Buehrlesque

QUOTE (Milkman delivers @ Jun 17, 2011 -> 09:57 AM) Same here, which is why I know they'll finish around .500. We'll hear things in the offseason like this: "Even with the slow start, they still managed to finish the season with a respectable record. A lot of that has to do with the team having to gel after bringing in a few new faces. I think Ozzie deserves a chance to see what this team can do when it's completely gelled for 162 games." My biggest fear Not unlike 2009 and 2010. I wouldn't mind seeing Ozzie sacked right now, but I am completely fine with the playoff mandate: If the Sox win the division, he stays. But if they lose, he goes, period. None of the justifications and rationalizations that enable him to keep his job, like MD mentioned. I'd definitely be on board with Dave Martinez and Rich Hahn. (And if the Ozzie for Logan Morrison is still on the table, that would be cool too!)

If he's not injured, I'd definitely give him a shot. There's gotta be some mechanical fix, right? Those BB numbers are :o. I wonder if the Padres will get a significant trade offer for him from a pitching-desperate franchise.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jun 8, 2011 -> 01:53 PM) And that isn't to say that this White Sox team is perfect, it isn't, but it is pretty good in certain areas, and than other areas there is the potential to be pretty good as well (if Rios and/or Dunn ever show up). The White Sox are bad at executing and doing some of the things necessary to grind out wins and that is why they have had some baffling losses (where when you watch the game you think the score should be one thing, when in reality it is the other) and that can be incredibly frustrating and might bite them in the behind. Perfectly put! Great summation.

So, what are the Vegas odds on KW getting Marquez back in his next trade w/ the Yankees?

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jun 7, 2011 -> 03:11 PM) http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/stor...rumblings110607 Eh, I get that things affect different people differently, but I don't know about the whole NL to AL thing. It hasn't affected Adrian Gonzalez. With interleague play and so much player movement these days, that rationale seems like a crutch. That doesn't mean Dunn won't have a monster second half though.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Jun 6, 2011 -> 01:58 PM) Of course there is work to be done to get Dunn back to his career norms. Baseball isn't a game of random luck where you can just ride the storm out and a player will start producing. These plays have to constantly make mechanical adjustments to correct flaws in their games. 6400 plate appearances tells me that Dunn can make those adjustments and that it's a matter of time. I hope you're right. The only issues I have with your initial post are a.) all 5 of the slumps you mentioned occurred in August and later, when he had solid first half production. Might this say more about his general production in Aug/Sept than a general, time-neutral slump? Looking at his career splits, his career BA, SLG and OPS are are lower in Aug and Sept than any other month. Also, even during those specific slumps he never had a K% of 42% (I checked). b.) Also, the fact the Sox may be out of the race by the time Dunn turns it around is reason enough to worry. It'll be great when he starts to hit, but it might not have much effect on the season if he's tearing it up in relatively meaningless Aug/Sept games. Also, out of curiosity, I understand you're not worried now, but at what length of time of similar production would you become worried? 300 at bats? 400? 500? Not a sarcastic question, just wondering what's your threshold?

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Jun 4, 2011 -> 11:10 PM) If Adam Dunn hit .280 for the rest of the year and averaged 6 homers a month from here until the end of the season, his line ends up somewhere along the lines of .240/.380/.470/.850 with about 30 homers. His 162 game average is .248/.379/.515/.893 and 39 homers. He hit .288 in the first half of last season - 88 games - and he was at .281 in game 98 of last year, so there is some ability to hit for average there, even if it takes a bit of luck. Also, during the only point in his career where the team he was on was contending whatsoever, 2008 with the Diamondbacks, he put up .243/.417/.472/.889 during part of August and September and was on about a 32 homer pace. He's hit well when his team has been in it before. Again, I am not worried about him at all. At all? Wow, you have some serious faith in stats there wite. I am a stats guy, and I like and agree overall with you initial, well thought out analysis. But I think we have to use our eyes a little in the analysis of Dunn. It's likely he'll turn things around in the second half (whether or not the Sox are seriously in the race by that point notwithstanding), but it won't just be a case of stats and luck normalizing. It will take a serious physical and mental adjustment, because his stance, swing and head are so out of whack right now.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Feb 17, 2011 -> 02:28 PM) For some reason, Thornton scares me as the closer. I think he'd do fine, but I also think that Sale would be a better option. Better all around stuff, and it keeps Thornton in the role in which he has been the best. I can't say why exactly, but I feel entirely the same way.

QUOTE (GoodAsGould @ Jan 27, 2011 -> 01:26 PM) I still think assuming he is healthy the Wsox should look into Duchesier(sp?) from the A's... He should be durable enough to last half a season and when Peavy returns he has experience in the bullpen as well. Ha! I was *just* about to post that here.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 21, 2011 -> 02:09 PM) http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/01/heym...medium=facebook Papelbon at $12 million? Ugh, thankfully that didn't happen. (Unless the Red Sox were going to pay a sizable portion of that contract, but if that were the case, why wouldn't they just non-tender him in the first place?)

QUOTE (pcullotta @ Jan 6, 2011 -> 11:06 AM) I do not want Beckham in the number 2 spot. At his best, isn't Gordon a run producer? Wouldn't that be wasted in the 2 spot where our guys are usually asked to take pitches and sacrifice outs? This is how I see it too. Like it or not, as long as Ozzie is the manager of the Sox, the number 2 hitter will basically have the role of a pitcher hitting 9th- just bunt/move guys over. Basically, Beckham wouldn't get any real at bats with guys on base in this role (unless there are 2 outs)- if Pierre's on, Beckham will be in smallball mode, and if Pierre's not on Beckham would be in leadoff hitter mode. I think this approach is part of what screwed Beckham up in the first place, and I'd rather see him get to SWING the bat in RBI chances, maybe get some XBHs (not HRs, necessarily). I don't think he'll reach his full potential batting 2nd in an Ozzie Guillen line up. Of course, the same goes for Alexei, really. And the thought of AJ hitting 2nd (anywhere higher than 8th, actually) makes me throw up in my mouth. So that leaves us with... Morel? I guess of all the options, I'd go with Alexei 2nd, Beckham 7th. Though neither option is the end of the world.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Dec 15, 2010 -> 08:52 PM) Because Carlos Beltran is going to cost $18.5 million this year and he put up a .768 OPS last year. I know he was coming back from an injury, but that's part of it too - he isn't the most durable of players. Especially with the Sox just signing Crain, they don't have $18.5 million to shell out, and to get the Mets to eat any of that money, the Sox would have to include more players, so you are talking about quite a few key pieces of the minor league system, including Viciedo. Beyond that, it's the last year of Beltran's deal and he almost certainly wouldn't resign with the Sox unless it was a huge deal (or he absolutely loved playing for the White Sox). So you'd be giving all of that up for 1 year of Carlos Beltran, a guy who had a .768 OPS last year and missed about 180 games between 2009 and 2010. --- I'm not trying to come off as a pompous ass, but a lot of this stuff can be reasoned through without merely looking at it on the surface. I'm just trying to point out why things would work and why they won't. Making 4 separate, semi-blockbuster deals at this point in time isn't likely, nor is trading Carlos Quentin along with pretty much anybody in the Sox system for Brown, nor is trading for Carlos Beltran. Hey, you make a lot of good points overall in this post. No doubt Beltran is a longshot. But just sayin': if Quentin ($~5.5 mil) is traded, and Teahen ($4.5 mil) is included in the Beltran deal with a Kyle Bellamy and/or Nathan Jones and the Mets pick up $6 mil or so on his contract, the whole series of transactions is nearly payroll neutral. Not saying that makes it likely, just that the Mets aren't going to get a ton of quality prospects for Beltran in any case, and this might be feasible if guys like Quentin/Pierre/Jackson are moved out. If not, of course it's not going to happen and the team will be worse off if it trades Quentin or a SP for prospects to save cash.

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Dec 15, 2010 -> 12:46 PM) Joba the Hut has been a failure so why do we want him? Same reason we wanted Contreras.

QUOTE (bschmaranz @ Dec 15, 2010 -> 12:07 AM) I don't see #2 happening but other then that, I think it's somewhat feasible. Certainly not probable though. I agree that one was the least likely. But really, I'd just take Gardner for Floyd there, which is at least a little more likely. Joba would be a nice piece for the pen, but isn't necessary. The whole plan would still work.

I don't see the point of an "All In" team trading a SP for prospects, relief pitchers, or anything that would open up a hole on the roster. But... Here's a totally wacky scenario I dreamed up: Suspend reality for a minute and consider the following: 1. Trade Quentin and Viciedo to the Rays for SP Matt Garza 2. Trade Gavin Floyd to the Yankees for OF Brett Gardner and RP Joba Chamberlain 3. Trade Juan Pierre to anyone willing to take his contract, maybe with a $1.5 million subsidy 4. Trade Mark Teahen and one of Kyle Bellamy/Charlie Leesman/Nathan Jones to the Mets for OF Carlos Beltran plus $6.5 million. 5. Sign Freddy Garcia (one year, $1.5 million). Net Payroll Hit for the Sox: ZERO* ($19.5 mil out, $19.5 mil in) Now that's "All in"!! Do I think that is reasonable? Not entirely. But how cool would that be?

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 11, 2010 -> 10:40 AM) Cowley is wrong again? Say it ain't so Joe. Try again. One of your guesses is bound to be right someday. What do you expect KW to say, "We are desperate to unload Quentin and are currently initiating lots of trade talk"?

QUOTE (beautox @ Dec 10, 2010 -> 11:58 PM) I would love to see this happen. Personally if we do land Garza i'm not very keen on turning around and moving a starter, I don't think Peavy will be back till June. If we're really "all in" I would love too see the four following things happen for this offseason. 1.) Trade Quentin and Viciedo for Garza and a prospect 2.) Burn down the farm to go get Soria 3.) Trade for Beltran(18.5m) with a swap of bad contracts for Teahen(4.75m + 5.5m) and some $(6m?) coming from the mets {thats a saving of 2.25m for them) 4.) Sign LHP Andrew Miller L Pierre LF R Beckham 2B S Beltran RF R Konerko 1B L Dunn DH R Rios CF R Ramirez SS L AJ C R Morel 3B SP - Danks, Jackson, Buehrle, Floyd, Garza BP - Soria, Thornton, Sale, Santos, Infante, Miller, Pena Bench - Castro, Lillibridge, Vizquel, DeAza win. It would be a lot to burden for this season; but going into 2012 we shed a ton of payroll: Beltran(18.5), Jackson(8.35), Buehrle(14), Pierre(8.5), Thornton(3m), Vizquel(1.75) and Castro(1.2) would all be coming off the books(55.3m). Going into that offseason the FA market looks pretty thin outside of Prince and Albert the outfield options look something like this Michael Cuddyer, Jason Kubel, Carlos Beltran and J.D. Drew. Our rotation going into '12 is still in tact with Sale and hopefully a healthy Peavy. We could also re-sign Threets, by that time he should be healthy. I also imagine going into that offseason we would be offering ARB to Thornton & Jackson and possibly Buehrle depending on Peavy's health and how he performs this year. Words cannot describer how happy I would be if they all pulled this off, even though I realize it's the longest of long shots. I wonder if Teahen plus a B-/C+ prospect for Beltran plus ~$6 or 7 million is realistic?

QUOTE (bigruss22 @ Dec 8, 2010 -> 12:41 PM) You shouldnt give a contract over $30 mm because the player isn't "bad." JR paid because of loyalty, not because of a baseball decision. This still improves the Sox for '11, even though it's a much worse move for '12 and '13. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Konerko is in a Diamondbacks (or Angels or Dodgers) jersey in 2013 if the Sox don't win in the next two years, possibly with the Sox eating some of his salary.

QUOTE (bigruss22 @ Dec 8, 2010 -> 11:38 AM) YOu just helped his argument then you know. Having another contract that expires along with others next year gives you flexibility to re-up with players or to blow it up. And with everyone leaving, these extra draft picks wouldve been nice to help rebuild the system. Plus, as you mention, Dayan would be ready to fill in after a year. DLee was just a flatout better option. Have to agree. In pretty much all ways but sentimentality, DLee was the better option. But, the good things is, Paulie is not "bad", he's just not the smartest choice for this contract.

QUOTE (bigruss22 @ Dec 7, 2010 -> 01:02 PM) My guess is that the Dbacks offered 3/30, and Konerko wants to stay down there near his family. Sox will probably offer 3/35, and he'll be hesitant because of family. KW gets tired of waiting, signs DLee at 1/6.5 with incentives. I'd be perfectly happy with this, especially if the savings are used to bolster the bullpen (Kerry Wood, etc.).

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Nov 29, 2010 -> 10:35 AM) Ha, I like how we just say "trade for Rasmus" like that's going to be an easy thing. Starting an offer with Gordon Beckham would certainly get you in the door.

QUOTE (DirtySox @ Nov 28, 2010 -> 12:54 PM) Coop has nothing to fix. Just another guy rejecting a trade to the Sox. Delgado, Edmonds, Peavy, Berkman, now Joaquin... the list goes on.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Nov 25, 2010 -> 12:15 AM) What if they did Konerko, Jenks and AJ, for Dunn and DLEE? I like it. The only question mark there is: are you leaving Quentin in RF?

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Nov 23, 2010 -> 07:36 PM) People are so desperate for information that they will listen to "sources" that are plants from agents to either set the market or gauge the interest in the market. Thus is the information age. It's pathetic.

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Nov 20, 2010 -> 11:56 AM) Yes. You talk ridiculous contracts and Alex Rodriguez is the poster child. But, that was started by Texas and then reinforced bythe Yankmees, who have done nobody any favors with their out of control spending on FA's Jeter Talks Turn Ugly Keeps getting better.