Yoan/Timmy/Leury

[caulfield12]

Will be fine, and much better off for the loss than eking out a win over a hapless Tigers team without Cabrera.

 

Yoan ... Ive decided to put him in that Alexei category of slow starter in the cold weather. He easily could have 2-3 more hits, 3 homers and everyone would be pretty satisfied. As long as he hits in the 750-787.5 ops range this year, 787.5-825 in 2019, he will be 100% ready for 2020 when he’ll still be just 24.

 

Anderson and Leury, imo, were just over-exuberant to make big plays in front of an Opening Day crowd. They will certainly remember these situations the next time out. Leury is a converted SS, let’s not forget, and it still might be his best overall position defensively. Body language wise, Anderson looks like a completely different player and much more vocal/demonstrative. He might be the leader of the team by next season, which is so important for a SS or catcher to possess those character traits.

 

Big picture, if Yolmer and Anderson are consistent 3+ WAR players, the rebuild heavy lifting just got much easier. Not to mention Davidson at worst as a platoon DH, Fulmer in a starting or relieving role, Engel/Leury/Cordell, etc. Even just 2-3 solid contributors from that list is a huge win.

 

Nate Jones can also bring us a nice return with that contract, mitigated by the injury history.

 

Finally, the Blackmon deal indicates it?€™s going to be easier to keep Avi and Abreu in the fold at ?€œaffordable?€? rates.

 

Big picture, Jack Soria sucks as a closer and is barely passable as a MR. It is what is is...even if Leury blocks the ball, there?€™s no guarantee that Soria still gets out of it with a win. He was not exactly fooling anyone. Five years ago, he was a competely different pitcher, but that Royals?€™ 40+ save closer is LONG gone.

 

At any rate, my only concern right now is LeBron leaves the Cavs, CLE wins the WS, advertisers/sponsors flock to the Indians and sustain their competitive window for an additional year or two. Less concerrned about Minn, since they will lose Mauer/Dozier/Santana and might not be able to lock up Buxton/Sano/Berrios with early extensions.

Edited April 6, 2018 by caulfield12

[chitownsportsfan]

I'll pick one thing to respond to, since your post is all over the place: Yolmer's performance yesterday was one of the best all around games a Sox 3B has had in my lifetime. That was a prime Joe Crede esque effort on both sides.

[JUSTgottaBELIEVE]

Will be fine, and much better off for the loss than eking out a win over a hapless Tigers team without Cabrera.

 

Yoan ... Ive decided to put him in that Alexei category of slow starter in the cold weather. He easily could have 2-3 more hits, 3 homers and everyone would be pretty satisfied. As long as he hits in the 750-787.5 ops range this year, 787.5-825 in 2019, he will be 100% ready for 2020 when he’ll still be just 24.

 

Anderson and Leury, imo, were just over-exuberant to make big plays in front of an Opening Day crowd. They will certainly remember these situations the next time out. Leury is a converted SS, let’s not forget, and it still might be his best overall position defensively. Body language wise, Anderson looks like a completely different player and much more vocal/demonstrative. He might be the leader of the team by next season, which is so important for a SS or catcher to possess those character traits.

 

Big picture, if Yolmer and Anderson are consistent 3+ WAR players, the rebuild heavy lifting just got much easier. Not to mention Davidson at worst as a platoon DH, Fulmer in a starting or relieving role, Engel/Leury/Cordell, etc. Even just 2-3 solid contributors from that list is a huge win.

 

Nate Jones can also bring us a nice return with that contract, mitigated by the injury history.

 

Finally, the Blackmon deal indicates it?€™s going to be easier to keep Avi and Abreu in the fold at ?€œaffordable?€? rates.

 

Big picture, Jack Soria sucks as a closer and is barely passable as a MR. It is what is is...even if Leury blocks the ball, there?€™s no guarantee that Soria still gets out of it with a win. He was not exactly fooling anyone. Five years ago, he was a competely different pitcher, but that Royals?€™ 40+ save closer is LONG gone.

 

At any rate, my only concern right now is LeBron leaves the Cavs, CLE wins the WS, advertisers/sponsors flock to the Indians and sustain their competitive window for an additional year or two. Less concerrned about Minn, since they will lose Mauer/Dozier/Santana and might not be able to lock up Buxton/Sano/Berrios with early extensions.

If Yolmer and Anderson are consistent 3+ WAR players, there's no reason to sign Manny Machado...

[caulfield12]

If Yolmer and Anderson are consistent 3+ WAR players, there's no reason to sign Manny Machado...

 

Especially if you look at the risk on a deal like that...give me another outfielder, veteran #2-3 starter to help lead the youngsters (and insure against injury risk) and put the rest into creating an elite pen. Catcher would be the other main concern, depending on Collins/Zavala’s development.

 

Following that plan also allows you to devote another starting prospect to the bullpen foundation.

 

If we keep Avi, we probably don’t need to sign a FA. Let’s see how Jimenez, Robert, Delmonico, Engel, Leury and Cordell do this year first.

Edited April 6, 2018 by caulfield12

[Wanne]

I'm skeptically hoping that Soria can round into form...and especially when the weather heats up to bring back some type of decent return from some bullpen-starved contender.

[greg775]

Anderson- Gonna have a great season. He's a budding star. Passes the eye test. Maybe someday will draw a lotta walks; if not his on base will be no better than Ozzie's was as a free swinging hacker. He will produce however and be an all star.

Yolmer - I do like him a lot. Good to have a glove at third and he can hit.

Leury - I actually like him too.

Jack Soria - I don't want to call a human being worthless so I won't. As a baseball pitcher he is "close to worthless" however. He'll fail more than he succeeds. That's not good.

[Bob Sacamano]

I'll pick one thing to respond to, since your post is all over the place: Yolmer's performance yesterday was one of the best all around games a Sox 3B has had in my lifetime. That was a prime Joe Crede esque effort on both sides.

 

Haha click in a thread thinking it's only going to be about the Sox infield and somehow there's a rant about Soria mixed in there. Shame on me for assuming that when entering a Caulfield thread haha

Edited April 6, 2018 by soxfan2014

[he gone.]

My biggest excitement has been Anderson.

 

If he's a guy who can steal 40 bases and also hit 20HR he becomes a steal -- even with all the strikeouts. Speed like that is a disruptor.

[bmags]

I'm hoping Anderson stealing more will underscore the value to him of getting on base.

 

Krate needs to come down or BB rate needs to go up. He's just too good on the bases.

[Chicago White Sox]

I'm hoping Anderson stealing more will underscore the value to him of getting on base.

 

Krate needs to come down or BB rate needs to go up. He's just too good on the bases.

Maybe it’s already helping. Tim has 3 BB’s in 26 plate appearances this season vs. 13 in 606 last year.

[Lip Man 1]

Especially if you look at the risk on a deal like that...give me another outfielder, veteran #2-3 starter to help lead the youngsters (and insure against injury risk) and put the rest into creating an elite pen. Catcher would be the other main concern, depending on Collins/Zavala’s development.

 

Following that plan also allows you to devote another starting prospect to the bullpen foundation.

 

If we keep Avi, we probably don’t need to sign a FA. Let’s see how Jimenez, Robert, Delmonico, Engel, Leury and Cordell do this year first.

 

Delmonico and L. Garcia are not outfielders, they are liabilities right now at that position. They are infielders or in Delmonico's case, a DH.

[Chicago White Sox]

Delmonico and L. Garcia are not outfielders, they are liabilities right now at that position. They are infielders or in Delmonico's case, a DH.

How is Leury not an OF? Because he botched one play yesterday?

[soxfan49]

How is Leury not an OF? Because he botched one play yesterday?

I mean, he did make a pretty sweet catch on Wednesday, IIRC.

[bmags]

Maybe it’s already helping. Tim has 3 BB’s in 26 plate appearances this season vs. 13 in 606 last year.

 

Right exactly. I have no idea I'm not a coach and have not talked to anderson. But I could see a young player not quite embracing trying to take more walks when its frame could be seen as trying to change who he is as a hitter. He can say "well I like to be aggressive".

 

But when it's instead "look how great you are on the bases, you gotta get on to wreak havoc", it might click with him how he just needs to get on base.

 

I have no idea, sports are fun, and Tim seems to be having a lot of fun right now.

[BlackSox13]

No problems with the infield as is and in fact like it alot.

 

The outfield will sort itself out during the season but changes are coming. The current left fielders are merely occupying the space until Eloy is ready to come up and then it's his spot. Which brings me to CF. I know it's early and the weather has sucked but I remain skeptical of Engel's bat and think he's on borrowed time. If Engel doesn't show anything with the bat I think we see Engel and Cordell switch places in June if not before then.

 

I kinda of feel for Delmonico. With Davidson/Abreu taking 1B/DH there's no spot for his bat once Eloy comes up.

Edited April 6, 2018 by BlackSox13

[SCCWS]

 

Not yet, but if Moncada continues his struggles, I hope they move him down in the order to see if the leadoff spot is affecting him. Maybe he will bounce back and then midseason move him back to leadoff.

[caulfield12]

Too quick...have to give more than a week there.

[caulfield12]

Too quick...have to give more than a week there.

[Chicago White Sox]

Not yet, but if Moncada continues his struggles, I hope they move him down in the order to see if the leadoff spot is affecting him. Maybe he will bounce back and then midseason move him back to leadoff.

What makes you think the leadoff spot is effecting? It’s not like we’re trying to complete this year so I doubt he is pressing and his approach looks basically looks the same as last year to me. The kid simply needs to move through the next stage of development and getting the most at-bats possible is what will help there.

[hi8is]

Maybe it’s already helping. Tim has 3 BB’s in 26 plate appearances this season vs. 13 in 606 last year.

Extrapolated out over the same amount of at bats as he had last year and that’s 70 walks... which would be a HUGE improvement from 13.

[Chicago White Sox]

Extrapolated out over the same amount of at bats as he had last year and that’s 70 walks... which would be a HUGE improvement from 13.

Hell I’d take half of that and call it a win. If he can end up with even a 5% BB rate long-term he has a chance to be special player with his mix of power, speed, & defense.

[elrockinMT]

If Yolmer and Anderson are consistent 3+ WAR players, there's no reason to sign Manny Machado...

 

There is no reason to sign Machado anyway

[Chicago White Sox]

There is no reason to sign Machado anyway

??

[greg775]

Too quick...have to give more than a week there.

Why is Ricky running the same lineup out there every day? Managers change the orders of lineups a lot, at least past Sox managers have done that. It's no crime to drop Moncada from one to six.

[Dam8610]

Why is Ricky running the same lineup out there every day? Managers change the orders of lineups a lot, at least past Sox managers have done that. It's no crime to drop Moncada from one to six.

 

They already moved Anderson up and Delmonico down in the lineup.