The ten most important players to the future of Sox

[caulfield12]

baseball that would you personally would like to see stay with the organization through the end of 2008 (and beyond)? Let's just call them "building blocks" for the future, although I know a few will blink once or twice at Thome and Konerko's names.

 

I'll try to average out the results over time to get a clearer picture of where everyone stands as a composite.

 

 

1. Buehrle

2. Konerko

3. Danks

4. Garland

5. Thome (we have to maintain some left-handed pop, plus his OBP is so strong)

6. Jenks

7. Gio Gonzalez

8. Sweeney

9. Fields

10. Tie-Thornton/Russell

Edited May 31, 2007 by caulfield12

[ShoeLessRob]

These threads are getting out of hand... can't we just stick to trashing Erstad?

[Gene Honda Civic]

In order

 

Danks

Gio

Egbert

Buehrle

Vazquez

Sweeney

Fields

Cunningham

Jenks

 

I can only manage 9, and after that it's just a crap shoot, and or players who don't figure to be effective for the Sox next division title team. I don't even think you can count on Jenks to be effective 3 years from now, which should be the current (realistic) target for the Sox to be back (fighting) on top again.

Edited May 31, 2007 by Gene Honda Civic

[fathom]

1- Danks

2- Jenks

 

and that's all that matters

[Heads22]

In order

 

Danks

Gio

Egbert

Buehrle

Vazquez

Sweeney

Fields

Cunningham

Jenks

 

I can only manage 9, and after that it's just a crap shoot, and or players who don't figure to be effective for the Sox next division title team. I don't even think you can count on Jenks to be effective 3 years from now, which should be the current (realistic) target for the Sox to be back (fighting) on top again.

 

I'd bump Buehrle in front of Jack and Gio. I'd probably move up Jenks too, but pretty spot on with what I think.

[caulfield12]

In order

 

Danks

Gio

Egbert

Buehrle

Vazquez

Sweeney

Fields

Cunningham

Jenks

 

I can only manage 9, and after that it's just a crap shoot, and or players who don't figure to be effective for the Sox next division title team. I don't even think you can count on Jenks to be effective 3 years from now, which should be the current (realistic) target for the Sox to be back (fighting) on top again.

 

 

Are you sure you're not overvaluing Egbert a TAD? Vazquez?

 

The interesting thing about Jenks and Thornton, they might be among the players with the most trade value, because of their affordable contracts, the value of lefty set-up men who throw 95-97 and Jenks' playoff experience.

 

Realistically, if you look at how many closers we've gone through in the last decade (Hernandez, Howry, Foulke, Koch, Gordon, Takatsu, Hermanson, Jenks), it would seem to be the most overvalued member of many ballclubs, unless you're Mariano Rivera/Hoffman in their primes, Joe Nathan, a healthy Gagne, etc.

 

I'll wait until Cunningham succeeds in AA before jumping on that bandwagon....same with the Faustino De Los Santos fan club.

 

 

 

I'd bump Buehrle in front of Jack and Gio. I'd probably move up Jenks too, but pretty spot on with what I think.

 

Since Garland's name hasn't come up yet, despite his relative youth, am I to assume we'd prefer to keep Vazquez over Jon, or simply that we believe Garland might become prohibitively expensive and we could get a decent package in return for him, like the proposed Astros' move?

 

Going by the buy low, sell high philosophy, you would think Garland would give us a pretty decent return, despite his lack of eye-popping stats. Just trot out the 36 wins in 05-06 stat, that's the most impressive.

[Heads22]

Are you sure you're not overvaluing Egbert a TAD? Vazquez?

 

The interesting thing about Jenks and Thornton, they might be among the players with the most trade value, because of their affordable contracts, the value of lefty set-up men who throw 95-97 and Jenks' playoff experience.

 

Realistically, if you look at how many closers we've gone through in the last decade (Hernandez, Howry, Foulke, Koch, Gordon, Takatsu, Hermanson, Jenks), it would seem to be the most overvalued member of many ballclubs, unless you're Mariano Rivera/Hoffman in their primes, Joe Nathan, a healthy Gagne, etc.

 

I'll wait until Cunningham succeeds in AA before jumping on that bandwagon....same with the Faustino De Los Santos fan club.

Since Garland's name hasn't come up yet, despite his relative youth, am I to assume we'd prefer to keep Vazquez over Jon, or simply that we believe Garland might become prohibitively expensive and we could get a decent package in return for him, like the proposed Astros' move?

 

Going by the buy low, sell high philosophy, you would think Garland would give us a pretty decent return, despite his lack of eye-popping stats. Just trot out the 36 wins in 05-06 stat, that's the most impressive.

 

Doh, I forgot Garland. Yeah, he'd be on my list. Dunno bout Cheat.

[southsideirish71]

Are you sure you're not overvaluing Egbert a TAD? Vazquez?

 

The interesting thing about Jenks and Thornton, they might be among the players with the most trade value, because of their affordable contracts, the value of lefty set-up men who throw 95-97 and Jenks' playoff experience.

 

Realistically, if you look at how many closers we've gone through in the last decade (Hernandez, Howry, Foulke, Koch, Gordon, Takatsu, Hermanson, Jenks), it would seem to be the most overvalued member of many ballclubs, unless you're Mariano Rivera/Hoffman in their primes, Joe Nathan, a healthy Gagne, etc.

 

I'll wait until Cunningham succeeds in AA before jumping on that bandwagon....same with the Faustino De Los Santos fan club.

Since Garland's name hasn't come up yet, despite his relative youth, am I to assume we'd prefer to keep Vazquez over Jon, or simply that we believe Garland might become prohibitively expensive and we could get a decent package in return for him, like the proposed Astros' move?

 

Going by the buy low, sell high philosophy, you would think Garland would give us a pretty decent return, despite his lack of eye-popping stats. Just trot out the 36 wins in 05-06 stat, that's the most impressive.

 

After seeing the mess that is our pen, why anyone would want to trade Jenks or Thornton right now is beyond me. Both of them are affordable and under control for a while. This is what you build your bullpen around.

[dagotony06]

baseball that would you personally would like to see stay with the organization through the end of 2008 (and beyond)? Let's just call them "building blocks" for the future, although I know a few will blink once or twice at Thome and Konerko's names.

 

I'll try to average out the results over time to get a clearer picture of where everyone stands as a composite.

1. Buehrle

2. Konerko

3. Danks

4. Garland

5. Thome (we have to maintain some left-handed pop, plus his OBP is so strong)

6. Jenks

7. Gio Gonzalez

8. Sweeney

9. Fields

10. Tie-Thornton/Russell

 

1. Buerhle (he is important, he could really help Danks develope)

2. Danks

3. Garland

4. Jenks

5. Thortnton

6. Thome

7. AJ

8. Fields

9. Konerko

 

Those are the only players I would really like to keep. I think Danks would really benefit with Buerhle here and I also think with Garland we would still have 3 solid starters. I think we need to go outside of the Orginization to fill, LF,CF,RF,2nd,SS. I'm not sold on Sweeney or Anderson or Owens or anyone in our farm system besides Fields. We need to have a strong draft next week to get some prospects into our orginization.

[Dick Allen]

I think the most important players right now are the guys who probably won't be here next season. It will be interesting to see what KW can get for Buerhle, Dye, Iguchi and whoever else he most likely deals away before the deadline if there is no hot streak. If he makes Durham for Adkins-like trades it will be very dissapointing.

[Heads22]

There's no one to be sold on in our farm system.

[Dick Allen]

There's no one to be sold on in our farm system.

Yet Schaeffer and Wilder get promotions.

[CWSGuy406]

I'll wait until Cunningham succeeds in AA before jumping on that bandwagon....same with the Faustino De Los Santos fan club.

 

I don't think it has anything to do with "jumping on a bandwagon". When you say "important", that can be interpreted in different ways. I took it like this: for this franchise to succeed, here are the top ten guys who really need to pan out/play well.

 

It's actually a tough list to put together because the way you phrase the "question" is sort of vague.

[maggsmaggs]

Honestly, the most important players are not players at all, its management and specifically the GM and Manager. Those two control the team and its up to them to build the team and keep players and get rid of some. If we had a new GM and Manager, I know I would not shed a tear, as well most of you all wouldn't either. But they are, whoever "they are" are the most important.

[BobDylan]

These threads are getting out of hand... can't we just stick to trashing Erstad?

 

Gotta agree there, as this list will change at the trade deadline.

[Texsox]

baseball that would you personally would like to see stay with the organization through the end of 2008 (and beyond)? Let's just call them "building blocks" for the future, although I know a few will blink once or twice at Thome and Konerko's names.

 

I'll try to average out the results over time to get a clearer picture of where everyone stands as a composite.

 

 

1. Buehrle

2. Konerko

3. Danks

4. Garland

5. Thome (we have to maintain some left-handed pop, plus his OBP is so strong)

6. Jenks

7. Gio Gonzalez

8. Sweeney

9. Fields

10. Tie-Thornton/Russell

 

Thome is on a decline and not that important beyond 2007 maybe 2008.

If we are thinking just the next two seasons, I wouldn't look too deep at our farm system. 40% of your list has less than a few months of MLB experience.

 

Absent some dream scenario of trades, etc. All the keys for 2007/08 are on the 25 man roster today. Challenges for 2009 and beyond will depend too much on working out contracts with guys like Buerhle.

[Gene Honda Civic]

Are you sure you're not overvaluing Egbert a TAD? Vazquez?

I made my list based on the notion that the next Sox team that can compete for a division title will be 3 years from now. Vazquez is signed through then, and thus, is important.

 

Relievers are less important because they're relievers, which is why there was no Russell on my list (I think he's a future reliever)

 

Starting pitching is the property I value most. And the Sox future success, based on what is already in the system, will mainly hinge on the development (or attrition) of the players I listed.

 

Buehrle was listed lower because he's a free agent, and it's hard to put such high importance on a guy who's not likely to be here next year, let alone in three years.

[Balta1701]

Most important players for the future:

 

1. Danks

2. Gio

3. Anderson

4. Sweeney

5. Fields

6. Konerko

7. Jenks

8. Russell

9. Vazquez

10. Contreras

 

Justification: I think for the future, 1 and 2 are obvious. They're clearly our 2 best young pitching prospects, and excellent young starting pitching is the single formula for remaining competitive.

 

3-4-5 - our young position players. And I start with Anderson here, because he's the guy I still think we need to get something out of, somehow. We have a hole right now that he should be filling and is not, and as a 1st round pick, that's really bad. If we can't get something out of him, then that's another blown 1st rounder, and you just can't keep winning if your first rounders blow up every year. Especially when you draft them for the most important spot in the OF.

 

Sweeney fits in next, because next year, we're going to have 2-3 outfield holes. We need Brian to fill one of them, we need Ryan to fill the other.

 

Fields fits in after that, because we have Joe for at least 1 more year after this one, so we at least have some flexibility.

 

All 3 of those guys fit into those slots because we are really desperate for some cheap, young position players. If we can fit in a few of those guys, then suddenly we have the money to go after bigger guys to fill holes that show up.

 

Konerko and Jenks are pretty obvious. They're here now and should be here for several more years.

 

Russell has pitched himself onto this list, which is a good thing. He should keep rising.

 

Vazquez and Contreras...once again, it's the Starting Pitching dominates all matter. You have good starters, you are a good team. And these are the other 2 guys we have who are actually locked up beyond the end of 2008, so they have no choice but to be on this list.

[whitesoxfan101]

I would guess 2 or 3 of the most important players to our future are not in the organization yet. That is assuming Kenny does the right thing in July.

[WHITESOXRANDY]

Probably, the 10 most important players to the White Sox future are in other organizations right now.

[Texsox]

I just have no energy to care about anyone outside the 40-Man roster and really only can care slightly on 26-40 except for trade meat for mlb ready talent.

[Gene Honda Civic]

I just have no energy to care about anyone outside the 40-Man roster and really only can care slightly on 26-40 except for trade meat for mlb ready talent.

That sucks because usually 26-40 is filled with dreck. It's a breeding ground for players with promise, but not results, who need to be "protected."

 

The interesting long-term names on the 26-40 is two deep. Sweeney and Fields.

[BearSox]

In no order, but in a perfect world, these would be the 10 I try and keep...

 

Paul Konerko (leader, and good teacher for the young-ins)

Mark Buehrle (same as PK, but for the pitchers)

Josh Fields

Ryan Sweeney

Gio Gonzalez

John Danks

Matt Thornton

Jon Garland

Javier Vazquez

Chris Carter