2012 White Sox

[886Illini]

Kevin Youkilis to White Sox . Great pick up for the White Sox.

[IntenselyOrange]

Not sure how much of a difference Youk will make. He's rumored to be a clubhouse cancer and I think his best days are behind him. Nevertheless we gave up two players who are generally without value and pay little of Youk's salary so in that regard it's a great move. Hopefully the change of Sox will give him some life and a needed attitude adjustment.

[ChiSoxIllini82]

Very hard to be mad at Kenny for this trade. Did not give up too much and our 3rd base production this season has been worse than awful. I have heard that some MLB pitcher's production as batters are better than our 3rd base production.

[FeelYourPaign]

Kind of like you said, doesn't seem like a great trade, but we gave up little and there is that 10% chance the Youk is re-energized for a year or two. Then Kenny will look like a genius. Hope we don't have to go through a Dunn like waiting period

[FeelYourPaign]

Went to the July 4 game with the Rangers last night. HOT, HOT, HOT !! After absolutely drubbing the Rangers on Tuesday, 19-2, the Sox won in the 10th on a Youkilis single to left. He had a very good game in the field as well. This trade looks great right now.

[oscar]

My son was at the July 4 game, too. He and I were also at the Brewers game on June 24 when Escobar had the game winning hit, so my son saw two walk off winning hits in less than two weeks.

If "Youk" keeps playing anything close to what he has done since coming to Chicago, he will very soon be one of the fan's biggest favorites.

[Kramer116]

Youk has been an absolute beast so far. He was an awesome pick up.

I think he has more RBI's than all of our 3rd basemen combined, I know he definitely has more HRs.

[ctblaisdell83]

Awesome first half. I had given up on Rios (thought Dunn would come back at least a little), but other than 3B (now addressed) can't complain. And I think we are in the hunt to the end

For the second half, I've been wondering whether we're buyers or sellers. I'm starting to wonder if we can be both...

Does anyone else feel nervous that Peavy could get injured on the next pitch he throws? I would think about trading him to an NL team and pick up one or two high prospects, maybe an experienced reliever. Rotation of Sale, Danks, Quintana, Floyd, Humber.

Just nervous about Jake, who's been awesome, and the injury bug

[ctblaisdell83]

Interesting article. I was not aware that the Sox had changed "philosophy"

I also get the msg that things are different post-Ozzie, even if that's played down

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/13706...-williams.html

[IntenselyOrange]

Originally Posted by ctblaisdell83

Awesome first half. I had given up on Rios (thought Dunn would come back at least a little), but other than 3B (now addressed) can't complain. And I think we are in the hunt to the end

For the second half, I've been wondering whether we're buyers or sellers. I'm starting to wonder if we can be both...

Does anyone else feel nervous that Peavy could get injured on the next pitch he throws? I would think about trading him to an NL team and pick up one or two high prospects, maybe an experienced reliever. Rotation of Sale, Danks, Quintana, Floyd, Humber.

Just nervous about Jake, who's been awesome, and the injury bug

You cannot trade Peavy. I have the same fears, but there is no way this team holds off the Tigers without Peavy and Sale at least reasonably recapitulating their first half performances. I am uncomfortable with the rest of the rotation. Who knows what Danks will bring. Humber is a mess. Quintana should regress. Floyd is Floyd. The rest of these guys are #3 starters at best.

I was a bit bummed with the early success because I thought it would prevent the trading of Peavy. But this team is better than I thought. I'd make some trades if I could, but I just don't see many. What the team needs more than anything in my opinion is an SP, and we don't have the resources to trade for one. I don't want Dempster or someone like that - I want Grienke. I'd want Hamels. That is the type of move that would put this team over the top and I think that's the only type of move that would significantly impact our team for this season.

[AHSIllini32]

Originally Posted by IntenselyOrange

You cannot trade Peavy. I have the same fears, but there is no way this team holds off the Tigers without Peavy and Sale at least reasonably recapitulating their first half performances. I am uncomfortable with the rest of the rotation. Who knows what Danks will bring. Humber is a mess. Quintana should regress. Floyd is Floyd. The rest of these guys are #3 starters at best.

I was a bit bummed with the early success because I thought it would prevent the trading of Peavy. But this team is better than I thought. I'd make some trades if I could, but I just don't see many. What the team needs more than anything in my opinion is an SP, and we don't have the resources to trade for one. I don't want Dempster or someone like that - I want Grienke. I'd want Hamels. That is the type of move that would put this team over the top and I think that's the only type of move that would significantly impact our team for this season.

You wouldn't want a guy who has a sub 2 era and very solid peripherals who could also be a big veteran help to the youngsters in your rotation? Wow.

As you said, for what's being asked for in order to get Hamels there's no way you guys have any shot at that and Grienke isn't even on the block is he?

To be honest, I'm not ever sure you guys have enough impact ready guys in your upper levels to get a guy like Dempster from the Cubs to begin with.

[IntenselyOrange]

Originally Posted by AHSIllini32

You wouldn't want a guy who has a sub 2 era and very solid peripherals who could also be a big veteran help to the youngsters in your rotation? Wow.

As you said, for what's being asked for in order to get Hamels there's no way you guys have any shot at that and Grienke isn't even on the block is he?

To be honest, I'm not ever sure you guys have enough impact ready guys in your upper levels to get a guy like Dempster from the Cubs to begin with.

Would I take Dempster? Yes. But not at the costs the Cubs are asking, and I agree I'm not sure we have enough to get him. Regarding Dempster though, I just worry about what he would do in the AL. It's a lot different pitching in a league where the 8-9 spots don't provide a mental break.

[AHSIllini32]

Originally Posted by IntenselyOrange

Would I take Dempster? Yes. But not at the costs the Cubs are asking, and I agree I'm not sure we have enough to get him. Regarding Dempster though, I just worry about what he would do in the AL. It's a lot different pitching in a league where the 8-9 spots don't provide a mental break.

True enough, however he has pitched in the AL before. Granted it was a while ago. I also think it would be different if he went to the AL central as opposed to the AL west or east also.

You may actually end up playing against him as he could very well end up in Detroit, either he or Matt Garza actually.

[IntenselyOrange]

Originally Posted by AHSIllini32

True enough, however he has pitched in the AL before. Granted it was a while ago. I also think it would be different if he went to the AL central as opposed to the AL west or east also.

You may actually end up playing against him as he could very well end up in Detroit, either he or Matt Garza actually.

But the AL East/West are an issue and this is the point. I enjoy seeing my team in the post-season, but honestly it doesn't mean a whole lot if you don't advance. I don't think Dempster is a difference maker. Moreover, I hope he ends up in Detroit. I think he's a mid-rotation guy in the AL and I'd love to see the Tigers gut their system for someone I don't see as too impactful. Heck, I'd view it as a positive deadline if the Sox did nothing while the Indians and Tigers sent all their prospects to the Cubs for Dempster and Garza.

[AHSIllini32]

Originally Posted by IntenselyOrange

But the AL East/West are an issue and this is the point. I enjoy seeing my team in the post-season, but honestly it doesn't mean a whole lot if you don't advance. I don't think Dempster is a difference maker. Moreover, I hope he ends up in Detroit. I think he's a mid-rotation guy in the AL and I'd love to see the Tigers gut their system for someone I don't see as too impactful. Heck, I'd view it as a positive deadline if the Sox did nothing while the Indians and Tigers sent all their prospects to the Cubs for Dempster and Garza.

If he's better than what you currently have then he absolutely is a difference maker. If he gives you a better shot at winning a post-season game than Floyd, Danks, Quintana (if you think he'll regress as much as you say) then he's absolutely worth it no?

[IntenselyOrange]

Originally Posted by AHSIllini32

If he's better than what you currently have then he absolutely is a difference maker. If he gives you a better shot at winning a post-season game than Floyd, Danks, Quintana (if you think he'll regress as much as you say) then he's absolutely worth it no?

No!

Still not good enough to beat NYY, LAA, and Texas in my opinion. I'm all for mortgaging the future if you are a legitimate WS contender. I think in order for the Sox to be that, they need a top end starter, not a middle of the rotation starter. But that's just my opinion.

[AHSIllini32]

Originally Posted by IntenselyOrange

No!

Still not good enough to beat NYY, LAA, and Texas in my opinion. I'm all for mortgaging the future if you are a legitimate WS contender. I think in order for the Sox to be that, they need a top end starter, not a middle of the rotation starter. But that's just my opinion.

Dempster is most certainly good enough to beat those teams in a one game isolated situation. Now if he had to consistently pitch against them over the course of a season then I'm not sure.

You don't have an era under 2 just because you pitch in the NL. There's a reason 10 contending teams are going to be scouting him at his next start, because they all think he can help them win a WS.

[ctblaisdell83]

Originally Posted by IntenselyOrange

No!

Still not good enough to beat NYY, LAA, and Texas in my opinion. I'm all for mortgaging the future if you are a legitimate WS contender. I think in order for the Sox to be that, they need a top end starter, not a middle of the rotation starter. But that's just my opinion.

I don't know. I'm against mortgaging the future again. KW has traded some excellent prospects in order to bring quick fixes in - it seems we rarely get even value. I'd love to have Hamels or Grienke, but not sure how you'd get them with our poorly-perceived prospects

As far as postseason rotation, I can live with Peavy, Sale, and any 2 of Danks, Floyd, Quintana, Humber, based on who's pitching well. With that rotation and our ability (currently) to score runs, I'd say we have a chance in a 7 game series with anyone

[ChiSoxIllini82]

Originally Posted by ctblaisdell83

As far as postseason rotation, I can live with Peavy, Sale, and any 2 of Danks, Floyd, Quintana, Humber, based on who's pitching well. With that rotation and our ability (currently) to score runs, I'd say we have a chance in a 7 game series with anyone

+1
I dont think we are the best team in MLB, but recent WS winners have showed us, you dont need to be the best team in order to win it all, just playing the best in October. If we are running on all cynlinders in October, we can win it with Peavy, Sale, Danks, and Quintana/Humber/Floyd. Just have to get in. I personally would like a veteran bulpen arm, too many rookies in the pen.

[IntenselyOrange]

Originally Posted by ctblaisdell83

I don't know. I'm against mortgaging the future again. KW has traded some excellent prospects in order to bring quick fixes in - it seems we rarely get even value. I'd love to have Hamels or Grienke, but not sure how you'd get them with our poorly-perceived prospects

As far as postseason rotation, I can live with Peavy, Sale, and any 2 of Danks, Floyd, Quintana, Humber, based on who's pitching well. With that rotation and our ability (currently) to score runs, I'd say we have a chance in a 7 game series with anyone

Originally Posted by ChiSoxIllini82

+1
I dont think we are the best team in MLB, but recent WS winners have showed us, you dont need to be the best team in order to win it all, just playing the best in October. If we are running on all cynlinders in October, we can win it with Peavy, Sale, Danks, and Quintana/Humber/Floyd. Just have to get in. I personally would like a veteran bulpen arm, too many rookies in the pen.

I doubt Sale and Peavy continue at this rate making a top end starter essential for post season success. And if they do continue at this rate we'd go into the playoffs with the best 3-man rotation. But sadly, we don't have the prospects to get this done because we give them away for the likes of Nick Swisher and Edwin Jackson. Because we cannot get what would put us over the top, I'd consider only two options: staying put and selling. Yes, selling despite being in first. If you can get someone to take Rios or you can get a decent prospect for Thornton or you can get a good prospect for the enigma that is Floyd, I'd jump on it. It's not a popular opinion, but I'd consider it.

[ctblaisdell83]

I'd love to see the Sox rebuild the farm system...and I think they are serious about doing that. I agree that selling is not necessarily a bad thing, even if we are in contention (why I wondered whether Peavy could be a great trading chip).

Would a contender look at a Rios, or Floyd, or Peavy as the player that gets them to postseason? and would the Sox be able to get an ML-ready or near-ML ready prospect to plug in?

[IntenselyOrange]

Originally Posted by ctblaisdell83

I'd love to see the Sox rebuild the farm system...and I think they are serious about doing that. I agree that selling is not necessarily a bad thing, even if we are in contention (why I wondered whether Peavy could be a great trading chip).

Would a contender look at a Rios, or Floyd, or Peavy as the player that gets them to postseason? and would the Sox be able to get an ML-ready or near-ML ready prospect to plug in?

For Peavy they can absolutely get a prospect. Dempster is going to bring that for the Cubs. I'd think Peavy could bring a similar haul. Moreover, this makes the decision not to push Sale's innings easy.

You could then move Rios who I could see the Dodgers and Giants being interested in despite the contract. And you could move AJ. Heck, given his resurgence you could move Youk for a massive return on two bad players.

It would be horribly unpopular and therefore will not happen. Fans already hate Sox management. But such moves would show true long term vision I think.

Therefore, standing still, rather than trading prospects for bullpen help and/or a mid-rotation starter is the best option.

[AHSIllini32]

Originally Posted by IntenselyOrange

For Peavy they can absolutely get a prospect. Dempster is going to bring that for the Cubs. I'd think Peavy could bring a similar haul. Moreover, this makes the decision not to push Sale's innings easy.

You could then move Rios who I could see the Dodgers and Giants being interested in despite the contract. And you could move AJ. Heck, given his resurgence you could move Youk for a massive return on two bad players.

It would be horribly unpopular and therefore will not happen. Fans already hate Sox management. But such moves would show true long term vision I think.

Therefore, standing still, rather than trading prospects for bullpen help and/or a mid-rotation starter is the best option.

I think you could get something nice for Peavy but I don't know if you'll get something similar to what Dempster should haul in just because of Peavy's health concerns. He is having a pretty good year though.

[IntenselyOrange]

Originally Posted by AHSIllini32

I think you could get something nice for Peavy but I don't know if you'll get something similar to what Dempster should haul in just because of Peavy's health concerns. He is having a pretty good year though.

Dempster is fresh off the DL:laugh:.

[NnannasBananas11]

Originally Posted by IntenselyOrange

Dempster is fresh off the DL:laugh:.

There has been speculation that Dempster was just put on the DL as a precaution to protect his trade value.