Chicago White Sox

QUOTE (Tex @ Dec 1, 2012 -> 12:14 PM) I wasn't overlooking AJ's age. I agree he will most likely drop off (how many said that a year ago and were very wrong). We probably disagree how far he will drop off. I'm not certain what you mean by "not come close". Are you thinking his .278 avg to .225? Slugging from .501 to .300? A 15% drop? 50% drop? Adam Dunn 2011 drop? I'm talking about his slugging % dropping from .501 to about .405. Even at his career OBP of .324, we're talking about an OPS of roughly .730 next year, which is about where he was at in 2011. Solid for a catcher, but nothing spectacular. Flowers had OPSs of .719 and .708 the last two years with us in minimal playing time. Those numbers should improve with consistent playing time. Honestly, I think he'll have a higher OPS than AJ next year, even if AJ hits 50 points higher than him, because he draws a lot more walks and should hit more home runs. I do think that batting average is often underrated, so AJ deserves some credit for that, but overall offensively I think they'll be pretty close. Also, not that this is the gospel or anything, but Bill James is projecting a .791 OPS for Flowers next year vs a .732 OPS for AJ. Thought it was worth pointing out though.

QUOTE (Tex @ Dec 1, 2012 -> 07:59 AM) It seems that what happens with AJ will be a nice indication of JRs and K-Dubs "gut" on the chances for next season. If they believe a playoff shot is less than 50-50, seriously why spend money on AJ? I don't believe they can backslide too much here and remain competitive. I also do not see a no AJ scenario where it would not be a backslide and the chances of Flowers being an upgrade are rather slim IMHO. The problem you're over-looking is that retaining AJ will also be a downgrade at the position. The guy just had a career year as a 35 year old catcher and will not come close to those numbers next year. No matter who we go with, we'll be getting less production at catcher than we did this past season. AJ is one of my all-time favorites and I consider him the smartest on-field player I've seen in my entire life. Unfortunately, he's approaching the age where rapid regression becomes likely. Do I think he'll be the better offensive player over Flowers next year? Sure, but it will be closer than a lot of people think IMO. Plus I think Flowers is the better overall defensive player and game caller right now. Throw in the big salary difference and the fact that Flowers' value diminishes each year he's not a starter and it's clear who I think should get the job in 2013.

QUOTE (flavum @ Nov 30, 2012 -> 05:56 PM) Humber avoided arbitration with the Astros. One year deal with an option for 2014. Assuming the guaranteed year is around $1 million, this is a pretty smart move for the Astros. Nothing to really lose here and if he bounces back they could get something of value for him at the deadline.

The 40 man roster is now at 37.

Humber claimed on waivers by Astros per the Score.

Dan Johnson non-tendered per the Score.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 30, 2012 -> 08:41 AM) If Tyler Flowers is the starting catcher, the Sox just have to find a LH hitting backup, I don't care how they do it. I agree with you 100%. I just don't know what's out there at the moment.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Nov 30, 2012 -> 08:13 AM) Depends on who your other bench guys are. Assuming you carry Johnson and a backup C, with a 4 man bench, you have two guys to cover the OF and skill IF positions. If one of them is a guy like Lillibridge, then all you reall need is a CF backup and you're set. We already signed Wise for next year, so bringing back Johnson would only leave a reserve infielder and backup catcher left to find if we go with a 4 man bench. And quite frankly, in a perfect world our reserve infielder and backup catcher should be left-handed. That probably doesn't happen, but if it did, we'd have an all left-handed bench which is certainly not ideal. Regardless, Johnson just doesn't seem flexible enough to be part of a 4 man bench IMO.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Nov 30, 2012 -> 06:36 AM) This isn't really news. Floyd getting moved is not news, but potentially signing another starter is. I guess my question is what does this mean for the rest of the rotation? Let's say we sign Hochever to be our #5 starter, does Santiago start in AAA or go to our bullpen? Or maybe Hahn just wants to bring in another starter to add some general competition this spring, but it seems Axelrod would be perfectly capable of that. Needing to have 6 starters could also be a sign that Danks isn't progressing as quickly as expected or that Hahn has concerns that Quintana will regress next year.

While I'd like to keep Johnson for his left-handed bat, we obviously can't if we go with a four man bench like we typically have under KW in recent years. And personally I don't think a 5 man bench is needed in the AL. It will be interesting to see how Hahn handles the bench and if he possibly goes with five guys. Honestly, I never thought KW did a great job putting together a bench outside of a few specific years. Maybe Hahn will give it more thought and look for players with specific skillsets that complement the rest of the team.

QUOTE (TaylorStSox @ Nov 29, 2012 -> 05:47 PM) This is definitely one of the more "WTF?" posts I've read in a while. What will it take for people to realize Greg is a troll. I mean he just recently ripped signing Dwayne Wise to be our 4th OF even though Wise was a favorite of his as recently as last year and overall he did fairly well. I'll give Greg some credit though, he's one committed troll and definitely puts a lot of time into this character he's created.

Beckham and Sanchez are natural 2B and should not be considered options at 3B. Unless some GM is willing to overpay for him, Beckham should get one last shot as our 2B. He'll be relatively affordable this year and at least provides great defense. I don't think he'll ever put it together offensively, but if he does he quickly becomes one of the best all-around 2B in Major League Baseball. That potential alone is worth one last shot. As for Sanchez, give him at least half a seasonat AAA and see what you got. Maybe he does well and pushes Beckham for the starting job. No matter what, he provides us with some IF insurance for 2013 while also allowing him more developmental time. I really see no reason to rush him, especially by playing him at a position he doesn't project well offensively at.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 29, 2012 -> 08:07 AM) The problem with signing Youkilis to a 2 year deal is that the team still has a big money DH for the next 2 years, and thus Youk can't be moved there if he gets beaten up at 3rd...and if he does get beaten up, trading him basically = buying out whatever contract he has left. One of them could play first if Paulie isn't brought back.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Nov 29, 2012 -> 12:19 PM) It would make sense considering you aren't going to get what some think you can get for him. I'd dump him in a hearbeat. I would have felt similar about his value two days ago, but given that BJ Upton just got $15 million in free agency, Rios definitely has some value on the trade market. Nothing crazy but he should be at least worth a B-level prospect IMO.

QUOTE (ewokpelts @ Nov 29, 2012 -> 07:37 AM) That said, I think they'll go cheap at 3b, and possibly sign AJ. I think A.J. is as good as gone. I think he'll be a very effective player for another year or two, but given our payroll concerns, I'd rather allocate my resources elsewhere. Plus Flowers is a solid in-house replacement. 3B is the real concern and going cheap there shouldn't be an option. We really have no in-house candidates there, short of moving one of our 2B like Beckham or Sanchez, which doesn't make much sense IMO. Therefore, we should try to find a long-term solution for 3B and spend the young talent necessary to do so. If such a player is not available, then overpay Youkilis on a short-term deal. I jusr don't see how this team can compete without a legit 3B.

QUOTE (spiderman @ Nov 29, 2012 -> 06:57 AM) That sounds like the type of move I'm sort of expecting. My assumption is that this well liked player makes money and the move is meant to free up some payroll, but also provide a younger player in return. I do think Gavin Floyd is a player to be moved,but I'm not sure he's a well liked one :-) Exactly, I can't think of anyone else that's well liked who makes a lot of money. I guess Ramirez makes sense, but there is no obvious replacement, unless Hahn thinks Beckham can play SS.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Nov 29, 2012 -> 05:56 AM) Mostly. But I'm almost positive a trade of a well liked player will happen for what is going to be considered on here to be small returns. And then we'll wish it was quiet. You got a specific player in mind? Honestly, it almost sounds like you're referring to Paulie.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Nov 28, 2012 -> 08:18 PM) The real question is once things start to heat up, are you going to be happy with the moves that happen? What are you implying?

Catchers also seem to take longer to develop with the bat, probably because they spend so much time working on their game calling and defensive responsibilities in the minors. Look at how much progress Flowers has made in those areas. I think given regular playing time, he will at least become an average offensive catcher and I think he has the potential to become much more. The real concern with him has always been and will always be contact, but as a catcher he can get away with a lower average if he can draw just enough walks and hit enough homers.

If the market really shrinks on Hamilton due to injury/health concerns, then I could see the White Sox making a play. Hamilton is the exact type of hitter we need and it's not like our system is abundent with left-handed hitting prospects. I seriously doubt it happens, but if $100 million/4 years would get a deal done, then I'd definitely do it. We can always move Rios and some combination of Floyd/Thornton/Crain for salary relief to make the financials work. Plus Konerko's contract is off the books after this season, so long-term this is less of an issue. Having said this, I'd be 100% against against a deal longer than 4 years and even $25 million/year is pushing it in terms of value. I just don't see how we fill our need for an impact left-handed bat without trading the farm and a Hamilton deal would be a risky, yet interesting alternative.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Nov 21, 2012 -> 07:42 PM) As long as they have Mario, Zelda, metroid in their back pocket, Nintendo will continue to play as long as they want. People keep predicting flops, they keep on selling product. The exact reason I got one on launch day. I'd have to buy one eventually to play those 1st party games, so I figured I'd get one now. I do think there is a pretty big base of Nintendo gamers that will always support the company, but Nintendo is not flop proof IMO. The GamePad is pretty cool, but I want to see some truly unique experiences with it and that's going to have to come from Nintendo. 3rd parties are just going to port the s*** out of the system by adding touch screen gimmicks. Nintendo needs a Mario/Zelda/Metroid that does something incredible by next Christmas or the system is going to lose steam fast, especially with new consoles from Microsoft & Sony around the corner. What really scares me though is that it took Nintendo basically the life of the Wii system to create a game that could really showcase the potential of motion gaming (Skyward Sword), so god only knows how long before we see that killer app for the Wii U. Also, without a Wii Sports like title that caters to casual gamers, which Nintendoland won't do well enough IMO, Nintendo will lose a big chunk of their current market share.

How would a Dwayne Wise/Reed Johnson platoon in CF compare to De Aza's overall production? Obviously it's not ideal, but if De Aza can be used to get a young, cost-controlled 3B, then it's something worth considering IMO. I just think that Hahn is going to have to get creative to fill the black hole that is 3B and trading De Aza now would be doing so at his highest value. As for the Wise move itself, I don't see how anyone could complain. He's great 4th OF if used correctly and he came relatively cheap. Solid move by Hahn.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 20, 2012 -> 03:30 PM) Its reality. The core of the Tigers is way better than ours. They are a bigger payroll team, playing in a full ballpark, with an owner who doesn't care about profits. Sure the Sox could win next year, but the reality is that as it stands now, the Tigers are the huge favorites. As it stands, without a legitimate 3B, yes I definitely agree they're the clear favorites. As I said though, we have no idea what Hahn is planning and what he'll be able to accomplish this offseason. A couple big moves could sway things IMO. Also, I don't think Hunter & Martinez are automatic diffrence makers next year and the Tigers pitching staff could feel the effects of an extended playoff run. And let's never forgot how bad the Tigers' defense is. That won't be changing anytime soon and was the biggest reason for our team being able to compete with them last year.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 20, 2012 -> 03:11 PM) Yeah, how'd that work out? We remained in first place until the final few weeks of the season, while you told us for nearly a year we had no chance to win the division. Just because we didn't ultimately win the division, doesn't mean we couldn't have. We were right there the entire season and my point still stands. The off-season has barely started and people can't wait to rule us out for next year already. Welcome to Soxtalk I guess! Why don't we wait and see what Hahn does before we hand the Tigers the 2013 AL Central Champions trophy. The Tigers have added a 37 year old OF and will get back a 34 year old DH coming off a nasty knee injury. IMO, Hunter & Martinez could help them or hurt them. It wouldn't be the first time baseball players have suddenly fallen off a cliff at those ages.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 20, 2012 -> 02:27 PM) No matter what they say, they aren't going to compete next year. Just like we had no chance of competing this year.