QuickJones81

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Dec 2, 2014 -> 01:48 AM) If the deal was contingent on an extension being worked out, Beane would be asking for Anderson and Montas or Hawkins. That would be less than the A's gave up to the Cubs, as Russell was ALREADY a Top 25-30 prospect at a more advanced level and a higher probability of sticking at SS. McKinney is roughly the equivalent of Hawkins, maybe not quite the upside but a higher floor as well. Don't forget Oakland also got Hammel in the exchange, as well as the proposition of more time with Samardzija, albeit half a season. Oakland was in a pennant race for that half season so it does hold value. Also keep in mind Samardzija's performance to date at the time of the deal, and after. A small difference, i know, but something that goes into the equation. In the end the market will dictate his value based on what others are offering. When I consider all things I don't see his value returning even Russell in equivalent. Two B prospects, or Alexei is all I would offer. If they won't take it, move on and see if you can't land 1 or 2 of Masterson, McCarthy, Santana, Volquez, Shields, or Billingsley.

Am I the only one that thinks it ridiculous that he was only 4th? I am not a fan of this award going to the best performer from a contending team, with previous history taken into account. In my mind it should be given to the most valuable player. While the White Sox stunk Abreu was I believe more valuable to his team than Mike Trout. If Kluber can win the Cy Young after one charmed year on a non-playoff team, why can't Abreu win the MVP?

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Nov 10, 2014 -> 08:14 PM) Semien MIGHT be "okay." I don't think anyone really wants to see Leury Garcia out there for 140-150 games in 2015. Sanchez would be better defensively than Semien but has a limited offensive upside and profiles more like Eduardo Escobar, a supersub/utility guy. Then you have Saladino coming off TJ surgery, so no way he could be counted on at SS. Even if Semien isn't the long term solution it still would be good to give him an opportunity to show he can be an everyday SS to increase his value as a future trade chip.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Nov 5, 2014 -> 04:13 PM) I think looking at the first time through the order compared to the second and third times would be a better indicator of success. I think the first inning itself lends itself to a lot of sample bias, particularly in that you are going to face at least the 1-2-3 hitters who should be among the 4 or 5 best hitters on the team. You'll also see how well teams adjust to a certain pitcher based on that. It's safe to say that Chris Sale would make an excellent reliever - he already did at one point in his career - but teams can't figure him out the second and third times through, so he also makes a fine starting pitcher. That would show both how teams adjust to a guy as they continue to see him as well as possible deterioration of stuff. It would be interesting to look at a guy like Eric Gagne as a case study, to understand why he wasn't successful as a starter, but ultra successful as a reliever. What indicators existed from his time as a starter that could have predicted his eventual success. As you guys mentioned internally teams probably have run through these scenarios but it feels like the best chance to get effective relievers at a low cost. On top of that, it's a great way for teams to create value buying low on relievers then flipping them when they meet success.

I was thinking about the bullpen issues, and ways to approach fixing it. One idea was to look at SPs who could be good candidates for a secone life as a closer/reliever. Thinking of it briefly one thought was to look at the 1st inning splits for all mlb and milb SP that could potentially be buy low candidates. I have no idea how to easily pull together that data. Is there a good site availbale that you guys know of that could help?

For the pen I would stear clear of big money relievers. Build a pen from the minors and dumpster dive for failed SP prospects that had stamina issues or problems developing a 3rd pitch. I feel like good pens are rarely built through big money deals, and conversely big money on relievers tends to lead to regret.

I'd be happy with Shields, Masterson, or McCarthy plus Billingsley to put out a rotation of: Sale Quintana Masterson/McCarthy Billingsley Rodon/Noesi (assuming Noesi to begin year, Rodon to end) Then pursue Hanley Ramirez as a thirdbaseman.

Should the Sox go all in on Moncada?

QUOTE (fathom @ Sep 1, 2014 -> 03:37 PM) Davidson caps off his truly terrible season by striking out to stay under .200. If he has any trade value at all, get rid of him. They have Conor and Semien to handle 3rd going forward. The classic rule of trading, buy high, sell low.

QUOTE (flavum @ Aug 31, 2014 -> 08:00 PM) Keon Barnum doesn't get a lot of attention, but he really had a nice second half. He stayed healthy this year, which is great. I was thinking that initially too, but after looking closer it looks like his June was fantastic but he cooled way off since then. .600 OPS in July and August. The thing that worries me is the lack of power for what he was expected to be.

All done, for Nolan Sanburn.

QUOTE (ron883 @ Aug 27, 2014 -> 09:13 PM) Rizzo is pretty special. Lefty putting up those numbers is damn valuable. Kris Bryant is pretty much a can't miss prospect. Soler looks really freaking good. Addison Russel and Schwarber look like studs. Not to mention Castro and Baez... The team is freaking stacked with top tier talents. People need to take off their homer glasses. Don't disagree with what you're saying, but they have no pitching. The Sox are at least 3 deep with high quality arms in the rotation with not as great position players, but a set that are already producing in the majors.

Posed the same question to Jim Callis. He chose the Cubs. They have some guys who can be really special. We have at least 2 who ARE special. I've always believed one in the hand was worth two in the bush personally.

The Cubs get all the hype, but I feel pretty good about our core moving into the future as well. So while they get the attention, would you trade our core for all of the Cubs top prospects? White Sox: Chris Sale Jose Abreu Carlos Rodon Jose Quintana Avisail Garcia Adam Eaton Tim Anderson Frank Montas Spencer Adams Cubs: Kris Bryant Javy Baez Anthony Rizzo Starlin Castro Jorge Soler Addison Russell Arismendy Alcantara Albert Almora CJ Edwards

Alvarez with another homer. What's your take on him, flash in the pan, or real potential?

QUOTE (Jake @ Aug 17, 2014 -> 02:10 PM) The fact that we got the best player in the draft at 3 tells you all you need to know about the entire process. Higher pick isn't always better. We didn't need to lose more than HOU or FLA to get Rodon. The Angels didn't need to miss the playoffs to get Mike Trout. Do your best on the field and do your best with your pick. I'd say Mike Trout is more the exception, not the rule. The top 10 usually contains the best chance of walking away with a star, top 5 even more. After that the odds start really stacking against you. There will always be later round exceptions, but the odds of finding that needle amongst the hay are not good. Years of being good, not great, and not bad, is part of the reason the White Sox farm system became so poor. If you plan on overpaying for free agents year after year, then this isn't as big of a problem. I don't see that situation happening for the Sox anytime soon though.

As a fan I want what's best for the team in the long term. If there is no chance for glory this year, and the best chance to win down the road is to hit bottom wins wise, then that is the best strategy. It's ok to lose a battle to win a war. Wise people should see that. Case in point, I don't see a lot of value for Rodon to come up this year in terms of getting closer to another World Series. If nothing it would worsen the chance slightly by starting the clock early on a guy we know will be hard to hang onto once we lose control. And the payback is? Excitement in meaningless September games? No thanks, stick to the best strategy, not taking lesser steps to placate the fans that need something shiny in front of them to feel better. I cringe listening to the fans across town who demand their top prospects join the team immediately. It shows they either don't understand the situation, have no patience, or both. Let's not pay for meaningless September short term enjoyment with future victories and success.

QUOTE (QuickJones81 @ Aug 13, 2014 -> 08:50 PM) Now you have me interested, I'll have to see if there's any video out there available. Oh my gosh, I've hit gold! This guy has a collection of motivational videos on YouTube. This is amazing! He's got a logo and everything. New favorite prospect with a bullet, CJ Beatty

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Aug 13, 2014 -> 08:46 PM) He sprints off full speed at any ball hit ANYWHERE in the vicinity of the outfield or even over 2B and 1B, then comes screeching to almost a dead stop when he makes the catch. He's more hyper than Hunter Pence. Now you have me interested, I'll have to see if there's any video out there available.

Rodon, Montas, Adams, and Danish are exciting. We haven't had a collection of pitching talent like this in the system at once since 2000-01. Hopefully this group fairs better. And to think, not too long ago Erik Johnson was our prized pitching gem.

Who in the world is CJ Beatty and am I seeing this right, 25 and hasn't played a game since 2010 yet is starting in right for the Dash tonight? Anyone know the story?

Jose Barraza seems to being doing OK with the bat in AZ, which, as a catcher in this system made me notice. What is the scouting report on this guy? Is he worth keeping tabs on or just another warm body in the system?

Matt Kemp FSL .918 6th rd Paul Goldschmidt PIO 1.045 8th rd Jonathan LuCroy PIO .867 3rd rd I'm not saying Peter is destined to be in this group, but my point is that you shouldn't just ignore a guy because of where he was drafted and that he's playing in rookie ball. The sox promoted him pretty aggressively to a league he is 2 years behind in age. So to me they currently think he's more than just a guy.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 9, 2014 -> 11:26 AM) You are talking about 16/17/18 year old kids down there. There is a lot physical maturity still be to be had. They are glorified high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors. I don't pay attention to high school. Do you see the same disparity between offense and pitching there?

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Aug 8, 2014 -> 09:32 PM) Here's the list of guys who posted .900+ OPSs for the Great Falls White Sox from 2003 to 2007. This period represents the entire time Great Falls was a Sox affiliate before they changed their name to the Voyagers. Brian Anderson: 1.081 (2003) Ricardo Nanita: .991 (2003) David Cook: .968 (2004) Francisco Hernandez: .929 (2005) Chris Carter: .968 (2006) C.J Retherford: 1.002 (2007) Jim Gallagher: .953 (2007) Christian Marrero: .945 (2007) Salvador Sanchez: .938 (2007) . . . Jake Peter: 1.023 (2014) I'm probably just slow, but your point is getting past me