ILMOU

QUOTE (lasttriptotulsa @ Dec 10, 2014 -> 09:54 AM) The reason that Danks was unacceptable was because he went into the season with expectations of being our 3rd best starter and was making $14 million. If Danks was a fifth starter making peanuts like Noesi, nobody would have any complaints. While I agree we should probably add another starter, unless Rodon is ready, Noesi was perfectly acceptable as a fifth starter. I would be perfectly content with my fifth starter putting up a 4.39 ERA over 166 innings. There were signs of Hector's tiring at the end too. He peaked in August, and was having some nice outings. At his price, I think we should want to see what he can do this year as a 5, but yes, move Danks if possible, and bring in another arm on a short-term deal.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Dec 10, 2014 -> 10:28 AM) He provides depth. He can play several positions on the field and he won't kill you at the plate nor in the field. Those glue guys can add a lot to a team. If he's the super utility guy that Marcus might have been, I have no problems with Ackley. Not as a starter, though. Doubt he'd like that.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Dec 9, 2014 -> 03:02 PM) He's a clown. If it was the Cubs media session he would ask about the Sox. He is trying to fit the Mariotti niche in the Chicago market these days. His media brethren f***ing hate him. This I have no difficulty believing.

Robertson Duke Petricka Putnam Webb Surkamp Garcia or Guerra or other And a hopeful August boost of Jones or Sanburn, and a dream scenario boost from Montas and/or Danish a little later, and the pen could be a strength down the stretch and in the postseason.

QUOTE (BigHurt3515 @ Dec 9, 2014 -> 12:26 PM) Not really set in stone and I would take what KW says in December with a grain of salt. Anything can happen. Also we already have a Rodon thread Potentially saves innings, so that when he transitions to starting around midseason, he'll have the innings left in the tank to pitch in the postseason, and not have to shut him down in Sept. (ala Shelby Miller) as he loses effectiveness near his physical limits. Wouldn't shock me if this thought is somewhere in their minds. I think this is KW's attempt at clever Danks leverage, and that Plan B is the scenario I described, hopefully coinciding with moving Danks, if value building for him in April-May is needed.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Dec 9, 2014 -> 12:11 PM) Sign the kid. He's got a never-say-die attitude. TWTW, baby!

QUOTE (ChiSox59 @ Dec 9, 2014 -> 11:52 AM) Is 2B and the 9 hole now Micah Johnson's job to lose? Or will it just come down to who performs better in ST between Johnson and Sanchez? Clearly the SOX really like one of them, unless they have a 1 year stop gap in mind. Johnson's the guy, and I'd bat him 8. 1. Spanky 2. Mysterion (Cargo if Danks/Tanks moved elsewhere?) 3. Everyday Damage 4. Massive Elk 5. No Neck 6. Smiley 7. Fats 8. Running as if trying to escape Indiana 9. Flower Power If Rodon's the horse I think he is, they'll have 4 guys we'll feel good about starting in October. Ohhh, yeahhh

QUOTE (Reddy @ Dec 9, 2014 -> 11:14 AM) HOLY s***! Rick Hahn is a god. FFT

Shark extension. Get him while he's giddy.

QUOTE (flavum @ Dec 9, 2014 -> 10:55 AM) https://twitter.com/C_Bass419 Hound treed a fox, good for him.

And why not now to make a bold prediction of the semi-distant future? After 3 years of excellence, we'll be contemplating the haul we'd get for trading Shark and his high, but still friendly salary, as the younger, much farther along earlier in career, and possibly better version of Shark, Spencer Adams arrives. I can dream. Make that 1st part happen now though, Mr. H. Where else does the kid from Valpo want to be? Just don't dick him around like the northsiders, and the respect will be built to make it so.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Dec 9, 2014 -> 10:36 AM) A project with a high upside arm. Very White Sox. We're good at those.

QUOTE (shysocks @ Dec 9, 2014 -> 10:31 AM) Post-Laroche DH? It's not that far-fetched to suggest, I think. Anyway, I liked the guy. Props to those who called Phegley too. Definitely won't miss him. And platoon partner for him in the interim was what I was hoping. Crunchella will probably hit 200 OPS points better against LHP than ALaR by the time he's acclimated, dude mashes em' - can't imagine that he wouldn't have destroyed that bandbox in Charlotte, allowing for a midseason arrival. Billy's building another dirt-cheap platoon team, so he can pay some of his pitchers as they mature.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Dec 9, 2014 -> 10:29 AM) That's fine with me. Yeah, not sweating that. Like Nieto way better already, if they don't add.

QUOTE (Jose Paniagua @ Dec 9, 2014 -> 10:24 AM) Robert Murray ‏@RobertMurrayMLB 35s35 seconds ago Source: #WhiteSox also sending INF Rangel Ravelo to the #Athletics in the Samardzija trade. Now, I'm slightly less thrilled. I am also a Ravelo guy. Cost of doing business, I guess. Loved his approach. Bummer, but oh well.

Overall, I'm lovingly proud of our own RH, striking like Michael Corleone, end of GF2 style. Beating the Shark market before it developed. Kudos. I will miss this guy, who I had high hopes for as a swingman/ Alexi Ogando (4 yrs ago) type. Maybe, he'll only be an OK reliever in the end, but I've enjoyed following him, and I hope he does well. I'm sad too, Hound. Regarding Semien, I'm on the fence. I see him, to a large extent, the way the Cubs are currently viewing Alcantara -Mendy showing a little better speed, more OF experience to date, and maybe a slight edge in power, though likely close. Marcus showing, at least in milb, more OPB/less K proclivity, and maybe a slightly more reliable infield glove in the end. Both players, however, have not shown much consistency in hitting RHP throughout their minors careers, and profile, to me, as guys you play always against lefties, selectively against righties in a super utility role getting 300-400ABs in a season. Not everyday until they improve vastly vs. righties. And of course, THAT, would still have a ton a value to a team that clearly plans on contending ASAP. The braintrust must think, imo, that Micah is the guy. I can see either side on all three of them , frankly.

This is the guy I would have predicted acquiring, heading into the offseason, feeling that the bigger expense would still be another bat. Now, I think I want Shark instead, and hoping this is "willing to move on to other options" leverage for RH.

QUOTE (Chilihead90 @ Dec 7, 2014 -> 10:19 AM) I like this for 2 reasons..... 1) It will help answer the question some of us have had about how much of the things that get done are 100% Rick Hahn, and what are being pushed by Kenny. We could finally stop wondering. 2) We will have a friendly face in another organization, possibly becoming a convenient trade partner. I wonder if KW would still have a say in construction of the team as the CEO in TOR, so maybe Hahn and KW would have a strong enough relationship that they could help each other out with trades in the future? It certainly can't hurt, at least. I can live without knowing who's "in charge", maybe they're better as a tandem. If KW leaves under a cloud of damaged feelings, I don't see it helping the org in any way. Let him interview, JR, it's good business. This is big.

Obviously BPA for this camper, but like others here, hoping one of the two lefty sluggers with potential for manning LF becomes that BPA, or can be reasonably justified at pick 8.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Dec 6, 2014 -> 07:09 AM) I'm with you. Also, let Surkamp battle for the last spot in the pen to potentially have 3 lefties If Robin truly treats Surkamp as the LOOGY that he is, then we don't need another lefty, imo, because ZD can be effective vs. both. Seems like Ozzie and now Robin are always trying to find out if a LOOGY can be something more than he's ever been, with bad results, though, admittedly, it can be dictated by the situation. Robin's ability to handle Surkamp properly will depend upon whether he trusts all five of the righties in the pen sufficiently, imo. I wouldn't mind having a third LHRP, but not this guy.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Dec 2, 2014 -> 02:11 PM) There are plenty of players who have divergent home and away splits that do not play in Coors field. It isn't entirely a product of the thin air. It also has to do with comfort level, experience, etc. And he conveniently left out the 2013 numbers.

QUOTE (TheFutureIsNear @ Dec 2, 2014 -> 12:48 PM) Hell no to Cargo...and anybody on the Rockies really. I don't see any good fits for us unless it involves us getting Tulo...which isn't happening. Reds make a lot more sense to me though. Bruce and Leake for.....? I have no idea but those 2 certainly make a lot of sense for both sides. Leake is a FA, but could possibly be resigned for a reasonable price Dickerson would be ideal, imo, but can't see them trading him. Cool with Cargo if his hand issues are behind him, but that's doubtful. Reds may be a better partner, as you say. I think they're facing the start of a selloff-rebuild. Would love to get+resign before FA Cueto, too. Rick will be active.

QUOTE (GreenSox @ Nov 25, 2014 -> 03:06 PM) Ideally, Laroche would be hitting 7th and Abreu 4th. We need a couple of more hitters for that (like a 2 and a 3 hitter). "Ideally" ain't going to happen, I think. There will likely be one more regular bat acquired, not 2 or 3, imo. The 2nd could be a catching upgrade for Flowers, I suppose. They're really counting on the development of, Avi, which may be the key the whole season. Like you, hoping that the offense gets another nice addition soon, but only expecting one, and hoping it's a lefty/switch OF. Resources still needed elsewhere.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Nov 24, 2014 -> 10:38 AM) Also this is a good opportunity to add, you can read more about him in our interview with Eddy. Thanks, and I did read that when it came out. His experience in honing his skill to the world-class Olympic level could be a big intangible in his favor, I'm thinking. He's one guy I won't mind seeing them move fast through the system. Maybe he can handle it. Of course want to see him in more age-appropriate league as well. I wouldn't be surprised if he's outworking every other prospect this offseason, trying to make up for lost time. I'm sure we'll learn a lot more about his potential next March.

You know who really mashes lefties in our system, and might be the best platoon partner for ALaR? None other than Mr. Gordita Crunchella himself. I personally thought he should have spent some time in Charlotte last year, putting him on an earlier arrival track. How's he doing in winter ball? I want Tank gone mainly because he can't be played in the OF, but also because he'll be relatively uncheap, given the dearth of AB's he 'll get DHing vs. LHP - can't see it really increasing future value or fostering growth.