DirtySox

QUOTE (South Side Fireworks Man @ Feb 19, 2010 -> 03:38 PM) Smart move by Kenny. He's tired of Boras trying to make the Sox bid against themselves. Apparantly the reported 2 year $14M offer from the Tigers was BS. Boras had the Sox' $6M offer in his pocket and he was trying to squeeze more out of the Tigers while at the same time hoping the Sox would up their offer. Now with KW publicly declaring his offer is off the table, Damon and the Tigers both know that there is no other offer. If Damon really wants to play for the Sox for $6M, he'll have to call KW and commit himself. If not, he's stuck playing in detroit for whatever their last offer was, which apparently he wasn't too thrilled about in the first place. +1

Wasn't that exact article posted hours ago? Has it changed or something?

QUOTE (sin city sox fan @ Feb 17, 2010 -> 08:42 PM) This latest report doesn't sound as promising http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/news/story?id=4922858 Maybe it's just me, but Levine holds about as much weight as Cowley does. He's terrible.

Andy's White Sox Draft Preview is up: http://mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/02/17/2010-dr...cago-white-sox/

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Feb 14, 2010 -> 01:32 PM) I would absolutely agree with that, but I think a ton of that has to do with positional value too. Viciedo is going to end up at 1B, unless for some reason the Sox want to try him in LF or RF. And not that I want to discount last year for Viciedo, just that I'm not looking too much as his statistics. The Sox pushed him too hard, and he really should have been in Winston-Salem. He did improve as the year went on, and that's a key. Agreed. I was rather surprised that Birmingham was his starting spot. The upward trend near the latter part of the season was encouraging, which made it even more disappointing that he got hurt in the AFL. I'm looking forward to seeing him in spring training to see how his conditioning is coming along since he supposedly has been training with Alexei most of the offseason.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Feb 14, 2010 -> 01:05 PM) Dayan Viciedo put up .280/.317/.391/.708 with 20 doubles and 12 homers in 540 plate appearances as a 20 year old in AA in his first season in American baseball. Jared Mitchell put up .296/.417/.435/.852 in 139 plate appearances in low single-A ball as a 20 year old, and is coincidentally 5 months older than Viciedo. Beyond that, Viciedo has plus power potential, into like the 30+ homer range. Mitchell might have 20+ homer potential but it's going to be a while before we even see something close to that. I just think you're being overly harsh on Viciedo and overly easy on Mitchell. The fact of the matter is that both of them are absolutely full of potential, but you can't tell anything at this point. It's a big year for Viciedo, but I don't think the Sox are in any rush to get him to the majors. Not being overly harsh. It is what it is with Dayan. He didn't have a very good year with the bat or in the field. I'm not denying the fact that he is a legitimate prospect, or overlooking his age compared to the league or the acclimation factor. The hitting and power tools are there, but he isn't some magical 5 star prospect at this point in time. This coming season's performance will be much more telling. I'm not hyping Mitchell to be a sure thing, as he is anything but. He has the tools, but he needs to put them all together first. The sample size is far too small to be make any assessment right now. Just saying that all things being equal, if both players reach close to their ceiling, Mitchell is much more valuable.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Feb 14, 2010 -> 12:18 PM) My top 5 are Hudson-Flowers-Mitchell-Viciedo-Danks. Hudson and Flowers are MLB ready, Mitchell isn't but has ungodly upside, same for Viciedo, and D2 could be a serviceable OF soon enough. Mitchell and Viciedo's upside are quite different. I wouldn't qualify Viciedo's tools as ungodly at all. He might be able to hit for both average and power, but he hasn't demonstrated much of either just yet. The reviews of his bat speed are glowing, but he has quite a bit to figure out still and his swing mechanics are all over the place. (Though his 2 strike swing is nice.) His plate discipline is very questionable as well. Conditioning and defense are huge question marks right now, which is pretty evident with the move to 1B. He has upside and is definitely a legitimate prospect, but it is all in the bat as things currently stand. Mitchell on the other hand is a tool-shed. If things pan out he will be a complete player with a plus bat and plus defense. The only tool that has been questioned by scouts is the arm/throwing ability. I guarantee you that any team discussing major trade with the White Sox are salivating much more over Mitchell than Dayan. (Not to mention the amount of money owed to Dayan is also a roadblock in trade discussions. It isn't tons, but it is a significant amount.)

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Feb 14, 2010 -> 10:44 AM) Earlier when I said that, I said maybe 4 or 5 of them plus throw ins. The fact is, the top of farm system is good, and could possibly match any offer out there depending on what we give up. I'm not sure I buy into the farm system being the worst in baseball, but it is certainly in the lower third compared to the talent in other team's systems. I don't see it becoming more than middle of the pack unless Kenny removes his finger from the trade trigger anytime soon, or they increase draft spending (which desperately needs a boost). When Flowers and Hudson graduate (or are traded) will two more highly touted prospects have emerged to replace the talent that has departed the system? Also, if by top of the farm you mean Hudson and Flowers, I would agree. I think Morel is going to solidify himself into a solid "B" prospect this year. The glove is real nice, and the bat is coming along. As far as Viciedo/Danks, they still have plenty to prove despite the upside they both possess. Teams aren't banging down the door to acquire those guys at the moment.

White Sox in too? http://twitter.com/JimBowdenXMFOX/status/8977380156

Ilitch approved a 2 Year 14 million offer. http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/Detroit...ny-Damon-021110

QUOTE (JohnCangelosi @ Feb 10, 2010 -> 12:55 PM) Speaking of Damon, what are his options now?? I mean, we are 2 weeks away from ST and still nothing. I wonder if this means we can maybe get away with a 1 yr 4M deal for him? Who knows, I dont know how many other suitors he has right now? Tigers and recently the Braves. Rays are a long shot. http://twitter.com/ajcbraves/statuses/8909908699

QUOTE (VAfan @ Feb 8, 2010 -> 04:25 PM) Are the Twins really the favorite on a home grass field? That has been a team made for the Metrodome confines for years. Maybe it will translate onto grass, but I'll have to see it first to believe it. What needs to translate? The team as currently constructed is full of thunder, which is conducive to the new park. They don't need to slap hit their way to small ball wins.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Feb 8, 2010 -> 12:52 PM) IF an advanced college bat is available who could be a middle of the order guy, I don't see the Sox passing on him. Otherwise I see them going the route of a pitcher. At 13, the organization should have at least a few really talented guys available. Entirely possible, but as it stands right now there are very little advanced college bats in this class. The draft is especially weak in that area. Brentz is the only player that I could see fitting that description, and he has a ton of questions involving makeup amongst other things. Zack Cox has nice upside with the bat, but unless he breaks out huge this year he isn't what I would consider an advanced bat. Personally I really like Brentz. Anyone garnering Nick Markakis comps is fine in my book. Position players are much sexier prospects than pitchers in my opinion, and if he continues to destroy pitching (.465/.535/.930 in 230 AB, 28 HR, 19 doubles, 2 Triples last year) I would love the pick. Just as it stands, this is a pitching heavy class, we need pitching, Laumann says the focus is on pitching, so I think we are going to draft a pitcher.

QUOTE (Springfield SoxFan @ Feb 7, 2010 -> 03:28 PM) I thought someone said that the Sox are focusing on pitching this draft at SoxFest, but I hope that we just take the best available players period. I also think that showing our hand by going after pitching is a smoke screen. Smokescreen? This isn't free agency competition. With a set draft order there isn't a need for much secrecy and illusory statements. Teams aren't vindictively bypassing needs in order to prevent other teams from acquiring a specific player. As far as BPA, they will likely nab the best pitcher available. Confining yourself to pitching isn't the same as confining yourself to the best available 3rd basemen. The system desperately needs some high upside, TOR pitching prospects. Luckily the best player available to very likely to be a pitcher at the 13 spot considering the strength of this draft class. FWIW, last year before the draft the Sox stated they were interested in a toolsy outfielder type with their first rounder. Seems to me that is exactly what they selected.

Of course you take Harper if you have the chance. That being said, there is not a chance in hell he falls to number 13 unless an arm falls off and his knees explode. I'm a huge fan of Ranaudo too, but there is little chance he falls to 13. I would be shocked if he lasted past the top 5. The only way I see him falling is if significant injury occurs (like Kyle Gibson's situation), which is certainly a possibility with how hard LSU rode him last year. It will be interesting to see how his workload is approached this season. It will likely be between Ranaudo and Taillon as the first pitcher taken, than perhaps Cole, and after that the pitching talent becomes rather muddled. It will be curious to see if any other teams approach the draft like Pittsburgh and Baltimore did last year, with overdrafting a first rounder for less money in order to nab better talent that falls to the later rounds.

Andy does great work. I'm looking forward to the draft notebook. In regards to the draft, I would be shocked if they don't use their first round pick on a pitcher. The organization has stated that pitching will be their focus in the upcoming draft, and rightfully so. There isn't any advanced (impact) pitching talent beyond Hudson. Luckily the strength of this years class seems to be in the arms. Quite a few intriguing prep arms at the top of the class and plenty of college arms with decent upside as well. It's still way too early for mocks, but I'm betting on a higher upside college arm taken with the the 13th pick. Names that could be available at that point are Jesse Hahn, Deck McGuire, Drew Pomeranz, Alex Wimmers, Brandon Workman, Chris Sale, Kyle Blair, and Chad Bettis. Taking a prep arm would be unexpected, but I'm a huge fan of DeAndre Smelter and his nasty splitter, as well as a Dylan Covey with that hammer curve. Clearly all of this is subject to change and the board will likely look completely different by June, but draft talk is fun, especially with college ball starting in a few weeks.

QUOTE (Lillian @ Feb 5, 2010 -> 07:09 PM) Would the Padres be interested if Konerko could be included with the prospects, especially if the Sox were willing to pay part of his salary? If the Sox paid $6 of the $12 million owed Konerko, that would bring the total cost of A. G. to about $10.75 million for this year, which is still less than they would owe Konerko. That might help entice the Padres, as they would have a replacement at 1B for Gonzalez, which could appease the fans. 1B = Kyle Blanks

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Jan 27, 2010 -> 03:12 PM) Boras is supposedly pushing him towards Oakland and Detroit. I have no idea where he ends up though, because Oakland is full at DH (Cust) and in the outfield (Davis-Crisp-Sweeney), and I don't know if Detroit has the money or if they'd even want to bring him in with Raburn, Jackson, Ordonez, Guillen, and Cabrera in the fold. Crasnick said Boras is also trying to engage the Reds.

Winn to the Yankees. 1 Year, 2 million. The Damon door has closed. http://twitter.com/nyp_joelsherman/statuses/8293373655

QUOTE (chunk23 @ Jan 27, 2010 -> 02:02 PM) I think people don't realize how much talent there is in other systems. Indeed. This is key. I don't think I can name more than 3 or 4 teams I wouldn't trade systems with.

Says Keith Law. While Keith Law certainly isn't a big White Sox fan, I find it hard to argue against this one. Even the Astros have jumped ahead of them. Here's hoping for a decent 2010 draft class. http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/insider/col...%26id%3d4861174

QUOTE (Whitewashed in '05 @ Jan 23, 2010 -> 12:51 PM) Yeah, why the hell is CJ Wilson a topic at soxfest? Because he was asked about it during a seminar. He said he doesn't like CJ Wilson because he showed up Thome after an at bat. He then pointed out CJ got what was coming to him when Carlos hit a grand slam off him later in the same game.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Jan 22, 2010 -> 12:05 PM) "might be close to signing"? Seems a bit weak. But if true, depending on the money he gets, I think I'm going to be pissed as well. No idea on the validity of the rumor. Just passing on what I heard.

Thome might be close to signing with the Twins per The Score 670.

Evidently CJ will be working on his catching during the new pitching mini-camp. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20...sp&c_id=mlb