AJ Talk

[Dick Allen]

But if he wants to get paid, AND play 140 games, which all indications are he does, why would he come back here.

AJ has played 140 games or more exactly once in his career, and a several of those appearances were because he had to pinch hit or enter as a defensive replacement after a pinch hitter or runner for his back up. Don't make things up thinking you know exactly what AJ wants. And if he performs like he did last year, if he re-signed, why would his time be cut?

 

It is all about how they think he will play the next couple of years and what it will cost, and what they really think about Flowers or someone else they could bring in. AJ has signed 3 or 4 White Sox contracts. If he was as hated or the distraction many make him out to be, he would have been gone long ago. His time may be up, and it might even be the correct move, but the 8 years he was here, the Sox got their money's worth.

Edited December 4, 2012 by Dick Allen

[witesoxfan]

AJ has played 140 games or more exactly once in his career, and a several of those appearances were because he had to pinch hit or enter as a defensive replacement after a pinch hitter or runner for his back up. Don't make things up thinking you know exactly what AJ wants. And if he performs like he did last year, if he re-signed, why would his time be cut?

 

It is all about how they think he will play the next couple of years and what it will cost, and what they really think about Flowers or someone else they could bring in. AJ has signed 3 or 4 White Sox contracts. If he was as hated or the distraction many make him out to be, he would have been gone long ago. His time may be up, and it might even be the correct move, but the 8 years he was here, the Sox got their money's worth.

 

Hahn saying the team is not concerned with catcher tells me that Pierzynski is being shown the door.

[Dick Allen]

Hahn saying the team is not concerned with catcher tells me that Pierzynski is being shown the door.

Possible, but he's certainly not going to say the opposite publicly. It would take any negotiating leverage he had away. If AJ still signed with another team, it would leave him with a catcher who knows the GM has zero confidence.

 

It is strange we hear absolutely nothing about AJP negotiations with any team.

[southsider2k5]

AJ has played 140 games or more exactly once in his career, and a several of those appearances were because he had to pinch hit or enter as a defensive replacement after a pinch hitter or runner for his back up. Don't make things up thinking you know exactly what AJ wants. And if he performs like he did last year, if he re-signed, why would his time be cut?

 

It is all about how they think he will play the next couple of years and what it will cost, and what they really think about Flowers or someone else they could bring in. AJ has signed 3 or 4 White Sox contracts. If he was as hated or the distraction many make him out to be, he would have been gone long ago. His time may be up, and it might even be the correct move, but the 8 years he was here, the Sox got their money's worth.

 

I noticed you substituted semantics for actually answering my question.

[southsider2k5]

Possible, but he's certainly not going to say the opposite publicly. It would take any negotiating leverage he had away. If AJ still signed with another team, it would leave him with a catcher who knows the GM has zero confidence.

It is strange we hear absolutely nothing about AJP negotiations with any team.

 

We didn't until after the fact last time either.

[hogan873]

Possible, but he's certainly not going to say the opposite publicly. It would take any negotiating leverage he had away. If AJ still signed with another team, it would leave him with a catcher who knows the GM has zero confidence.

 

It is strange we hear absolutely nothing about AJP negotiations with any team.

That is odd. I truly expected to hear that he has been talking to this team or that team. There just hasn't been any rumors about any other team seriously looking at him. Which may not mean a thing, but as each day goes by there seems to be a chance he might return.

[Dick Allen]

I noticed you substituted semantics for actually answering my question.

No I answered it. If he performs and he stays healthy, his time would not be cut.

[witesoxfan]

Possible, but he's certainly not going to say the opposite publicly. It would take any negotiating leverage he had away. If AJ still signed with another team, it would leave him with a catcher who knows the GM has zero confidence.

 

It is strange we hear absolutely nothing about AJP negotiations with any team.

 

Hahn has indicated that 3B is the White Sox biggest concern. I imagine there's some leveraging going on there, but it doesn't make sense that you had two players at two positions who are free agents at your two biggest question marks with two questionable replacements waiting in the wings, yet you indicate you are happy with one position while the other is still a main concern.

 

 

Edited December 4, 2012 by witesoxfan

[Dick Allen]

Hahn has indicated that 3B is the White Sox biggest concern. I imagine there's some leveraging going on there, but it doesn't make sense that you had two players at two positions who are free agents at your two biggest question marks with two questionable replacements waiting in the wings, yet you indicate you are happy with one position while the other is still a main concern.

Except saying Flowers is ready to handle the load goes over a lot better than saying Morel is ready to handle it, or saying they are going to put Sanchez there. The White Sox have no clear best options internally to play 3B, while Flowers is clearly the internal choice at C. Hahn also indicated he was very comfortable with Gimenez as a back up. I'm pretty sure he will be getting another C, whether it is AJP or not.

Edited December 4, 2012 by Dick Allen

[RockRaines]

I would be shocked if AJ is brought back at this point. He and his team want to capitalize on this last season and we simply arent ponying up the cash. The Sox are banking on his fear of going to a new clubhouse that doesnt know him as well as ours, not sure thats going to work. Only chance he's back here is on the cheap (market relative)

[Dick Allen]

I would be shocked if AJ is brought back at this point. He and his team want to capitalize on this last season and we simply arent ponying up the cash. The Sox are banking on his fear of going to a new clubhouse that doesnt know him as well as ours, not sure thats going to work. Only chance he's back here is on the cheap (market relative)

They know they are playing on borrowed time with AJ. History suggests catchers fall fast, many at a younger age than AJ is right now. It is possible he will still be doing what he did in 2012 in 2013 and 2014. It is probably probable he won't at least one of those years. I just wonder what their ceiling is on a contract for him. I don't expect him back. Someone will pay up.

[RockRaines]

They know they are playing on borrowed time with AJ. History suggests catchers fall fast, many at a younger age than AJ is right now. It is possible he will still be doing what he did in 2012 in 2013 and 2014. It is probably probable he won't at least one of those years. I just wonder what their ceiling is on a contract for him. I don't expect him back. Someone will pay up.

The Sox know his true value and they also know that AJ finally found another clubhouse that could deal with his s*** and at times look to him as a leader. He's been in another clubhouse as a free agent and was despised. They are playing this game correctly right now.

[iamshack]

I would be shocked if AJ is brought back at this point. He and his team want to capitalize on this last season and we simply arent ponying up the cash. The Sox are banking on his fear of going to a new clubhouse that doesnt know him as well as ours, not sure thats going to work. Only chance he's back here is on the cheap (market relative)

Problem is, the team that signs him ultimately won't know everything until it's too late...maybe they can trade him back to us in May for pennies on the dollar.

 

You'd have to think though, if you were an opposing GM, that AJ has managed to play in Chicago for 8 seasons, with all different players, different coaches, a different manager, etc., and managed to stay out of trouble for the most part. That would leave me to believe that as long as I had some other strong veterans in my clubhouse, they could keep him in check.

[ptatc]

AJ has played 140 games or more exactly once in his career, and a several of those appearances were because he had to pinch hit or enter as a defensive replacement after a pinch hitter or runner for his back up. Don't make things up thinking you know exactly what AJ wants. And if he performs like he did last year, if he re-signed, why would his time be cut?

 

It is all about how they think he will play the next couple of years and what it will cost, and what they really think about Flowers or someone else they could bring in. AJ has signed 3 or 4 White Sox contracts. If he was as hated or the distraction many make him out to be, he would have been gone long ago. His time may be up, and it might even be the correct move, but the 8 years he was here, the Sox got their money's worth.

This is wrong. He is universally disliked. However, he is a good player and the other players deal with him. He hasn't been a distraction because he has gotten his way and played as much as he wanted. As you said this is mostly due to the quality of his backups. I wouldn't put it past KW to have planned it that way. However, if the Sox do decrease his workload below what he wants I have no doubt that you would begin to hear rumblings from the clubhouse. I don't know if it would be a significant enough for a distraction. I also have no doubt this will play a factor in his upcoming contract.

[ptatc]

They know they are playing on borrowed time with AJ. History suggests catchers fall fast, many at a younger age than AJ is right now. It is possible he will still be doing what he did in 2012 in 2013 and 2014. It is probably probable he won't at least one of those years. I just wonder what their ceiling is on a contract for him. I don't expect him back. Someone will pay up.

The thing that he has going for him is that he is always working out and is one of the "hardest workers" in the game. It doesn't surprise me that he is lasting longer than most catchers. You're right though he is going to fall off at some point, probably during the next contract.

[Princess Dye]

ptatc, maybe you can respond in whatever non-baseball thread we have here......but what things do you keep in mind when evaluating an ACL-tear player returning to NFL (Adrian Peterson) vs. returning to NBA (Derrick Rose)

 

takes longer in basketball due to hardfloor vs. grass/turf? more jumping for longer continuous periods of time?

[Dick Allen]

ptatc, maybe you can respond in whatever non-baseball thread we have here......but what things do you keep in mind when evaluating an ACL-tear player returning to NFL (Adrian Peterson) vs. returning to NBA (Derrick Rose)

 

takes longer in basketball due to hardfloor vs. grass/turf? more jumping for longer continuous periods of time?

I don't know if you saw it, but the Sun Times is reporting DRose will be back practicing in the next couple of weeks.

[ptatc]

ptatc, maybe you can respond in whatever non-baseball thread we have here......but what things do you keep in mind when evaluating an ACL-tear player returning to NFL (Adrian Peterson) vs. returning to NBA (Derrick Rose)

 

takes longer in basketball due to hardfloor vs. grass/turf? more jumping for longer continuous periods of time?

The factors are sports and person specific. All ACL reconstructions (unless there are other structures involved such as MCL, PCL, and hyaline cartilage or if significant scar tissue shows up) are ready for full activity around 6-9 months. The person is the next factor. Someone who is small and relies much more on quickness and cutting (Rose) will be held out longer due to increasing the strength and proprioception abilities. He needs to know how to cut and turn on the knee again because there will be a lot of stress on it. The planting and turning on the hard surface with bodies pushing him will also prolong it a bit. They need to make sure he is really strong but also has the balance and coordination to do the activities without undue stress on the knee. Fatigue is the factor which cause the problem the first time and they want to avoid it again.

 

On a side note. Someone like Urlacher who injured his PCL cannot play very long with it. The ligament is critical the stability in the knee and there is no good surgery like there is for the ACL. His day are number and as I said before I wouldn't be surprised if this is his last year when he realizes he cannot play up to his standards with it. The current hamstring injury is most likely due to the fact that you cannot work hamstrings with a PCL injury. It puts too much stress on the joint.

Edited December 4, 2012 by ptatc

[Baron]

Phil Rogers ‏@ChiTribRogers

According to executives with other teams, the Yankees are in talks to sign A.J. Pierzynski. Certainly seems like a good fit for both sides.

 

https://twitter.com/ChiTribRogers

 

I am still not looking forward to the Flowers era.

[southsider2k5]

The Yankees seem like they would be a good fit for him. A lot of ego's in that clubhouse, and it never really seems to bother them.

[justBLAZE]

The Yankees seem like they would be a good fit for him. A lot of ego's in that clubhouse, and it never really seems to bother them.

 

Perfect fit if you ask me.

[CWSpalehoseCWS]

Phil Rogers ‏@ChiTribRogers

According to executives with other teams, the Yankees are in talks to sign A.J. Pierzynski. Certainly seems like a good fit for both sides.

 

https://twitter.com/ChiTribRogers

 

I am still not looking forward to the Flowers era.

 

Of all teams, why does it have to be the Yankees. I realize it a good fit, but I hate when one of my favorite players moves to my least favorite team.

[RockRaines]

The Yankees seem like they would be a good fit for him. A lot of ego's in that clubhouse, and it never really seems to bother them.

Problem is that AJ is a loud mouth ego vs ones that keep to themselves. To me this is a bad idea from their end. I have a feeling we wont miss him as much as we think.

[witesoxfan]

Problem is that AJ is a loud mouth ego vs ones that keep to themselves. To me this is a bad idea from their end. I have a feeling we wont miss him as much as we think.

 

I hope he cashes in too.

[Marty34]

You can look the other way when a World Series hero can't catch the ball, but i can't think of a worse place for AJ to go than New York. With the erosion of his defensive ability, he'll be roasted in the press before they break spring training.