AlSoxfan

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Dec 3, 2014 -> 01:28 PM) Pretty sure he was dealing with some severe back pain down the stretch last year, wasn't he? Just everything about that situation reminded me of Crede. He had a great 2006 up until September and then he was never, ever the same player again. Please don't remind me of Crede..I really liked that guy. I think you're right about Donaldson though

QUOTE (lasttriptotulsa @ Dec 2, 2014 -> 09:19 AM) Without context, fielding percentage means next to nothing. Let's compare Derek Jeter and Jose Valentin just for fun. As most probably remember, Jose Valentin made a lot of errors but had great range. Let's use 2004 as an example. This was the first year that Derek Jeter won the Gold Glove. Jeter made just 13 errors (good for a .981 fielding percentage), his range factor per 9 was 4.46. If he were to play all 1458 innings that year he would have had 723 chances and his .981 fielding percentage would mean he was successful on 709 of them. Valentin made 20 errors (good for a .965 fielding percentage), his range factor per 9 was 4.91. If he were to play all 1458 innings that year he would have had 795 chances and his .965 fielding percentage would mean he was successful on 768 of them. So despite the fact that Jeter had a higher fielding percentage, Valentin actually would make an additional 59 plays over the course of the year that Jeter's limited range would not allow him to even field. Yet because people still like to just look at archaic stats like fielding percentage, Jeter wins the Gold Glove. that was an interesting comparison, thanks. I remember hearing Hawk say one time that Ripken was the luckiest ss in the history of baseball, every ball was hit right at him. I didn't know whether to laugh or scream at him.

QUOTE (glangon @ Dec 2, 2014 -> 08:54 AM) True but you use that as your starting offer and then see what Billy Beane wants for him, then you up your offer slightly with some conversation, That offer could then turn into Carlos Sanchez, Erik Johnson, Tank and Rienzo for Samardijia. If we start too high we could end up paying the earth for a 1 year rental. Beane's no dummy...I think he'd just quit taking your calls.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 2, 2014 -> 08:05 AM) People, PLEASE stop using minor league errors as some sort of gauge that someone isn't able to play a position. As has been said before, plenty of MiLB SS's have had high error totals, and turned into good or great ML SS's. And since Omar was mentioned, look up his minor league fielding numbers. Of course you're right but how often does an Omar come along? I think Lillian's correct otherwise an so do a number of scouts. I don't view Anderson as untouchable but I'm not sure I'd trade him for 1 yr. of Shark. It's a crapshoot IMO. I don't have the knowledge or crystal ball to make any decision. I have to trust in Hahn an root/hope/pray for us to make the playoffs in 2015 and beyond. Right now I think the Shark can help us do that, so maybe I got some KW in me.

QUOTE (StRoostifer @ Dec 2, 2014 -> 02:49 AM) If the Sox are going to give up the talent being discussed, then use it on a guy like Eovaldi. He easily has the stuff to be a #3 and has not turned 25 yet. Would like to see what Coop can do with him. He doesn't walk a lot of batters and had Salty for a catcher, so Eovaldi deserves some slack. I mean, Salty suuuuucked last season. As for Samardzija, I think Boston outbids the White Sox. Boston has more to offer in a trade and is much more desperate for pitching. I think you're right about Boston outbidding us. Doesn't look good for them with Lester right now so they're gonna be desperate. I do like Eovaldi somewhat but I'm thinkin the Marlins are looking for LH power an we're not lookin so good there.

QUOTE (WhiteSoxLifer @ Dec 1, 2014 -> 09:35 PM) http://m.whitesox.mlb.com/news/article/102...-rated-rotation This is a good article. That rotation would look very nice indeed

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Dec 1, 2014 -> 05:05 PM) http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Samar...-263827711.html I'd forgotten that he did that, but yeah, there was definitely an offer made to him. He was wise to decline it as he should make a lot more money as a result. Thanks, an it was 5/75 an not 85 he turned down. Yes he was wise declining it. I'm still not sure the Sox would go 6/105 as he wants though. Sure would like to have him though.

QUOTE (dpd9189 @ Dec 1, 2014 -> 04:17 PM) I'm a bit late on the Samardjiza news but here are my thoughts. If the Sox can get him without paying a Kings ransom then do it but I would go into it knowing that it's basically a 1 year rental. If the Sox are doing well this season then you keep Shark for the whole season but if not then you move him by the deadline and get a nice haul back. As for a long term deal, I don't see it happening. JR won't want to give out the years and cash that Shark is looking for and don't be mistaken, he wants to get paid big bucks. If I remember correctly Samardjiza turned down 5/$85 mil, he'll want 6 years, $100 mil plus. Also regardless of where Samardjiza goes, I don't see it happening until after Lester and Scherzer have signed (probably late next week) unless someone blows BB away with an offer. Interesting..I never heard Samardjiza turned down 5/85 from the Cubs...Can anyone confirm this?

QUOTE (SoCalSox @ Nov 30, 2014 -> 07:54 PM) Welp, sure seems like Jim Benson was full of s*** or jumped the gun on his original tweet Friday night... Hate getting myself overly excited for absolutely nothing to happen. Ultimately, it seems to be better if the Sox don't trade valuable pieces for a 1 year rental when they could get something similar for simply money on the FA market. lol...Yea I'm guilty of getting excited myself. I don't know weather to be happy or bummed because I don't know who we where trading, but I would have liked to have gotten Shark in our rotation.

QUOTE (Lillian @ Nov 30, 2014 -> 06:22 PM) While the speculation seems to have temporarily abated, could we step back for a moment and examine the bigger picture? Most would agree that there are still 3 holes remaining to be filled. A corner outfielder, a RH Starting pitcher and a bullpen arm, preferably a closer. There is still considerable money available, with estimates of around $25 Million of payroll flexibility for this coming season. There is also the possibility of a trade, as evidenced by the recent rumors. My question is which trade chip would you most willingly offer, to help fill at least one of the remaining holes? Some object to parting with any of our better prospects, while others are reluctant to move a veteran, such as Alexei, claiming that it would only open another hole, this one at SS. My inclination is to try to fill one of the holes by trading Alexei. I've expressed my reasons, previously, but here is a summary: He is not likely to provide elite defense during the remaining two years of his contract, due to diminished range. The Sox have several middle infielders, at least a couple of whom could probably fill the void, until Anderson is ready. Alexei is nevertheless, a valuable trade "chip", as several teams are looking for an established SS. Again, assuming that the return would be reasonable, and would fill at least one hole, would you be willing to move Ramirez, and who would you prefer be given the inside track at playing SS this season? Do you favor the best defensive SS, or are you insistent upon a player who could also provide some offensive production? Who, in fact, do you consider is the best defensive shortstop, in the organization, among the guys who have played at least at the AAA level? Here's my thoughts for whatever they're worth Alexei just won the silver sluggers award and was a finalist for the gold glove. I think he's one of the best SS in baseball right now and I do not see him declining as bad as most people seem to think he will. He's cheap at 10 mil for the next 2 yrs. Our defense was terrible the last 2 yrs. and to replace him with a lesser SS would only make it worse. He still steals bases pretty often an his bat is pretty darn good for a SS. Trading him to fill another hole just seems foolish right now, if indeed we're trying to win the div. I do not believe we have a good enough ss ready to fill in right now. I think the best we have ready is L. Garcia. The fact that so many other teams are looking for an established ss tells me maybe we should hang on to ours. Give em LGar or whoever else we have other than Anderson. ss's are worth more to me than outfielders or bullpen arms.(2 of our remaining holes). I guess I value Lexi more than most.

QUOTE (StRoostifer @ Nov 30, 2014 -> 12:41 PM) I hope the Cespedes to White Sox rumor is just that, a rumor. I'll take Alexei over Cespedes every time. You an me both. I can't see how this would help us in the least. Cespedes isn't much better than Tank IMO

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Nov 30, 2014 -> 11:57 AM) I know I call him Shark because it's better than trying to spell Samardzija or Tarkanian for that matter (going back a few years there). lol same here

QUOTE (southside hitman @ Nov 30, 2014 -> 11:25 AM) What would an AL GM know about his plans for free agency unless it's Billy Beane? Technically he can't know. EDIT: Though it would be classic Billy Beane to be that source. Hmm...wouldn't Beane get a better return if he leaked he might be willing to sign an extension? otherwise I agree what does a GM know what Shark wants to do.

QUOTE (scs787 @ Nov 29, 2014 -> 09:04 PM) Tim Anderson ‏@TimAnderson7 3m3 minutes ago Roll Tide? He's obviously been traded to Alabama. lol...hope we got a wide receiver at least for our LF vacancy.

QUOTE (southside hitman @ Nov 29, 2014 -> 01:03 PM) Considering the years of control with Abreu, Sale, Q, Eaton, Rodon, etc etc, I wouldn't be surprised if the holdup here is the Sox working out the framework of a contract extension and the players are already in place. I been thinkin the same thing..gettin antsy though

Very interesting read, thank you for the info

I like him for a couple reasons.1 he's willing to sign a 1 yr. contract an 2. He's got good upside if he really is healthy. Risky..yes but everyone seems to have risks. I think there are a number of teams interested so he may not come to cheap. I'm thinking somewhere around 9, 10 mil. In any case I'd give him a try.

Whatever happened to Allen Craig? He had a pretty good season in 13 an then fell down in 14. Is he someone we might be interested in on the cheap?

QUOTE (WhiteSoxLifer @ Nov 21, 2014 -> 02:22 PM) We don't know a 100 percent montero can't hit again. We do know the sox catchers can't hit to begin with. One stat I didn't realize is flowers struck out 159 times last year. We need to try to upgrade that spot if possible. Now I could possibly see a danks for montero swap. The dbacks are pretty desperate for pitching. Montero has had 2 down seasons in a row and his 40 million over the next 3 seasons is a sunk cost as in danks 28 million for 2 yrs is with us. If the dbacks are tying to ask for something better then the likes of danks then they are going to eating a ton of money. I was thinking the same thing. I don't think getting Montero would be a bad thing. He's a much better defensive catcher and framer. I think his bat will come back around as well but even if not we would still be better off. I just don't want to waste what little money the sox has to spend on upgrading the catcher when we still need SP, an LF. Even still I wouldn't complain if we got him. Then again Flowers has magic glasses

QUOTE (LDF @ Nov 20, 2014 -> 02:46 PM) with all due respect, name me a player who doesn't play for the money and love of the game. I think there was a Not in there...He also tried to lie his way out of his ped use..Sorry I just don't like the guy an can't root for him, and it's just my opinion.

I'm just not interested in Melky. I don't like him. He strikes me as a guy who plays for money an fame and not for the love of the game. I think he'll cost to much an I would't want him for as long as the contract he's seeking(5 yrs.) I think we'd be much better off with Rasmus with a shorter and cheaper contract. I'm still waiting to see whats out on the trade market though.

QUOTE (SCCWS @ Nov 19, 2014 -> 06:58 PM) The best scenario would be the Sox starters are good enough that Rodon can stay in the minors all season and get called up in September. He can enjoy watching the 2015 Sox in the World Series and then join the rotation in spring 2016. I kinda like this scenario, especially the part where he watches the Sox WIN the World Series...lol

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 19, 2014 -> 11:37 AM) I am not a big fan of the idea that you have to move someone for "value's" sake. Many times a players best value to the team is playing on the team, and I feel that numbers don't do Alexei justice. I would be thrilled to keep him for the next two years, and unless the offer blows me away, would have no problem doing so, even if he falls off in hindsight. more likes and agreements...lol. I don't get the whole value thing either especially if you're trying to win ballgames now. I don't see how creating a big hole at SS, the most important position on the field, for future prospects helps the team now. I just feel as bad as our defense is, trading a gold glove caliber SS is a mistake unless of course we're still in rebuild mode. I will say that all this trade talk is exciting though. Hahn has made all the right moves since he's been running the show so I'll just have to trust in him to do the right thing for the team.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 19, 2014 -> 10:15 AM) The White Sox have no reason to have to trade Alexei Ramirez. -They have publicly stated they are now looking to win this year (even if you don't believe it, which I don't think it is realistic). -Ramirez is under team control for up to two years at a HUGE bargain to what he would pull on the free agent market right now. My guess is he would be in the neighborhood of a 5/75 type deal if he were currently a FA. -The Sox have no payroll squeeze where they need to move the salary off of the books. If we don't get a big offer, there is literally no good reason to move Alexei. Like and Agree

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 17, 2014 -> 04:11 PM) I don't know how the rest of it is even relevant, but the bottom line is the Sox have a history here to read. They have always been able to pay their middle of the order hitters a lot of money, and if they can't find one, they will get one off of the free agent market. Relief pitching, they have always tried to do on the cheap. I see no compelling reason to believe the Sox will sign Andrew Miller, even if they have met with him or inquired about him. I think or hope that after last yr. they are compelled to at least rethink about spending money on a bullpen. The price of tea has gone up. 2 of the better bullpens in baseball were in the WS last yr. We also lack starting pitching that can go more than 5 or 6 innings. Somethings gotta give if we really want to compete