Chicago White Sox

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Apr 24, 2014 -> 12:06 PM) Again, I never said I don't like Marcus Semien. I just find it hysterical he performs worse than other players who get maligned, and gets praised for it, just because of Gordon Beckham venom. If Gordon Beckham had exactly the same season as Semien, people would be calling for his release. Don't think there aren't Sox "fans" on here that are hoping beyond hope Beckham is 0-4 today with 4 strikeouts so they can tell you how bad he is. They wouldn't be saying, yeah he's on pace to strikeout over 200 times and doesn't get on base much, but those strikeouts are helping the offense. Or they wouldn't be making excuses that he strikes out because he works counts. He's walked 6 times, the same amount as Dayan Viciedo with about 50% more plate appearances. The guy could use some time in AAA, if it comes to that. Personally, I say get him some OF experience. He does have a knack to get the big hit. You could move him around. Playing LF wouldn't be hard on him. I'm not sure what you don't get here. Semien is a f***ing rookie and it's still April last I checked. You are jumping to so many conclusions about him as a player it's crazy. Yes, his K rate is too high and his BB rate is too low. That's going to happen to most young players who are trying to be selective against major league pitching for the first time. Let's give him more than a month before we rip into his performance. All prospects go through growing pains, which is what we're seeing right now. Also, you mention that we'd all be screaming for Beckham's release if he had a season like Semien's, which is hilarious because his career has basically been Semien's current season. The difference is Gordon has had 2,500 plate appearances and Semien is still in his first month. I wonder which player is more likely to improve upon their career numbers?

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Apr 24, 2014 -> 07:34 AM) This reminds me of the venom when Ozzie made Crede the 3rd baseman in 2008. People couldn't live without Josh Fields. I wouldn't be surprised to see Semien stay and play 2B, 3B and maybe some OF. A Tony Phillips-like guy. Hawk did mention Tony Phillips during the game yesterday. But as was posted above, besides his clutch homers (I thought there was no such thing as clutch) Semien has shown he probably could use some time in the minors. Why does it always have to come to these ridiculous comparisons? Marcus Semien Josh Fields. Two completely different with completely different skill-sets. Semien displayed elite plate discipline last year in AA. Yes, he is struggling in that department right now like most rookies do initially against major league pitching. However, he's still finding ways to be productive (working up pitch counts, good power, clutch hits) and help the team win games. Also, despite these growing pains, he's only 20 points below Gordon's career OPS of .694. The upside with Semien is legit and we are seeing it in flashes. Beckham has shown over the course of nearly 2,500 plate appearances that he's not very good with the bat. This is a transitional year and we're better off giving playing time to the guy who is expected to be part of the long-term core than the guy who may deliver us a C prospect if all goes well.

f*** a Tiger

My argument for keeping Semien as the starter is that by doing so we can probably get through most of his growing pains this year. That sets up better to be competitive next year and is more valuable IMO than the C prospect we'll potentially get for Beckham if he plays well. Make him a backup, give him some starts at 3B & SS, and hope his versatility and lack of options on the left side of the infield gets you that same C prospect come the deadline.

The real concern here is that they send Garcia down and keep Semien in a reserve role. I still think Beckham should become our backup infielder, but if he does get his starting job back then Marcus needs to be playing everyday in AAA. Two or three starts a week isn't going to help his development.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Apr 23, 2014 -> 06:12 PM) I think we score 6+ runs tonight. Let's get that plus sign now!

If Rienzo minimizes the walks tonight (so far so good), I think we got a real good shot of winning this game. The offense has to keep putting up runs though and a couple more here might take some pressure off Andre.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Apr 23, 2014 -> 06:17 PM) There are a ton teams that are wondering why they didn't bid more for Abreu. But he's got slider bat speed!

It's amazing how much better the entire offense is by having a legit impact bat in the 3 or 4 spot.

f*** yes!

f*** yes!

I think we score 6+ runs tonight.

Alright saber guys, please tell why Viciedo's performance is not sustainable. Obviously the BABIP will come down by about 100 points, but that still will leave him with sick ass numbers if everything else holds. Are there any other stats involving his plate discipline and/or power that look totally out of whack and will come back down to Earth?

QUOTE (Lillian @ Apr 23, 2014 -> 06:26 AM) Yes, but isn't interesting that the two players with the most impressive start are Abreu's fellow Cubans? Alexei hitting for average and power in APRIL!! Viciedo hitting for average, and drawing walks. Are these the same two guys? If Steverson were the difference, interesting that he should be getting through to the two guys who barely speak English. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that most non-Hispanic hitting coaches still find a way to work with their Hispinic players. And a quick google search confirms that Steverson can converse in Spanish. And again, my beef is with the idea that guys like Abreu & Konerko are working on the technical aspects of batting with other players. Is it possible? I guess so, but it seems incredibly unlikely IMO, and quite frankly that's the hitting coach's job. I'm not going to argue that Abreu may serve as a mentor to a guy like Viciedo, but that comes down more to preparation side of things. Viciedo becoming more patient is something Steverson has been pushing and credit should go to them not Abreu.

QUOTE (Lillian @ Apr 23, 2014 -> 03:10 AM) Could Alexei and Viciedo be trying to emulate Abreu? Or, maybe he has even been "coaching" them a little. Neither of them has had a start like this season's first month. Where would the Sox be without the Cubans? Perhaps our new hitting coach has been coaching them? I seriously doubt Abreu has offered much technical advice to either player.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Apr 22, 2014 -> 08:07 PM) His signing was very popular here. It must be Ventura's fault he sucks. The signing made complete sense regardless of how Downs does. Are you implying it was a bad move?

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Apr 22, 2014 -> 07:55 PM) 1.) The Sox should not wait for Johnson to develop because of Sale's health. 2.) If Johnson does develop this year Q can be used to fill other holes. What holes are you talking about? Right now, we have the following position player depth: 1B: Abreu 2B: Semien/M. Johnson SS: Ramirez/Semien 3B: Gillaspie/Davidson LF: Tank/Thompson CF: Eaton/Thompson RF: Garcia/Thompson DH: ??/Tank C: ?? So realistically we two major holes in DH and C. We should be able to fill the first one in free agency. I see no reason why we couldn't move prospects for a C. Again, trading a starter makes no sense for us.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Apr 22, 2014 -> 07:31 PM) Deal him, if not keep him and deal Q. See, this is where you're clearly trolling. You complain about our pitching depth and then your plan to improve it starts with trading away one of our few cost-controlled pitchers. Makes no sense at all.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Apr 22, 2014 -> 07:24 PM) I think they are going to need three of the high-to-medium priced pitchers on the market and then take a chance on a guy for a year. Some combo of 2 starters and 2 relievers. What's wrong with a rotation of Sale-Shields/Masterson-Quintana-Johnson-Danks? Save the rest of your money for the best left-handed bat available in free agency and a couple relievers and this team is a catcher from being a legit title contender.

Wow, Robin really going to kill the bullpen with a five run deficit against Verlander. Putnam needs to go more inning than Charlie or this a ridiculously stupid decision.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Apr 22, 2014 -> 07:10 PM) It has to be a two-pronged approach draft and the free-agent market. I agree with you Marty. Draft the best pitcher at 1-3 and sign the best free agent pitcher you can. IMO, Shields & Masterson both make perfect sense for us. Sign one of them, draft Hoffman, and our rotation outlook from 2015 to 2019 suddenly becomes pretty awesome.

Robin, please don't let the Sale scare skew your judgement. Let Leesman throw 140 pitches if need be. This game is a lost cause and so is Charlie. Give the bullpen some rest today and hope Rienzo brings his A game tomorrow.

And this game is OVAH! At least the Bulls are playing tonight.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 22, 2014 -> 06:57 PM) Very good range there from Garcia. Of course, for him to be a regular, he would have to be nearly Gold Glove caliber at the major league level. Garcia has some nice physical tools, but if you can turn him into a quality utility guy I think that's a win. I just don't see his defense getting to the level that will offset his lack of a hit tool.

QUOTE (GreenSox @ Apr 22, 2014 -> 06:47 PM) So I guess Leesman is our new Axe. Left-handed Axe > Right-handed Axe