DirtySox

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

QUOTE (b-Rye @ Dec 16, 2009 -> 06:13 PM) He needs more time in the minors.. atleast a year. His numbers aren't that great offensively down there yet. Wut? Have you even looked at his numbers? Offensively, the only knock on Tyler is his K rate. He is a power hitter with great plate discipline and a big swing. He is going to strikeout, walk, and mash things in large numbers. I think a great comp is Mike Napoli.

QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ Dec 15, 2009 -> 01:50 PM) or DH Clearly. It's where he should get the majority of his playing time.

QUOTE (hi8is @ Dec 15, 2009 -> 01:45 PM) I guess I'm not that familiar with him - what's his story - all i knew was that he is a 40 HR 100 RBI regular Not much to be familiar with. He does one of three things frequently. Walks, Strikes out, or Homers. Great OBP, great OPS. Can play a corner spot and 1st base. Neither of them very well. I suggested Dunn a few pages back, and I think he would fit perfectly as a lefty with plenty of thump. Monetary considerations might not work well though.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Dec 15, 2009 -> 11:56 AM) I just heard Kenny has a guy in mind and he's in discussion to get him. I don't have anything more than that and anything else I add would be pure speculation. I think he'll make one more hard push at Adrian Gonzalez, but I don't think San Diego is ready to let him go. I honestly don't know who it will be, but I got a sneaking suspicion it won't be anyone we have speculated too heavily about. There just aren't a lot of FA options out there, so you'd have to think the club is looking to go the way of a trade. Has their been any links to Adam Dunn? He hits 40 a year like clockwork and could probably add on more at the Cell. He likely wouldn't decimate the farm as their is only 1 year left on his deal. The 12 million he's owed this year would probably pose a problem though.

Ely and Link http://twitter.com/jonmorosi/status/6702106304

QUOTE (CSF @ Oct 24, 2009 -> 06:54 PM) And still no Viciedo. And it will remain that way. http://twitter.com/Jason_Grey/status/5175343073

QUOTE (Kenny Hates Prospects @ Oct 6, 2009 -> 10:29 AM) None are mentioned. Trayce Thompson and Josh Phegley are in it.

Is there a reason Huddy only went 3 innings?

Jordan Danks is back on the DL http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=6088

Keith Law says we aren't signing Morgado unless there is a last minute change of plans. http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/08/draf...ers-royals.html http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index...ame%3dmlb_draft