chisoxfan09

MGon and the Trib also picking up on the chatter. Link: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseb...0,2256764.story

This makes sense, but it sure would be nice to be able to gage how he does in lieu of his innings count from last year. Guess we can't have our cake and eat it too. Even buying out his ARB years at something like 3/27 or 3/30 would be a great discount but give him security. And he would be 27 after this type of contract extension and going into his prime years.

Balta, what do you think is the going rate for an up and coming LH starter with ACE potential to lock up at least his ARB years and 1 FA year? 4/40 or 4/44?

Link: http://www.csnchicago.com/blog/white-sox-t...ussed-extension Well, I thought they would not discuss this until next year so we could gage the after year effect (Verducci effect) on his workload and arm. 1. Is it too soon to discuss extension with Sale or do we lock up his 3 ARB and 2 FA years for example? 2. What would be a reasonable offer based on his past performance and future stock plus the possible/probable issues with his arm mechanics? Thoughts?

Padres might look to add another SP at some point. I don't think this materializes into an opportunity to move Floyd but it is a little interesting based on Headley being a good fit at 3rd. Link: http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/news/articl..._sd&c_id=sd

Yeah, I was looking at how they've been off most of the years. Does PECOTA forecast anything correctly? I think they also do player forecasts, don't they?

Link: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseb...0,7279767.story By Mark Gonzales Tribune reporter 9:01 p.m. CST, February 11, 2013 GLENDALE, Ariz. - It's virtually axiomatic that Detroit is a prohibitive favorite to repeat as American League Central champions. But Baseball Prospectus doesn't envision the Chicago White Sox coming close to dethroning the Tigers as they nearly did in 2012. The Baseball Prospectus/PECOTA projections have forecast a 77-85 record for the Sox, who were 85-77 and finished three games behind Detroit last year. Here's a chart of Baseball Prospectus' predictions for the Sox and the Sox's actual record in seasons since 2005, according to the Sox: Year Prediction Actual Difference in Wins 2005 80-82 99-63 +19 2006 82-80 90-72 +8 2007 73-89 72-90 -1 2008 77-85 89-74* +12 2009 73-89 79-83 +6 2010 79-83 88-74 +9 2011 82-80 79-83 -3 2012 78-84 85-77 +7 *actual 2008 record includes the tiebreaker game

Well, MGon writes that Morel finally believe he is healthy and free of pain so that is a good first step forward. Link: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseb...,0,389576.story

Ventura spoe to MGon of the Trib and broke down the need to get more contact and less K's. Not sure that will be entirely possible as we need hitters such Becks and Flowers to hit for contact this year. Good article for the metrics experts here I think. Link: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseb...0,3750273.story Pitching and defense are viewed as two of the White Sox's strengths in the eyes of manager Robin Ventura. But a reduction in one area — strikeouts — could prove just as valuable to the Sox. "We struck out a little too much last year, and it's a point of emphasis (now)," Ventura told a large SoxFest crowd Saturday at the Palmer House Hilton. The Sox struck out a franchise-record 1,203 times, so first base coach and former franchise great Harold Baines was appointed as the new assistant hitting coach to help Jeff Manto address the lack of contact. It's just part of the subtle changes the Sox are making under first-year general manager Rick Hahn and Ventura, who enters his second season with more knowledge about his personnel and potential lineups. The Sox payroll will be close to the $109 million mark they finished last season with. They thought it was so essential to fortify their starting pitching they re-signed Jake Peavy (two years, $29 million) and picked up the $9.5 million option on Gavin Floyd. They continue to hope John Danks ($14.25 million) recovers from left shoulder surgery while prized left-hander Chris Sale and Jose Quintana build on their progress in their second seasons in the rotation. "If Peavy wasn't added back, given the nature of the free agent market right now and the dearth of starting pitchers available, much less the price points that some of these guys are going for on the open market, we were going to be really challenged," Hahn told the crowd. "We did not have internal options to fill that void anywhere close to the level of Jake." Nearly half of the Sox's payroll is invested in pitching, thanks to the recent addition of late-inning reliever Matt Lindstrom ($2.3 million). "We feel, 1 through 12 with our pitching staff, we can match up with anyone in the league right now," Hahn said. But the offense will be under a microscope as the Sox will try to improve offensively with a right-hand dominant lineup and high strikeout totals. Hahn points out the Sox don't play the American League-champion Tigers with their powerful right-handed rotation until July 9. Instead of trying to outbid teams to retain Kevin Youkilis or count on a rebound year from Brent Morel (whom Ventura said has looked healthy after back problems), the Sox committed $12 million over the next three years for Jeff Keppinger to play third base. The addition of Keppinger, 32, who had a .367 on-base percentage and struck out only 31 times in 418 plate appearances with the Rays in 2012, represents a shift from past seasons when the Sox leaned heavily on out-slugging teams — most recently last year with the likes of Adam Dunn (41 homers, 222 strikeouts) and Dayan Viciedo (25, 120). In fact, Ventura hinted again of possible changes in the Sox lineup. "Last year we were a bit unorthodox in what we had for a lineup, and who was going well at the time," Ventura said. "(For instance, in the) two spot, any time a guy was swinging well, we thought, 'Oh, maybe we move him (there).'" Ventura said he kept Dunn in the third hole because he draws walks, usually has a high on-base percentage in front of cleanup hitter Paul Konerko. "It was unorthodox, but that's the way we were built," Ventura said. "It doesn't guarantee (Dunn's) going to be there this year. Adding a guy like Jeff Keppinger, he's more of a contact hitter, (bats above) .300. That's more or less what you would like to see in the three (spot). That's why certain things were addressed. Adam is not the prototype No. 3 hitter, but he was last year for us." [email protected]

Just deleted my post if you want to also delete this one. My Bad.

Statement from AJ: Link: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseb...0,7963642.story Says talks never got serious but most of us kind of knew they would move on from him and give Tyler a shot.

Just posted in the Diamond Club thread that Liriano is off the market with a 2 YR deal with Pittsburg for 14 million. Link: http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/blogs/184425441.html

Francisco Liriano now off the board, going to Pittsburg. 2 YRS - 14 Million. Link: http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/blogs/184425441.html

Since underwhelming 3rd base candidates are being mentioned I wonder what the Flubs would want to part with Josh Vitters. He does have some upside.

Braves just traded his team mate Tommy Hanson to the Angels. Link: https://twitter.com/JonHeymanCBS/status/274570106930073600 Jon HeymanVerified ‏@JonHeymanCBS Angels trade for tommy hanson

David Wright is now off the market which might affect how teams look at Youk. Link: http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/11/30/exc...year-extension/

Here a thought (More sarcastic and for a laugh but what the heck). What about Mark Reynolds? His option was declined but he is still Arb eligible. I know with Dunn and him you are guaranteed almost 400 K's a year but he does average 25-30 HR's a year and for one year at a decent price (4-5 million) wouldn't he be worth the risk of a stopgap? Link: http://www.masnsports.com/school_of_roch/2...th-orioles.html?

Could anyone stomach an outfield of Tank in LF, Wise in CF, and DeAza in RF if we can manage to swing a trade for Rios by selling high and getting something of value back? Even if we eat some of Rios' salary? I want to say a 3rd baseman but I can't think of any scenario where we get a high upside 3rd baseman unless we pry loose a prospect from some team who is doing well in AAA and is MLB ready or a year away.

That was my point. Something could be brewing but I don't have any reliable information. Just my own speculation based on Hahn's prior comments about 3 team scenarios.

I thought at one point they might try to sell high on Rios and try to move him maybe in one of those 3 team scenarios Hahn hinted at for an established 3rd baseman or a very strong prospect.

Link: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseb...0,4743032.story By Mark Gonzales Tribune reporter 2:33 p.m. CST, November 19, 2012 The Chicago White Sox will open spring training for pitchers and catchers on Feb. 12 before starting the exhibition season Feb. 23 against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Camelback Ranch. The Sox will play 16 home games at Camelback Ranch, including a March 15 game against the rival Cubs, who will host the Sox on March 7 at Mesa. The Sox will play the world champion San Francisco on March 4 and Team USA on March 5 at Camelback Ranch. The first full-squad workout will be Feb. 17. The Sox will play the Dodgers, their Camelback Ranch co-tenant, on Feb. 23-24 and March 23. The Sox will conclude the Arizona portion of their exhibition season against Cleveland on March 27 before playing two games at Milwaukee on March 29-30 to conclude the exhibition season. Various ticket plans are now on sale at the Sox's website. A pre-sale of single-game tickets will be held from Dec. 14-16. For additional information, fans can call (623) 302-5000 . The ticket pricing structure will remain the same as 2012's pricing for most seats. Tickets to all individual games go on sale Jan. 7. All home games will start at 1:05 p.m. Arizona time, except for the March 15 game against the Cubs and the March 27 game against the Indians (both 12:05 p.m.).

2 years, 16 million. Looks like the Jays are all in. Link: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1411782...-jays?hpt=hp_t3

Scott Merkins says Hahn is still positive about a 3rd base solution and has not ruled out free agency with Youk which seems to be his preferred route but unless uncle Jerry authorizes him to increase payroll it may not be possible. Link: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20...lb&c_id=mlb Hahn exploring numerous options at third base Viciedo likely to stay in outfield; Youkilis remains possible target in free agency CHICAGO -- Third base continues to be an area of Hot Stove priority for the White Sox and general manager Rick Hahn. Despite the desire to find an impact player at the hot corner, don't look for left fielder Dayan Viciedo to move back to the position where he started his big league career upon coming to Chicago's South Side from Cuba. Hahn wouldn't go as far as guaranteeing Viciedo's stay in the outfield, where Viciedo played 131 games in 2012, when speaking with media Thursday at U.S. Cellular Field following a collegiate signing day ceremony for 12 members of the organization's Amateur City Elite program. But it certainly didn't sound like a change was anywhere near imminent. "I don't want to rule out anything at this point. We are sitting here a week before Thanksgiving, and it's foolish to close off any options," said Hahn of Viciedo, who played 23 games at third for the White Sox in 2010. "I will say that we are exploring a lot of options that we rank ahead of moving Viciedo in from the outfield. "He's fully capable of playing third base. He's athletic enough to handle it. At the same time, we've moved this kid around a lot and we are asking a lot of him offensively, in terms of the role he plays in our offense going forward. "At this time, I don't think another move is in his best interest," Hahn said. "It's something to talk about and consider and not rule it out, but we've got other options ahead of that one." Hahn has made no secret of the White Sox desire to bring back free agent Kevin Youkilis to anchor third base. Youkilis was popular within the organization during his 80-game stint with the White Sox -- for everything from his ability to get on base to his penchant for big hits to his clubhouse presence. Once he hit free agency, though, interest in Youkilis almost immediately picked up. Much like the White Sox desire to lock down Jake Peavy before he hit the open market, they knew re-signing Youkilis would be tougher once the team no longer held control. That influx of interest doesn't mean the White Sox have given up hope where Youkilis is concerned, although Hahn wasn't about to make any free-agency prediction. "Again, I don't want to get in the habit of handicapping these things," Hahn said. "A perfect example is A.J. [Pierzynski] two years ago. I would have been dreadfully wrong when asked to handicap at this point in the offseason in terms of his likelihood to come back. "This was a point of emphasis with Jake, but we knew once the free-agency period hit, it would become more challenging to sign our guys. It's a rather thin free-agent market at certain spots, starting pitching among them as it would have been for Jake, and third base for Kevin. It's not a shock he's heard from a bunch of teams. It's not a shock he's popular. "It's going to be a challenge to bring him back," Hahn said. "We continue to have dialogue with him and other options. It's still early, and we'll see where it goes." Overall, talks since the GM Meetings have been positive, negative, frustrating and exciting, according to a smiling Hahn. He added that there have been some very good conversations that have developed following the GM Meetings, but the bulk of activity might not start until the Winter Meetings in Nashville begin on Dec. 3. "Teams are starting to zero in on converting some of their options right now," Hahn said. "Things are starting to happen, conversations are getting a bit more substantive and offers are flying back and forth. Something could happen any time."

Link to livecast of game if anyone is interested: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/rosen...,3524047.column

Offtopic but relavant, MLBTR speculates Becks may earn up to 3.1 million as a first time arb eligible. I doubt it goes that high but who knows. Link: http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/chicago_white_sox/index.html Article: Arbitration Eligibles: Chicago White Sox By Ben Nicholson-Smith [November 14, 2012 at 12:01pm CST] The White Sox are next in our 2013 Arbitration Eligibles series. Matt Swartz's salary projections are below. First time: Gordon Beckham ($3.1MM), Alejandro De Aza ($1.7MM), Dan Johnson ($1.2MM), Philip Humber ($1.1MM)