BlackSox13

Semien was sent down to make room for activating Abreu tomorrow. Still have no clue what Charlotte will do with all the infielders.

I was hoping more along the lines of... 1- Aiken 2- Kolek 3- Jackson 4- Nola 5- Rodon

Jennie Finch available?

Not sure if this was posted but it looks like Hoffman's last outing on the 17th was a good one. Granted, it was against Middle Tennessee. http://www.ecupirates.com/sports/m-basebl/.../041714aac.html

QUOTE (The Mighty Mite @ Apr 15, 2014 -> 07:33 PM) I'm a Senior Citizen and paid 1.25 for General Admission seats back in the 50s and 60s. It's hard to believe how much it is now to go to a ball game or any sporting event. I think it's reached a point were people are saying I'm not going to pay this kind of money anymore to go to a ball game. 2012 was a defining year as Sox fans with a team that was in first place 117 days but did not even hit the 2 million plateau. I give Sox management kudos for trying to resolve the issues that have kept people away from the park such as dynamic pricing and crazy parking fees. All that being said it still hurts to see the Sox just about last in attendance, 10,000,000 in the metro area and only 14,000 on a Sunday afternoon? QUOTE (The Mighty Mite @ Apr 15, 2014 -> 08:28 PM) Might be comparing apples and oranges. Bears have only 8 regular season games, Sox have 81. The Hawks and Bulls play indoors so no weather issues except getting to the game, they sell out but the Sox still average more fannies in the seats. Would the Hawks and Bulls sell out a 40,000 seat arena for 81 games? I know what you mean, I'm one of those people. I enjoy a beer and a ball game but not when one beer costs as much as a sixer from the store. I just don't have the money I once had so funds had to be prioritized. I used to drop $100 at a Sox game without thinking twice, now I wouldn't even consider it. QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Apr 15, 2014 -> 08:38 PM) Again 2006. none of that crap mattered then. It only matters when the team isn't good. In 2006 the economy had not yet s*** the bed either and in fact was still pretty strong. QUOTE (Marty34 @ Apr 15, 2014 -> 08:56 PM) The population decrease in Illinois is shocking, the south side and burbs has been hit particularly hard in this economic downturn. I'm an optimist though when it comes to this and believe it's ripe for a turnaround when the overall economy gets better. Look at yesterday's attendances: Baltimore 15.7 74 degrees, Philadelphia 26.5 74 degrees, Texas 23.1 52 degrees (Texas 52???) Anyway, seems like a lot of places in MLB are having a downturn in ticket sales. I know what you mean. I'm in the NW burbs of cook county and the taxes are absolutely brutal. You couldn't pay me enough money to own a home in Illinois now, glad I got out of mine when I did.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Apr 15, 2014 -> 06:08 PM) What's wrong with 35th Street? By the way, Cubs attendance has been in a 5-year decline, likely to be 6. It's the normal ebb and flow of things. In the day an age of expanded playoffs, it just is not good enough to contend every one in a while, a playoff drought like the one the Sox have had is going to really cut into the season ticket base. Add to that the bottoming out last year, a Hawks team that has captivated the city since Rocky Wirtz took over, and an awful unemployment rate, and you get the attendance issue. The fascinating thing is the Sox generate enough revenue to be middle-of-the-pack when they don't fill the seats. Flavum has a really good handle on this. Good points Marty. Also like to add high taxes, high cost of living, high health insurance premiums and an Illinois' population has been declining for years. People just don't have the money they once had. Its really no surprise at all that attendance is declining year after year.

QUOTE (Bruce_Blixton @ Apr 14, 2014 -> 06:30 PM) Great minds... I'd be happy if Hahn chose Kolek, my only concern about him is his weight since he's already the size of a mountain. His work ethic and dedication to conditioning will be the key determinants in whether his weight will be an issue down the road which is something that can only be gauged by meeting with him one on one. Bobby Jenks could've had a long and prosperous career in the majors if he would've dedicated himself to getting in shape, he didn't have the work ethic or will power to do that and the Sox were smart enough to see that and let him walk. Having gone through that I'm sure the Sox can get a good sense of this kid's character and whether he'll have what it takes to succeed. Indeed. I see how there is concern but from what I've read, Kolek grew up on a farm so the work ethic is there. I think a big part of Jenks weight problems was as you said, his lack of work ethic, conditioning as well as his love for beer. Gotta watch them carbs! Lol. I really think Kolek will be fine. Kids that grow up on farms tend to have a solid work ethic since it was pretty much ingrained in them from having chores that needed to be done on a daily basis. What I like most is his big frame which COULD help his long term durability. The kid really is a monster!

QUOTE (Chilihead90 @ Apr 14, 2014 -> 06:28 PM) Well if they take Turner, they would be taking him over 3 of Beede, Rodon, Aiken, Kolen, Hoffman, and that would make me and others irate. You can throw me into that mix chili. I would be far beyond irate to say the least. Not worried though, I just can't see the Sox not selecting a pitcher @ #3.

This can go one of two ways. If the Sox stay in contention, they hold on to both and see what offers they get next off season. Or if the Sox fall out of contention the Sox see what's offered around the trade deadline. Right now we just have to wait and see since its just too soon to predict.

QUOTE (Bruce_Blixton @ Apr 14, 2014 -> 06:00 PM) I came across this article that states Rick Hahn was recently at one of Kolek's games to watch him in person, seems like there is some serious interest in Kolek on the Sox' end. Funny you post this article, I just read it a few hours ago while trying to find out how Kolek pitched in his last outing. Would absolutely love to see the Sox draft the big right hander and would fit well between Sale and Q in the rotation a few years down the road.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Apr 14, 2014 -> 04:43 PM) Is it just me or does Hoffman seem even riskier than Aiken and Kolek? No, I feel the same way about Hoffman. Also with Rodon and Beede as well. The college pitchers just aren't standing out as a guys like Rodon and Hoffman once did, the college field seems to have leveled out with no clear cut leader(s).

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Apr 14, 2014 -> 04:43 PM) Another live body to add to the pile. Message sent to the veterans. I guess if you throw enough s*** at a wall, sooner or later something is bound to stick. Coop has his work cut out for him.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Apr 14, 2014 -> 03:56 PM) How were you getting tweet from people you don't follow? Me thinks you must have had something odd with your settings. Not sure to be honest. Even my lady didn't understand it at the time and she's been on twitter for a while now. I admit I get easily annoyed with social media sites. I have a face plant account under a fake name just to find new bands and keep up with them. Even friends and family don't know I'm on their or it would turn into an episode of South Park. QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Apr 14, 2014 -> 04:20 PM) It's really just going to come down to which pitcher our staff feels like it can work with best. No matter which one they grab, it's going to be an easily defensible choice at the time. The b**** of it is that no matter who's drafted, some will be pleased and some will complain. Understandable since at this point there's no clear and concise 1-3. Hopefully things become more clear between now and draft day.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Apr 14, 2014 -> 02:11 PM) Yeah you may want to just make an account. Everything is on twitter. I'm warning you ahead of time though that it's pretty much the greatest thing ever created. I can see how one can get useful info but the social media thing just isn't me. I made an account last year that lasted about 30 minutes and deleted it. Started getting tweet updates from people I didnt follow and it instantly annoyed me right away. As for the draft. I'm really losing faith in the college arms. I find I'm hoping more and more that we can draft Kolek or Aiken.

QUOTE (maggsmaggs @ Apr 14, 2014 -> 01:59 PM) Honestly the best place to look is Twitter. Just type in the player's names and usually you have people supplying the statistics. Kolek's Last Start Brady Aiken's Last Start Well that explains everything, I'm not on twitter so I never thought to look. Thank you for the tip, I'll keep an eye on twitter just to see how those kids are doing.

QUOTE (IowaSoxFan @ Apr 14, 2014 -> 11:06 AM) No, HS stats are a lot harder to collect as they don't seemed to be reported with any consistency. You're not kidding. I've tried multiple searches to find stats on their (Kolek, Aiken) latest outings and came up empty. Even looked at Kolek's HS web site and they don't post stats for their players. Hell, they don't even have a schedule up on their site.

QUOTE (IowaSoxFan @ Apr 14, 2014 -> 09:34 AM) This weeks stat update: Carlos Rodon - 7.2 IP 6H 2R 1ER 3BB 12K Season - 9 GS 2.29 ERA 63 IP 55H 32R 16ER 21BB 72K Tyler Beede - 5 IP 9H 7R 4ER 4BB 4K Season - 9 GS 3.23 ERA 53 IP 39H 31R 19ER 20BB 56K Jeff Hoffman - 6.1 IP 8H 3R 2ER 0BB 4K Season - 9 GS 3.34 ERA 59.1 IP 50H 26R 22ER 19BB 56K Sean Newcomb - 5.1 IP 8H 4R 4ER 1BB 3K Season - 8 GS 1.40 ERA 51.1 IP 28H 9R 8ER 23BB 57K Second rough outing for Newcomb in a row, he was also pushed back a day so perhaps he is having some arm issues. Thanks for the update. Any idea how Kolek and Aiken pitched?

Garcia will be back next spring, so unless a HS or college hitter can be ready to make the team before Garcia comes back, drafting a hitter because of Garcia's injury would be utterly stupid.

Isn't Rodon's defense pretty bad? Errors just make the pitcher work even harder.

At least the Sox aren't the only team trying something different at #3 in the batting order. Altuve batted third for houston.

I noticed Rodon and Beede have given up quite a bit more runs than earned runs which says something about the defense behind them.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Mar 30, 2014 -> 11:50 PM) Until the end of his contract if Semien can't play big league SS. Or until Sanchez shows he's ready. Kid is still just 21 entering his second season at Charlotte. Hopefully a strong winter and spring training translate at Charlotte this year.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Mar 30, 2014 -> 06:06 PM) This is a very tough call. On one hand Balta is right. What Semien did last year at the ML level screams for more AAA time. However what he did in spring training is screaming I'm ready now. Which situation do you think is more indicative of the truth ? Marcus played at 3 levels last year , then the AZ. Fall League. If his AFL performance is any indication he was worn out by then. In ST he hit well and took his walks , easily leading the Sox with 9 when the next closest guy had only 5. If you want to argue Beckham was rushed and somehow it hurt his development ,go for it ,but at some point the talent has to show. One case does not apply to another case. I've argued in the past about maximaizing what you get in trades for guys like Beckham , Gillaspie, De Aza, Viciedo when rebuilding but sometimes you have to bite the bullet and get nothing close to what you had hoped to and just be happy you have someone who can step right in. Finally depth at 2nd base with Carlos Sanchez and Micah Johnson means even if Marcus gets sent down where will all these guys play ? Who's the better SS Semien or Sanchez ? Does it make sense to get sent down and play out of position ? Bottom line if Semien is ready then play him . At least 2nd base will be one position out of the way during the rebuild and Sanchez and Micah are good problems to have. It really is a tough call. I agree with Balta that it would be better for Semien to play ball down at Charlotte to work on the BB/K rate as Balta had pointed out. Balta and I really aren't that far off as far as I can tell. My point of view is solely based on the big IF Semien does play well in Beckham's absence then stick with Semien and see how he handles the extended playing time. Worst case scenario, Semien shows signs that he's not quite ready yet and goes to Charlotte as is kind of expected anyway so its really not a bad scenario at all. I think what will happen with depth is Semien would go to Charlotte to play second, Sanchez will play SS and for now Johnson will be at Birmingham. It was speculated that with Johnsons speed he could end up in the outfield. If true then Johnson could play for an outfield position at Charlotte after he shows what he can do at Birmingham. The speculation makes sense given his speed and the possibility of Semien and Sanchez eventually taking over 2B and SS in the future, whenever that is.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Mar 30, 2014 -> 04:44 PM) "Beckham has had a fair chance for 5 years" is, by my definition, an emotional judgment. It's basically saying we're tired of him. It's simply not the best thing for this roster right now. Consider what "we're going with Semien" means right now. It means fully releasing Beckham, eating a couple million dollars unless someone claims him, and getting nothing in return. If there was a solid trade sitting there waiting for him I'd imagine we'd have made it already (same statement applies for 3 guys on this roster). There's no reason to do that. Semien can still get plenty of big league time this year and can have time at the minors as well. Semien in the big leagues this year is the same sort of rushing of guys upwards we've done over and over in this franchise with virtually no success whatsoever. No matter how many "Chances" Beckham has had, he's the starter right now and there shouldn't be any way for him to lose that job because of this injury. That was the statement they made when they offered him arbitration and by all accounts that was the right move at the time. Well, that's by your definition. If a player can come up and play ball better than a guy that's had five years to put it together but hasnt , that's not emotional at all. Its about a young guy getting a chance and ends up playing better ball than his predecessor so the team stays with the young guy. Speaking of emotions. If Semien plays well, sticking with Beckham despite Semien playing well and despite Beckham having five seasons to prove himself is an emotional attachment to Beckham. Now were both just full of "emotions" now aren't we...

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Mar 30, 2014 -> 04:35 PM) So in other words, it's an emotional reaction. Come on Balta, you're better than this. This post is something I would expect from Marty. I clearly explained where I was coming from and why.