Paulstar

I'd be shocked if the White Sox don't end up with one of Rodon, Aiken, or Nola, in that order. The only reason why Aiken is a possibility is because of how polished he is as a pitcher and the fact it isn't unrealistic to think he could be up in the big leagues by his 21st BDay if everything goes right, and he definitely has some Clayton Kershaw to him. I think Rodon is the favorite in the org. because he is a legit no. 1 pick talent and fits into the compete soon timeline. Hell, I could see him offered a somewhat similar deal to Chris Sale where if he signs around slot, he'll get a chance with the MLB team this season. And that could really intrigue anyone who is as much of a competitor that Rodon is. If Kolek is the pick, I would not be a fan. With him throwing well across his body with his type of velocity, it just screams a career full of arm injuries to me. You couple that with him not being even that polished of a pitcher yet, I don't see how he fits with the White Sox timeline. Now, I completely understand every pitcher is a risk and some guys will last forever with terrible mechanics and other guys with perfect mechanics will never stay healthy. Hopefully with a little bit of luck, Gillaspie or Burdie fall to the Sox pick in the second round.

QUOTE (hammerhead johnson @ Jan 25, 2014 -> 10:11 PM) That hurts? Haha you're funny. But if this is supposed to be a comparison it's a really poor one.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Jan 25, 2014 -> 09:46 PM) You know, I agree that at a game a ball player can be booed and jeered and it shouldn't bother them. In an intimate setting, Q&A no less, I think people should have more respect for the guy. JMO Alright, I understand that and agree. But I guess Im not too worried if players and managers get heckled at soxfest. I don't see it as a big deal but I'm also pretty arrogant and ignorant as you guys can probably tell

QUOTE (hammerhead johnson @ Jan 25, 2014 -> 10:08 PM) It's only okay if Viciedo is getting taunted at soxfest. Not Dunn. Paulstar, you S-U-C-K. Ha, talk about your classy white sox fans, I just found one!

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 25, 2014 -> 09:26 PM) Your job doesn't entitle you to be a whipping boy. If my job was to play baseball I would be perfectly ok with it because BALLPLAYERS HAVE BEEN BOOED AND JEERED AT A LOT LONGER THAN WE'VE EVEN BEEN AROUND. IT'S PART OF BEING A BALLPLAYER!

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jan 25, 2014 -> 08:59 PM) Just curious. Do you also boo/jeer politicians you don't like or disagree with? What about celebrities? If Kim Kardashian or Lindsay Lohan or Miley Cyrus walked by, would you also boo them? (After all, we pay for their concert tickets, singles/albums and the tv shows they're on are supported by audience ratings and the ad rates which drive the profits). Once again, there's not categorically "right" or wrong answer. For the last time, I've never said I was down with what was going on. I just think it's silly for people to think it's so outrageous that this happened, as it wouldnt have happened with any franchise. If iI was Adam Dunn, I would soak it in and in the back of my head say f*** it, I'm still rich and get paid to play a game I love. Edit: For the record, I'm completely okay with booing at games. If it's okay to cheer, the inverse should be accepted as well.

QUOTE (Brian26 @ Jan 25, 2014 -> 07:40 PM) Perhaps it is because you weren't there. Perhaps you're just immature. It's not really up for debate though, no matter how contrarian you want to be. It's pretty much a despicable act. I'm not saying you cannot dislike the guy, but that's not the place to act that way. It was embarrassing. My question is why not there? People are paying hundreds of dollars to attend and naturally most people wear their emotions on their sleeve. I could understand if this was a free event but the sox are making a killing off of this. Maybe I just don't feel sympathy for players and coaches getting paid a whole lot of money for what most of us would do for free. And being a public figure leads you open to criticism.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 25, 2014 -> 06:41 PM) Again, you shouldn't have any problems with my posts then, because they're just words and it comes with the territory... Right? You know what, maybe you're right. Maybe I just have a problem with people who feel like it's up to them to tell other people how to act.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 25, 2014 -> 06:19 PM) Someone's paycheck is completely irrelevant as to how they should be treated. I'm sorry you think that acting like an ass towards someone just because they make a lot of money is OK, and should somehow be celebrated. Excuse me while I have some expectations for common decency. Someone's paycheck is totally relevant in this case because a good portion of the revenue the White Sox bring in to pay those salaries come from the wallets of those fans. And it's not like Dunn's dog is being kicked, they're just words and it comes with the territory. Also, I don't know where you come off trying to put words in my mouth. I already said s***ting on people in a situation like soxfest isn't my thing. But again, I'm not gonna act like I have any right to tell people how to act as you so apparently feel like you have the right to do.

This is just silly. Lets act like casual fans won't speak their mind if given the chance. And lets act all high and mighty and talk down to those classless fans, we're white sox fans, we're better than those people who can't resist speaking their mind! Give me a break, there is no code for being a white sox fan, or a cubs fan, or a fan of anything. People are gonna always act like people have done for thousands of year. So while you might disagree with it, that's fine, but get off your pedastals of looking down at others like your so high and mighty and never disrespect or insult anyone.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jan 25, 2014 -> 04:06 PM) What is funny is as bad as Dunn was last year, his OBP and OPS was almost identical to Avasail Garcia's is a White Sox uniform. I guess expecting people to be classy is a bit much. Bo Jackson won't get booed out of the Palmer House, but check his White Sox numbers vs. Dunn's. I would say that is like comparing apples to oranges, but your comparisons are so far off that saying doesn't do it justice.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 25, 2014 -> 04:51 PM) Let's all act shocked that people can conduct themselves with some class? Well I suppose you are right there. I'm sorry that everyone who roots for the Sox can't live up to the level of class you apparently have. Now excuse me while I go cry for Adam Dunn and every ballplayer who has ever been heckled. Those poor bastards, I bet there aren't enough expensive toys and hot females out there to soothe their pain from all those classless fans out there who spend 20 bucks for a hot dog and a beer just to watch them play ball.

This is hilarious, lets all act shocked when common fans are angry at a player who's been vastly overpaid for the past three years and call him out at the one time of the year the fans get to interact in some ways with the players. It would be shocking if they didn't ridicule him in the situation. It's not my cup of tea to do that, but I don't feel bad in the least. Especially not since at the end of the day, he's still making millions to play a game. I actually agree with Marty in a sense that I'm surprised Dunn hasn't been dumped yet just to appease the casual fan. I do however think Dunn and Konerko can make a solid platoon. But I still don't see how it's going to be flexible to have Konerko, Dunn, De Aza, Viciedo, and Keppinger all on this roster how it currently is.

Am I the only one who thinks Andre Rienzo has potential to be a really solid starter in this league, maybe even as good as a no 3.

QUOTE (scs787 @ Jan 22, 2014 -> 06:54 PM) It is my understanding that Paul Pasquanelli will be the Bears DL coach(he was previously thought to be LB coach), and Reggie Herring will be the Bears LBs coach. All their experience at the NFL level have been in 3-4 defenses. This is really telling if you ask me. Almost makes me wonder why Wade Phillips wasn't brought in as DC, but then again perhaps he didn't want to start a new again or Trestman and Emery have faith in Mel Tucker and Tucker sold them on his defensive plan. Either way, I think it's pretty clear we will see some 3-4 action next year. More clues will be given with free agency and the draft as to what the D will look like.

The way I see it, there really won't be any more moves made, unless something really good came along. Maybe claim Brayan Villarreal from the Red Sox or sign a pitcher on the cheap, but I don't see any good deals in the future. Hopefully something decent comes along for the catcher spot (Jose Lobaton?). I think the preferable move from Hahn would be to unload Dunn, but at the price you'd pay to get rid of him it wouldn't be worth it. De Aza and Viciedo, right now, are more valuable on the White Sox than they are on any other team. Keppinger is also another guy I think the team would prefer to have a rebound season and get some value back rather than paying all of his salary to play else where. However, while there are these log jams, we are going to see a team filled with position battles for PT as well as young guys pushing old guys who have been under preforming. Looking at it position by position: C: It's a crap shoot, but hey, at least a lot of competition. 1B: Abreu's got it locked down. 2B: Beckham's job for now, but he's got a lot of pressure from players in AAA battling to take his spot. Plus, depending on what happens at 3B, Keppinger could be competing to earn some PT at 2B. 3B: I'm thinking more and more Matt Davidson will start at AAA unless he just blows everyone away at camp. I think we'll see a Gillaspie & Keppinger platoon at 3B for the first part of the season, and again, they have a player down at AAA competing to take their spot. SS: Ramirez is fine. His only concern should be if he's traded at the deadline to make room for Semien or Garcia. LF: Viciedo and De Aza I'm thinking will platoon here along with De Aza giving the other two outfielders a break here and there to get some extra AB's. CF: Eaton, go out there and play ball. RF: Garcia, lets see what you got. DH: Dunn & Konerko platoon, but we could see some competition for AB's between the two if Konerko feels good and hits more like first half 2012 and not 2013 PK. SP: 5th spot is loaded with competition right now between Paulino, Rienzo, and Surkamp. Bullpen: Pretty much open competition for every spot in the pen if you ask me. I'm starting to get really excited about all this competition that will be taking place in the spring and hopefully it leads to some inspired play throughout the season. For the most part, you have four guys who are safe on the offensive side of the ball who will likely get their AB's no matter what. The rest, it's go out and earn it, and I love it.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 22, 2014 -> 02:45 PM) I'm not sure that Phegley has a big upside to be honest. In terms of true ceiling, I have no doubt that Flowers has Phegley in that category. The odds of his getting there just aren't very good. I don't think either have very good upsides, but Phegley shows more of a natural hitting ability than Flowers so that leads me to believe Phegley has a better chance of becoming a serviceable MLB backup/platoon catcher.

I wouldn't mind seeing Bruce Chen or another lefty starter brought in on the cheap (Clayton Richard) to be the 2nd lefty in the pen/long relief/spot starter. Unless of course the White Sox see that as Surkamp's role this upcoming season.

QUOTE (Al Lopez's Ghost @ Jan 22, 2014 -> 12:17 PM) Completely agree. No one talks about his defensive struggles last year - he seemed to have trouble finding the ball if it hit the dirt, and at times just catching pitches. For me he has to hit a ton if his defense doesn't come up to MLB standards Did everyone forget that for how bad Phegley was defensively, Flowers was probably worse? If neither are good at catching, I'll go with the younger guy with more upside.

QUOTE (StRoostifer @ Jan 21, 2014 -> 10:55 PM) They are all a risk to some degree. Depending on how the college players do this spring, right now its looking like Rodin and Hoffman could 1 and 2. Nice thing about a HS pitcher is you get them into the your teams system at a younger age to help correct any bad habits they my have developed such as throwing across the body, then again Sale throws across his body too so I wouldn't worry too much about that. You mention Honel but let's not forget Gio Gonzalez either, he turned out pretty well for a 1st rounder out of HS. Its a crap shoot no matter what. For now Kolek is my preference but like I said that could change as June gets closer. Gio was a sandwich pick, if I remember correctly, so I excluded him. But yeah, mechanics can be funny where someone with piss poor mechanics can pitch for 20 years with great health, and someone with perceived perfect mechanics can't make it through a year without injury. And you are right about him still being in high school so it will be easier to mold him to your liking. But as I see it, he'd be my forth choice of the four we've discussed.

I like Kolek, but I don't know if I'd take him over Rodon, Hoffman, or Turner. Kolek has a nice easy delivery and has great stuff and frame, but I'm worried about how he throws across body. And with him being only in high school, I don't know if he's worth the risk and I think the White Sox as a whole has soured on high school pitchers in the first round ever since Kris Honel (such a promising pick as a hometown kid and great stuff but injuries got the best of him). Rodon is my favorite player right now, but I doubt he drops to 3, but we got a lot of time from now until June. Right now, I'd be happy with either Hoffman or Turner. But it looks like unless Hoffman falls on his face this year, he'll likely be gone before 3. So give me Turner than because defensively it looks like he should have no problem sticking at SS, and if he reaches his offensive potential with his speed, he'll be an all-star shortstop.

QUOTE (ptatc @ Jan 21, 2014 -> 09:24 PM) Without Charley Lau there wouldn't be the player in your avatar. He is the man who basically came up with the style of hitting that led to the success of the Red Sox in the 80's. Guys like wade Boggs and Frank Thomas went to the HOF with his help. He came to the White Sox then died of I believe brain cancer not long after he left. You know how JR likes his loyal employees. You're confusing Charley Lau with Walk Hriniak, although without Charley Lau there might not be a Walt Hriniak because he was a big follower in the teachings of Lau. Lau did most of his great work with George Brett and the Royals in the 70's, and briefly did coach the White Sox until the 80's when he passed away while still coaching. Walt Hriniak was the guy who worked with the Red Sox in the late 70's and 80's and eventually became the White Sox hitting coach (and last guy to wear no. 6 in honor of Lau) right before Frank Thomas came up. Frank Thomas' approach in his early and best years is a great example of how Lau and Hriniak taught hitting (not that Lau or Hriniak were the first to have these ideas of hitting, but they were the first to make it into science). I'm in favor of keeping 6 retired as long as Reinsdorf is around. Lau and his school of teaching still influences baseball today and he died while coaching for the Sox young and tragically, and as you mentioned his impact can be seen with the White Sox player who just recently got elected to the Hall of Fame.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Jan 21, 2014 -> 06:30 PM) The Red Sox were reportedly interested him and regardless of Swihart, they have looming openings at 1B and DH with both Napoli and Ortiz not under contract for long. Most people don't expect McCann to catch that entire contract and LH power is at an absolute premium right now. I know what your saying, and McCann will be the Yankees DH most likely by 2016 or 17, but for the most part the Yankees were the team that was not going to be outbid for him.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Jan 21, 2014 -> 06:15 PM) It would have nice if the Sox didn't need a catcher the same offseason the Yankees, Red Sox and Rangers.* I'll give you maybe the Rangers, but their top prospect right now is a catcher, and I think the Red Sox are pretty high on Swihart becoming their catcher within the next year or two. I never really thought either of those teams would realistically spend big on a catcher, especially the Red Sox. Yankees on the other hand, it just made sense that they would go all out for McCann this offseason.

It would have been nice if the Sox didn't need a catcher the same offseason the Yankees did.