Back Up First Base

[oldsox]

I think we have a problem. I know that Sands' two late game mis-plays were initially caused by poor throws from Frazier, but still, most full time starting first basemen would have made those plays. And, yes, Sands did recover and make a nice throw to second to get Trout. But when Abreu sits, defense suffers. Plus we needa left handed bat.

 

When does Ishikawa get recalled from Charlotte?

[NorthSideSox72]

I think, if trends continue into May, you make two moves:

 

DFA Sands, bring up Ishikawa as a LHH DH and 1B bench guy and pinch hitter. He can also play OF, but with the three starters plus Shuck he's probably not necessary in that role anyway.

 

Option Avisail to Charlotte - maybe the kick in the ass will work. Bring up Coats. Coats to LF, Melky to DH, to keep their strengths.

 

You do both of the above and I think you get better offense than Sands, and one who can back up 1B as well, plus the LHH option the team needs. With Coats you immediately improve your defense in that corner OF slot, and probably see some marginal offensive improvement over Avisail.

 

[Buehrle>Wood]

Sands also has 8ks in 13 PA with some absolutely pathetic looking at bats. He really just doesn't make sense for the roster as most of us have said.

 

Ishikawa isn't ideal because he isn't that good, but at least he fits in with his glove and being lefty.

[Jose Abreu]

Apparently Saladino can play a competent 1B. Frazier does as well, obviously. We could always shift Frazier to first and start Saladino at third if needed.

[southsider2k5]

Apparently Saladino can play a competent 1B. Frazier does as well, obviously. We could always shift Frazier to first and start Saladino at third if needed.

This would be the best alignment. Way too much panic for a back up 1B.

 

Also, again, say a special thanks to Adam LaRoche!

[NorthSideSox72]

This would be the best alignment. Way too much panic for a back up 1B.

No one is panicking. Just a matter of finding the best parts for all the slots. Ishikawa would be better, for this team with it's current needs, than Sands.

 

Also would hate to take Frazier off 3B any more than for emergency purposes.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

No one is panicking. Just a matter of finding the best parts for all the slots. Ishikawa would be better, for this team with it's current needs, than Sands.

 

Also would hate to take Frazier off 3B any more than for emergency purposes.

 

Why? Saladino played great defensively at third last year.

[Dunt]

I think, if trends continue into May, you make two moves:

 

DFA Sands, bring up Ishikawa as a LHH DH and 1B bench guy and pinch hitter. He can also play OF, but with the three starters plus Shuck he's probably not necessary in that role anyway.

 

Option Avisail to Charlotte - maybe the kick in the ass will work. Bring up Coats. Coats to LF, Melky to DH, to keep their strengths.

 

You do both of the above and I think you get better offense than Sands, and one who can back up 1B as well, plus the LHH option the team needs. With Coats you immediately improve your defense in that corner OF slot, and probably see some marginal offensive improvement over Avisail.

 

This is what Im thinking is best for the depth of the team right now

[southsider2k5]

Why? Saladino played great defensively at third last year.

 

Exactly.

[NorthSideSox72]

Why? Saladino played great defensively at third last year.

He was fine there, but not great. Frazier is far better defensively, which is why I want to keep Frazier there virtually all the time.

 

[Jose Abreu]

He was fine there, but not great. Frazier is far better defensively, which is why I want to keep Frazier there virtually all the time.

But if we need to spell Abreu for a day, it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to put a good defender in Saladino at third and Frazier at first.

[Buehrle>Wood]

I would call Saladinos defense great at 3rd last year. That said I'd rather not move around frazier.

[caulfield12]

It just seems close to implausible the White Sox would give Coats the starting job at the end of April or in early May when they're in first place or within hailing distance of KC/Detroit.

 

After passing on all those available hitters (and yes, a large part of it was the late timing of the LaRoche decision), it's going to feel like a slap in the face to fans having to watch the likes of Upton and Gordon in the same division while the White Sox continue as a bottom 8-10 MLB offense.

 

You can argue the Tigers have Gose getting at-bats, the Royals have Dyson/Orlando/Fuentes...but both of those offenses are much more balanced top to bottom.

 

Garcia's spot was EXPECTED to be roughly the 4th or 5th most productive in the line-up (after Abreu, Frazier, Eaton and Cabrera)...at the very worst, the equivalent of Lawrie. That's a lot of pressure to put on a rookie, and a test that has been failed more often than not.

 

The last homegrown rookies who held their own were Fields and Owens in 2007, and those were pretty meaningless games that they excelled in...same with Trayce Thompson last year.

 

 

[Buehrle>Wood]

When Coats is called upon there's not going to be any more pressure than there already is for a rookie put in a starting role. He also 26 already so hopefully a little more mentally mature than most.

 

I'd like to see the move for Avi now. We know that won't happen as the Sox have Stockholm Syndrome with Avi. The first place excuse is also BS as the reasons we are in first have nothing to do with Avi. You can still exchange the awful parts of this team to make it better.

Edited April 21, 2016 by Buehrle>Wood

[NorthSideSox72]

When Coats is called upon there's not going to be any more pressure than there already is for a rookie put in a starting role. He also 26 already so hopefully a little more mentally mature than most.

 

I'd like to see the move for Avi now. We know that won't happen as the Sox have Stockholm Syndrome with Avi. The first place excuse is also BS as the reasons we are in first have nothing to do with Avi. You can still exchange the awful parts of this team to make it better.

Agreed on all. Further, if you put a guy like Coats in there in early May, and he's just as bad offensively as Avi in May and June, you then look to the trade market (which they likely will do in any case).

 

[OmarComing25]

It just seems close to implausible the White Sox would give Coats the starting job at the end of April or in early May when they're in first place or within hailing distance of KC/Detroit.

 

After passing on all those available hitters (and yes, a large part of it was the late timing of the LaRoche decision), it's going to feel like a slap in the face to fans having to watch the likes of Upton and Gordon in the same division while the White Sox continue as a bottom 8-10 MLB offense.

 

You can argue the Tigers have Gose getting at-bats, the Royals have Dyson/Orlando/Fuentes...but both of those offenses are much more balanced top to bottom.

 

Garcia's spot was EXPECTED to be roughly the 4th or 5th most productive in the line-up (after Abreu, Frazier, Eaton and Cabrera)...at the very worst, the equivalent of Lawrie. That's a lot of pressure to put on a rookie, and a test that has been failed more often than not.

 

The last homegrown rookies who held their own were Fields and Owens in 2007, and those were pretty meaningless games that they excelled in...same with Trayce Thompson last year.

If Coats can provide better offense than Garcia or Sands right now, then who cares? We all know we desperately need an upgrade, but until that happens just go with the best option, and that could be Coats for all we know. Not sure how having Coats out there would be a bigger "slap in the face to fans" than continuing to trot Avi out there.

[OmarComing25]

He was fine there, but not great. Frazier is far better defensively, which is why I want to keep Frazier there virtually all the time.

Both UZR and DRS said he was great there last year, and I thought the eye test backed that up.

[Dunt]

In addition, if you bring up Coats, you can be bringing him up for more than just his bat so if he doesnt hit right away, he will atleast give you solid defense in LF. Melky has been playing solid defense thus far, but looking at his career splits, it looks like he can handle a switch to DH better than others. Bringing Coats up seems like a no brainer at this point. Only real concern I'd have with Coats is he doesnt draw a ton of walks.

[cabiness42]

I noted in another thread that I'd like to see Sanchez come back up in place of Shuck or Sands. Then if you have to put Saladino at 1B, you still have a backup IF. No real reason to carry 5 OF on the roster (6 if you include Avi).

[Black_Jack29]

But if we need to spell Abreu for a day, it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to put a good defender in Saladino at third and Frazier at first.

 

That's exactly what I would do. It also avoids having to option a player down to the minors.

 

[sammy esposito]

Apparently Saladino can play a competent 1B. Frazier does as well, obviously. We could always shift Frazier to first and start Saladino at third if needed.

Frazier to first bring up Davidson. I think Davidson would be startled into playing well after being demoted to the minors after a great spring

 

 

 

[SCCWS]

Frazier to first bring up Davidson. I think Davidson would be startled into playing well after being demoted to the minors after a great spring

 

Well Davidson is off to another great start at AAA hitting under .220. That would probably translate to under .200 in the majors. The good thing is Frazier would not feel threatened by his presence.

 

[NorthSideSox72]

Well Davidson is off to another great start at AAA hitting under .220. That would probably translate to under .200 in the majors. The good thing is Frazier would not feel threatened by his presence.

K-rate over 30%, again, just as with the last two years. Davidson is far down the list of people to bring up, and I don't see him being an upgrade over anyone on the current roster.

 

[oldsox]

When Coats is called upon there's not going to be any more pressure than there already is for a rookie put in a starting role. He also 26 already so hopefully a little more mentally mature than most.

 

I'd like to see the move for Avi now. We know that won't happen as the Sox have Stockholm Syndrome with Avi. The first place excuse is also BS as the reasons we are in first have nothing to do with Avi. You can still exchange the awful parts of this team to make it better.

That's funny.