Chicago White Sox

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Aug 17, 2012 -> 09:26 AM) You have to be careful when calling up guys when you are in a race for the playoffs. For one thing, if they really were all that good, they probably would already be on the team, so they probably won't play much. The other thing is, you don't want to crowd the clubhouse too much and make it uncomfortable for everyone. The Sox will obviously call up a few guys, but I would be shocked if its more than 4 or 5 and that number is probably high. I agree with your general concept, but 4-5 guys is not high. We have a ton of pitching depth at AAA and I think they'll want a bunch of them for the stretch run. Omogrosso, Heath, Veal (assuming he gets sent down when Paulie comes back), Santiago, and Leeseman are seem likely as call-up IMO. Throw in Danks and that's six guys that I think will be up by the end of the season.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Aug 13, 2012 -> 09:26 PM) Leyson Septimo's are a dime a dozen. I think you seriously underestimate how few quality left-handed relievers there are in baseball. Not saying he's going to make it, but guys with Septimo's stuff aren't a dime a dozen. There's a reason he's been a multi-year project for the organization.

QUOTE (fathom @ Aug 13, 2012 -> 09:08 PM) Well, it does seem like 90% of our games come down to the last batter, so I don't blame him there. Fair enough, but the kid was throwing strikes in AAA. He just looked scared on that walk. Maybe he doesn't have the balls to make in the pros, still too early to tell, but what we saw tonight isn't the pitcher he really is. I'd hate to give up on an arm like Septimo's just because he crapped the bed a few times in his first stint in the majors. Unfortunately, if we can't find some low pressure times to use him soon, we'll probably have to cut ties with him in the near future.

QUOTE (Caesar @ Aug 13, 2012 -> 09:06 PM) We are in a pennant race. Let him suceed in the f***ing minors. He's out of options and would get claimed.

I wish Robin would find some low-pressure times to use Septimo, because this kid desperately needs to build some confidence.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Aug 13, 2012 -> 05:50 PM) Whole lotta League of Shadows stuff. Didn't everything just turn out to be Talia's back-story? Also, I could have sworn the movie basically said Ra's Al Ghul recruited Bane for the League of Shadows simply because he saved his daughter and that Bane was completely motivated throughout the movie by his love for Talia. Am I wrong here? If so, that's not a back-story, that's a cookie-cutter fill-the-blanks explanation. I still don't know why he was in love with her in the first place, which seems kind of important. Again, I could be missing something, but I was very disappointed with how the Bane story worked and they basically turned him into a glorified henchman by the end of the film.

QUOTE (SoxFan1 @ Aug 13, 2012 -> 02:27 PM) WHAT!?!?!? What was his big back-story then? Maybe I missed something, but the only thing I recall was Bane saving Talia as a child for some reason. If so, that's just an extension of Talia's story. I hope I'm wrong and I overlooked something significant.

I think you can make an argument for either player, but Wise makes more sense as the 4th OF for the rest of this year IMO. I do think he's a defensive downgrade, but Wise should be better with the bat and is a stronger base-stealer. Overall, it's probably a small upgrade for the next couple weeks.

QUOTE (JPN366 @ Aug 13, 2012 -> 01:29 PM) Brandon Kloess might be coming too. He's not on the 40, would be surprised if it were him.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 13, 2012 -> 12:08 PM) Counting the recent Mitchell move, the Sox have been really aggressive moving their hitters up. Buddy Bell has really been pushing guys since he took over. While I think it's overall a good thing, I do think Mitchell & Saladino could have used more time at AA. These moves I'm cool with.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I think anyone who believes TDKR is the best movie ever made is either overrating it due to a recency bias or has a complete different definition of greatness than me. And I would never rule out a super-hero movie being the best of all-time. There were just too many things that bothered me througout the movie. Bane could have been an all-time great villian, but they didn't give him much of a back-story and basically turned him to another goon by the end of the film. And while I thought Catwoman was interpreted well, her series of interactions with Batman were beyond ridiculous. I wish I would have kept a list of all the other thing that bothered me. IMO, there were way too many obvious flaws for it to gain any consideration for the best movie of all-time. Again, just my opinion.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 12, 2012 -> 05:12 PM) LIke anyone not named Olmedo or Hudson. So I guess you wanted Brent Morel or Tommy Manzella because those are our AAA 3B.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Aug 12, 2012 -> 11:39 AM) Wise and Danks are on the roster together for ~ 4 days. So who goes down when Konerko comes back? Also, we must be out of 40 man roster spots with the addition of Wise, which will make it difficult to call up other position players in September that may offer more unique qualities.

QUOTE (justBLAZE @ Aug 12, 2012 -> 10:40 AM) DeAza CF Beckham 2B Dunn 1B Rios RF AJP C Ramirez SS Viciedo DH Wise LF Olmedo 3B Sale P Why is Hudson on this team again? Honestly, if Robin is going to play Olmedo at 3B, then Hudson is only at the backup at one position. With a four man bench, we can't afford such a useless player. Also, I don't get the point of having both Danks & Wise on this roster. The only difference between them is Wise is a little better base-stealer. There simply won't be enough playing time for both of them.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 11, 2012 -> 01:53 PM) Damn, I was hoping it was someone who could play 3B. Like who?

You have to be on the 40 man roster by the end of August to be eligible for the playoffs correct? Right now, we only have one position player (Morel) in the minors on the 40, which is pretty insane. I would think that would be a hugr concern for the front office. If we have a serious injury in September, we'd basically have no fallback options as of now. Also, Johnson and Jackson are unlikely to clear waivers if the callup is indeed temporary, which makes things extra complicated. I still think you send Olmedo down until September and keep one of the two power bats the rest of the way.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Aug 10, 2012 -> 09:40 PM) If you call up either of Jackson or Johnson; your next move -- when Konerko returns -- almost has to involve Hudson, Olmedo, Danks or someone going to the DL otherwise you expose Johnson or Jackson to waivers all for a few days of bench depth while Konerko clears the cobwebs. I'd say with relative certainty that Johnson has a 99% chance of being claimed and Jackson around 50%, that depth could really come in handy come September, no need to risk it now. I agree with your logic 100%, although they did bring up Stutlz for a start or two despite being in a similar situation. I wouldn't completely rule it out, but I agree it would be a stupid move with September right around the corner. I'd like to see them move John Danks to the 60 day DL, call up Jackson or Johnson, then send Olmedo down once Konerko is ready. I'd much rather keep either of those guys on the bench the rest of the month than an extra backup IF.

QUOTE (soxfan49 @ Aug 10, 2012 -> 06:00 PM) He is? At this point in the season he is because he can handle the pitching staff well. Long-term he doesn't seem like a great option IMO. He seems like the type of player that needs consistent at-bats to be effective.

QUOTE (RZZZA @ Aug 10, 2012 -> 06:53 PM) I didn't even realize Morel was healthy and ready to go already Healthy, who knows. Ready to go, definitely not. Call him up when rosters expand, but until then, give him consistent at-bats in AAA.

QUOTE (fathom @ Aug 10, 2012 -> 06:38 PM) Calling up Morel would be so stupid. You can't have an entire bench full of defensive-oriented players, especially with Konerko missing at least 7 games. If they do call up Morel, they need to then get rid of Hudson. The bench has been a weakness all year, and with PK out, now isn't the time for KW to neglect the bench. Agree completely. Brent Morel has a .462 OPS in AAA and can only play one position. There is absolutely no sense in putting him on the bench right now. If you call up a guy, it has to be someone who can start a couple games in Paulie's abscense and provide some offense off the bench. Either Conor Jackson or Dan Johnson would do, although I'd go with Jackson as I think he'd make a solid reserve the rest of the way.

f*** the Bulls, there is no way in hell the Magic wouldn't have been interested in Mirotic and the Bobcats pick. Both are long-terms assets that would have allowed the Magic to suck for a few years and get several high draft picks before either was ready to contribute. Instead the Magic got nothing of significance to aid in their rebuilding process, unless they eventually turn Affalo into something. Obviously making the cap figures would have been tricky, but picking up the options on Korver, Brewer, and Watson would have helped, plus we'd have Rip's expiring contract as well. Unfortunately, GarPax is too cheap and risk adverse to make legitimate play for Howard and now there are two super-teams to contend with in 2013 when we get Rose back healthy. Glad I dumped my season tickets.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 10, 2012 -> 03:04 PM) Olmedo is awful. Yes he is, but a guy with a .660 minor league OPS doesn't spend parts of six seasons on major league rosters if he's awful with the glove. Olmedo > Hudson at SS and there is really no debate. Now, if you want to argue who's the better overall bench player that's a different story.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 10, 2012 -> 01:19 PM) Hudson could play it just as well, or better. This is one of the most ridiculous statements I have ever seen on this board. Olmedo has played 1,000 games at SS in his professional career. There is no way in hell that Hudson is as good or better than him at SS.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Aug 9, 2012 -> 01:40 PM) There's a reason bench players are bench players. Yes, the Sox bench hasn't hit at all, but chances are anyone acquired to be a bench player isn't going to be a huge upgrade. The fact is Hudson & Olmedo can't hit, so even a .250 hitter would be a big upgrade. Hudson can only play one position well, so there's plenty of room to upgrade there. Upgrades might not make a huge difference in the grand scheme of things, but one extra pinch hit or ball fielded can make a significance in close games. If we make the playoffs, we'll wish had better role players on the bench.

In a perfect world, we'd replace Hudson and Olmedo. We really need a left-handed hitting infielder IF that can backup SS, 2B, & SS and a right-handed hitter for the bench that can pinch-hit on occasion and not kill us with their bat when they're in the lineup. I think Conor Jackson could fill the latter role well, but I feel that the backup IF is more important and I doubt they dump both Hudson and Olmedo. My guess is Hudson is here to stay, which sucks since he's basically a waste of a roster spot.