Chicago White Sox

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Sep 15, 2017 -> 07:57 AM) Because he has already started to hit more. He's missed many games. Health is never a guarantee, but if he was healthy for this entire season, 25 homers isn't very crazy. Last homestand they had listed some of his homers on the scoreboard. He has hit 8 up until then that went at least 423 feet. He has enormous power. A slight tweak to his launch angle and who knows what happens. I was reading an article about Justin Turner and his turnaround from nothing to all star. They said he spent a winter with Marlon Byrd. The first thing I thought about after reading that was he was juicing, but it all was about launch angle. Avi hits the ball hard as often as just about anyone. If he ever becomes a flyball hitter, he will be a star. His FB rate has improved this year, but his HR/FB remains the same as 2016 and is far from special. I'm not arguing a change in launch angle wouldn't do wonders for him, but I'm definitely not paying him 4 WAR OF money because of a BABIP fueled season and hopes that maybe a launch angle change comes to fruition. If you want to hold him another season and see what happens fine, but extending him right now seems incredibly foolish IMO.

QUOTE (Lillian @ Sep 15, 2017 -> 07:46 AM) I think you are exactly correct. He has obviously made a concerted effort to be a line drive hitter. If he alters his launch angle, he could even surpass that 25 - 30 homer mark, in which case, a .285 to .300 average would be fine. Either way, he should be able to remain a productive middle of the order hitter. His LD % is actually down this year. And you don't sign players to big contracts because you think they can make a launch angle adjustment. This idea that he'll simply sacrifice some average for power is absrurd. His average is going to regress regardless of any other changes. He most definitely needs to improve his power numbers to remain a productive middle of the lineup hitter.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Sep 15, 2017 -> 07:39 AM) Avi's BABIP may regress, but I also think he will be hitting more homers. I don't think anyone expects him to hit .333. But if he hits .285-.300 and hits 25-30 homers, he's a lot better than anyone thought coming into this year when people were upset the Sox gave him $3 million and weren't giving Rymer Liriano a shot at playing. Why do you think he'll suddenly hit more HRs?

This thread is a perfect example of what happens when we let the trolls run wild. Absolute garbage and negatively impacts the overall quality of the board.

Avi looks better this year no doubt, but he still has a .397 BABIP. That is the highest in baseball this year and a huge red flag. Let me put it this way, the highest career BABIP for any modern player with 3,000 PA's is Joey Votto with a .353. That's a 44 point differential between Avi and the best ever. I don't care if you believe he's finally "figured it out" this season, regression is most certainly coming, the only queation is how much. So what does that leave us with if the batting average starts to fall? Amongst 52 qualified OFs, Avi ranks 31st for ISO, 49th for BB%, & 25th for K%. What stands out there? Simply put, a bunch of singles are fueling his overall offensive line. And while his baserunning numbers have improved this year, his defense in RF is still below average. What happens if he gains weight and/or loses speed as he ages? Both his baserunning & defense would be negatively impacted and he could quickly become a mediocre player. I too want to believe that Avi is suddenly a 4 WAR player, but I have zero faith he can maintain this level of production long term and I think he's too risky of a player to commit big money to when we have a system filled with OF talent and enough money to sign a true impact free agent if need be. I think Hahn should trade him this offseason while his value should be at an all time high.

I just don't see how they ever get two stars. They'll tank this year, get one high draft pick, and immediately sign B tier free agents and be stuck in NBA hell for the foreseeable future. Maybe if GarPax wasn't around I'd more faith.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Sep 14, 2017 -> 09:42 AM) You're still on this? lol Wasn't Greg the person who said that originally? More proof Ron = Greg.

Camilla f***ing sucks and is super overrated in the looks department.

QUOTE (scs787 @ Sep 14, 2017 -> 04:56 AM) Where is Manny Machado in the projected lineup? I really wanna see the Sox spend this off-season. They have money, there are some really good young players out there, and their first round pick will be protected. Wrong free agency period. Machado will be available in two offseasons, along with a bunch of other big names. IMO, 2019 will be the first year they really go for it and we'll see a lot of free agent activity the offseason before. I really think we can be serious World Series contenders in 2019 with a few big moves and solid development from the core young guys like Moncada, Anderson, Jimenez, Kopech, Giolito, & Lopez. 2018 is year too early, but things are definitely moving faster than anticipated.

QUOTE (TheFutureIsNear @ Sep 11, 2017 -> 06:49 PM) Don't remember who they were or how many, but I'd love to hear from the people who were talking s*** on Jose now. Dude is just flat out one of the better pure hitters in baseball. Would it be nice if he was a little bit better at first base? Of course, but his bat FAR out weighs his D. Given his relative cheap contract I'm really curious to see if there's any good offers for him this off season. I'm really not interested in trading Abreu as I think having his bat anchoring the middle of our lineup is crucial for a quick rebuild. If I were Hahn, I'd explore an extension with him this offseason. A five year deal would allow us to control him through his age 35 season. That's probably as far as I'd go with him right now, but it's something I actually think Jose would accept.

Very encouraging to see Anderson start to turn things around. He's always going to be a limited offensive player due to his lack of taking walks, but the mix of power & speed along with potentially above average defense could result in a 3 to 4 WAR player down the road. I'm very glad they stuck with him through this tragedy despite how poor the results were. He's an important part of this team's future and I fully expect a significant leap in development in 2018.

Well if this thread works nearly as well as the Abreu one, I don't think we'll have much to worry about going forward.

Glad I drafted Kareem Hunt in both my leagues.

QUOTE (OmarComing25 @ Sep 7, 2017 -> 07:44 PM) That will be the game we win because baseball. Lol...probably true.

QUOTE (flavum @ Sep 7, 2017 -> 06:29 PM) Tank Series: Fri- Moore vs Giolito Sat- Samardzija vs Shields Sun- Bumgarner vs Fulmer At least Sunday is a guaranteed loss. I'll be happy with 1 out of 3 TBH.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Sep 4, 2017 -> 12:32 PM) WTF? That's crazy. He's having his first decent season and still has shortcomings. On one hand, he has a .368 wOBA and a wRC+ of 132. Solid season. He does have a crazy high .392 BABIP though. He's not a defender and only has 14 homers while being relegated to an OF corner. He's just always a guy that contending teams will be looking to replace in my opinion. sincity is a blatant troll, just ignore him. Wish the mods would do something about him, because there is really no black or white about his intentions.

I think Avi has made some real strides this year with the bat, but I definitely don't think he's someone you build around. His offensive profile still has too many question marks, I worry about his overall game if he were to add weight/lose speed as he ages, we're deep with minor league OFs, & we're going to have a f***ton of money in the coming years and I'd like to aim a little higher with that money than a 2-3 WAR player who doesn't play a premium up-the-middle position. I'd shop him like crazy this offseason and seriously consider any deal headlined by a top 100 prospect. If not, I'd be ok with holding him into next year, but I don't see him as part of our next good team.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Sep 4, 2017 -> 08:53 AM) Interesting choice. The lefty reliever showed improvement in AA although he walked a few too many. Most likely will be used as a situational lefty. He was a prime Rule 5 candidate, so might as well add him to the 40 man now and get a look at him against big league hitters.

QUOTE (fathom @ Sep 1, 2017 -> 08:45 PM) Great recovery by Lopez, and nice to see him maintaining velocity I thought he looked awesome tonight. Obviously not a perfect start, but damn could you see the potential in this kid.

That was a bizarre attempt by Hanson.

QUOTE (OmarComing25 @ Sep 1, 2017 -> 07:01 PM) Guerrero was striking out everyone in the first half but the Ks have disappeared in the 2nd half. Was just thinking the same thing.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Sep 1, 2017 -> 06:13 PM) I am really jonesing for some Delmonico and Moncada. I was actually watching every game for a while. But once those two & Lopez went down it's been a tough watch.

QUOTE (Jenksy Cat @ Sep 1, 2017 -> 12:27 PM) You and Greg should have a cage match There's no doubt they are the same underlying person.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 1, 2017 -> 11:02 AM) Even above that we are starting to see results from the previous classes. Micker Adolfo had a great year. A guy like Luis Martinez is pushing through the system. Carlos Perez improved a lot as the season went on. These guys are filling up the rosters in Arizona and Great Falls. I'll be honest, we really need to see several more of these guys hit full season ball before I get excited.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Aug 31, 2017 -> 11:02 PM) You wait. Kopech and Gio will not be in the bigs til September next year. Sox will not rush guys in a wasted season. I know I've been up and down on Lopez. I'm not THAT high on him yet. Do you guys think he's a lock to be a No. 2, 3 stud or are u like me and not convinced? I do worship Rodon. I'm convinced he'll be a stud, health permitting. I know he's a free agent, but I figure he's one of those guys you could just sign for pennies w/out much competition. He has to be happy with Coop and nobody's offering him much dough this offseason. I feel like he could be a moderately acceptable starter if we're trying to win. He's certainly LIGHT YEARS better than Shields or the two guys who are not as good as Fathom: Holland and Pelfrey. I figure MiGo is the kinda guy who after the season ended woulda agreed to a cheap contract and stay on the south side with Coop. Why would trading him now prevent us from bringing him back in the offseason? I really don't understand how your brain works.