Chicago White Sox

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Nov 16, 2013 -> 12:30 PM) Jaso would be a good offensive upgrade for ~300 plate appearances for the next three years. I don't think he's worth sacrificing much of the pitching depth for. He'd get more than 300 PAs, but otherwise I agree.

QUOTE (Paint it Black @ Nov 15, 2013 -> 12:29 PM) oops. fixed. Yeah $40/ month is expensive haha. Alright, now that makes much more sense. Might need to look into getting a subscription.

QUOTE (Paint it Black @ Nov 15, 2013 -> 12:00 PM) This. I have an insider account and I don't really mind ripping their content (although I don't post it here). I have been a BP subscriber for 5 years now and it rules. It's only like $40 a month. The writing it top notch and if you like the prospect stuff it's the best coverage out there. I hope the bolded part is a typo, because nothing seems cheap about that.

The limited platooning is the most serious issue IMO. While Robin has to get better in this area, Hahn also has to provide him with the necessary players. Getting a left-handed hitting catcher would be a great start. Also, the Sunday lineup comment was spot-on, although that may apply more to Guillen than Robin.

http://www.southsidesox.com/2013/11/14/508...extreme-manager

I think Jaso would be under team control for two seasons, but yeah, you can't trade Santiago for a 30 year old catcher. If you can get him for say a B prospect, then I'd totally be on board. His bat would be a big step in the right direction and a huge upgrade over what we got out of the catcher's position. I think if you make this type of trade, you need to try to sign him to a 3 or 4 year deal so he's more than just a stop-gap and can buy the organization a decent amount of time to develop a good, young catcher.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Nov 14, 2013 -> 06:40 PM) It makes sense with Reed. I would have to be blown away with an offer for Reed I totally disagree with you here. I wouldn't be looking to move him, but I'd be entertaining all offers and willing to strike on one if a team offered the right piece(s).

QUOTE (Baron @ Nov 13, 2013 -> 05:38 PM) 4 years 70 million with the White Sox? I may throw up Yeah, that would be hella lame. I was all for Granderson before he got the QO, but only if he gave us a serious hometown discount (say 3/36). Given that he will cost us a draft pick now and bonus money, there's really no deal that makes sense for us and 4/70 would be an epic fail on Hahn's part.

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Nov 13, 2013 -> 10:03 AM) Not that I'm arguing pro or con for bringing him back right now, but the whole "problem is that was in 113 PAs" is a weak argument. Paulie has always mashed lefties his whole career. That's not going to change no matter how old he is. Hell, 42 year old Jason Giambi can still "somewhat" hit righties.. he sucks now, but he sucks alittle less facing them. The point was that he'll only get limited opportunities against LHP and is that really worth using a roster spot. I've never questioned his ability to hit LHP.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Nov 13, 2013 -> 09:46 AM) Even taking a 2013 Konerko, it isn't a bad baseball decision having him play against LHP. His batting average was over .300. His OBP was almost .400. His OPS was over .900. The problem is that was in 113 PAs. Even if he's completely healthy, he wouldn't face that much more LHP next year. I just can't argue that's worth a roster spot given that he won't help out in any other capacity.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Nov 13, 2013 -> 09:08 AM) The point being the White Sox treat their guys with dignity and respect. Maybe it means nothing, but it certainly doesn't hurt their reputation, which could come back to them someday, and Paulie has earned the right to make the call, and I don't think he would come back unless he thought he had something left in the tank. If Konerko came back, I don't think it would be at the expense of a pitcher, I think it would mean a guy like L. Garcia, who can play both infield and outfield makes the roster. A guy like Jordan Danks is who it costs a job. No big deal. Come on, athletes are horrible with accepting their best days are behind them. He has the right to make that call, but so do the White Sox. If Hahn thinks Konerko is done, then loyalty should have nothing to do with it. Making bad baseball decisions for the sake of being loyal is a real bad way to run a baseball team. If Jerry wants to reward Paulie for his years of service then give him some token job in the organization that doesn't affect the 25 man roster.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Nov 13, 2013 -> 08:12 AM) I agree with everything in this post. I'm sure it's an incredibly nominal offer ($1-3 mill, something that is not going to hamstring the budget), and they'd just run with an 11 man pitching staff. It'll be primarily young guys anyways, so there will be options and what not used and guys will be swapped out when an extra arm is needed. You run with Reed, Jones, Lindstrom, Webb, Veal, and Leesman out of the bullpen and you have a swing guy in Leesman who can go multiple innings or one guy at a time. You have your two lefties. What more do you really need (other than better pitchers, of course)? What's the point of bringing him back though? His only value at this point comes as the weak half of a DH platoon. Is that really worth a roster spot? And what if Robin decides to give Konerko more starts than that and ends up cutting into Abreu's playing time? Unfortunately, I could totally see that happening and IMO that would be bad for Abreu's development. Also, we can all try to minimize the percieved value of the 25th man, but there is a reason even contenders take advantage of expanded rosters come September. The value of having an extra arm in your pen goes well beyond the WAR he provides. When Santiago has one of his 5 inning starts or the team goes into extras, it's real nice to have a pitcher that can simply eat innings and protect the rest of the staff. IMO, it's much harder to have a designated long-guy with a six man pen. If your starters can go consistently deep then maybe it's not a problem, but I don't think we're there yet.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Nov 13, 2013 -> 07:22 AM) You are wrong. Look at the numbers more closely. He had a .973 OPS in games he played where a LH started. Not a .973 OPS vs. LH starters. I should have read this before posting, now those numbers make sense.

QUOTE (pittshoganerkoff @ Nov 13, 2013 -> 07:18 AM) He did actually have a .973 OPS against LH starters while putting up a .717 OPS against RH starters. However, he had only 110 plate appearances against LH starters compared to 497 PA against RH starters. It's hard to say what his OPS would have been against LH starters if he had more plate appearances, but I would guess it would be lower. Interesting stat, though. He had a .681 OPS vs LHP in 142 PAs and a .786 OPS vs. RHP in 465 PAs last year. Those are his splits across the 607 PAs he had last year. You're numbers suggest he never faced relief pitching, which tells me there is an interpretation problem here.

QUOTE (oldsox @ Nov 13, 2013 -> 06:58 AM) Because of his age for starters. He was awfully young to go to Charlotte last season, plus he improved a lot in the last 6 weeks or so of the season. I don't have those splits in front of me, but that is my recollection. I just see a major improvement in him for 2014. I hope we see a lot of Sanchez and Micah Johnson at short and 2B next year at AAA. I'm fairly certain Micah Johnson will be starting 2013 in AA.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Nov 13, 2013 -> 07:04 AM) You are misinterpreting his numbers last season. He did have a .973 OPS in games the opposition started a LHP. He did not hit lefties very well . He cleaned up on RH relievers. Konerko was the opposite. If he comes back, Konerko can hit against the lefties and Dunn would be available if they switched. Granted, it's not a great solution, but playable, especially if you don't think the Sox really can win next year. I'd be perfectly happy platooning Dunn, but whose spot on the roster are you giving up to bring back Konerko? Honestly, I think Keppinger would have to go if we bring back Paulie. And quite frankly, I'd much rather have Keppinger on my bench than Paulie. Both would play primarily against LHP, but Keppinger can technically play mutliple positions which is important with a four man bench. I'll always love Paulie for what he's done for us, but giving him a farewell tour doesn't make much baseball sense.

QUOTE (lasttriptotulsa @ Nov 13, 2013 -> 06:38 AM) I've posted it before, but I'll post it again. Dunn had a .973 OPS off left handed starters last year and for his career his OPS is higher off of left handed starters than it is right handed starters. If you sit him against lefties to start Konerko you are hurting the lineup. Dude, what the f*** are you talking about? You really need to double-check your facts on this one.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 12, 2013 -> 05:28 PM) I can't remember that either, but I also can't remember the last time they had a RH hitting backup 1b on the bench. Which is obviously the problem with bringing back Konerko. Either you're taking away some flexibility from your bench or you're removing an arm from your pen. I think you could get away with a four man bench composed of Garcia, Danks, Konerko, and a backup catcher, but it's far from ideal plus you'd have to find a way to get rid of Keppinger. Regardless, I think that would be the preferred route than going with a six man pen.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 12, 2013 -> 05:17 PM) They could go with a 6 man bullpen to keep him. When's the last time we went with a six man bullpen for an extended period of time? I honestly can't even remember. If they bring Konerko back, then I think they eat a big chunk of Keppinger's contract and straight up dump him.

QUOTE (flavum @ Nov 12, 2013 -> 01:18 PM) There's zero chance that there is zero chance Beckham is staying or going. I'd just like to see a statement trade that the team is changing. If they return with DeAza, Ramirez, Viciedo, Beckham, Kepp/Gillaspie, Dunn...that's a lot of a bad offense returning. I think it's very likely that Hahn makes at least one statement trade. Signing Abreu was a great first step, but I think Hahn will address 2 or 3 positions this offseason with one major trade involving pitching for a young position player.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 12, 2013 -> 01:04 PM) There is zero chance Beckham is gone. Viciedo I'd be at about a 20% chance. I'd say the opposite. We desperately need middle of the lineup bats and Viciedo is one of the few position players in the entire system with that kind of potential. I doubt Hahn gives up on him yet, not with power at such a premium. Beckham on the other hand occupies a position in which we three of our top 10 prospects can play. I think he's far more likely to be moved than Viciedo.

QUOTE (pittshoganerkoff @ Nov 12, 2013 -> 06:08 AM) Come on, Greg. Think about your statement. You want to pay Juan Uribe, who is 34 years old, $6 million a year to most likely give you what Keppinger and Gillaspie will. I like Juan, too, and he was awesome for the team in 2005...that will be nine years ago. He had a great 2013, but his 2011 and 2012 seasons were not so good. And again, this team should not be looking for a one year "solution", especially for a position like 3B. They shouldn't settle for Juan Uribe for a year if all he's going to do is be a one man version of Keppinger and Gillaspie. Agree with this. Gillaspie still has some potential and if Hahn can't find a legitimate long-term upgrade, he should be given every opportunity to be the strong half of a platoon at 3B. And while Keppinger was beyond terrible last season, he should still be a useful player against LHP going forward. I'm not in love with a Gillaspinger platoon by any means, but it's not worth using our limited sources for a minimal upgrade at 3B like Uribe. We should be using that money to fill a bigger hole for us which is catcher.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 11, 2013 -> 08:31 PM) How are you coming up with the money for multiple FA signings when we have no room for any right now? Esp. Since you're coming up with a lot of money to get someone to take Dunn? Why do you keep saying this? You have no idea how much payroll room they have left and what moves they could make to create more. Let's not overreact to some number Merkin through out there on the team's official website. I hope you don't think Hahn would openly communicate his payroll restrictions to agents and opposing GMs in early November.

QUOTE (Chilihead90 @ Nov 11, 2013 -> 08:02 PM) Shall we make a bet of which number Uribe comes closer to next year? 5.1 or -1.5? For those not very privy to math, the middle point there is 1.8. Or instead shall we bet on whether he ends up being "worth" $6M next year, which would mean he would need about a 1.2 WAR (according to Fangraph's value of a win). I'll take the under on 1.8.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Nov 11, 2013 -> 03:47 PM) (1) Says who? Steroid era position paradigms are long-gone. Only 24 OFers in the entire Majors even reached 20 HR last year. There isn't even one 20+ HR outfielder available per team. (2) Viciedo hit 14 last year. The problem with power is that you have to make contact for it to matter. Viciedo was injured and missed nearly a 1/4 of the season. He was also a 24 year old in only his second full year. I respect your opinion and thought process on most topics, but I think you're way off on Viciedo.