103 mph screwball

TRUTH. It takes a brave man to state the truth about Ozzie because Rozner will now face an tantrum of some sort. Ozzie is a -7 WAR manager the past few years. The Sox will be more fun to watch this year and I would not count them out in the division. This will be a new team with new leaders under Ventura.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Jan 20, 2012 -> 11:39 AM) The more you respond, the worse he gets. You just have to ignore him. he trolls twitter for people to get pissed at what he says So true. The sooner you unfollow, the better you will feel. Now if we can just get the filter that blocks any post with his name, I will be happy!

QUOTE (Lillian @ Jan 18, 2012 -> 10:56 AM) Here are their split stats: Lillibridge vs. LHP .287 .346 .585 .931 with 9 homers in 90 AB's de Aza versus LHP .263 .333 .368 .702 Lillibridge vs. RHP .228 .333 .424 .757 de Aza versus RHP .338 .409 .541 .951 all 4 of his homers came off RHP Platooned, those split stats would give you the following: vs. LHP .287 .346 .585 .931 vs. RHP .338 .409 .541 .951 Works for me. How about you? That looks like a very good plan actually. Ventura might even have the audacity to do something that makes sense like that.

This is music to my ears. The Sox need more of these type of hitters to prevent the all or nothing home run offense. I really like Viciedo's attitude and approach. He is saying all of the right things.

QUOTE (sunofgold @ Jan 17, 2012 -> 12:36 PM) Only 3 White Sox players hit more HRs than Lillibridge last year. I am not sure that he is just a utility player. He really hasn't had the chance to play everyday. Also remember which player on our roster received the most interest by other gms. I have to think that some of those gms weren't just looking for a bench player. Lillibridge looked pretty good in the OF last year defensively. Remember those nice back-to-back catches in New York. Exactly! He doesn't have to replace Beckham. He could compete for an outfield position as well. I don't buy into the idea that Ozzie played him in only favorable match ups which helped him. I doubt that was even the case. How many times was Lillibridge sat on the bench during a streak. You don't sit a hot hitter. De Aza can be a fourth outfielder just as well as Lillibridge. Let the best man win.

I know it would not be the White Sox way of doing things, but if Floyd was traded, I'd like him to go to the Pirates with the Sox paying part of his salary. If the Sox have their budget issues under control, then the return for Floyd would be much better the more the Sox pay. A cash strapped borderline contender like the Pirates may give up some good prospects. I'm not talking about paying all of his salary, but if the Sox were to pick up 1 million this year and 3 next year, I would imagine that would make the return more interesting. Something similar could happen with the Blue Jays if they really are hitting a spending limit.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 17, 2012 -> 10:06 AM) It really makes me wonder about the stuff that went on during the last seven years... Was the stuff that got blamed on Williams really the Guillen clan? Brian Anderson comes to mind. I know many think he was just bad at baseball. I wonder if had been handled differently, he would have been at least serviceable. He may have sucked, but from my observations, it seemed like any time he would start to get on hot streak, he took a day off. Brian Anderson seemed like an outgoing guy who may have liked too much attention for an Ozzie led team. Pure speculation on my part. There just seems to be a pattern to me.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 17, 2012 -> 10:26 AM) Gavin Floyd's price tag remains high, sources say Nice to hear. It should be. KW does not have to move him and he is solid. This is not a fire sale. If the Sox can get a good deal and make the team better, then great. If not, I look forward to watching Gavin win for the Sox.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Jan 17, 2012 -> 10:08 AM) He was projected to be a .750-.800 OPS bat at best and most people considered him to be a short-term gap until something better came along. A Scott Brosius type player. I am hoping he exceeds those expectations. I'll take an .800 OPS for a guy with his defensive skills and reasonable salary. I don't remember hearing anything about his defense before has came up. Just for comparison, Joe Crede's highest full Season OPS was .826 in 2006 and in 2005 it was .757. Joe was clutch! I'm sitting here smiling as I remember his home run in extra innings late in the season vs. Cleveland. Awesome. I'm not sure if Morel will have that much power, but he has hit .320 at almost every level. I think an nice .300 average would help the Sox lineup that seemed to be all or nothing at times.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jan 16, 2012 -> 07:20 AM) Ozzie disliking someone for being selfish and pouting while probably true is kind of funny. No one in the White Sox organization has been more selfish or pouted more than Ozzie since Swisher left town. I appreciate Ozzie and his methods worked in 2005. That said, it seemed to me that anybody the Sox got that received more or wanted more attention than Ozzie was knocked down a notch. Swisher likes attention and he did not perform well enough to play. I was no Swisher fan. However, it is odd that he has played well for other managers. Beckham was the "golden boy" prospect. Ozzie made sure the media lowered expectations for him. I thought that was to take pressure off Gordon. I'm not so sure now. Viciedo was red hot last year and a big discussion in the media to call him up. As soon as he came up, Ozzie humbled him in the media. Now it turns out Peavy and Ozzie had some issues. In Ozzie's opinion, Ozzie is the leader and the team needs no other. Ozzie gets the attention and puts players back in their place. I almost seems like bully behavior or something. I know he was fun to play for for some or even most players. I know he has the respect of many. I even respect him for his accomplishments. That said, this team has been dysfunctional and underachieving for years. I am so glad Ozzie is gone! It was like Christmas in October for me. Ozzie moves on... Great! The Sox do not have to pay him...Even Better! The Sox get compensation for Ozzie... Unbelievably Awesome! I still say guys like Dunn, Morel, Rios, and Beckham may have big seasons just because the Sox have a new manger. I will stand by that and am looking forward to 2012 more and more.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Jan 17, 2012 -> 08:31 AM) This Cespedes guy (or his agent) is working overtime to drive up his price. Yep and if you are trying to squeeze more money from the Sox, pointing out that cubs or Tigers are very interested would be a wise negotiation tactic.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 17, 2012 -> 08:45 AM) The problem with that thinking is that "Having to re-earn your job" can demoralize a veteran. Of course, the only one I can really think of who might have that problem on this roster is AJ. That is a great point. Obviously Konerko should not lose his job because a bad spring. But don't you think Flowers has AJ working out a little harder this off season. Maybe Ventura can find a balance between "apply for your job again" and "these are the starters". Past performance and future projections should play a role in the decision process. I think Lillibridge has earned the right to compete for a job either in the outfield or at 2b. I do not think Beckham's or De Aza's past performance or future projections necessarily makes them the automatic starter over Lillibridge. I'm not saying he is the Sox future all star 2b or outfielder. I'm just saying he has earned the right to a fair shot. If he is a utility player only, then that is what should shake out in the competition right?

I don't get why Morel would be a surprise to Soxtalk. I'm not nearly as knowledgeable as many of you when it comes to the farm system, but we saw this with Morel. He was projected to be a good hitter. He would start off at a level and suck. He would make an adjustment in the middle of the year and hit well. He would get promoted, suck, adjust, and be a good hitter again. He has figured it out and I'm very enthusiastic about Morel. Add the fact he may be even more comfortable with Ventura's new leadership who happens to be an ex-3B, this could be fun to watch. Add this guy as a sleeper along with Beckham in your fantasy league.

QUOTE (Lillian @ Jan 17, 2012 -> 05:56 AM) Everyone should have to earn their playing time, which will be a challenge for several of our players. This is why I want an open competition to let the cream rise to the top. The last several years, it was obvious that several players were getting playing time they did not deserve. There were also players who would earn the playing time and then not be allowed to start more than a couple of days in a row. That has to demoralize a team. I think Ventura, or any new manager should walk in the door with everyone on equal footing. That gives guys like Lillibridge hope and enthusiasm because he knows he has a real opportunity to win the job. It also give guys who had been the anointed starters a jolt of competitive drive to keep their jobs. I think these guys will come in motivated with a fresh attitude because of new leadership and being embarrassed by last year. Let the best man win. Let the loser know he can win the job back and will get playing time. It would only make the team better in my opinion.

Lillibridge, Beckham, DeAza Have a spring battle and let the best two play. They are big boys. Whoever finishes 3rd will still get playing time and try to earn the spot. None of them are 10 million dollar players that need to justify salary. I would argue that salary should not matter this year. Add Rios to the competition too.

QUOTE (bucket-of-suck @ Jan 15, 2012 -> 09:06 PM) Thome makes the important point that he was told "you are the DH" and he embraced it and excelled. The first thing Ventura did was tell the public Dunn will play the field more. Not good. Ventura might read that and reconsider. Ventura might be able to learn and adjust. Ozzie would just say I make the F*%#@ lineups! Then Ozzie would bat him 3rd and pinch hit him against lefties in crucial game situations. If managers had a WAR stat, Ozzie's would be -7.

Big Jim thinks Dunn is not done. He also thinks Beckham will thrive under Ventura. I agree. Thome Confident Dunn Will Rebound

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 7, 2012 -> 04:12 PM) I'm not ruling out the Sox being competitive next year...I just want you guys to realize how far away this team is right now. You are right and I am not running to Vegas to pick the Sox to win it all. I am hoping for a team that is worth watching and heading the right direction. Besides, that brings up one more reason the Sox will compete. The pressure is off and expectations are low. Under the radar again! How's that for 2012 slogan?

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 7, 2012 -> 03:16 PM) Even with that though, we've already lost some major contributions from last year's team. Between Buehrle, Quentin, and Santos, that's a full 7.5+ WAR we need to replace just to get back to where we were last year. Yeah, there are guys who can step into some of those roles...but let's be clear...we need an enormous number of improvements and adequate performances from those guys' replacements for the Sox to be able to push being competitive. I just feel several players that were considered "weak mentally" or "underachieved" will suddenly thrive under someone that is more steady and less of a macho egomaniac. I expect Beckham, Rios, Dunn, Peavy, and Morel to perform better. I expect Viciedo to have at least 80-90% of the combined production that Quentin plus his injury replacement right fielder could be expected to have. I expect Reed help the pen and somebody will come out of nowhere and step up. Look, there are many ifs that have to happen, but by the end of last year I was beyond disgusted. For me, the more changes the better! Appreciate 2005 from Ozzie. When Ozzie started hurting the team with his KW rivalry crap, I was done with him and the players had to have been demoralized by that as well. Wish I could remember which game, but for me the ultimate example of why I am happy that there is a new manager involved Dunn. Less than 2 outs and runner on third and the Sox need one to tie. Lillibridge was due up. Ozzie pinch hit Dunn who was 1. Striking out at record pace 2. Hitting well below 200 3. AGAINST a LEFTY and Dunn had ZERO hits vs. lefties. Dunn obviously struck out and that is his failure. The Sox lost and that was Ozzie's failure. What must have been going through Dunn's, Lillibridge's, and the rest of the team's minds at that point.

BOTH.

QUOTE (2nd_city_saint787 @ Jan 7, 2012 -> 02:09 PM) All it takes is getting old dunn back and I believe we compete. Ozzie and Walker gone make it very possible that several players could have improved seasons under the more stable personality and calming influence of Ventura as manager. I think Dunn could be one of those guys and I believe the Sox will compete. I'm hoping for a few more trades and a few lower key free agent signings, but I already am more optimistic now than I was at the end of the season last year.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Jan 5, 2012 -> 04:37 PM) http://t.co/QTjnG3rD Don't know who FarrellBall is but one of the comments on that site seemed to care what he thought. He at least has some sort of reputation. Interesting.

QUOTE (chw42 @ Jan 5, 2012 -> 06:02 PM) And can we please stop acquiring pitchers exclusively? I'd like to see a position player back in return. I think the Sox are much better off getting pitching prospects. I think our scouts, KW, and Cooper have a good track record for getting pitchers into our system and making them a better more valuable player. Floyd himself is a prime example. They are not nearly as good at developing young talented position players. Why not stock up on good pitchers and make them better and when you need a position player you can trade for an established major league proven player using the pitching surplus.

QUOTE (Milkman delivers @ Jan 5, 2012 -> 12:18 PM) What? I can see the Sox bringing back Boras client free agent pitcher Edwin Jackson with the the money cleared from moving Floyd and Thornton/Crain. I think KW will be able to add promising prospects from moving Floyd and replace his production with E. Jax. I think KW is beyond clearing money for JR's budget, he is clearing money to make moves now.

I don't think KW has to trade Floyd. They are going to have to give up somebody to make it worth the Sox while and they will need to outbid the other Eastern division teams. If KW does move Floyd and Crain/Thornton, I'll bet he will be in a position to spend. E Jax and Cespedes could very well be part of the Sox retool. Danks and Jackson will anchor the rotation for the next 5 years with Sale, Humber, and the best of the boatload of pitching that KW has acquired this off season. They will be set up pretty well for the future and still have a chance to win their division this year if Dunn and Rios play closer to their career averages.