ZionrulZ

The White Sox announced that they agreed to sign seven players to minor league contracts that include invitations to MLB Spring Training. Right-handers Jeff Gray and Ramon Troncoso, left-hander David Purcey, catcher Bryan Anderson, infielders Josh Bell and Steve Tolleson and outfielder Stefan Gartrell will all report to Glendale next month. Gray pitched for the Twins in 2012, posting a 5.71 ERA with 4.5 K/9 and 3.8 BB/9 in 52 innings. Troncoso, who turns 30 next month, pitched for the Dodgers' Triple-A team in 2012. Purcey also spent the 2012 season at Triple-A, and he struck out more than one batter per inning at that level while struggling to limit walks. The 26-year-old Anderson appeared in ten games for last year's Cardinals team. Bell, formerly a top prospect, played in 21 games for the Diamondbacks in 2012. Tolleson appeared in 29 games with the 2012 Orioles, posting a .183/.227/.310 batting line as a utility player. Gartrell posted a .787 OPS with 20 home runs for the Braves' top affiliate last year. Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/#TtZLT1wDpPey5ePM.99

The White Sox announced that they agreed to sign seven players to minor league contracts that include invitations to MLB Spring Training. Right-handers Jeff Gray and Ramon Troncoso, left-hander David Purcey, catcher Bryan Anderson, infielders Josh Bell and Steve Tolleson and outfielder Stefan Gartrell will all report to Glendale next month. Gray pitched for the Twins in 2012, posting a 5.71 ERA with 4.5 K/9 and 3.8 BB/9 in 52 innings. Troncoso, who turns 30 next month, pitched for the Dodgers' Triple-A team in 2012. Purcey also spent the 2012 season at Triple-A, and he struck out more than one batter per inning at that level while struggling to limit walks. The 26-year-old Anderson appeared in ten games for last year's Cardinals team. Bell, formerly a top prospect, played in 21 games for the Diamondbacks in 2012. Tolleson appeared in 29 games with the 2012 Orioles, posting a .183/.227/.310 batting line as a utility player. Gartrell posted a .787 OPS with 20 home runs for the Braves' top affiliate last year. Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/#TtZLT1wDpPey5ePM.99 Thanks Rick!!!

http://bleacherreport.com/tb/d9nbb?utm_sou...icago-white-sox

The "Hawk" bashing was unnecessary!

Agreed.

83-85 wins does not get them into the playoffs. It puts them in ".500 purgatory".

In your opinion, IF Maddux had spent his entire career as a Cub, would he be a sure fire HOFer?

If I understand what you guys are saying, the Sox' choices are to 1) add pieces to their current nucleus (not "impact players"), try to stay competitive, and be "fiscally responsible" while trying to build through the draft; or 2) "blow the team up" and rebuild. (Death is NOT an option!) I don't know what to say...IMO, both options SUCK! Maybe current ownership will cash in their chips, and sell the team to a "Mark Cuban" or a "Mikhial Prokhorov" type who's ego (and wallet) wouldn't settle for mediocrity.

Of course we'd rather have Tank at this stage of their careers, except that Tank will NEVER be as good defensively as Torii, even at Torii's current age.

To change the subject a bit, wouldn't Jon Rauch and/or Matt Capps be good, affordable "gets" for the Sox' bullpen?

Although... Batting Order Construction While there is no universal rule for deciding on a batting order, teams tend to cluster their best hitters at the beginning of the order and leave the worst ones at the end. There are also some rules of thumb about specific skills for different spots in the order: 1.The first or leadoff hitter should be a good baserunner and good at getting on base. He should be willing to watch many pitches so that his teammates get a better chance to see the opposing pitcher's stuff. It is a waste to put a power hitter in the leadoff spot. 2.In the traditional approach, the second hitter should be a good bat handler. He needs to be able to take pitches to give the leadoff man a chance to steal. He should also be able to make a sacrifice bunt or hit and run play. Another theory is that any player with a high on-base percentage should occupy the spot, no matter his other skills, in order to create RBI opportunities for the team's best sluggers who normally hit in the next two spots. 3.The third hitter is supposed to be the best all-around hitter on the team. He should be able to hit for average and power, and ideally should be able to run the bases well. 4.The fourth or cleanup hitter is supposed to be the best power hitter. His job is to drive in the top three hitters when they get on base. 5.The fifth place hitter is usually another power hitter, but one who isn't quite as good as the cleanup hitter. 6.The sixth place hitter is something like a second leadoff hitter. If the team has a second player with leadoff-type skills, he'll often bat 6th. 7.The seventh place batter is normally a spot for a batter who lacks the skills that would put him higher in the order. 8.The eighth place hitter's role depends on the league. In leagues that use the designated hitter, he is often viewed similarly to the seventh place hitter. In leagues in which the pitcher is required to bat, teams will often pitch around the eighth place hitter, so it's desirable to have a patient hitter there. It used to be traditional to bat the catcher eighth because the catcher was often changed along with the pitcher. 9.The ninth spot is reserved for the pitcher in non-DH leagues. In DH leagues, it is often seen as a second leadoff spot, so teams will pick a batter with leadoff-type skills.

http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2009/3/17...-your-lineup-by I stand corrected. I just can't stand when the Sox go 3-up, 3-down and the ultra-slow Paul Koneko has to lead off.

I agree with you 100%! Since the Sox got Dunn, I've said that he should be batting 4th, 5th or 6th. Traditional baseball wisdom says that your best hitter bats 3rd. Period.

Fair analysis, except for 3 issues...1) If you give the advantage to Beckham over Santiago because of defense, then you have to give the advantage to Torii over Tank for the same reason. Hunter is WAYYY better defensively than Viciedo ever will be. 2) IMO, you are underrating Detroit's starters (2-5). 3) The difference between Jim Leyland and Robin Ventura (at this point) is more like 8-4 than 6-4. Leyland is one of the best managers ever.

Right on, Marty!

True!

Their trade value should increase at the July trade deadline, provided that they're not having horrible seasons at that point. On the other hand, if the Sox could trade Rios now, they'd be "selling high".

If I'm ever a billionaire, I'm gonna buy the freakin' Cubzzz, just so I can move 'em the Hell out of Chicago!

I agree with you "Coach Kincaid"!

The "middle ground" is a 3-4 place finish...the goal should be making the playoffs>>>WS.

Nobody's coming now!

If that's true, (and I tend to agree with you that it is!), then it's time to unload/rebuild. Try to find "takers" for Paulie, Adam, Jake, Rios, Beckham, Floyd, Thornton, etc., and build around Sale, Quintana, Viciedo, Ramirez, DeAza, and the rest of the young pitchers.

True...but, what if they'd have "replaced" DeAza with Josh Hamilton? Would that have made the Sox contenders?