BlackSox13

I know this probably won't be a very popular thing to say and I admit may not be the wisest of decisions but if Keppinger and Beckham are going to start the season on the DL then I would seriously consider releasing them both and move forward with Semien at 2B with Leury on the bench. I've just had enough of both Keppinger and Beckham. Forget trying to get anything for them and just move on. Beckham would likely get picked by another team so the Sox end up off the hook for his salary which means were only stuck paying Keppingers salary until he got picked up.

Anyone expecting the #3 pick to come up and contribute in 14 is setting their self up for a let down as well as something else to complain about. It can happen as Sale has proven but you can't EXPECT it. However long it takes is fine with me as long as the kid is ready when the time comes, no need to force the issue.

QUOTE (IowaSoxFan @ Mar 24, 2014 -> 02:56 PM) As a frame of reference, there were two college pitchers taken in the top 10. Appel had 130/30 K/BB ratio as a jr and 130/23 as sr and Jonathan Gray put up 147/24. Last season Rodon had 184/45, Hoffman was 84/39 (15 starts) and Beede was 97/55 all as sophs. At this point, I think Rodon is probably out of the equation for the Sox for a variety of reasons. I think it will come down to Hoffman, Beede, Aiken, and Holmes in that order and whichever will sign for the figure that Hahn has in mind. Good reference and it shows that these guys will likely come around and cut down on the walks. Cool weather could also be a favor as well. Are you thinking that Rodon and Kolek get picked 1/2? Just curious is all. Right now I'm hoping for one of Beede, Aiken, Kolek, Rodon ( not likely) and possiby Newcomb for the #3. That could change too. I'm just not sold on Hoffman at this point.

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Mar 24, 2014 -> 12:24 PM) Oh, I would take the chance as well--just pointing out that there is some risk involved. No doubt about it, I'm sure we both agree the potential reward far exceeds the risk.

QUOTE (IowaSoxFan @ Mar 24, 2014 -> 12:08 PM) Week stats: Newcomb - 8 IP 4H 0R 0ER 3BB 7K Season - 5GS 0.00 ERA 32.2 IP 14H 1R 0ER 15BB 38K Rodon - 4.2 IP 6H 8R 0ER 4BB 8K Season - 6GS 2.18 ERA 41.1 IP 33H 23R 10ER 15BB 50K Hoffman - 7 IP 6H 3R 3ER 2BB 2K Season - 6GS 4.03 ERA 38 IP 29H 20R 17ER 17BB 39K Beede - 2.2 IP 6H 11R 5ER 5BB 2K Season - 6 GS 2.06 ERA 35 IP 20H 17R 8ER 11BB 42K Brady Aikens last start was the 18th - 4.2 IP 0H 0R 0ER 1BB 12K One thing I see in common here is the walks are kind of high. Not what you would expect from the top college arms for June's draft BUT I think the walks show that its early in the season and guys are still trying to find their groove.

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Mar 24, 2014 -> 11:35 AM) I like the deal and wouldn't complain, but I will point out that this kind of deal does not come without risk. If Quintana suffers a career-ending or career-damaging injury, or just flat out starts to suck, the Sox are on the hook for the entire contract anyway. All contracts come with a risk factor these days. I hate to say it but Dunn is a perfect example. We could easily sit here and say the same about Sale too. I would rather take the chance on a 25 yo pitcher than a thirty something yo with more wear and tear on his arm. QUOTE (peppers312 @ Mar 24, 2014 -> 11:44 AM) so apparently no one is worried about Q's spring training numbers...? i think it's a good signing, but i hope Hahn didn't jump the gun a year early on this one. Spring training are the key words here. Q looked pretty good against the rockies yesterday, more like what were used to seeing.

Way to go Hahn! Absolutely love this deal, can't see how anyone would complain.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Mar 23, 2014 -> 08:39 PM) Good one Roostifer. Now compare the NBA and MLB caps. Rushing to others defense as often as you do, you're well on your way to becoming a minion. And the NBA has what to do with baseball? Oh that's right, nothing! Nobody here needs me to rush to their defense. I just don't see eye to eye with you on , well, anything really. You change topics left and right in an effort to run and hide from a topic of conversation that you've been proven to be wrong or shown that you're making no sense. Kind of funny how its always you against everyone else so is everyone else the problem or maybe, just maybe, could it be you? Always looking to play the oh woe is me victim. Sad.

QUOTE (Stan Bahnsen @ Mar 23, 2014 -> 07:52 PM) I'm agreeing. Holding out tiny hope that he'll be tradeable for SOMEthing, and dreaming of a Dempster-like classy move that I know is the longest of shots. The nonstop ugliness could conceivably drive him into thinking that $45M or so was a big enough theft, and that he'd done enough damage to the franchise already, but certainly not expecting it. What if we all held hands and prayed, would that help?

This just in. Baseball now has a luxury tax... Since 2003! Just saying in case someone here isn't aware.

QUOTE (Vance Law @ Mar 23, 2014 -> 04:59 PM) I feel like a nice Marty change of topic reply to this would be "if Sale gets injured, the Sox waited too long to trade him." No kidding Vance.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Mar 23, 2014 -> 04:43 PM) I did not point the finger at Balta. He directed a personal attack at me which I responded to. You pointed out how he predicted 90 wins last year which was completely unrelated to the topic of discussion. Then when he asked how many wins you predicted you reply with " no comment". So yes, you did point the finger. This concludes today's psychology lesson.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Mar 23, 2014 -> 04:33 PM) No comment. Interesting how you point the finger at others but do not want it pointed back at you. Most adults grow out of childish behavior such as this, makes me wonder about your age.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Mar 23, 2014 -> 04:18 PM) If a guy puts up a .380 OBP at Birmingham and a .312 OBP at a higher level, the assumption that his full year's numbers are meaningful is absolutely laughable. The only way a person could write that is if they have no understanding of the fact that AAA ball is higher than AA ball. Absolutely. It seems a new low is set with each and every post.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Mar 23, 2014 -> 04:09 PM) Andy Wilkins's OBP at Charlotte was .312. QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Mar 23, 2014 -> 04:10 PM) You have truly reached a new low. You were saying... QUOTE (Marty34 @ Mar 23, 2014 -> 04:11 PM) I see his overall OBP as .353, is that incorrect?

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Mar 23, 2014 -> 04:03 PM) Pillars, no, but you don't think this team has room for a 24 y.o. left-handed hitter that put up a .350 obp last year? So what do you suggest the Sox do with Dunn?

I'd guess Dunn gets traded at the end of July for a low level prospect with the team acquiring Dunn on the hook for his remaining salary of 5M. Or at least that's what I'm hoping for.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Mar 22, 2014 -> 10:08 AM) Why is dealing Sale not a good option? He is one of the most valuable assets in MLB and his shelf life is an ongoing concern. Going through a rebuild with him is a very risky strategy. Put the best team around him and try to make the playoffs every year you have him because Sale in a short series is an advantage few teams can match. I will happily answer your question once you've answered the two questions I have already asked twice. Otherwise I'm done with attempting to have a discussion with someone that only wants to point out or in some cases even make up things to complain about. QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Mar 22, 2014 -> 11:26 AM) You don't read so well, do you? Its called SELECTIVE reading my friend. QUOTE (Stan Bahnsen @ Mar 22, 2014 -> 01:28 PM) We don't reach the 1 year mark of the rebuild until July. It may be complete in 10 months from now. Sale is here for the next six years (under control thru 2019, not 2018). Do you even think about what you write? This, I believe, is selective random thoughts that stem from nothingness.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Mar 22, 2014 -> 09:05 AM) You're buying into the hype machine that MLB has started to create. An MLB draft pick isn't worthless, but it damn near is to a franchise that pulls in the revenue the Sox do. It is a great cover to give a fan base for not to spending money in free agency. There's something incongruous to targeting prospects in trades that are well past the midpoint in their development while in the same breath talking up the value of keeping draft picks. Hype machine? I've been a sox for over 40 years and the value of youthful talent has always been there and even more valuable now with players costing so much money. The Sox are trying to do what the Cardinals have been doing and that's drafting , scoutng and player development. This is how you maintain success on the fly, by having talent ready for a call up when a player goes down to injury or lose a player to FA. A team can always fall back on free agents to plug a few holes there may be but for the most part the farm keeps the mlb team fed with talent. Everyone knows the sox have not done a good job in scouting, drafting and player development and that's what Hahn is changing and its a great time to take advantage of high draft picks in the best draft the last 3-5 years, at least that's what is being said. So I ask the question once again. You wanted more not ready mlb talent for the minors so how do the Sox do that if they give away draft picks by signing free agents that won't make this team a contender? I'll also ask just one more time, besides Sale, who could the have traded to get the talent you complain about the Sox lack in? The fact you didn't answer those questions shows just how pessimistic you really are. Complaining for the sake of complaining, how sad.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Mar 21, 2014 -> 10:11 PM) If that were the case why did they specifically target Major League ready prospects. The point of taking a lesser prospect because they are closer to the majors is to shorten the rebuilding process. If they were going to cut ~$35M in payroll they should have just targeted the best prospects period. Well Mr. Pessimism. The third pick in each round is a great way to infuse good young talent into the farm and this is possible because they did NOT waste money on free agents that would cost them picks. Ironic you complain about the Sox not acquiring younger talent for the farm yet you were wiling to give away draft picks for free agents that would not have made the team a contender in the first place. Outside of Sale what the hell have the Sox had that would net a teams best young prospects? Certainly not Peavy, Rios, Reed or Santiago so tell me how YOU would have made this happen. Give me some realistic trades the Sox could have made to get younger prospects that weren't major league ready talent, then try to explain how you wouldn't be b****ing now about how the sox should have traded for major league ready talent. What I'm saying is you would be complaining no matter what, hence why I say you're pessimistic. Nothing pleases you. QUOTE (Marty34 @ Mar 21, 2014 -> 10:12 PM) I need to quote fangraphs more. Nice try, I only pay attention to the usual stats that have been around for decades. I know squat about fangraphs,sabermetrics etc so try that somewhere else. I'm not saying those aren't useful, just never bothered is all.

^^ Wow, just, wow! Another thread absolutely destroyed. I'm calling the NSA and letting them know there are terrorists among us that are using Weapons of Moronic Destruction to destroy threads here at SoxTalk.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Mar 21, 2014 -> 04:59 PM) Flowers hurt on swing. Hawk speculates its an oblique. Catching situation just went from bad to worse. s***, didn't think that was possible. Time to pull Jake Taylor out of retirement.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Mar 21, 2014 -> 04:31 PM) If Marty enjoyed let downs anymore, he'd be a Cub fan. Haha, no kidding. I'm really starting to wonder. I completely understand why cub fans are pessimistic, kinda ingrained in their DNA for the last hundred years or so. The cubs started their rebuild before the Sox and yet the Sox are further along in theirs. I'm going to send Hahn an email and remind him that he forgot to turn on the force trade option. Then we can easily wave goodbye to the likes of Dunn, Keppinger etc for whomever the hell we want and win it all this year! I'll be right back.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Mar 21, 2014 -> 04:23 PM) I cringed when I heard they were targeting "major league ready" prospects, but I thought that they were going to augment that by spending in free-agency. I didn't understand limiting the prospect pool to trade for and not spending money. That's your fault. Hahn said from day one he wasn't spending on free agents that would cost the Sox a draft pick. You set yourself up for a let down with that line of thinking.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Mar 21, 2014 -> 04:08 PM) [waves meekly, and quickly hides] Awe don't hide, they won't bite. They're just young ball players, that's all.