BFirebird

Does anyone else have the webcast on? The audio is fine...but my video is just lagging waaaaaay behind and going really slow. I am just wondering if it is my connection or they are having issues.

For those of you with ESPN Insider, Jim Bowden has an article with his 10 Bold Predictions of Spring Training. Here is the article link: http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/the-gms-office/post?id=8841 For those of you without, #5 on his list is that Jose Abreu will emerge as the favorite for AL ROY. That would be good news for the future of the White Sox.

QUOTE (dayan024 @ Dec 5, 2013 -> 06:54 PM) Scott Merkin ‏@scottmerkin 36m Next year's Draft deeper, packed with pitchers http://atmlb.com/1d2Jjcd via @whitesox Well it is a good thing the Sox will probably suck again this year. Load up on arms, something we can actually develop.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Oct 31, 2013 -> 03:16 PM) It's really not, considering just based on the number of right handed hitters in the game. If the team struggles, he can also be dealt at the deadline for a piece as well. Everything about this move makes sense. Beat me to it with the deal at the deadline. Damn the long the responses.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Oct 31, 2013 -> 03:04 PM) I think Linstrom is a luxury more than anything else. $3.5m for a glorified one-out righty guy is a lot for a team rebuilding. I think Eminor3d answered your question before you asked it. "$3.5m = less than one WAR on the open market. No brainer to me." He was according to FanGraphs the 25th most valuable reliever last year and worth $5M when we are paying $3.5M. I know those stats are not a be all end all, but it gives you a decent starting point. Also, even if you are rebuilding you need arms to throw and who knows he could have a year like Jesse Crain and if we suck again we can maybe trade him for a body or 2. Look at what the Cubs do. They sign middle of the pack FA's and try to trade them to get more minor league bodies. The White Sox are not the Marlins, they are not going to have a team of all young players.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Oct 17, 2013 -> 10:43 PM) Infield depth isnt a concern, I think its impact MI. Every year one of ours is a hole in the lineup or defensively. Our rotation also could be a bit diferent on opening day. How hard do you think or possibly hear they will be shopping Beckham or Alexei? If you can share.

What a great start to the "offseason". Or should I say best part of 2013 season. Anyone with a full scouting report?

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Aug 1, 2013 -> 10:15 AM) That's not entirely true. They will hopefully be developing talent. Go to the ballpark for other reasons. Go to the park to see Avisail Garcia. Go check out Sale, Santiago, Quintana, Johnson, Rienzo starts. Follow the club's minor league system. There is a good chance that guys like Marcus Semien, Trayce Thompson and others make their ML debuts next season. You just have to change the way you view the team as a fan. The White Sox have always said that they want sustained long term success. Now they actually mean it instead of just giving it lip service. Agreed. Well said. I just hope they don't rush guys and they have to learn how to play at the major league level. It seems like the Cubs are having kid gloves with some of their young guys but they would rather them be fully ready to play in the Majors. I don't think we let Beckham have enough minor league success and it stunted his growth.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Aug 1, 2013 -> 09:41 AM) Rick Hahn was on the McNeil and Spiegel Show this morning. I will try to paraphrase some of it. He was reluctant to say the word "rebuild". However, he made it very clear that this will be a rebuilding situation. He noted that the toughest thing to find during a rebuild is starting pitching and the White Sox have it. He mentioned that his excess of money will be redistributed in the organization in the draft and on the international market. That is a big emphasis going forward. Mentioned that he could sign free agents "if it made sense". He basically said to pay attention to the moves that are made rather than hearing him make some giant proclamation about a rebuild. Made it sound like he wanted to make deals but was basically only offered deals in a salary dump like scenario. He said that twitter and other avenues are so crazy because he saw guys that he offered, were offered, or turned down that was just completely off base. He also said there is a very good chance that he will make waiver trades or deals in the offseason. I loved hearing Rick Hahn this morning. They do still cater to the lowest denominator of the fanbase by not saying the word "rebuild". Smart fans can handle it. I love the direction though and I love the man who is in charge. He is a very smart, articulate guy and he has quite the mess in front of him. I am happy with the direction. I recommend all of you go and find the interview whenever it's posted on McNeil and Spiegel's website. Thanks for the recap. I missed the middle portion but caught the end and Spiegel's analysis afterwards. I also am very happy to hear what I heard and your recap of what I missed. I am glad that Hahn held onto his chips if it wasn't what he wanted. A guy like Rios can be moved in the waiver period, in the winter or next year's deadline. He might be more valuable if the team pays less...who knows. The one thing that does concern me is how far away they are on offense. I agree that they do have half of the equation with a good starting staff and with more guys on the way, but they cannot hit or get on base and have now 1 guy in the system that can play next year on offense (Garcia). Beckham has shown some life and De Aza is a decent piece in LF, but neither are guys you can build around offensively. It will be a big year next year to see if guys like Beckham, Viciedo and even Garcia can be good offensive players because the Sox will not be able to replace everyone on the roster.

With Victorino out...why is Gomes batting second? Is Stephen Drew that bad? Or even Nava? I guess Gomes draws walks, but I don't understand that one. Hopefully Santiago shuts them down!!!

38 through 2 IP. Could use a quick inning.

Had the chance to go today...cold as hell but it was awesome watching Sale pitch. He impresses me more every time I see him pitch. At a young age he already isn't a thrower but a pitcher. He knows when he needs a strikeout, when he can pitch to contact and how to use the count to his advantage. Only time I was worried was when Thornton came in but he looked like Matt from 2-3 years ago. Strong start. Keep it up Wednesday!

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Mar 29, 2013 -> 01:38 PM) The Sox last good 1-2 was...last year. De Aza-Youkilis was more than acceptable. Youk really struggled after starting off like gangbusters. Then again, a lot of guys struggled in the 2nd half.

If anyone is looking to join a free fun Fantasy Baseball League, some friends of mine decided to make one last minute. The draft is tonight at 7:00 pm. http://baseball.fantasysports.yahoo.com/b1...assword=sox2005 In case it prompts you for a password it is: sox2005.

I haven't seen much of this ST but Beckham was really quick on that inside pitch. Not a lot of wasted movement. Let's hope that translates to the regular season.

QUOTE (flavum @ Mar 27, 2013 -> 03:02 PM) Alexei got hit the shoulder. Left the game. Wonderful. I think he will be fine. I think I saw Danks laughing with him as he came in. Took him probably because it is ST.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Mar 27, 2013 -> 12:49 PM) Released him from his original deal, then re-signed him to a minor league deal. Ahhhh...thanks for clarifying.

QUOTE (flavum @ Mar 27, 2013 -> 11:20 AM) Last one...A .500 Cactus League is on the line today. Huge game. http://baseballpress.com/lineup.php I thought the Indians released Matsuzaka?

This.is.awesome. Congrats!

That is awesome Marcus. Congrats! Look forward to seeing you represent the Sox! And Soxtalk.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Mar 15, 2013 -> 03:34 PM) Boy I really hope he keeps that RC field approach. I agree. I think that the Sox staff has been trying to stress to hit it to the opposite field to everyone...even Dunn. Dunn at least talked about going with the pitch more. I believe Alexei mentioned it as well. That is the only way they will improve their averages and OBP...hitting to ALL fields.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Mar 15, 2013 -> 03:19 PM) IIRC they didn't have the advanced gameday available during spring training alst year either. Ah. That makes sense. I was wondering why I was only getting the old version as an option. IIRC last year during the regular season you could choose either one.

QUOTE (Feeky Magee @ Mar 15, 2013 -> 02:58 PM) Gameday is different from last season. Anyone know if it's possible to change it back? It seems to me that maybe MLB was having issues with the version from last year so they went back to their old version. It feels like early 2000's with the flash interface. On a side note Scott Feldman is bad. Real bad.

It is scary that we are all optimistic.....I am now feeling less optimistic. I had chosen 85-88, but I think they could hit 90 if healthy. I think they will keep it close and maybe snag a WC spot.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Mar 15, 2013 -> 01:05 PM) Think about what a blowout this would be if Indiana actually had a decent coach. I thought my Purdue loyalty shaded my judgment on this. IU is easily one of the most talented teams in the country, but will Crean keep them from winning a National Title? To me it seems like he is a good recruiter but I am not sure about actual game tactician.