Chicago White Sox

What they do with all these OFs next year will be interesting. Basabe is already in AA and at a minimum Rutherford & Adolfo will be joining him. They probably let Robert start off in High A to make up for lost time unless he destroys the AFL (assuming he plays there). LuGo could go either way IMO. He’ll be 23 next year so probably a little old for High A. If he finishes this year strong, I’d probably send him to AA to start next season. It’s a good problem to have, but damn I’d hate to be Chris Getz.

That’s a great get, I did not expect us to sign any of the remaining high school after Walker’s bonus came in a half million above slot.

I wouldn’t trade him yet. I’d give him the rest of the season and see what we have. No point in dealing him for filler IMO.

Yes! Fuck yes! Now that’s a name that takes me back. Did you get it in like a dugout sale or something? I actully spent $200 on a Viciedo authentic and it’s shamed me to this day.

Yeah, no thanks. Don’t need another Felicio contract on our hands.

But do you own an authentic black alternative home Morel jersey?

This year would have to be Delmonico. I really thought there was a chance he could be a long term fixture in LF or DH (or at least a good place holder) and the power completely vanished. Previous guys I believed in were Micah Johnson & Dayan Viciedo and damn I really wrong on them.

Wow, Birmingham had a really rough night. If you thought Hansen was bad, look at the amount of K’s throughout the lineup. Basabe & Booker combined for seven strikeouts alone.

We should all enjoy it. I hope he’s finally learned to elevate because that what needs to happen for him to become a great hitter. I just think the “let’s extend him” posts based on a few games are absurd. We still don’t know what he is and the complete lack of walks (before tonight) in about 20% of season is a huge red flag IMO. But hey, we control him for another 1 1/2 years if the power finally comes for good then I’m open to signing him to a long-term deal. And BTW, I am not a sabermetric guy because I reference statistics. I strongly endorse scouting & qualitative factors in all my analysis. I just happen to feel pretty strongly based on the huge data set that is baseball history that a .396 BABIP isn’t sustainable. And look, Avi at a respectable .330 BABIP as we speak. That is not finding a negative in a positive as you put it, it’s trying to be objective when we considering making a significant long-term investment.

I swear to god some of you must of have not followed the Sox very closely in recent years. Avi has had plenty of stretches like this before and every time people buy into it like he’s finally breaking through before we all realize it was just a hot stretch. I really hope he proves me wrong and makes me look like a total asshole because the talent is there, but I’m not buying it based on a couple of good games.

Lol...because only sabermetric people like their players getting on base!!

Avi did have a great season in 2017, but he’s incredibly unlikely to repeat that batting average. And without such a high batting average, he’s not a great offensive player unless the power comes around. What I don’t get is why you are taking it personal. I don’t think Avi sucks, I’m just not prepared to pay him top dollar based on an outlier season. And we don’t have to rely on all the prospects I mentioned, but there are better guys we can spend our money on that Avi.

You can do whatever you want, but I’m not going to ignore the fact Avi’s BABIP last year would have been a good 40 points higher than the highest career averages in the past few decades. But hey, to each their own.

Wow, they’re actually bunting. I hate Ricky Renteri so much.

And there it is!!

Yup, at this point you’ve got to be aggressive.

If he hits .330 with 30 HR’s then sure lock him up, but why in the world is that a realistic expectation? His career high for HR’s is 18 and his .330 season last year was driven by a flukey .396. BABIP. He’s gotten better but he’s still a flawed player.

I want veterans, just don’t think Avi is that guy. Sign a guy with a track record of excellence, not a guy who has been off & on his entire career.

I’m not sure I follow. Avi drew zero walks before going on the DL. He had a total of four extra base hits, including one HR. Avi’s biggest issues in his entire career have been a lack of plate discipline and poor launch angle and those were his flaws earlier this season. You can blame his poor start on some bad BABIP luck but that’s ignoring the bigger issues.

Jimenez, Robert, Rutherford, Adolfo, Basabe, & Gonzalez. All six of those guys should warrant some top 100 consideration by seasons end. And what do you mean Avi hasn’t sucked since? He wasn’t very good before he went on the DL and he still hasn’t drawn a single walk all year. And I’m not an Avit hater by any means, but extending him is a gigantic risk not worth taking. Either wait on our in-house options or sign a legit stud OF. No reason to plan the middle ground.

So you think Lopez has been just as bad as Giolito this year? Because that’s the debate.

Yeah, obvious flaws. Like not taking a walk in 127 plate appearances. But hey, if you want to get overly excited about last year’s .392 BABIP more power to you brother.

I honestly think we’re watching two different teams. Giolito has looked beyond awful the entire season. I can’t recall a White Sox pitcher that has looked this bad in my entire life. Maybe Todd Ritchie back in the day. Lopez has not been great by any means but he’s been worlds better than Giolito. Regardless, when his stuff is clicking, he is fucking dominant. Lucas hasn’t had a single moment like that all year. We’re dreaming off his former prospect status and the mirage that his spring training start against the Cubs was. Furthermore, Lopez actually has some serious balls when on the mound, whereas Lucas is a complete mental midget. There is reason to believe Lopez will continue to develop and grow into a quality starter. As much I want to see a guy like Giolito live up to his previous prospect hype, there is zero tangible evidence right now to suggest that is likely. Even with the velocity increase (which excites me) he’s got a long fucking way to go.

Extending Avi would be the definition of insanity. We’ve seen him have hot stretches before and then quickly revert back to zero plate discipline Avi. When you have a half dozen top 100 caliber OF prospects, you don’t resign a guy with obvious flaws to a multi year extension.

No offense dude, but you are fucking delusional. You are the only person in the world who thinks the two guys are remotely comparable. Even Lucas would say he sucks relative to Lopez. That isn’t to say that Reynaldo has been lights out, but rather Giolito has been the worst pitcher I can remember in recent history. If I didn’t know better, I’d assume you are somehow related given how bias you are with him.