Paul Konerko Returning to White Sox

[Jake]

My thoughts exactly. Gotta play the veterans, they've earned it.

 

We fired Ozzie and cut Darin Erstad a long time ago

[GoSox05]

This would make more sense if we didn't have Dunn.

 

Maybe Konerko is going to play a little 3B and C.

Edited December 4, 2013 by GoSox05

[Jose Abreu]

I think we need to make some trade. Whether we dump Dunn or Keppinger, although Dunn would be hard to do... just something.

[Balta1701]

We fired Ozzie and cut Darin Erstad a long time ago

That doesn't mean our personnel decisions make any sense. For example...Hector Santiago's treatment the last 2 seasons has been abysmal. A little different since they were giving Axelrod a shot at the rotation over him, but comparable in how we've hurt the development of a talented player for no good reason whatsoever.

[Y2Jimmy0]

Well I was looking forward to opening day. This is the type of nonsense that could cause me to not attend any games. It's just dumb. Just f***ing retire already. It makes absolutely zero sense for an AL team with limited bench spots.

[cabiness42]

Couple things...

 

If the Sox view Semien as an every day player and not a bench/role player, then it does him no good being a once-a-week guy on the bench

 

If anything, it could potentially help Abreu having Konerko around. As players they are similar in profile (one dimmensional, power/on-base guys).

 

The White Sox aren't winning anything next year, so what harm does it do allowing the Franchise guy a proper "farewell season" with "his" team?

 

I dig it. *shrug*

 

I think Semien is either earning a starting IF job or going to AAA, and I don't think re-signing Paulie affects that.

 

The harm in bringing back Konerko is that it takes a roster spot from somebody more versatile like L Garcia or Keppinger, which puts more stress on the other infielders to play every day.

 

[Dick Allen]

I think we need to make some trade. Whether we dump Dunn or Keppinger, although Dunn would be hard to do... just something.

How about Keppinger for the TB catcher?

[NorthSideSox72]

Yeah, I'm trying to figure this out also

 

Starters:

DH Dunn

C Flowers

1B Abreu

2B Beckham

SS Ramirez

3B Gillaspie OR Semien

LF Viciedo

CF DeAza

RF AGarcia

 

Bench:

DH/1B Konerko

C Phegley

IF LGarcia

OF Danks

 

That squeezes out Keppinger unless you cut one from the pitching staff.

 

This really does mess with the bench. I'd assume we're stuck with Keppinger, but he can't play SS, which means there is no backup shortstop unless Garcia is on the team. Seems at this point that either Keppinger is traded/released, or he learns to play SS.

 

Or maybe, just maybe, they go with a 5 man bench and 6 man bullpen. I suppose that is possible. If they do, then it can work.

 

What else am I missing? Is there some way to make the bench work otherwise?

 

My instinct here is, there are a number of moves coming soon. Almost has to be the case.

 

[Balta1701]

I think Semien is either earning a starting IF job or going to AAA, and I don't think re-signing Paulie affects that.

 

The harm in bringing back Konerko is that it takes a roster spot from somebody more versatile like L Garcia or Keppinger, which puts more stress on the other infielders to play every day.

It does push us closer to a AAA logjam with Sanchez, Semien, Brent Morel, and Leury all in AAA on paper right now.

[Y2Jimmy0]

This would make more sense if we didn't have Dunn.

 

Maybe Konerko is going to play a little 3B and C.

 

 

No it wouldn't. They would be way too right handed. It doesn't make sense either way. Paulie is done.

[fathom]

How about Keppinger for the TB catcher?

 

That actually makes a ton of sense. Sox would likely have to chip in a lot of his remaining deal.

[NorthSideSox72]

Also, unless Gillaspie is moved, I think Semien is starting in AAA. And probably he should be, though I think he is very close to ready for MLB.

 

[fathom]

It does push us closer to a AAA logjam with Sanchez, Semien, Brent Morel, and Leury all in AAA on paper right now.

 

Leury SS

Sanchez 2B

Semien 3B

 

Morel- they probably don't care

[NorthSideSox72]

That actually makes a ton of sense. Sox would likely have to chip in a lot of his remaining deal.

Agreed and agreed. This could make the whole thing more clear. Garcia and JorDanks as the non 1B/C bench can work.

 

[Dick Allen]

This really does mess with the bench. I'd assume we're stuck with Keppinger, but he can't play SS, which means there is no backup shortstop unless Garcia is on the team. Seems at this point that either Keppinger is traded/released, or he learns to play SS.

 

Or maybe, just maybe, they go with a 5 man bench and 6 man bullpen. I suppose that is possible. If they do, then it can work.

 

What else am I missing? Is there some way to make the bench work otherwise?

 

My instinct here is, there are a number of moves coming soon. Almost has to be the case.

I think it would mean someone like the guy they claimed on waivers from Houston has a shot. I think Konerko gets Jordan Danks spot. You can plug infielders into the OF for a few innings if needed, but not the other way around. L Garcia basically has the team made if Hahn doesn't clear the 1b/DH logjam.

Edited December 4, 2013 by Dick Allen

[cabiness42]

This really does mess with the bench. I'd assume we're stuck with Keppinger, but he can't play SS, which means there is no backup shortstop unless Garcia is on the team. Seems at this point that either Keppinger is traded/released, or he learns to play SS.

 

Or maybe, just maybe, they go with a 5 man bench and 6 man bullpen. I suppose that is possible. If they do, then it can work.

 

What else am I missing? Is there some way to make the bench work otherwise?

 

My instinct here is, there are a number of moves coming soon. Almost has to be the case.

 

I guess your other option is to keep both Keppinger and LGarcia and send Danks to AAA, making LGarcia the backup outfielder and shortstop. You lose a lot offensively and defensively in the outfield by doing that, but if the 2014 win total isn't really that important then maybe it can work.

[Balta1701]

Morel- they probably don't care

They probably don't...but if they don't take the step of cutting him loose, then they'll give him some at bats, and that's taking away at bats from a guy who should be getting them.

[NorthSideSox72]

Leury SS

Sanchez 2B

Semien 3B

 

Morel- they probably don't care

 

That looks right. But I have a feeling Keppinger or Gillaspie are gone.

 

I think it would mean someone like the guy they claimed on waivers from Houston has a shot. I think Konerko gets Jordan Danks spot. You can plug infielders into the OF for a few innings if needed, but not the other way around.

You can't go into the season without a 4th OF. They play a lot more than a few innings.

 

[cabiness42]

They probably don't...but if they don't take the step of cutting him loose, then they'll give him some at bats, and that's taking away at bats from a guy who should be getting them.

 

Isn't he out of options? If so then he'll be gone at the end of ST.

[southsider2k5]

I am surprised Konerko came back. With Abreu in the fold, and Dunn still around, he has to know that PT will be fleeting, especially if his problems the last couple of years weren't just because of injury.

 

My thought is I wonder if Paulie is looking at this as a chance to work in more of a "coaching" role to see if he likes the idea of doing this type of a job in the future. It has to be in the back of his head knowing that Kenny wanted to hire him as a manager.

[Dick Allen]

That looks right. But I have a feeling Keppinger or Gillaspie are gone.

 

 

You can't go into the season without a 4th OF. They play a lot more than a few innings.

Garcia can play the OF. And in a pinch, Dunn can play the OF for a little bit (I am stretching the meaning of can). I don't think, if the roster stands as is position-wise, you can have a guy that is strickly an OF on the bench.

[LittleHurt05]

First Tim Beckman, now Paul Konerko. I guess not hurting people's feelings is more important than winning.

[fathom]

I am surprised Konerko came back. With Abreu in the fold, and Dunn still around, he has to know that PT will be fleeting, especially if his problems the last couple of years weren't just because of injury.

 

My thought is I wonder if Paulie is looking at this as a chance to work in more of a "coaching" role to see if he likes the idea of doing this type of a job in the future. It has to be in the back of his head knowing that Kenny wanted to hire him as a manager.

 

I was thinking it could lead to a quick transition after this coming year if Ventura isn't back.

[Dick Allen]

I am surprised Konerko came back. With Abreu in the fold, and Dunn still around, he has to know that PT will be fleeting, especially if his problems the last couple of years weren't just because of injury.

 

My thought is I wonder if Paulie is looking at this as a chance to work in more of a "coaching" role to see if he likes the idea of doing this type of a job in the future. It has to be in the back of his head knowing that Kenny wanted to hire him as a manager.

I would think his coming back, considering the roster crunch, considering the current state of the team, shows he thinks his problems were at least mostly injury-related.

[witesoxfan]

Leury SS

Sanchez 2B

Semien 3B

 

Morel- they probably don't care

 

I was surprised they didn't just non-tender Morel, but they can just cut him at any time, so it's not a big deal. I also don't know why those guys can't rotate. One week, use this rotation. The next, go Leury4, Sanchez5, Semien6. Get Leury and maybe Sanchez some work in the outfield. I know you want them to settle into a position, but having positional versatility is a good thing for a young player.