spiderman

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Apr 14, 2013 -> 10:46 AM) There are only three players on the current roster who are important to a rebuild. Sale, Quintana, and Santiago. Danks is fourth on the list because of his contract. Realize Viciedo is a bust, keep Konerko through a rebuild if you want, doesn't matter and do with the rest of the roster what you will. Deal by deadline: Peavy, Rios, De Aza, Floyd, Reed, Crain. I don't think Quintana and Santiago are anything more than parts. Yes, both may have solid/good future's, and cheaper priced guys are needed to balance the payroll, so in no means, am I saying that they should be traded, but I'm cautious to say that these are building blocks either. If the White Sox tank, everyone outside of Chris Sale are up for discussion, and I probably would be willing to deal guys like Peavy/Rios on a team going nowhere if (espeically in Peavy's case) if they can bring back 1 or 2 minor league prospects who can contribute in 2014 while at the same time, freeing up payroll. Let's face it - the minor league system's lack of talent is eventually going to catch up to an aging major league roster, and free agency shouldn't be a primary method of acuiring talent. If the Sox were to tank this season, think of it as more of a chance to get Santiago in the rotation so that next season, the rotation remains fairly solid with Sale/Danks/Quintana/Santiago and some other minor league option. Offensively is where the Sox need to start adding young pieces who can get on base, and it may take guys like Peavy/Floyd/Rios to do that.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Apr 11, 2013 -> 07:53 AM) They've also faced Shields, Felix, Iwakuma, Gonzalez, and Zimmerman, as well as Jeremy Guthrie who may as well be Christy Mathewson against the White Sox. They've faced some really, really good pitching. The fact that they're 4-4 is, quite frankly, a surprise in its own right. That is a good point although 2 of the 3 teams that they have played (although the Royals have dominated the White Sox and many like them as a sleeper) our teams that most people on this board probably see as inferior to the White Sox. Also, in 8 or 9 games, every team has seen a #1 or #2 now in about half of those games, although the quality of some team's top starters in not always high.

QUOTE (flavum @ Apr 11, 2013 -> 07:49 AM) I'll give you that. But the fear that this team just makes too many outs to be a serious contender haven't been disproved yet. I like to evaluate the team every 27 games. We'll see where we are at the end of the month. Over the course of a season, though, there are too many hitters (Viceido, Keppinger, Ramirez, Beckham and Flowers) who just aren't likely to get on base as much as the offense will need to to operate without being overly dependent on home runs, which this team will certainly hit a good share of. There are older players as well in this lineup (Konerko, Dunn) who may begin a slow decline so I think there's a ton of pressure on the pitching staff to hold opposing teams down. Barring health issues, I do expect the top 3 (Sale, Peavy and Floyd) do hold up with some blemishes, but the bottom of that rotation could be a gas can. It's hard for me to see how this team out-performs last year's without unexpected play from some of the offense and the backend of the pitching staff surprising me (I do like the bullpen a lot). I see this team finishing somewhere in the 80 win area.

QUOTE (SOXOBAMA @ Jan 19, 2013 -> 05:56 PM) Our pen looks very solid. The pitching staff, barring any other moves, is pretty much set. S1: Chris Sale S2: Jake Peavy S3: Gavin Floyd S4: John Danks S5: Jose Quintana S6: Hector Santiago Closer - Addison Reed Setup - Matt Thornton and Jessie Crain Middle Innings - Matt Lindstrom and Nate Jones Lefty Specialist - Donny Veal It's possible that Hector Santiago could also end up in the bullpen, but that could depend on the health of John Danks. Santiago has a lot of value and importance on this roster. As mentioned, he could be Danks' fill-in to open the season. If Danks is ready out of the gate, the White Sox still have to watch his innings as well as everyone else on that staff. Outside of Floyd (who did have his own issues last season), there's a cause of concern for everyone. I don't think they open with a 6 man rotation, but we could see it at times during the season or at least Santiago maybe giving a starter an extra turn of rest. As for the bullpen, there's probably 1 spot left, and it's probably another long reliever type. Lindstrom and Jones are both possible setup guys as well, so a very deep pitching staff is the obvious strength on this team

QUOTE (TomSeaverFan @ Dec 31, 2012 -> 09:53 PM) What a great gesture. I hope Flowers is ready to take the next step to greatness. That's the only way losing AJ will be acceptable to me. I'm convinced Sox fans will give AJ a great reception in the Cell next season, such a well deserved standing ovation it will be. I'd settle for just being average, or, not being bad (offensively). Defensively, I think he'll be an upgrade.

QUOTE (Vance Law @ Dec 29, 2012 -> 09:16 PM) Kubel seems to make pretty good sense to me based on who's available. No reason why there's not room for him. If none of them got injured at all (very unlikely) and playing time was split exactly evenly between Konerko, Dunn, Rios, De Aza, Viciedo, and Kubel, that would be 135 starts per player. How is Kubel defensively? If we're looking at another DH log-jam, I'd rather avoid giving up pitching help for a team of DH's.

QUOTE (pittshoganerkoff @ Dec 28, 2012 -> 02:23 PM) Right, which is why I said he could be traded as part of a package. If Hahn swings some deal to acquire an infielder and needs to move someone, Beckham could be a throw in along with Floyd and Thornton for example. In the long run, however, I think it's more likely an outfielder gets traded, and we will be watching Beckham struggle at the plate again. I could live with Beckham for another season if he hits 18-20 HR and plays great defense. Yes, his .240 average, or less, would be hard to take, but he's still young enough I'd rather exhaust every opportunity with him and walk away knowing he was given every last doubt than moving him for nothing.

QUOTE (chisox2334 @ Dec 28, 2012 -> 04:08 PM) white sox could of just singed aj back if we were going the route of getting berkman Just don't see the point of adding Berkman if that means having one poor OF on the field, and creating a log jam at 1B/DH.

As much as I don't like the lineup, I think I'd be tempted to go into spring training keeping the pitching staff as strong as it could possibly be. If Gavin Floyd is the #3 or #4 starter, depending on John Danks health and production, that's a pretty strong rotation, and given the questions that will remain about Peavy lasting a long season, Sale piling up innings on his arm, Danks coming back from injury, and Quintana possibly turning into a gas can, I think keeping Floyd is pretty important in the middle of that rotation despite him being inconsistent from start to start. This rotation has the potential to be amongst the best in baseball if health is assumed. Add a guy like Santiago to the mix as an occasional 6th starter which I don't put past the White Sox doing for stretches to keep everyone as fresh as possible and it's a very deep rotation. Now, saying all that, Floyd is a free agent after the season, and the White Sox will eventually have to give Sale more money. Peavy and Danks are both making big money. They probably do need to balance out the rotation, and Floyd can return a solid prospect in return or be used to strengthen the major league team. It does make sense to move him for something rather than eventually lose him for nothing - this can also be done at the trading deadline, but I think they can get more from him now, considering a team would get him for an entire season at a reasonable cost rather than 8 or 9 late season starts.

It's obviously a lineup with 4 or 5 holes, but, as has been said, I think we'll still see 1-2 of those holes be filled (or attempted to).

Barring any trades, I don't see the urgency to spend any additional money on the bullpen: Closer: Addison Reed Late inning setup: Matt Thornton, Nate Jones and Jessie Crain Lefty specialist: Donny Veal That leaves 2 spots - Hector Santiago, should they decide to keep him in the bullpen, which may be unlikely, if he doesn't earn a starting job, could be one of these two spots, but, almost guaranteed, that one of these spots will be for a long-relief option so that could be a battle, if not Santiago, then for Axelrod and few others. If they end up being short one guy, and are in contention, they can probably find another middle reliever without giving up the farm.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 26, 2012 -> 11:40 AM) So letting a 35 year old catcher walk is the Sox being cheap, but replacing a 37 year old 1B with a 34 year old 1B on a longer term deal is prudent? Ok. I don't think the White Sox are in the market for any more 1B types with Dunn/Konerko hanging around. I'm fairly sure there will be a significant move made in the next few weeks, whether we like the move is another story, but I think Hahn may just prove to be a bit more patient in finding what he considers his best trading partner, and with the payroll pretty stretched as it is, it's probably causing him to think outside the box as well.

QUOTE (chisox2334 @ Dec 20, 2012 -> 08:01 PM) white sox are about the future and not about now. I think it's tough to do both. TB seems to have figured it out, keeping a pretty low payroll, but consistently bringing in young talent to replace veteran players. The White Sox farm system has given the major league team Sale, Beckham, and then guys from other systems in trades...Flowers, Quintana, De Aza, Danks, Floyd(if you consider him a Sox prospect), but they do need more of their home grown talent to be productive for their if for no other reason than to balance the payroll. I say it's tough to do both because the White Sox have had to trade what young talent they've had to try to compete at the major league level, and their payroll, while pretty respectable, has been sort of locked of late because of lot of money is going to a 1/3 of the payroll overall. When there's more flexibility, both in payroll and a better minor league system, the Sox will find it easier to do both, for now, they seem to be a slighly above average MLB team with a very bad minor league system - to me, that's not doing either well.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Dec 20, 2012 -> 11:33 PM) He's still considered one of the best LH relievers in the game. He has alot of value and I expect contending teams on paper to call for him very soon. I see us getting A or AA talent in return. I don't think the return will be much more than shedding salary though.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Dec 20, 2012 -> 11:32 PM) 7.5 million is not close to what the Sox would have paid if they could have gotten him on the cheap. I honestly see that money going towards one of the trade target's contracts. If we unloaded more players during last season I would have expected us to sign Saunders as they tried to acquire him last season. Now I assume after we unload Floyd we are going to reinvest in the pen/OF What are are the White Sox looking to do in the trade market? Any names being rumored? Any positions?

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Dec 19, 2012 -> 05:01 PM) Looks like Morales just went to Seattle for Vargas. Bad news -- one more Floyd suitor off the market. Is it possible that this is the team outside of some minor tinkering on the bottom of the roster? A healthy Floyd does provide 200 IP next season, and is no better than the #3 starter to open the season. It does help make the starting rotation a strength, and, despite last season, is probably the most durable starter on the staff with Sale/Quintana still building his arm, Peavy one year off the surgery, and Danks trying to get back. Even though his long-term future here is probably in doubt, he may be that bridge guy in the middle of the rotation that helps keeps this staff together to some extent. There is still a long time to go this off-season so perhaps the Sox make a few moves, including Floyd, but if they decided to hang onto him, and make the pitching the strength with the offense full of low OBP guys, and struggling to score with a Home Run, I can understand if they go into the season with him. It's not as if there are a lot of free agents left at this point to pursue by moving Floyd to free up money, and they don't seem interested in bringing AJ back.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 14, 2012 -> 02:43 PM) It is the same spot the White Sox are in with John Danks. I think he would actually be #1 on their list right now with all of the lefty pitching we have. You mean, in terms of being traded?

Are the Cubs going to move Garza? It doesn't sound like it given that they are rumored to be in stealth mode on a few pitchers.... As for the White Sox, I think they are quiet, for now, because they simply don't have money to spend. Other teams are still mostly adding through free agency. Eventually, the dust will settle, and the White Sox will probably then be in position to make a move or two.

QUOTE (fathom @ Dec 12, 2012 -> 02:59 PM) As of today, I don't think the bullpen is very good at all for the Sox. I would like to see Hahn add a few veteran arms to the bullpen in case Jones and/or Reed have a sophomore slump. As of right now, they have Reed closing, Thornton/Crain/Jones in the 7th/8th, Veal as a lefty specialist, and perhaps a guy like Hector Santiago (we'll see if they prefer to have him stretched out in the minors) in a long-relief type role. I think that's a pretty good bullpen, but things will look a lot better if Reed becomes more consistent in the closing role. Everything else will better fall into place. I know Reed had a pretty good percentage as a closer last season, but he was always on the verge of damage in quite a bit of these outings. He needs to get better. Thornton/Crain have to avoid being overworked, and that can't be at the expense of Nate Jones. Ideally, the starters can pitch a lot of quality starts, and the offense can win some games by more than a run or two, avoiding stress on the bullpen. Barring injury or some horrible spring training by a guy like Veal, there's probably only 1 spot open (2 depending on how they handle Santiago).

I liked Youk, but don't think it would have been a wise gamble to pay for him on a 1 or 2 year deal. Keppinger seems like more of a stop-gap move, but it comes at a 1/3 of the cost (albeit for 2 more years) and I think that makes a bit more sense. NY can gamble on Youk being productive with their payroll.

I don't have a huge issue with AJ returning - he is still a good offensive hitting catcher, BUT, I'd want to see his playing time cut back to about a 55-45 (towards AJ) so that he's fresher in the 2nd half. Maybe I'm incorrect in my perception, but he seems to hit the wall by August/September the last few seasons. He is a left handed bat though so I see value there, and I wouldn't be opposed to using him, if not in my split above with Flowers, but perhaps 2 times a week at catcher and then maybe 1 once a week at 1B/DH to help rest Dunn/Konerko.

QUOTE (Lemon_44 @ Dec 10, 2012 -> 06:17 AM) I like the trade for the Royals. Those prospects may turn out to be nothing at the MLB level. Wasn't Davis a hot shot prospect, like top 20, a couple years ago? Shileds and Davis have already shown they can play in the majors. It does make the Royals more formidable for next season. Their starting rotation had lagged behind their lineup the last few years. Now, it should be better although it's hard call that rotation special or really much better than average.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Dec 6, 2012 -> 11:29 AM) 1 CF Alejandro De Aza* 2 3B Jeff Keppinger 3 DH Adam Dunn* 4 1B Paul Konerko 5 RF Alex Rios 6 LF Dayan Viciedo 7 SS Alexei Ramirez 8 C Tyler Flowers 9 2B Gordon Beckham Way too many outs in this lineup. OBP needs to improve, specifically from 6-9 in the lineup. Is Konerko still a #4 hitter? On this team, he probably is, but the 2nd half of the season was ugly and he's now a year older. Alex Rios has been up/down/up/down...he's coming off an up season. I'm fairly comfortable with De Aza and Dunn in the lineup in their spots. Dunn will frustrate with his K's and low average, but on the hole, this is a poor lineup that the pitching will need to cover for.

Don't like it if he's a starter. I'd almost rather just give Morel the job as opposed to signing this guy to a 3 year deal, which is way too long, in my opnion, for a guy who may not be a starter.

QUOTE (pittshoganerkoff @ Dec 5, 2012 -> 07:49 AM) So far, the winter meetings have been coma-inducing in regards to the Sox. I realize there's still plenty of time before spring training, but I was at least expecting some rumors. Only rumors out there seem to have them considering the horrible list of available 3B options on the open market.