oldsox

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Jan 6, 2014 -> 02:34 PM) I guess I just value ceiling more than most people. I also don't think Jose Abreu should be considered a prospect though. The White Sox don't either. Abreu is not mentioned on the web site's top twenty. But since he has never played in the minors or majors, it seems as if he shouild be considered a prospect, unless there is an age qualifier.

The Colorado Rockies beat writer, Troy Renck, put Frank on his ballot.

I noticed the other day that the White Sox Web Site has pitcher Erik Surkamp as its # 11 prospect. No one here has him listed anywhere. Not sure why Sox have him listed so high.

With every day that goes by, I like the Reed/Davidson trade less and less. I want to see him play.

QUOTE (Vance Law @ Dec 30, 2013 -> 09:13 PM) Perhaps, but a) for how long? and b) what's the difference? a) What percentage likelihood do you think there is that Dunn finishes the 2014 season with the Sox? I'd put it at close to zero he's here past the all-star break. So we're talking about half a season where there's some shuffling of 4 outfielders before a roster spot opens up. As I've mentioned before, the Dodgers and Yankees sure see this set-up as feasible and with some much higher profile outfielders. b) I see zero reason for Davidson (or Semien for that matter) to start the season in the big leagues. I see zero downside to having "too many players" (aka options) in the middle of a roster turnaround like this. I see no necessary positional changes prior to opening day other than perhaps a catcher upgrade. If a very good deal comes along for one of our guys, that's great. If it doesn't, there's no downside in waiting until some other team (or our own) has a need due to injury. Dunn is gone by midseason. Konerko's gone at the end of the year and I really can't see Keppinger playing the 2015 season with the Sox- if he hasn't improved his value before then I really assume he'll be dumped on whoever takes him. That's 3 spots I fully expect to open up in the next calendar year, along with Gillaspie I bet, once some team develops a need for a 3Bman/platoon partner. No need to hustle De Aza out the door. Vance, if Davidson is not ready for prime time, then we paid too much for him, IMO. I look for Addison Reed to have a big year for D-backs.

Someone posted earlier that he thinks Davidson will start season at Charlotte. I can't see it, unless Davidson is really horrible in ST. I really liked Reed, but I bet he is glad to get away from Giambi.

QUOTE (Vance Law @ Dec 17, 2013 -> 07:30 PM) Prior to Reed, we built a closer out of a former shortstop. He pitched even better than Reed. There is probably no "position" in baseball more overvalued than closer. Also, we didn't give Reed away for free. I know we didn't give Reed away for free, Vance. That's why we made the trade. No one knows more about Davidson that Dbacks; they got a real good look at him and made the trade. We'll all have a good idea by mid season. Until then, it will be interesting. I hope he starts the season with Sox and plays every day. Reed will prob do well at Ariz regardless.

Been thinking a lot about this trade for two days now, and I don't think I would have made it. Reed is a very good closer, only going to get better. His ERA got too high because of 2-3 really bad outings. He took the ball and saved 40 games for a lousy team. The kid has guts and big time experience. I would have kept him. Dbacks got a good deal, IMO.

Aggresive move, to say the least. Too bad Sox could not have included Keppinger in trade. Wonder if Hahn tried?

QUOTE (TaylorStSox @ Dec 15, 2013 -> 04:10 PM) This guy's made it clear he has a vendetta against Hawkins. A lot of his posts are just railing the kid. Taylor, why would I have a vendetta against Hawkins? I don't, okay? I also do not have a vendetta against Dunn, whom I really can't stand as a ballplayer. When he comes up, I hope he hits one out. I just thought it was a lousy signing from day one. I never railed againt Hawkins personally. I even questioned once that he might have a physical problem, like eyesight. What I have railed against, if that is the right word, is his continued ranking as a Number 1 prospect. I think there are a whole bunch of guys who should be ranked ahead of him, starting with Abreu.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 15, 2013 -> 01:33 PM) So you hope he continues to suck? No. I hope he does well in 2014.

I have several pals who are hard core BoSox fans, and they watch everything. To a man, they do not like Middlebrooks. He had a big final month in 2012 ??. He might still be living off the reputatio from that.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 14, 2013 -> 10:24 PM) ? Balta, do you really need an explanation? Do you not know who John McEnroe is? If so, do you not know about his famous question to a linesman? "You can't be serious? Or, do you think Hawkins will have a "snapback season" as Dick Allen hopes for?

Charlotte infield could get crowded. In no particular order, Garcia, Elmore, Sanchez, Seimen, Micah J, Rondon.......with Morel clogging up third. He might be gone. Only one of the above likely to make Sox opening day roster unless a trade comes up.

QUOTE (GreenSox @ Dec 15, 2013 -> 03:33 AM) I don't think we have any chance of contending next primarily because of lack of pitching depth. But I do credit hahn with adding 3 quality hitters to this team. If he can do it again over the next year, then we might contend in 15. But we'll need a couple of pitchers too. His name is Beck.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 14, 2013 -> 04:01 PM) Hooefully Hawkins has a snapback season. Coming into 2013, BA considered him a better prospect than Garcia or Eaton, and he was only slightly behind Puig. If John McEnroe were a member of this board, he would say, "You can't be serious."

QUOTE (raBBit @ Dec 14, 2013 -> 12:54 PM) I don't know if Eaton can sustain Lofton's numbers through a 17 year career but that is a good comparison for Eaton if all goes well. Expecting Abreu to become the best hitter on earth is a stretch. I think a better comparison, while not perfect, would be a Billy Butler with more power and a little less AVG/OBP. I give Avisail Garcia the wait-and-see approach. The Magglio the Sox had from '99-'04 would be a perennial MVP candidate today. I've always liked the Juan Encarnacion comparisons as the most likely. If Garcia went .275/.320/.440 with 19 HRs and 70 RBIs I would be very happy. Didn't he just get linked to steroids? Just wondering. Or was it Edwin? And, as an aside, I expect Abreu to be a runaway ROY next year.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 14, 2013 -> 04:58 PM) Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal 7m Sources: Uribe to return to #Dodgers for two years. Good.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Dec 14, 2013 -> 09:11 AM) That is the agent talking. Agents are paid to lie. It's a given. Then, if the agent is an attorney who is afraid of the courtroom, then the probability of his lying exceeds 100.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Dec 13, 2013 -> 06:15 PM) Which is probably really sound advice for a lot of White Sox prospects toiling in high A. What, you don't like the W/L record at Bristol the last two years?

Adam Eaton -- can't wait. (same with Abreu).

"I Can See It Now" category: If the Sox keep him and he does really well, there are going to be a lot of "Yo, Adrian" signs and comments next year.

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Dec 12, 2013 -> 10:56 AM) Which is easier to find than video of any other Sox players taking a walk. LOL. Plus, he stays in the batter's box during the entire AB, without the need for walking around the plate ten times.

QUOTE (Jose Paniagua @ Dec 12, 2013 -> 12:02 PM) The way catcher is, you could play Flowers, hope for an early season hot streak(Oliver '14 projections are kind)...and actually get something for him. A little something at least. The minor league numbers being what they are, you can surely sell someone on a potential light switch flip having happened. That is, if you are fine with 2014 being experimental jazz "Experimental Jazz". Love that metaphor.

QUOTE (The Ultimate Champion @ Dec 12, 2013 -> 11:54 AM) Can't give up on him only because he doesn't get you anything. If another team wants to give me a much lower ceiling but higher floor usable MLB-ready position player for any of our K machine OFers apart from Hawkins, I make that deal yesterday. Agreed. However, I bet that by mid-2014 season, you will add Hawkins to that artificial list.