COACH612

QUOTE (Joshua Strong @ Sep 21, 2016 -> 03:02 PM) The guy that I have been championing for a long time is Gabe Kapler. Former player, managerial experience, well versed in the metrics, works in player development, understudy of Theo/Maddon/Friedman. Where has Kapler managed?

QUOTE (lasttriptotulsa @ Sep 21, 2016 -> 12:03 PM) Is it okay? No, it's not. But overall it's not a problem on this team. Everybody's whipping boy Avi plays as hard as anybody. Eaton was told to dial it down so he didn't hurt himself. Rip on Robin and the staff all you want for an apparent lack of hustle, but the truth is it was a lot bigger problem in the Ozzie managed years with guys like Dye, Konerko and AJ. What I'm saying is that if you think the problem with this team is a lack of hustle you're delusional. The problem is talent, plain and simple. We can disagree on a few things but what I was trying to point out is no matter what talent level a team has, it takes more than that to be champions. It takes heart. I see that most, if not all, players on the Sox want to win. After all, that's what athletes want most. And at most times, I see hustle. But it should drive everyone crazy when we see players not hustling to 1st base and such. This is just 1 example so don't get your panties in a bunch. Hustling to 1st on routine grounders or even dropped 3rd strikes can make or break a game. Ask A. J. about that. But consistent championship teams have that hustle on every play in every inning no matter on offense or defense. Now, that being said, for you to put people down like you did means you may not be interested in an intelligent conversation. If it makes you feel better to put others down who may disagree with you, go right ahead. I really don't care. PLEASE DON'T RESPOND TO THIS. I AM DONE WITH YOU AND AM NO LONGER INTERESTED IN WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY!

QUOTE (lasttriptotulsa @ Sep 21, 2016 -> 10:12 AM) The vast majority of this team plays hard day in and day out. You have no idea whether management cares or not. To assume they do not is just asinine. What is your solution? To sit Melky Cabrera because of one ball you in all your expertise claim he didn't charge hard enough. Who plays then? Coats? Shuck? That is supposed to give us a better chance to win than Melky Cabrera? Come on. These are not 12 year old kids. They've been playing ball for 15+ years. The problem is not the effort. The problem is the talent. As I mentioned, that was just one example I have seen. Apparently, lack of hustle to 1st base on a routine grounder is ok with you. Good luck to whatever team you coach.

QUOTE (lasttriptotulsa @ Sep 21, 2016 -> 08:51 AM) How do you not have a job as a MLB manager yet? You seem to have all the answers. Your sarcasm is not appreciated. It seems all you wish to do is cut others down instead of making an intelligent response. I was trying to make a point that winning starts from the top and as long as players are not held accountable, how can a team expect to win if management does not care so much. If you are coaching little league team or an adult rec team, would you put players out there that don't hustle or play the right way? Of course not. So why shouldn't major leagues who get played a lot of money to play a kid's game be held accountable?

The other day, I posted on this site on how Melky did not charge the ball on a single and this allowed the KC runner to score. Had he charged it, the runner would have been out by plenty since it was a close play at home anyways. A desire to win would have prevented the run from scoring. Holding players accountable for this type of lazy play would send a very strong message throughout the dugout and organization. I am only using this one example. I have seen guys not hustle on grounders, jogging to the next base, bad leadoffs, etc. and basically not enough aggressive play on both offense and defense. But just for the record, this is not on all players, just some but it costs because this sport is a team effort and the little things add up. As long as management from the top down is ok with this type of behavior, winning will never come no matter the talent.

I say trade Eaton for an aging veteran named Adam who can DH. Oh wait, Sox have done that twice already.

I say trade him and get an aging veterans for the DH position whose 1st name is Adam.

The White Sox on paper also looked strong enough to compete for the division. Look how that turned out as well.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Sep 13, 2016 -> 03:06 AM) Agreed with Caulfield, with the caveat that Saladino did try to play OF in AAA and got injured. But if Saladino could gain the ability to play a corner OF and possibly even first, he could become an extremely valuable super-utility with his defense, base running, speed and bat. Lawrie starting at second with Saladino getting consistent starts everywhere is much more appealing than Saladino starting at second with Sanchez/Leury being the bench player. We all know he can play 2nd. We have also seen him play 3rd very well. He may not have the range for SS but as a backup there he could do the job for a game or 2. With a little teaching, he can possibly play 1st. How many players does a team run across that can play all 4 infield positions and maybe a corner outfield one? This is a no brainer. Keep him. Depth is so important to succeed in a very long season.

I was at the game yesterday and had a runner on 1st. Hosmer was playing way back almost to the grass. Our base runner only took a mediocre lead. I turned to my wife and said this is one way to Sox shoot themselves in the foot. The runner should be leading off a lot more since there is no chance for a pickoff. It would make the difference of going from 1st to 2nd or 3rd if the batter gets a hit. He may even score if it is in the gap. I have been saying for several years this is on the coaching staff including the base coaches. How tough is it to teach proper leadoffs?

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Sep 12, 2016 -> 08:00 AM) Adam Eaton says hello. Ok, you got me on that one. Forgot about him.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Sep 10, 2016 -> 03:18 PM) I think given a similar poll you'd have 70% expecting the Sox would just switch to Renteria, and another 10% will guess they'll jump Thome or Rowand. As much as I really dislike Ventura, hiring just another manager would not really have a quality impact of the Sox current situation. What the Sox really need to do is rebuild from within. Starting with their farm system. It seems their scouts and coaches seem to have a tough time evaluating talent. Occasionally you get a Tim Anderson but I have been questioning for a few years now about the scouts. Also, note to front office, stop trading for aging veterans who have already past their peak. And really stop signing players named Adam.

QUOTE (Greg Hibbard @ Sep 6, 2016 -> 11:19 AM) If they're gonna buy, they need to bring in a good DH and a couple of other bigger supplemental offensive pieces. 23rd in team home runs 23rd in runs scored 23rd in OPS ....in a hitter's park It's killing us I agree. It really makes no difference if they get a good catcher and get a legit outfielder if they can't score enough runs to win games. Sale should have at least 23 wins by now and Q should be around 16 if the Sox had an offense.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 6, 2016 -> 11:08 AM) What makes you think that LaStella wants to play anywhere but Wrigley. I don't but no downside to ask. Besides, if he still wants to play and the Cubs don't want him, he only has 2 choices. Retire or play for another team. Does anyone see any downside by asking?

QUOTE (Hatchetman @ Sep 6, 2016 -> 10:36 AM) He's on the team for next year! Then the Sox better load up on baseballs since many of his pitches go into the bleachers.

QUOTE (ChiSoxFanMike @ Sep 6, 2016 -> 10:37 AM) Why would the Cubs want anything to do with Garcia? They already have his clone, Jorge Soler, who happens to be slightly better anyway. I know it sounds like a long shot, but no harm in asking. Besides, the Cubs don't want La Stella anyways and maybe they want some cash or a 3 team deal. Who knows unless you ask.

I am going to throw this out there to see what everyone thinks. Avi Garcia for Tommy La Stella? And maybe the Sox can throw cash to the Cubs just to get rid of Garcia?

The coaching staff should work on his glove. I have seen way too many balls get by him that he should have had, including yesterday.

If Avi is that bad and costs them runs, why not just play with 8 just like in little league. What's the worst that can happen, the Sox lose?

I did not see the game yesterday. What happened with Avi? Anyone?

QUOTE (La Marr Hoyt HOF @ Aug 24, 2016 -> 11:20 AM) This may be the dumbest thing I have ever read Basically what you are saying is it's ok to make the playoffs and lose in any of the rounds. Making the playoffs is no big deal. It does gives you the opportunity to win the whole thing. But like I said, this is my opinion. Without the grand prize, the team had a better season than many of the others but they only played a few more but came away empty. What can I say? This is my opinion.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Aug 25, 2016 -> 08:26 AM) So you think Guaranteed Rate was the White Sox first and only call? Maybe these other companies don't see value in putting their name on a stadium. It probably would be very hard to determine what kind of business is generated just by purchasing naming rights. I'm sure they took the best deal. I really doubt they were thinking, let's pick these guys because it will really piss some people off. If the White Sox were in first place right now, people wouldn't care about this at all. It's just a case of trying to kick someone when they are down. That was exactly what I wrote.

Obviously no one asked me about a new name but I would have voted for Victoria's Secret. Imagine the 7th inning stretch.

I think we as fans look at attendance as the driver of a franchise success. I don't necessarily agree. Although Cleveland may be the exception, success of a team is based on putting out a good product. Fans want to see good baseball, not crappy. If a team is playing winning baseball, fans will come. Except for Tampa when they were playing good baseball and could not draw 12,000. Most teams have bad years, and those bad years could stretch into a few depending on trades, farm system, etc. But the Sox seem to like aging veterans and I will not pay my hard earned money to see losing baseball. I can watch the same game on tv for free and not pay $9.00 for a beer. Better yet, I am enjoying watching the Little League World Series. They are truly fun to watch.

Let's all take a deep breath. Does the name of the field really matter? Let's say the WS put together a winning team next year and contend for the title. Will anyone care? We should all concentrate on how the sox are doing and not what the name is on the wall. Frankly, I don't care what they call it. If the Sox can't put a decent team together, very few people will be in the stands anyways to see any signage of the new name. I believe the Sox are in 26th place and sinking.