Whitey

Looking at Houston's depth chart, Dayan would be an upgrade over what they have in LF... How about a package of Dayan, Trayce, and Surkamp?

Last Sunday, I got the full season plan... Its going to take up all of my overtime money for the next 4 months to pay for them, but I don't mind. My kids are getting older, and looking back I wish I did was more things like going to the ballpark with them. So, the time is now for me. Works out perfect that the time is now for the Sox as well.

I hope we don't pay $12.5 mil per year for a closer (that is the type of numbers I have been seeing speculated for him)... I would much rather have Francisco Rodríguez on a 2 year deal for half of that. A contract like that would line right up with LaRoche, Danks, and Alexei all expiring after 2016. There is no problem going nuts spending in FA if we stick to 1-2 year deals and do not forfeit draft picks. This allows for the Sox to be in win-now mode right now, but if the team does not perform as planned, any of them can be flipped for prospects at pretty much anytime. So they either become a contender, or at a minimum they manufactured assets. After these contracts expire in 2016, the team still has its current core (Abreu, Sale, Q, Eaton, Garcia) intact and in the primes of their careers. Our prospects will be at the MLB level (Rodon, Anderson, Micah, Montas). Payroll will be very low, and we will be in position to be major players in FA again in 2 years. Edit: $12.5 mil, not $15.

ESPN is reporting Tomas to the D-Backs. 6 yr/$68 mil. http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/11943647...85-million-deal

Its not a popular opinion... But, I wouldn't be closed minded to a deal for Sale. I read something last year about how the Sox could possibly get a Hershel Walker like return for him. If they did trade him, and then signed a top notch ace like Sherzer to take his place, I would have to think the team would be better overall.

Scott Van Slyke, Kendrys Morales, and Andrew Miller.

Danks for Eithier, Van Slyke, and some cash (to balance out the 3rd year on Eithiers contract). I'd throw in Viciedo or a prospect like Hawkins if needed to get it done. That would address both DH and LF, with no added cost on next years payroll. Leaving money to splurge on 1-2 starting pitchers and some bullpen help.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Sep 23, 2014 -> 06:31 PM) Then don't talk to me about including Micah. If I'm taking the extra cash on its because I'm getting Van Slyke and I believe at his advanced age of 28 next season he can contribute moderately in a role similar to what the Dodgers have him in now. I am not saying that is would be essential to include Micah, just that I personally would go to that level to get Van Slyke. He some real serious potential, and has only been used on a limited basis due to the Dodger outfield glut. His OPS at AAA is over 1,000 and his OPS at the MLB level is 821. If they could swing a deal like that without including a player of Micah's caliber, I would be happy as hell.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Sep 23, 2014 -> 05:56 PM) Maybe if you only look at the first 2 years, but Danks has $28.5 million remaining on his deal, Ethier has $56 million. True.... But, Van Slyke has serious potential and is exactly the type of hitter we need. He is the main reason why I would make the deal and assume the extra cash.

I'd like a trade of Danks and a prospect (even Micah) for Eithier and Van Slyke from LA.... Lineup problems solved, with little increase to payroll.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Apr 26, 2014 -> 06:00 PM) How does Dunn fit into that sentence? Dunn is a free agent at the end of this year as well and thus the next "half decade" wouldn't be impacted at all even if he was just released. Come on man... I'm not saying I want Dunn here for the next 5 years. I would like for him to be gone after this year just as much as the next guy. But how does taking the one left handed power bat we have out of the lineup (in exchange for a Leury Garcia level prospect, which is all we would get) help Abreu and Viceido's development?

I like the idea of getting rid of Beckham/DeAza and freeing up Danks salary for young prospects... But, trading Alexei and Dunn seems counter productive. The Sox are trying to move upward with a quickness, not throw in the towel on the next half decade like the north siders... Both Alexei and Dunn are worth more to the Sox right now than they are to any other team in MLB.

QUOTE (BigHurt3515 @ Apr 17, 2014 -> 02:03 PM) I assume so we have a fresh arm in the bullpen tonight. Downs and Petrika should be plenty fresh... They couldn't have expended that much effort walking the 1 batter each of them faced.

QUOTE (Harry Chappas @ Apr 16, 2014 -> 12:08 PM) US Celluar is the most easily accessible stadium in Chicago and has the best ammenities. There are no neighborhood places to go after Bears, Bulls or Blackhawk games. Metra built a stop for the White Sox and usage was so low they discontinued the post game train and run nothing special for the White Sox except possibly on Opening Day. White Sox fans could be among the worst in sports. That's not true... I just took the Metra Rock Island train to the game this past Saturday.

I like the OPs idea... Semien is ready for his chance to be the everyday second baseman. Teams like the Yankees would probably pay decent for Beckham when he is ready. Their 2B, SS, 3B situation as a whole is not looking good and they have to be close to hitting the panic button... If the Sox could net a young/nearly MLB ready pitching prospect, and another (average or better) current MLB reliever for Beckham right now, I say go for it.

QUOTE (daggins @ Apr 12, 2014 -> 05:42 PM) Nope, team is definitely crap. You guys are buying into small sample size. This is a team with huge holes in the rotation, the lineup, the defense and the bullpen They are coming along nicely but don't be fooled by this offensive hot streak. Team is bad. Nobody is predicting a world series here... For me .500 is the end goal. You are right about the small sample size though. But that door swings both ways. The offense will let up, but the pitching should improve some.

QUOTE (Chilihead90 @ Mar 21, 2014 -> 01:31 AM) To be fair, cell phone coverage is HORRENDOUS is a ballpark named after a cell phone company. It would probably be quicker to check twitter by walking to this new place and check it out versus looking on your phone. Which reminds me...instead of spending the money on this, can we just have money to put in to infrastructure for cell coverage? I thought the cell had open wifi throughout the park, no?

QUOTE (Stan Bahnsen @ Mar 6, 2014 -> 01:18 PM) Spring training performance is generally completely worthless, but... it would be good to hear positive reports and numbers that reflect an increase in velocity from Danks today. From the Sun Times: GLENDALE, Ariz. — Three scoreless innings for John Danks look nice in the box score, but the White Sox left-hander was especially pleased with how most everything looked in his first Cactus League start Thursday. Danks allowed one hit and two walks and struck out two Mariners. He used all four of his pitches, touched 90-91 mph with his two-seam fastball and threw it “without humping it up there.’’ In other words, free and easy. “I don’t know what the [velocity] numbers were, but I was able to change speeds with four pitches,’’ Danks said. “The curveball is always a tough pitch out here [in dry Arizona air]; I had trouble getting it over the plate. I was real pleased with the cutter, the fastball had some life on it and the changeup was where it’s always been.’’ Danks had shoulder surgery in August 2012. His 2013 season is essentially viewed as a recovery year, and he is feeling more like his old self this spring, which is encouraging for a rotation that needs an effective 200-inning pitcher to go with Chris Sale and Jose Quintana. “[Pitching coach Don Cooper] and I have talked about that,’’ Danks said. “I welcome the challenge of being a seven-plus-inning guy night in, night out, pitching 200-plus innings and giving us a chance to win. You’re only as good as your pitching [as a team], and I’m kind of the swingman, I guess. I welcome that. I’m expecting a good year. I’m going to work hard at it, and I feel like I’m where I need to be at this point.’’ Danks said the biggest difference for him this spring is command of his cutter. “We actually worked on throwing it to both sides of the plate, and that was effective,’’ he said. “It was around the zone, had a sharp break on it. That’s where I expected to be. Keep on improving, but I’m pleased with how it was so far.’’ For all of the talk about Danks’ fastball being down a tick or two last season, the improving life in his arm means just as much to his cutter. “It’s just strengthening, being able to get my arm where it needs to be and have enough behind [the cutter] to spin it right and make it move,’’ Danks said. “Last year, I had trouble spinning it, and it was backing up on me and getting hit. This year, I’m able to drive the ball where I want, and that was proved by being able to throw it to both sides of the plate with the sharp break on it.’’ Because he’s a year and a half removed from shoulder surgery, Danks’ velocity has become something of a talking point. Even he admits to jumping out of his shoes every now and then to record a speed-gun reading that looks better on his man card. He didn’t Thursday. Besides, it does him no good. Cooper knows that Danks was a 90-92 mph guy before surgery, and he said a little less velocity had little or nothing to do with his career-high rate of home runs allowed and that 4.75 ERA. Danks said it always comes down to “throwing the ball where you’re trying to throw it,’’ and he had problems there. “Three-quarters of my homers last year were balls I was trying to throw away that cut back or was trying to get in and didn’t get in far enough — and obviously were up,’’ Danks said. Danks might be feeling stronger, but Cooper is still “proceeding without being worried about John’s velocity.’’ “It’s going to be what it’s going to be,’’ Cooper said. ‘‘If he gets it back, great, but he still has to locate. You’ve still got to be able to pitch, change speeds and locate.’’

I bought the weekend plan this year, and I am looking to get setup with the best way to listen to the Sox broadcasts while at the game. I've read that (as of a couple years ago) there was a 15-20 second delay on the local AM broadcast... Anyone know if they had such a lengthy delay last year? Does anyone know any apps that are better?

In the event Boggs rebounds, do the Sox have an option on him for next year? According to the baseball reference website, Boggs is arbitration eligible in 2015 and would not be a FA to 2016. But Spotrac says he is a FA in 2015.

I had the chance to meet Jim Fergosi when I was 11 at a car dealership promotion. It was right after Greg Walker’s seizure, who was one of my favorite players on the Sox at the time. We talked about that and he signed an autograph for me. I can’t recall the details of the conversation, but I do remember walking away thinking that Jim Fergosi was an awesome dude. I liked him ever since. RIP

Just picked up split season tickets last night (for all the weekend games). I usually plan to go to a bunch of games with my son, but only make it to 1 or 2. Now there are no excuses... Can't wait for the summer.

QUOTE (southside hitman @ Jan 20, 2014 -> 01:32 PM) It's all speculation at this point. This isn't an American free agent who could potentially be surrounded by guys who could leak information. He is in Japan and has a tight inner circle that has no motivation or incentive to give "favorites" or "front runners." I am confident that Hahn submitted a competitive offer and I hope that the meeting was compelling. That's pretty much all you can ask for now. I think you are right... At this point, the beat writers and bloggers seem to be just submitting their guess for the winner/front runner. Since there are only 5 teams in the running, there is a 20% chance of being correct.

If Tanaka doesn’t sign with the Sox, would anyone here support a move like signing Ubaldo Jimenez? That type of signing would still make the staff rock solid. Plus Jimenez would be for less $/years. Sale Jimenez Quintana Danks Johnson/Paulino/Rienzo

QUOTE (Knuckles @ Jan 19, 2014 -> 09:29 AM) 5 more days fellas.. It makes me wonder, if the Sox were able to pull a move like that, how would it influence ticket sales. I can't speak for everyone, but if the Sox somehow land Tanaka I will be buying at least a 14 game plan for me and my son this year. I am on the fence about it anyways, but that would put it over the top...