Dam8610

QUOTE (SonofaRoache @ Oct 2, 2017 -> 06:07 PM) Guys remember, this season was the easy one as a fan. We knew we were gonna suck and wanted to lose on purpose for a top pick, so it felt like we were winning. This season was also exciting because it was the teardown and waiting for big trades got us through it. I'm telling you guys now, next season is gonna be not so fun. We will see progress but in terms of excitement we wont have as much anticipation. That being said, this will be a wild card team in 2019 and a Champion in 2020! Next season is a no lose as well. Developmental struggles mean a higher draft pick, and if things go as well developmentally next year as they did this year, we may have an outside shot at a Wild Card and a team that flirts with .500 all year, clearly indicating that they'll be ready to take the next step in 2019. Beyond next year is when anxiety may set in, but I have about the same level of expectations for the 2018 team as I did for the 2017 team.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Oct 2, 2017 -> 11:59 AM) Yep. The Q trade with the cubs has eased my irritation with the Astros and the 6+ month long square dance of rumors. I give credit to the Astros for holding out to keep their most cherished prospects while eventually getting the front line starter they had been seeking. In fact, I appreciate the course they took because it helped the Sox land Eloy whom I would take over any Astros prospect. In the end it worked out best for both teams. The Astros teased the White Sox (and by extension, us) for months, only to bail the Tigers out of Verlander's contract. I know it worked out better for both teams, and Eloy is better than anything the Astros had to offer, but I still don't like what the Astros did, especially bailing the Tigers out.

QUOTE (ChiSox59 @ Oct 2, 2017 -> 11:58 AM) Yah, but he wants it from fangraphs. I don't necessarily blame him, we have some decent coin on the bet. He says that the numbers I am using to calculate it are also rounded, so it could change. Potentially true, but probably not enough to get it over 3.5. Basically we're just trying to find the number out two or three decimal places from fangraphs. Not sure if possible or not. The simple way to deal with that is to calculate all the inputs. Then there can be no dispute. That said, if the original calculation was 3.482, all of the rounding error would need to be in his favor to get to 3.500.

QUOTE (ChiSox59 @ Oct 2, 2017 -> 11:30 AM) Can someone with Fangraphs subscription do me a quick favor? I had a bet with a buddy on Byron Buxton's fWAR being under 3.5. The website only publishes the number to the 1st decimal, at least to non-subscribers, and guess what...it landed right at 3.5. I did the actual math and came up wit 3.482, but I'd like to confirm with Fangraphs (seems I should be able to get it taken out one decimal place..it is definitely rounded on the website). Do they publish the numbers past the 10th decimal for subscribers? Any other idea on how I could confirm? Thanks in advance for any suggestions! If you did the calculation, isn't that the proof your friend is requiring?

For the goal of the season, development of the talented youth on the team and in the minors, it was a great season. Most players met or exceeded expectations in that department, and this was the most enjoyable 95 loss season I could imagine, because of how bright the future looks at the end of it.

QUOTE (Sockin @ Oct 2, 2017 -> 11:22 AM) It's up and has us taking Nander De Sadas. FWIW Seth Beer is not taken in the first round in this mock. http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/mlb-m...8kCe5FhhRobK.97 I know nothing about him other than he looks the part in the video, but I'd prefer if there was a star college hitter that represented good value available at that pick. If they did draft a high schooler, what would a reasonable ML ETA be?

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Sep 30, 2017 -> 03:26 PM) Sale vs Verlander for game one in Houston. Go Sale!

QUOTE (greg775 @ Sep 29, 2017 -> 07:18 PM) If Sox got this guy to go with this year's No. 2 draft pick and next year's No. 1 pick, that's a LOT of projected superstars. However, the fact Rodon and Fulmer do not look like locks to be superstars shows the tenuousness of the draft. But I digress. The Sox should try to get this guy IMO. I'd rather use him as an everday player, though. It goes back to the days of Babe Ruth. You are more valuable as an everday player than pitcher. He seems to really want the chance to do both, and I think the team that lands him will be one that presents him with that opportunity. The White Sox are in prime position to try it.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 29, 2017 -> 01:37 PM) The top 4 have superstar potential. I don't see that in the rest of the top 5. There are going to be some really good players in the rest of the list, but none of them have those kind of ceilings. If Collins can bring an elite bat and average defense to the C position, he has 6+ WAR per year potential.

QUOTE (bmags @ Sep 29, 2017 -> 01:36 PM) The Collins improved at D stuff hasn't really come from anyone other than the white sox. Haven't seen a good report by any prospect source. He may be fine there, but it's still a question mark. Longenhagen from Fangraphs listed him on a list of players he felt would stick at C. Considering he got Schwarber comps on draft day, that sounds like marked improvement to me.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 29, 2017 -> 01:15 PM) That is pretty reasonable. With three of the top guys graduating, it does open up more spots than I was thinking. I agree those are our top 4, and there is a pretty clear gulf between Hansen and whoever is #5 right now. #5 probably does make sense TBH. But still, the fact that we are going to make a top 5 pick and they will be still rated that low is pretty crazy. Gulf? I don't know, Collins put up solid offensive numbers in AA and supposedly improved his defense by leaps and bounds to the point that some think he can stick at C. Dane Dunning also had a pretty good year.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 29, 2017 -> 12:26 PM) While Avi improved across the board, the jump that really stands out is what he did against LHP this season. His career numbers are .309 .363 .455 .818. This year he put up .427 .457 .580 1.037. The other thing is that while everyone was thinking his hot start was a fluke, he has actually gotten better as the season has gone on, and not worse. 1st half .310 .353 .497 .850, 2nd half .360 .416 .526 .942. I have no idea how sustainable anything is, but I found those two things really interesting. I think the uptick in production can be explained by a 9.4% BB rate and 18% K rate in the 2nd half. If he can maintain those numbers, 4 WAR RF is a legitimate possibility for him moving forward.

Nick Madrigal appears to be high in everyone's rankings and has drawn comps to Altuve and Pedroia. He seems to be the type of player the new Sox evaluation system would value very highly.

QUOTE (GermanSock @ Sep 29, 2017 -> 11:07 AM) There is no guarantee but a guy like bryant or correa definitely helps if you want to win a championship and you are most likely to get such a player at one or two. I'm not saying the Sox can't make it but most of the teams who succeeded in that full rebuild thing have drafted a superstar hitter (astros - correa, cubs - bryant, nats - harper). The Sox currently lack such a hitter, maybe moncada, Robert or jiminez can become that but that is speculation. Now you can win a championships without that 6 war player (Royals) but it definitely is easier if you have that guy. Moncada, Jimenez, and Robert (not to mention Rodon, Kopech, and Hansen) all have the potential to be that player, and all are already in the system. I hope the Top 5 pick the Sox get in this upcoming draft adds to that list.

QUOTE (soxforlife05 @ Sep 29, 2017 -> 04:57 AM) Nope it was specifically issues with his delivery which has not changed. From what I remember it was why he fell from 1st overall. He was clearly the most talented and major league ready starter at the top of that draft. The issues everyone had with his delivery, though, were related to his ability to have good or even average control. I don't remember anything about potential injuries from his mechanics, and I think he's answered the criticisms related to control in the time he has been healthy. I hope this surgery resolves any issues and he can come back and be the dominant TOR starter that the White Sox need and that he's shown the potential to be.

QUOTE (ChiSoxJon @ Sep 29, 2017 -> 08:40 AM) Sounded like Hahn will start to discuss extensions in the middle of '18, with obviously only interest to extend Abreu and Garcia Abreu is the leader of this team and can still hopefully produce 2-4 more high level years, with him being a UFA in '20 there is 0 need to extend him now Garcia, just 26, still has to repeat success to show '17 wasn't a fluke, but I'd be thrilled with him as the long term RFer if he can prove that Next year's OD lineup of SS Anderson, 2B Moncada, 1B Abreu, RF Garcia, LF Delmonico, DH Davidson, 3B Sanchez, C Smith, and CF Leury looks like they can surprise a lot of people, especially in a weaker division...Not to mention the probable call-ups of LF Jimenez and C Collins next year along with CF Robert, 3B/1B Burger in '19 Next year's success in the W column really relies on pitching, which is off to a bad start with Rodon likely missing a month or so, but the rotation starting off '18 should feature Giolito, Fulmer, Lopez, and Shields (along with a cheap vet FA) with Rodon coming back in May and Kopech up in the summer 19's rotation should be Kopech, Rodon, Giolito, Lopez, and Hansen thus setting up '19 to be a major year and start of dominance for the ChiTown Sox I hope things play out that way. If they do, signing Machado in the '18-'19 offseason makes a ton of sense.

QUOTE (Greg Hibbard @ Sep 27, 2017 -> 12:20 PM) What do we think of the sample size though? Is it large enough to draw those conclusions? Considering he's 22 and performed similarly through the minors, I think it's safe to say he'll be there or better for a good chunk of his career.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 27, 2017 -> 12:00 PM) At this point two years ago people would have laughed if you would have said Hansen would have made it to our 1st pick, let alone our 3rd. And he's showing why now.

QUOTE (Greg Hibbard @ Sep 27, 2017 -> 11:50 AM) In what year do you think we see our next good team? That depends on your definition of good. I think this team with the right FA additions could compete for a Wild Card in 2019 and be in serious contention for the division from 2020 on. In the highly unlikely scenario that everyone hits their ceilings, we could be looking at a multiple World Series winner throughout the 2020s.

QUOTE (Greg Hibbard @ Sep 27, 2017 -> 11:42 AM) The pieces that will be here haven't proven they can take walks. Tim Anderson is one of the only ones we know WILL be here, and he's arguably the worst at it. Again, Moncada walks at a nearly 13% clip, which would be the 20th best rate in the league if he qualified.

I'd just like to add that Moncada walks at a nearly 13% clip as a 22 year old. According to Fangraphs, that leaves him with 4 years on a normal aging curve to improve his BB% and reduce his K%. Meanwhile, the top qualifier walks at a 19% rate, while the #20 qualifier has the exact same walk rate as Moncada. I'm sure he'll be fine moving forward.

Basically the Sox are picking 4th unless they go 0-5 and one of the top 3 win 2.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 21, 2017 -> 04:24 PM) http://meadowparty.com/blog/2017/09/21/klawchat-92117/ Brent: Do you think Seth Beer’s bat will play well enough to make him a high 1st round pick? Keith Law: Probably. Has to put up another big statistical year, but he’s done that before. The being bad with wood bats is highly concerning with him.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 22, 2017 -> 01:32 PM) While greg is off in gregland, I am curious what the rest of Soxtalk thinks of this off-season as it relates to Avi. Extend Trade Play it out If trade is your first choice, how little of a return would you be OK with in a trade of Garcia? I think you have to take an approach that leaves all options open. Go into the offseason willing to listen to and even make offers for trades, and if you don't find the value you're looking for, play him in 2018 and see if this is a fluke or legitimate. If it's legitimate, the option of shopping him comes open again, and if you yet again don't find the value you're looking for, look into extending him. At that point he'll have nearly 2 seasons of being a 3+ WAR RF under his belt, so a 3-4 year extension with options wouldn't be the worst thing ever. Of course if he fails, any move but a trade will be questioned and scrutinized.

It would be helpful for the Giants, Phillies, and Tigers to all go 5-4 in their last 9. Then the #1 pick would only require 4-6.