Jerksticks

I agree. The stats don't have a biased agenda. No feelings. The stats just sit there to be used. How do you guys typically check out a player. For me it's like this in my head: So what did he hit the last few years. Oh looks like about .260 so that's not a guy that can work pitchers. What's his plate discipline like? I'll check out his OBP .322. Ok so the dude walks a decent amount but strikes out quite a bit. I bet he has some power. What's the slugging say. .496. So he's got some pop but he probably gets fooled a lot at the plate. Oh I see, 43 walks and 123 strikeouts. So he walks because he has power and probably hits in the middle of the order, but he's probably an easy out when a pitcher has his stuff and command. Then I'd probably look at his doubles, HRs and SB totals to paint the rest of the picture about his value. WAR can't help me paint this picture but I'll check his oWAR and dWAR anyway. Using WAR is akin to a cop giving you a ticket for speeding even though you told him you just rescued a bunch of old grannies from a burning building and you were on your way to help out a bunch of kids across town. You're just a speeder.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Sep 18, 2014 -> 04:53 PM) Again, he also has 34 appearances in the majors. That velocity is typically better than he's seen all year. It takes time to adjust your timing at the plate. You're a homer for Konerko. We get it. People have opinions. Paul Konerko is not the Messiah and people can say negative things about him if they like. I can guarantee you that most people on here are grateful for everything Konerko did for the organization and there are going to be a minutia who don't are generally bashed fairly well. We've been over why people would be upset about him on the roster this year ad nauseum and it would be best if that isn't brought up again. That's all anybody was ever talking about. For sure on all that. Part of it too is that he became sooo good before he tanked out. The Professor was such an aptly chosen nickname because he was putting on an absolute clinic on how to hit what the pitcher gives a hitter...and then launching mistakes. That small window of greatness was an exciting time. Was he better than Thomas during that window? I dunno.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Sep 18, 2014 -> 08:28 AM) I don't think there is such a thing as an OBP-only person. I am a good baseball player person and I appreciate good baseball players. Just as apples come in different shapes, flavors, and colors, so can baseball players. I agree. It's the haughtiness of it all though. I think they are both wonderful statistics. Joe Mauer in his prime was a thorn in our side because he spanked game-changing hits more often than one could stomach, not simply because he got on base. Batting average drives OBP the way it drives in runs. Guys that hit are dangerous.

You OBP-only people need to accept the BA folks. Some people just find high BA hitters to be more exciting players to watch, especially in this current era of generally low average hitting. Runs still need to be driven in.

QUOTE (bmags @ Sep 16, 2014 -> 05:06 PM) WOW You said it man. The Sox can win the World Series next year if they supplement this elite top of the roster we have. We have Babe Ruth & Randy Johnson.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 16, 2014 -> 09:17 AM) When I watch Abreu I usually admire his HTFDHHt+ (How the f*** did he hit that) Haha yea me too. Can't believe he only has a 98.6

I don't think you read my post. I'm defending WAR, just pointing out its not a supremely useful stat to tell you who the best hitters are; that's what BA & SLG are for. When I'm having a discussion of who the best hitters in the game are, I don't need Andrelton Simmons or Lucroy or Donaldson in the way of talking about Trout, Abreu, Cabrera, VMart etc. Most valuable all around player? Sign me up for WAR.

QUOTE (Chilihead90 @ Sep 15, 2014 -> 08:47 PM) According to offensive WAR, he's just a SMIDGE below McCutchen for 2nd best hitter in baseball this year. Wait a minute, now WAR measures who the best hitters are too? I thought oWAR tries to tell us who the most valuable offensive players are, so I'm confused because I thought baserunning (which has nothing to do with hitting) was included in oWAR cLculations. You want to know who the best hitters are? Look at BA- it will tell you the % of ABs that result in hits. Then look at SLG%- it will tell you whether a guy hurts baseballs or not. A top mix of those two stats will always be your best players, the stars, the fan favorites, the MVPs, the guys batting #3 or #4 I don't need WAR to tell me Jose Abreu is a beast but it does help me realize Andrelton Simmons had a better year last year than a quick glance at regular stats would tell me. By the way I like WAR, I just don't see much use for it generally. I don't think the MVP voters do either.

QUOTE (fathom @ Sep 14, 2014 -> 02:39 PM) It's frustrating they seem to be platooning Semien. Given the adjustment period he's had at new levels, they should be getting him as many at bats as possible. Maybe the Sox just don't see him as a long-term fixture anywhere and are trying to max his trade value by putting him in optimal scenarios. Maybe they see a flaw but he sure seems like he has passed the test of the minor leagues.

QUOTE (fathom @ Sep 9, 2014 -> 07:47 PM) http://espn.go.com/blog/jayson-stark/post/...aroldis-chapman My favorite stat in this is the 20 swings, with 19 of them being misses off of Chapman's change-up That's incredible man; these are very much like Wayne Gretzky stats. Thanks for sharing the piece. Wouldn't mind if Hahn traded Danks for Chapman one bit.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 9, 2014 -> 05:41 PM) You lost me at "retarded". Alright man fair enough. You lost me in the other thread with: "I've said it before and I'll say it again: teams that don't like giving out giant contracts to FA make trades." Haha please enlighten us more often! We'll support eachother another day it seems.

Kenny Williams just called and asked me to remind everybody that he's still in charge of the White Sox, and that his protege Rick Hahn is our "GM"- he specifically asked me to put GM in quotes because he feels like some people actually think the regime had changed now that titles have. He also wanted me to tell you that him and Rick Hahn have a long history of working TOGETHER on all personnel decisions. He said the idea that Rick Hahn would have made different moves in the past is absolutely retarded because, as TUC said, they were all calculated, badass and smart risks made by the entire FO. He also wanted me to tell you that this retooling is his and Rick's design and that anybody who has watched white sox games understands its necessity, and of course realizes the failure and injuries of key personnel led the White Sox to this point, not some wild-man cowboy KW screw prospects boneheadedness that is beaten into the ground by misinformed fans. Also, please stop with the brainless idea that KW is dumb and old-school and Rick is the new-school saber man. Please think of the front office like Voltron. The front office is a team, and the same team for over a decade. Apologies for the condescension, but seriously wtf everybody, enough is enough with the hindsight s***ting on KW. Dude won a f***ing WS with moves that required the biggest balls this town has ever seen: goodbye mags and clee, just the meat and power of our order I'm gonna ship off. No big deal. And he set us up for 2006 looking like an even better, more powerful monster. Those balls of his led to some of my happiest moments in life...sadly maybe, but that's another discussion

What's not being said for his case is that he was arguably the best hitter we've seen in a while for a stretch. We were looking at possibly the greatest catcher of all time. I'm glad for the sox it didn't work out but I'm sad too because that's one of the sweetest swings I've ever seen...I feel like he batted .600 on any ball thrown outer half. HOF probably not likely anymore.

Tough finish. I like the start though since we are gonna come out red-hot and pile up a bunch of ALCentral Ws. They listened to you Hawk- more of a schedule for the fans.

Is there a way to see everyone's ignore tallies and run out a leader board chart? I bet that would create some fun discussion if everyone was a good sport about being ignored.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Sep 5, 2014 -> 06:28 PM) Well .844 isn't bad and .850 is right there. Last year he was coming off an injury and was over .900 the second half. He makes a ton of contact and has been pretty consistent. Considering he has been putting up .850 OPS like numbers since 2004, and doesn't appear to be slowing down with the bat, it is more than a reasonable assumption. If we all use your logic, he wouldn't be putting up the numbers he has been putting up. As long as he can hit fastballs, he will be a great hitter. Unless he gets injured, I doubt that drops significantly the next couple of seasons. He is perfect for the White Sox. A switch hitting presence who puts the ball in play and hits with authority. If it only costs money, it is well worth the gamble. Again, I think someone will probably go crazy and he will wind up somewhere else, but there are some things that could indicate that maybe he his price tag will be right. I don't think I'd be opposed to 2/$40M. He's a good hitter. That's what he is and that's what we need. I like that you can get that quality of hitter without shelling out 7 years worth of risk. His discipline won't age.

Maybe we're showcasing tank at 1b at other teams' requests.

I'd probably take Willingham if he doesn't cost a pick, kinda like a 2005 move. I'd rather trade for a young guy though.

Soxtalk has been trying to trade for Rasmus since like 2006. A couple lesser posters were involved in the deal but when the Cards asked for Balta and Greg...well we all know what happened.

I'm starting to think the 2015 2-hole hitter isn't on the team yet unless his name is Gillaspie, and by all measures the Sox just don't believe in that. Alexei Ramirez is too easy to get out any time he's not dialed in, and he's consistently trotted out #2. Flowers, Viciedo, Avi, Sanchez & Semien are all too free of swingers or just too inexperienced to give the second most ABs of the season too. If we add a tough-out kinda guy for #2 i think the rest falls into place nicely and we'll be pretty solid top to middle with potential at the bottom. I would love Sanchez/Semien turning the lineup over but not at 2.

C'mon man don't act like you haven't sent it anywhere

I hope the glasses don't become a thing like Beckham and his song. That was awkward.

If Quintana is traded it should be for a guy like Stanton. Quintana can fetch a haul with his age, contract and results.

Yea guys I click on the day's thread every day. I think the best thing to happen is MiLB grouping the box scores for each team's affiliates. That was very welcomed.

QUOTE (JPN366 @ Sep 1, 2014 -> 10:42 PM) Trey Michawzxkqiuywxz has a bright future. Oh good point. So davidson probably has at least one year without pressure. C'mon dude, build up some value.