SCCWS

QUOTE (pittshoganerkoff @ Nov 7, 2017 -> 07:53 AM) The Sox will spend but not this offseason. It is expected by anyone who understands the rebuild that they will pursue some big FAs next offseason. But you know this and still want to complain about this rebuild you don't seem to get. If this happens, I hope this decision is based on availability and not timing. I am sure the front office is looking at an organization depth chart and knows what positions are weak. If there is a FA that would fill an organizational weakness, it would be crazy to not sign them this offseason. Our obvious trade chips( Abreu and Avi) might also be a way to fill a void but it could also expose a new one. Getting a FA to fill a major weakness this offseason is still part of a rebuild. I don't see a negative getting a FA this year if there is a guy you really like and fills an organizational weakness. It also gives you a year to get him acclimated to the team and depending on the player may have a positive influence on the young players as they come up.

QUOTE (Jerksticks @ Nov 4, 2017 -> 10:38 PM) For as long as it sometimes takes young hitters to figure out big league pitching, it might be nice to have a guy in his prime who can hit .330 and loves being here. I mean in 2019-2020, are we really expecting all the young guys to be awesome. I'm guilty of thinking that quite often. Eloy might be a special case hopefully. No. I think if 60-70% of your top prospects make it and are solid players, that would be great.

QUOTE (daggins @ Oct 28, 2017 -> 10:56 AM) From what i've read, the problem with Girardi to Nats is mostly the cost. The Lerners have a tendency to be penny-wise but pound-foolish. Girardi might have to take a year off like Tito, but he'll find the right opening pretty soon. If the Red Sox took Alex Cora should the Yankees take Joey Cora??? Girardi to Philly..........................

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Oct 27, 2017 -> 11:23 PM) The Nat's would be a good fit for Girardi and , IMHO, would be an upgrade over Dusty or at least bring something different to the clubhouse in DC. I know the Nat's just interviewed Farrell but now that Girardi is available, I would think he'll interview soon. Not sure why but I think Farrell would be a good fit for a young team like the Phillies. I had a few thoughts on this: 1. It seems the main issues that have surfaced w Girardi is his intensity and communication issues( which may be connected). But whatever reason Cashman had, it outweighed success on the field. 2. Farrell was 1st Red Sox manager since divisonal play to win back to back divisional titles. Some of the rumors were communication issues caused his downfall. Again, success on the field did not help him 3. I think we are in the era where the FO( and their personalities) have stronger feelings on how the team should play on a daily basis. I think the myriad of statistics available is causing more FO opinions on what should be happening on the field. Managers who disregard the direction they are urged to go become unpopular with the GM and his stat geeks. 4. As a fan watching games in Boston, almost every game the cameras pan to Bob Kraft, Danny Ainge or Dombrowski. Years ago owners and GM's were always in the background eexcept when changes occurred. I know the Boston media constantly criticized Farrell for postgame remarks. The same media that is pis*** because Belichick regularly gives them nothing in postgame interviews. In Boston, Theo was always in the news and I assume the same is happening in Chicago. 5. I think managers will continue to move around in the era where the FO wants to play manager every day.

QUOTE (Donaldo @ Oct 24, 2017 -> 08:13 PM) Wonder if he'll hire his brother as a coach? I saw where he is one possibility as a bench coach. But I would guess that job should go to an experienced manager type.

I looked but didn't see this posted. Red Sox named Alex Cora manager last weekend.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Oct 24, 2017 -> 07:22 AM) I’d go Anderson, Moncada, Delmonico. Rodon, Abreu and Avi

QUOTE (greg775 @ Oct 14, 2017 -> 12:14 AM) It seems to me we've acquired all the prospects we need.I may disagree with the rebuild but what's done is done. We have a projected team to win it all at some point. Trading is DONE. 3B - Burger/Davidson. SS-TA. 2B-Moncada. 1B-Abreu I hope or maybe Gillaspie or somebody. RF-Rutherford. CF-Robert. LF-Eloy C-Collins. Pitchers: We know the names. Get em ready and acquire some vets when it's time to win as well and get some arms for the pen and one veteran stud starter. Is my position that odd? Actually Greg, it is not odd. I think Kenny Williams had a similar theory once the Sox won a World Series. Have a solid ML roster and the minor league is an afterthought. Then there is the Theo theory that you are always stock-piling prospects for roster or trade upgrades. Both ways can work but I feel Hahn is trying to emulate Theo. The % of young players who make a major impact is a factor.Of the group you list, some %( 25-50%) won't stick. Unless the White Sox have improved their minor instructional group, that is more of a concern in a system that has struggled to develop positional players.

QUOTE (ChiliIrishHammock24 @ Oct 12, 2017 -> 12:22 AM) Buy low FA candidates: C Chris Iannetta (Looking for a good pitch framer to boost our young pitcher's confidence) C Rene Rivera (same) P Clay Buchholz (He was awful and hurt in 2017. I think he's the type of guy who should WANT to go to the Sox to try to reclaim his career. Was great as recently as 2015) P Tyler Chatwood (Needs someone to rework his mechanics to fix those control issues) P Jamie Garcia (Another guy with control issues, however, used to be a very good command guy. Needs help finding that release point again) P Tyson Ross (Went from All-star level in 2015, to trash the following two years. Buying very low here. Do it) As far as relievers go, there are a bunch of options. Neftali Feliz, Drew Storen, and others. Or just go after some RPs that are good 2nd tier guys that can be flipped after a few months in the closer role. Jake McGee or Mike Minor. He was also hurt in 2015 which limited his innings.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Oct 11, 2017 -> 03:49 PM) I feel like Betts and Bogaerts fell off a bit this year, and trading Shaw, who could have eased the loss of Ortiz, really hurt them. Porcello obviously returned to earth, and while that probably surprised very few people here, his dropoff and Price's injury were just a lot to overcome. Offensively, their overall lineup did not have the home-run production with 40 less than in 16. Ortiz hit 38 in 16 but Benetendi and Devers combined for 30 to help offset that. My guess is they go get a 1B with power or they trade Bradley and add an outfielder w pop. They also have to get a solid 2-4 starter. But the new manager comes in with a pretty solid team but w a very fragile clubhouse. there will be a bunch of names surfacing but so far Cora, Ausmus and Gardenshire are a few being tossed around . I would think Ozzie is also available................................

I will always root against Sale because I am a White Sox fan living in Boston. I enjoy watching him pitch but I will be rooting against him. I can see some White Sox fans thinking the same about Q since they resent Cub success.

QUOTE (bmags @ Oct 10, 2017 -> 09:55 AM) Boston won the AL east last year. They got swept by the Indians. You are right. Farrell has finished 1-5-5-1 and now 1. But the media today is calling for him to go.

QUOTE (JPR @ Oct 10, 2017 -> 02:36 AM) Sale left a lot to be desired. I've never seen a guy get a standing ovation with such an uninspiring performance. We won that trade. If Sale was not on Red Sox, I doubt they win the AL East. Boston finished in last place in 2016 so Sale as their ace was a major factor. But winning a trade will take years to determine. I would say the Red Sox got their ace and the White Sox got what they wanted, top prospects.

QUOTE (zisk @ Oct 7, 2017 -> 07:39 AM) The Sox might not have to spend on a pitcher like the Cubs did. They have 2-3 guys in the system who are potentially as good or better than Lester. Kopech and Hansen could turn out to be true Aces. If that happens there won't be a need for a 155 million dollar free agent pitcher. Each rebuild is different. Agree. But most 'aces" take a few years to going from good to an "ace". So the Sox may have to trade if they want to be a viable contender in 2020. Even Sale may not be an ace yet after 6 years due to durability.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Oct 6, 2017 -> 06:14 AM) Jim Kaat was interesting l he said his performance wasn't because he is a spaz or doesn't have the balls to pitch in the postseason. He said his arm angle was down a bit due to fatigue and it flattened out his pitches. Kaat also mentioned his weight of 180 a few times. It will be interesting to see if he comes back a little heavier in ST. Also, Boston will probably cut back on his innings during the season as well. Some of those shots looking like they were served on a tee.

QUOTE (chitownsportsfan @ Oct 4, 2017 -> 10:49 PM) well regress him +3 runs defensively and he's at 2.5 fwar over a full season. I'm not s***ting on the guy, he's a fine young player if he was on the Sox I'd be thrilled to have him. That said, he's not a power hitting 2B prospect with elite speed and raw power like Moncada. There is a reason Moncada was #1 and then came up and put up .9 fWAR in 50 odd games at 22. Moncada is just as good now (positional adjustment matters) and has an upside much higher. He played CF for two weeks in August and the times I saw him he was excellent in CF. In LF, the Fenway wall requires an adjustment. I saw an interview w Jim Rice who said it took him 2 years to figure it out. As I posted, Moncada has a higher ceiling for power but he also strikes out a ton. , but early signs are this kid is a 25HR/100 RBI guy who will also steal 25+ bases. He also strikes out at a % about 1/2 of Moncada. I think Benetendi is a perfect #3 hitter. hopefully we say the same thing about Moncada next October.

QUOTE (credezcrew24 @ Oct 4, 2017 -> 06:46 PM) With all the hype Benintendi gets on this board and elsewhere. It's pretty interesting how Benintendi had almost 3x the plate appearances as Moncada this year but his bWAR and fWAR are only about 1 number higher. Seeing a lot of Benintendi in New England, I would not trade him straight up for Moncada. I still think Moncada has the higher ceiling with power but Benintendi can do it all right now. He can hit, can play LF or CF, he can run( still erratic) and has a solid arm. He carried Boston until Devers and Nunez arrived in August. I love Moncada's potential, but Benintendi already shows production. Kid has a sweet swing.

Sale and Q will be under the spotlight this week. Both had an impact on their teams winning their division. But now they have to produce in October when the pressure intensifies. We will see how they hold up. It will be really interesting if they meet a few weeks down the road.

QUOTE (Chet Kincaid @ Oct 1, 2017 -> 08:41 PM) It seemed like he had a hard time handling the clubhouse. You had a spoiled petulant ace throwing temper tantrums, cussing out front office personnel and cutting uniforms, you had a struggling DH's kid being treated like he was actually on the team, and you had a right fielder creating cliques in the clubhouse. That seems like a clubhouse out of control. The good thing is I don't see that happening in Rick Renteria's clubhouse. He doesn't seem like the type to take that kind of s***. I think losing "control of the clubhouse' is a very subjective term. That was the primary reason given for Francona being let go in Boston. Since they are winning, he must have some control over the clubhouse in Cleveland. When teams are winning, control over the clubhouse becomes a moot point. Last year we saw and even heard about how disruptive Chris Sale was. Now living in New England, all I hear is what a great teammate he is. Winning cures a lot of evils. I still go back to the point Robin had zero experience managing a team and it did show at times. But some managers crap in their first job and then seem to find their wayn their next job.

QUOTE (Scoots @ Oct 1, 2017 -> 07:45 AM) They said it's whoever is worse in 2016 gets better pick So Reds own tiebreaker. Looks like 5th pick

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Sep 26, 2017 -> 06:42 PM) Good news about Giolito. Really impressed with his 7 starts for the Sox. I think Lopez is sitting around 163IP so is it safe to say he's probably done after his next start? Yes since there are only 5 games left. Today is his last start. Now if they need him for relief over the weekend in a crucial situation ..................

QUOTE (hi8is @ Sep 25, 2017 -> 03:39 AM) I guess you don't remember Scotty Pods in the 2005 year. Or perhaps your second statement kinda alludes to your stance... if you've got speed which equates to a high success rate ( low risk ) then a burner can ignite an offense and put pressure on the opposing team in a couple of ways. Moncada clearly has game changing speed. Dudes electric! Can be very disruptive to the opposing pitcher.

I always think of John Farrell in manager discussion threads. Red Sox fans trash him all the time. An article in local media yesterday points out that he will likely end up winning the AL East for 2nd consecutive year. If so he will be first Boston manager in 48 years to do that. The same guy who was mediocre in Toronto and has had some lousy years in Boston. I think he is a great example of teams win more titles than managers . Terry Francona is another guy who has had success and failure in various career stops.

QUOTE (Joshua Strong @ Sep 21, 2017 -> 04:10 PM) I don't think that Hahn and co. are going to try to add pieces that will make the team more competitive, I think they'll be looking for guys that they can flip potential at the deadline. I agree that the pitching next year will be a problem next year but the offense should be more consistent next year. If he is looking for guys to flip, they are only flippable if they are productive which would most likley make the team competitive.

QUOTE (Tony @ Sep 17, 2017 -> 04:10 PM) Where did the idea of Moncada not listening to coaches enter into the conversation? That's quite a leap. From the response "Players not listening to coaching happens all of the time." to the question why didn't the coaches suggest a different bat to Moncada.