_city_saint787 @ Oct 6, 2012 -> 12:48 PM) It wouldn't be the worst idea if they cant swing a trade for a 3B but can get a 2B...Like an Ian Kinsler maybe, the Rangers have Jurrickson Prufair (or whatever his name is) who seems ready to produce. Maybe Kinsler might be available and they might want Rios as a return is Hamilton leaves. Or maybe even Michael Young who can play some 3B or 2B. Look at Young's contract. We improved in 2012 partly because of our defense. The last thing you want is Young playing anywhere but DH or 1B. I would imagine they would be more likely to trade Andrus (to make room for Profar) than Kinsler (being pushed out with Andrus going to 2B), but it's just a guess.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Oct 6, 2012 -> 09:30 AM) What's the goal for 2013? Surely it's to please/placate/appease the fanbase.

Maybe positive forward momentum doesn't exist in baseball, but negative momentum definitely does. Look at the Braves and Red Sox last year, or the White Sox and Rangers this season.

Here's one of the more amazing statistics of the season, as much as their record in extra inning and 1 run games, reminiscent of the 2005 Sox. Orioles 74-0 when leading after 7 innings and 75-1 when leading after 8. Along with our hitting with RISP, our bullpen and managerial decision process (with removing starters and bullpen moves, Olmedo, Jose Lopez, not playing Johnson) in August and September really are the 3 factors that hurt the White Sox the most. Forgot Thome was on the Orioles. Will be happy to see them beat the Yankees, but I'm not sure I'm interested in Baltimore, DET or Oakland in the World Series. As long as it's not the Yankees, I guess. It would be cool if Oakland somehow made it, as much as Beane has his share of detractors...just for the sake of getting a new stadium financed and/or a final answer to their relocation dilemma. Balt and Washington would be interesting for obvious reasons, and St. Louis would again prove having a so-so regular season doesn't mean anything once you get to OCT.

QUOTE (kitekrazy @ Oct 5, 2012 -> 12:15 AM) This might be the reason why they can't get the job done after ASB. The bench is always beyond bad. By that theory, Kotsay and Jones should have worked over Thome, but it didn't. All depends on the quality of the players in the platoon. Assuming Wise and/or Johnson would have excelled with 350 or so at-bats, and that Viciedo would still have crushed LH'ers with just limited plate appearances, that's a guessing game at best.

We don't play them until July. So we should keep Peavy, then trade him before we face the Tigers again, haha.

QUOTE (DukeNukeEm @ Oct 4, 2012 -> 11:23 PM) We have the trade pieces. Quintana + change could easily get it done if the Mets are convinced Wright is leaving after 2013. They'll undoubtedly pick up the option before moving him, so we'll have to make room for $16 million. Quintana and change? That would get laughed at...half of SoxTalk doesn't think he's (Quintana) going to last for all of 2013 as a starter again, and yet the Mets will accept making him the centerpiece of a trade for their best player? Keep in mind, the Yankees gave him up for nothing...they didn't even protect him. There's just no way the Mets could sell a move like this to their fanbase.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Oct 4, 2012 -> 10:37 PM) Now that is one helluva post. I don't get White Sox fans. They just seem to WANT to be bored. First they want Ozzie out, colorful Ozzie. They get their wish with very very dull Robin. Now they want Hawk out. It'd serve you Hawk haters right to get the Royals' Steve Physioc. Mr. Enunciation. AWFUL. What's with this desire for dullishness???? I just don't get it. Keep Hawk. Let Ozzie be his color man 20 games since he's getting the boot in Miami; Big Hurt 20 games; DJ 20 games, Wimpy 20 games, etc. It's obvious Stoney is gone after that interview. I'm in the middle about Harrelson leaving or staying. Personally, I like him. For the future of the organization (and for expanding the fanbase again), a new voice has to be groomed, though. Rotating broadcasters in and out of the booth is complicated, it hurts the chemistry between PBP and color guy, you don't develop a rhythm as much and it's a bit confusing to viewers at home. When you turn on a Dodgers' game, you know Scully, Cardinals with Jack Buck, Tigers with Harwell, etc. There's something to be said for that. Hawk is that voice, for now. But he's getting more and more polarizing, just like Harry Caray at the end of his broadcasting career, or Ron Santo.

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Oct 4, 2012 -> 10:43 AM) Scoring 713 at the Oakland Colosseum is a far better offensive performance than scoring 748 at US Cellular Field. Most importantly, Oakland had better starting pitching, and a MUCH better bullpen, especially the 2nd half of the season.

QUOTE (kitekrazy @ Oct 4, 2012 -> 09:22 PM) Worst collapse this season belongs to the Rangers. If they lose in the WC game, sure. But look at 2006, the Twins chased down the Tigers and the Tigers "collapsed" down the stretch, except the Tigers were the ones in the end close to winning the World Series if not for all those errors. Do you think any Tigers' fan looking back on 2006 cares they didn't win the AL Central? Or that Twins fans, having watched their team decimate baseball for 2 1/2 months, feels satisfied how that season ended in the playoffs for them? If the Rangers advance and finally win the World Series, none of their fans will care at all. In fact, it will add to the legend, like the Red Sox coming from way back against the Yankees. It would make a World Series win all the sweeter...just like how in 2005, we very nearly didn't make it, then ended up winning it all. None of us will forget that feeling of dread and forboding in September...which made the elation of winning it all that much more poignant and memorable, to go through the highs and lows of that entire season.

QUOTE (2nd_city_saint787 @ Oct 4, 2012 -> 09:45 PM) This How does Tank/Q/Jones or Reed sound as a package sound? They don't need more starting pitching, Clayton Richard has proven that almost anyone can have success in the NL West as a starter, especially with half the home games at PetCo. Heck, you can add Eric Stults to that list, too. That makes the trade essentially a reliever (also not the first piece you add in a rebuilding effort) and Viciedo for Headley. If Viciedo could play 3B, it would be a no-brainer for the Padres. Unfortunately, he can't. Denorfia and Venable both put up better numbers than Viciedo...then they have Quentin and Maybin (signed an extension). Reed's value is far from clear...maybe more than Santos, simply because of his contract status. But anyone who watched the last four months or scouted the White Sox would have serious qualms about bringing in Reed. The main plus would be bringing him "back home" since he played for SD State. Headley had a monster year. He's getting more expensive, but you simply don't trade a player like that if you want to retain your fanbase. I'll agree Viciedo has a LOT more upside than either Denorfia or Venable, but it wouldn't be worth Headley to get that upside...because there are so few slugging 3B in MLB today. As far as Peavy goes, we need players who are not afraid of the Tigers, like Jose Quintana. No thanks, he had a VERY good 2012, but that's where it ends. A pat on the back for putting himself in a position to finally contribute like he was expected to way back in 2009, but he's not enough to put us over the top in 2013...3B should be more of a priority, especially since they can bring back Floyd. And Jake had a ton of wear and tear on him this year.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Oct 4, 2012 -> 02:38 PM) Outside of resigning Peavy we are not signing another starting pitcher. Or Floyd (although technically that's exercising an option, not a signing). But I wouldn't be so sure about keeping Gavin when they've gotten "very reasonable" production out of Quintana and Santiago on the cheap. Of course, the problem is the left-handedness of that rotation...the main mitigating factor forcing Gavin back into the rotation. And the fact that while they were quite fortunate with Quintana's development, it doesn't automatically mean the same thing would happen were they to stick Axelrod, Rienzo, Castro or Molina out there in the rotation as well for 2013. If they let Peavy AND Floyd both go, they're definitely going to have to sign someone like a Liriano, Guthrie, Haren, etc.

It's reminiscent of Billy Packer/Vitale with the NCAA's or Pat Summerall/Ken Venturi with golf. Eventually, at some point, you need to move on with a younger broadcaster who will attract a different demographic of fans and try something new and fresh. Let's think of Stone as Jim Nantz or Bryant Gumbel here, for argument's sake.

QUOTE (fathom @ Oct 4, 2012 -> 10:15 AM) ADA was a diamond in the rough Carlos Quentin, AJ, Jermaine Dye, Jim Thome (considering he was coming off a major injury), Alexei Ramirez certainly qualifies...Viciedo, to a lesser extent. Even Wise, Flowers and Johnson the final 2 months this year. It's just that we didn't get what we needed out of Konerko, Dunn, Liriano, Peavy...the list goes on and on for the final 4-6 week disappearing act. Alexei and Dayan both struggled quite a bit down the stretch. AJ. Rios was one of our few consistent threats. YOUK against the Tigers or on the road was a disaster. Everyone knows the Beckham story, second verse, same as the first.

That's the furthest Gimenez has ever hit a ball. He makes Corky Miller look like Ichiro. Great defender, though.

Another ex-Royal strikes again, lol. Bailey for Reddick one of the worst offseason moves in recent years.

Cincy over STL is putting the Dodgers back in play...but they need 2 wins and 2 Cardinals losses. Would be a crazy ending for the Cardinals after last season's charge, but the Dodgers haven't shown themselves capable of sustaining anything since the first 2 months of the year.

QUOTE (flavum @ Oct 2, 2012 -> 07:54 PM) They should just call off the vote, and let Showalter and Melvin split it. How can you pick one over the other? It was like that BS in 2005 when Shapiro won Executive of the Year over KW. How can you pick the 2nd place team there that didn't even make the playoffs and collapsed the final week?

Same thing with AL West, which would be even more amazing. Who do you go with, Showalter or Melvin? Both were totally improbable playoff teams. Which team had the highest LV odds at the beginning of the year?

QUOTE (fathom @ Oct 2, 2012 -> 07:40 PM) To save him for a save situation tonight? I can't wait to hear this whole offseason has Viciedo's overall numbers are skewed by the final week of games where the stats became meaningless except for the back of the baseball card. 24 and 77, that's not too far off most projections, problems against RHP notwithstanding. Maybe some were calling for 30 and 90 RBI's, but that was a bit too optimistic. LOL at the Royals finally taking the lead over DET after losing 5 in a row to them.