South Side Fireworks Man

What's Robin going to do about Navarro? Nothing?

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Aug 4, 2016 -> 08:14 PM) Avi for CF 2017 Actually with Tilson out and Austin Jackson apparently not coming back soon I would just start Avi in CF every game from here on out. Keep Eaton in RF where he excels and see how Avi does in center. I've heard some people claim that center field is actually easier to play for a lot of outfielders that struggle in the corners as long as they have the speed to cover the ground from gap to gap. Avi certainly struggles in RF and one thing he does have is speed. What could it hurt? At this point what's the difference if he's a butcher in RF or in CF?

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Aug 4, 2016 -> 07:39 PM) Interestingting http://southside.locals.baseballprospectus...ar-it-all-down/ Meanwhile, again in stark contrast, the White Sox continue to surround their core with few talented players and, unfortunately, a large number of black holes. The White Sox operate as a team with no margin for error, but any reasonable organization would understand there’s inevitably going to be something that goes wrong for your team (apparently the year 2005 was an exception). Because the White Sox operate this way, they can’t afford things like losing Austin Jackson and Alex Avila for extended periods of time. That’s insane, especially when you consider that most contending organizations wouldn’t even employ these guys as starters to begin with.The White Sox shouldn’t need to rebuild right now, instead they need to actually attempt to put good players around their already excellent core. I agree with this. The Sox always seem to half ass everything. They can win with this core but it's going to take JR getting out the checkbook and outbidding everyone for a some bona fide star players and taking on some big contracts of good players from other teams. If JR would up the team payroll to over $170M next year, and bring in a new coaching staff, the Sox could be competitive. That's the position he and his front office put this organization in. If he's not willing to spend that kind of money then they will have to risk trading Sale for a bunch of near ready prospects and hope most of them make it.

I wish we could keep Morneau for next year.

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Aug 3, 2016 -> 06:29 PM) Wondered what the medical call was on that. I wouldn't mind seeing Morneau back in 2017 But I thought he might be able to play ibcevib awhilevin the field I would think if he would just take it easy going for balls in the stands or near the dugout he would be OK. Of course there's always a risk, but I would think the risk of something happening playing 1B would be much lower than batting or running the bases.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 3, 2016 -> 06:23 PM) With his concussion history? Probably not the best idea. Why? If he can go to the plate and risk getting hit by a fastball what's the greater risk of playing 1B?

QUOTE (fathom @ Aug 3, 2016 -> 06:19 PM) Abreu is turning into one of the worst defensive players the Sox have had in a long time Can't Morneau play 1B once in a while?

QUOTE (Chris Sale @ Aug 3, 2016 -> 05:45 PM) 2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K I like this approach a lot better than "pitching to contact" Maybe he told Coop to go f*** himself.

QUOTE (flavum @ Aug 3, 2016 -> 04:54 PM) Something I heard last night that I didn't know...Brian Downing made his debut May 31, 1973. Came in on defense at 3B in the 7th inning for Melton. One pitch. Hurt his leg. Came back a couple months later. First major league hit was a homer off Mickey Lolich. Then had a 20 year career. I remember both of those things. Brian Downing was a favorite of mine and I think he was a very underrated player.

QUOTE (Lip Man 1 @ Aug 3, 2016 -> 03:22 PM) The biggest issue over and above the health of the kid is the realization the Sox will have no idea heading into the off season if he can produce or not. That impacts if they feel they need to get a center fielder. When it rains, it pours. Mark They need a center fielder. Trust me.

I knew it was bad when I saw it happen. Tough break for the kid. I hope he doesn't lose some of his speed as it seems to be his best tool.

QUOTE (flavum @ Aug 2, 2016 -> 08:12 PM) The guy threw a fastball down the middle with a 7-run lead. Avi still sucks, Hawk. LOL Hawk said Avi is a five tool player and he still has a chance to make it. All he has to do is continue to listen to Todd Steverson. Say goodnight, Hawk!

Maybe the Tigers will trade for Avi.

I'd rather see the Sox win a few more games this season than have them lose to get a higher draft pick only to have them pick another Carson Fulmer.

QUOTE (ronkark @ Aug 2, 2016 -> 07:12 PM) It's not Charlie Tilson's fault we traded for him. For a team mired in mediocrity, the definition of a trade to keep them there is trade a lefty reliever when we have no one to replace him in exchange for a guy whose ceiling is 4th outfielder according to scouts. And then we're left still needing a lefty reliever next year too. He makes us worse this year and potentially next. That said, he was all I had to be excited about the rest of the season. And yes I feel bad he's hurt and hope it's not bad. BUT when they say the question for him is his hit tool, and then he takes a joke of a read on a fly ball igniting a SIX run inning. Then follows it up with again taking an awkward closure on a ball and jumping awkwardly, well let's just say a smooth fielder he is not. Yes it's one half of one game but a pretty awful fielding debut. And where does that leave us? Having to watch Avi Garcia continue to play. UN-WATCHABLE. This is troubling. When they first made the trade I read scouting reports that he was just an average defender and a ground ball hitter. Later I read that Sox scouts said he was a line drive hitter and a "terrific fielder." This brings flashbacks of Hahn declaring Rob Mackowiak "can really play some centerfield" or him thinking Avi Garcia could be a star centerfielder. I want to believe Tilson is going to be a solid ballplayer but from what we just saw I hope it's not another White Sox scouting failure/talent mis-evaluation.

I wonder if Morneau would want to stay with the Sox. It would be a shame for the Sox to pay to rehabilitate him in a lost season only to see him sign elsewhere and resume tormenting the Sox in another uniform.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Aug 2, 2016 -> 06:57 PM) What happened to Tilson and how bad did it look? While chasing down a ball to right center his leg gave out. Stone said it looked like a hamstring. To me it looked like he tore up his ankle. I think Hawk thought he hyperextended his knee. Not sure exactly but it looked pretty bad to me. They had to help him off the field.

QUOTE (fathom @ Aug 2, 2016 -> 06:53 PM) At least he's a power hitter than doesn't rely on his speed Let's hope he doesn't lose a step. Looks like a serious injury to me. Hope I'm wrong.

I doubt we see Tilson for the rest of the year.

I don't believe this

Nice way to start for Tilson - base hit up the middle.

QUOTE (Thad Bosley @ Aug 1, 2016 -> 08:41 PM) Why would we! Just re-up with Austin Jackson!

QUOTE (ChiSox59 @ Aug 1, 2016 -> 08:38 PM) Spending a boat load of money on Josh Reddick is not wise. Yeah, let's just half ass it again. Don't rebuild, just surround Sale, Q and Eaton with JB Shucks, Avi Garcias and Kahnles. We can always see where we're at in July and decide whether to add or sell at the deadline.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Aug 1, 2016 -> 08:14 PM) Worth noting that one of the better free agents (Reddick) got traded so no QO can be offered. Sox need to outbid everyone for him this offseason. No excuses not to spend money if they try to claim they are going for it in 2017.

QUOTE (Lip Man 1 @ Aug 1, 2016 -> 06:19 PM) Thought this deserved its own thread for discussion purposes. Why watch / listen / care the final two months especially since an influx of young talent isn't coming in and these guys are out of the pennant race? I'm curious to read what others think. I can think of only two possible reasons: 1. Chris Sale - Can he win 20 games, can he win the Cy Young. A month ago I would have said both are slam dunk's...now? I don't know. 2. Can the Sox finish with a winning season for the first time since 2013? Three under right now and another tough stretch of games coming up. I don't think they can. In fact they may win fewer games then in 2015 when all is said and done. I think they'll finish six to eight under. Fourth straight losing year and seventh in the last 10. So...why watch / listen / care? Mark I give two s***s whether Sale wins 20 or not. I'd like to see the Sox win every game from here on out. But since they're not likely to even play over .500 the rest of the way, I'll be watching with interest to see Tilson play. I hope he turns into something good. Otherwise I'll probably lose interest if he proves to be another one of the Sox misevaluations.