thxfrthmmrs

Would hate to see us unloading the farm for Shark. He's a good fit for the team, but FIP and xFIP suggests he's a more of a mid rotation starter rather than an ace, but he will likely come at an ace cost, after Oakland trading Russell and McKinley for him.

QUOTE (LDF @ Nov 28, 2014 -> 05:40 PM) there is 1 other player i would add to the 5 or 6 that is being discuss, it is Brad Goldberg, i had him on my top 10 in the beginning of last season. i still have faith in him. He was a pleasant surprise last year. IMO his first full season is very underwhelming in all aspects, I see him as a long shot at this point.

Love it for a minor league deal. Speedy lefty with a solid glove. You can't have too many of those. QUOTE (SoxAce @ Nov 28, 2014 -> 03:02 PM) Agreed. His name alone makes this the best signing of the offseason by far. Too bad he's not Cuban and that's not a Cuban name.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 28, 2014 -> 04:14 PM) If 5 guys from a draft class make the big leagues, you literally have won that year's draft. By a lot. It's not out of the imagination. I think Anderson, Danish, and Michalczewski are strong bets to make it to the big leagues. Then you just need 2 of May, Engel, Wheeler, Dykstra, Mitchell, or Lowry to pan out, of which I like May and Wheeler's chances a lot.

QUOTE (Brian @ Nov 28, 2014 -> 05:30 AM) It's weird because I remember days when I would've killed for a Bears QB who would throw for 300 yards and 2 TDs a game. His first INT was awful but he didn't give up almost 400 yards through the air on defense. Bears Nation just needs a face to complain about. I guess it sounds like I am defending him but don't mean to. The Bears are 4th in the league in giveaways, and Cutty himself leads the league in turnovers. Opposing teams gets extra possessions and defense stays on the field longer. In a way, Cutler is also part of the problem.

QUOTE (Middle Buffalo @ Nov 27, 2014 -> 11:50 PM) I think a big problem with the Bears offense is that their two primary WRs are basically very good, very big possession receivers. They don't get any separation from the DBs, so every successful pass play is either a screen, a short route where they "box out" the DB, or a jump ball. They have no ability to stretch the field or get deep, so the defense is able to be much more compact than if the Bears could get deep from time to time. Plenty of teams has their top 2 receivers as big dudes or good ball skills guys and are able to make it work. Jeffery may not be a fast dude, but he can make plays down field and catch the deep passes with the best of them. I agree, we need a speedy WR3/4 to stretch the defense. But games like today shows that Cutler on most nights is terribly inaccurate with the deep ball. On a side note, I can't remember the last time this team did something significant during 2 minute warnings or had a comeback win in the 4th quarter. The offense is mediocre at best, and most of the stats we put up are during garbage time situations.

If you are talking about pipe dreams rather than speculations, I will go with: Trade Alexei and Danks to Dodgers for Kemp and Alex Guerrero and $20 mil paid over 5 years. Essentially you're getting Kemp for 5/$59 mil and Guerrero for Alexei and dead weight of Danks. Trade Gillaspie and Beck to Padres for Grandal Sign Chase Headley for 3/$39 mil Sign Max Scherzer for 7/$161 mil Sign Luke Hochevar for 1/$5 mil Viciedo retires from baseball to replace Drew Carey as the host of TPIR The payroll ends up around $112 million for 2015 Lineup: CF Eaton (L) 3B Headley (S) 1B Abreu ® DH LaRoche (L) LF Kemp ® RF Garcia ® C Grandal (S) SS Semien ® 2B Sanchez (S) Rotation: Sale Scherzer Quintana Noesi Bassit/Rodon Bench: Danks 2 Guerrero Flowers Saladino Pen: Petricka Hochevar Duke Putnam Webb Guerra Savery/Snoddy/Surkamp Alternatively, we could trade Danks and Semien to BoSox for Shane Victorino rather than landing Kemp. Offense wouldn't be as lethal offensively, but should make us an insanely good defensive team.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 26, 2014 -> 11:09 PM) How many different starting line ups have they had this year? Even with Noah and Taj in the lineup, there were many nights we were simply out rebounded, out hustled, and gave up easy baskets. We actually have the same number of games where we gave up 50% shooting than holding opponents to under 40% shooting. That is quite a change compared to Bulls teams in the past few years. If you want to say that they are working too many new guys into the system, take this. In Thibs' first year, we too had many new guys on the team, and that was Thibs first year coaching. Yet we were the best defensive team in the league, with Carlos Boozer as the starting PF. Anyone who's watched more than a few games this year could see that this isn't the same Bulls team defensively compared to years past. I think it has to do with Noah's knees, he's far fromt he DPOY glass eating Noah. Our effort on defense is also in question; I am not seeing the same tenacity defensively. Gasol is not an improvement over Boozer on defense. And we lack a second reliable perimeter defender outside of Jimmy. On the bright side, the offense is significantly better than last year. I love the smart play of Niko off the bench. But we still need to win game with defense as our calling card, especially in the playoffs.

Who knows. But they are far from done. They have plenty of assets in their farm, loaded in outfield, but no real starting pitching. We should expect a blockbuster or two from them at the winter meeting.

Guys, he's obviously saving himself for the playoffs.

QUOTE (Fantl916 @ Nov 26, 2014 -> 05:13 PM) Super wild guest, one most won't like I'd assume, but here goes: Boston gets Quintana, low minors prospect or two Chicago gets Swihart, Owens, Renaudo, Nava Quintana hold more value to teams like Royals, Marlins, or Padres than Red Sox. The Red Sox wants to land the big fish. Lester or Hamel. The only pitcher they will unload the farm for from us is Sale, who we shouldn't look to trade at this point.

It's a bittersweet feeling to think that Jimmy Butler might be our best player going forward. I think at this point, he and Mirotic are the true building blocks for the future. It's hard to imagine the Bulls losing him to RFA after this season. Hindsight is 20/20, but I think the FO dropped the ball by not following his progression this offseason more closely. There were some signs and flashes already in the preseason. Now we will need to pay more for his service after this season.

QUOTE (Lillian @ Nov 25, 2014 -> 08:03 PM) It's a "theme" in my posts, because we are having a discussion about it. When the discussion is over, I'll be happy to change the subject. In the meantime, to continue the discussion, and address your specific comments: It's very difficult for an opposing team to counter all of the good LH hitters, with LOOGY's, late in the game. How many good LH Relievers do most teams have? Moreover, when it comes to the critical final inning, how many closers are left handed? The same argument that you're making could be applied to a team that is "stacked" with right handed hitters. If Avi performs up to expectations we have our RH hitters in Abreu and Garcia. At the moment we have 1 dangerous LH hitter in LaRoche. I do agree with you that ideally we could find either a switch hitting, good defensive outfielder, or at least one who hit acceptably well vs. LHP. The purpose of a loogy is to get LH hitters out, you should assume they are good against lefties. Furthermore, LaRoche, Ethier and Gillaspie are just awful against lefties, it doesn't take a good loogy to get them out. In the final critical inning, if you have a deadly LH bat against a RH closer, many times mangers will bring in a lefty to face the batter then bring in a closer. You are trying to game the system with a hitter that has his flaws, so opposing managers will be creative in negating your advantage. Your suggested scenario does not happen as often as you think it does. If you want a good bat against RH pitchers late in games, a LH bench player should do a fine job as well. If bringing a lefty will help the team solve other flaws, namely defensively and baserunning, as well, then by all means. But bringing in a bat only player who further magnifies the team's flaws, then no thanks. I just want to clarify my opinion on what the Sox's priorities should be.

QUOTE (Lillian @ Nov 25, 2014 -> 11:42 AM) The short answer is YES. Look, it’s common wisdom that most hitters hit pitchers from the other side better. Since most of the good pitchers, and in fact, most pitchers, are right handed, there is an inherent advantage to a lineup consisting of several good left handed hitters. Therefore, yes, I'd love the Sox to be able to put a lineup on the field, on those typical days when they are facing a RH pitcher, that had Abreu, LaRoche, Garcia and Ethier hitting in the middle of the order. It's the same reason that I'm a little intrigued by the potential of Juan Diaz, who also seems to hit RHP pretty well, for a good defensive SS. If Alexei is traded, it will be interesting to see if he figures into the mix, for the SS competition. Ever since Quinary called you out for constantly suggesting LH bat for the Sox, I noticed this is a theme in just about every post of yours. In a perfect world, your logic would make perfect sense. But baseball isn't a perfect world, there are many variability that will negate your advantage. Starting with late game situations, do you really want to stack your team with players who are absolutely useless when the opposing team brings in a loogy? What about when your team faces a left handed starter, then you will have 3 regulars, LaRoche, Gillaspie, and say Ethier that have to be benched on that given day. There is a reason you didn't see the likes of those 3 guys competing for batting titles, they are bound to face lefties, which will regress their BA over time. The purpose of having LH in your lineup is to avoid teams from stacking pitchers with a specific handedness against you, but you do not have to do it to the extreme if you want to win games. I'd rather have reliable hitters who can consistently hit pitchers of either handedness, who you can rely on late in games, and who can stay on the field every game. At this point, I think the bigger need is defense for our LF. We already have a question mark in Avi in RF, we can't cripple ourselves by targeting a LH bat only guy like Either. If we can get a good fielder who also happens to be a good LH bat, great. But that LH bat shouldn't be our top priority at this point.

Victorino and Middlebrooks would be good buy low options for this team. Middlebrooks in 2012 and 2013 performed admirably against lefties, so he can spell Gillaspie and LaRoche at 3rd and DH.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Nov 21, 2014 -> 10:10 AM) http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/instagraphs...comment-4821345 This is a great read from Kiley McDaniel again and it really drives home a few points. I think this is a very good thing to read especially when we consider guys like Matt Davidson and Erik Johnson. For Davidson maybe, but for Johnson I think it's different. There's a difference between getting lit up when you put out your best stuff and you get knocked around because you lost your stuff. With a pitcher, if you lost your stuff you might never get it back.

Was hoping we wouldn't go the LaRoche route as the lefty middle of order bat until Headley is off the market. I think he's an OK signing, not one to get too excited about. 36 year old Konerko was better than 35 year old LaRoche. Would 36 year old LaRoche be better than 37 year old Konerko?

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 19, 2014 -> 12:34 PM) DRose is standing and walking! Like Rory Calhoun! Hilarious! Had to. You meant Snoop Dogg, or Bob Barker?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Er1zvNiYr48...eature=youtu.be Anyone get the irony in this commercial?

QUOTE (BigHurt3515 @ Nov 18, 2014 -> 09:57 PM) This day and age everyone is going to be getting more then we think they deserve. Just the nature of free agency and the MLB We are talking about a sport where a $100 million payroll puts you at the bottom half of the spending list, and many young players are paid 1/20th of their worth in open market. There are plenty of money to spend around the league, that's why I am not too caught up by the Zach Duke deal.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Nov 18, 2014 -> 09:58 PM) Not sure about that....Butler is 29, and other than Rasmus and Sandoval, there aren't many free agents on the right side of 30. Of course, LaRoche can play 1B well, so he has THAT advantage, but you'd have to swallow hard to guarantee three years and $39 million to what amounts to a declining platoon 1B. (And the problem with this line of thinking is that we're probably going to use him as a DH even though he's a better defender than Abreu...we all know that he's not going to be forced to sit like Frank Thomas at this point in his development). We've started to see so many players "lose it" in their mid 30's that it's becoming increasingly risky to sign anyone over 31 or 32. For every Torii Hunter who keeps on trucking along, there are 10-15 counter-examples. The consensus is LaRoche is a better overall player than Butler and is a lefty bat. I will take him for a 2 year deal over 3 years for Butler. I think he will end up getting 2/$26 mil

Pretty much guarantees LaRoche will get $13 mil+ AAV

QUOTE (raBBit @ Nov 18, 2014 -> 10:33 AM) I would love a Danks-Ethier swap just because our rotation potential gets so much more interesting purely from a fan point of view. 1.) Sale 2.) Quintana 3.) FA righty 4.) Noesi 5.) Bassit/FA project/eventually Rodon Those with baseball OCD's is very uncomfortable with having too many lefties in the rotation, or having Danks penciled in as a #3 when he is now a #5, or that we are paying him $14 mil for nothing. We all want to get rid of him in a pipe dream scenario, but it won't likely happen.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Nov 18, 2014 -> 03:33 PM) I think I alluded to an Alexie / Danks deal earlier. I think it could make sense but am very intrigued at the possibilities hear. A lot of potential match-ups that could be beneficial for both organizations. I also think it will likely drive Soxtalk to have very unrealistic packages of what the package would be if in fact a trade is agreed upon. We should maximize our return for Alexei. From the Dodgers standpoint, how much they are willing invest give up ABSOLUTELY depends on what they see out of Seager. The kid's bat should make him a regular as early as 2016. If they see him as an SS for at least a few years and only wants Alexei as a stop gap, then they wouldn't be willing to part with valuable assets for Alexei. And that's where discussion from Hahn should end.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 18, 2014 -> 03:14 PM) Then they can enjoy not having Alexei. The Sox have zero need to move him, and would be completely stupid to take on a bad contract without getting a star potential young players for him. QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 18, 2014 -> 03:16 PM) No. If we're not getting a top flight talent back, do not trade Alexei. What exactly is the point of clearing Danks's contract out if it leaves us without one of our best players and 2 more holes as a result? We save $23 million by clearing Danks and Alexei, great, but now we have only $23 million to spend to find a replacement starting pitcher and a starting shortstop. That's a completely lateral move at best and quite possibly a move that makes the Sox worse. I wouldn't advocate to trade Alexei to the Dodgers for one of their outfielders anyways. Taking away our best infield glove and replace it with huge question marks in the outfield will most likely make us a worse team in 2015. If we trade Alexei, we should look for good defense + prospects in return, or least knowing we can get the gloves in a separate trade or in the FA market.