Y2Jimmy0

Season 3 of Bloodline will be the last on Netflix: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed...x-season-928743

QUOTE (greg775 @ Sep 14, 2016 -> 10:03 PM) Nice. I would guess the young guys will be the key to whether we can make a run for the Cup. They have some highly regarded guys like Nick Schmaltz and Michael Kempny. Come playoff time though, it's about your stars being great. It's nice to have a team that's always at least in contention. I think Vegas has the Hawks with the 2nd highest odds to win the cup.

QUOTE (JUSTgottaBELIEVE @ Sep 14, 2016 -> 12:22 PM) I already laid it out in other threads but I will repeat again here. Here's the lineup that I believe is absolutely a contender. I have already stated that it will cost the White Sox an additional $15-20MM in payroll compared to this season but if JR is truly going for it then these are the types of moves required to make the next step. Projected lineup using their 2016 statistics: 1. Fowler CF (833 OPS, wRC+ 127) 2. Eaton RF (798 OPS, wRC+ 116) 3. Abreu 1B/DH (832 OPS, wRC+ 119) 4. Cabrera LF (780 OPS, wRC+ 107) 5. Frazier 3B (749 OPS, wRC+ 96) 6. Moreland DH/1B (763 OPS, wRC+ 97) 7. Wieters C (701 OPS, wRC+ 84) 8. Lawrie 2B (723 OPS, wRC+ 91) / Saladino 2B (731 OPS, wRC+ 93) 9. Anderson SS (729 OPS, wRC+ 92) You have 1 very good hitter, 2 good hitters, 1 slightly above average hitter, 2 average hitters, 2 slightly below average hitters, and 1 below average hitter. I see no reason why that is anything less than a league average offense. Combine that with 4 starters carrying an ERA under 4, including 2 guys just over 3, and all you need from the #5 starter is a mid to upper 4 ERA rather than the close to 8 they have gotten this season. I also expect a bullpen of Robertson, Jennings, Jones, Putnam, Petricka, Burdi, and ? via trade or FA to be improved from this season. Giving up a top 12-15 draft pick to sign Dexter Fowler doesn't make any sense.

QUOTE (NCsoxfan @ Sep 14, 2016 -> 08:59 AM) How many home games does Sale pitch per year? 15? Are there a substantial amount of people that ONLY attend because Sale is pitching? Maybe some, but I have a hard time believing it's a material amount given how abysmal attendance is anyways. I usually try to see Sale, Q, or Rodon when I go. Sale pitching is definitely an extra incentive for me but it's not a deal breaker.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Sep 13, 2016 -> 09:36 PM) For a playoff only fan ... will the Hawks be good this year? What happened to them in the offseason? They have Toews, Kane, Keith, Seabrook, Panarin, Hossa, and Crawford. With those guys they will be in contention for a cup every year. So yes, they'll be good. The West is very good though and Hawks have a lot of new guys and young players that will play this year.

QUOTE (2005thxfrthmmrs @ Sep 14, 2016 -> 04:40 AM) From a fWAR perspective, if we want to be a playoff team, we need at least 36 WAR's (~18 offense, 14 starting pitching and 4 bullpen, according to 2015 and 2016 numbers), . Here's how the potential returning players for 2017 could fare: Offense: C - Navaez/whoever the starter is 0.5 WAR 1B - TBD 2B - Saladino - 1.5 WAR 3B - Frazier - 2.5 WAR (if BABIP theory is true) SS - Anderson - 3 WAR (projecting growth in year 2) LF - Melky - 1.2 WAR CF - TBD RF - Eaton - 4.5 WAR DH - Abreu - 2.5 WAR (time to move him DH) Bench - 0.3 WAR Total minus TBD - 16 WAR Ideally we'd move Abreu to DH to hide his shortcomings defensively, however, I do not think the Sox would end up doing that, so whoever they bring in as DH and Abreu would combine to total of 2.5 WAR. We'd need a 2 WAR CF (Ideally 3-4 WAR, if the other players do not meet their projections) to make the lineup at least playoff caliber. So someone like Blackmon, Cespedes, or Inciarte (would make the OF defense much better) would be ideal. Starting Pitchers 1. Sale - 5 WAR (easily 6+) 2. Quintana - 5 WAR 3. Rodon - 3.5 WAR (is 2017 his breakout year?) 4. Shields 0 WAR (could be much worse, please release him) 5. Gonzalez - 1.5 WAR Total 14 WAR Our 1-2 is top notch. Rodon is teasing us in second half again and could put it together next year. Gonzalez is better than expected and should hold his own as number 5. Shields killed us this year, we must release him (though I don't see it happening). If we could get a reliable #4 (~2-3 WAR), this is comfortably a playoff quality rotation. But I'm doubtful we could do anything to improve, and I do not think Fulmer/Burdi will be the answer in 2017. Bullpen 2016 =3.2 WAR, could finish ~3.5. Need more pieces in 2017 But WAR does not factor in how many blown opportunities we had as a team. In a perfect world, we need a more consistent closer (however I think Robertson sticks around, and I do not want to see Jones closing). We definitely need another quality lefty, and another solid contributor. Pencilling in at the moment as Robertson, Jones, LHP FA signing, Jennings, Ynoa, FA Signing or Juan Minaya (I think he has potential) In summary, we have the pieces, should be close to a 30 WAR team, but would need the following to be a contender in 2017: - Another core player, preferably a high end CF - A quality DH - A quality lefty out of the pen - Shields to not wet the bed every time he starts . If Hanh/KW wants to go all in, we need to move Abreu to DH, both the eye test and advance stats tell us he hurts on the field more than he helps. We also need to move Robertson off the closer role and get ourselves a more consistent and reliable closer. To me these two are long shot but are must moves, otherwise we will hang around the WC for much of the year and end up missing by a few games. I don't see any reasonable way in which they go for it again. It could be a typical White Sox offseason by signing (Jason Castro, Adam Lind, and Peter Bourjos) but does that really get you anywhere? They can't sign any free agents with a QO attached because they can't afford to give up 1st round picks. They also don't have the prospects (and can't afford to deal the excess it would take) to acquire a real difference maker in a trade. I've fought against it for a long time but the only logical way to go about this offseason is by trading Sale for a haul of prospects and then trading Frazier, Melky, and Robertson as well. Eaton, Q, and Abreu are a little trickier with the years of control though. I don't think they'll be good enough in the next 2 years to win with Chris Sale so this offseason with 3 years of control is probably the most opportune time to cash in that asset. I just don't see the adding route. Sale, Q, and Rodon have been great recently and this team still struggles far too often. I think a step back is necessary and I think it's coming.

QUOTE (Thad Bosley @ Sep 13, 2016 -> 08:27 PM) Not at all actually, thanks for asking. I'll go to the typical three games I make it to when I make my three typical visits to Chicago next summer. I can tell you that number won't be lower if Sale is, in fact, traded. Now how about you, Dick? More games next year or fewer if Sale is traded? Going to pull back on that season ticket package if they trade Sale? According to the thinking of some, that is pretty much the inevitable outcome. I went to about 10 games this year. I usually go about 8-10 times. I haven't gone lately because I coach HS football but if they were in the race I would have found more time to go. I'll probably go to the same amount of games with Sale or without next year unless they are in the race late in the season. If they are somehow, I'll find my way to more games.

It's amazing the amount of people that in here clamoring for a .750 .OPS player. He's fine. Not special by any means though and would be best suited in a utility role.

Theres a reason why I didn't include pitching wins when I listed those 5 candidates

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 13, 2016 -> 12:16 PM) Not at all. Pitching in important games should be more important than meaningless ones. It is kind of common sense to me. You are penalizing guys for something beyond their control though.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Sep 13, 2016 -> 11:15 AM) Going back to Andre Dawson in 1987 there's always been that debate that the Cy and MVP have to come from playoff contending teams unless the statistical dominance over the field is completely overwhelming voters have no choice. Sale winning over a Red Sox pitcher or even Verlander would be pretty shocking. The only thing more shocking would be Q. There shouldn't be though. It's about most valuable in general. Not most valuable on a good team. Rick Porcello isn't having as good of a season as Chris Sale or Corey Kluber. Hell, if Jose Quintana were on Boston he'd likely be the overwhelming Cy Young favorite because he'd be hovering around 20 wins as well. If Porcello wins this award, we really should stop giving it out.

Who should win? Player A: 193.2 IP, 3.21 ERA, 3.46 FIP, 4.3 fWAR Player B: 197.2 IP, 3.05 ERA, 3.14 FIP, 5 fWAR Player C: 201.2 IP, 3.03 ERA, 3.43 FIP, 4.8 fWAR Player D: 186.2 IP, 3.04 ERA, 3.23 FIP, 5 fWAR Player E: 184 IP, 3.13 ERA, 3.41 FIP, 4.6 fWAR

QUOTE (TheTruth05 @ Sep 13, 2016 -> 10:28 AM) +1 Jake Peter may come up next year and be a solid utility type as well.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 13, 2016 -> 09:57 AM) Saladino has been a great find this year. His numbers were much better in part time duty, but he has even held up pretty well after Lawrie's injury put him in starting line up. The best thing we take away from this season is that the White Sox farm system has drafted and fully developed two starting position players. They drafted and developed one that is starting for Oakland as well.

Lawrie would have had 20-30 doubles and 20 homers had he stayed healthy. It doesn't really matter at this point though because I'm pretty confident the rebuild is coming. Saladino is fine, my only issue is when people act like he's some kid. He's 27 years old. Very solid utility guy. Not a 1st Division regular though.

QUOTE (SCCWS @ Sep 13, 2016 -> 07:37 AM) One important factor everyone is leaving out. Pitching in big games. Unfortunately Q and Sale do not pitch in big games in August and September. Porcello and to some extent Kluber are. Porcello just beat Toronto on the road and goes against Orioles this week at home. So that is a factor that needs to be added to the mix. I don't think it does because you are penalizing them for something that isn't their fault. You might as well use pitching wins. They're both subjective.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Sep 12, 2016 -> 12:13 PM) This was Lovie's downfall as well. Fox knows personnel way more than Lovie and hires a better staff though. Fox can evaluate talent and Lovie is really bad at it.

QUOTE (bmags @ Sep 11, 2016 -> 04:44 PM) Watching basically every rookie WR having an impact and think hmm about Kevin White He is raw though. They also didn't really use him properly. he should catch a few quick passes and bubbles to get him in space initially. Everyone's routes were too deep yesterday. Houston's defense is awesome but Crennel took Loggains to the woodshed in the 2nd half

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Sep 11, 2016 -> 04:56 PM) Don't know what was said, but apparently Dan Hampton blasted the Bears coaching staff after the game. Hampton basically blamed the game on them starting Whitehair. I completely disagree with him. It's the only option. He's the future. There is no better time than now. He was saying that Larsen should have started since it was on the road and against Wilfork. Ted Larsen sucks though. Kreutz said something similar. These same people would have said Larsen sucked and they should have played the rookie if it were the other way around. Coaching staff had a rough game but that outcome was determined by Houston having more good players than the Bears do. The Bears won't face another defense like that for awhile. Tough first matchup.

QUOTE (DrunkBomber @ Sep 9, 2016 -> 02:19 PM) Thats fine, Im just not in the business of telling other people how to raise their kids. Personally I think every parent should do it but without a horse in the race its not really an issue I care to debate. I understand your perspective. I don't think it's a debate though. There shouldn't be two sides to every topic. This is one where there is no other side to argue.

QUOTE (DrunkBomber @ Sep 8, 2016 -> 01:17 PM) He said he wanted to make it mandatory and I pretty much said its not that big of a deal to me so its funny thats what you choose to harp on It should be a concern even if you don't have kids though. It's a national health risk when people are inconsiderate enough to not vaccinate their kids.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Sep 9, 2016 -> 11:29 AM) We don't know that 100% yet. I can almost guarantee they won't be spending on a QO free agent. At least I hope not. It would be very short-sighted. They are in no position to give away 1st round draft picks

QUOTE (JUSTgottaBELIEVE @ Sep 9, 2016 -> 11:03 AM) I'd say the guys I previously suggest fill those needs: Moreland and Fowler. For probably a slightly higher cost, Alvarez and Desmond would work as well. I doubt the Sox will be forfeiting a 1st round pick to sign anyone let alone Fowler or Desmond. They are selling.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Sep 9, 2016 -> 09:12 AM) Matt Davidson and Avi Garcia should be red flags in regards to anyone thinking these guys are better at identifying minor league talent. I agree. I'm just saying though. It is unrealistic to acquire top notch position players like Betts who are already in the majors. He has more value than Chris Sale does. They will need to acquire prospects but they need to be correct on which ones to acquire.

QUOTE (Dunt @ Sep 9, 2016 -> 08:47 AM) B/c Seager is a legitimate MVP candidate and infinitely more valuable Exactly. They need to acquire the future MVP candidate that is currently in the minors whoever that may be. They need to identify guys and they need to be right.