BlackSox13

I can see the point behind Shields did pitch more than 200 innings not just this year but for his 8th straight year in a row and is 33 so I think maybe its caught up to him. I'm not trying to make excuses, just pointing that out is all. Even though Buehrle just pitched his 14th consecutive, dude really is a beast! That said. I'm with Greg. I just cannot justify the expected salary Shields is going to receive. Basically Shields will get paid for what he has done and not necessarily what he will do in the future as he likely regresses. Shields is really reminding me of Kyle Lohse. But, to a team that thinks they are one starter away from contention, he will be worth it in their eyes.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Oct 30, 2014 -> 10:36 PM) 2 years at one level isn't rushing him. Let's not forget that his BA and K rate are why he has been there for two years already...

QUOTE (LDF @ Oct 30, 2014 -> 10:40 PM) here is another one. http://www.mymlbdraft.com/MLB-Mock-Draft Thanks for the new mock LDF. I can't see the Sox taking another 2B from Georgia with the #8 pick though. Especially Picking Swanson over Cameron or Bickford? Its early and ya never know but I'm at a loss with that one.

Anderson went 2/5, 2B, K while leading off today. No other Sox players were in today's game.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Oct 30, 2014 -> 04:33 PM) As to being told to do something for the 3rd time in a row? I think you almost need to start him at AA if the spot is there. Does a 20 year old batting .249 with 143 strikeouts at A+ scream promotion to you? I'm not saying Hawkins is bad but a little more time at A+ to work on those K's and BA certainly won't hurt. He's plenty young enough, there's no rush.

Maddon has not even signed with another club and they are already saying they will pursue a tampering investigation? Was Maddon supposed to hang around and go through another rebuild with that team? He did his time, move on Tampa.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Oct 30, 2014 -> 03:45 PM) It's a tough call. He did improve, a lot, repeating A+. And was still young for the level. I wouldn't be as opposed to him in AA next year as I was to him starting 2013 in A+... but starting in A+ before AA next year would probably be a good idea. Yeah, I think psychologically speaking if Hawkins starts 2015 at A+ then he's just picking up where he left off but if he starts at AA and struggles, it could have an adverse psychological effect. I know its a different player but look what a demotion did to Walker last year after batting .155 at AA. Started whining about how nobody had his back and blah blah blah. Walker showed he was a soft little marshmalloww. I think Hawkins is mentally tougher than that but would rather not take the chance since there's no rush. Plus,IMO, it might be easier on him if he's promoted during the season after hes in the groove. Not sure there's anything to that, just a thought.

No surprise on Paulino. I'd take him back under a minor league contract on the off chance he might have something to offer as a reliever, should he be able to stay healthy.

Was just nosing around mlbtr and noticed LaRoche's option was declined by Washington. Get on the horn Rick...

QUOTE (flavum @ Oct 30, 2014 -> 02:17 PM) Buddy Bell already said Hawkins will be in Birmingham to start the season. The real question is how many seasons will he be there. And how many Sox fans will write him off if he struggles? IMO, its too aggressive. Given his .249 average and 143K's in 515 PA in A+, that's really where he should start 2015.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Oct 30, 2014 -> 12:47 PM) Which is part of the reason you want to wait. I'm not opposed to spending on pitching, I just think it's the last thing you do. QUOTE (Bigsoxhurt35 @ Oct 30, 2014 -> 01:23 PM) Agreed. I have a starter on my wish list but it's about 4th. Behind pen arms, LF and 1B/DH I'm with you both. I like the idea of upgrading Noesi/Danks but it would be the final move with what money was left over after taking care of LF, DH, the bullpen and/or possibly upgrading 3B. Call me crazy but I like what I saw from Noesi last season and believe he and Danks both will improve so I'm not overly concerned too much about them. Much bigger holes to fill than the position of starting pitcher.

Yes, Birmingham will be lots of fun to follow and at some point, hopefully, Hawkins will be joining them as well.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Oct 30, 2014 -> 01:20 AM) Wait another year...or at least half-season. Jordan Zimmermann, David Price, Mat Latos and Jeff Samardzija are all a lot more realistic (because of the "competitive window" realistically beginning in 2016) targets for the Sox than Lester, Scherzer and Shields. Hopefully by then, Montas and/or Danish will be ready and the Sox will be able to skip paying heavily for a starter.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Oct 30, 2014 -> 08:16 AM) He was pretty dominant in A+ last year after the first couple starts. I'm not opposed to him starting in AA, but he's likely there soon even if not on Opening Day. As for AAA... not before late in the season if at all, and then only if he dominates AA like he has the other levels. No matter the level, I want him to build up more innings over last year. QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Oct 30, 2014 -> 09:48 AM) This is exactly what I was going to say. The kid threw just under 130 innings last year, and is still really young. There is no reason to rush him. Get him up to 160 this year, and see what happens next year. Well said gents, could not agree more. One thing I find fun about watching Montas and Danish mature together is they are really different pitchers with very different offerings and yet they are almost side by side (Montas slightly ahead) moving up through the system. One can throw it by the batter while the other makes the batter beat the ball into the ground over and over again. A quick thought. Anderson will likely start at AA next season so once Danish gets to AA, Anderson is going to get all kinds of work on his fielding when Danish pitches. Danish is a ground ball god.

I'd be surprised if Danish started more than five games Winston before being called up to Birmingham. I'm very tempted to say he starts the year at Birmingham but I'm guessing the Sox may want to see how Tyler starts the year at Winston first. Then again, the Sox are aggressive when it comes to young pitching talent...

Congrats to the Giants. Now light up the phones Hahn!

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Oct 29, 2014 -> 06:28 PM) I'm a Samardzija fan, one because my cousin is best friends with him. But, I would not trade Anderson for Samardzija even if he did sign an extension. Agreed. I like the idea of getting a guy like Jeff but at what cost? Surely Anderson and Montas would be the first names coming out of Beane's mouth. You gotta give to get but I don't think I'd be willing to give that much for Jeff, not that he isn't worth a packed centered around Anderson or Montas. I think its more likely the Sox end up signing a guy like Hammel than trading for Samardzija. Beane will ask for the world and likely get it and the Sox system just isn't deep enough to justify a trade for Samardzija.

I still have a hard time believing Maddon will manage the cubs. Its not because of my dislike for the cubs, I just believe there are better clubs that are interested in Maddon and closer to being contenders if they aren't already. This reeks of typical Chicago sports media...

Eh, s***, guess I'll pull for the Giants. The Royals winning the WS would make for a wonderful story but I just cannot bring myself to cheer for them. Just would be prudent...

QUOTE (GreenSox @ Oct 28, 2014 -> 06:34 PM) Signing MB would be ridiculous. We don't need a lefty starter. that would be spending money to spend money. I don't think we'll spend $50 million because there really isn't enough talent to spend it on. There are a few good players, likely gobbled up by the big-spenders, and that's that. We might sign a mid range outfielder, take care of a few guys in arbitration, plug as many holes as possible and see how things go. It would be ridiculous considering Buehrle is under contract through the 2015 season... Might want to read the thread instead of just the last page because you've clearly missed a few things... As for a lefty starter. I said it before and I'll say it again, I don't give a toss what hand Sox pitchers throw with as long as they know how to get batters out and Buehrle is an immediate upgrade over Danks, Noesi and Carroll.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Oct 28, 2014 -> 07:23 PM) As usual, Jake Peavy, solidly focused on doing whatever he can to help his team win. (Just shut up and f***ing pitch) Well said! Maybe he should have been thinking about the Royals instead of Lester and the cubs. The Royals sure as hell were thinking of him according to tonights game.

Looks like the " bulldog" has pitched like a fully accessorized Paris Hilton poodle in the playoffs.

Anderson went 3/4, 1R, 2B and batting .309 on the season. Kevan Smith and Nick Basto hitless today.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Oct 28, 2014 -> 01:31 PM) Trying to fit Buerhle's salary in gets much tougher when a realistic salary threshold for the team next year is used. We are sitting at $46 million before any of the arb guys have been signed. Realistically, if Viciedo is brought back, and Bellisario isn't, I'd say somewhere around $60 million is a realistic floor if you assume normal arb numbers for the rest of the guys (Viciedo $5 million, Flowers $2 million, Jones and Noesi $1 mil each) along with $500k holding slots for the rest of the roster (12ish open spots = $6 million). We spent $90 million last year, and all revenue streams probably fell again last year, which is offset and then some by the extra $25 million from the new TV deal. Realistically, I would bet on the $90-95 million range, which means we have more like $30 to $35 million to spend, not 40 to 50. That is a huge difference. You really think Viciedo and Belisario will be back? Were just looking at from different perspectives. Include their salaries and the space is where you say it is but if the Sox trade or kick them to the curb them the space is where I'm saying and I'm really not counting on either being with the team which is why I threw the numbers out that I did. Back to the original idea of Buehrle + 4M coming from Toronto. The Sox don't have the space for Buehrle and the proposed 15M but yet names like Victor Martinez, James Shields and Max Scherzer, all of which will make more, are tossed around? Makes no sense. I'm not saying we should go after Buehrle but if the Sox want to upgrade the rotation and Toronto is willing to send money with Buehrle, the Sox should explore since they insist they can contend in 2015. Who knows. Take Buehrle and cash from Toronto and maybe the Sox can intern deal Danks and cash elsewhere. Then you're looking at a 2015 rotation of Sale, Q, Buehrle, Noesi, Rodon. Bassitt plays long man/spot starter out of the pen and Buehrle buys a year for possibly one of Beck, Montas or Danish to be ready in 2016. If not, maybe the Sox look at a one year deal with Buehrle for 2016.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Oct 28, 2014 -> 10:51 AM) There is no potential for them to spend that much either. What is your point? Care to discuss the possibility of Buehrle by any chance?