lasttriptotulsa

QUOTE (Chilihead90 @ Sep 7, 2014 -> 11:53 PM) I'd prefer they just shave 2 weeks off of spring training, move the season up 2 weeks, so every season starts right about at St. Patrick's Day, with the first 2 weeks of games all in warm weather locations. So northern teams wouldn't have their first home opener until early April, but the season would end mid-September. While I'd love to get rid of a couple weeks of spring training, I don't think teams would be too happy if they had to start every year on a two week road trip and never had a true opening day at home.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Sep 5, 2014 -> 03:16 PM) I'm saying that we don't know that they tried and failed to acquire him. All we know is that there are rumors that they discussed him. Maybe they liked him on paper but then got more intel about his personality and balked. Who knows? I certainly don't. But I DO know that is a rare occasion in which we were involved in a three way deal WITH said player we were rumored to like, WHEN we desperately needed a CF, and when the centerpiece of the trade came from us -- and we still didn't end up with the guy. It's not often you know for a fact that you have what it takes to get a guy because another team got the guy on your assets. We DID give up what we had to give up, minus a couple random relievers, and we got some org filler and the right to not pay Mark Teahen instead. Given how small that return is, it's hard to believe that they weren't willing to trade it for a young pre-arb CF with upside, unless they found something out about that player that made them believe he wasn't worth the trouble. Neither you or I really know how they feel or what really was discussed in the room, I'm just saying this is WAY more evidence than we almost ever have that the Sox were able to get a guy that made sense but chose not to do it. Given that Rasmus is a substantially less attractive asset than at any time in the past, it seems to me that the ship has sailed. But we'll see -- I'll be the first to admit I'm wrong if he suits up with us. I can buy this. I just think he would be a good guy to look into. We can buy low and it won't cost a draft pick because I can't imagine they will make him a QO. The guy is still uber talented and in 2013 was on pace for a 6 fWAR season before his injury. I think you buy low, if you can, and hope he returns to that type of player. Now if somebody wants to pay him $15 million per, it won't be and shouldn't be the Sox.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Sep 5, 2014 -> 12:50 PM) Again, actions speak louder than words. If you want to cite some trade rumors as making me "just wrong," you can, but the reality is we had the bullets to get him (the centerpiece of the deal WAS our bullet) and we moved $10m of dead weight contracts instead. If he wasn't worth Edwin Jackson and a couple of relievers to us before, he isn't worth anywhere close to his free agent contract to us now that he's older and more disappointing. When presented with "Colby Rasmus or $10m," we chose $10m. When you state that a team who went out on two separate occasions to try and acquire a player does not like said player, you are wrong. If they didn't like him, KW never would have picked up the phone and given the Cardinals a call. Maybe they didn't like him enough to give up what they would have had to give up, but that's far different than stating that they did not like him.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Sep 5, 2014 -> 10:51 AM) They got him for Jackson and two platoon relievers, and they got a bunch of random other relievers back. We could have beat the offer. I think this is a case of "actions speak louder than words." Being able to beat an offer and willing to beat an offer are two different things. Doing a quick Google search, I found numerous articles stating that the Sox were also in talks after 2010 to acquire Rasmus and that Quentin was part of the proposed deal. So you're notion that they did not like him is just wrong.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Sep 5, 2014 -> 10:03 AM) We had our shot at Rasmus and passed when the front office decided they'd rather use Jackson to dump Teahen's contract. We're not going to get Rasmus, the org clearly doesn't like him. According to most reports, the Sox were interested in Rasmus at the time and KW basically confirmed their interest. I remember hearing talks that KW was actually a big fan of Rasmus and had his eye on him for awhile. Who knows what else the Sox were willing to offer STL. It's not like the Jays ended up getting him straight up for Jackson.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Sep 5, 2014 -> 09:39 AM) The fact that Rasmus has now "fallen out of favor" with a pair of teams is probably going to be a big hint. With the Cardinals it was due to the fact that LaRussa didn't like Colby because Colby's dad would interject himself because he thought he was some hot shot because he coaches high school. Colby had the hitting coach trying to work with him and his dad going against the hitting coach. I'd imagine that was tough for a 22 year old whose dad had coached him his whole life to deal with. With the Jays, it's all been performance based because of his down year this year.

QUOTE (LDF @ Sep 5, 2014 -> 08:34 AM) I may be a minority here on this thought process, but I can envision the sox picking up free agent Norichika Aoki as another starting outfielder. I really like eaton and what he has done this yr. however I can't see him not getting injured, again. with Aoki as another option for leadoff, and with eaton, that can be an exciting top of the order, or 1 of them to #6 Aoki will be low cost, for a limited amount of yr. now the biggest problem is DV. I say until his future is decided with the sox, DH him. Yea you probably will be in the minority. I like Aoki and I think he can be a good piece on a contending club (such as he is with the Royals), but I do not think he can be THE piece to make a team a contender. If he is our big splash offseason pickup, we aren't going anywhere next year either. I'm really hoping they make a play for Rasmus. He's kind of fallen out of favor with the Jays (they haven't even been starting him recently) so he will almost certainly be looking to move and with his sub par season his cost will probably drop. I think he gives good power from the left side (20-25 homers), plays good defense with a great arm and has plus speed. A starting lineup of him, Eaton and Garcia could be pretty potent.

QUOTE (1dog @ Sep 2, 2014 -> 09:14 PM) Sorry for the dumb question, but could you explain how you came by that particular date? I know it has to do with service time and when he becomes a free agent, but someone else guessed May - just trying to learn some of the particulars. QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 3, 2014 -> 09:17 AM) It is a guess, most years it falls around that date. There is no defined date. To become Super 2 a player has to be in the top 22% in service time of all players with more than 2 and less than 3 years service. The old rule was top 17% and it always ended up being the middle of June, but with it being changed to the top 22% in the new CBA, it will probably end up being in July for most guys from now on.

QUOTE (thxfrthmmrs @ Sep 2, 2014 -> 06:38 PM) So if I am reading this correctly, in the scenario of whether we call up Rodon or not in September, it doesn't really change his service time as long as we don't start him next year? This seems to be against the rationale that the team is not calling up Rodon and so his service clock won't start this year. (Also note that I along with most people think that he will get called up in June, which would be before the Super 2 cut off and we won't get that extra year of team control) If Rodon were to come up in September, his Super 2 date would move accordingly with however many days he spent on the MLB roster this year. Remember, there is really no Super 2 "date", to achieve Super 2 status a 2 year player needs to be in the top 22% of all 2 year players in service time. The date for which a team can call a player up to avoid Super 2 usually would be in July sometime, but if Rodon were to have come up in September, they would have to wait until probably August because he would have those extra 25-30 of service time from this year. Because they didn't bring him up this year, it tends to make me believe he will NOT be starting with the big league team next year and there is probably a good chance they will wait until he is safe from acquiring Super 2 status.

QUOTE (peavy44 @ Sep 2, 2014 -> 02:11 PM) Where u seeing that i see nothing about him on that site. Could you at least try to use proper grammar? You have virtually unlimited space on this message board to express your thoughts. You don't need to use the shorthand text lingo of a 12 year old girl.

Dunn 2 run HR first at bat with the A's

Both players are having legit MVP quality seasons, but the reason that Trout is going to rightfully win it is because the Angels are in 1st place with a 80-53 record and the Sox are in 4th place with a 60-73 record. If the records were flip flopped Abreu would have a much better shot and probably win it.

QUOTE (flavum @ Aug 29, 2014 -> 10:10 AM) I meant as far as cutting back his schedule. And Hawk was entertaining. Now he's unbearable. I really can't believe how many people who seemingly have listened to him for 20+ years (30 years for me), think he's still fun to listen to, or think he's on his game. That's your opinion, and that's fine. But I think he's terrible now. I think Hawk is entertaining as hell when things are going good. When things are going bad he becomes unbearable.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Aug 28, 2014 -> 01:39 PM) I think the White Sox should sign Adam Dunn to a 25 year deal worth $1 trillion. Wait! What? Is that $1 trillion over the life of the contract or per year? I would certainly be willing to do the $25 billion per year, but $1 trillion per is just pushing it.

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Aug 28, 2014 -> 07:41 AM) Yeah, as others have noted, it's awfully late in the season to be making up 20 points in average. While it's certainly a long shot at this point. With Altuve, Martinez, Beltre and Cano at .332/.327/.326/.325 respectively, it's not unrealistic to think that the lead might drop to be around the .325 mark at the end of the year. It would just take a couple of hitless games for Altuve to fall there. If Abreu gets 100 ABs the rest of the season, he would need to hit .390 to end at .326. Seems tough to do, but he has been hitting .361 since the break and .429 over the last two weeks so it's not unrealistic at all.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Aug 28, 2014 -> 12:48 AM) Baez and Soler have very high bust probability. Right now, Baez is like an extreme version of Adam Dunn minus the ability to take a walk. Strikeout or home run. The Sox have Sale, Quintana, Eaton, Avi and Abreu proving it in the major leagues. While the minors depth isn't as strong as the Cubs Anderson, Semien, Sanchez, Montas, Adams, Danish, Martinez, Ravelo, Rondon and even Davidson still are bringing some talent. Beck, Bassitt, and EJ could all be something still. Oh, then Rodon. I think it's pretty clear that Baez is not ready for the majors. I think it would be a mistake for the Cubs to have him on the opening day roster next year. He clearly needs more time in the minors to work on cutting down the strikeouts. He is currently striking out in 45% of his PAs. That can never work, especially for a player like Baez who never walks.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Aug 27, 2014 -> 11:00 PM) I'd say that's bad news if you are the Royals. If he's ever going to get hot, it's against them who he owned during his career. Those four games are going to likely be huge for KC probably. If I'm KC I do not cut Chen until after that series. He has to start a game if you are KC. Greg once again talking out of his ass. Do you even bother to fact check anything you say? Konerko vs KC: .263/.349/.459/.808 Konerko vs every other team: .282/.355/.492/.847 Sure an .808 OPS is good, but it is not "owning" a team especially when it is significantly lower than your OPS versus everyone else. And that was mostly from when Konerko was good. Imagine what he'll do now. Maybe a .600 OPS?

I highly doubt that Quintana get pushed up to pitch on 3 days rest in a meaningless game. Rodon is scheduled to make one more AAA start and get pushed to 100 pitches, so I doubt it will be him either. My money is on Rienzo getting called up to make the one start.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Aug 26, 2014 -> 10:09 PM) With the team stinking as much as ever and the bullpen in need of a lefty, that's a cool idea. The fans would love it and ultimately it doesn't matter much. If indeed this is Dunn's final season it'd be a fun way to go out, as a reliever. -- MLB annoys me with running the same commercials over and over. It's like torture to me. Dunn doesn't throw left handed.

Each year that a player is in the minor leagues for more than 20 days after being put on the 40 man roster counts as an option year. He was put on the 40 man and called up in 2012 and remained in the Majors the rest of that year other than one short stint. If my understanding is correct, the Sox used one option year in each of 2013 and 2014 so he should have one left after this year.

QUOTE (chitownsportsfan @ Aug 25, 2014 -> 10:01 PM) Thanks. The "6 full years" clears it up. I'm still not convinced it's a great idea to bring him up this September, but if they planning on a big '15 offseason push it makes sense as he'll be in the rotation next April anyways sounds like and that will mean super 2 regardless. You still don't quite have it. If he starts with the team next year, he will not be Super 2. To qualify for Super 2 status a player must have more than 2 years, but less than 3 years service time and rank in the top 22% of all 2 years players regarding service time. If he is with the team next year opening day, he would not have enough service time after his 2nd year to qualify for Super 2 as he would just have 2 years and 1 month. Here are the ways his time with the White Sox could be laid out. If he starts with the team next year regardless of whether he comes up in September: 2015: Team Control (near minimum salary) 2016: Team Control (near minimum salary) 2017: Team Control (near minimum salary) 2018: Arbitration 1 2019: Arbitration 2 2020: Arbitration 3 2021: Free Agent If he comes up in September and doesn't start with the team next year but gets called up BEFORE his Super 2 cutoff (August-ish): 2015: Team Control (near minimum salary) 2016: Team Control (near minimum salary) 2017: Team Control (near minimum salary) 2018: Arbitration 1 (Super 2) 2019: Arbitration 2 2020: Arbitration 3 2021: Arbitration 4 2022: Free Agent If he comes up in September and doesn't start with the team next year but gets called up AFTER his Super 2 cutoff (August-ish): 2015: Team Control (near minimum salary) 2016: Team Control (near minimum salary) 2017: Team Control (near minimum salary) 2018: Team Control (near minimum salary) 2019: Arbitration 1 2020: Arbitration 2 2021: Arbitration 3 2022: Free Agent If he doesn't come up in September and doesn't start with the team next year but gets called up BEFORE his Super 2 cutoff (July-ish): 2015: Team Control (near minimum salary) 2016: Team Control (near minimum salary) 2017: Team Control (near minimum salary) 2018: Arbitration 1 (Super 2) 2019: Arbitration 2 2020: Arbitration 3 2021: Arbitration 4 2022: Free Agent If he doesn't come up in September and doesn't start with the team next year but gets called up AFTER his Super 2 cutoff (July-ish): 2015: Team Control (near minimum salary) 2016: Team Control (near minimum salary) 2017: Team Control (near minimum salary) 2018: Team Control (near minimum salary) 2019: Arbitration 1 2020: Arbitration 2 2021: Arbitration 3 2022: Free Agent While it may seem like a good idea to hold off on calling him up until after opening day next year because you push his FA date out until 2022, a good portion of that extra year will be spent in the minors and you will end up paying him a hell of lot if he qualifies for Super 2 because of the 4 years of arbitration. If he doesn't qualify for Super 2, you're waiting until the season is more than half over so he spent the majority of the time in that "extra" year pitching in the minors. I think the best thing to do is just call him up in September to let him get his feet wet, start him next year with the big league team to go through the growing pains and then in 2016 we should be ready to compete and Rodon will have a year plus experience and should be ready to really help the team.

QUOTE (chitownsportsfan @ Aug 25, 2014 -> 07:10 PM) this is what I found: So basically if he gets added to the 40 man this year it gives the Sox 6 more years until FA instead of 7? If so, that is not good. Whether Rodon comes up tomorrow or at the start of next year, a player cannot be a free agent until he has a minimum 6 full years service time. He will be a free agent in 2021 unless they wait until after opening day to bring him up next year. Then it would be 2022, but he would then be Super 2 and have 4 arb years.

If he comes up in September and start with the team next year, he would be arb eligible in 2018 and free agent in 2021 because his service time in 2014 would not be enough to push him to Super 2 for 2017. Remember, Super 2 does not change your free agent date, it just gives you 4 years of arbitration instead of 3.

QUOTE (chitownsportsfan @ Aug 25, 2014 -> 05:05 PM) I don't really get the rush to get him up to MLB. Clearly he is highly advanced and his stuff is MLB ready now but I really don't think it's in Rodon's (and Chicago's) best long term interests to come up, make a couple 5-6 inning starts and start the arb clock a year early when he could have just made a few more starts in AAA and then head to the AFL with a big fat ZERO next to MLB service time entering '15. If Rodon starts with the big league team next year, a September call up does nothing to his arb clock.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Aug 22, 2014 -> 05:22 PM) Yeah, but Dunn wouldn't have many more if he had another 100 PA's. Might not have any more. Dunns power numbers dont suffer all that much versus lefties. Mainly just his average. That 100 hundred or so PAs probably cost him 4-5 HRs.