GreenSox

QUOTE (StrykerSox @ Sep 17, 2016 -> 02:19 PM) Saladino has had an 18 game hot streak (OPS of .935 in that span). Before that, he was at a .674 OPS. That puts him dead last among qualified MLB 2Bs. Now at .738, there are only five MLB two-baggers below him (Phillips, Gennett, Panik, Utley and Harrison). Let's not act like Saladino is some proven hitter who can only be prevented from starting at second next year by the acquisition of Moncada or better. He's had a nice 18 games, but he's been BAD for most of his career. If regular Tyler (as in the player we've seen for 88% of his career) shows up and he's a starter, we are going to sink hard. That's all fine, but Lawrie, the "proven veteran", had a OPS of .723 before he went down. how does that stack up? And the year before it was .706. Saladino is also a very good defender and can play all infield positions. No Saladino isn't an all star level player...but he also in his 2nd year. And it's not like the Sox have someone better. Further, they have much greater deficits compared to the rest of the league at other positions, like CF.

The Sox need a CF who can hit. Yes, there are more RF available for next season, which is probably one of the reasons why Eaton is back in CF (in addition to not wanting Shuck in the lineup as Ventura/Hahn "go for it" in September). They can sign a platoon hitter like Reddick and Hahn will lecture that he's "elite" (just like he did with Frazier and Samardzija). But Eaton leads the league in RF defense - finally a massive plus output - moving him is just more of the silliness.

I like Saladino but more power and more walks would help a lot. I like Sanchez too. Sox would have been better off just using those 2 all year v. Lawrie. They can trade Lawrie, but won't get much; yea they didn't give much, but some occasional positive arbitrage out of his FO would be nice.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Sep 16, 2016 -> 11:00 PM) Sale wasn't going to come out. Case closed. He'd have thrown the tantrum of all time. But you are right. .500 probably saves Robin. I don't know if it saves him or not, but it's pretty obvious that's what Ventura is trying to do. Development is usually the priority for non contenders in September. It's not even an afterthought for this organization. And Hahn hasn't done a thing to change it, so he obviously sanctions this behavior. It's not just Sale going 119 (he's throwing Q and Rodon like that too). As for tantrums, who's running this operation? Sale? And they're going to reach .500 - probably a little above.

119 pitches for Sale. Got get 'em Ventura and Rick Hahn. Play the starters...you get get to .500 and save your jobs. I think I can, I think I can.

If the penalty is really 30 days in September, well, that's no penalty...it's an incentive to cheat.

I wouldn't be so quick to get rid of Robertson (if "going for it"). He's not great, but he has the stones to close and can usually close out a 9th. The pen outside of Jones is mediocre, so they need another late inning guy. Maybe that's Burdi. Petricka and Putnam (Putnam has some stuff, at least) were no better than average, so their return won't help or hurt. But Beck and Kahnle may be good enough to fill middle relief by next year. They'll need a lefty. Shouldn't be hard to find. But don't chase veteran middle relievers....fools game.

Not one bench player used all night. The Sox should have an alchemy night at he ball park next year.

QUOTE (Lillian @ Sep 14, 2016 -> 01:46 PM) 1.) Quintana 2.) Rodon 3.) Rodriguez 4.) Gonzalez 5.) Shields Rodon is not a #2 (a 3 or a 4), Gonzalez is a #5 and Shields shouldn't be anywhere near a major league rotation (and with a FO that was merely competent and lived in the real world, he wouldn't haven't been within 1500 miles of the White Sox rotation). QUOTE (b-Rye @ Sep 14, 2016 -> 08:57 PM) No reason to rebuild unless they do another half as build around the core. They need more power, speed, and serious depth. All the minor injuries opened many black holes And they're still only 4 games under. Hell just James shields/Matt albers have officially lost 16 games, given up 116 runs in 136 ip combined. True, but this FO actually traded for James Shields, despite clear evidence that he had nothing left. They created their own demise. Hahn's eye for talent (especially veteran talent) is laughably bad, but at least he has a scout at his side who's pretty good at evaluating young players. Thus I support some sort of rebuild.

Well, another blowout game-this one against us. Let's see if Ventura and Hahn can exit fantasy land for a moment and play a call-up.

Lawrie's numbers aren't even that noticeably better- and Saladino has yet to have a full season starting and improved a lot in his second semi-season. I'd like to see Leury get work in September. He could really be the super sub ( OF and IF) if he could hit a little, which he finally did this season in AAA. Pitching is thinner out in Sep so numbers are inflated (just as they are for Sox starters who can suddenly hit) but it will give the team an idea.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Sep 13, 2016 -> 07:57 PM) Teams don't usually sit their starting players. In September, they certainly do. Ventura refuses to let them bat. Heck, he couldn't get these guys an at bat in a blowout game like tonight. Hahn and Ventura operate in a different dimension dissociated with reality. People actually asking whether Ventura has save his job is highly suggestive that, indeed, this is about inflating win totals in garbage time. the question about saving his job should also be asked about Hahn.

Will Cooper be back? They aren't really making a serious effort if Hahn's folly, Shields, is part of the rotation.

I just don't understand the philosophy of Ventura and Hahn to not empty the bench for these September games. They continue to play starters heavily in meaningless games. Eaton plays CF for whatever reason and the young guys sit. It's time for development. I can see Ventura being desperate and trying to inflate his win total. But Hahn, is either similarly desperate or too weak-kneed to do anything about it.

QUOTE (Scoots @ Sep 11, 2016 -> 01:49 PM) Yeah but you really don't need more than one "stud" hitter. Look at the 05 team. Konerko was the stud hitter on that team, Jermaine Dye would be next but idk if he is "stud" worthy. Who would be next? Crede? Iguchi? AJ? They weren't stud hitters either when they were in their prime. Thing is, need Abreu to be Konerko-esque in terms of hitting ALL YEAR, not just in August, September. Dye was studly that year. Also had above average hitting at a number of spots. Also team hit a ton of homers. No stiffs in the outfield trying to play D. Super starting and relief pitching. We had a lot of career pitching years come together.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Sep 10, 2016 -> 08:49 PM) Why is Ventura managing all of a sudden like it's the 7th game in the World Series? Good question. Someone needs to remind him that this is September garbo time - a whole bench who should get at bats and experience. Hahn is either too weak-kneed to do anything about it....or he shares Ventura's desperation to reach .500 (because .500 certainly isn't a goal that affects the org. one way or the other). As for comments re Saladino, no over-reaction. He's not great - he's just as good as Lawrie, with less experience and more room to grow. That's not a high bar - Lawrie has never been much.

QUOTE (Jerksticks @ Sep 10, 2016 -> 09:49 AM) Infield arguably set: 3B: Frazier- Set in stone SS: Anderson- Set in stone 2B: Saladino- Gamer, start him 1B: Abreu- Set in stone C: Narvaez- Earning it, walk rate incredible, see how year finishes BN: Leury- Owned AAA this year, gives good speed and defense, has a little pop BN: Lawrie- Plus plus bench piece BN: Avila- Or someone similar, but I like the option for clutch LH ABs since he can walk Outfield is where the work has to be done: LF: Major Acquisition- Cespedes @ 30M CF: Defense first guy- Maybe Tilson until Engel is ready RF: Eaton set in stone BN: May- Is his D great? BN: Avi for FO pride DH: Melky, who can spell OF corners I think if the FO focuses on a major, punishing OF bat the Sox will be competitive. Not as worried about C and CF since it's too hard to find Trouts n Poseys. Still a lot of holes Can start with Frazier "set in stone". He's okay, nothing more. No real stud hitters except a good Abreu.

117 pitches in garbo time. Fantasy land. As a founding member of the Saladino fan club, he's turning into a solid player and is a better player than Lawrie, who should be moved this offseason

QUOTE (lasttriptotulsa @ Sep 8, 2016 -> 06:33 PM) Alexei was a 4 fWAR player in his prime. Give the guy some more credit. He was a damn fine ballplayer. He was a very good player for 4 seasons or so. But right now, I think TA is playing as well as AR ever did. I think he can get better and, hopefully, sustain it. I've said before, to the lament of some, I would be disappointed if he's not better than Alexei. I'm not and doubt I will be. Now part of that, admittedly, is that when you draft raw high school players, you will have a high washout rate- unavoidable. So when one develops, I want them to develop big.

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Sep 8, 2016 -> 03:31 PM) That's a very optimistic claim but we'll see. He can hit for a higher average than Alexei, walk at a similarly low rate, hit for maybe a little less power, but defensively, Alexei will probably edge Anderson. Hope I'm proved wrong Alexei had 5 seasons with OPS >.700 and exactly 1 > .750. Besting Alexei isn't the highest of bars, and I have little doubt that he will shortly be better than Alexei ever was, if he isn't already.

QUOTE (Wanne @ Aug 27, 2016 -> 05:38 PM) doubtful...as the "all in" approach will continue next year also. Plus...you won't get the return you'd need for either guy. If the FO develops some finesse, skill and savvy, they could trade both of those guys (and some others) and strengthen the club for next year and the future. Neither is exactly a necessity for a winning team. But, they usually do he obvious and clunky.

QUOTE (Lillian @ Sep 8, 2016 -> 05:19 PM) That tandem would consist of two left handed hitters. Is that a good idea? Whom might the Sox use for a right handed hitter? I don't see the big deal. Sox always seem on the lookout for left handed bats anyway. both are competent catchers...that's a leg up on where we have been and won't preclude this team actually winning (if the rest of the club is up to spiff).

QUOTE (WhiteSoxLifer @ Sep 8, 2016 -> 01:31 PM) Tim Anderson is 10th among shortstops with 7 Defensive Runs Saved and he's 12th in UZR. https://t.co/BEx5q8oYb1 https://twitter.com/CSNHayes/status/773909710701404161 http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-white-so...ive-improvement There were reports during his last year in the minors that his D was rapidly improving. Glad to see it has continued in the majors.

Narvaez plus a health Avila would be fine, going for it or not. It's the healthy Avila that is the big if.

Well, I wouldn't do a winter rebuild anyway and prices are better in July. So sign a CF and a relief pitcher; re-sign Avila and pray he stays healthy. Find an arm for the bullpen. Maybe re-sign Morneau. Absolutely no trades of young players for veterans - that kind of silly stuff from Williams and Hahn has kept the Sox on the 75-80 win treadmill; if you can find a trade for a young player, take it. Take it easy on the staff (113 pitches for Q?) and on Jones and Robertson in September. See what Beck, Ynoa and Kahnle have...all have had moments but no consistency. And if we suck in July 2017, don't take a nap this time, but sell.