Chicago White Sox

QUOTE (fathom @ May 8, 2013 -> 12:42 PM) You make a good point. The city understands the idea of rebuilding more now than ever. The Cubs didn't even sellout last night despite being 80 degrees outside and playing the Cardinals. Hell, my wife couldn't even sell her bleacher tickets for 75% of face value. That's how bad things have gotten there. Cubs fans have and continue to abandon ship. They'll come back when the team starts winning, but I'm sure they'd much rather be at games this summer when it's nice outside. Hardcore fans may accept rebuilding, but no one enjoys it, and casual will never truly understand. In another year or two, Cubs fans will be real pissed if the team isn't winning yet.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ May 8, 2013 -> 09:09 AM) If the Sox had signed Josh Hamilton this past offseason, most of us would have been doing cartwheels. If he had the same numbers he had now, Hahn would be called an idiot, Manto obviously would be an idiot, and people would be saying his contract has sent the franchise back 10 years. Choosing the right guys to give the money to isn't easy. See Dunn, Adam. If the Sox go that route, and I would imagine they are going to spend some money next offseason with some coming off and the extra TV cash, it will be interesting to see who they spend it on. You basically have to spend on offense or rebuild the team. Both are risky propositions, but I'll try my luck in free agency rather than take on a 5 to 7 year rebuilding project.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ May 8, 2013 -> 08:52 AM) For everything he does, Cano would be the biggest get. I don't see any way the Yankees let him go. Cano would be the perfect addition from a production standpoint, but he's going to get crazy money. And quite frankly, I don't see how the Sox can outbid the Yankees for him. I do think Chase Utley could be had, especially if you jump early while other teams are waiting on Cano. It would have to be a short-term deal, because he's starting to get up there in age. However, I think if you go after one big free agent Brian McCann would make the most sense. He'd be a tremendous upgrade over Flowers, is still relatively young (turns 30 next year), and hits enough to be a decent DH if it came to that near the end of his contract.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ May 7, 2013 -> 10:02 PM) You're probably going to have to part ways with Peavy to be able to fit all three of those guys into the payroll...but it's worth the risk, IMO. Of course, all of this is predicated on John Danks being at least a decent contributor and not a 2001-2004ish 5th starter. Or you go crazy and try to acquire Headley and build the offense around him, Rios and Viciedo. In the position we're currently in, acquiring those three via free agency would be much better. I was only suggesting two of the three, most likely Morales and either McCann or Utley. I don't think we'd need to move Peavy to accomplish that. The point is improving the offense without sacrificing the rotation.

If you want to improve the offensive quickly, it will have to be done in free agency. Three guys who make a lot of sense are Utley, McCann, & Morales. Add two of them to replace Konerko, Flowers and/or Beckham and you suddenly have a better, more-lefthanded offense. Unlikely I know, but I'm but sure what other options there are if you're tryin to compete.

It's amazing that Birmingham scored 16 runs and yet Walker went 0-3 with 3 K's.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ May 7, 2013 -> 09:16 PM) Absolutely. What bothers me is it's the same make up every year. Hard throwers who can go 1-inning. They need to find a guy who can pitch multiple innings and 3 times in 4 days. Yes, easier said than done. Just tired of the same plan every year. But at the same time a manager needs to know how to most effectively use his relievers. I know that's easier said than done, but we saw plenty of times in the past where Ozzie completely ignored a pitcher's splits or tonight with Robin going two innings with Nate despite the fact he hasn't pitched well in multiple inning outings. Relievers are volatile and if you over-extend them too frequently you're likely to get burned.

At least Birmingham won by slaughter rule today. Makes feel little bit better about tonight's awful offensive performance.

QUOTE (Jake @ May 7, 2013 -> 08:53 PM) Losing to the early favorite to win the Cy Young with no DH and your starting LF on the DL isn't really the thing that should motivate you to start moving around the lineup. How about a player batting 2nd with a .400 OPS?

Here's my question. Say we hold on to Sale, Peavy, Danks, Quintana, & Santiago peg them for our rotation next year. What moves can be made to fix this offense between now and opening day 2014 if you're actually trying to compete?

QUOTE (fathom @ May 7, 2013 -> 08:48 PM) For starters, get the worst player in baseball out of the 2nd spot. Flip flop De Aza and Gillaspie in the order as well. Robin is too stubborn though. We saw this same thing happen with Morel last year.

I'm a huge Viciedo fan, but you know it's bad when you desperately miss him and Beckham.

QUOTE (flavum @ May 7, 2013 -> 08:41 PM) Did you do it? No, but I should have. You just knew the leadoff walk was coming.

And it begins...

If he walks the leadoff hitter I'm f***ing break my TV.

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ May 7, 2013 -> 08:38 PM) Yes, because you need to give the offense as many innings as possible to try and score before you have to bring Thornton in. I'd normally agree, but I don't like Jones pitching two in general.

QUOTE (flavum @ May 7, 2013 -> 08:36 PM) Great story, hawk You don't like hearing about Hawk's Yorkies? It's better than anything he could say about this sorry lot of hitters.

QUOTE (fathom @ May 7, 2013 -> 08:33 PM) Goodness Keppinger sucks He looks like Mike Caruso could out-slug him right now.

Nice! Some weak contact, just what we needed Kep!

Very nice inning for Nate. Hopefully he can get back on track. Now we just need to Keppinger to get things going. A single or even a walk (god forbid) would be fine.

Jesus Christ do not let this get to Thornton.

You know we've reached a new low when the play of the game is our only hit by default.

God these commercials suck worse than our offense.

Alright De Aza, get on base for Keppinger and he'll hit first HR as a White Sox. I promise.

Come on Wheezy, hit a f***ing HR bud!