Chicago White Sox

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Apr 19, 2014 -> 10:29 AM) Where's the we have 7 starters crowd? We still have two weeks left in April and we're down to 4. I 100% agree that our starting pitching depth was overrated by some here. However, I think most of those posters used that "depth" as reason behind not signing a mediocre free agent starter, which is still the right call for us. Tanaka made sense for us, guys like Santana did not. Regardless, hitting on this #3 pick will be crucial for the long-term well being for our rotation.

You got to think at least one of Aiken & Kolek goes 1-1/1-2, which would make Hoffman or Rodon available at our pick. I'll be extremely happy with either of those guys. I just don't want Beede at 1-3, he doesn't have the ceiling to warrant such a high pick IMO. Would prefer either of the two HS arms if it came down to it, although I think Hahn is all about the college arms.

Scoreless bullpen! It may have only been 2 1/3 innings, but at least it's progress.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Apr 15, 2014 -> 10:44 PM) End it here Marcus! Thank you!

End it here Marcus!

Big at-bat coming up.

QUOTE (beautox @ Apr 15, 2014 -> 07:55 PM) I'm with you I too would love to have seen what Avi could produce but at the same time its refreshing to know that they will have a definitive answer about Viciedo this season and probably Danks as well, is he a 4th OF a 5th OF or just AAAA fodder. Yeah, losing Avi sucks, no way around it. But I'm glad Viciedo will be getting one last opportunity. I know it's early, but I've really liked what I've seen out of Viciedo so far. His 11.8 BB % is proof he's trying to be more selective. Whether or not he can sustain a rate close to that level remains to be seen, but at least he understands what it will take for him to be a quality major league hitter and he's working towards that goal.

Peavy approaching 50 pitches through 2. Hopefully we can get to their bullpen early today and put them in a bad spot for the rest of the series.

QUOTE (BigHurt3515 @ Apr 15, 2014 -> 04:33 PM) Lets hope Johnson bounces back or at least gives us 6+ solid innings Seeing his velocity improve would make me happy. Seems like he's been down 1-2 MPH on his fastball this year, so getting his stuff back would be a huge step in the right direction. If his struggles were to continue at that point, then you start to worry about him a bit. Right now, I'm more concerned with getting velocity on track than actual results.

The question isn't whether or not Beckham can up his trade value, but rather is it probable. It's one thing to give Beckham regular playing time if we didn't have a major league ready option at 2B, but we do have that player available and there's an opportunity cost to sending him to Charlotte. Semien clearly has advanced plate discipline for his age and I would argue like Eminor did that he'd be better off facing major league pitching right now vs. AAA pitching. Keeping him at the major league level will allow him to go through his growing pains now and put him in better position to be an above-average contributor next season. I just don't think Beckham is likely to play well enough to get us a return that offsets delaying Semien's development. In fact, I would argue that the best way to increase his value is by making him our reserve IF and giving him playing time at both SS & 3B. If he could handle those positions, his market would expand because there aren't going to be a lot of players available at the deadline that can fill those positions. You probably won't get a ton for him, but I'd rather gamble on him being able to demonstrate defensive versatility in the coming weeks than him finally putting it together with bat. And perhaps only playing 3 or 4 days a week would help keep him healthy.

IMO, Viciedo & Danks both end the season as regulars. Not sure if that means De Aza is traded or moved to the 4th outfielder role permantly, but I don't see him holding the job all season with us.

QUOTE (fathom @ Apr 14, 2014 -> 06:14 PM) Is this the thread where I state that Gillaspie is a better fit as the 3rd baseman of the Sox for the next 5 years than Davidson is? Gillaspie isn't great, but he provides some solid offense as a lefty hitter in a lineup stacked with righties in the middle of the order. Conor is starting to look legit against RHP, but he still sucks against lefties. I still think his role is ultimately as a utility player that can fill in at 3B, 1B, 2B & LF. Obviously he'd have to learn a few positions there, but there's no reason we couldn't get his bat into the lineup 4 or 5 times a week if he's backing up Davidson, Abreu, Semien, & Viciedo (or whoever the LF is) next year. With a four man bench like we typically go with, I think having a reserve like that would be ideal.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Apr 14, 2014 -> 05:54 PM) Yes, I believe Marcus is already better than Gordon. Semien should be our starting 2b right now. Agree 100% with this. Marcus is an incredibly smart, selective hitter. He'll have his struggles at times, but offers an offensive dimension that Beckham doesn't possess. He also fits the 2 hole perfectly and makes the entire lineup better. His ability to take pitches not only helps to wear down opposing pitchers but also gives our middle of the order hitters more looks prior to their at-bats. Semien may never be a star, but he's exactly what this team needs more of offensively. QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Apr 14, 2014 -> 05:56 PM) After 14 games you say this? I remember hw Josh Fields was anointed as the next 3Bman of the future based on half a year stats and where did he go? Please don't compare Semien to Fields. They are nothing alike as hitters and it's an incredibly lazy comparison in hopes of making a point that doesn't exist. Like I said before, Semien is an incredibly smart, selective hitter. Prospects with his skills typically translate well to the majors and everything I've seen from him suggests the same.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Apr 14, 2014 -> 01:34 PM) How many teams would actually be able to give Rodon money equivalent to the #1 pick? Doesn't really matter, he's a junior and can simply go back to college. He & Boras may see this year as an outlier and feel confident and he can reenter the draft in 2015 and go 1-1 and get paid then. Not a risk I'd take if I was guaranteed 1-3 money right now, but Boras has done this before with Appel.

We aren't trading for starting pitching (or a major position player) in-season. Players cost a premium from June to July and it would be incredibly short-sighted to pay that price in what should be considered a long-shot season at best. We should be saving our resources for the offseason and positioning ourselves for a real playoff run in 2015. Honestly, while this offense will come back to Earth at some point, Eaton, Semien, & Abreu all seem legit. We may be closer to being competitive that a lot of us originally thought.

QUOTE (IowaSoxFan @ Apr 14, 2014 -> 12:52 PM) I don't know that it is in stone, but from the reports from those that have sources, the Sox are very much connected with Hoffman. We have heard that have had checked in on Beede and know they scouted an Aiken start, but in this thread by our insiders and in different scouting notes, the Sox are consistently linked with Hoffman. I think Hahn never dreamed that Rodon would be in the discussion, and you never know about the smokescreen he may be laying for negotiations or what not. It is more just an accumulation of indicators leading to a reasonable hypothesis than anything concrete. Of course, all of the Hoffman stuff could be smokescreen from the org as well but there has been little about other potential Sox targets other than Trea Turner. I will become a Cubs fan if we take Trea Turner. Holy f*** would that suck.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Apr 14, 2014 -> 12:37 PM) Yeah, since when did this get set in stone? I mean, Hahn has said Rodon is the best college arm. Yeah, Hahn said this just a few weeks ago. IMO, Rodon & Hoffman are the top two guys. Rodon could very well price himself out of the equation for us. Not saying I agree with that, but Hahn may say f*** it, dealing with Boras and overslot demands is too costly for us when Hoffman is on the board and willing to sign quickly. This pick and draft in general is too important to deal with major signability concerns from the start. Either way, I think we want Kolek & Aiken to go 1 & 2, so Hahn has the flexibility to pick the best college arm. Otherwise, a guy like Beede moves into the picture, as I don't see us taking a HS pitcher #3 overall. Obviously there's a first time for everything, but us taking Kolek or Aiken (less so) would be shocking. Just don't see it happening.

Were there talks of Alexei going through some personal problems last year? If so, maybe he's finally moved past them?

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Apr 13, 2014 -> 08:07 PM) You ruined a good post with this inane idea of trading Beckham. Semien hasn't proven anything yet Either has Beckham and guess who is 4 years younger?

Just need a good ole fashioned triple play here.

Is Robin really going to let Quintana complete the inning and go 120+ pitches?

QUOTE (raBBit @ Apr 13, 2014 -> 11:03 AM) Been my sentiment all along. I worry he's a guy we draft under slot. He's been horrible against good competition this year as well. The only way that happens is if Hoffman goes 1 or 2 and Rodon is demanding way over slot. Honestly, I think Hoffman will be available at 3 and he'll be our pick. He just makes too much sense for us.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Apr 12, 2014 -> 11:38 AM) Paulino has one bad start (in Colorado of all places) and he goes from offseason darling to whipping boy. Yeah, people like to bust out their jump to conclusion mats way too early around here. I definitely thought was he getting a bit too much love from some posters this off-season, but I'm still not going to write him off after two f***ing starts.

Love all the lefties in the lineup against Masterson, although I hate Garcia batting 2nd. Oh well, I'm sure he'll go 3/5 today and make me look like an idiot.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 11, 2014 -> 10:15 PM) Former 1st round draft picks are always going to get the benefit of the doubt...Buddy Bell, until this day, still probably believes the lights are just going to go on with Mitchell and he'll become a productive ballplayer. Buddy Bell isn't in charge of the major league roster, so I'm still not sure why you're pushing this narrative.