caulfield12

Lillibridge already has that role, probably. Beckham has to start and he has to hit next year. We can't afford to give up on him just yet, or this franchise is in even more serious trouble than it looks. Hopefully a new hitting coach will help him break through.

What's the latest on Carlos Quentin? Any updates? Beckham is still terrible. Has slumped from a high of 255 to 234. Flowers has hit a lot better than most expected. Big win...in the sense we couldn't possibly fall 6 GB. Good effort by the pitching staff. (Adam Dunn, please go back to full-time DH, even if your average has "risen" to .169 now playing the field everyday) And yes, Ian Kinsler is one of those guys who always seems to kill us.

Interesting the switch with Morel and Beckham. With Gordon's anxiety/confidence issues, that's probably not going to turn out to be a good move to "inspire" him to perform better.

Was listening to Walker on White Sox Weekly. Seems to have a very good handle on Dunn and Beckham's problems....yet, no "game" solutions. With Beckham, it's basically retooling his swing to get after high fastballs. He's changed his hand positioning and swing plane a lot in order to do that...when he swings at balls in the strike zone, he's around a 280-290 hitter. But, of course, Gordon gets "anxious" and puts too much pressure on himself, gets behind in the count, etc. The same story as before about him being "so good in the minors he never experienced failure" until the big league level. Not coping well. So his plate discipline has totally disappeared, and that's getting him behind in a lot of counts and fishing for breaking stuff off the plate or high fastballs. Says he does everything perfectly in pre-game....was the first one there today for hitting practice (or maybe it was taped yesterday) and they have to dial him back because he's trying so hard to improve and take those improvements into game situations. Dunn, it really seems the 2 big issues were coming back too soon from the appendectomy before he was 100%...then he started experiencing a high failure rate and it got into his head. Has never seemed to find any one thing to keep him busy or comfortable when he's not hitting, between at-bats. One thing they did with Thome (and they're now trying with Dunn 4 1/2 months into the season) was having him hit from the pitcher's mound in order to lower his swing plane. Dunn is "just getting under" a lot of pitches and they're resulting in flyballs and pop-ups (or K's) rather than homers that are liners rather than high fly balls that just go out due to his strength. Made lots of comparisons with Lance Berkman's 2010 and Dunn's 2011, with the hope that if Dunn can't straighten things out this year...that he can be "Comeback Player of the Year" too in 2012. Didn't talk about Rios....jumped to Konerko and Quentin.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AtFt...ricketts_081911 Article talking about Hendry dealing with the three different ownership groups and how Peavy would have gone to Cubs in 2009 was Ricketts deal sorted out. http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/...anges-dismissal

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Aug 20, 2011 -> 11:08 AM) Rick Hahn's time as assistant GM is unlikely to land him in the Hall of Fame. On the other hand, Hahn is an obvious Top 5 choice for Cubs' GM. Sandberg would be about as popular to Sox fans as Steve Alford would be were he to come back to the University of Indiana as head coach after his previous failure at Iowa...some would love the idea, but the majority would be against it.

So let's put together a list of pro's and con's 1. Seemingly very intelligent...innovative mind forged by studying different disciplines such as law, business/marketing 2. Decade of experience as KW's protege (could just as easily count that as a negative, though) 3. More reliance on statistical analysis 4. Good (existing/longstanding) relationships with MOST agents out there... 5. On most lists as one of the top 5-10 GM candidates in the sport, some as #1 (like SI.com) or #2 6. Harvard Law experience not exactly a selling point for Obama these days, either 7. Big ego like KW Weaknesses.... 1. Point 2 above 2. Wouldn't be perceived as a "regime change" by fans....it's not quite like Cora/Walker/Guillen, but fairly similar 3. Was also in Sox organization at time of Wilder fiasco 4. Limited playing/scouting knowledge 5. Has already been passed over for 2-4 GM jobs (the reverse "spin," he's very careful about what teams he would leave Sox/Cubs jobs for and turned a couple opportunities down already) 6. We don't know his REAL opinions about what should be done to "fix" Beckham, Rios and Dunn....or about ANY of the bad moves that KW has made the last 3 1/2 years...how much he supported them OR spoke out against 7. Can't be the GM if Ozzie Guillen is still the manager...Ozzie will run all over him, if he can run over a former player who put together a World Series roster and who's closer to JR than just about anyone (supposedly)...guess we don't know how close JR and Hahn actually are 8. Not a "flashy" name to the fanbase...or an outsider who will bring a totally different philosophy (farm system/development first) to the organization

Pretty clearly AL pitchers adjusted to Beckham in late 09, early 2010. What doesn't make sense is what happened from the second half of last season to the beginning of 2011? Seemingly, he adjusted back enough to be a productive hitter and went through a productive streak again (last year) but when was the "hitchy/loopy" swing change incorporated (seemingly without Walker or KW's blessings)?? Was that change in mid-season 2010 or before the 2011 season? After 2009? This year, he's been stuck between a 600-660 OPS for virtually four months.

QUOTE (Middle Buffalo @ Aug 20, 2011 -> 09:41 AM) That would be such a great move for the Cubs. I don't know anything about Hahn's ability as a GM, but there's really nothing for the Cubs to lose. If he doesn't work out, he's like so many other GMs who failed. If he works out, it really sticks it to the Sox and the Sox fans who wanted him as GM. But isn't that basically the same argument as the one for the Sox hiring Ryne Sandberg as manager of the Sox?

QUOTE (oldsox @ Aug 20, 2011 -> 08:42 AM) Who negotiated Dunn's contract, the richest, longest DH contract of all time, Kenny or Hahn? Hahn prefers to not directly talk with a player in the negotiating process, keeping the dealings primarily between himself and Landis, using Konerko as an example. According to Hahn, White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, who has a close relationship with Konerko, had a couple of offseason conversations with the team’s leader, but those were “more of an expression of appreciation and desire and hope.” [...] This final agreed-upon offer to Konerko was different from the original one made, and Hahn explained how there are very few situations where the team can say of an opening offer, ‘Here it is. Take it or leave it.’ Without going into too much detail, Hahn mentioned how initially there were disagreements with Konerko’s camp over length and structure, and by the end, they had to work through issues about deferral and cash flow flexibility to get it done. Scott Merkin One would have to ASSUME Hahn unless someone can find information to the contrary... It wasn't an overpay like Soriano by $40 million+ at least.

No more ridiculous than Ricketts saying he's going to consult with knowledgeable baseball personnel (former GM's like Gillick, Alderson, etc.) to make the best decision on the Cubs' job. Honestly, he seems more like a fan than either a business-oriented owner or an expert on much of anything but African safaris. Would having Jim Hendry around to sign the draft picks matter? Won't those picks now feel misled (more) that he's no longer around...when it would have been more honest in the first place to let the AGM (Bush) do that stuff? Then he's saying Quade and the coaches are A+ quality people and deserve the opportunity to keep their jobs for 2012. Why would ANY GM come in with the condition that Mike Quade be the Cubs' manager for the following season when the GM who signed him is gone with the wind? Maybe I'm just in an uncomfortable position because I've heard too much "personal" stuff about Hahn from his former Harvard Law classmates for me to ever have a positive opinion about him. Maybe he's changed as a person since he was 22-25. I sincerely hope so. In the end, it's not about Hahn. The White Sox need a clean break...having KW's protege from the last decade is a better idea for organizations OTHER than the White Sox to experiment with. I suppose, because of his background and education, the White Sox can "sell/spin" Hahn as being one of the new breed of "hyper-educated" Ivy League GM's like Epstein, Daniels, etc. Plus, he was also around when all the Wilder stuff was going on and should have been more aware than KW because I would think he would/should have a greater amount of objectivity than KW with that particular situation.

They also have the advantage of losing Dempster, Ramirez and Zambrano a lot earlier than we purge ourselves of Dunn and Rios. The huge one, though, is Soriano for 3 years at $19 million or whatever it is. And just when you start to think Peavy is finally turning things around for good and heading for a great 2012, games like last night happen and you revert to thinking he'll just be a Barry Zito-ish fifth starter who's tremendously overpaid based on past results and not present/future performance.

Calm? Hahn? Really? You're sure about that? There's better reasons for the Cubs to hire him than for the White Sox. The Cubs have always been his favorite team. We need someone who knows how to work creatively within a lowered budget (we're not going to see anything north of $105 million for a long time) and whose strength is scouting/talent identification and development. These are all weak points for Hahn. If we want to break away from this "organizational miasma" of the last 3-5 years, then why would Hahn be a better choice than KW? Because he went to Harvard Law or Northwestern, that somehow makes him more qualified for identifying better scouts or a minor league director? Whether all he's done is "follow Kenny's marching orders" or he's actually shown some independent judgement over the last 3 seasons or so, how is he given a free pass whereas KW has been hammered (and rightfully so) for the majority of his moves the past 3 years? I'd just like KW or Ozzie or anyone to point or out list 5 SPECIFIC baseball-related reasons he would be a good GM for the White Sox. He's already starting out at a disadvantage....when you're heart's in another place (Wrigley), you'll never quite put the same amount of time and effort into the job as KW and Ozzie did when they first came on board. We need a "hungry" GM. Hahn will never be that. It's not who he is. He might be "competent," but he will certainly never be a visionary. Hiring Hahn would more closely resemble the Cubs promoting Crane Kenney to GM than the White Sox hiring another KW from outside the organization, someone with a new and fresh perspective. Him taking the Cubs' job might be the greatest thing to happen to the White Sox out of the entire 2011 season (off-the-field). With that being said, KW and Ozzie and the whole coaching staff needs to go, no matter what happens with Hahn.

DLS actually recorded his first "hold" of the season yesterday... ERA just above 2.00. But F. Francisco was still the best reliever we traded (we barely had him for long, he came for Howry from BOS)...as part of the Everett deal. Guerrier was traded for Marte as a starter to the Pirates and eventually blossomed elsewhere.

Ozzie loves veterans/journeymen (Wise/Kotsay/Mackowiak)... If Humber has another bad start, he will have to be sent to the pen...and Stewart had experience in college, with the Reds and Jays (minor leagues) as a closer/reliever. That must be the thinking, easier adjustment for him compared to Phil.

With DeAza around now, wish they would play Lillibridge more instead of Vizquel for Beckham... Wishful thinking, one would suppose.

Mitchell managed another 3 K game. Down to .229 now, wonder if Dunn/Rios/Beckham are rubbing off on the entire system? Well, at least Brandon Allen hasn't been affected, hit another triple for the A's and has been on fire since the trade.

Seems a bit too soon to think about promoting Kuhn. Before the rosters expand? Or as a replacement for Beckham?

1. Rick Hahn, Assistant GM, Chicago White Sox First: Sports agent, Steinberg Moorad & Dunn School: Michigan, Harvard Law, Kellogg MBA. Baseball: High school Strength: Contract negotiation Weakness: Scouting Quote: "[being included] certainly is a compliment, and I do appreciate being included on these lists. But, frankly, it's not the same as the organization being cited for having one of top on-field prospects. In fact, if there was a way to trade me for Mike Trout, I'm guessing Kenny would drive me to the airport to make sure that deal goes through -- and I would understand." The one problem with Hahn is that he might be too good at his job. The Chicagoland native has become such an integral part of the White Sox front office that it will take the perfect offer to get him to move. Many inside baseball think that Hahn's best opportunity will be to take over from Kenny Williams, though there's no indication that's going to happen soon. Hahn has interviewed for jobs in the past, but has seldom pushed for a job, furthering the thought that he's "too comfortable." Some AGM's like Hahn, David Forst in Oakland, or Chris Antonetti in Cleveland had enough autonomy and enough of a voice before moving up that moving to some jobs would be lateral. Many expected Hahn to be a stronger candidate for the Padres job a couple years ago due to his longtime connections to Padres owner Jeff Moorad, but some think it's that very association that held him back. Hahn's name is at the top of any list an owner will put together this offseason. Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writ...l#ixzz1VLSfiqv2

Twins hold on to win 6-5.

Huge two-run single by Justin Morneau with 2 outs, Nathan will try to close it out. 6-4 (at least) Twins.

Twins have the bases loaded with no outs in the top of the 9th against Valverde. Thankfully, because the White Sox sure aren't playing with any sense of urgency. Ooops...Plouffe and Mauer K'ed, one more chance to take the lead or the Tigers will take this game in all likelihood.

Bad news. Ohman warming, Buehrle streak in jeopardy. Perkins has loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the 8th for the Tigers. Valverde looming.

Mauer leads off the 8th inning with a double, tied 3-3 now. Boesch was out trying to score the go-ahead run on a Miguel Cabrera single with two outs. Thome puts the Twins ahead 4-3, yay!!!

Because Dunn turned down the Nationals’ three-year offer to join the White Sox, the Nats obtained two compensatory draft picks in June. Last night they signed both of those picks, right-hander Alex Meyer, selected 23rd overall, and outfielder Brian Goodwin, selected 34th overall, in addition to their other top picks. By reaching deals with the 6’9” Meyer and Goodwin, a former Cape Cod League standout, the Nationals added significant talent to their system and even though the two players cost $5MM in total, Washington is already drawing praise for its aggressive approach. The Nationals had interest in Dunn on a multiyear deal last year, so they were wrong about him just like the White Sox and many other teams (I was wrong, too). But their decision not to outbid Chicago turned out to be an excellent one. Instead of an expensive, positionless and now unproductive player, they added two potentially impactful prospects for a fraction of the price. http://www.mlbtraderumors.com We already drafted and didn't sign Goodwin in 2009, right? Talk about kicking sand in the face...