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whitesox61382

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Do you really think they wouldnt pay for a shortstop like Cabrera? The White Sox are already paying WAY to much money to the Jose Valentine, who is a piece of s***. Correct me if im wrong here but isnt Cabrera worth around what we are supposed to pay Jose next year, that is in the 4-6 million ballpark.

 

By the way we wouldnt have this problem on shortstop if the white sox drafted and developed players better, it seems like every year we use our high draft picks on some corner outfielder who they say can play center field who doesnt pan out.

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agreed that all teams waste picks. Every team makes bad calls, many in the first round.

 

drafting and development is a difficult thing to do well.

But the Sox big run in the early 90s was fueled, in part, by four fabulous first round picks in consecutive seasons -- McDowell, Ventura, Thomas and Fernandez.

 

We benefitted from having some high picks. But they were still picks that were on the money. And, they were all college guys. I agree with Billy Beane's philosophy of not taking high school kids in the first round. We've been burned by several.

 

Now, let's look at some of the recent blunders:

 

1996 -- drafted Bobby Seay (whom they failed to sign, thankfully because he's been an expensive bust with Tampa). Could have had Eric Milton or Gil Meche.

 

1997 -- Took Jason Dellaero (could have had Lance Berkman or Adam Kennedy)

 

1998 -- Took Kip Wells (and traded him for Alpo; could have had CC Sabathia, Brad Wilkerson or Adam Dunn.)

 

1999 -- Took Jason Stumm (who has been unlucky with injuries, but he was a high school kid and risky; could have had Kurt Ainsworth, Mike MacDougle, Jerome Williams or Ben Broussard)

 

2000 -- drafted Joe Borchard (still a prospect, but only if he cuts way down on strikeouts; could have had Chase Utley, Billy Traber or Adam Wainwright).

 

Frank Thomas, drafted in 1989, is the only homegrown first-round pick who contributed to the 2003 team.

 

The drafting needs to improve.

Agreed that they need to draft better, but I bet if you looked at most teams who don't have the real high draft picks they all have just as many busts.

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most have as many.

 

Some have more.

 

Others have fewer.

 

The problem the Sox have is, if they're not going to be able to overcome their mistakes by signing higher priced players and retaining their top players, they don't have the same margin of error with draft picks.

 

 

Obviously, there have been hits -- Buehrle in the 38th round, Crede in the fifth or sixth round, possibly Rowand.

 

But when I think back to McDowell, Ventura, Thomas and Fernandez, it's been awhile since we have drafted an impact player similar to one of those guys.

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"Are you saying the White Sox have been mentioned with Tejada and Matsui? Other fans wishful thinking fans, who has mentioned the Sox considering going after either one of these guys? If you have a source, I'd love to see or hear it."

 

I believe the Sox were mentioned with Tejada in a yahoo sports article about a week ago.

 

"That is the exact same thing I thought of when he mentioned Padres and SS. Jimenez, NO!"

 

To begin with, Jimenez has a TON of talent whether you want to admit it or not. His numbers were still MUCH better then Alomars, and after he was traded he put up very good numbers for Cincinnati. The BIG difference between Vazquez and Jimenez is work ethic. A buddy of mine that lives in San Diego said that there was an article with quotes from the San Diego manager talking about Vazquez's great work ethic. So I think he would be a GREAT OPTION with all things considered.

 

"The Sox painted themselves into a corner. Jose has an option for $5 MM. That makes him untradeable. Regarding that position, you might as well be thinking about 2005."

 

The Sox don't owe Valentin anything next year. He didn't reach the PA ammount that would guarantee this 2004 option. Mark my words, Valentin will not be the starting SS next year.

 

The draft is a very risk business. You have to mix in safe players with players that have high ceilings and hope for the best. If you compare the Sox draft/development history over the past decade to other organizations you will see that there isn't a huge difference. Its easy to look back now and say that the Sox SHOULD have drafted this guy instead of that one, but highsight is 20-20. Also you fail to mention the guys drafted below the Sox draft picks that never panned out, and there are a lot more of those. I do think the Sox should draft more college players in the early rounds and I think they should focus on hitters with good plate disipline(ala Beane). I am excited about this past draft. While it is still earlier, I can't remember the last time that so many 1st year players put up great numbers. My advice is to be patient.

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agreed that all teams waste picks. Every team makes bad calls, many in the first round.

 

drafting and development is a difficult thing to do well.

But the Sox big run in the early 90s was fueled, in part, by four fabulous first round picks in consecutive seasons -- McDowell, Ventura, Thomas and Fernandez.

 

We benefitted from having some high picks. But they were still picks that were on the money. And, they were all college guys. I agree with Billy Beane's philosophy of not taking high school kids in the first round. We've been burned by several.

 

Now, let's look at some of the recent blunders:

 

1996 -- drafted Bobby Seay (whom they failed to sign, thankfully because he's been an expensive bust with Tampa). Could have had Eric Milton or Gil Meche.

 

1997 -- Took Jason Dellaero (could have had Lance Berkman or Adam Kennedy)

 

1998 -- Took Kip Wells (and traded him for Alpo; could have had CC Sabathia, Brad Wilkerson or Adam Dunn.)

 

1999 -- Took Jason Stumm (who has been unlucky with injuries, but he was a high school kid and risky; could have had Kurt Ainsworth, Mike MacDougle, Jerome Williams or Ben Broussard)

 

2000 -- drafted Joe Borchard (still a prospect, but only if he cuts way down on strikeouts; could have had Chase Utley, Billy Traber or Adam Wainwright).

 

Frank Thomas, drafted in 1989, is the only homegrown first-round pick who contributed to the 2003 team.

 

The drafting needs to improve.

Agreed on all points.....well, minus the players we could have had had we not drafted Borchard. If JB ever cuts down on that damn swing, he could put up some huge ass numbers.

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