Lillian

We shouldn't minimize the prospect of having both Avi and Abreu through 2020. Two of the next 3 years could well be seasons, in which the Sox make it to the Post Season. I've said it before but, a lineup featuring Moncada, Avi, Eloy, Abreu and one solid left handed bat, sandwiched in between the 3 right handed hitters, could be a very potent offense, irrespective of what the other half of the lineup includes, which should be pretty decent, given all of the young talent. I think that the first option should be to explore the cost of extending both of them. If they want too much money, keep them until they reach free agency and access the team's needs, at that time.

QUOTE (GreenSox @ Nov 24, 2017 -> 10:12 AM) Well, they will both be FAs in 2020, so the Sox will likely have to do something. But Abreu will also be 33 in 2020, so it may be best to tread lightly right now. As for Avi, I would point to Delmonico. They had similar numbers last year (Avi somewhat better), albeit Avi over an entire season and Delmonico over 1/4 season. But Delmonico also had a very modest BAPIP and walks a lot...and he has taken pitches throughout his minor league career as well. All considered, he may be as sure (or unsure) bet to continue his success as Avi. Yes, I like Delmonico and the fact that he hits left handed is another plus. I don't agree with the assessment of his being as sure of a bet as Avi. After all, he only had a third of a season.

If the Sox trade both Avi and Abreu, who exactly is going to comprise the middle of the order? In a year or two, you can pencil in Eloy. Beyond that, I don't see a big run producing heart of the order. You might add Moncada, but i'd prefer he be that Ricky Henderson type dynamo, at the top of the order. So, please reassure me that the Sox can assemble an offense in time, and at an affordable cost, for the targeted 2019 year of contention. The team chemistry seems to be coming together very nicely and there is certainly enough payroll flexibility, to extend at least Abreu. If they don't do so, management will almost certainly have to sign a big free agent. I just don't get the point.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Nov 19, 2017 -> 12:20 PM) I agree that it's valuable. I just don't think you can question ones dedication simply by how swole they are. Not quite sure how, or why, I'm engaging in such an "argument," but just to clarify, I never stated anything about how "swole" Kopech is. Frankly, this is the first time that I have ever even heard the term. Moreover, I'm not that impressed with Kopech's muscularity. What is impressive and apparent to me, is how hard he is training and how determined he is to become a star. I'd suggest that we wrap up this little discussion. If you agree, fine. If you disagree, feel free to argue all you want. I don't see the point and am moving on.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Nov 19, 2017 -> 09:56 AM) If only that bum Mark Buehrle worked out in the off-season, he could have been something. Different strokes for different folks. Just because Chris Sale is skinny doesn't mean he's not dedicated. The hate is strong. What Mark Buehrle did, or did not do, to strengthen his core and lower body, does not diminish the value of such training. I think you would agree with that, wouldn't you? Kopech appears to take his training very seriously, and he should reap big benefits from it.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Nov 19, 2017 -> 09:56 AM) If only that bum Mark Buehrle worked out in the off-season, he could have been something. Different strokes for different folks. Just because Chris Sale is skinny doesn't mean he's not dedicated. The hate is strong. Sorry if my post left the impression that I "hate" Sale. Not at all, but I do admire the dedicated athlete. Regarding the advisability of pitchers doing strength training. While upper body work may be debatable, there isn't much question that a strong core and strong legs are a tremendous asset to a pitcher. Most of you have probably seen this old article and video: https://www.topvelocity.net/why-chris-sales...ten-his-career/

I'll bet the guy, whom the Sox traded for Kopech, never trained like that. What was his name again? Oh yes; Chris Sale. I love to see an athlete take his health and fitness seriously. With all of the money at stake, you have to wonder why they don't all dedicate themselves, as Kopech appears to be doing.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 6, 2017 -> 07:22 PM) Oh, I thought you meant Addy with the Reed and assumed he was a FA. Anywho, I don't want a utility outfielder. Throw Engel and Leury out in CF and see if one of them can hold the job, and Tilson's shattered body, Polo, May, and Willy Garcia give enough depth there that I don't see why we need the extra warm body, at least for 2018. Don't forget Cordell, who may be near the top of the list of internal candidates.

QUOTE (bmags @ Oct 9, 2017 -> 09:06 AM) I don't think BPA is that obvious especially at #4. And I think it's likely sox will be tied to Kelenic a little bit until pre draft just because we have clearly seen him so much and overcash has been on the record praising his maturity, approach and bat speed. But we may also end up with a guy at #4 who people thought could go 1-1 or 1-2 and things change. I just want a fairly high ceiling, and though less exciting I think Singer has TOR potential obviously. We just lack good athletes with any sort of approach in our middle of the field positions past Robert. Moncada?

Didn't Ynoa perfect a split finger this season?

QUOTE (flavum @ Oct 1, 2017 -> 10:09 AM) Volstad vs Tomlin Sanchez 3B Moncada 2B Abreu DH Davidson 1B Brantly C Anderson SS Liriano LF Hanson RF Engel CF No Avi. So, he finishes the year with a .330 average.

To what should we attribute his suddenly acquired effectiveness? I would have said the cutter, which is a new pitch for him, and one that he learned from Coop. However, he had it in Spring Training, and it didn't seem to help him that much at Charlotte.

Someone may have answered this question: If there is a tie in the standings, how is it decided?

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Sep 30, 2017 -> 07:48 PM) I think he said that the Avi trade may be the best in Sox history . Even Hawk isn't silly enough to suggest Avi will be better than Big Hurt. Yes, you're right. That is what he said. Sorry, I misspoke. Nevertheless, that is quite a statement.

It was interesting to hear Hawk's take on Avi, in last night's broadcast, with "Whimpy". For what it's worth, and I know for some of you, not much, he was very positive. He said "You ain't seen nothin' yet" and that "he is just beginning to mature into the kind of player that he can be". He even stated that Avi was the "Closest thing to a legitimate 5 tool player, we've ever had". The craziest comment was that he still stands by his initial assessment, that he believes "Avi will ultimately become the greatest player in White Sox history!!" It was really "over the top". It's pretty clear that Hawk loves him.

Yolmer has put together a very solid season, and he continues to hit RHP very well. He's also a lot stronger than people think. Some of his homers have gone a long way. His arm is stronger than most of us thought, too.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Sep 28, 2017 -> 10:31 PM) Man this is bad bad news. He could be out til summertime. It's sad how pitchers nowadays just can't avoid surgery. This game is brutal on the pitchers' arms. PTATC why all the injuries compared to the 60s and 70s and 80s? Isn't part of the increasing number of injuries to pitchers, due to the lowering of the seams, on the ball? It now requires more of an effort to get rotation on the breaking pitches.

Just as a reference point of information. Here are the League Leaders in Batting Average, so far this decade: Year National League BA American League BA 2017 (NL AL) Charlie Blackmon* (COL) .328 Jose Altuve (HOU) .350 2016 (NL AL) DJ LeMahieu (COL) .348 Jose Altuve (HOU) .338 2015 (NL AL) Dee Gordon* (MIA) .333 Miguel Cabrera (DET) .338 2014 (NL AL) Justin Morneau* (COL) .319 Jose Altuve (HOU) .341 2013 (NL AL) Michael Cuddyer (COL) .331 Miguel Cabrera (DET) .348 2012 (NL AL) Buster Posey (SFG) .336 Miguel Cabrera (DET) .330 2011 (NL AL) Jose Reyes# (NYM) .337 Miguel Cabrera (DET) .344 2010 (NL AL) Carlos Gonzalez* (COL) .336 Josh Hamilton* (TEX) .359 2009 (NL AL) Hanley Ramirez (FLA) .342 Joe Mauer* (MIN) .365 2008 (NL AL) Chipper Jones# (ATL) .364 Joe Mauer* (MIN) .328 2007 (NL AL) Matt Holliday (COL) .340 Magglio Ordonez (DET) .363 2006 (NL AL) Freddy Sanchez (PIT) .344 Joe Mauer* (MIN) .347 2005 (NL AL) Derrek Lee (CHC) .335 Michael Young (TEX) .331 2004 (NL AL) Barry Bonds* (SFG) .362 Ichiro Suzuki* (SEA) .372 2003 (NL AL) Albert Pujols (STL) .359 Bill Mueller# (BOS) .326 2002 (NL AL) Barry Bonds* (SFG) .370 Manny Ramirez (BOS) .349 2001 (NL AL) Larry Walker* (COL) .350 Ichiro Suzuki* (SEA) .350 2000 (NL AL) Todd Helton* (COL) .372 Nomar Garciaparra (BOS) .372

How does the surgery affect the bursitis? What is the long term prognosis for that condition?

One way to look at it is that the Draft could be divided into 4 categories: Best H. S. pitcher, best H.S. position player and the same for the Top College prospects. So, even picking 4TH, you have the best of one of those categories, at a minimum. That should console those who are so disappointed that the Sox Draft position is slipping. Moreover, there is no consensus #1, 2 or 3. Hey, those who want Beer may get your wish. He could be a reasonable pick at around #5.

Avi has only played in 130 games, which is 80% of a complete season. If you project his numbers out, to a full season, he ends up with 30 doubles, 21 homers and 96 RBI's. For a guy hitting .330, 2ND in the entire Major Leagues, that's a lot of production to replace. Perhaps we just think that he should have more home runs, because we know how big and strong he is. If he had a physical stature something like your average corner outfielder, I think we'd be more than satisfied with that kind of year, for a 26 year old. So if you trade him for an outfield prospect, how confident do you have to be that the player you acquire can match that production, in order to justify trading him? I understand that you gain more years of control, at a nominal amount, but money really is not going to be much of an issue, for J. R., given all of the young prospects, who are expected to fill the roster. Then too, there are those intangibles, to which I alluded in a previous post. In addition to the afore mentioned veteran leadership, fan allegiance and camaraderie of this core group, which seems to be meshing with very good team chemistry, there is the Latin factor. The next two big contributors, who are expected to join this young core, are Robert and Jimenez. That will add 2 more Latin players to a growing Latin key group of guys. It might be nice to have both Abreu and Avi there to guide, mentor and inspire the likes of Moncada, Jimenez and Robert. Add in Leury and Yolmar and their manager, Renteria and you have a very strong cultural bond. I love seeing how they interact. I already miss Melky, who was a big part of that. Yesterday's "reunion," at third base, with Moncada and Sanchez was fun. At any rate, it just doesn't seem to be necessary to press the issue of trading Avi. That's the kind of move which could really come back to bite a GM. Why not let him play out his contract and consider making a qualified offer, when he reaches free agency? If he accepts, you get one more year, and if he opts to sign a long term contract, you make a fair offer, which he could accept, or he goes elsewhere and the Sox get another Draft pick.

Just as an aside; has anyone noticed that Moncada does not look like his listed height of 6' 2"? I have doubted it, since the first time I saw him. I'm always watching, when he is standing next to other players, and I'd swear he is no more that 6'.

According to Baseball Reference splits, Tim is batting over .300 leading off an inning, but only .262 with an OBP of .278, batting 1ST in the lineup.

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Sep 23, 2017 -> 02:26 PM) I personally think he'd be better as a #2 hitter due to his power, but we'll see if it improves as he progresses. He seems ill-suited for a "2 hole" hitter, who is normally tasked with taking pitches to allow a baserunner to attempt a steal, or hitting behind a runner, on a hit and run. Moreover, that would minimize his speed, as he would not have an open second base to steal, if the leadoff guy got on, ahead of his having reached first, himself.

I mentioned this idea, in the thread about Moncada, but somehow it seemed to get buried by a lot of discussion about other things, including things unrelated to Yoan. The thought of having a switch hitting, high OBP, leadoff hitter, whp possesses great speed and power, is very intriguing. Tim Raines and Ricky Henderson were perhaps the two best players, in that mold, although Henderson was not a switch hitter. Those guys dominated the game, in their primes. Moncada has the tools to be that kind of player. Whether, or not, he can realize that potential, is of course the big question. His recent performance suggests that he may ultimately live up to the hype, which would put him in that elite catagory. We haven't yet seen him display any extraordinary base stealing skills, but he certainly has both the speed, and the acceleration. Technique can be learned. He has demonstrated the ability to take pitches, and work the count, to draw bases on balls. Hitting at the top of the order would maximize his tools. Some of us had hoped for Anderson to fill that spot, but he continues to fail to draw walks, which renders him unsuitable for that spot. The future Sox lineup could be deep enough to afford placing Moncada's bat at the top of the order, with many productive, run producers behind him. If the team can field enough good hitters, there will still be plenty of opportunities for Yoan to drive in runs. It's not hard to imagine the bottom 1/3 of the order producing enough chances for him to pile up the RBI's. What do you gentlemen think of Moncada, as the leadoff hitter?