BlackSox13

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Mar 16, 2016 -> 09:15 AM) [/b] I know, I know. That statement was both shocking and riveting.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Mar 16, 2016 -> 08:47 AM) They should have some money to play with. If they can make the team better now, that's less they have to do at the deadline, or may be a reason they have to do something at the deadline. It would be interesting to know what was available and at what price. Acting now may mean you don't have the funds to go after someone later. But a $13 million gift right before the season starts has to be huge to the White Sox, especially if LaRoche's heart and/or body weren't into it. I thought he was a decent bet to bounce back, but if he doesn't........ I know one thing, White Sox fans won't let RH, KW or JR forget they should have some money to play with. Agreed with all this. I was just looking around to see if there was any reasonable mid-high salary pitchers available to bolster the back of the rotation and all I could come up with was Shields, Cashner and Garza. Ick! That said, holding onto the money and seeing where the team stands come June/July would go a long way towards making the team better when more players are available. Thing is, will Sox fans be patient enough now that the Sox have a few extra bucks to play with or will this turn into another " Sox are f***ing cheap" thread? Fans need to realise that just because a few bucks has opened up doesn't mean it must be spent right away.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Mar 16, 2016 -> 08:32 AM) Where would this guy pitch though? At Charlotte? They don't have a spot. Latos and Danks are the #4 and #5. I'm fine with the idea of going with Latos and having Johnson/Turner as his replacement if Latos has an injury or just needs a day off but it's Danks I'm really talking about replacing. If a trade was made during ST, Danks could go to the pen. If the move is made in June/July, Danks could be either go to the pen or be released all together. In the end, I do realize it's probably a pipe dream because the Sox likely give Danks the benefit of the doubt and go into the season with him as the #4. I'm really not trying to bash the guy but he is what he is and IMHO, he isn't good enough for a team looking to contend in a tough ALC.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Mar 15, 2016 -> 10:25 PM) That's what I thought but still need another LH bat and Morneau fills that void better than LaRoche if he can avoid hurting his head in any way. No headbanging or slaps on the helmet for him during walk offs. Have to beat the Red Sox to the punch since they are interested. Morneau bashes righties and is better than LaRoche against lefties. I definitely would not complain about signing Morneau but the big question is would he want to sign with the Sox. I'm on the fence and can see both sides to the discussion of, would he or would he not. I really have no idea. I would kind of prefer to look into trading for a higher salaried pitcher to stick in the back of the rotation. A James Shields' type without the James Shields' salary.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Mar 15, 2016 -> 10:16 PM) We didn't use LaRoche at first much at all anyway, so no loss. I do hope Abreu keeps developing as a fielder as well as slugger. But this really helps the team. Adam can't hit lefties anymore and because of his veteran status he'd have driven us crazy going something like five hits in every 60, 70 at bats versus lefties. Now we don't have to put up with that. Yes it can only help the team having him retire. He wasn't going to have a real bounceback year. Agree with everything you say here Greg. LaRoche retiring will help the Sox tremendously. I wonder if Hahn shopping LaRoche during the off season weighed on LaRoche's mind a bit.

QUOTE (hi8is @ Mar 15, 2016 -> 10:21 PM) Another option - save the money for early trade season and get a RHSP. My post was cut short, thanks to the wife, but this is what I was driving at. I don't know if any are available via trade right now but a mid-back end of the rotation starter would be nice. I agree though, it's nice to have the extra funds to make a trade between now and the end of July to take on a player with salary.

After thinking about this during the evening, I'm not so sure the need to add another outfielder. If LaRoche does retire, it opens the door for the Sox to put one of Avi/Melky in the DH spot and keep one of them off the field which is what many of us wanted all along. Once healthy Eaton can play RF with Jackson in CF and Melky/Avi in LF/DH. Shuck and probably Sands would be the bench outfielders.

QUOTE (ptatc @ Mar 15, 2016 -> 03:41 PM) I know it's kind of silly but this was my thought. This board is really going to go after Avi this year without LaRoche around. You aren't kidding! It's not just this board either. Fans boo'd Avi at SoxFest and if LaRoche indeed retires, all eyes will be on Avi more than anyone else.

I'd like to see the Sox check in on Singleton or Valbuena from Houston. It wouldn't surprise me if Houston is more than willing to part with Singleton since the Astros have AJ Reed fast tracking through Houston's farm system.

Like everyone else, I'm stunned. I will indulge the conversation more once a final decision has been made but for now, I sincerely hope everything is OK with LaRoche and his family.

What I took from Eaton's comment was the old saying "win as a team, lose as a team". I like Eaton's comment and agree with him.

QUOTE (WhiteSoxLifer @ Mar 14, 2016 -> 11:42 PM) http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/jose-ab...-for-white-sox/ Another article about the better club house this year. Seems hopefully they will more lively this year. Looking at the stuff being posted on social media about the Sox clubhouse and comments from players, it sounds like the vibe has changed. Hopefully that translates well on the field.

QUOTE (LDF @ Mar 14, 2016 -> 08:53 AM) very nice..... ref to the pitching, i agree, i like the idea from the beginning of getting and finally signing latos. now, i really want another arm. what is avail still is a simon. they really need to get another pitcher, for the in case situation. At this point, I seriously doubt the Sox add another pitcher. Right or wrong, they are going to count on Danks, Turner, Jahnson and Latos to take care of the last two spots in the rotation. As for Alfredo Simon, no thanks. Overall, Simon was worse than Danks last year. I would take any one of Danks, Turner, Latos or Johnson over Simon. I think the Sox end up starting the season with Sale, Q, Latos, Rodon and Danks as the starting rotation with Turner as the long man. If Danks or Latos has problems, Johnson or Turner will get a chance.

Whatever " it " is, this team seems to have an actual personality now. Last year's team looked lethargic and doped up on valium, but this year's team definitely has more life and energy going on. At this point, the only concerns I have are the last two spots in the rotation but otherwise, this team is pretty solid and should play much better Baseball. Even Avi shows some new life and vigor in his game.

It's so early in ST that I happily take the good and hope the bad improves without looking too far into either. Johnson's velocity is worthy of raising an eyebrow over but again, it's early and his velocity could very easily come around as his arm stretches out during the next 2 + weeks. If Johnson is still throwing 85-89 during the last week of ST then I'll be concerned.

OK, I had to comment since Guerrero ain't getting any love in this thread. Kid does a great job of throwing strikes and keeping the ball down as is, adding a cutter to get in on the hands of RHH will make him even more effective. Add to the mix a developing CB and the kid has some pretty nice upside and is still just shy of 22. Plenty of time to allow Guerrero to grow.

Chris will have some games where his stuff is so dominant that K's will rack up, but I don't expect as many as last year so I'll go with 256 spread out over 32 starts.

I think the NL to AL conversion is a bit over blown. No doubt that Dunn underwhelmed but LaRoche is a different case in that he was signed at 35 years old. Age caught up to LaRoche, plain and simple. I do agree that waiting to see how Frazier performs before talking about an extension is the right the to do but not because he came from the NL. Making sure there's a fit for both him and the Sox along with rebounding from his '15 second half performance is more important. There's plenty of time.

It's early but I really like the problem Rollins and Saladino are creating for Ventura.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Mar 11, 2016 -> 10:23 AM) Maybe.... " You old dog".

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Mar 11, 2016 -> 10:13 AM) Apparently it is a different reference. I don't even need to click the video to know what it is. Bunch of young army recruits in the barracks surrounding their beloved Sgt. Hulka? Edit: I'd offer up some quotes from psycho but his words would certain offend somebody at some point. Poor old psycho was a bit off his rocker.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Mar 11, 2016 -> 10:02 AM) Random but I figure I'd quote you on this (you'll see why in a sec), but any time I see Jackson referred to as "Ajax" I can't help but think his actual name is "Francis." Haha Anyone awesome will get this reference. Oh dude, that's some funny s*** right there! My avatar approves of your reference!

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Mar 11, 2016 -> 08:31 AM) I'm with you. Somewhere in the middle. For every Bautista bat flip which I thought was awesome, there is a Grant Balfour type BS thing that really pisses me off. The timing is everything. Being excited about a big hit late in the game that ties it up or gives you a lead, how can someone have a problem with that? Acting like a moron rounding the bases after flipping the bat hitting a HR that makes the score 12-2? That's just dumb. Oh man, Balfour is the epitome of being excessive. Never did like his BS. Same goes for Papelbon too, can't stand the prick. I hate to admit it because I have always been a fan of his but Bonds HR pose/stare at the plate after every HR used to get on my nerves. I remember on one occasion he got a hold of one, stared at it, began a slow trot to 1B and the ball bounced of the wall and stayed in the park. Bonds ended up with a single on what should have been an easy double. Which brings me to the point, if a hitter is going to watch his HR shot, he better make sure he REALLY got a hold it or he's going to look like an ass. QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Mar 11, 2016 -> 08:45 AM) The thing about Balfour is that he cant take it when he loses the battle. So many times he has gotten into it with players when they beat him, and thats just bush league. If you are gonna get all pumped up and talk smack when you win, then you need to suck it up and accept it when you lose. Exactly. If a player wants to dish it out, they better be able to take it. Pretty much like Jose Fernandez did when CarGo launched off of him, laugh it off.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Mar 11, 2016 -> 09:20 AM) Even more confusion since you probably meant to say NOT Lowry instead of NOW Lowry . Plus, Lawrie was traded for, not signed. Personally, I could care less how others pronounce Lawrie's name, what really matters is how Lawrie plays on the field. I'm really curious to see if any grudges are held over from last season between Lawrie and Yordano Ventura/Royals.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Mar 11, 2016 -> 08:31 AM) Someone had to replace Samardzija haha Ha ha, very true. In that respect, I think the Sox upgraded.