Pumpkin Escobar

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Feb 6, 2009 -> 10:04 AM) I agree with everything, it's just that he did not have mechanics you'd like to teach to younger ballplayers. Frank was all about putting power into the ball, and lifting his right leg as he swings. I just looked at some video and it doesn't appear to be as bad as I remembered, but it's still not something you want to put into every hitter's mind. The thought behind it though - the transfer of weight from the back leg to the front leg as you swing - is fantastic, and that's where all of his power came from. If you put 270+ pounds of weight into a baseball, it's going to go a long ways. Of course, if you are Alexei Ramirez and you try and duplicate that, you'll have a much different result. If anything, it would be a good drill for some hitters to do just to get used to the feeling, but it shouldn't be duplicated unless you have enough muscle or mass behind the ball. I dont know, if we can bulk Alexi up to 270, he has a chance. haha but Yes. very true on the mechanics part of it. I think his approach to hitting is what every ballplayer should follow but thats just me.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Feb 5, 2009 -> 08:36 PM) With Frank's unique style of hitting, I don't want him teaching any of my hitters how to hit a baseball. How to go about attacking a pitcher, perhaps, but not a batting coach. Maybe I was too young to understand Franks unique style of hitting. Or maybe I am tying my father's views of his style of hitting too closely into his actual style but I somewhat copied the hurt in my later stages of baseball and into high school. I saw him as a guy who had a great approach. He had a great eye and looked to drive the ball to right-centerfield. If he is going to preach that to some of our younger pull hitters with k issues, then I am all for it. I don't think he had a unique style, but I think he was one of the few who could pull it off to the level he did. Idk...just my thought. Maybe you guys can share some things though.

QUOTE (whitesoxbrian @ Feb 4, 2009 -> 10:01 PM) IMO Abreu makes us the favorite in the ALC. His OBP is 30 points higher then Dye's, he had a better AVG by a few points, he had 100 RBI unlike Dye, and I'm going to guess he had more SB's. Abreu would probably be our #2 hitter, no? I agree with you. I didn't give the ballpark factors a look before I typed this but I'd imagine his power numbers would increase a bit in our park as well. I would love to have him on a 1 year deal. Especially considering that it doesn't cost us a pick and I would imagine he is a type A player with a repeat performance. Even type B wouldnt be bad. You net players for Dye, probably cut salary a couple mil, get more speed, obp, a lefty bat, and get picks for Abreu when he leaves. Seems like a no brainer. Maybe I am crazy though.

I'd love to pull of a Quentin + (insert names) for Felix. I'd be sad to see him go but I'd love Felix. If Morrow and Balentin can be had for Dye or Thome or Kong, I'd do that as well. I think Morrow could easily be our closer and make a move of Jenks that much easier to digest next season.

I mentioned this yesterday in the Abreu thread. I think some kid made it up in the "comments" section of MLBTR and it's Abreu to Sox section. I was in complete shock that some kid would be dumb enough to think Washburn had any value at all on the trade circuit. Now I am more shocked that Bleacherreport would run with it. How dumb are people?

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Feb 3, 2009 -> 09:05 PM) Glavine (doubtful) Rogers (same) Mulder (maybe) Looper Yadel Marti Sheets R. Wolf Pedro Martinez K. Benson (doubtful) Paul Byrd It looks like the thread on mlbtr has been downsized but someone was suggesting some outrageous deal for Washburn. People think Sox fans have pipe dreams but this guy was talking a Delmon Young or Carlos Quentin for him. One of the funnier things I've ever seen. Anywho, out of that list I'd peg Sheets, Pedro, Marti and Mulder as targets. Not sure what is available in the trade circles but I can't imagine much. If the Mariners are another team seeking a bat, along with (Cin, LAD, LAA, SF) then I wouldn't mind taking a risk on a guy like Bedard. I know Seattle has interest in Abreu so I doubt they'd bite but if Abreu signs here, they don't have much of a choice. I think they'd want any of the three (Dye, Thome, Konerko). If not obviously Bailey/Adenhart/Figgins/Jon Sanchez would be other targets from those teams. I hope there is something positive which comes out of this. If not positive, at least something exciting.

QUOTE (kyyle23 @ Feb 3, 2009 -> 01:45 PM) Murphy is the lowest of the lowest common denominators. Talk about a fanboy, some of his assertions about baseball are absolutely ridiculous I used to leave the score on while I was at work until the afternoon, and I don't anymore because they're 100% morons. I just get angry, so now I leave Pandora on and just check the internet for info.

QUOTE (dpd9189 @ Feb 3, 2009 -> 11:44 AM) If we're going to spend 8 mil on a player for 1 year, I'd much rather it be Ben Sheets. I agree with you there. However if this is a precursor to a move for a very good young arm or to fill other holes, I don't mind trying it.

QUOTE (GREEDY @ Feb 3, 2009 -> 09:26 AM) Just in case anyone cares: Abreu sucks in RF. I would have to think Quentin would move to RF if Abreu replaced JD. Abreu is bad but isn't Dye just as bad, if not worse. I could've sworn Dye was like the worst AL Rf in the fielding bible, or up there. I'd hope Quentin would shirt to RF but who knows their possible plan.

I'd assume this offer isn't made without somewhat of a gentleman's agreement already on the backburner with Dye or Thome (most likely JD). I'd like this move only if it brings back high-talented young player(s). Abreu would be a nice addition in the 2 spot or really anywhere in the lineup b/c he can get on-base. I'm all for it but I can't imagine he accepts it, then again, the list of other suitors aren't exactly contenders and in one year maybe the market bounces back a little. I'd imagine even more if he takes advantage of our park.

I don't doubt Fields can be a very good player. My concerns, as with most people, lies within his ability to hit for average (too many k's) and his defense. I was a Crede supporter because we knew we would get great defense and a bat with a lot of upside. If Fields is playing great defense, I think we all have seen his bat has a lot of upside. Maybe more then Crede's. So I am all for giving Fields a chance with Crede gone and giving Viciedo a chance to develop. I just see Viciedo on the team because theyll want to make his transition easier, which is where Contreras and Alexi would come in. Maybe I am wrong on that?

I think he is "set" as in content. He isn't the type of guy who isn't always listening or exploring. I also think this whole "payroll maxed out" talk is for the birds. I think in recent years he has voiced how they didn't have the prospects or money at the deadline to pull a deal. This year I think we will play it out and if we are in it, we'll add actually add a big time piece at one of these "holes". If we are out of it...Dye, Thome, etc. will all be out the door. Maybe even a Jenks.

Good read. One reclamation project I am surprised we haven't pursued all these years is Mark Mulder. With him being from the Chicago area (South Holland I believe) I am just surprised we haven't gone after him. I figure they must think he is done or they just think his reclamation project is too expensive, cuz it probably is.

QUOTE (WCSox @ Jan 26, 2009 -> 06:26 PM) He can go back to Anaheim and play for his favorite manager. :oldrolleyes So Cabrera the prima donna and Swisher the obnoxious 10-year-old didn't get a long with Ozzie, eh? Shocker. ETA: I'm speculating about Swish. His .219 BA and sudden decline after leaving the 'roids-infested A's may have had something to do with it as well. I don't think that had to do with it. He had a terrible BABIP and that is more likely the cause. He was projected to have a .320+ and hit in the .240's. Which I think was the largest split in the league. It hurt us in many ways, including that we ended up selling low on him. I'm sure this has been posted, but I'll put it up anyways. http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2008/11/1...ght-low-on-nick With regards to the AL central. I've kind of been hoping for a fire sale the last couple years but if everyone's going to keep picking the Indians/Twins/Tigers every year, I have no issues with being the team who actually wins the division as all of them faulter from lofty expectations. It's going to be an open division again, so hopefully we stay healthy and have a couple young kids pan out. Not all, but I wouldn't mind Fields and our 5 starter to be legit. Sidenote: I think Sizemore is a very, very good player but I am so sick of him being the preseason mvp every year. When does it end?

QUOTE (chitownsportsfan @ Jan 23, 2009 -> 01:22 PM) Yea I really think people are sleeping on Viciedo hard core. From the amount of money he got (and the interest from teams like the Yankees) I would think he would have been a top #10 pick in this year's draft. So he's overweight? He's 19 years old for god's sake. Give him a year or two with a professional training staff, a personal chef, and the pride of being a cuban MLB player and I think he'll be a bronze titan soon enough. Most non-track athletes (football players, baseball players, basketball big men) are a bit soft in their late teens. I see no worry here. Plus the Sox are expecting him to compete for a starting 3B spot as a 19 year old! That speaks to the lack of any real options in the org, but it also speaks to how advanced Danny is for his age. With his background and what not, it does seem that way. I am not sure if it's just me or most of White Sox nation who always feel like we get strange/lesser credit for things. In this case, I wonder where he'd have been ranked had someone like Boston, NYY, NYM, or even if the Cubs had gotten him. Obviously there is a lot of questions about him but no more then someone like Inoa and he got ranked fairly high so it leaves me wondering?

QUOTE (SleepyWhiteSox @ Jan 26, 2009 -> 03:10 PM) Very heart-warming. And the Dodgers should buy her that apparatus she's asking donations for. They should've bought it about what, 8 years ago now. What terrible PR people.

QUOTE (Melissa1334 @ Jan 26, 2009 -> 02:01 PM) its going to cost a lot to keep floyd, danks, alexei, cq, and jenks though I agree we'll have to take a lot of that money and put it towards them, but not as much or as soon as you'd think. With Danks, I can see them buying out his arb years and a couple of free agency. Especially after seeing today's deal with Grienke, it could be a model in a year with a stellar season out of Danks. Alexi is locked up for nothing until 2011, and I wouldn't be surprised if we up'd that contract a bit and extended it. With Floyd and Quentin, it may be better to go year by year. Floyd because I don't trust him to perform consistent enough each year. I have my doubts as do some of you with him. CQ needs to stay healthy for a full year or longer before I lock him up to a sizemore type deal. The downside there is a healthy year like last season and he may want more. I'd give him the contract but thats just me. Jenks is on his own for me. Some people i know are concerned about his elbow, the whole velocity story (is it intentional/smart on his part or can he really not throw hard), and his price tag. I'm on the boat for dealing him and next years FA closer crop isn't near as talented as this one so he'll have more value than today IMO.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jan 24, 2009 -> 01:03 PM) He throws a ton of high fastballs. Whenever I saw him face a good hitting team, like the Cubs (AL caliber lineup), they knocked his stuff all around the park. What's up everyone? First post! I don't agree with that. They hit him well last year, so did the Astros. The year before it was like the Pirates who hit him well and I don't think they are an AL caliber lineup. By that logic, Buehrle must not be very good cuz he had more then 1 AL actual team knock him around a lot last year. I've seen Sheets pitch a few times in person and I think his stuff is overwhelming when he is at 80% health or better. When he is healthy, he doesn't rely on his fastball as much but he does pretty well with it regardless. I'm not sure if I agree about the location of them, so I'll watch for it a little more carefully this year. I think he'd be a valuable addition to our rotation for several reasons. The first being that he is pretty good and better than what we have right now. The second being that it'd split our rotation up nicely going from LRLR in arms. He also loses the pressure of being the Ace in our rotation because of it's depth. If he needs to miss a couple days/starts, we can let him instead of forcing the issue on him. If you buy into the Cooper effect, then he can hopefully help Sheets as well. The downside is price. I saw today that gm's still would be shocked if he gets 2 years 20 mil. If thats the case, I'd sign him. We'll lose our pick but it Sheets pans out over the two years, we'll get a return on our investment and get his compensation. Maybe we need to deal something to create payroll, and I know most are against dealing Dye but if it nets us prospects and Sheets, I'm on board. Unfortunately, none of this will happen.