nickofypres

QUOTE (Doc Edwards Shot @ Sep 28, 2012 -> 04:53 PM) While it's true that the Sox have too many low OBP hitters, the irony is that getting on base wasn't the problem. It's getting hits WRISP that did them in. They were leading the league, or close to the top, for the longest time, then they just went back to 06-11 mode, for whatever reason.

f*** no, Darren Sutton is awful, he is worse than Hawk.

DJ back in the booth would be terrible.

They were good at the wrong year. Too many vets breaking down, too many youngsters, rookie manager. I don't call it a collapse though, I'd say it was a choke job, collapse implies that this was the 52' Dodgers, or the 07' Mets, or the Red Sox and Braves of last year. It sucks, and I hate that we blew a division, I don't think its a successful season because of that, but, it lays ground work, and it helps us see what our weaknesses are (too many low OBP hitters, for example). Lets re-tool, hope the youngsters matured for next year, and see where the off season takes us.

If Viciedo would be a guarantee to raise his slugging % and cut back his K's, I could take the low OBP. He wouldn't draw a lot of walks, but if he's hitting more power in general, then I think its fine. But, there isn't a guarantee that he'll do that. I don't know if I would be cool with shipping him out, to get rid of a such a young, cheap, player with potential upside seems like an odd move. Unless of course we're getting some back in return that is pretty good, and given his contract, age, potential, I think something could be worked out.

I'd hate to have to pick up Youk's option, because he isn't worth it, but I don't know if we could get another third baseman with similar production. I guess you could bring back Morel and look for high OBP player for another position, but that means having to move guys around, etc. I guess I hope they can work out a 2 year deal with Youk that is reasonable, but I doubt he sticks around if they decline his option.

QUOTE (chw42 @ Sep 28, 2012 -> 02:17 PM) The worst thing with this Sox lineup is that the 5-9 hitters don't have a hint of patience. Just loop at the OBPs... Rios - .330 A.J. - .325 Viciedo - .295 Alexei - .290 Beckham - .295 Our 1-4 has the ability to draw a walk and get on base, but the rest of the lineup never does any of that. That's another problem too, this a huge reason why we have so many solo shots. Top of the order comes back on no one is on ahead of them mostly. Its sad when in a game you can hit 3 home runs and still lose and only score 3 runs.

tl;dr

QUOTE (greg775 @ Sep 27, 2012 -> 02:28 AM) It's only natural to care about attendance. It makes Sox fans feel good when the stadium is full. However, I've changed my stance a bit especially this year because of the economy. I can see why people don't want to go and pay the parking costs and costs of a hot dog and Coke or beer. It truly is ridiculous and I do not care about attendance for that reason. Parking, quite frankly, should be 5 dollars or free. It truly is criminal what they charge hard working southsiders for parking. Agreed. Tickets are really expensive. I mean, I know its Chicago and all, but damn. Parking too, as you mentioned, is way over priced. High prices + bad economy = half empty Cell. I mean, look at Detroit, Detroit is worse off than Chicago. Hell, Michigan is doing really bad, but people come because Tigers tickets are cheap overall. I don't care who's in town, anything more than $20 for an UD ticket is ridiculous. Bleacher tickets for $60 because the Cubs are playing the Sox? Just stupid. If they lowered tickets, more people would come and spend money in the park. If they lowered parking and tickets, EVEN MORE people would come and spend their money at the Stadium. That is more money going back into the Sox.

I know its going to sound smarmy and pissy, but I can't consider this a good year. Yeah, we did better than people, who don't know anything about baseball, gave us credit for. But choking away the division is excusable. Had Detroit won 100+ games like people said, and we ended up with 84, then yeah, go us, but we blew it. That isn't a good year to me.

QUOTE (Cali @ Sep 27, 2012 -> 12:56 AM) No way in HELL do I want Floyd to pitch for the White Sox again. EVER. not even if he specially gave ME money to watch him pitch. Dude has an ERA+ of 107 since becoming a full time starter. If that is your #5, that's pretty solid.

I think the rotation has potential if its, in no order, a healthy Danks, Sale, Quintata (again, assuming those two are for real), a solid RHP (with money saved from Peavy) and Floyd. Bring back Youk and Myers. Try to sell Rios' high. Give Flowers a try as a full time starter. Try to get another arm for the pen if possible.

It was the wrong year to be good. I don't think they over achieved, at one point Sale-Peavy-Quinta was a solid. But they're either young, or haven't pitched this many innings before (Peavy). Just have to hope Danks come back next season 100% and that Sale and Q are the real deal.

QUOTE (JoeCoolMan24 @ Sep 26, 2012 -> 11:57 PM) WHAT? New York? Why? If we are truly choking this thing away, I am rooting for either O's or Rays. I live in Tiger territory. And I know the kind of stuff that is headed my way.

Season over. Time to root for New York.

I've been positive all year, but I think if they fall behind a game, its over. I know Detroit is day-to-day bad like we are, but I don't feel to good right now. Maybe if they can win tonight and Cy Guthrie can snag a win in Detroit I'll feel better, but, man, this sucks.

QUOTE (pettie4sox @ Sep 24, 2012 -> 01:47 PM) Was last year a fluke? I thought he had a higher BABIP last season, but it was only .275, which is relatively normal.

Both teams go 6-4. Sox win division by 1 game.

A win tonight could go a looooooooooong way.

Sox haven't scored a lot of runs in a couple of games, I think they're due to break out.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Sep 21, 2012 -> 08:12 PM) Quote from Kansas City Royals slugger Billy Butler, after beating the Chicago White Sox on Thursday night: "If we take care of business against Detroit, those (Sox) have a good chance to be in the playoffs." God's speed, Royals.

QUOTE (Cali @ Sep 21, 2012 -> 04:38 PM) Tigers basically have to play mistake-free baseball the rest of the season. I just don't see that happening. Exactly. Plus, lets crunch numbers here:13 games left. Sox go 7-6, Detroit has to go 10-3 to overtake us or 9-4 to tie.

In the second half team is 27-12 vs non Royals or Tigers teams. I'm not as worried as I was.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 21, 2012 -> 08:40 AM) More hands on then Kenny Williams? Your expectations are crazy. I was referring to Hahn being in control and KW just sitting back. I didn't mean being more hands on than KW has been since 2001 or whatever.