Y2Jimmy0

QUOTE (GreatScott82 @ Aug 4, 2013 -> 01:28 PM) We need better production from every position. In order to get there, we need to start developing prospects. I think Hahn realizes that. The days of spending big in free agency will be on hold at least until 2015. I expect them to be just as bad in 2014 as well. Great post. I would not surprised to see De Aza in LF, Garcia in CF, and Viciedo in RF next season. Beckham at 2B, Phegley at C. Gillaspie and Keppinger will both be here. Dunn will most likely be here. I think you give Andy Wilkins 1B next year. You have nothing to lose by doing so.

QUOTE (Jake @ Aug 4, 2013 -> 12:43 PM) I'm talking about overall value. Not only does Alexei lead us in WAR, he ranks 13th in WAR among all MLB SS. No other position on our team ranks in the top half. 18th in wRC+, which is pretty good on our team. From 2012 until now, Rios is 5th in WAR among all RF's.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Aug 4, 2013 -> 11:26 AM) Me neither . Just stick him in a corner and forget about him. I'm a huge proponent of the best possible defense in CF, guys with speed to burn who can make up for deficiencies in the other outfielders. We've seen what a Lorenzo Cain and Aaron Hicks type can do 1st hand. Garcia just isn't that kind of player . I want him chilling in a corner ,not having to sprint from gap to gap all game. I don't want that big body wearing out and getting too much mileage on it. I think you allow Garcia to play CF until he proves that he cannot. I know many people are down on the system but I still like Trayce Thompson an awful lot. Trayce, imo, can stay in CF. Ideally for me, Garcia is in CF until Thompson is ready, moving him to a corner.

Rick Hahn was on Hit and Run this morning with Connor McKnight and Barry Rozner. Said many of the same things. He's looking forward to watching his pitchers start, the growth of guys like Josh Phegley, and mentioned that 2-4 new guys could be up here this year that ideally will be part of their new core. Mentioned that he wanted Garcia in Charlotte for a bit so he could continue to play CF because his offensive profile would be enhanced at a premier position like CF. He also mentioned that one of the only good things about being this bad is the amateur draft pool and international pool that he will have tos pend next year. Full interview should be available on 670thescore.com at some point today.

QUOTE (DirtySox @ Aug 3, 2013 -> 09:11 PM) I still really like Erik Johnson. You should like Erik Johnson. He's probably a big league #3 starter. That's an important guy. He has been very good the last 1.5 years and we should be seeing him in Chicago in September.

QUOTE (bbilek1 @ Aug 3, 2013 -> 04:41 PM) 1. Avisail Garcia 2. Erik Johnson 3. Trayce Thompson 4. Courtney Hawkins 5. Tim Anderson 6. Marcus Semien 7. Andre Rienzo 8. Brandon Jacobs 9. Tyler Danish 10. Micah Johnson 11-15 Snodgress, Barnum, Sanchez, Petricka, Beck. Good list. I love Daniel Webb though. I know hes a RP but I love what I have heard about him. Nathaniel Stoltz from BP told me on twitter that he thinks Webb is the best relief pitcher in the minors.

Rosenthal had a video on Fox Sports today talking about Rios. He said he has a $13 million salary for next season and a $13.5 million club option for the following year. He said some teams could see that as a detriment but most will not. He mentions that since the start of the 2012 season Rios is 5th in WAR among all RF's. That is higher than Victorino and Swisher who both received big deals in the offseason.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Aug 3, 2013 -> 03:25 PM) I know, but he turned around the team while he was there. The Sox just sat back and kept losing. Greg, I don't think you are a bad guy. I know you genuinely want the team to do well. We all want the team to do well. Taking a step back in this case to eventually reach sustained success is necessary though. That's all I will say. The definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over and expecting a different result. Every time I see one of your posts I want to respond. But it is insane to respond because nothing is going to change with you. I would stop arguing fellas. Just going to give yourself a headache.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Aug 2, 2013 -> 10:12 PM) I was saddened 2 games ago when Hawk said none of this is Robin's fault. OK, I love Hawk, but Hawk consistently said we had a good team up until the all-star break. So I guess Hawk is blaming the players and only the players for this pathetic play. Hawk was so adamant it was NOT Robin's fault it made me embarrassed to be such a Hawk homer that I am. Cmon Hawk. You love Robin, but he's manager of one of the biggest embarrassment teams in Sox lore. This team blows and yes, part of it is Robin's fault. Maybe he blames Manto and Coop. The players can't be the ONLY reason this team blows. Ventura got way too much credit for last year's success and he is getting way too much criticism for this year's failure. This is a poorly put together baseball team. They all played above expectations last season. That was unrealistic for this year. A lot of these players are the same players that have been here for multiple failures. The White Sox have had 1 playoff appearance and 1 playoff win since 2005. That's not the manager's fault. The White Sox have players that don't get on base and they aren't hitting homers. Now, I hate how many outs Ventura gives away for no apparent reason but other than that this team is so flawed that I can't really blame him for much else.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Aug 3, 2013 -> 10:30 AM) I'm just as fine with the #2 pick as I would be with #1. I do think though that #3 is where the drop-off begins. Early though. I don't necessarily agree with this. If the Sox want a college pitcher, maybe. If Gatewood or Jackson has a huge HS year then the Sox even at #3 would be sitting pretty for those guys. If Beede has a big year he could be there as well. There is a lot of college pitching talent in this draft. Obviously a lot can change, but I don't see the Marlins taking a HS player that high.

QUOTE (BigHurt3515 @ Aug 3, 2013 -> 01:03 AM) False. They don't need it. St. Louis is 27th in the league in home runs with 83 and have one of the best records in the league. If you can get enough hitters at the top of the line up that get on base (can be singles, walks, HBP, anything to get on) and have the middle of the order be able to get hits with those runners on base is all you need. There always has been the stigma that corner infield and outfield players need to put up good power numbers. That isn't the case. Teams can win without hitting home runs all the time. And you don't have to have tons of power in order to get doubles. Manny Machado- 9 home runs, but 39 doubles and he plays 3B. James Loney- 10 HR but is batting .313 Playing 1B for Tampa Bay who has the 2nd best record in the AL. We don't NEED hitters at 1st or 3rd or LF or RF that are going to all hit at least 20 home runs. I just don't understand why everyone thinks that a certain player can't play a position because he doesn't have enough power. If the guy can play good defense and gets on base he can play wherever the hell he wants I disagree. Those cases are the exception and not the rule. While most of your points are valid, that power has to come from somewhere. It doesn't have to be 200 homers but power is important. Machado doesn't have big HR numbers but their CF and SS hit for power. Their Catcher is capable of hitting for power as well. The Cubs of the 90's were able to survive with Grace at 1B because they had a 2B who hit for power. Trust me I understand what you are saying but the White Sox cannot get outslugged in their own park. If the White Sox are going to play in US Cellular Field they need to hit for a good amount of power in my opinion.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Aug 2, 2013 -> 05:15 PM) I really wanna know what that last deal Hahn was close to making. Stone said it was a major deal, names just aren't out. Anybody wonder that? Stone speculated about Dunn and Texas afterward. Not that that deal was available but just speculation. Stone also hammered the team and management pretty hard. He mentioned all of the moved that other teams made and then said when you add "Keppinger and Lindstrom" that isn't exactly getting it done. Yikes.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Aug 1, 2013 -> 03:48 PM) Boo to The Challenge yesterday. So do you think that happened because of Trishelle and Sarah getting booted on a guys' week last week?

QUOTE (Jake @ Aug 1, 2013 -> 02:12 PM) I think Law used to dislike the White Sox because KW had singled him out as an "idiot" in the past. I think he has since, more or less, buried the hatchet. There are reasons not to like Avisail Garcia. When he was asked about Avisail on ESPN, he was very diplomatic. He said there is division among people like him about how his approach will play at the MLB level over time. He first presented the case that many see him being a perennial all-star, but said that his and some others' opinion was that he "has no plan at the plate" and thus is unlikely to hit it big. Joel (Washington, DC) An observation not a question: when you see a guy like Brandon Cumpton (9th round draft pick) come up from AAA and shut out the Cardinals in a critical, playoff like game it puts our collective prospect obessions in perspective. Elite talent is essential, but depth is important also. Klaw (1:31 PM) Depth is huge. It takes 8 or 9 starters to get through a season unless you're the 2005 White Sox. See Law doesn't in fact hate the Sox. Haha

Here is Keith Law's chat transcript pertaining to a question about Semien. Nate (Chicago) Keith, Marcus Semien was promoted to AAA Charlotte this week. He is having a pretty impressive year statistically. How do his tools project in the major leagues? Solid everyday guy, utility, or np? Klaw (1:40 PM) Average regular at 2b. Don't believe he can be an everyday SS defensively, although that's based on a somewhat dated look at him in the field.

Many of us on this board have discussed the pros/cons of Dayan Viciedo moving to 1B. Well Mark Gonzalez had a couple of tweets that mentioned Viciedo taking balls at 1st Base today. Mark Gonzales ‏@MDGonzales 10m VIciedo getting early work at first base: pic.twitter.com/uIvGmDBXlm Mark Gonzales ‏@MDGonzales 8m Viciedo took some grounders at third base in Toronto in April. Today's work at first looks more serious, with throws to 2b, flips to 1b What do you guys think? Just a way to plan ahead for Garcia coming up soon? Something on the horizon with Dunn or PK? It tells me initially that Garcia will be the CF when he comes up possibly with De Aza going to LF.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/pros...tros-avalanche/

QUOTE (Jake @ Aug 1, 2013 -> 12:37 PM) I did not get the message that we are trying to rebuild. As a matter of fact, I got the impression that that is the last thing he wants to happen. He isn't about to drop $50 million in free agency to make sure we compete, but he certainly wants to make this team good as quickly as possible. There is a reason he didn't mention the draft as part of our future, only mentioning that better drafting in the past couple years has already built up our system. There won't be any all-in next year, but I'd expect to see a new veteran or two around and a team that expects to finish better than last. He's going to try to get maximum value for our players and if that means Rios turns into young but good prospects, he's okay with that. He's going for as much Avisail Garcia type guys as possible and even suggested that Avisail has already begun to shorten our rebuilding window. He said he is fully willing to hold on to our veterans if we don't get fair deals because we can always go out and win next year. He also repeatedly talked about the pitching and how the rebuild is already partially done because of how good our pitching is. He's right about that. Read between the lines. He knows that it is fairly evident that they will not be in a position to win next year. They should be better but they will not have the talent to win a division. I thought he was pretty clear about that.

QUOTE (oldsox @ Aug 1, 2013 -> 11:59 AM) More specifically, he would not be in my top 15. Sorry but that's just stupid and insane in my opinion. It's not always just about numbers. It's about what a player projects to be and his floor and ceiling. Now could Hawkins completely bust and not make it out of High A? I guess that is possible. It's just as possible that he figures it out and becomes an All Star RF for the White Sox years down the road. He still has the highest ceiling in the entire system. Whether or not he reaches that is up to him but not having him in the top 10-15 prospects in a bottom 5 farm system in baseball is just ludicrous.

Law has worked for a team before. He has a cake job right now. Working for ESPN doing what he does gives him great flexibility. He gets to scout, write, and still spend time with his family. I don't always agree with Keith Law but it's just another opinion that helps shape the thought process on a player. Kevin Goldstein was a guy that I really liked. He scouted for Baseball Prospectus and is a local guy. He took a position with the Houston Astros under Jeff Lunhow. It's about opportunity. Would Goldstein have taken the same position under a GM whose premise and philosophy he didn't agree with? Maybe. But maybe it's about actually enjoying your job and what you are doing. Keith Law does not hate the White Sox. He hates teams that value what the Sox have always valued. He does not understand not spending money on the draft and taking the process seriously. KW wanted high impact toolsy players but JR did not want to spend money. That is how you end up with the Jared Mitchells and Keenyn Walkers of the world. Law didn't like Sale or Tyler Danish because of the delivery. There are many other people equivalent to Keith Law who disagree and liked both players though. It's just a matter of preference. Law would have disliked the Danish pick for anyone not just the White Sox. When the Sox start drafting better, Keith Law's opinion of the front office will change. He praised the Tim Anderson pick this year and the Hawkins pick last year. He also liked the Andrew Mitchell pick this year. Law is a pompous asshole a lot of times but he does put in a large enough amount of time to validate him having an opinion.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Aug 1, 2013 -> 10:34 AM) I don't need to watch bad baseball to follow those young players, that's what Soxtalk & Twitter are for. If it's convenient I will go or watch, but if a team tells me winning doesn't matter this year, then I don't care to invest as much time in that team either. That's fine too if that is your preference. I am sure the White Sox would welcome you back with open arms as soon as they are ready to win again.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Aug 1, 2013 -> 10:41 AM) Just to remind, teams can't do this any more. There's really diminishing returns on how many scouts you send to see the same 3-4 players, and spending on international players is now capped. I am aware of this. They will spend their entire pool though. They will have upwards of $10 million to spend on the draft. That is still their own money that they are spending though. I would expect that they use all of their allotted amount in the international market as well.

QUOTE (bbilek1 @ Aug 1, 2013 -> 03:50 AM) This thread is ridiculous. With our market/payroll, you play to win every year. I can't believe I'm reading people say, "I want to lose next year." I refer you all to the Pirates/Royals/Padres of the late 90s/00's. Handfuls of early 1st round picks, nothing to show for it. Look at 1st rounds in the last ten years. Your first five picks will produce 2-3 MLB starters and then the last 25 picks of the round will give you 4-5 major league starters. You play to win the game. Picking #7 as opposed to #17 rarely makes a difference. This isn't the NBA/NFL. I respect the fact that you want to win. I do as well. I am just willing to wait to win. They don't have the offense to win next year and it will not be easily acquired. The only direction to go is back to move forward. 2014 will be a development year. I would not count on free agent signings because it just is not going to happen. We can argue all day about the draft. I think if you are going to be bad it's a good thing to give your scouts and evaluators one of the top 5 picks in each round to work with. If you draft properly that gives you the best chance at acquiring the best talent. I don't want to argue with you but they have dug themselves such a hole that next year is a wash regardless of the size of the market where the team lies.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Aug 1, 2013 -> 10:04 AM) So the Sox are gonna be the Cubs in 2014? Great, another baseball-less summer. That's not entirely true. They will hopefully be developing talent. Go to the ballpark for other reasons. Go to the park to see Avisail Garcia. Go check out Sale, Santiago, Quintana, Johnson, Rienzo starts. Follow the club's minor league system. There is a good chance that guys like Marcus Semien, Trayce Thompson and others make their ML debuts next season. You just have to change the way you view the team as a fan. The White Sox have always said that they want sustained long term success. Now they actually mean it instead of just giving it lip service.

Many of you need to read the new thread I created about Rick Hahn on with Spiegel and Finfer this morning. Those of you that want free agents this offseason are going to be disappointed. Many will be spent on the draft and on the international market. Maybe a free agent here and there. 2014 is a wash.