Paulstar

I love how some people here are experts on pitch counts and pitcher health all of a sudden. Anyone who says that Sale, Peavy, etc. have been overused are liars because they don't know. I don't know. We don't know what the game plan is between Ventura, Coop, Herm, the pitchers, the strength and conditioning coach, etc. The only possible pitcher that you can make a legit argument for that he was overused was Crain, but that could have been orders from Hahn/KW to get Crain in as much as possible to show case him, you just don't know.

Do the Rangers have enough money flowing around to be able to take on both Dunn and Rios? If not, Dunn and De Aza would also make sense. But right now Dunn seems to be a perfect match for what Texas needs with Berkman possibly never returning.

QUOTE (Jake @ Jul 25, 2013 -> 01:09 PM) I don't think they care about the handedness of their starters. Danks and Santiago get righties out much better than lefites anyway, Quintana is equally successful vs. both, and Sale gets everyone out. Non-issue I could definitely see Quintana or Santiago being traded this offseason. Danks is immovable for at least another year, and I don't think we will see the Sox acquire a big time young bat like Adams (or someone else similar) this deadline like we had hopes for previously. Thus, Quintana and Santiago are the best chips the organization has to acquiring a young, cost controlled, talented bat. Maybe someone like Brett Lawrie, I don't know, but I see something like that happening. Ideally Danks would be shipped out, but the only way that happens is if you take on another bad contract, and hopefully my feelings are wrong and turns out to become an above average pitcher again. Also, I don't think Danks, Quintana, and Santiago are good enough to justify having a rotation of 4 lefties. Teams like balance, and the Sox showed this when Axelrod was in the rotation over Santiago to begin the year. If they were all studs like Sale, who cares, but the other three have obvious flaws and quite frankly, I think it is a disadvantage against the Sox to have situations where they run out 3, maybe 4 lefties in a row in a single series. Part of a lefties success is that hitters are naturally more used to seeing righties, but on that 2nd, 3rd, and/or 4th game, that advantage is gone because they have seen lefties all series. Maybe I'm wrong, but I see a rotation of Sale, Danks, Quintana/Santiago, Johnson, and a RH FA next year. This is me just tossing around names right now playing arm chair GM, but maybe Tim Lincecum could be a target for the Sox on a 1 year deal with an option for the 2nd year where he tries to build his value back up for one more big contract. Its an interesting name and on a one year deal, he could also be a trade chip at the deadline if the Sox are bad again next year. Or he could have to moved to the bullpen, and he might succeed there. Either way, I don't see any team giving him a big contract.

Trade him for a conditional PTBNL to whichever team wants to take a chance on him. No reason at all to keep him around unless the Sox want to re-sign him.

QUOTE (Wanne @ Jul 24, 2013 -> 03:27 PM) I'm getting sick of moving Gordo around...but that's not to say it's not necessary to move him over there when Lexi gets' moved...but I just don't think he's a MLB quality SS. That's why I'm more inclined to get into bed with Arizona to pry Owings away than STL for a Wong deal. Owings has many of the same question marks at SS that Beckham had when he was first drafted, according to some scouting reports. I feel like people think since Beckham was moved very quickly away from SS when he entered pro ball it meant that he couldn't play SS, but the reality was that he was moved away from SS because SS was blocked by Ramirez and Beckham was expected to be with the pro club sooner rather than later. If the White Sox didn't have Ramirez at SS but rather Royce Clayton, I would bet you would have seen Beckham come up to the majors as a SS. Whether he would stick there, that's another question, but he has enough tools to that would make it worth experimenting with him at SS.

Its funny how one day teams like having that extra year, and then the next day reports are that they don't want to be locked into keeping Peavy for another year. All this makes me believe that 75% of the stuff that these "reporters" report is either made up or from sources who shouldn't really be considered quotable sources.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Jul 24, 2013 -> 01:38 PM) I have not seen any reports as to why he's never gotten a chance, but I've always liked Michael Taylor, even considering he's 27 years old. He's struggled in his cups of coffees, but he's never had more than a cup of coffee. Would be an interesting throw in player to such a deal.

The only guy that would be attractive from Oakland would be Grant Green (not including Russel). Jemile Weeks maybe, but definitely not the centerpiece of any deal. Overall, I don't see it.

QUOTE (TaylorStSox @ Jul 24, 2013 -> 10:37 AM) Beckham at SS would be a disaster. Jesus. There is no reason why Beckham should not be given a shot at SS if/when Alexei is traded. He is so much more valuable to this team if he can prove to be a solid defensive SS (no reason to think he can't be as he has all the tools to be at least solid and make all the routine plays) as opposed to being a very good defensive 2B. If he proves he can't cut it at SS, fine. But to completely write him off as a SS without seeing him play more than 2 innings there is silly.

I wouldn't consider Freese a scrub, but it would be highly unlikely he would be the hang up on such a deal. If anything, it would be Adams.

You can never have too many good looking ball players even if they all play the same position. The odds are highly against Sanchez, Johnson, Semien, and DeMichelle from ever doing anything in the big leagues. Same goes for Wong. But hey, maybe 2 or 3 of the guys actually pan out, and than you are in a position of power and are like the Cardinals where you are trying to find playing time for several good players who can also be used as trade chips. Plus, Wong is MLB ready, as opposed to all the other 2B in the system who are all at least another year away.

QUOTE (danman31 @ Jul 23, 2013 -> 08:12 PM) Norton, you're the greatest! This year the best parts of the broadcasts are the flashback highlights. I had no idea he had some major league AB's as recently as 2009. I always liked Norton, came through big on a couple of occasions.

And that is why he is on the trade block.

QUOTE (mike65 @ Jul 23, 2013 -> 06:37 PM) He is a damn good 1B, too. I did not know how good of a 1B he is, but that is good to know he can actually provide value on the field as well.

QUOTE (The Ginger Kid @ Jul 23, 2013 -> 06:31 PM) Adams strike anyone else as someone who's going to battle weight issues? Eh, he strikes me as the fat kid who knows how to hit. I view him as a taller and left handed Billy Butler.

Now because of this rumor, I am going to be extremely disappointed if the White Sox do not wind up getting Adams. I never thought for a minute that Adams would be available, but now the small hope I had has blown up into an all out Adams or bust mentality.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Jul 23, 2013 -> 06:04 PM) I don't get the Wong love. Unless he's some sort of defensive wizard, I don't see how he's much of an improvement over Semien. He's an advanced hitter known for having very good baseball instincts and IQ. He might not be a superstar in the making, but he seems to be a safe bet to be a solid contributor for several years, and potentially even better than that. Semien is nice and all, especially with his K:BB, but from the sounds of it Wong has much more potential with the stick. Also, I find it funny we are talking about a Wong and Semien.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jul 23, 2013 -> 06:00 PM) Yeah, we know how that goes (Buehrle/Konerko). I'm sure Hahn wants this 3b black hole to be filled somehow though. Get Wong and Adams from STL, trade a reliever for Middlebrooks from BOS, and you have the makings of a good looking INF with lots of potential. 1B - Adams 2B - Wong 3B - Gillaspie/Middlebrooks (I think worst case you have yourself a platoon that could more than suffice) SS - Beckham (The biggest question mark defensively, however I think he can make all the routine plays and be a leader of the INF)

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Jul 23, 2013 -> 05:53 PM) If Adams and Freese are gone, who plays third? Carpenter shifts to 3B, Descalso/Wong play 2B.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jul 23, 2013 -> 05:52 PM) Konerko is on his last legs anyways I know that, but I don't see a platoon of Dunn and Konerko going on for final two months of the season, that is not fair to either player. And you have to give all the ABs at 1B to Adams.

QUOTE (mike65 @ Jul 23, 2013 -> 05:40 PM) OK, guys, we have news or at least a rumor of news. On a Cardinals board (associated with the Post Dispatch), someone just posted that the WS want Adams, Freese, and Joe Kelly for Ramirez and Peavy. Supposedly, this was just mentioned on a Chicago sports talk radio station. The hang-up apparently is Freese, who the Cardinals don't want to trade. Take it for what it's worth. P.S. Supposedly, it is a FOX affiliated station. I would LOVE that trade for the Sox, but I can understand Freese being the hang up from a Cardinals standpoint because thats a lot of f***ing around you have to do with your lineup when they seem to have gelled pretty well thus far into the season. I would be ok with Freese being dropped from the deal and Wong and maybe another minor leaguer being added, maybe Valera or Piscotty. All I have to say, if this is true, don't let Freese be the hang up of the deal. Getting Adams in a White Sox uniform should be the main goal, as he is the impact bat this team needs. If that did happen, one of Konerko or Dunn would soon have to be dealt.

How many times in the past 20 years have the Sox likely had this much free payroll and such a desperate need for impact bats? Sure history indicates one thing, but this isn't the White Sox of the past 20 years who had some combinations of Frank Thomas, Robin Ventura, Ray Durham, Magglio Ordonez, Carlos Lee, Paul Konerko, Jermaine Dye, and so forth. This White Sox team is one of the sorriest offensive teams in at least my history of watching the Sox. To say that the White Sox aren't going to spend money on impact offensive bats in free agency and to use "history" as the reasoning is absurd in my mind. If anything, history shows the White Sox are willing to spend money on impact bats in free agency when they need to, as they showed that in 2010 with Dunn (needed a power hitting lefty to replace Thome) and in 1997 with Belle (needed a power bat in the OF). I'm not saying the Sox will spend the money, no one knows whats going to happen, but if anything I'd say "history" points to the Sox signing at least one impact bat.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jul 23, 2013 -> 04:05 PM) MLB however cannot levy a more costly penalty than what is spelled out in the CBA. They can go for 100 games for these guys, I believe, because they can say they both took the products and lied to investigators, leading to the 100-game multi-offense suspension. Braun saw that and took 65 games in order to avoid the 100. I was under the impression that because these are not "positive drug tests" they do not fall under the 50/100/life time ban penalties, and can be whatever length the MLB finds appropriate, whether that be 5 games or 500 games.

QUOTE (IowaSoxFan @ Jul 23, 2013 -> 01:35 PM) It was on mlbtr, I believe last week. Said that the Red Sox were concerned about Nava's progressive decrease in production and why they were scouting Rios. http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/07/cafa...avy-aramis.html I am really surprised to see that. I'd gladly welcome a one for one swap of Rios for Nava.

I really hope Cruz agrees to a suspension deal in a couple of days. Could really force the Rangers hand to acquire Rios or perhaps even De Aza.