Chicago White Sox

Nice little play Kepp.

QUOTE (DirtySox @ Apr 1, 2013 -> 04:34 PM) Nice to see Flowers punish that mistake pitch. I fully expect him to be just as or even more valuable than AJ this season, at a fraction of the cost. If he can hit .240 or higher, with his power, OBP skills, and defensive abilities, he'll be way more valuable than AJ this year.

Come on Kepp. First and third him.

Here we go.

QUOTE (flavum @ Apr 1, 2013 -> 09:44 AM) Would I be stupid to say I hope Hawkins is good at High-A, but not too good? I just hope the Sox don't rush him in an attempt to market the next Harper or Trout. Because he probably isn't. Honestly, if you look at the depth charts above him, I don't see it happening. Mitchell, Thompson, & Walker are all starting the year in AA or above. Plus you have some minor league depth guys / fringe prospects like Danks, Tekotte, & Short in the mix as well. I think it's almost 100% likely he get to AA this season and a decent chance he gets some ABs at AAA at some point, but I really think one of the six guys I mentioned above would get first crack at a major league job this year, whether it's a starting or backup role.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Apr 1, 2013 -> 09:17 AM) 1B? That's interesting. If he slides to 1B, he'd better develop some power. Kanny just tweeted that link as the correct roster - that is the one. If it was the winter one, it wouldn't have Brennan, the Johnsons, etc. A few head-scratchers on that roster... --Who is playing 1B? Ravelo sliding over, or Zac Fisher? --Buddy Bell had said the Brennan-Beck-Hansen group would move together... apparently not. Beck is at A+, Brennan at A-, not sure where Hansen is. --Offensively, that is not a real strong unit. Ravelo, Micah Johnson are the only two guys probably worth watching. Maybe Kiser. --On the pitching side though, some fun names. Olacio, Brennan, Leyer, Hardin, Kibby, Jaye and Gunter all worth keeping an eye on. Looks like the rotation will be Brennan, Olacio, Kibby, Jaye and Leyer. Although there is that rumor about Lopez as well. I'm still hoping Barnum is called up to Kannapolis to play 1B when he gets fully healthy. I just think he's too high of a draft pick to only play short-season ball this year. Otherwise, an ugly group of position playing prospects on the roster. Also a bit surprised neither of the HS catchers we selected last year made Kannopolis' roster. I'm cool with a longer development cycle for them, but I guess you wonder what happens next year if both are ready for low A. Hard to give two solid catching prospects on the same team enough playing time behind the plate, but I guess that's a good problem to have.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Mar 31, 2013 -> 12:09 PM) Because we had to give them SOMETHING. 98% of the Pierre trade was them dumping salary and getting rid of him. Agree. Wasn't Pierre on the Dodgers' bench the season before we acquired him? The move might have been a big move for Ozzie, but I'm pretty sure most people saw it as a salary dump for the Dodgers and a desperation move by the Sox to find a leadoff hitter and get Ozzie some speed.

For everyone suggesting we draft multiple lineman in the draft, seems to me we now have 8 guys under contract with a high probability of being on the opening day roster: Bushrod Slauson Garza Carimi Scott Webb Williams Brown Honestly, we just need to add one interior lineman in the draft and we should be set for next year. Obviously long-term there are still issues, but this isn't going to be an overnight process. Bushrod definitely helps though and if Carimi and/or Webb can step up this year, we might be in better shape than we all think.

QUOTE (Jake @ Mar 30, 2013 -> 12:42 AM) Agree, would be a short term problem and a huge long term gain. The Yankees aren't the perfect comp because people never got so pissed in the first place, but yeah they're fine. The Yankees are a franchise loved by its fanbase for winning throughout its history, the Cubs are the lovable losers with the cool, old-school stadium and party-like atmosphere. There really is no comparison. If they move away from Wrigley and the surrounding area, they'll need to win consistently to draw fans a high level, just the Sox have to. Sounds like a long-term loss to me.

QUOTE (kev211 @ Mar 30, 2013 -> 12:34 AM) Anyone who thinks the cubs wouldn't survive outside of wrigley is delusional. Their massive fan base would easily support them in a new stadium. They'd draw so much more people from the northern suburbs. I'd actually be afraid if they moved. New facilities would do a lot of things for that franchise. Then again the white sox would technically be the only team inside the city then. I couldn't disagree more. They may draw better from the northern suburbs, but they'd draw significantly less from the city. Wrigley is one of the biggest parts of the Cubs' allure to casual fans and moving out Wrigley would simply destroy a major portion of their brand. No one is saying the Cubs wouldn't survive, but they'd lose one of their biggest competitive advantages. There is a reason the neighborhood can strong-arm the Cubs, even if the Cubs have less to lose by moving out of Wrigley than the neighborhood does. That's proven by the fact Ricketts is now willing to pay for all the Wrigley renovations. He simply has no leverage, since staying will always be better for him and the Cubs than moving would be (within reason).

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Mar 29, 2013 -> 02:43 PM) Be skeptical of defensive stats. Viciedo was a good defensive LF'er last year. Agree with both points.

If putting ads on the outfield walls leads to more revenue I'm all for it.

Let's also remember the Sox almost always find some money at the deadline if they're competitive. So yes, the team may start any given season at its budgeted payroll, but when things go well and there is more money at the gates, the organization puts some of that money back into the team. The rest most likely goes towards future payroll or other operating expenses. I seriously doubt this profit is being given out to the owners in the form of dividends.

Also, the Sox's opening day payroll is going to be about $20 million higher than last year and Hahn has indicated they still have a little money to play with. It seems to me that the organization is reinvesting its higher earning power back into the team.

Again, that's operating income, not net income. Regardless, what is your point? They can raise payroll by $20 million? I still don't see how we're a "sleeping giant".

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Mar 26, 2013 -> 04:02 PM) Not worried, just curious what the thought process is, on how they decide these things. Since they can use minor leaguers in games anyway, and there are players who already know they won't make it barring injury... why the theater? Why bother announcing reassignments at all? Maybe it's tied to their minor league contracts? Perhaps these guys have opt-outs if they're reassigned to minor league camp? If so, I could see holding on to them until the end of camp, even if it's unlikely they'd turn down their minor league assignments.

I disagree with those who say Wrigleyville would be fine without the Cubs. First, all the rooftops would obviously have to close. Second, a good chunk of the bars on Clark Street would have to shut down as well. Most of them rely on income during baseball season to survive throughout the year. A few bars would survive of course, but Wrigleyville would have a hot mess on its hands.

Zach Zaidman is still reporting there is a chance Rose plays tonight. Whoops, never mind. Looks like he hasn't seen the update.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Mar 18, 2013 -> 05:17 PM) Please put me on ignore. Thanks in advance. You're probably perfectly enjoyable in person, but my god reading your some of your long-winded posts arguing the dumbest of points simply for the sake of arguing makes me feel like I'm having a brain aneurysm. I will not put someone intelligent on ignore, but please try to keep your points short and focused.

I think if there's one takeaway from this thread, it's that Soxbadger is without question the most annoying human being in the world.

I totally think our system is underrated. Look at Trayce Thompson for example. He put up a .809 OPS across three levels last year as a 21 year old, while playing an above average CF. Those who followed him closely know he showed tremendous improvement with the bat in the 2nd half of his stint Winston-Salem, which then carried over to his stay at Birmingham (.899 OPS in AA). Overall, he had a great year in terms of development, despite being promoted aggressively through the system. However, I haven't seen one site give him consideration for top 100 prospect status. Unfortunately for him, until the Sox can successfully develop one of our raw, toolsy OF prospects, guys like Thompson will not receive the benefit of the doubt in these type of rankings. It seems like Hawkins is the lone exception to the rule and that's because he did so well right out of the gate and had such a high draft pedigree. Hopefully Thompson, Mitchell, & Walker can change that this year.

QUOTE (flavum @ Mar 17, 2013 -> 06:02 PM) Why worry about them even then? I worry about one team - the White Sox. As a baseball fan, I would respect the Cubs organization if this plan they're trying to produce actually works over time. Until then, there are no guarantees it will work. The only reason to worry about the Cubs is we compete in the same market as them. If they suck for an extended period of time, there will be more casual fans willing contribute their money to our cause. If the opposite happens, then there will be less money to work with. IMO, this is simply a financial concern. But I agree with you, we should worry about the White Sox first and forement. And if you're going to worry about another team it should be the Tigers, since they're going be our main competitors for the next few years.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Mar 17, 2013 -> 05:01 PM) Preach on. Honestly I have no why Sox fans are spending time panicking about what the Cubs are going to do.. IN 2015!?! Especially when the CBA changes tied cement shoes to their rebuilding efforts. That's exactly how I feel. I'll start worrying about the Cubs if and when all these prospects turn into quality major leaguers. Until then, they're all unknowns just like any other team's prospects.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Mar 17, 2013 -> 05:11 PM) I hope the Sox found a reliable starter in Quintana too. I'm cautious because of his 2nd half performance and that the Yankees released him (a 22 y.o. left-hander.) Even Cashman seems to think it was a poor decision. Also, take a look at Quintana's numbers as a 22 year in high A with the Yankees affiliate and they were pretty good. Seems like he kind of had his breakout season at the wrong time for them and the Yankees made their decision to let him go based on pure stuff and not on what his limited history as a starter suggested he might be.

QUOTE (southside_hitman @ Mar 17, 2013 -> 01:33 PM) At some point the Theo Epstein strategy might be the best course to take - bring up minor league players, tank the season and get some high Draft picks. I hate to see that happen but I reluctantly admit that it has worked for the Cubs in amassing a pool of talented young players, some of whom have star potential. At some point it may be time to throw in the towel for 2013 and 2014 in order to become competitive in the future. The Sox have to find a way to get better against Division foes like Detroit and also to compete in this town for market share against the Cubs organization who is focused on the future like a laser. I'm so f***ing sick of this blind love for Theo Epstein and all things Cubs around here. Epstein's rebuilding process (i.e. purposely losing games) has done very little for the Cubs system. The Cubs #1 & #5 top prospects were both Jim Hendry draft picks, as is the majority of their system. Their #3 prospect was bought for $30 million, and unfortunately for them, the new CBA will not allow them to buy prospects like that anymore. Their #4 prospect was acquired in a trade, which was indirectly the result of another botched trade with Atlanta. That leaves their #2 prospect, who was the result of a high draft pick. This a prospect years away from contributing and even he was outperformed by the HS outfielder we were able to select later in the 1st round The point isn't that Epstein hasn't done things to help the Cubs. It's just that going the full rebuilding route hasn't had much impact yet. People need to stop pretending that Epstein is a miracle worker and realize what he is. A very smart, business savy leader who was able to leverage certain draft loopholes and financial advantages to give the Red Sox an edge. He's going to have to reinvent himself, because the new CBA isn't doing him any favors. I'm not saying that's not possible, but let's put away the jump to conclusions mats and not award the Cubs the 2016 World Series trophy just yet.