ronkark

To me the Rowand/Thome trade was giving up what worked in '05 - Defense, hussle, for a return to offense that only works when people hit home runs. And that trend has continued as we keep adding high strikeout power hitters on the downside. While Thome had 2 out of 4 good years stat wise. He was station to station player. And we sucked for his two "good" years. I found those teams hard to watch. And it didn't help that the solution in center was Brian Anderson. That said, you're right in that he was far better than Dunn or LaRoche. QUOTE (hi8is @ Apr 21, 2016 -> 04:48 PM) If you want to be taken seriously around here - you really need to stop bringing up at Thome as if he was a negative player at the plate. As someone else already pointed out, dude was a beast with us.

Offense: 2015 redux. Abreu now has protection, right Hawk? Both are bad now. Jose is swinging at some terrible pitches. Here's a reality check. He's very good, he's not great. He doesn't really carry a team. Doesn't walk much. And his defense - enough with how much he's improved. He has yes. But look at what we started with. At best he doesn't lose you games. But he's not gonna win ya any either. He's below average at scooping throws in the dirt, below average range and his decision making also below average. Appreciate Konerko, people. GREAT hands. Yes limited range but everything else was strong. Great at scoops and he had moxy. Sneaking behind runners to pick them off. I see none of that with Jose. I see a very good doughy hitter. Great. That has value. But he's not elite. Frazier needs to get to .240 before I stop comparing him to Thome/Dunn/LaRoche. Rollins. Eh. Lawrie - the guy tries. I like him. Catchers. below eh. Melky - like him. Eaton - like him. Ajax - i agree he has hit hard into a lot of outs. and good D. Avi - no redeemable skill no. I see no reason not to send him down and bring up Coats. Couldn't be worse. His ABs are ugly. Danks - looked ugly doing it but the result was a game we should've won.

Thank heavens, Frazier, that was beautiful!

Things White Sox as an organization are incapable of: Drawing walks. Stealing bases. What, 2 this year? Same thing every year. Eaton I've given up on. He just can't do it. But others? Catching runners stealing. Regarding the catchers, if Navarro can't hit - yikes. Angels announcers have put two of those walks on poor pitch framing so far.

Been holding off on raising this but I can't be the only one who is having LaRoche/Dunn/Thome flashbacks given Frazier's early struggles I can't keep it in anymore. He's batting .178 and that includes today's gift popup hit. 10K's in 45 at bats on pace for over 200. No he's not Dunn or LaRoche. But LaRoche was coming off a great first half, bad second half season and so is Todd. Also he's adjusting to AL, which the other two struggled with. I'm not overly confident he'll hit even .240 this year. And that will kill this team. Really really really hope it picks up soon. the offense has been hidden by stellar pitching but Todd, Abreu with 12 K's in 36 at bats, Rollins, Jackson, Avi Ugh, Avila, Navarro, Shuck. We can have 4 guys struggle. Not 8. Sooner rather than later please!

So a guy who hits .188 with a 40% strikeout rate. And who played pretty poor defense makes the team? When guys like Loney and Murphy are out there? yikes. our roster is pretty solid 1-24 and ends there apparently. What are we saving Davidson for? Trade? It's not like grooming im to replace Frazier or Abreu so may as well bring him north. Sands? I'd rather Ishakawa.

here's why no to desmond. 1 - draft pick loss 2- blocks tim anderson any beyond this year 3 - average to belpw average D on a team that cannot afford any weak or average defenders. think about it. no sanchez at 2b. no alexei. abreu at firstl yikes. 4 - saladino is a plus defender. and while a light hitter, he can bunt, baserun, hit behind runners. he's a smart player. we need those. 5- walks and k's. desmond's ratio is awful. we have enough k's between frazier lawrie, garcia, etc. we need obp. 6 - garcia. if demond means no OF add then NO THANK YOU!

I do not want the guy. Draft pick, not a great defender but look at the biggest issue: walks and Ks. Our team's biggest weakness next to defense. He doesn't walk and he has pushed 200 K's multiple times in his career. So far from the answer and not worth the money. I'd rather Fowler.

What I will miss about Alexei: Rifle arm, turning double play, stolen bases. Occasional clutch home run (more in his early years.) The Eaton fives. What I won't miss about Alexei: Inability to draw a walk, zero plate discipline, baserunning blunder, the slow starts. And the Sox continues insistence in trying him in the 2 hole even though he doesn't take pitches, bunt, hit behind runners or do anything befitting a #2 hitter. His 10 million dollar salary. Better spent elsewhere. Not worried about Tyler. No he won't be great. But he's a heady player. He can bunt, he can run. he can field. He'll be okay. But let's get that outfielder.

Well two days at and above .500 were nice but it's back under. 6 runs in 3 games for the offense - a joke. Tribe 3-3 Stolen Bases. Sox 0-0. Sox 7-18 on the season with Vince Coleman on staff. They have successfully tuned him out. The league leader has 43. Flowers 7-23 throwing out runners. Soto 1-8. Awful. Rodon needs to throw strikes. It's becoming a trend. also Carlos Sanchez's next walk will be his first. ugh.

Huge hit by Carlos and huge baserunning move by dirtbag. And Sale was stones. BUT... what the heck is the with continued ineptitude in execution and playcalling with regards to bunting and smallball. NO way should Ramirez have been swinging in that situation, and it almost cost them. And Tyler and Conor have both been up there in similar situations and it's been the same thing. cleveland played it like was gonna be a bunt becaue IT SHOULD HAVE been. Why rely on 3 big hits when it could be just one. Small ball people. Small ball. Also how much are we paying Vince Coleman per steal because last in the league and 7/18 in steals is a joke. No reason to stop being aggressive. anywho, whatever, six in a row. keep it going and stir it up!

In spring I was huge champion of Micah. But I like the move today. Micah's defense is truly bad. Like not worth of Major Leagues bad. And he was not doing enough on the bases to merit staying. It bums me out because we haven't had that kinda speed in ages. Maybe he will be back but my faith in him as a legit big leaguer has waned unless he becomes a pinch runner in a post season push. Sanchez is what he is. Lower ceiling, higher floor. I hope he hits anywhere near what he is in AAA. And make no mistake. Carlos is not THAT good on D. he's above average with an average arm. But by comparison, that's a big upgrade. the D in yesterday's game was dramatically better and refreshing. 2b isn't the only issue. this team needs overall upgrades at 3B and C. Both D liabilities. Abreu is too but he's not going anywhere. Even though LaRoche scooped at least two I don't think Abreu would have yesterday. As for those saying Gordon or Emilio at 2nd. No and here's why. Has gordon not had his chances? He's doing well now BECAUSE of the role he was in? Should he get another chance? Maybe next year. This year it's way too early to go back to him. Plus we need him late game sub for Conor honestly. And Emilio. Emilio is NOT a good defensive 2b. Better than Micah? Yep. Better than Sanchez or Gordon? Not even close. His best defense is OF. those guys are super subs and good ones. Carlos is the right call. Patch the hole and go out and get a 3b at the deadline. One who can field AND hit.

QUOTE (The Ginger Kid @ May 12, 2015 -> 01:25 PM) If you're looking for perfection you're not going to find it. The errors cost them, no doubt, yet they found a way to tie the game late and had it not been for a bad outing from a so-far reliable Duke, they may have pulled it out. You'll notice a theme. LOW rankings. Micah minus 8 WAR. 24th out of 24 2nd basemen. Adam Eaton minus 6 for 23/24. I think he'll improve though. Ramirez minus 2 20/28. Also think he'll improve. Flowers 29/30 Abreu 13/29. Kind of shocking. Garcia 24/27 Melky at 11 is highest. To me he's done a good job.