Lip Man 1

Draft recap from White Sox.com noting their change in philosophy: http://m.whitesox.mlb.com/news/article/236...tters-in-draft/

Scouting report on the kid: With 10 of its pitchers appearing in the Majors since the turn of the century, Missouri State is known for producing mound talent. Yet the Bears' two best big leaguers have been position players Bill Mueller and Ryan Howard, and they should have their first ever selected in the first round in 2017. Burger went undrafted out of high school but has blossomed into a college star, finishing second in NCAA Division I with 21 home runs in 2016 and winning Missouri Valley Conference player of the year honors this spring, when he led the league in all three triple crown categories (.341-22-63) entering NCAA tournament play. Though he went homerless with the U.S. college national team during the summer, scouts still recognize Burger as one of the top power sources available in a Draft class short on college hitters. He generates his pop more with strength than bat speed, and there are some worries about an arm bar in his right-handed swing. He controls the strike zone well and makes reliable contact for a slugger, so he should hit for some average as well. While Burger isn't the most graceful player, one scout compared him to Hunter Pence for his ability to get the job done in less than pretty fashion. Despite his large frame, he has average speed out of the batter's box and decent range at third base. With his solid arm, reliable hands and admirable work ethic, he should be able to stay at the hot corner.

QUOTE (GreenSox @ Jun 12, 2017 -> 06:16 PM) Can always trade pitching if there's an excess. Not necessarily. A lot of clubs today are valuing position players very highly.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jun 12, 2017 -> 06:15 PM) As long as he can hit, I don't care where he plays EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!!!! Not a bad choice in my opinion. Big, big power potential. If he eventually moves to first, no worries... either Jose' becomes the DH or he's traded.

I didn't realize Jones is also 31. That surprised me.

QUOTE (ChiSox59 @ Jun 12, 2017 -> 01:39 PM) This. We need bats. Absolutely agree. I saw recently where only the Giants have a combined worse minor league record than the Sox. Their top three farm teams are something like 8-24 in June and Birmingham doesn't have much talent at all. They need hitters and position players. Plenty of pitchers in the system with potential but they have got to get talent that plays in the field everyday.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jun 12, 2017 -> 01:52 PM) Another tidbit from Law. Jim 3:45 Where would Luis Robert go in this draft class? Keith Law 3:45 Probably middle of the first round. \ I understand he hit a home run in his first game in the minors recently.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Jun 11, 2017 -> 06:47 PM) Sox are lucky Q has good advanced stats. His old day stats reek. 2-7, ERA over 5. Awful. Poor Anderson is striking out too much and never walking. Actually 2-8.

All three runs Q allowed today again came with two out. I wonder what percentage of runs he's allowed this season have come with two out and he's ready to get out of an inning.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jun 11, 2017 -> 05:58 AM) What did he do to inspire two bombs off Felix Hernandez in one game? Can't answer that....maybe luck? Even a blind squirrel runs into an acorn every so often. From what I've been told by people who should know, Anderson had as much talent as anyone but was immature (which he has admitted) and loved the night life. Kenny Williams noticed that and also noticed that the guy who hung out the most with Anderson regarding said night life was Brandon McCarthy.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jun 11, 2017 -> 06:24 AM) http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/201...-deal-with-uber From everything I've ever read, the Sox set the parking rates and get 100% of the revenues. OK then, I appreciate clearing that up.

Mark Gonzales told me the story when the Sox were in Cleveland and instead of watching pregame video on that night's starting pitcher, Anderson and another guy were watching cartoons. Let's just say the other guys on the team noticed.

QUOTE (Tony @ Jun 10, 2017 -> 09:57 PM) So take a team like the Astros. 44-19, with a 12.5 game lead in the division right now. Why would they pay "maximum value" for Robertson right now? What's the rush? If you were in the Astros front office, or even a fan for that matter, would be you beating down the door to pay maximum value for a RP on another team when you hold a 12.5 game lead? It's the same argument for the Nats, who hold a 10.5 game lead. I'm not saying Robertson won't be moved, and of course I want to see the Sox FO get as much as they can for him. But there are circumstances surrounding the deal that make it a little more complicated than "Robertson is pitching great, they need to move him ASAP for a GREAT package..." I suspect the Astros now will be in the market more for a starting pitcher as opposed to a relief guy with Keuchel going down...but we'll see. Agree with the fact that the lead they have gives them time to figure things out same as Washington.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Jun 10, 2017 -> 09:11 PM) Averaging in the low 20s is kind of lousy isn't it? Is it the price of a ticket, parking, concessions or the slow pace of baseball in 2017? Sox attendance has been going down every season from the previous one since the end of the 2006 season, except for two years if I remember correctly. Shouldn't be a surprise given the state of the team on the field for the past decade. Also I thought I read somewhere about the parking and that what is charged is not the decision of the Sox nor do they get a share of the parking money generated. I could be wrong about that, perhaps someone can clarify.

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Jun 10, 2017 -> 10:27 PM) Great minds think alike gregg. I understand the trade talks and tgecrebuulsvidea, but problem is everyone calling for the dismantling of the current team has no idea who or what we should get in return. All you hear is some vague mention of "prospects." Plus who do we have to replace the important pieces we may think should be traded? I seriously think contract extension for Frazier and Robertson would be a good move Just my opinion but it really doesn't matter for the next two seasons, who they replace the guys who are traded with. That's all part of the process that has been decided already for right or wrong by the powers that be. Any warm body will do. They are going to lose and lose an awful lot, may as well get used to it, make the best if it and get something good out of it (hopefully) at the end. Also on the topic of free agency, under current ownership the Sox have never, are never and will never spend the hundreds of millions of dollars to get the absolute top free agents out there. Plus this past off season's crop of free agents as well as next year's is not considered good overall. Even if you signed a bunch of them there were (are) very, very few difference makers...not worth what they were asking. And the Sox had and still have more holes in the lineup and on the roster than craters on the Moon. Even if they wanted to they couldn't possibly sign enough decent free agents to attempt to fill all the gaping issues. On another topic, the only bad thing tonight was that once again the starting pitcher couldn't go deep into the game (but at least they didn't use Petricka!

So much for hoping he pitches well.

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Jun 9, 2017 -> 11:58 AM) Hope Petricka is ready to contribute to our pennant push I hope he can actually stay healthy for a change, pitch well and be part of a deal come July for more prospects.

Filler material I guess given his age and lack of accomplishments. And to answer a question earlier in the thread, Sox have the worst win percentage now in the A.L. and the 3rd worst in baseball.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Jun 8, 2017 -> 10:05 PM) What? Dude was a league average hitter last year and is pretty much a league average hitter now. Combine that will solid defense at 3B and being a great clubhouse presence and there will be teams willing to give up something of value for him. Maybe...we'll see. personally I don't think the Sox will get much for him.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Jun 6, 2017 -> 07:12 PM) I watched the Hawk dugout interview with the media from last week or whenever. He just always mentions the grandkids. He just wants to be around them and help them with their baseball which is great. I can't help but think the horribleness of the Sox product now and for the next 5 years really has soured him on baseball. Can you picture seeing as many games as he has in his life? I am thinking he just has no interest in watching bad baseball. I bet he'd come up with a way to make it work with his grandkids (maybe take a full month off when they play the most games) if the Sox actually had a team worth watching. I mean he has to be sickened by the product. He may be 'sickened' by the product (aren't we all?) but he's getting very well paid for the trouble of doing so at least.

With his agent it is almost 100% guaranteed that he'll be hitting the open market and asking for a lot...probably much more than the Sox are going to be willing to pay (unless by that time they are under new ownership.) Taking all that into account you move him if there is a very good offer on the table. The issue is that I don't think Rodon has ever been healthy and contributed for a full season in his short career. That certainly could limit trade opportunities...at least getting something making a deal worthwhile in my opinion.

I think he and everyone of the top prospects should stay in the minors for at least this entire season. What's the rush? Especially with the Sox not going anywhere and attempting to get the highest draft choices possible.

Rick Morrissey with a column on Piersall and the state of sports announcing today: http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/timid-b...brand-of-truth/

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Jun 4, 2017 -> 03:44 PM) There's the more minor issue of bullpen decisions. I know this may be more Cooper, but specifically, I'm referring to his use of Robertson in non-save situations, especially in extra-inning road games. What's the point of burning your closer in the bottom of the 9th inning in a tie game when you might need him to, I don't know, close the game later on? Not to mention Robertson tends to pitch poorly in non-save spots. I understand where you are coming from but part of the issue is, if you don't use him in non-save situations he could go a week or 10 days without work. And no pitcher is sharp under those circumstances either. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. Regarding RR, I think he's a guy who can help shape a team for future contention but is not the guy to actually take you to the promised land. I hope the Sox realize this as well.

Sox again get almost nothing out of a starting pitcher and the bullpen is now showing what most of the guys in it have shown for their major league careers. As Kenny Williams would say, "it is what it is..."