kitekrazy

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Sep 30, 2012 -> 05:33 PM) If the reports are true and Hahn is the GM, I do think things will be a little different, but not drastically especially if KW is still around. Hahn has been more involved in recent years in all aspects, I think before he basically was a contracts guy, so there's that. I think the difference is he will do the leg work and be the point man with the other teams instead of KW, it will be interesting how the offseason goes. There should be some money to spend. John Danks should be back. Its, IMO, not nearly the doom and gloom some predict. They are still in the AL Central. I don't see how anyone can say Detroit will definitely be better. If a couple of bullpen guys step up and guys like Quintana can show this year wasn't a fluke and build on it, there should be no reason they can't be in the race next season. I wonder if they will try to re-sign Youk or if he is heading back to Boston to play 1B. I'm looking at the bigger picture. We don't do well with NL players. NL stats don't translate to AL stats unless they are bad ones. If Coop believes in pitching to contact, is this the same philosophy in A-AAA? Is Coop no longer effective and may be best he moved to minor league instruction? At least this offseason the organization is keeping their mouths shut about next year.

QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ Sep 30, 2012 -> 02:14 PM) Why doesn't Dan Johnson play? Managers get in this rut with "go with who got ya there" instead of giving the best chance to win. You should see plenty of Johnson for 3 games.

The Rays are hot but it's too late.

QUOTE (BlackBetsy @ Sep 30, 2012 -> 05:13 PM) Has anyone mentioned that the White Sox are 10 games under .500 when playing teams not named the Minnesota Twins or the Seattle Mariners? I think we were just fooled by this team....too much smoke and mirrors for too long. Everyone knew Detroit was a better team going into 2012....it just took them until the last week of the regular season to exert their superiority. What's depressing is that there is so little to look forward to in 2013. The rotation will be Sale-Floyd-Danks QUESTION MARK - QUESTION MARK. And that's adding to the fact that Floyd and Danks are question marks in their own right. Sure, the team will be $24 million lighter with Peavy and Pierzynski leaving (although they really should re-sign AJ), but what evidence is there that the Sox will be spending this offseason? Not to mention the GAPING hole at 3B. There were a lot of fans not fooled if you judge by attendance. But the reason why they were there was playing solid baseball that seem to have evaporated. When the GM in 2011 gives a hint that bad baseball is possible in 2012, you've already alienated people. They have said anything this season but since it's the Sox organization, you assumed the worst for 2013.

From the mod at motown sports. 12 games ago the Tigs were 9 over 500, the Sox were 15. Since then the Sox have lost 10/12 and the Tigs have won 8/12. It's a been a very nice run to the finish for the Tigs for sure, but if the Sox had just played 500 we are still a game back. Pretty epic collapse by the Palehose. If Boston hadn't done what they did last year maybe it would be standing out more right now. OUCH! Detroit is the one who avoided an epic collapse.

QUOTE (JoeCoolMan24 @ Sep 30, 2012 -> 03:50 PM) That's what they said about 2012's draft too, but we've actually seen some early success so far. Which ones are you referring too?

QUOTE (Joxer_Daly @ Sep 30, 2012 -> 04:57 PM) What is the reason for that general malaise in the White Box support? Maybe I'm picking up on it too much, but I see low attendance at the Cell being referenced a lot on here, and you seem to expand this further to cover fans online? You mention a number of reasons that would distract the more casual or bandwagon-jumping type of supporter, but why the apparent lack of interest this year, with so much to play for? Is the Sox core support reducing, just in a rut, or is this about what it's always been? There's nice read on WSI about this that links to a Chicago NPR station. As for forums, these can be time consuming and people prefer to glance instead of getting involved.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Sep 30, 2012 -> 03:44 PM) The KW/Cooper put together bullpens have left a lot to be desired over the years. The formula seems to be get guys who throw hard and let them pitch an inning at a time. Bullpens can be a crap shoot and rare to be consistent. See 2006 Sox. Look at 2011 Valverde, he's not lights out. Unfortunately kids from the minors think they can put their 97+ heater past big leaguers. They have to learn that the hard way.

Just looking at the stats, Rays have went 9-1 and probably will not see the post season. A surreal team era will not overcome the worst D in baseball.

QUOTE (Baron @ Sep 30, 2012 -> 03:48 PM) Whats your plan Mr GM? I cant wait to hear this BTW another awesome Kurt Russell avatar. Big Trouble in Little China is a favorite.

QUOTE (Baron @ Sep 30, 2012 -> 03:48 PM) Whats your plan Mr GM? I cant wait to hear this Let's make it a poll. I vote with No, Hell no, nein, non, Chox,Tiguo,Mo, Nope.

QUOTE (Jake @ Sep 30, 2012 -> 04:25 PM) This isn't the NBA. Finishing just outside the playoffs is not bad news -- it means you are only tweaks away from being where you want to be. We're an acquisition, unexpected big season, good luck, etc. away from a playoff run Plus you can't fill a hole by creating a canyon. I don't trust this organization trading affordable everyday players (exception Adam Dunn) for prospects. You still need people at the ballpark. Only Bill Wirtz was excellent at alienating a fan base. Let's no go there.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Sep 30, 2012 -> 03:20 PM) The window of opportunity for this team to win anything has slammed shut. Believe it or not some people think there are 4 games left. Season over if Detroit wins one game.

This is not about individual players but how the organization goes about things. Looking at April-July, I saw one of the more fundamental sound Sox teams. Ventura and Manto had a lot to do with that. We saw much better plate discipline. Watching post season collapse which usually starts around the trading deadline came late this year. I still believe the Sox are mental midgets because we see so many players not handle pressure. This season we had more players with very little MLB experience and that is a big factor going down the stretch. Some things I would change: 1. No more NL talent. It's such a different league. Only the top of the top (Pujols, Fielder) seem more successful. 2. Investing too much money in the DH. I liked Ozzie's idea of having players that can do other things than swing a bat. That failed because of #1. 3. Better scouting of free agents/trades. Do they look at every stat imaginable? How they do against opponents, environment, line up, ect. Even those turn into mental midgets. Do players from habitually losing organizations really help your team? Things I don't know. 1. Are all of the minor league affiliates on the same page with the major league team? 2. Philosophy of drafting. Filling the catcher and third base may get expensive. Do they draft for need? Can they fill this void by trading other prospects? Do they draft more athletes or baseball players? 3. Over all shape of the farm system. This season may prove how weak the farm system is more than how strong. The alternative for the catching and 3rd spot doesn't look good. The closer may be a question mark as well. 4. Too many power hitters? That seems to make sense playing at the Cell but after reading the OBP thread it makes you wonder. The biggest one is will Hahn make a difference? He's seen the same thing we have, does he have a different way of doing things or is the real fly in the ointment of this organization sticking with mediocrity Jerry Reinsdorf?

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Sep 30, 2012 -> 03:22 PM) The saving grace is that next years draft is supposed to be one of the weakest in memory. Good or bad has never had an impact for the Sox most of the time. The agent has a lot to do with it.

QUOTE (fathom @ Sep 30, 2012 -> 03:24 PM) Absolutely, as Cooper's magic has definitely come to an end. Danks/Floyd never improved from 2008. He doesn't seem to make an impact towards the end of the season. He might be more valuable in the farm system.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Sep 30, 2012 -> 02:19 PM) Anibal Sanchez has performed quite well recently for DET without any involvement from the Guillen clan on his behalf. Considering some of their starters not named Verlander have improved this season, would you take their coach over Cooper?

QUOTE (Jake @ Sep 30, 2012 -> 04:12 PM) If PK was dealt/retired, we'd have quite a bit of money to spend next year. You assume a GM will take the salary.

QUOTE (JoshPR @ Sep 30, 2012 -> 04:02 PM) This sucks man.... On the bright side we were supposed to lose over 90 and battled. Changes have to be made, bullpen is ok gained some important experience, plus the emergence of Quintana gives hope 4 next season. Thanks guys for the cool season even If we choked the last 2 weeks. :gosox Didn't meet expectations:sucking at baseball met expectations:sucking at baseball down the stretch It's the same White Sox.

QUOTE (Jake @ Sep 30, 2012 -> 03:59 PM) Be healthy soon, Dunnski Also, channel those .240 BA's of old But I prefer the 40 dingers over the .240 BA For some other team.

QUOTE (Jake @ Sep 30, 2012 -> 03:56 PM) I agree, Dunn is definitely the problem I would like to see Konerko's post ASB for his career. Of course everyone will make excuses for him saying he's hurt. He's hurt allright. He's hurt this clubs post season chances.

QUOTE (fathom @ Sep 30, 2012 -> 03:54 PM) Oh look, Adam Dunn doesn't make the playoffs again This is a non factor when Kenny gets free agents unless they are waaaaaayy past their prime.

QUOTE (WilliamTell @ Sep 30, 2012 -> 03:45 PM) Baseball makes me sad right now. I feel like a pre 2012 Cub fan.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Sep 29, 2012 -> 08:48 PM) He's 4-5 years away from being an everyday CFer (a pressing need for us) and this season was an anomaly or outlier statistically...in terms of his general offensive trends. I would be hugely hugely disappointed if we swapped Rios for Hunter. If it's Rios, Hunter and another CFer, fine. But then you're talking one of the more expensive outfields in the AL, and two of those guys in their early to mid 30's when our biggest area of depth is OF (Thompson, Mitchell, Walker and Hawkins) going forward. If that means DHing/1B with Viciedo, and Konerko's gone, or Dunn's gone, well, do what you have to do. If they're going to find a band-aid or stopgap solution, 3B and catcher are the places to look before OF is considered. He misplayed a ball playing RF that created an inside the park homerun against the A's. That would be another Kenny guy, choking with pressure against anybody, everybody, not facing the Whiter Sox.

MB is the only active pitcher in baseball with 12 consecutive years of at least 10 wins (13), 30 starts (31) and 200 innings (202 2/3).