SoxSteve

QUOTE (GreenSox @ Mar 16, 2016 -> 09:10 PM) They get nothing in return Yea if the they throw in Boagaerts and Moncada, ha

QUOTE (whtsoxfan @ Mar 15, 2016 -> 10:19 PM) Did the White Sox solve their OBP issue? http://southside.locals.baseballprospectus...to-get-on-base/ That's the main thing that concerns me. Our OBP is not good at all IMO. That's why I wanted to trade for Markaikas who has a excellent OBP. I think the SOX brass is way to enamored with power and i think they underestimate OBP. If you look at the last 4-5 World Series winners and runner ups their homer total was nothing great and pretty low.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Mar 9, 2016 -> 01:35 PM) Agreed and I think people are just running with Levine's speculation. There's no room for Bruce unless Cinci takes LaRoche and one of Avi/Melky back in the trade. The Sox have too many outfielders and should-be DH's as it is. I just don't see how the Sox and Reds match up in a trade involving Jay Bruce. On a scale of 1-10 what kind of fielder is Bruce?

QUOTE (OmarComing25 @ Mar 7, 2016 -> 01:43 PM) Just because there were a few teams without power that succeeded recently doesn't mean that we shouldn't be focused on increasing power whenever the opportunity arises. There's a strong correlation between homeruns and runs scored, and homeruns and wins. One of the best ways to score more runs overall is to hit more homeruns. Our OBP really scares me. That is the main reason i wanted Fowler over Jackson and Desmond( if we went shortstop.) Eaton and Fowler 1-2 would have been deadly IMO. Jackson OBP has been sliding and Lowrie and Frazier have low OBP as well. Homers are great but if the last few World Series teams indicate its not a big deal. Eaton and Abrue are the only ones i have confidence in to have a good OBP. Just sayin

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Mar 4, 2016 -> 04:48 PM) On the beach. Has anyone else noticed that Levine always writes a article speculating who the Sox might pick up on Friday? I thinks wants people to listen to his talk show Saturday morning. He did it 3 Fridays in a row now. Last Friday he broke the possible Fowler to the Sox story. No biggie

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Mar 4, 2016 -> 04:24 PM) Levine is just a mouthpiece, period. I can't remember the last time he wrote about a rumor that actually came to fruition. I've noticed that when Levine writes about something, it's usually after another writer has written about it already. I'm not a Levine follower but he called Lawrie to the Sox before anybody and he said we weren't even looking at Desmond which as it turns out was probably true. Thank god he was right because who wants 25 errors and 180 strikeouts from your shortstop. And what is all this Austin Jackson love. I wouldn't Touch him for any price. Go big with Cargo or Reddick or go home IMO.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Mar 4, 2016 -> 01:38 PM) That is two true. I know Bruce has power and strikes out alot but does anyone know what kinda fielder he is? And how does he hit right-handers? I would take a run at Reddick if Oakland doesn't think they can sign him.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Feb 26, 2016 -> 06:29 PM) Wonder why we didn't at least consider Span...three years for him must have been too much. Then again, no pick attached. I guess we should have an outfield tracker with all their results at the beginning of the season. Cespedes Gordon Upton Fowler Span Jackson Coghlan Parra Bruce Ethier Crawford Puig Reddick Guyer Rajai Davis Saunders Alex Rios Victorino Travis Snider B. Gardner Desmond Jennings Ian Desmond Trayce Thompson Van Slyke Guerrero Hernandez Marisnick Carlos Gomez Tucker Carlos Gonzalez Dickerson Blackmon You could Heyward to the mix

QUOTE (ChiSoxFanMike @ Feb 25, 2016 -> 04:52 PM) They have like 7 outfielders now. How are they going to be able to play them all? Maybe Kenny will finally get the guy he always wanted. Chone Figgins. I kid i kid.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Feb 25, 2016 -> 01:13 PM) The ad program is a key word finder. It is absolutely true. The reason the ad is there is because it is seeing post after post about them. I'm happy Fowler signed with the Cubs rather than with Baltimore. The more good players not in the American League the better and i firmly believe the Cubs and their success on doing what their doing puts more pressure on Hahn and Kenny to make moves and put a better product on the field and try to keep the Sox relevant.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Feb 25, 2016 -> 11:49 AM) Screw them. It is karma for the " found something on the physical" BS.. Fowler to Cubs. Perfect now trade him to the SOX and we get a good player and keep the draft pick. Perfect outcome IMO.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Feb 18, 2016 -> 09:47 PM) Well if they didn't like Desmond's defense, they probably aren't interested in Fowler either. Yes but Fowler would be a defensive upgrade at any of the corner outfield positions and Desmond would have been a defensive downgrade. Plus Fowler has a much better OBP than Desmond. Desmond was a terrible fit on this team at so many levels. Strikeouts, low OBP, over 24 errors averaged over last 3 years. Not too mention our best minor league player is a shortstop. Don't want him no matter what his ridiculous War number is.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 03:22 PM) Avi put up a -1.8 dWAR last year. Markakis put up a -1.5. Nick might have put up better offensive stats, but are they worth $11 million a year for the next three years? God no. Here we go with the War, steamer, Zips etc. I've seen both of them play alot and Avi is not better nor is it even close. Markaikas is a better outfielder than Garcia or Melky. PERIOD. Plus put him in the 2 hole and you have a awesome lefty 1-2 punch followed up by a bunch of righties. Love the lineup with him in the 2 hole. Plus it's not my money. Il take his 38 doubles and 375 OBP right now. Trade is never going to happen so it is a moot point. And Avi will never win a gold glove and won't even come close like Markaikas did a year ago. Plus i think a Avi - Laroche DH platoon could be effective for a yar and then see if Garcia is worth keeping for 2017.

QUOTE (bmags @ Feb 17, 2016 -> 12:20 PM) I would rather play Avi than Markakis. Have to disagree on that one. Markaikas is a much better fielder seeing he did win the gold glove in 2014 i believe. His defense has slipped but would be the best left or right fielder on this team by far. Plus the 377 OBP would be great in the 2 hole. He knows how to handle the bat very well. Who cares about his lack of homers but he can probably hit 8-12 in this ballpark but if he hit 3 and batted what he did last year it would be a big boost for us. And he did hit 38 doubles last year. Ive been on the Markaikas band wagon for months now. . Love to have him on the field and in clubhouse.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Feb 16, 2016 -> 10:56 PM) Colorado gets Desmond Orioles get Gallardo and Fowler Sox get Jackson and keep their picks There, everyone is happy. No not everyone and i suspect alot will be angry. Jackson is a nothing pickup and he shouldn't even be mentioned IMO. Fowler or go big for Puig.

QUOTE (Alexeihyeess @ Feb 15, 2016 -> 11:49 AM) If there is one thing about advanced metrics I do not like it is how they have just crushed the imaginations of fans. 90 wins isn't that far fetched for this roster, just as 70 wins isn't that far fetched either. This goes for every team in the game. There will be multiple WS favorites who fail to make the playoffs this year, there will be multiple annual doormats who get a ticket to the dance instead. It's hard to tell who those teams will be, but the Sox have a rotation that makes it impossible to deny their chances. It only crushes the imagination of fans if you read them which i don't. Never even pay attention unless i read a article and it mentions fangraphs, zips, whoever. Saw a article that took a look at Fangraphs and their writers. All you have to do is look at the 50 writers from Fangraphs last year who made predictions based on advanced metrics. None predicted KC to win the division and NONE predicted them to even make the wild card. NONE predicted Houston and Texas, to lake the playoffs and only 3 predicted the Yankees to make it. And all 5 predicted Washington to win the division. That's should tel you all you need to know about advanced metrics when predicting records.

QUOTE (Baron @ Feb 12, 2016 -> 08:39 PM) Nope...Fowler has given up about 32 runs the past 2 years. Yea maybe but he was playing center field. He would probably play left with us so YES he would be a better left fielder than Melky. Not even close.

QUOTE (Baron @ Feb 12, 2016 -> 07:09 PM) Technically Fowler plays worse defense than Melky and Garcia. That's impossible, lol.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Feb 12, 2016 -> 03:20 PM) Did you read my original reply to your WAR question? Context is the key to both. Not trying to be a jerk (I'm willing to explain), I just don't want to type out another long explanation if you won't read it. Dude i get it. Just making a point if i guy has all those strikeouts and errors and Horsh%^#tt OBP and his stats have been on a steady decline then don't bring up how good his WAR is and tell me he is a better fit than Fowler. Fowler fits our team better then Desmond because of his OBP and better outfield defense than Melky or Garcia.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Feb 12, 2016 -> 01:39 PM) Those teams played half their games in ballparks not as conducive to hitting home runs. White Sox teams that don't hit HR since moving into USCF, with maybe one exception, have totally sucked. The park has played as a pitcher's park except for home runs in recent years. Yes but the power fascination is not working. Getting the Thome's, Dunn's, Loroches, hasn't worked the last 10 years wouldn't you say judging by 1 playoff appearance. We hit a good amount of homers in 05 but the key was Scottie pods and Iguchi at top the order and getting the lead for the first 30 plus games of season. We only play 81 games at home and i think we have plent of power to win judging by what the last few WS winners have done. With our pitching defense is more important and if some here feel with our outfield defense the same as last year and Desmond and Lourie will be better than last year i hope your right because i don't see it personally. But that's what make this board fun!!

QUOTE (SoxSteve @ Feb 12, 2016 -> 01:32 PM) What is your fascination with power? KC HIT 97 and 135 homers the last 2 years and were one out away from another World Series win. SF won multiple World Series with little power as did the Cardinals. We have enough power to win if we had better OBP IMO. And Markakis would be a huge upgrade over either on of our corner outfielders hands down. He is not a gold glover anymore but still above average for sure and i think he might have won a GG in 2014. Do we really want to add a guy like Desmond who has been declining the last few years and not just ist half of last year? Averaging 171 strikeouts and 24 errors over the last 3 years is a steady decline and not just a bad half. He just seems like a bad fit for a team that needs better defense and OBP than power. And for those WAR followers how does a guy who has averaged 24 errors and 171 strikeouts over the last 3 years with a 311 OBP have a good war? Maybe a good fit for some teams but for us not good at all IMO. Thanx P

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Feb 12, 2016 -> 06:59 AM) The problem with your argument is Desmond is not a below average defensive player. He's been pretty much average and when combined with his bat it's made him a top 5 SS prior to last season. Unless you believe his one bad half in the last four seasons, which happened to occur last year, is predictive of the player you'd be getting, signing Desmond to a reasonable contract could be the streal of the offseason. And no offense, but the Markakis idea is terrible. He is a bad defender with no power, who is being paid a lot of money. Yes we need more OBP, but he's the absolutely wrong guy to get. What is your fascination with power? KC HIT 97 and 135 homers the last 2 years and were one out away from another World Series win. SF won multiple World Series with little power as did the Cardinals. We have enough power to win if we had better OBP IMO. And Markakis would be a huge upgrade over either on of our corner outfielders hands down. He is not a gold glover anymore but still above average for sure and i think he might have won a GG in 2014. Do we really want to add a guy like Desmond who has been declining the last few years and not just ist half of last year? Averaging 171 strikeouts and 24 errors over the last 3 years is a steady decline and not just a bad half. He just seems like a bad fit for a team that needs better defense and OBP than power.

QUOTE (ronkark @ Feb 12, 2016 -> 12:29 AM) here's why no to desmond. 1 - draft pick loss 2- blocks tim anderson any beyond this year 3 - average to belpw average D on a team that cannot afford any weak or average defenders. think about it. no sanchez at 2b. no alexei. abreu at firstl yikes. 4 - saladino is a plus defender. and while a light hitter, he can bunt, baserun, hit behind runners. he's a smart player. we need those. 5- walks and k's. desmond's ratio is awful. we have enough k's between frazier lawrie, garcia, etc. we need obp. 6 - garcia. if demond means no OF add then NO THANK YOU! Agree 100%. I don't get he fascination with him. It seems the masses just want to sign anyone. 180 strikeouts a year with below average defense. So your infield and outfield defense is worse than last year on a team that already plays bad D. No thanks. He was the one guy out of all the possible free agents that i didn't want. That and the Austin Jackson talk. Stay away from both. . Fowler, trade for Markaikas or go big and get Puig. I'd take Fowler or Markaikas and sacrifice Power for OBP. Just sayin.

QUOTE (bmags @ Feb 11, 2016 -> 03:45 PM) I'm fine with lower OBP, as he is improving our power considerably (as a whole, we are much improved). Looking at a likely 100+ home runs from our infield with Desmond. We had low obp + low power last year. At least have solved one half of that equation in this signing. But if you look at the last few World Series winner not alot of them were home runs hitting teams.Royals had 135 last year and 97 the year they were runner up. SF never hit alot of homers when they won nor did St Louis.im too lazy to lookup those numbers but don't think they were big HR hitting teams. Just a thought.

QUOTE (SoxSteve @ Feb 11, 2016 -> 03:29 PM) Question for some on this board. What is up with this WAR fascination when determining if the guy is a good fit or not? I see alot of post where this guy is a 2 WAR and this guy is a 3 WAR. I'm not against any metrics at all and teams should try to use everything at their disposal to win games but WAR is the last thing i look at when determining if i want the player on my team. I don't need the WAR number of CESPEDAS, GORDON or UPTON to know that i wanted them on the Sox. I have no idea what is was not should i care. All i know that i wanted any of them with Gordon and Upton being most desirable because of the OBP. Some teams probably wanted Cespedas because they need the power. To each there own. Do most here look at war for a determination on what fits the Sox best? To me it's a non factor but maybe I'm in the minority. Thanx And with that in mind i want Fowler and day of the week over Desmond. I don't think we need another guy with a bad OBP seeing its not Frazier and Lowrie strong suit. Having 2 guys at the top of the order with 360 OBP with one a switch hitter is WAY more important than a BAD fielding injured shortstop with good power with alot of swing and miss in him. Especially when we supposedly have a shortstop waiting in the wings in Anderson. I know Fowler isn't a great fielder but putting him in left will help out Eaton IMO. You can move Melky to right seeing he has the arm for it and Platoon Garcia and Laroche at DH. Improves 4 positions with one player IMO. Thanks again and look forward to the feedback.