caulfield12

How did DeAza going from K'ing roughly 20% of the time 109/524 (2013) to his current version? That's now an alarming 34 K's in 103 AB's.

C. Carter now has 47 K's in 100 AB's. And Porcello's ERA is 8.14. Yikes. Wonder how long before they go to Smyly? I doubt they would be stupid enough to release him and let him to go the White Sox. But stranger things have happened.

What is Flowers with RISP now? Good god, with DeAza (2013K version), Dunn, Viciedo, Flowers and then Wells, five pretty much all or nothing hitters.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ May 2, 2013 -> 12:54 PM) Looks awesome and it has Jax AND Clay in it. Sold. I don't think I can wait three more months for the next season! Especially if the Sox keep playing like crap.

QUOTE (Jake @ May 2, 2013 -> 07:32 PM) We want to give young guys playing time, but hate the young guy we give playing time. Impatient would be the better word.

QUOTE (Harry Chappas @ May 2, 2013 -> 07:29 PM) Babip in my mind is a dumb stat. Keppinger was put in positions to succeed as that is a Tampa focus. The white sox plug guys in and off they go. When was the last time they ever had a platoon situation? Not a straight platoon, but in 2010, Ozzie played Viciedo almost strictly against LHP'ers.

That $9.5 million for Gavin Floyd would have looked a lot better being invested into the catching position. Not that even John Buck being on the roster this year, or Gattis, would have us in first place. At least we'd be contending, though.

QUOTE (Jake @ May 2, 2013 -> 07:22 PM) Dayan can play a pretty big role in how our offense looks going forward. Have to hope he can take that mantle at 1B, or at least hit like a 1Bman while he plays LF. I'm not about to give up on ADA either. No choice if none of our minor leaguers are ready. Unless we want to go out and "buy high" again for another outfielder when Keppinger's already proving the lunacy of acquiring a journeyman player in his 30's coming off a career year who was perfectly utilized by the smartest manager in the game.

QUOTE (fathom @ May 2, 2013 -> 07:20 PM) The pitching looks promising, but holy cow are there a lot of potential holes on offense heading into next season (C, 1B, 2B, CF) DH, as well. Not that Dunn won't be around. And you're assuming that Gillaspie will still be a productive starter and Ramirez will be around, as well.

More DeAza K's. Not a rare sight this season. Keppinger threatening to become the Mark Teahen of Hahn's GM career.

QUOTE (Harry Chappas @ May 2, 2013 -> 07:17 PM) He still could have been stretched out in the spring and moved to the pen in April. Yes, definitely. Most of us were calling for Santiago to start since the end of last season. Of course, we didn't have a lot of faith and confidence that Axelrod would be more than serviceable, but actually one of our better, more reliable starters.

QUOTE (Harry Chappas @ May 2, 2013 -> 07:08 PM) Why wasn't Santiago starting all spring? Because KW/Hahn were getting too clever for their own good and thinking they could get a significant return for Gavin at the ASB. After our early "offensive barrage," we've settled into the middle innings "blahs" again, like clockwork. Grimm's got a lot of talent, and we are lacking in that area...more tip your caps. Despite the horrendous outing last time, Santiago's WHIP is still at exactly 1.00. Rangers now 1 for 12 but leading. That's what you would typically expect out of the Sox with the solo homer routine.

QUOTE (Jake @ May 2, 2013 -> 07:11 PM) Casper no like big curveball Hence the 170+ K's in around 600 career AB's.

QUOTE (Harry Chappas @ May 2, 2013 -> 07:06 PM) Closers don't need stuff they to throw strikes and hit their spots. Not sure Sox have that. Now we're going back to Keith Foulke days, the last "non-classic" closer for the Sox that led directly to Billy Botch and his diminishing/straight as an arrow FB that was once 100. Maybe Tom Gordon, if you want to include him. On the other hand, those guys like Doug Jones or Rod Beck without great stuff are always on the razor's margin getting saves. Give me Bobby Jenks late 2005 anytime.

QUOTE (Jake @ May 2, 2013 -> 07:05 PM) Rotation looks about as good as one can look for the foreseeable future. Rios is a franchise player. Alexei is as solid as ever. Gillaspie looks like he can hold down the hot corner. We have money coming off the books this offseason to buy some quick improvements. Way too early on Gillaspie. To not be a platoon player, he has to prove he can hit lefties or Keppinger/Greene will eventually get those AB's. Rios is a franchise player nearing his mid 30's and will be declining soon. If he's the building block for the future, other than Sale/Quintana/Santiago, we're in deep deep trouble. While he's a VERY good player, he's not a superstar and the organization would be better off spending that money on developing younger players or using that playing time for prospects who are part of the future. Alexei is what he is...great or highlight reel, but sometimes erratic/brain cramp defense, and a 675-700ish OPS. Same issue with Rios as far as age and contract going in the wrong direction.

QUOTE (fathom @ May 2, 2013 -> 06:59 PM) Erik Johnson and Addison Reed are the two big stars so far this year, IMO Coming soon...we need to trade Addison Reed because closers are easily replaceable. Non-contending teams don't need closers, etc. Hopefully it nets more than Nestor Molina, but they're in no position to make that kind of move anyway (and it would be 2 months away, and more likely in the offseason with Reed) is because the only other viable option stuff-wise is Nate Jones and he's been bad. It's one thing to trade Santos because you have Reed coming up behind him, but you don't want to make anyone else the closer unless you want the worst trainwreck in history on your hands.

QUOTE (fathom @ May 2, 2013 -> 06:56 PM) The worst part of the De Aza thing is he was so far off of 2nd he would have been doubled up if Baker caught it. Is Ventura even going to make it until the end of the year? At some point, the story's going to start focusing on the manager/coaching staff and total lack of preparation/mental mistakes. It's feeling a lot like 2011...where Ozzie was "dead man walking." Except it's only the first week of May.

Is there any good news, at any level of the organization? Conor Gillaspie is it (not counting the strikeout tonight)?

1/5 with RISP. Of course, the one hit doesn't result in a run, typically because of either slow baserunners or mental breakdowns.

QUOTE (ptatc @ May 2, 2013 -> 07:57 AM) Hawk always defends AJ as he has been friends with the family since AJ was in high school. AJ was disliked by almost everyone. Hate is too strong of a word. They tolerated a good baseball player but didn't like him. Please, no more Doctor Phillips in Orlando/Johnny Damon mentions, lol.

Sucks for the Royals, who had an early lead in that one... Ellis Johnson (yet another super utility guy in the Zobrist/Keppinger/Rodriguez mode) coming back to victimize his former teammates but it goes for naught...

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 2, 2013 -> 05:41 PM) Johnson isn't on the 40 man roster, and the 40 man is full right now. Minor league starters on the 40 man include Rienzo, Castro, and Molina. Berken is another with MLB experience (Orioles) and has a decent Charlotte ERA. Would have to make yet another roster move, though. As far as back spasms go, usually subside in 2-3 days, worst-case scenario. We have a great physical training staff, starting with Hermie and Allen Thomas on down...they'll get it nipped in the bud.

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ May 2, 2013 -> 12:56 PM) People with back issues. I think we can make a thread devoted just to that issue for the Sox Canseco (haha) David Wells Youkilis Peavy Thome Jenks Crede Dunn (a couple of times?) Konerko

It's around 35-40% that the insurance company is paying...FWIW. Typically. Some of the huge contracts out there, especially for pitchers (see Verlander/Greinke), it's probably a slightly different figure.

Yes, we know all about the Royals and 2003. That was a quite different team than the one they've assembled this year. The other problem is there's probably some statistic like no White Sox team trailing by 6-7-8 games on some random day in the first two weeks May has ever come back to make the playoffs with the exception of 1983.