Lip Man 1

QUOTE (greg775 @ May 13, 2017 -> 10:32 AM) I don't think the rebuilding people complain about guys acquired. They will give them all the time they need. They love the new names and want more of them all the time. Actually Greg, I think the "rebuild" people basically want one thing...to start winning again. It wasn't happening over the last decade with the philosophy in place. It was time for a change. Just my opinion.

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ May 12, 2017 -> 12:45 PM) We bring players on board through free agency, the draft or trades and help them develop into successful contributors. All the while complaining as the struggle and learn and develop presumably because they aren't hall of fame level contributors from the get go. Once they find it and succeed we start calling for them to be traded for someone or something. Don't know what or who that might be. How do you build a winning team with that approach? The problem (as evidenced by the seasonal records for most of the past 10 years) is that the Sox haven't been developing enough players who can actually play out of their farm system and regarding trading for guys, that basically hasn't worked out very well either. Over the last few seasons specifically the top six or seven guys on the roster could play with anyone in baseball. The issue was the other 15 or so guys who were mediocre at best often borderline MLB players. There was simply no quality depth on the roster so that when injuries happened there was no one remotely capable of being called up or filling the hole. The records for the past seasons doesn't lie. Massive changes are (were) needed. Since ownership wasn't going to change and the front office wasn't going to change and the financial situation (real or self imposed) wasn't going to change, this "rebuild" philosophy was the best that could be done in my opinion. We'll see if it eventually works out.

QUOTE (Scoots @ May 12, 2017 -> 08:11 PM) Starting to watch less and less of these games, and when I actually do watch, the more I fantasize about a dominant rotation consisting of Quintana, Rodon, Lopez, Giolito/Kopech, and Fulmer, and a lineup consisting of the star Moncada, an Anderson who has figured things out, an April 2017 Avi, an August Abreu, a healthy speedy Charlie Tilson, a nice surprise in Basabe, a 40 homerun hitter in Davidson, an amazing defensive catcher in Collins, etc etc. The future is bright folks. Remain patient. Patience is key. I like the looks of this 2019/2020 lineup: Moncada, Anderson, Abreu, Avi, DH?, Davidson, Basabe?, Collins?, Tilson I wouldn't be counting on Tilson for anything and by 2020 Rodon may be on the trade market because with his agent you know he's going to go free agency and probably (barring new ownership) out of the Sox price range.

QUOTE (fathom @ May 12, 2017 -> 09:58 PM) So many established, veteran hitters just come here and "die" It's been happening for awhile now hasn't it? Culture of losing over basically a decade will do that.

QUOTE (South Side Fireworks Man @ May 11, 2017 -> 06:24 PM) Easy Double play has them out of the inning with no runs - instead 4-0 and counting. Abreu is a DH. Tell that to Jose. He apparently feels he is a first baseman and management apparently feels the same way since he's usually out there.

Well it was dog day at the park based on the pictures of the pets I saw...and the Sox played like dogs. Jennings is rapidly lowering himself into being as bad as Pelfrey / Covey and Beck. Keep reminding yourself it's rebuilding and break out the tapes / DVD's from better seasons.

Right elbow is sore again, put him on the DL in April. Other injury news from Hahn: * Rodon still throwing off a mound in Arizona. No word on possible return. * Putnam sees a doctor Wednesday. Could be cleared to resume throwing. Nothing on Shields or Petricka or Jones.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 9, 2017 -> 03:38 PM) Daryl Van SchouwenVerified account @CST_soxvan Right-hander Zach Putnam (elbow) improved, will get checked Weds anticipating clearance to resume throwing. Dan Hayes Retweeted Daryl Van Schouwen Dan Hayes added, Said he's upbeat. Went home to do physical therapy while team was on road. Maybe he's back around the end of the month if there are no complications.

Let him learn his trade without being rushed for a full minor league year. Cal him up September 1, not before in my opinion.

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ May 9, 2017 -> 11:07 AM) As Hawk says the schedulers have done us no favors the last two years. However. With more games at the former Comiskey in the warmer weather we might see more Sox offense Sox issues with the schedule makers has been going on for longer than the past two years. JR has had front office folks check and compare the schedule to the other teams and has voiced issues to MLB in the past. Not that it seems to do the Sox any good.

Enjoyed reading it, hope the Sox draft more hitters June to give them more options.

QUOTE (bmags @ May 8, 2017 -> 12:19 PM) July 2nd is the start of the new International Signing period, and the first under the new CBA. Thank you.

QUOTE (Joshua Strong @ May 8, 2017 -> 11:29 AM) In the next two months, we can expect/have to look forward to: 2017 Draft The returns of Rodon and Tilson Moncada being called up Guys like Fulmer, coming back to the bigs A decision from Luis Robert July 2nd And if you want to stretch a little further, the trade market taking shape and deadline. Its going to be a fun stretch for the Sox. This is a really crucial moment for the rebuild and its prospects. Just my own personal opinion on your remarks: 1. Draft will be interesting. Sox need to draft a hitter. To me it doesn't matter what position they play. 2. I wouldn't count on both Rodon and Tilson returning. One? Maybe, but to me even that's not a guarantee. 3. & 4. I don't think Moncada gets called up until Sept 1 and I think that will be the case for the other "top" prospects. 5. Robert would be a key addition but like with college basketball recruits you don't know until they sign on the dotted line. 6. I don't know the significance of July 2nd, can you please explain.

QUOTE (Jerksticks @ May 6, 2017 -> 03:31 PM) Thanks man. I appreciate you stopping the signature. No disrespect meant. The username tells us who is posting. Thanks, Douglass No problem Doug. Thank you.

QUOTE (greg775 @ May 7, 2017 -> 07:43 PM) But if they got rid of a few horrific players and tinkered here and there they might be able to hang around .500. Respectfully that is not the plan nor should it be. Staying stuck in mediocrity (like the Bulls for example) is absolutely the very worst thing that you can be.

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ May 7, 2017 -> 02:26 PM) The Sox saw something in Covey. Hard to figure it out right now. But, Fulmer might deserve to be up but di the offer Covey back or just wait it out? I am guessing Pelfrey or Covey is out when Shields is back Well the Sox also saw something in a guy like Hector Noesi didn't they? Hard to figure out sometimes what someone sees and what someone likes. Covey though just doesn't have it and probably never will. I understand and agree with the rebuild but Covey doesn't have a future in the big leagues, some of the borderline Sox prospects (not the top ones) may have something to offer. Time to take a look at them to see what they have possibly for the future.

Well like the Billy Preston song said, "nothing from nothing leaves nothing..." 0-7 with runners in scoring position generally doesn't bode well. Even when the Sox are good they just can't get it done in Baltimore. At least they are home for a few games before heading out on another long road trip. They can really use the day off Monday it looks like.

QUOTE (chitownsportsfan @ May 7, 2017 -> 08:59 AM) Wasteful, even in a rebuilding year, to trot out Covey. As discussed in the game thread the Sox have better options in guys that might actually have an mlb future. I agree with your comment.

I suspect that when (or if) Rodon returns...or when (or if) Shields returns, Covey will be released / demoted something that gets him off the big league roster. The guy simply isn't any good. Now that I think about it Bob Dylan is probably a better pitcher then Dylan Covey.

QUOTE (kitekrazy @ May 5, 2017 -> 10:16 PM) Sport journalism in the digital age has regressed. I can't stomach the NFL anymore because it's littered with ex players and few journalists. You even see that in large city newspapers. More often it resembles politics instead of reporting. They often create articles for controversy. Thanks ESPN. As for some of these baseball stats I can name most of the acronyms. These stats they comes up with like pitch framing somehow make a Tyler Flowers useful. There's a point no stat is needed to understand you wont win a lot of games with certain players on the field. There's also the NFL combine that is meaningless to what a guy can do on the field. There is some truth in much of what you are posting here. Stats can be made to basically say anything you want them to and it's not just in baseball, it's also that way in radio / TV ratings.

Dan Jennings has had a rough past couple of outings.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 5, 2017 -> 01:35 PM) In my opinion it's because they have (had) the ability to make sense of the entire picture. They have access to the managers, the players, the front offices. Baseball is more, far more, in my opinion than just stats. Stats can play a part in things (and again in my opinion are vastly overemphasized by many who think they are "experts" because they can decipher things like fWAR and FIP) but baseball is still a game played by human beings...with stories to tell that go far beyond raw numbers. I tend to think that we have definitely moved towards the statistical side of things, and it has come at the expense of the unquantifiable things that make up the game of baseball, such as what is going on between a players ears, what happens in the lockerroom, etc. I agree with you opinion and that's something that is missing and is needed more of today in baseball coverage.

Not sure exactly where to put this but those in charge can move it where they deem best. This kid apparently has been projected by some, to be the Sox #1 pick in June. He's having an incredible spring high school season: http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/jordo...hree-home-runs/ Personally I don't much care who the Sox draft, as long as they are positional players who have the potential to hit at the big league level.

I found this story at the Chicago Baseball Museum very interesting on the impact the reduction in baseball coverage is having on the fans, the business and the game. I don't agree with every one of the author's points, (for example I understand why some of the smaller area newspapers have decided to emphasize high school coverage) but he does seem to accurately present what is happening today and the impact on everyone. I recommend reading this if you are so inclined: http://www.chicagobaseballmuseum.org/files...ss-20170503.pdf