[Zach Stewart!]

The Jays obviously thought enough of him to give him a handful of starts last season when they were still in the division race.

 

That said, he's mysteriously lost 3-4 MPH on his fastball.

 

And Molina's lost the ability to strike out opposing hitters or record a sub 4.5 ERA in a pitcher's haven.

 

Go away, Marco Paddy!

What does Paddy have to do with Stewart?

[Can we please find a big league 3B?!]

Dan Johnson can't play 3B very well and hasn't hit at the major league level in 5 years. He's probably a worse choice than McPherson.

McPherson can't stay healthy and has sucked this year, so he's not even a choice.

 

I completely understand what Dan Johnson has been at the major league level, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Dan Johnson is currently 1st in OBP and 2nd in HRs in the International Leauge. His batting average won't translate to the pros, but he should be able to walk and hit HRs at a more than reasonable pace. Offensively, he'd be a tremendous upgrade, simply because we've gotten nothing from 3B.

 

The real issue is obviously defense and I have no clue how he is at 3B. If he's even remotely passable, I think he'd be an overall upgrade to Hudson.

[Can we please find a big league 3B?!]

I think I'm at the point where I'd be willing to try something different at 3B. ODog is not the answer, Morel won't be back for a while, and I don't believe Escobar or Lillibridge are legitimate options.

 

f*** it, I think I might give Dan Johnson a shot at this point if I was KW. We are coming to a crossroads soon, and I have concerns about our ability to remain competive if we continue getting no offensive production out of 3B. Giving Dan Johnson the job is the ultimate last resort decision, but he'd get some walks and hit some HRs, which I'd hope would compensate for the defensive downgrade he presents.

 

I guess I don't see the harm at this point. If he sucks, which is very possible, give the job back to ODog or hopefully Morel eventually. I just think we need to try something, because things can't get much worse at 3B.

[Can we please find a big league 3B?!]

I'm saying you get rid of them when you can, except for maybe Peavy. There's nothing to say they have a bad second half and become immovable again, if they even are moveable now.

If you trade Dunn or Peavy, then you are calling it a season. We don't have any replacements for them whatsoever. There is really no debating this.

 

The only way we survive trading Rios is if Danks can play above everyone's expectations or we trade for a replacement, which may prevent us from improving other areas of the team.

 

I've got to be honest, I'm shocked you proposed this. Killing a season where we have a chance and pissing off the few fans we have attending games to free up some money for the future is just crazy to me.

[The one good thing about letting everyone back into the race]

The Sox lost facing Kershaw. This season is ova. I see Mitt's(caulfied) pendulum is starting to swing the other way again. "Let" other teams back in the "race". That's rich. Like 4 or 5 out with 100 to play is out of it in the AL Central. The Sox are flawed. KW would probably even admit that. So is every other team in the division. If they pitch, they win. Anyone who really thinks KW would consider trading Viciedo for a 3 month rental has not been paying attention.

Don't worry, as soon as the Sox win like 4 or 5 in a row, caulfield will start a thread saying the time is now and the Sox are the clear favorites to win the division. I've never seen a more bi-polar poster in my entire life.

 

It was a tough loss, but we are still in first place. How many people thought we'd be in first place on June 16th, with almost nothing from Floyd, Humber, & 3B and Danks on the DL for an extended period of time? Things could be much f***ing worse than first place.

 

Also, if anyone is seriously concerned about the Royals, then I've lost all respect for them as a poster. I don't give a f*** about their 4 game winning streak, there is practically no chance of them finishing third or better.

[6/13 Games]

Semien and Sanchez switched positions at W-S.

Is this permanent or are they just trying to give Sanchez some playing time at SS?

[2012 White Sox draft picks]

I was wondering if that was the same Salvador Sanchez when I saw the roster. I really like this organization trying failed position prospects as pitchers. It may not work out very often, but there's harm in at least trying,

[2012 White Sox Catch-All thread]

I'd be more worried about it if all of baseball hadn't passed on him.

I could be wrong, but I don't think Rule 5 draft picks have to pass through waivers before being offered back to their original team.

[Something has to be done to improve the rotation]

If you want to win this year deal Viciedo for a starter and trade for Youk.

I'm all for making moves this year to improve, but under no circumstance do you cripple your future to do so. Trading Viciedo would be exactly that kind of move. Honestly, I think starting pitching is going to be too expensive for our blood. I'd rather consider giving Quintana an extended look or call up Axelrod and then move Humber to bullpen. I think Danks will be more than fine as our #3 the rest of the way and Floyd will most likely turn around at some point. If so, we only need a 5th starter that doesn't completely throw away games IMO.

 

I still think a move Youkilis makes the most sense, but obviously the price would have to right and Gavin would be a terrible overpay.

[Something has to be done to improve the rotation]

Honestly now that I look at it I'm not really sure who sans Youk works....For Floyd anyway. Headley would make sense but not for Floyd. Maybe one of Axe/Doyle and Tflow/Phegley might work for SD.

 

A pipe dream would be Mike Olt from Texas but I can't see that happening without Tank being involved.

Axelrod, Doyle, & Phegley don't have a ton of value. Neither does Flowers, although his physical tools make him more attractive than the other three IMO. None of these guys are going to be the centerpiece for a player like Headley.

[Something has to be done to improve the rotation]

Axelrod and Doyle have been dominating in the AAA...why not trade Floyd for a 3B and go with Sale-Peavy-Danks-Q-Doyle/Axelrod???

 

Over their last 10 games Doyle has a 2.05 ERA and a sub 1 whip while Dylan has 2.71 ERA (which includes back to back games of giving up 5 & 7 runs) and a Whip barely above 1. Whats left for them to prove in AAA???

Going with two of Quintana, Doyle, & Axelrod is a terrible idea if you're trying to compete.

[6.9 Games]

Well, Molina's given up 90 hits in 69 IP.

 

That's not going to work, no matter how good his control is.

 

Single, double, double, single, 3-0 now against the Barons...still batting in the 1st. 7 hits/15 AB's.

 

ERA back up to 5.06 after getting down to 4.74 entering today.

Given the low strikeout totals, I honestly think the Sox have him working on a pitch.

[You're KW, what next?]

I don't feel like mitchell has all that much trade value, even with a solid performance so far in the first half of this season. Just for an example, there seem to be plenty of people saying an 18 year old high schooler who can do a backflip would rank higher on a prospect list than him. At least if I'm an opposing GM, there's nothing in the Sox's system I'd backflip over, even Mitchell.

We're talking about Edison Volquez here, not some elite starting pitcher. No one is going to be doing "backflips" for him at the deadline.

 

As for Mitchell, if he maintains his current performance, he'll easily be a top 100 prospect and not some fringe one. The strikeouts are alarming, but he walks a ton, has elite speed, and actually has legitimate power. He has the potential to be one of the best leadoff hitters in the game. To think few GMs would be interested in him is crazy to me.

[You're KW, what next?]

Just because the Reds gave up a fortune for Latos doesn't mean the Padres will be happy to help us out. And "Our top prospect" doesn't mean that much in this system. And "Young starter who has done fairly well in limited major league innings" = "Guy who was picked up off the scrap heap last offseason". Left Handed Major League Reliever = guy with an ERA of 5, WHIP of 1.6, who already lost the closer's job. Guys who have use to us don't necessarily have a ton of value on the trade market sometimes, because the other team has to have a "Cooper who can fix them".

 

The Padres can hold out for a team to overpay for Volquez.

 

If the player was performing better than Volquez currently is, then you would start talking about Addison as the main piece.

Volquez has a 1.4 WHIP. His ERA is only respectable because of Petco. Also, he's only cheap because he's coming off an injury-plaqued season. If he can stay healthy then he'll earn a significant raise and will them be a free agent after next season. Why is an one extra year for a lot of money so valuable?

 

As for Santaigo, he's a god damn rookie. Teams don't use the first third of a rookie's first season as gospel. They are going to scout him and see a young, left-handed pitcher with the stuff to be a dominant reliever and possibly a starter. That's incredibly valuable, despite his rookie struggles.

 

And I don't care if Quintana was picked off the scrap heap. If a team thinks he can be a major league starter, then he'll have value. Cheap, cost-controlled left-handed aren't easy to come by.

[You're KW, what next?]

2 years before free agency, guy who is moderately cheap, not putting up stellar numbers but good enough, the Padres have little reason why they're forced to move him unless they get something valuable back in return. You might, might be able to do that by giving up 3 or 4 pieces from our minor leagues, headlined by Mitchell and a couple pitchers. I could see Mitchell + Santiago + Quintana being the basis of something that would work for the Padres.

So let me get this straight. Volquez was basically the 3rd or 4th piece in the Latos trade, yet now he's worth our top prospect, a young starter who has done fairly well in limited major league innings, and a left-handed major leage reliever with lots of upside that might have the stuff to become a starter down the road. All this for an average at-best starting pitcher who has significant injury concerns. I'm sorry but I think you are blowing this guys' value to the Padres out of the water.

[6/8 Games]

Yeah, I think Carlos has replaced TSalad as our best infield prospect. Plenty young to develop sufficient power going forward.

And he doesn't even need to develop that much power if his plate discipline continues to improve. What I love about him compared to someone like Eduardo Escobar is that he's able to draw walks fairly well, even at such a young age. That makes me believe he'll continue to improve in that area.

[GT: Houston Astros @ Chicago White Sox]

What concerns you so much about attendance?

While the attendance is dissapointong, winning baseball games is the only thing that matters right now. Our offense is starting to cool off and we have too many starting pitchers trying their best to lose games.

 

Also, we need to get rid of Will Ohman ASAP. He is just worthless. I don't care what lefties are batting off him, look at his peripherals. There is just no way to use him effectively. I don't care if we call up a RHP to replace him. This is an obvious hole in the bullpen that can be filled with one of our AAA guys.

[GT: Houston Astros @ Chicago White Sox]

No, I don't think this is true.

I agree. I'm pretty sure he's only in charge of baseball activities. I'm not sure who hired Brooks Boyer, but I doubt he had much involvement.

[6/8 Games]

Sanchez hitting .330 but OPS still under 800. Not easy to do.

He was the 3rd youngest player in the league entering the season and is a middle infielder. Not sure why you think a lack of power is surprising.

[2012 White Sox Catch-All thread]

PK supposed to be back tomorrow, but Johnson gives you more versatility when the Sox play at NL parks now that Escobar can also play LF. I don't see the point in promoting Danks for 2 weeks only to send him back down after only a few ABs at most.

Wouldn't we have to pass Dan Johnson through waivers when we send him back down eventually? I know it's not the end of world if he gets claimed, but I'd rather not sacrafice the left-handed insurance he provides just in case something more serious happens. If we're talking two weeks or so with Fukudome, I'm fine with Danks getting the call.

[Brandon Allen DFA'd]

Dollars paid to player following trade:

 

Tony Pena: $2.8 million

Brandon Allen:

Great point. What's 1 WAR valued at these days?

[Brandon Allen DFA'd]

Ha, that's classic. For a trade that got repeatedly blasted, Kenny ended up winning it.

Winning a trade because a prospect flames out doesn't mean it was the best use of the asset. I don't care if Allen ever plays another game, I honestly believe KW targeted Pena and overpaid to get him.

[6/5 Games]

Disagree, and agree with Caulfield. Let Ravelo stay at Kanny thru the All Star Game. Unless he goes into a slump or gets hurt between now and then, send him up to W-S. We don't know how good this kid is. With all our troubles at third, we need to push him along. Rockies have a 20 year old at third base in AA, and he is doing well. There are others at his age doing well in all classifications, including the majors.

Unfortunately, promoting minor leaguers is not just based on individual performance but also the development needs of the player above them at the same position. Juan Silverio is not a great prospect, but he's only 21 and has some interesting tools, which makes him an important player in a system as bad as ours. Any value he has or can develop is based on his ability to play 3B. Right now that looks unlikely, but you need to keep out there in case he can make some progress. Since Silverio is age appropriate for his league and not dominating, there really is no need to promote him yet. The same logic applies to Ravelo, even if there was a spot available in Winston Salem.

[2012 MLB draft talk]

Beck looks like he could be quite the steal. I really hope they treat him like a first rounder and send him directly to Kannapolis if he signs quickly. If all goes well, he could start next season at Winston Salem. That seems like the age and skill appropriate level for a player like him.

[White Sox draft Courtney Hawkins OF out of Carroll HS (TX)]

Blah. Not a fan of another OF this early with the organization starving for SP.

And I can guarantee we target pitching (and middle IFs) during the international signing period. Plus our minor league pitching depth is way, way better than our position depth.