CWSpalehoseCWS

Kubel? HELL No. I can't believe some people wouldn't mind trading for him. The only way I would ever want the Sox to get him is if he was included with some other really nice player and they received him as a stopgap. He's not an improvement to the Sox.

QUOTE (IowanSoxFan @ Dec 8, 2012 -> 07:23 PM) I'm really trying to put in a lot more effort into following the prospects and I'm confused why people are so high on Mitchell (top 10 in the organization). Sure he's got speed, but it seems like he has lost a step after the injury. http://baseballprospectnation.com/2012/07/...ed-mitchell-of/ Also, it doesn't look like he hasn't batted his way into the top 10. Last year, he had a line of .237/.358/.420. Also, his K% from last year was above 30%. So am I missing something here or is he just rated high because people believe he has a high ceiling or what? I think he gets rated high because of his tools he had when he was drafted. He was VERY raw, but he was extremely athletic. IMO, I don't think Mitchell will ever be a MLB regular. I'm sure he sees time in the majors though as a 4th OF, but I really can't see how anyone can still get excited by him. I really hope he make me eat this post a few years from now, lol.

As much as I hate to see A.J. not retire in a Sox uniform, I feel like this is the best move for the Sox. Thanks, for 2005 A.J. and some of the most memorable games I've ever attended in my life. I'll never forget Game 2 of the ALCS, and that sucker punch you took from Barrett. Really created some great memories with my dad. Good luck in Texas and keep driving those Halo fans crazy.

I put De Aza in LF because I thought he said he was more comfortable in LF last year?

QUOTE (justBLAZE @ Dec 18, 2012 -> 02:33 PM) Why would they replace a LHH leadoff hitter with a LHH leadof hitter and take on much more money? Trade Rios and replace him with Bourn. De Aza goes to LF, Bourn CF, and Viciedo to RF.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 17, 2012 -> 06:42 PM) That is about a $14 million difference there. Are you willing to get Bourn AND give away players to make up his salary, because that is what it would take in reality. I'd be very happy if the Sox could get Bourn and trade away Rios. And OF of De Aza, Bourn, and Viciedo would be nice, and that 1-2 punch of De Aza and Bourn at the top of the lineup would make the Sox much better.

QUOTE (JoeCoolMan24 @ Dec 16, 2012 -> 03:43 PM) I wonder what happened to Bucket's insider info about a Sox trade coming. He said as of like 4-5 days ago that it was pretty much done. A lot of moves have happened since then. I almost wonder if it fell apart because of one of them.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 14, 2012 -> 03:30 PM) Fits more in the general offseason thread? Whoops. I thought I was in that thread. My mistake...

Some R.A. Dickey news:

QUOTE (spiderman @ Dec 12, 2012 -> 06:51 PM) As of right now, they have Reed closing, Thornton/Crain/Jones in the 7th/8th, Veal as a lefty specialist, and perhaps a guy like Hector Santiago (we'll see if they prefer to have him stretched out in the minors) in a long-relief type role. I think that's a pretty good bullpen, but things will look a lot better if Reed becomes more consistent in the closing role. Everything else will better fall into place. I know Reed had a pretty good percentage as a closer last season, but he was always on the verge of damage in quite a bit of these outings. He needs to get better. Thornton/Crain have to avoid being overworked, and that can't be at the expense of Nate Jones. Ideally, the starters can pitch a lot of quality starts, and the offense can win some games by more than a run or two, avoiding stress on the bullpen. Barring injury or some horrible spring training by a guy like Veal, there's probably only 1 spot open (2 depending on how they handle Santiago). If Santiago is viewed as a starter, he belongs in Charlotte to begin the year. The Sox shouldn't go back and forth with him.

QUOTE (chisox2334 @ Dec 12, 2012 -> 01:28 AM) hey buckets, does that trade mess up white sox plans? I was thinking the same thing. De Aza could have easily been the player the Reds leadoff hitter they were looking for. But I still think the trade has something to do with the Phillies. They still want a corner OF.

No official word on this yet? I haven't seen anything and he's still on the 40-Man.

QUOTE (GreatScott82 @ Dec 11, 2012 -> 05:16 PM) I thought the Yankees wanted to get younger? Youkilis, Pettite, Rivera... hmmm? That team is a ticking time bomb IMO. Good luck in NYY Youk, you were an exciting acquisition and I enjoyed being able to shout YOOOOOOUUUUKKKK at games.

QUOTE (JoeCoolMan24 @ Dec 11, 2012 -> 11:10 PM) Well that's an interesting idea. Who would take the last OF spot for the Sox? Tekotte? Thompson? Mitchell? Danks? Bourn? Hamilton? Lol, I doubt it but they are available still. I'm sure the Sox could find someone out there.

QUOTE (justBLAZE @ Dec 10, 2012 -> 10:22 PM) AJ being mentioned in the Rangers rumors and some other stuff, here. I think that would be a good fit for him. Rangers need a left bat in that lineup.

QUOTE (JoeCoolMan24 @ Nov 13, 2012 -> 12:29 AM) Is thinking Carlos Sanchez has a ceiling of Luis Castillo giving him too much praise? I've heard him called a lighter hitting Andrelton Simmons. I'm not real familiar with him, but he is in the Braves system and earned a call up this year. He's also 3 years older than Sanchez.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Dec 11, 2012 -> 12:12 AM) I'd have a hard time believing the big impact bat we are having to make corresponding moves for is LoMo. Has to be a reasonably high salary guy with some history of f***ups in his recent past or a big mouth. Ellsbury comes to mind a bit, but I can't see the Red Sox moving him now that they've got all that cash off their books. Maybe the Red Sox are in on Swisher to play RF? Victorino could easily play CF if Ellsbury is moved. IDK if the Red Sox would be willing to do that though.

QUOTE (justBLAZE @ Dec 10, 2012 -> 09:24 PM) It's been mentioned couple time this offseason that our OFs are on the block, could be smokescreen I guess.. But just because the Sox trade an OF doesn't mean they would get one back in return.

QUOTE (Jake @ Dec 10, 2012 -> 09:20 PM) Why are we so insistent on speculating about OF'ers? I have to think that that is the last place we're looking -- unless we have a corresponding deal for a current OF'er for a position of greater need. I was just going to say that. Utley makes the most sense to me by the description given. He's a grinder, and a risk since he hasn't been 100% healthy the last few years. I'd be surprised that the Phillies trade him, but maybe something along the lines of Rios + Beckham for him? I believe the Phillies are still looking for a corner OF. And trading Rios creates the hole that would need to be filled that was also mentioned.

My dad and Frank Thomas. My dad used to tell me about the '59 team when I was younger and Fox, Aparicio and Pierce. Big Hurt just was amazing in my eyes. When I was a kid, my dad would throw me balls to hit in our front yard and I used to pretend I was Thomas, lol.

Hopefully we should start seeing something in a week or so, now that the "first domino" has fallen tonight.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Dec 7, 2012 -> 05:25 PM) These De Aza & Viciedo rumors are both from a Tribune article last night. It was interesting that the article said Hahn was looking for prospects from Seattle for Viciedo. I'm not sure how much stock I'd put in Tribune published rumors, but they do support the notion that Hahn is willing to move quite a few players, including any of our outfielders, to improve the team one way or another. As for Upton, he's a great player but I'd be worried about the cost. If they're asking for Andrus plus from Texas, I don't want to know what it would cost us. Given the overall lack of talent in our organization, I'd rather risk big money on Hamilton then trade four or five good pieces for an area of organizational strength. I'd rather have Upton. If the Sox could somehow get Upton, without trading Sale, I think that would be a nice future to build on.

I wonder if the Phillies would have interest in Rios. They need help in their outfield pretty bad. Now would be the time to sell high on Rios in case he forgets how to hit again or underachieve.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Dec 5, 2012 -> 09:36 PM) Didn't read the article, but I assume it's basically Gardenhire saying he might not be the man for the job and he understands if they relieve him of his duties if the team doesn't succeed this season. That's fine and dandy, but I honestly don't think the Twins brass will fire Gardenhire. Players love him, he's typically a pretty good in game manager, and it's not as if they're underachieving - they simply don't have the talent. In fact, the Twins as an organization have gone more than 26 years without firing a manager. Think about that for a second. Tom Kelly managed some absolutely terrible teams in the late 90s, managed them to a winning record in 2001, and then retired following the season. Oh, and Ryan was just rehired as GM in November of last year. He's not on the hotseat at all. Yeah, I doubt the Twins will fire him when they fill out the roster with AAAA/AAA players. You can't expect your team to win when there is zero talent.