ILMOU

QUOTE (flavum @ Apr 14, 2015 -> 09:57 AM) Any criticism of Ventura I have isn't about screaming in the dugout or his outward emotions. The media seems to want to go that way because that's what they do. This, completely. You can have accountability without the outward fire and throwing players under the bus. But when I read that Robin is "fine" with Jose's terrible baserunning the other day, apparently in the name of good aggressiveness, I wonder if the details are being managed properly.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Apr 14, 2015 -> 07:02 AM) Here's the recap, featuring the Erik Johnson of Old, Martinez' debut, and Hawkins' first AA HR. Completely OT, but how could anyone named Louie Lechich NOT have a pencil-thin moustache? http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?sid=m...itting/2015/ALL Downright swashbuckling, channeling Errol Flynn.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Apr 14, 2015 -> 09:13 AM) Difference between pure hitter and impact bat. Guys like Anderson, Barnum, even Davidson fall into the latter category, but maybe only Anderson (if that) fits into the former. Peter is a pure hitter who could bring value, but his ceiling is very limited. You want some Jake Peters, but you want Anderson/Barnum types more, and in big numbers because of the flop rate. Yeah, obviously. The best are both. We especially need the impact type, but those within the Sox system seem more like lottery tickets. Anderson has a chance to hit for average and some power. Hopefully, Adolfo, but he's just a pup. Davidson's had consecutive games without a K - there's something. Need a lot more. And even ONE that felt like a sure thing would be nice. Of course, haven't given up on Hawkins by a long shot. He's one of the most likely to fulfill some promise, but still rather UNlikely, IMO. That, to me, is the fundamental problem, along with the track record of developing such bats. We'll see if an org-wide influence from Steverson can have a positive effect over a couple of years, because we all know we're stuck with Buddy B for LIFE.

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Apr 13, 2015 -> 07:59 PM) Now that Ravelo is gone, Jake Peter is probably the best pure hitter in our system. Which underscores how much we still need some impact bats. Feel pretty good on the pitching front. What new?

It's Noesi to decide. Never gets old, or does it?

QUOTE (fathom @ Apr 13, 2015 -> 04:58 PM) Pretty sure he's been picked off twice already this year. Great offensive start for him though. Well then, he'll fit right in with the good aggressive baserunning we're seeing from the parent club. Let's keep running like crazy against Sal Perez. We're due, right?

5K thru 2IP. Nice.

The appropriate manager for this team is out there somewhere, but it's not Ozzie. Unfortunately, with each passing day, it doesn't look like Robin either. Just the wrong fit for a team that hasn't won or done anything. I see a guy who'd rather be friends with the players than hold them accountable. Horizons need to be expanded - someone from outside the "family" would be refreshing.

QUOTE (ChiSoxJon @ Apr 11, 2015 -> 10:01 AM) More notes from Kanny's second game: - Adams wasn't fantastic giving up 7 hits and walking one but he managed to get out of his own jams, fastball was around 90-93 and had offspeed pitches in the low to mid 80s, he's still extremely lanky as expected and could add some more muscle over time, really like his mentality on the mound even in A ball, shows some emotions (he's not even close to Jake Peavy, don't get any ideas) - Although last year I praised Stringer at 2B for his glove, he had a rough night there last night with 2 errors and another questionable play - Alavrez is really struggling at the plate but his bat speed and swing looks promising, even for a 25 year old in A ball, he's a fantastic aggressive fielder as well - Louie Lechich showed off his cannon arm from RF last night on a throw and out at the plate, was a big time throw, he looks pretty big and hopefully has some power - Mason Robbins had a real hard base hit last night and went 2-4, looked sluggish in LF though - Brett Austin had a great night at the plate with two monster triples and another hit, he allowed two passed balls last night but I think he was solid behind the plate, should be able to stay there for at least Kanny and maybe WS - Trexler really impressed me, his fastball hit 93,94 regularly and his offpseed pitches would dip to 74, that really made batters look silly, but just as I said, he is in the 'pen - Jacob Morris was pretty wild hitting two batters but managed to get out of his own jam - Kelvis Valerio didn't have any pitches that wowed me but he got out of his own jams every inning, struck out 3 too - Devon Davis was dominant in his appearance striking out 3, none of his pitches stood out to me but his delivery is wild and looks painful, can't believe he's naturally a lefty (apparently bats lefty too) Look forward to seeing Kanny in two more games this weekend Jacob Morris was a position player last year. Another one of those guys trying to be the next Sergio Santos.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Apr 11, 2015 -> 07:49 AM) Davidson has struck out 5 times in his first 8 plate appearances. Not good! And Hawkins 5K in 9PA. Long way to go for these guys.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Apr 11, 2015 -> 07:46 AM) It's KW, he falls in love with a player and refuses to let him go. See Alomar, Roberto. This is funny. Is KW making out the lineup cards too?

QUOTE (AustinIllini @ Apr 10, 2015 -> 08:41 PM) I'm not sure. A lot of unproven pieces on both teams. Abreu is likely superior to anyone on the Cubs (Rizzo in 2014 was quite good, but not Abreu good). Castro is a bit better than Alexei. Third is a blunder for both at the moment. The pitching for the Sox is better on paper. Fowler and Eaton are similar, edge Fowler. Intersted to see how Kris Bryant plays. He looks really special. Doubtful.

QUOTE (flavum @ Apr 10, 2015 -> 09:22 AM) Danish is pitching B'ham tomorrow night. And Rodon will be starting for Knights Saturday. Montas Sunday at B'Ham. Really interested in seeing how Fry does at WS after so little data from last season.

I can understand wanting to look at Sanchez, since there's a decent chance a decision will be made in a week or so, but I sure hope Micah isn't relegated to RHP with so little data at this point. Won't sweat it. Yet. Otherwise, agree with wondering what Boni's role is at $4M. Org love of Beckham still needs an enema.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Apr 8, 2015 -> 11:30 AM) Personally I would go with Eaton Cabrera Abreu Garcia LaRoche Soto Alexei Bonifacio Johnson/Sanchez or Bonifacio Eaton Abreu Cabrera LaRoche Garcia Soto Alexei Johnson/Sanchez But we're both EXPECTING to see Gordo, no? My most preferred lineup is probably: Eaton Boni Abreu Cabrera Garcia Soto Lexi TFlow Micah but I have a feeling they will want Melky comfortable in the 2 hole everyday.

We've got Duffy and Milone to face in the next few days. I figured this should be started now, as I feel it will be a point of discussion throughout the season. The consensus seems to be that Gordo, not Boni, will get the LHP part of the Conor platoon, that Soto will get the catching duties, and those will be the only platoon situations INITIALLY. Will we see this? Eaton Cabrera Abreu LaRoche (I would bat him 6th, but don't expect the Sox will move him at all) Garcia Soto Lexi Gordo (I would put Boni here, if they felt he would be semi-competent at 3B) Micah Or does Sanchez get the 2B platoon? Or does LaRoche get dropped a bit in the order? What say you? Personally, I believe that this will evolve over the course of the season. The problem with pulling LaRoche, even if he's not hitting a damn vs. LHP, is that you're taking power from a lineup that doesn't have a ton of it. The best way to alleviate this, IMO, according to the constraints of the current 25 man, is to do something outside the box, like this: Eaton Cabrera Abreu Garcia Soto DH Lexi Bonifacio 3B Flowers C (platoon split mostly negligible) Micah They gain a few hundred OPS points for each of at least 3AB's from Soto vs. LaRoche, and lose the least power this way. They'll have RHP mashers in Adam and Conor ready for late game matchups vs. RHP closers/setup. And, in case you're wondering, A DH can be moved to another position (in the case of TFlow injury), it just means you lose the DH and need to manage NL style going forward. I think they score the most runs with this setup, and it allows the benefit of Soto's bat (which looked darn good to my eyes in ST), especially vs. LHP, without having to watch his fielding. Still, he should get significantly more catching starts than Nieto did, to rest TF more than 2014, but those should be targeted toward RHP, and toward the "slower" clubs as much as possible. It bothers me a lot that it didn't seem to bother Robin much to trot Dunn out there in the late innings vs. LHRP when he was 1 for 80 on the season. Perhaps he didn't have any options, but he kinda does now. Don't want be a "chicken little" worried about something that isn't even a problem yet, but it may well be, and soon. Discuss.

QUOTE (shysocks @ Apr 8, 2015 -> 09:44 AM) To that end... Scot Gregor ‏@scotgregor 3m3 minutes ago Weather forecast not promising in KC tonight for White Sox-Royals. Looks like heavy rain arriving at 5 pm and sticking around Though I want to watch baseball tonight, one rainout is good - I think it means no missed starts for Sale, and he can potentially get to 32 or 33.

QUOTE (3GamesToLove @ Apr 6, 2015 -> 07:47 AM) Have tickets for Sunday. Unfortunately, looks like even if Sale is all good to go, weather on Wednesday and Thursday in KC might ruin his return in Chicago. Oh, I don't know. If only one game is rained out, I believe you'll still see Sale on Sunday, and that way, he won't even be missing a start.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 5, 2015 -> 05:43 PM) And lots were wrong about Paulino (having upside) and Noesi as well last year, or Phil Humber in the past (I'm not going to name drop the 20-30 pitchers that have greatly benefited from Cooper's tutelage)...so because other organizations can't get something out of a pitcher, that means they're doomed and can't provide positive value? He has been worthless because of high walk totals, command/control issues and two TJ surgeries. Whether we can get anything out of him is still undecided at this point. Yeah, let's not sweat it too much guys. If he's worthless, he'll be here about a week. I doubt we'll see a stupid-long leash for KD, or really any of the fringy guys on the roster.

QUOTE (flavum @ Apr 5, 2015 -> 01:56 PM) Eaton, Cabrera, Abreu, LaRoche, Garcia, Gillaspie, Ramirez, Flowers, Johnson Thanks. That's exactly what I'd thought back in Feb., with the slight caveat that I thought they might have Micah 8th and TFlow ninth to maximize L-R alternation. But I can see why they want it this way.

The twitter link isn't working - could someone post the actual lineup?

QUOTE (maggsmaggs @ Apr 5, 2015 -> 12:17 PM) Sadly, though, anyone else we could run out as the last reliever is worthless (Surkamp, Webb, Cleto, etc.). We have an incredibly thin bullpen, and we need to pray Crain somehow gets healthy and that Jones can return for the playoff run. I agree that the pen is thin enough that it will likely need periodic boosts throughout the season. I don't see a role for Surkamp or Cleto, but I still have hope that Webb can find it in Charlotte and contribute this season. And in addition to potential boosts from Crain and/or Jones, here's hoping that a Sanburn, Ynoa, Montas, or some other power arm in the system can be a second half surprise. Drabek's stint will likely amount to a brief audition unless Coop & Co. really see something - it may end with Petricka's return. Of course, there was a lot of transition in the 2005 pen, with Cotts and Politte being the main full-season foundation. With a little luck, it can work out nicely this year too.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Apr 5, 2015 -> 09:53 AM) Marlins looking for pitching. Didn't the Sox and Marlins talk about Danks last July? I've wondered if there was a chance to move him while he was pitching decently early on last year - hopefully that opportunity presents itself again.

Not optimistic, but they have to give him a certain amount of starts. The dream of tradeability is unlikely, so I'll settle for semi-competence.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Apr 4, 2015 -> 01:53 PM) That said ... will any of you absolutely freak out if Sox go 0-3? Not necessary. Somebody here will do all the freaking out needed for all of us put together.