ILMOU

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Feb 3, 2009 -> 12:02 PM) Is it really worth limiting his PAs like this because he got hot for 100 PA in the 9th spot last season? No. Absolutely not. Sorry Rock. Just cause a guy excelled in his entry position to a MLB lineup, doesn't mean you keep him there. You put him where he'll get the AB's and RBI chances he deserves. I like him at 2, 6 or 7.

QUOTE (Cubano @ Feb 2, 2009 -> 09:37 PM) Is MLB stopping its steroids testing? I hope not. The kid looks "country strong". Cubano, I don't know if you saw my post from yesterday or so, but I was wondering if there was any news on LHP Noel Arguellez. I searched, but couldn't find anything. The Liriano comparison that I saw awhile back had me intrigued. BTW, I love your site.

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Feb 3, 2009 -> 12:59 AM) The best "Defense"/upside positions: (Since I'm bored, and IMO of course) Lucy/Pierzynski - C Betemit/Konerko/Thome - 1B Nix (couple scouts called him "The best defensive 2B they've ever seen/in a long time")/Lillibridge/Getz - 2B Lillibridge/Ramirez - SS Dye/Anderson/Quentin/Owens - LF Quentin/Anderson/Dye - RF Betemit/Fields - 3B Anderson/Lillibridge/Ramirez/Owens - CF The more I think about it, it will really help the team if Lilli makes the 25 man, even if his hitting remains suspect. His defensive flexibility, and apparent quality, will make it much easier for Ozzie to carry the 7th reliever, and still have the necessary pinch runners and defensive replacements on the roster. Likely means that the roster will not have all of Anderson, Owens, and Wise. I'm guessing BA gets traded before opening day. Not want I'd want, necessarily, but I see it as a possibility.

QUOTE (WCSox @ Feb 3, 2009 -> 10:28 AM) Signing Abreu to a one-year deal to replace Dye who is already under contract for this year doesn't make much sense to me. Why would the Angels want to pay Dye's salary in a Figgins deal when they could simply sign Abreu for less? I don't see this happening. If Kenny does end up signing Abreu, it'll be for more than one season... and he'll be eating some of Dye's contract in a trade. Because they need power, and we need OBP and a 2 hole hitter.

QUOTE (bmags @ Feb 3, 2009 -> 08:58 AM) How could someone be bad at RF. That's where they stuck me in little league because I sucked. There's more lefties in MLB than in the general population. RF gets the least action in little league. Going 1st to third on a single's not much of an issue, when you can usually go 1st to home on anything that reaches the outfield. Just wanted you to rest assured that you did, in fact suck.

QUOTE (scenario @ Feb 3, 2009 -> 08:08 AM) Unlikely that anyone would trade for Dye with Abreu still available as a free agent... But by signing Abreu, KW might be able to make a create a market for JD. Pretty creative if true. Makes me think that KW would be sending ~$3M along with JD (or $6M if it's Paulie - I can dream, and JD can play 1B, right? ), in any trade to make it more market friendly. Payroll remains the same.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Feb 2, 2009 -> 06:20 PM) That he is listed as a 3 star or outside the top 100 prospects list is a joke. Maybe, just maybe, if everyone wasn't so wrong about Alexei Ramirez, who fared even worse in projections coming into last year, I would give it more serious consideration. But scouts all said he was going to be like Ramon Santiago/Miguel Cairo, some AAAA filler or 25th man type. It turned out he had the quickest bat on the team (Stone noticed this right away) and maybe in the entire AL. How can so many miss that? I mean, the kid's a stick and he almost has Soriano's pop and he can run nearly as well, too. Agreed. The so-called experts were largely caught with their pants down regarding Lexi. The fact that he strikes out so much less than Soriano, and that he can play a middle infield position, makes him a more valuable player overall, IMO. If Alexei backs up his '08 performance, perhaps JR should rework his deal. I want to keep the Cubans happy, so we can keep the pipeline flowing. This connection might be our best chance to stay competitive with Yanks and BoSox going forward. We're off to a great start. I can't remember being as excited about a prospect as I am about Dayan. Admittedly, there is something enticing about not knowing how good this guy might become. Gotta get to AZ in a few weeks! I'm going to go WAY out on a limb and predict he'll be the first Sox player to have a 50 HR season.

QUOTE (Cubano @ Feb 1, 2009 -> 10:07 AM) Agents tend to drive prices up by saying good things about their clients and GM and scouts drive prices down by pinpointing the bad skills on those players. If the White Sox want any of these players, they will get them. Any news on Noel Arguelles, Cubano?

QUOTE (daa84 @ Feb 2, 2009 -> 12:54 PM) The ranking that actually surprises me most is that Flowers isn't ranked higher. Agreed. Really don't have a clue, but I'd be guessing there must be significant doubt about his viability as a catcher, possibly putting him in a comparison pool with 1B's and DH types. If it is, in fact, statistically based, it would be interesting to see the algorithm's or multipliers they use to quantify such doubt/degree of doubt.

QUOTE (scenario @ Feb 2, 2009 -> 12:40 PM) I thought this comment was interesting... "Allen received outstanding reviews from scouts, especially those who saw him as he was finishing up last season at Double-A Birmingham, and that gives him the edge over Viciedo. 14 HR's in 41 games in that park IS very impressive, but it's not a huge sample. I need to look up Ryan Howard's MiLB numbers. He didn't emerge til age 26 in Philly, but he was obviously ready. Here's hoping Allen becomes a slightly downsized Howard, much like Q resembles a slightly downsized Canseco.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Feb 2, 2009 -> 12:08 PM) Prospectus>Sickels>BA>Law Well, time will tell who has the best crystal ball among the experts, but I, for one, am encouraged that some people think as highly of Brandon Allen as they do. We'll need the lefty power bat post-Thome. I agree that any rating of The Big Cohiba is a shot in the dark, but I got a real good feeling about the guy if he really is getting in shape.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Feb 2, 2009 -> 12:17 PM) Did Tex get an opt-out clause? Not sure.

QUOTE (Disco72 @ Feb 2, 2009 -> 10:08 AM) I couldn't agree with you more on Cashman. Every year, I discount the Yankees because their starting pitching is average, at best which is amazing how much money they've spent on it over the years. The Cashman philosophy is apparently to throw huge money at average players with injury risks and/or career years. How many of us knew that Pavano would be a bust? How many people see that Burnett is now vastly overpaid for his production? This year (2009) might finally be different for the Yankees, but we'll see. I can easily see the Burnett deal, the length/$ of their commitment vs. his injury/inconsistency history, going down as Cashman's next huge blunder. Sabbathia and Texeira will be good, but not the best necessarily at their positions, and they'll be nearly impossible to trade while in decline later in their contracts; especially if the recession is lengthy and payrolls continue to contract. This will cause to Yanks to eat much of their remaining salary in trade, making them that much more expensive. When you look at the relative value Epstein's getting in locking up guys like Pedroia and Beckett previously, it's no surprise that smart beats rich.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Feb 2, 2009 -> 11:24 AM) I disagree. Based on what AP needs to do to be ready for the show, master a 3rd pitch, I'd rather have him eating up innings in AAA than working out of the pen. Out of the MLB pen he can be successful with 2 pitches. He'll need the 3rd to be a solid starter, and he's not going to be throwing that much out of the pen. I suppose they could focus on having him use it and have cooper constantly working with him, I just think it'd be easier if he gets the innings in AAA. IMO, best case scenario is Marquez pitches well enough to earn the 5th starter spot in ST, Richard takes the bullpen spot (He's another 2 pitch guy, but we don't have nearly as much invested in him as Poreda) and AP starts off in AAA at least for a month or two. I don't disagree with your analysis, and AP does need a third pitch. Let's just say I like the idea of him working with Coop rather than the guys in Charlotte. Additionally, he might be really good as a reliever, and we'll need another lefty there if Richard beats out Marquez - I think he will.

QUOTE (GreatScott82 @ Feb 1, 2009 -> 09:19 PM) soooo much can change during spring training. but as of right now here is what i project: Lillybridge CF (has an amazing ST) Pierzynski C (like Fathom said, KW loves AJ hitting second) Quentin LF Dye RF Thome DH Ramirez SS Konerko 1B Fields 3B Getz 2B Bench: Betemit 3B, 1B, Wise OF, Anderson OF, ?? C, Nix INF Rotation: Buerhle Danks Floyd Poreda (has an amazing ST...) Colon Bullpen: Jenks, Thorton, Dotel, Linebrink, Richard, Wasserman This is also the lineup I'd like to see, except Getz at 2, AJP at 8 and Fields at 9. Here's hoping that Getz and ESPECIALLY Lilli win their battles in ST.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Feb 2, 2009 -> 01:46 AM) Indications are that prized left-hander Aaron Poreda has an excellent shot at making the Opening Day roster, even if he doesn't beat out Clayton Richard or Jeff Marquez for the fifth starter's spot. Guillen said his son Oney raved about Poreda when they played together in the minor leagues. Poreda also struck out five in three innings, including a called third strike on Colorado's Todd Helton, in a 'B' game last March. "Pretty soon he'll be in the big leagues, and you will enjoy the way this kid pitches," Guillen said. "He's got great stuff. Whoever scouted this guy should be proud." www.chicagotribune.com/sports This is much better news. I'm hoping AP makes the bullpen at least, and can be groomed for replacing whoever fails/gets injured among the starting five, while facing MLB hitters.

QUOTE (fathom @ Feb 1, 2009 -> 07:45 PM) If you believe KW, everyone has been wrong so far. AJP will bat 2nd again. To me, this is the worst news of the offseason. There is no ideal 2-hole hitter on this team as currently constructed, but AJ should definitely not be the guy. Last year, Ozzie really had no choice. With the failure of Dirty, Owens injury, etc., he had to move OC from his natural 2 hole spot to leadoff. I give him credit for making a gutsy move at the time. '09, however, is a new year, and I strongly believe that Lexi or another option (Getz?) needs to be given a chance. We've got three consecutive home run hitters in the 3-5 slots, and we're just giving away runs by putting a .312 OBP guy in front of them. It will cost us games. Lexi's relatively low strikeout totals, and his general batsmanship, make me believe he could gain enough patience to get his OBP in the .340-.350 range. We KNOW what AJP will do, and it's WAY substandard for the 2 hole. AJP batting second is an idea that needs to be shelved yesterday.

QUOTE (tonyho7476 @ Feb 2, 2009 -> 08:56 AM) Some more... Looks like BA's puttin' the moves on your wife. What would you expect?

KW is rated about where he should be, and his arrow will point up or down from there, depending on the performance of Viciedo, Poreda, Beckham, Flowers, Marquez, etc. over the next two years. Cashman, however, is WAY too high. He's third or fourth tier at best. How many GM's WOULDN'T have won a WS with his resources over the last eight seasons. Pavano, K. Brown, Unit, Igawa, Hughes and Kennedy not the studs they were supposed to be, and on and on - you can't blame all of their blunders on the Boss, just cause he's old and senile. Cashman consistently brought teams to the postseason that had less quality pitching overall than their competition - inexcusable given his resources.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 29, 2009 -> 10:44 AM) For the reason you state, it makes sense to have Viciedo up sooner rather than later. His contract also gives another reason for that to happen as well, since we only have him until he's 23. But if nothing else, he has to earn it. He's never seen major league pitching before, and no offense to Cuba, but a lot of these guys (not all) are a few steps above what he's been facing before. Alexei was able to adapt ridiculously quickly, but even he struggled for the first month and a half of the regular season (albeit in limited playing time). I also wonder if the weather was a factor in Alexei's slow start. Going from tropical Cuba to April in Chicago could have been a bit of an adjustment. I can't remember if he was asked/said anything about it. Anyway, Dayan's got the extra layer that should keep him warm, so I'm not worried if he starts in Chi, Bama or NC, but I can't wait to see him. I might have to head down to Zona in a few weeks.

QUOTE (Greg Hibbard @ Jan 20, 2009 -> 12:15 PM) All are young and thus, prone to variance much more than vets. I don't care if you think Quentin and Ramirez and Danks and Floyd are all the real deal, and think are all capable of doing what they did in 2008 in 2009, the likelihood of all four of them having years that good again is just infinitessemily small given what we've seen in 110 years of the modern era of baseball. Yes, and that variance could be Improvement. These players are 23, 26, 27 and 26 entering the season. I hate it when someone says "well, he had a career year" as I see so many times around here in projecting the future of these guys. We don't KNOW if it's a "career year" until they've had a bit of a "career"do we? There are significant possibilities that each of these guys will be better in '09 and onward. Well, probably not better for Q, other than a full season of health. And I don't like Danks in the WBC, but otherwise I'm optimistic. I don't see a reason for such pessimism, really. On the whole, our pitching staff will be better than that of Cleveland, who will be our main competition, IMO. You talk about infinitesimal odds? That would be Cliff Lee equaling his '08 season. I'm surprised you haven't died of shock already, given how the Sox have outperformed predictions so often.

Sox 93-69 Indians 87-75 Twins 80-82 Tigers 77-85 Royals 70-92 Book it!

QUOTE (Jimbo's Drinker @ Jan 19, 2009 -> 10:49 AM) That's a whole lot of iffs and prayers. I prefer to stay positive. IMO KW has earned the benefit of the doubt in assembling the roster. I really think that Slayer is on a super-fast track to MLB and will be brought up soon in '09. I just hope the brass doesn't get caught up in thinking he has too much power/not enough speed for leading off. If he shows enough patience (and he has shown patience), he could become a dynamic leadoff hitter, and I think this kid will thrive in the spotlight. Looking at the CURRENT '09 projected lineup, I can understand some negativity. I really believe that the start the team gets in off to in April is crucial. But if we don't get buried early (and our schedule is more favorable early), we could be real good late.

QUOTE (hitlesswonder @ Jan 19, 2009 -> 08:29 AM) Because this team is better than 2008 in what way? Vazquez, Orlando Cabrera, Crede pre-injury and Contreras pre-injury we're all pretty good and are being replaced by people that likely will not perform as well. And Owens will likely not be an improvement over 2008 Swisher. Anything can happen in baseball, but I think saying the 2009 Sox are worse than 2008 is rational. And 4th place is more likely than getting to the ALCS. Resons why we'll be better in '09 - asked and answered. - Vazquez was 4 games below .500 on a team that won 89. Colon may well be an upgrade. - Alexei will be a contributor before mid-May. - Danks and Floyd now have real confidence. Why do so many want to think their performance was a fluke, especially Floyd? The only thing I don't like about Gavin is his lousiness at holding runners. Count and Freddy remained effective despite this same glaring weakness. - The bullpen should be augmented by an additional effective lefty in Poreda. Maybe another in Richard when Count returns. - Crede's and Contreras' contributions were only in the first half, and Crede couldn't throw for s***, due to his bad back. Count will probably be there in the 2nd half this time. - One of Getz OR Lillibridge OR Nix will likely be solid, probably Getz. - The OC had a .334 OBP, AJ had a .312 OBP in the 2 hole, and Uribe had a .296 OBP in the 9 hole. Even if Owens plays a lot of the season (I'm guessing he'll get replaced), our sluggers will likely see more ducks on the pond. - Q will be there for the playoffs this time. - Josh Fields may well hit better than Crede, though his defense is shaky, granted. He'll be tradeable when Viciedo emerges. - Konerko is likely to have a better year. - Beckham and Viciedo will very possibly contribute in '09. Maybe in a very large way. - Swisher won't be playing CF, at all. Owens' speed alone ( I know he blows) will make the OF defense somewhat better. A lot of ?'s to be sure, and, believe me, Owens and Marquez do not instill ANY confidence in me, but we'll have better options soon enough. Stan's Glass HALF FULL.

QUOTE (Jimbo's Drinker @ Jan 18, 2009 -> 10:10 PM) I smell 4th place What a surprise, you're usually so upbeat. We'll win the division again, and go further in the playoffs.