Sox have good young pitching, not much else

[Soxfest]

Forgive me.

 

It's still early May, but already my mind drifts to the rebuild that is coming soon for the Chicago White Sox. It's the rebuild that Kenny Williams never undertook, because Kenny always wanted to retool and tweak, not rebuild. But Kenny's not the GM anymore. And unless he tries to control Rick Hahn, I think Hahn is not the same guy. He's going to realize soon that more significant changes are going to be necessary before the Sox can compete again.

 

What are the Sox' assets?

 

1. Sale, Quintana, Santiago. Three young lefties who are cheap and under Sox control for several more years. Quintana hasn't done it for a full season yet, nor has Santiago, but both have pitched enough very good games to be excited about their upside. Chris Sale was a Cy Young candidate his first year as a starter.

 

2. Alex Rios. By far the Sox best hitter. Not sure how much longer he's tied up, but I expect the Sox will keep him just so they have a quality hitter, and because their young outfielders aren't ready yet.

 

3. Dayan Viciedo. A young power hitter who still needs to improve plate discipline, but the only other hitter on the team with offensive value. At least potential offensive value.

 

4. Young bullpen arms. Reed, Jones, Veal, et al. Jones is having a shaky year, but he has the stuff to get it figured out.

 

5. Alexei Ramirez. Great defensive shortstop. Led AL SS in RBI in 2012 despite a down year for his power numbers. Sox don't have anyone to replace him, so I'd keep him.

 

6. Conor Gillaspie. A potential everyday third baseman. Lefty bat is sorely needed. Would like him to have more power, but he looks like the best hitter other than Rios on the team right now.

 

These are the guys you are likely to keep during a rebuild. The next rung is guys who might have trade value.

 

7. Paul Konerko. With his contract up, and his slow start this year to go along with his injury-hampered finish last year, it looks like Paul Konerko's great run in Chicago is going to be over. I really like him because he's the only player to consistently come sign baseballs for my son when we catch the Sox in Baltimore or DC. Classy guy. I'll be sorry to see him go, but it's time to deal him at the deadline.

 

8. Jake Peavy. I'm torn about this one, mostly because Peavy took a bit of discount to stay in Chicago, and really wanted to help the team. The problem is he's only signed for two years, it's a big contract, he's pitching really well to maximize his trade value, and the Sox aren't like to contend this year or next in a rebuild, so you might as well move him. He's too old and with too much injury history to want to extend past this deal, so he isn't going to be a cornerstone guy when we're good again. But I'm still torn.

 

9. John Danks. He's going to have to come back and prove he can pitch again, which might not be soon enough for him to have much value as a deadline deal guy. But Chicago has to get out from under his contract. He's just not worth it. As a lefty, he should still have value.

 

10. Alejandro De Aza. As a center fielder and lead off guy, he should have trade value. Since the Sox have several minor league outfielders who might take his place, he's a candidate to move. Dewayne Wise can fill in until the young guys are ready.

 

11. Gordon Beckham/Jeff Keppinger. We just signed Keppinger to play third. But it appears that Gillaspie is a better choice there, for a few reasons -- better defender, lefty, better hitter at the moment. When Beckham comes back, the Sox have a choice. Only one of these guys should be in the running for second base; the other should likely be dealt. With Sanchez in the minors, perhaps both will be gone soon. My own take is that Beckham hasn't proven he's worth an elevated contract. I'd give him one last chance to see if he can cut it this year. Sox really needed him to be a young building block. He's got the D, just not the O. Too bad.

 

12. Matt Thornton and Jesse Crain. These guys will have some value at the trade deadline, and absolutely must be moved. If you are doing a full rebuild, you might as well move Matt Lindstrom too, since he's 33 and could bring something back.

 

Then there is the worthless guy the Sox just need to deal because he's killing the offense.

 

13. Adam Dunn. The Sox have to hope he pulls out of his tailspin and puts up decent HR and walk totals by the end of July so that someone will take him and at least some of his contract off the Sox hands. If not, the Sox may just need to eat his deal. Because he's death to this team just like he (and Rios) killed us in 2011. It's just a horrible message to everyone else to trot him up to hit clean-up every day.

 

Finally, there are the space fillers who you keep until you have a replacement.

 

14. Tyler Flowers. He would be an acceptable starting catcher on a team where everyone else could hit. On the weak-hitting Sox, they can't really afford his bat. Still, he could perhaps pull out of his hitting funk, and in the meantime, he's a good defensive catcher on a cheap deal. Even if the Sox upgrade, Flowers might stay on as an above-average backup.

 

15. Dylan Axelrod Axelrod has pitched very well so far. But he's never going to be much more than he has been -- a fill-in pitcher. Still, there's no reason to dump him until you have something better, since he's cheap and likely has little trade value.

 

KW has VETO power over anything Hahn wants to do so in reality KW is still the GM without taking the heat on a daily basis.

[Chicago White Sox]

First off, Hahn is the GM, it's not even debatable. KW may have this elusive "Veto Power", but that doesn't change the fact that Hahn is running the day-to-day operations. There's no power struggle here, managers always have say over their subordinates. This is no different and I seriously doubt KW ever vetoes one of Hahn's trade.

 

Second, Peavy does not have a big contract. He makes $14.5 million/year and only has one more season guaranteed. Look at what Edwin Jackson just signed for this offseason. Hell, look at Danks contract. Peavy is an absolute steal, which is why you don't deal him unless someone is going to compensate you for all the surplus he provides.

 

Finally, Andrew please STFU. Everyone is entitled to be a dick on occasion and everyone has a right to be down on this team, but your only goal as of late is to ruin every thread you enter with the same bulls*** and arrogance. If the White Sox make you this angry, then for the love of god find another hobby.

[The Ultimate Champion]

First off, Hahn is the GM, it's not even debatable. KW may have this elusive "Veto Power", but that doesn't change the fact that Hahn is running the day-to-day operations. There's no power struggle here, managers always have say over their subordinates. This is no different and I seriously doubt KW ever vetoes one of Hahn's trade.

 

Second, Peavy does not have a big contract. He makes $14.5 million/year and only has one more season guaranteed. Look at what Edwin Jackson just signed for this offseason. Hell, look at Danks contract. Peavy is an absolute steal, which is why you don't deal him unless someone is going to compensate you for all the surplus he provides.

 

Finally, Andrew please STFU. Everyone is entitled to be a dick on occasion and everyone has a right to be down on this team, but your only goal as of late is to ruin every thread you enter with the same bulls*** and arrogance. If the White Sox make you this angry, then for the love of god find another hobby.

You know Chicago White Sox, there are lots of hobbies out which can allow one to relax while holding his shaft. Aside from fishing, you have cigar smoking, golfing, sausage making, etc. and they're all a blast so to speak. Sometimes it's best to just sit back, relax, strap it on/down, and hold your shaft a little, find the kid in you. This season has been too stressful to endure without a hobby, especially without a shaft holding hobby. Food for thought.

[Kyyle23]

KW has VETO power over anything Hahn wants to do so in reality KW is still the GM without taking the heat on a daily basis.

 

You just make things up for bad one liners.

[Buehrle>Wood]

Andrew going HAM in here.

 

 

Not sure I would include Gilaspie just yet. And I would include Peavy as a major asset. Worst comes to comes to worst, we can pawn him off for something fancy next year's deadline. We may not have many great assets, bit at least we have the right ones. 3 potentially great, young, cost controlled starters is the perfect build around.

[southsider2k5]

I don't get the point of this.

 

I mean - Sure, many things I agree with, some I don't...what do you want from this post?

 

This is a horribly put together team (IMO). I've said it too.... when they were only 10 games in.

 

What are you...like...trying to accomplish with this? Are you going to tell a bunch of guys/gals the stats?

 

We can ALL see them.

 

We also know who KW was, he played his chips for a winner year in/out... like what is the f***ING POINT of your post???

 

Team sucks - what do you suggest?

 

GTFO.

 

Stupid waste of time.

 

 

Who cares.

 

You don't know s*** about Baseball.

 

 

This a fan-board, right?

 

If you have to ask, you're full of s*** too. Go to WSI.

 

I invest in the Sox, year in, year out.

 

Ok by you, Caulfield?

 

 

Right, so all of this is bulls***. Nobody should listen to this.

 

The Sox have had the ability to draft pretty high since 06.

 

Instead, they sign agents that are always OLD, SLOW, big-name guys..... to get butts in seats.

 

Don't challenge me, Caufield - I'll give you the list.

 

The Sox have....... absolutly s*** in their system, perenially rated one of the WORST systems to bring up players.

 

I don't even know what possesses you to chanllenge these facts.....

 

You can say what you want, but as long as this team doesn't draft smart and groom, we can expect the same.

 

 

This turd of a thread has not a single good post.

 

Enjoy the time off. You earned it.

[Dick Allen]

This a fan-board, right?

 

If you have to ask, you're full of s*** too. Go to WSI.

 

I invest in the Sox, year in, year out.

 

Ok by you, Caulfield?

For a guy who has all the answers, why are you wasting your time on a message board? Clearly, you should be running a team.

[cabiness42]

For a guy who has all the answers, why are you wasting your time on a message board? Clearly, you should be running a team.

 

I don't think he can answer you.

[pettie4sox]

What a tool Andrew is... why is he so belligerent?

[witesoxfan]

What a tool Andrew is... why is he so belligerent?

 

He's an airplane

[witesoxfan]

Wait, why do you not think Axelrod will be anything more than a fill-in? Because he only throws 89? Not minding the fact that he has been good this year and has fantastic command.

 

I mean, seriously, let the dude pitch and prove that he's a worthless AAAA pitcher.

[Balta1701]

I could take issue with other things btw, but right now, Dylan Axelrod is not a "space filler who you keep until you find something better" and "ranked below adam dunn.

 

He may not have that much trade value, but if the guy can sit at the back of the rotation for a few years, pile up 2-3 WAR a year, and hopefully pile up a decent number of innings, he'd be a solid contributor. Teams in the race don't necessarily trade for those guys, but the fact that he doesn't have a big fastball doesn't mean he can't be extremely valuable for several years to the White Sox.

[witesoxfan]

I could take issue with other things btw, but right now, Dylan Axelrod is not a "space filler who you keep until you find something better" and "ranked below adam dunn.

 

He may not have that much trade value, but if the guy can sit at the back of the rotation for a few years, pile up 2-3 WAR a year, and hopefully pile up a decent number of innings, he'd be a solid contributor. Teams in the race don't necessarily trade for those guys, but the fact that he doesn't have a big fastball doesn't mean he can't be extremely valuable for several years to the White Sox.

 

We are awesome

[southsider2k5]

After a decade plus of Mark Buehrle, Sox fans should know better than most that the radar gun can lie. Axe just gets guys out.

[GreatScott82]

The Sox need to develop their younger guys and desperately restock the farm... the MLB squad will mediocre probably for the next couple of years until they either make some splashes in the free agent market OR draft well....

[Harry Chappas]

Not reading this thread but what does every team want,

 

good young pitching

 

[LittleHurt05]

The Giants have won two of the last three World Series with a bunch of good young pitching and only two guys who could hit.

[Steve9347]

The Giants have won two of the last three World Series with a bunch of good young pitching and only two guys who could hit.

So all the White Sox need is two guys who can hit and to play in the National League. Got it.

[witesoxfan]

So all the White Sox need is two guys who can hit and to play in the National League. Got it.

 

Phegley = Posey

 

[LittleHurt05]

Phegley = Posey

 

Flowers = Panda

[Steve9347]

Wow, just decided to read this thread in its entirety. It's up there.

 

I wonder why this Andrew turd is so angry 24/7.

[ChiliIrishHammock24]

Andrew got banned for this??

 

Booooooooooooooo.

[iamshack]

Andrew got banned for this??

 

Booooooooooooooo.

I think he just got a little time off...

 

He was clearly determined to get in trouble...

[Kyyle23]

Andrew got banned for this??

 

Booooooooooooooo.

 

He didnt get banned.

 

Cant imagine why anyone would have a problem with time off considering how many people he insulted in that short span of posts

[ChiliIrishHammock24]

I think he just got a little time off...

 

He was clearly determined to get in trouble...

 

 

He didnt get banned.

 

Cant imagine why anyone would have a problem with time off considering how many people he insulted in that short span of posts

 

Alright, suspended is what I meant. This is the only board I'm on that uses the word "suspended", my bad.

 

But still, booooooo.