Lip Man 1

Quick bottom line take on Ramirez. If you think the Sox will contend next year, maybe you sign him and hope for the best. If not, you don't. Why sign him and take away playing time for youngsters in order to win 75 games? Personally, I don't think Kenny is going anywhere. Robin isn't going anywhere. This team has gaping holes to fill at catcher, third base, DH and they are going to need another starting pitcher (Shark is gone). They are going to have to do this with less money since a lot of folks who bought season tickets this off season aren't coming back. JR is also still going to be "heavily involved" (Hahn's words from yesterday) is trying to fix this as well. I don't think the Sox are going to contend next season either...so why waste money on Ramirez? Mark

In that memorable season of 1983 on September 9th the Sox did something they had never done before in franchise history. You can listen to it by clicking on this link: http://www.chicagonow.com/soxnet/2015/09/t...to-back-homers/ Mark

Found this comment to be interesting in the Tribune today from Rick Hahn: Hahn said the Sox will be careful not to overreact and create more problems when they make their changes, given that they still believe they have some of the pieces in place needed to win. He said Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, who was “heavily involved” in their offseason restructuring last winter, has asked for their plan to get back on track. Mark

QUOTE (lasttriptotulsa @ Sep 9, 2015 -> 06:40 AM) Stats don't lie, it's your eyes that twist things and make you see what you want to see. The stats say Alexei has been one of the better shortstops in baseball since 2009. I think I'll trust the stats a little more than basing my opinion off an offhand comment by one of our broadcasters. Stats don't lie but people do and as stated can twist them into whatever they choose to make of them. To me baseball is more than a game of numbers and all you have to do is look at the boneheaded plays Ramirez has made over the years (including his 360 spin this year in Toronto which was very humorous) to see he checks out of games on a regular basis, can't hit in cold weather and always seems to have some sort of issue impacting his performance. Again with respect, I've seen enough of him and it's time to move on. Speaking of stats, here's one for you. Last I looked Ramirez was next to last in WAR among all qualifying shortstops in MLB, 25th out of 26. Baseball is more than offense, there's defense, base running and simply knowing the game. Ramirez has had some very nice offensive seasons. Those are counterbalanced by his "baseball - stupidness" The Sox have had a lot of those guys to be sure but Alexei may be the poster boy for that. Which is why I say his career has been a disappointment. He showed so much in 2008. Oh well. Mark

QUOTE (lasttriptotulsa @ Sep 8, 2015 -> 11:12 AM) From 2009 to 2014 Alexei put up fWARs of 2.0, 4.1, 4.1, 2.0, 3.2 and 3.2 which averages out to 3.1. I think it's a huge disrespect to Alexei to say he his career has been a disappointment. I am not a stat guy so I don't even know what the numbers you posted mean with all due respect. I'll simply say I've watched Ramirez for years and stand by my statement. I will also tell you for what it's worth, that one of the Sox broadcasters said privately he's (quote) "the dumbest shortstop in baseball..." I'll take their word and what I've seen with my own eyes over numbers that can be made to say anything you want them to. (Not saying you personally have twisted anything but as someone who worked in TV sports I know how ratings are twisted to mean anything a particular individual or station wants them to.) The sooner Ramirez goes, the better in my opinion. Mark

My off season "plan" is to forget about the White Sox completely. Hope the Cubs lose in the wild card game and pray to all that's holy, JR makes substantial needed changes to the front office in a massive overhaul. Naturally my plan is more of a dream since JR isn't going to do anything. Mark

And so if the wake of another disappointing season with the team looking lifeless and baseball stupid coming out of spring training, Robin and his cadre of clown coaches looks like they are going to return. I told you, JR will not fire him. Basically a big screw you to the fans. "We know better than you people! You'll get nothing and like it!" LOL. By the way Kenny's not going anywhere either. Mark

QUOTE (BrianAnderson @ Sep 8, 2015 -> 10:18 AM) I'll start with this caveat. I think that this off-season may be full of a bunch of moves. I don't see us staying put like we did a few years back with Dunn, AJ, Peavy, etc. and hoping for different results. So a lot of this is hypothetical -- the first domino will have to fall first to see the direction we're headed. However my thoughts ... Alexei since ASB? .301./.342/.473 -- 7 HR, 27RBI, 11 2B, 7 SB. His range is starting to fall off a bit, but I do think he has value on this team. Even at a $10mm option. Replacing 20-25 SB, 30 2B, a good arm, and a smart, reliable player is not that easy. Check out this stat of starting 3B since Crede for the Sox -- it reads like the Bears starting QB since Favre/Rodgers graphic they always show: Gordon Beckham Wilson Betemit Emilio Bonaficio Eduardo Escobar Josh Fields Leury Garcia Conor Gillaspie Orlando Hudson Jeff Keppinger Brent Lillibridge Jose Lopez Dallas McPherson Brent Morel Jayson Nix Mike Ott Ray Olmedo Tyler Saladino Marcus Semien Mark Teahen Dayan Viciedo Omar Vizquel Kevin Youkilis Also look at the 3B free agents ... nothing much prettier than the above. (Chris Davis/Uribe is about it) So with that being said ... (and I'd still love some kind of blockbuster trade where we trade pitching for Arenado, though I know that is dreaming) why not explore Alexei as a stop-gap at 3B? Declining range, still very strong arm, is better IMO than any in house option and most FA. Get to keep the speed he brings to the team, the consistency of him starting 150-160 games, the doubles, etc. This also allows the Sox to move Sanchez to SS, bring up the speed and bat of Micah (though the D comes with it). I do think he has an MLB bat though. It improves the overall team in my opinion. Also gives them a full year to determine who their starting 2B should be moving forward (Sanchez or Micah) when Anderson is finally up. I do think you have to bring in another Power Bat though to offset a weak infield/sunk coast of LaRoche. Ideally Cespedes, shift Garcia to DH. But don't think Uncle Jerry is opening the pocket book on this mess of a team. These post all star game numbers are what is called in the trade a "salary drive" nothing more. Personally I don't think the Sox are going anywhere next year without massive changes to the front office / manager / coaching staff. That's not going to happen. So...why waste 10 million on a player who is as inconsistent as they come, will be 34, can't hit in cold weather, is a mental midget and loses concentration at the drop of a hat? Alexei showed much promise in 2008 but for the most part, like the entire team, organization has been a disappointment. Mark

Ryan Raburn has 81 RBI against the White Sox. His next highest RBI total against one team is 25 against the Royals. Raburn also became the first player to hit two homers in a game against Chris Sale. Mark

QUOTE (dpd9189 @ Sep 7, 2015 -> 07:24 PM) Of all those guys listed I think Cespedes fits the Sox the best although he will probably demand the most money. Right now the Sox have a lineup where only one guy scares other teams, you put Cespedes behind Abreu and this lineup gets better and more powerful instantly. Cespedes also has indicated he wants to return to Detroit for what its worth. Mark

19th time this year the Sox allowed an opponent three runs or less...and lost. Bauer has an ERA of over four and a half, makes the Sox look like garbage. Ryan Raburn, RYAN RABURN...yet again. For those who might have missed it, it came out last year that Raburn has the highest percentage of career RBI's in history against a single opponent. Said opponent is of course the White Sox. Cleveland has less talent than the Sox in my opinion but somehow they are going to shake off a bad start and probably finish over .500. The White Sox will keep running on the treadmill to irrelevancy. And how about that Labor Day "crowd" today? 14 thousand! WOW. Mark

It does if the toxic relationship is putting more pressure on said pitcher and causing issues. Remember Cory Snyder? Good power hitter in Cleveland. Didn't get along with Walt Hriniak who tried to change his approach. Said result, Snyder only lasted a half season with the Sox in 1992. Mark

Got nothing to lose on this but it does say something about the black hole in the organization at third base (and catcher...and DH...) Mark

QUOTE (AlSoxfan @ Sep 4, 2015 -> 01:48 PM) ok I'll pray but I'll warn you I don't think Hahn can get anywhere near as deep in JR's pocket as Williams can. Kenny actually seemed to do better when he didn't have as much money to play around with. Mark

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 4, 2015 -> 07:54 AM) This and the source make me doubt the story though. For what it's worth I've heard from another source in the media that the two individuals are not getting along. Mark

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Sep 4, 2015 -> 08:31 AM) Same here. The trib is almost impossible to read if not a subscriber, which I am not. Oh well, doesn't sound like we're missing out on much. Without going into to much detail there are ways to read paywall stories from the Tribune via internet searches. Mark

I suspect there is some truth to this, I mean Shark completely fell off the table right after July 31st and that's probably not a coincidence. And Cooper does come across as an arrogant, smug, condescending SOB. However let's keep in mind this is Kaplan. The same guy who was so sure the Cubs were going to go after Albert Pujois that he walked on the set one day wearing a Cubs #5 Pujois jersey. He's the same guy who insisted Joe Girardi was coming to manager the Cubs and who shouted from the rooftops that the Cubs "would not be outbid on Tanaka..." Let's just keep that in mind. Mark

9th time this year the Sox have come from behind in the 7th inning or later to win a game. Balances out the nine times they have lost when leading in the 7th inning or later. Mark

QUOTE (Soxfest @ Sep 3, 2015 -> 12:44 PM) Sox at Minn record just awful this year. Not the first time, probably won't be the last time either. Mark

QUOTE (bjm676 @ Sep 3, 2015 -> 10:01 AM) The pattern is more about a soft-tossing lefty being dominant against the Sox. All I heard on the broadcast last night is how they've always had trouble. This has been going on since the Jerry Manuel era. You would think by now, they would have figured it out. As bad as they are at the fundamentals of the game (and have been since 2003 with the single exception of 2005) I'm not surprised they haven't figured out how to beat soft tossing, junk balling, no name pitchers. Milone by the way is from the Chicago area and grew up a Sox fan. Mark

QUOTE (Julius @ Sep 3, 2015 -> 12:06 PM) So the Hahn thread turns into an Attendance thread....love it! I'm a sucker for it '83-'84 attendance was due to playoffs early 90's attendance was due to a new stadium 2006 - coming off a world series The sox aren't getting a new stadium and the sox are not going to the playoffs anytime soon. Front office/scouting are woefully inept and are incapable of finding 24 guys to complement Sale. Sale will never pitch in a playoff game for the white sox. Season ticket base will be at its 10K base and overall attendance will hover around 19K - 22K, which is good for being above the Indians, Rays and A's for MLB Attendance Standings, which is what we are all obsessed about (even though we deny it...) Again the original statement was Sox fans don't support the franchise. The facts say that is incorrect. All of a sudden conditions and reasons are being listed for doing so, basically making exceptions. That doesn't hold water. If fans didn't support the franchise they would come out under ANY conditions and that's simply not true. I'll go so far as to say Sox fans have been pretty good at supporting this franchise given the generally bad baseball they've seen for decades. I mean five postseason spots in 35 years? The Sox being the only one of the original 16 pre expansion MLB franchises to have never made the postseason in consecutive years?? Given those facts the Sox should be grateful they are even getting the numbers they have been. Just my opinion. Mark

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Sep 2, 2015 -> 08:58 AM) In the playoffs, the bats went silent. I doubt Mussina or Schilling make a difference. Charles Johnson was pretty awesome as a White Sox. Big Hurt and Paulie .000 in the playoffs. .182 for Maggs. They scored four runs in the first game. That would be enough for a pitcher of the caliber of a Schilling or Mussina to win with. Win Game #1 and everything changes potentially doesn't it? Yes the hitting went south but even Jerry Manuel said that off season, that if the Sox somehow won that series they basically had no one left for the next round due to the injuries suffered by Sirotka and Parque to go on top of the injuries to Baldwin (who missed a month and was pitching on guts) and of course the season ending injury to Cal Eldred. The Sox needed pitching far more than hitting at the trade deadline but that's not what Schueler did. Mark

QUOTE (LDF @ Sep 3, 2015 -> 08:28 AM) thanks on many counts and you are 100% correct. the sox fans, except before this yr, did not and will not support a full rebuild. they will show their displeasure by not showing up or spending good money on crap. that has always forced the owners hand to do it correct or even go further than ok in acquiring players. this is the a good enuf span that i can remember in a long time when i seen a time of the org in this state of hopelessness. easy was for me to explain it, a ship without a captain who has a clue of what to do. Well this rebuild while contending philosophy has led to a losing season (counting this year) in six of the past nine seasons, no consecutive winning seasons since 2003-2006, no playoffs (in an era of parity) since 2008, the lowest watched MLB franchise according to Fan Graphs and attendance that's generally ranked towards the bottom of MLB and that lost fans from the previous season for eight straight seasons. I submit that philosophy isn't working based on the historical facts. "It's Time" (sorry LOL) for a change in that philosophy and if that means a total complete rebuild...so be it. How much worse could it get if they did that given the facts I just presented? The REAL issue though is the same people who put this franchise in the position it's in are going to be charged with fixing it. Personally I don't think they can. Mark

QUOTE (ewokpelts @ Sep 3, 2015 -> 09:34 AM) Sox fans don't support the team at all, rebuild or not. Have you looked at the attendance figures from the Golden Age (51-67) in relation to the rest of MLB at that time. How about in the period from 1983-84...or 1990 through the labor impasse? Or in 2006. I think those numbers show your statement is very wrong. Mark

I strongly suggest reading Steve Rosenbloom's column on the Sox today in the Tribune. It is 100% right on the money. When the executive VP says publicly he can't figure out what's wrong with the team while the G.M. is saying publicly that everyone is open minded in what needs to be changed you've got a serious disconnect...to say nothing of the disconnect between the organization and the fan base. Really good reading. The reality of course is that as long as JR owns the franchise there will not be much substantial change certainly not bringing in skilled people from outside "the family." Which means more losing, more irrelevancy in their own market and more fan apathy. Also one of the other Sox writers for Chicago Now has an interesting column on why Kenny Williams needs to go at the Tribune web site. Mark