Lillian

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Apr 2, 2012 -> 08:05 AM) Please take a look at Jackson's stats for the last 3 years, versus all Major League pitching. It's not pretty. That's not indicative of anything. He had very little playing time, and was suffering from a very debilitating illness. No one should minimize the effects of such a serious condition. The hernia didn't help him to get back to normal. Again, I think the issue is whether or not he is healthy. If the answer is yes, why shouldn't we expect him to return to his consistent previous performance, at age 30?

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Apr 2, 2012 -> 07:47 AM) I know what type of season Dunn had last year, but his career OPS vs. LHP is only 30 points lower than Conor Jackson's. And Jackson has been hot garbage since 2008, no guarantee he returns to his old form. Please take a look at Dunn's stats for the last 5 years, versus LHP, which I posted above in this thread. It's not pretty.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Apr 2, 2012 -> 07:37 AM) With the number of question marks in the starting rotation, I can't blame them at all for the 7 man pen. I wouldn't be surprised if we hit one of those "The Pen is really tired and needs a starter to throw 8" days before the end of April even with a 7 man pen. You have a point, but we should be mindful of how potentially poor the Sox offense could be. I think that they are really going to have trouble scoring runs, and their on base percentage could be awful, unless they do some platooning. The following hypothetical lineups with the career split stats for some of the players should make the point: VS. RHP* De Aza CF .338 .409 .541 (.263 .333 .368) Fukedome LF .262 .368 .407 (.251 .328 .364) Konerko 1B .275 .352 .485 Dunn DH .252 .386 .529 (.225 .345 .443) Viciedo RF Ramirez SS .270 .313 .409 (.305 .354 .459) A.J. C .291 .334 .434 (.260 .288 .382) Beckham 2B Morel 3B VS LHP Lillibridge CF .287 .346 .585 (.228 .333 .424) Ramirez SS .305 .354 .459 (.270 .313 .409) Konerko DH .300 .376 .543 C. Jackson 1B .296 .378 .432 Viciedo LF Rios RF .282 .329 .443 (.272.321.431) Beckham 2B Flowers C Morel 3B *The set of numbers in parenthesis represent the player's stats vs pitching from the side not represented for that particular lineup.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Apr 2, 2012 -> 07:13 AM) A platoon DH is an incredible waste of a roster spot. If we were going with 6 pitchers in the bullpen, possibly that's tolerable, but come on, a platoon DH? That might work if both guys can play the field regularly. Konerko will need some rest, and both Dunn and Jackson can spell him a few games. Jackson could also play a little LF in the event one of the other outfielders is either injured, or fails to produce. Almost everyone of the right handed outfielders are question marks. Rios, Viciedo and Lillibridge may or may not be productive enough to play regularly. Moreover, de Aza really shouldn't be starting versus LHP. The point is that I think Jackson could find enough playing time. I'd rather see him on the 25 man roster, in place of one of the relievers.

QUOTE (justBLAZE @ Apr 2, 2012 -> 06:50 AM) I'll bite. Where would he play? The obvious answer is a platoon with Dunn at DH. Adam Dunn has no business facing left handers, period!!! He has never been very good against them, and has a lot to prove, just to be the DH vs. RHP. Here are his stats vs LHP for each of the last 5 years: 2007 .239 .353 .436 2008 .195 .351 .422 2009 .268 .351 .436 2010 .199 .304 .416 2011 .064 .235 .074 I'll accept that he has to play against Right handers, and I'm hoping for a big rebound. That gives him the biggest share of at bats, but he doesn't belong in the lineup vs. southpaws.

Well, since the discussion didn't seem to go anywhere in the "Future Sox" Thread, and since I think most of you are underestimating the importance of this move, allow me to make the case for Conor Jackson. Please take a moment to consider these numbers versus LHP, for the first three years of his career. His average, and OBP were terrific: 2006 .296 .378 .432 2007 .320 .408 .549 2008 .315 .446 .492 I understand that he has not demonstrated big power numbers, but ask yourself this question; Who would you rather have facing LHP, Dunn or Jackson? Here are Dunn's career numbers versus LHP: .225 .345 .443 Wouldn't a platoon of Jackson and Dunn make a lot of sense? Valley fever is just completely debilitating, and no athlete could be expected to perform with that affliction. His illness, and subsequent injury completely explains his sudden inability to play baseball: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?.../SPPU1IDTO0.DTL I think the only question with Jackson is whether or not he has completely recovered. The guy is only 30. He is in his prime, and if healthy, is not a Minor League player. He was a very highly touted youngster, and was the 19TH pick in the first round of the 2003 draft. He performed very well, right out of the gate, at just 24, and improved every year, until his illness. When there are extenuating circumstances, such as a serious illness, that has to be given tremendous consideration. I don't think that K.W. signed him to merely play at Charlotte. I would guess that he intends to give Jackson every opportunity to be in Chicago in 2012. A team this offensively challenged can't afford to let a player with Jackson's ability languish in the Minors.

QUOTE (justBLAZE @ Apr 1, 2012 -> 10:58 AM) http://www.soxtalk.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=84906 Did you even look? Sorry. I didn't think to look in "Future Sox". I still don't quite understand why it would be posted there. Thanks

Why isn't there a Thread discussing this acquisition? http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/03/whit...or-jackson.html http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/news/print...10&c_id=cws

QUOTE (Jake @ Mar 23, 2012 -> 06:32 AM) He never had this good of a 24 at bat stretch last year. Therefore, he must be fixed He never had half as good of a 33 plate appearance stretch last year.

One strike out in 33 plate appearances is the most encouraging and reassuring statistic to come out of this year's Spring Training. If that doesn't give you hope, then I don't know what would. I'm expecting a bid for Comeback Player of the Year.

I'd be shocked if he hasn't lost almost twice the 30 lbs. suggested in this thread. He's a huge guy, and was considerably overweight. 50 - 60 pounds is not that much for a guy his size. That photo reveals a svelt physique, more than 30 pounds leaner than the obese Adam Dunn of 2011.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Feb 22, 2012 -> 08:30 AM) LOL...you aren't one for the drama. You view 2012 simply as a developmental season. Some people think we have a shot to win. I'm looking to balance the two, at least at the beginning of the season. I think Fukudome can be extremely valuable to us in the #2 spot against RHP. I want to get his bat into lineup as much as possible against RHP in April. That means Rios and Viciedo will need to sit sometimes and I'm fine with that. Viciedo had a sub .500 OPS against RHP last year. I'd rather pick matchups where he can succeed initially and gradually give him more playing time througout the season. I'm not so sure having him struggle terribly is necessarily better for his development. Some guys that struggle early on develop bad habits and get away from what made them successful in the first place. I agree with your assessment of Fukudome, as I posted in another thread. His ability to get on base would be a tremendous boost to this Sox squad, which has not been very good at that task. Your suggestion of his hitting in the #2 hole echoes my sentiments exactly. However, I don't want to see him take at bats away from Viciedo. The Sox will need the youngster's slugging and run production potential in the heart of the order. Taking playing time away from Rios makes much more sense to me. Let Fukudome platoon with Rios. I can't believe that his OBP wouldn't be significantly better than Rios' versus RHP.

To return to the subject of this thread; The more I think about this signing, the more I like it. The Sox have really had a tough time getting on base. Fukudome is a very high on base percentage hitter, especially against RHP. Again, I understand that Rios has a huge contract, but Fukudome's OBP stats are so superior to his that it's hard to justify playing Rios over Fukudome against right handers. I'd love to see Rios relegated to the bench, as a defensive replacement for Viciedo. If the Sox can go into late innings with a lead, and have Fukudome, de Aza and Rios in the outfield, they will catch the ball. That's a pretty good defensive outfield. I remember when Gary Matthews Jr. had a big contract, and was nevertheless used as a defensive replacement. Who cares? The only justification for playing Rios based on his salary, is the hope that his increased visibility enhances the chances of moving him. Of course, if you've given up on the idea that the Sox can even be competitive, then it's all a mute point. However, with the pitching depth of this squad, they could be a lot better than people think. If they catch the ball, and get a little better production out of last year's underachievers, Beckham, and Dunn, they could score enough runs to win a lot of games behind good pitching and defense. Having Fukudome and de Aza getting on base for the heart of the order could significantly improve run production. Dunn is still the key. He must produce, or they're in big trouble. Having to depend upon improvement from half of the lineup is not a good idea. Beckham, Rios, Dunn and Morel are all big question marks. I'd rather see the Sox have a few more pieces upon which they could rely. At least Fukudome represents a little better consistency.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Feb 16, 2012 -> 08:08 AM) Do you honestly think this is a function of him somehow being better when he's in the middle of the order, versus him being put in the middle of the order during times when he's hitting well versus moved elsewhere during times when he isn't? Good point, and well taken. Nevertheless, he is a good OBP hitter.

Look at these split stats for his career numbers, when batting 3RD or 5TH: http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/...=Career&t=b He has a career .390 OBP when batting 3RD or 5TH, over 550 plate appearances. That's a more interesting split stat than his numbers versus RHP/LHP. Given Rios' ineptitude vs. RHP, I'd like to see Fukudome get the nod over Rios against right handers. A middle of the order consisting of Fukudome, Konerko, Dunn and Viciedo gives you a couple of high OBP hitters and a nice sequence of lefty, righty, lefty righty. Beckham could bat second, if he figures it out, and de Aza leads off. That would give you a lefty, righty combo at the top of the order as well. The Sox have really suffered the consequences of poor OBP and Fukudome could help a lot in that regard, especially batting 3RD. The fact that he has primarily been used as a lead off hitter, might explain why he has never been much of an RBI producer. He had 61 RBI's in 460 at bats batting 3RD and 5TH compared to 47 RBI's in 711 at bats, as a leadoff hitter. He has been a pretty good hitter with runners in scoring position, especially versus RHP. I understand that Rios is the one with the big salary, but I hope they give his playing time to Fukudome, if Rios falters badly again.

QUOTE (lasttriptotulsa @ Feb 6, 2012 -> 09:24 AM) If we're counting on Johnson and McPherson providing our left-handed hitting depth we are in serious trouble. You may indeed be correct. However, who else do they have, and who else is available?

If Dunn gets hurt, or starts out the season anywhere nearly as awful as last season, Johnson could provide a legitmate LH hitter. I understand that the Sox will probably play Dunn, no matter how poorly he performs, but you never know. This entire organization has no left handed hitting depth, anywhere near Major League ready. Johnson could help improve that, along with McPherson.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jan 25, 2012 -> 10:56 AM) 4 years $56 million Of course, but weren't there other pretty good offers?

The one puzzling point is that Buerhle followed Guillen to Miami. You would think that he wouldn't want to play for him. And then there was that moment caught on video at the end of the season. Remember during a late season interview with Guillen, when Buerhle was caught just off the interview camera, mubbling "shut up" in the dugout? I wonder why Mark didn't choose to go somewhere else.

QUOTE (Lillian @ Jan 18, 2012 -> 10:40 AM) I'd suggest that you look at their split stats and then rethink your position. I love de Aza, and you may remember I was a very vocal advocate of bringing him up way before the Sox finally gave him a chance. However, Lillibridge also earned playing time. They both deserve a shot, but they are both much better against hurlers from the opposite side. Here are their split stats: Lillibridge vs. LHP .287 .346 .585 .931 with 9 homers in 90 AB's de Aza versus LHP .263 .333 .368 .702 Lillibridge vs. RHP .228 .333 .424 .757 de Aza versus RHP .338 .409 .541 .951 all 4 of his homers came off RHP Platooned, those split stats would give you the following: vs. LHP .287 .346 .585 .931 vs. RHP .338 .409 .541 .951 Works for me. How about you?

QUOTE (flavum @ Jan 18, 2012 -> 09:35 AM) There's nothing obvious about platooning De Aza and Lillibridge. De Aza flat-out earned the right to play every day this coming season. As long as he performs, I hope the plan is he starts 150+ games in the lead off spot. I'd suggest that you look at their split stats and then rethink your position. I love de Aza, and you may remember I was a very vocal advocate of bringing him up way before the Sox finally gave him a chance. However, Lillibridge also earned playing time. They both deserve a shot, but they are both much better against hurlers from the opposite side.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 18, 2012 -> 08:34 AM) Why do we need a potent one? The Sox need a LH bat that is sufficiently potent to force a manager to make a bullpen switch in the late innings. Can you imagine any manager going to the pen to bring in a lefty to face de Aza, A. J. or Dunn?

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 18, 2012 -> 08:13 AM) If the projected lineup holds and everything is working, we really don't need a LH bat, because we have De Aza, Dunn, and AJ in the normal, everyday lineup. We could use a LH backup somewhere. Do any of the minor league backup IF's fit that billing? That's my point. There isn't a potentially potent left handed bat in the entire organization, that is even close to being Major League ready.

Here is our projected starting lineup versus RHP for 2012, with last years stats: 2012 Stats (AVG, OBP, SLG) CF de Aza .338 .409 .541 C A. J. P. .283 .319 .393 1B Konerko .303 .389 .535 DH A. Dunn .187 .310 .336 LF Viciedo RF A. Rios .204 .250 .328 SS Ramirez .269 .324 .407 2B Beckham .242 .307 .356 3B B. Morel .246 .290 .349 The most glaring deficiency is the lack of left handed power bats. It's the same problem that has plagued this team since the departure of Thome. Dunn is the only potential LH power hitter, and we all know how much in doubt his prospects are. A trio of left handed hitters consisting of A. J., de Aza and Dunn does not constitute much of a threat to RH pitching, and that's what a team faces most of the time. The lack of left handed average and on base percentage hitters is almost as serious as the absence of power. I can't believe that K.W. intends to go into the season with that lineup. So, who is out there, and whom would he replace, even if only as a platoon player versus RHP? Wilson Betemit is one name that comes to mind, as a platoon with Morel. He is a very good hitter from the left side, but the defense would suffer too much to make that move compelling.

The obvious solution is to platoon de Aza and Lillibridge. Their split numbers are both very lopsided. Lillibridge was a monster versus LHP, and de Aza has always hit RHP really well. They both have the speed to bat at the top of the order, and their OBP's are good enough when facing pitching from the opposite side, especially de Aza's.