he gone.

Meh. Pass. The Sox aren't the Yankees, Dodgers and Red Sox. We don't have unlimited payroll that we can just say, eh, whatever if it doesn't pan out. Also a total of 2 stolen bases over his past 3 years. Why is it that we on this board like to operate the Sox as a fantasy baseball team? Second base is one of the least important positions I have concern for. Spend 10mm on this guy? No thanks. We have capable options at 2b. As long as my guy at 2b can hit .260, get on base, steal a few, and play a solid glove/turn DP's -- Fine by me. Save the money to spend on pitching.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Feb 25, 2015 -> 10:37 AM) Mitchell, Shuck, Tr. Thompson, Anderson and Michael Taylor In my opinion Michael Taylor can be lumped in with Anderson. Both are grabbing at straws. I think we can almost throw Mitchell in that conversation too. To be honest other than Thompson, I wouldn't be surprised if none of those people listed ever do more than sniff a lineup in September when a season is in the books already.

Inspiring. I heard his next step if he didn't get his chance in ST was to go to White Sox Fantasy Camp. In all reality, it makes notes the Sox wouldn't put him in AAA so he doesn't block a prospect who is an OF. Who are the 3 that he'd be blocking? Trayce? Maybe Mitchell in AAA? What... Shuck? No Compana down there... I wouldn't be against him being down there getting AB's. Worst case scenario he does it for a few months and nothing comes of it, cut him. Best case, he hits .270 and if he still has the OF D and arm? Bring him up for a cup of coffee if an injury happens.

I think I messaged you, but wasn't showing in the "sent" box. So let me know if you didnt get it. Or just PM me his email address. either or. very interested in the tickets.

Great First post. All points we are looking forward to finding out over the next month or so. Also of course in typical SoxTalk fashion it quickly turns into bashing one player for no apparent reason. Tyler Flowers is a major league catcher. I would challenge emnior3rd to name 15-20 catchers in the majors he'd rather have. Sure he's not amazing - but calls a decent game, has a decent arm, has enough power, and has shown the ability at times to get hot. Anyways, I digress. It's just hard when you see bad baseball IQ calling out a position or player for no reason. 1- I hope our starting 2b is Micah. That means that the most talented player, had the best spring, with pressure on. Also wouldn't be surprised to see it be Sanchez, start Micah in AAA, and see him up by June. 2- Soto or Kottaras. Either is okay. Lets be honest, he'll start 1 of 5 games and maybe day games after night games/Sunday lineups. 3- At some point Crain or Jones will be up on the team. Effective? Meh. I'd say effective enough, but not what people are hoping for 4- My guess is he breaks with AAA, is up in June in a long relief, bullpen role to keep his innings down. I believe at some point a Danks or Noesi, or hopefully not other, but one of our top 3 lands on the DL and Rodon slots in. At that point I believe either they go to a 6 man rotation for the majority of the summer, til like August, or slot Danks/Noesi into the long relief, spot starter roll. I think the Sox are hoping to have Rodon as part of their rotation for the playoff stretch. 5- I don't see a problem with them both getting all the reps. LaRoche and Gillaspie. Beckham hasn't been that great at split historically. Last year yes, but historically no. Beckham should play like 60 games total. 40 or so 3b, 5-10 at SS, and 10-15 at 2b. Let Micah and Sanchez be the 2b and figure out what we have there. 6- I believe our 4OF or 5OF if you count Bonaficio (though I think he's the backup CF moreso) will be someone like Sierra who is claimed from elswhere. Though -- give me Brian Anderson!! hahah. 7- Pass. Bullpens are too tough to predict. Injuries, control problems, up and down from AAA. Lets just hope a few guys are consistent and good this year. No Scott Downs. 8- Eaton IMO wont play more than 135 games. Just how he plays lends itself to injury. Why i like Bonaficio so much. Abreu I dont count really as injured.. 145 games is solid enough for me. Plus he is two years removed from a short season now. I think he plays 150ish 9- People forget Eric Johnson. Think he has a chance to do something. Might even be the guy depending on how he bounces back that gets called up for the first spot start over Rodon. Davidson? Hope so. But wouldn't hold my breath. He is a 4OF/backup 3B at best. 10-5OF 10-

Did we forget about Brad Penny?? 7 serviceable starters! But I agree, if we are looking to keep the train chugging along despite possible injury someone like Beachy would be a nice little pickup. Not ready until May ... and lets be honest probably ASB. But that is the type of guy I'd like to take a flyer on -- sign him to a cheap deal. Maybe next year he can come in and slot into the rotation.

I'd like to see Mike Adams added. Look at the bullpen every year of what it starts off as and what it ends up as ... there is always so much turnover. Guys who you think will perform who don't. Injuries, etc. 54 Ronald Belisario 39 Maikel Cleto 37 Scott Downs 65 Nate Jones 27 Matt Lindstrom 55 Felipe Paulino 46 Donnie Veal 60 Daniel Webb I know those guys didn't come up with nearly the same expectations - however its almost February - why not add a Mike Adams and a Billingsley and whoever else could be had on the cheap? They work out - great, if not, stick them in AAA or release them. Little risk, at least some reward. In terms of 4OF guys like Moises Sierra come to mind. I think we can survive without injuries with Emilio being a super sub and playing CF and Dayan being a RF, LF, DH, 1B super sub once and a while.

QUOTE (OsweGo-Go Sox @ Jan 7, 2015 -> 12:13 PM) Just got my Pick 7 plan. Picked 6 Sundays in the Outfield Reserved behind the Sox pen, and 7th row Upper Box for the Friday of the '05 Reunion weekend. Only $204 for two tickets. (call the Sox to buy yours; no Ticketmaster fees and you get moree input on seating locations.) Add in the fact that I have vouchers for a free April/May game (Upper Box, with only a $5 upgrade for outfield reserved) from Fan Appreciation Day last year and a survey code for an April game, and this is looking like a ton of baseball for pretty cheap. The price drops for bleachers and outfield reserved a couple of years ago was a stroke of genius, even if it went along with the Lower Box sections increasing. Nice to see Family Sundays (and their cheap parking) sticking around as well. I wish this guy was Brooks Boyer and could tell people this story. For those people who say its too expensive, I just counted 10 games, or 20 tickets, for $204. That's $10 a piece. Heck, park at Buffalo Wings and Rings with this and you can go to games pretty darn cheap if you really wanted to. Heck, for $204 you couldn't go to 1 Blackhawks game in the UD at the UC.

I had very similar seats on the third base side a few years back and would be interested. However I am located in Houston now, so it would be hard to buy more than a few specific games. If you are willing to part with maybe 2-4 games I would 100% purchase them.

I'm BACCCKKKKKK! Seriously though. I'm surprised to see this much positivity. I know he has stayed in great shape, who knows. Maybe he can still play the outfield and have a good arm. Hit .220. Sounds like Jordan Danks to me.. But whatever. Let him try. Nothing bad can come out of it.

The key is, as some have mentioned, that we have Q, Sale, and Rodon (hopefully pans out) at 3 VERY CHEAP quality pitchers. That along with Abreu's very cheap contract for his value allows the Sox to open up the pocket book and sign a Shark. Danks will be off the books next year. Just look at Shark replacing him + MLB inflation in contracts over the past 5 years. Sign Shark and in reality this team is set up in the OF, 1st, 2nd, SS, DH, SP (Rodon, Montas, Shark, Q, Sale) and mostly a BP all for next year at not too much higher of a payroll. I think if this year comes close to panning out (i.e a WC spot, playoffs, or close to both) that you will see Jerry and Hahn get extra aggressive next offseason to push the payroll higher and/or trade a few prospects to plug the 3B or C position. I believe this is a the start of a real aggressive 3 year push for the Sox.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Dec 16, 2014 -> 02:18 PM) Kudos for waiting to post until someone mentioned Anderson. Welcome to Soxtalk. Thank you! Been lurking since about 2007, forgot I had made a profile until I saw the great Brian Nikola mention...

QUOTE (Leonard Zelig @ Dec 16, 2014 -> 03:10 PM) When it was over did Samardizija tell Robertson that he's had to talk about the same s*** the last 5 years? I am guessing about the Sox/Cubs rivalry -- he got a few of those today.. When with the Cubs it was probably about growing up a Sox fan Now a Sox, its about being a Cub before..

Shark wearing jeans and greaser hair. Just feels like a South Sider already. Blue collar, blue jean boy.

Just my two cents around the diamond: C – Flowers: We can dog him all we want, and he is not perfect. Hahn was looking at Montero this year, McCann last year, etc. Obviously it’d be nice to upgrade. But if you were to look around … not much out there in reality. Flowers is what he is. A plus defender, a good game caller, and can hit 15 HR’s. The negatives are his strikeouts. His batting average is a bit weak too. Call him a .250 hitter and I’m ecstatic. Probably more near .230. In all reality, not our problem position. Kind of the Beckham of years past … can be better, however, not the reason we won’t win. His arm being strong is good in a run happy division in the Tigers and Royals. 1B – Abreu: Not much to say. Even with regression he is still a top 5 bat in the AL. I don’t think he’s the type of guy to regress though. And having a guy like LaRoche as his protection is only going to help DH – LaRoche: Look at his stats. That’s all I’ll say. Dude hits, and hits consistently. Yes, there is the fear that he’ll be like the last DH from Washington (Dunn) that threw up amazingly consistent stats in his career, was getting older, and then did awful … however I believe he’ll be able to come through. .270BA, 28HR, 85RBIs. Also a great clubhouse presence. 2B – Sanchez/Johnson: People get worried about this position. Like I always say – its 2B. It’s not going to win or lose you a division. Both of these guys have what it takes to be at least average 2B in their career. Sanchez isn’t going to wow anybody in any one facet of his game. He’ll be a plus defender. Probably hit .250-270, minimal power. He is quite young though. Micah Johnson probably has more upside. I hope he’s our starter come Opening Day because that means he was looking good in ST. Probably the biggest competition in ST. Still not a position to worry about. Second base/ 8th/9th hitters dont win you divisions, they dont lose you divisions. give me some speed, range and defense with okay average and im happy. SS – Alexei: Not much to say. He is what he is – and that is a top SS in the AL and in MLB. Look around, not much can do what he does with both his bat and in the field. Count on another .280 15HR 70RBI season with good defense and playing 150-160 games at SS. 3B – Gillaspie: Do I expect him to produce like he did last year? No. Can he do fine – yes. If he does what he did last year were more than fine. Not a problem position. If he regresses? Could be trouble. If he has some trouble maybe Davidson can be a flash for a month while Gillaspie recovers on the bench?? 4OF – Viciedo: Doubtful - Can't play center. Not like Hahn to keep a tradeable asset with no home on the field. Maybe something crazy where he can be a super, mediocore defense utility at 3B, LF, RF, 1B/DH. Maybe he has purpose there...MAYBE. Rather see him traded for an arm though. LF - Cabrera: Still youngish. Don't think we'll see his declining skills this year. Nor in his contract. .300+ 3 of last 4 years. Let says worst case scenario he puts up .290/13/65. Still a great upgrade. CF – Eaton: If he can do what he did last year and stay healthy we are golden here. Id like to keep Jordan Danks as an option for anytime that Eaton does go down though. Great defense there and that’s about all you need as a backup. RF – Garcia: If Viciedo is our biggest problem, Garcia is our second biggest problem. I do think if he can stay healthy we will have a horse on our team. He may take some lumps and is still young. Was hoping he’d get a full season of taking his lumps last season but was good he could come back. I think expecting a .260, 15HR, 70RBI, 15SB and good defense isn’t too much to ask. If he has a season like Alexei basically I’ll be happy. Pitching: If all are healthy in our rotation – and that’s always a big IF, then we are fine. Not a great rotation, not terrible. Problem is our 4-5 spots. Can Noesi continue what he did second half of last year? If so he is a good #5. Can Danks do what he did last year? Then he’s a good #5. Problem there is we have two #5’s. Ideally one would be long relief and we’d have a solid #4. I think we are a year away from that with Rodon. Rodon can probably do it now, however he’s not going to pitch more than 150IP. I wouldn’t mind if we got aggressive somehow and got a pitcher for 1 year. Penny???? JK. I dont think Hahn/Reinsdorf/KW will be aggressive now -- but come June I can see them sacrificing young talent for a good 3/4 pitcher ala Peavy for Boston/SF in years past. You do that? You have a great rotation, Rodon and Noesi/Danks coming out of the pen for middle relief and im ecstatic. I think acquiring another pitcher is going to be a sit and wait approach though. Bullpen: Probably need another arm – maybe two. I do think we’ll get one in the Viciedo trade. Another solution is to move up a few of our good arms in the minors to pitch out of the pen like Montas and Rodon. However that is a win now strategy. And probably shouldn’t be deployed unless we are actually set up for that. Since we have questions at #4 in the rotation, 2B, and in some degrees C, 3B and RF … shouldn’t happen this year. All that being said - put me down for 84-89 wins. Wide range. Biggest keys in my opinion is either Danks or Noesi stepping up above and beyond their expectations, Garcia producing, and Eaton staying healthy.

I, Brian Anderson have been just waiting my time to get back in the game. No but seriously, Anderson was trying for an invite last year - didn't get one. He done.