SB Nation User Blog: U-God

Kenny Williams Wastes No Time

U-God — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:43:49 -0000

More photos » by Charlie Riedel - AP

Welcome to the team Mark. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Not even twelve hours into the off-season, Kenny Williams has made his first roster move. 2B Chris Getz and 3B Josh Fields were traded to the Kansas City Royals this morning for 3B/OF Mark Teahen. For those unfamiliar with Teahen, he is a 28 year old who bats lefty and owns a career .269/.331/.419/.749 line with an OPS+ of 97. For what it's worth, he has hit very well at the Cell. He becomes the second member of the infamous Oakland Athletics' Moneyball draft to join the White Sox. Here's hoping his tenure here is more enjoyable than the previous one was.

I'm not really sure how to feel about this trade. Fields' career with the Pale Hose was over, so I'm happy he gets to see a new organization. I don't like that Getz is gone. Teahen has been worth .4 WAR combined over the past two seasons and has seen his walk rate drop each year since 2007. If he can get back to drawing walks like he did in 2006 and 2007, he can be valuable again. Another sticking point is salary. Teahen made 3.75 mil last season and is arbitration eligible. We just added another 4 million to the team payroll with this trade. The thing I wonder about now is what is Kenny's next move? If Teahen really is starting in right, is Nix the new 2B? Are Gordon Beckham and Alexei Ramirez going to be shifted around the infield? At least we know it's going to be an interesting off-season.

Rosterbation-Mania!

U-God — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:13:35 -0000

More photos » by Ted S. Warren - AP

Raise your hand if you want to play for the White Sox next year. Esteban, please put your hand down. Seriously though, Esteban, you aren't welcome. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

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Over the past couple days, and inspired by the infamous U.S.S. Mariner post and the on-going reader input over at Sox Machine, I've been putting together my off-season plan. I tried to keep it as realistic as possible (no video game trades), especially in terms of payroll. Feel encouraged to leave your own roster plans in the comments section. U-God's 2010 plan lies after the jump.

Free Agent Acquistions:

DH- Nick Johnson, 1 year/5.5 mil

I love Jim Thome and always will. He is my back-up plan. With that being said, I would be thrilled if KW went out and got Nick Johnson. The 31 year old lefty has a career .849 OPS fueled largely by his .402 career OBP. Johnson also allows us to rotate Paul Konerko and Carlos Quentin in at DH as well. He does come with injury-risks, but using him mainly as a DH in combination with one of the premier medical staffs in baseball should counteract that. The injury risk combined with the down market should allow the Sox to grab him at a reasonable price for a year.

RF- Marlon Byrd, 1 year/4.5 mil

Byrd would be a very refreshing change of pace out in rightfield. He has posted an OPS above .800 each year since joining the American League and has been an above-average defender in right as well. His career high 20 homers last year will guarentee him a raise, though probably a modest one. Byrd also provides a nice stop-gap for our outfield prospects.

C- Brian Schneider, 1 year/1.5 mil

Schneider's days as a starter are over. He's a lefty-catcher who has had good success stopping opponent's run games (38 CS%). Being a backup drops his price tag and lowers his risk of getting hurt again.

1B/OF- Mark Kotsay, 1 year/1.5 mil

Bring him back. He was good after we traded for him and gives Ozzie more flexibility with his bench and lineups.

Contract Extension:

Offer John Danks the Jon Lester deal (5 years/30 mil). It's a back-loaded contract that buys out John's arbitration years and allows him to hit free agency at age 31. It may take more money to lock him up, but for simplicity's sake, I'm just going to use the Lester deal.

Batting Order:

DH- Nick Johnson, 3B- Gordon Beckham, LF- Carlos Quentin, 1B- Paul Konerko, C- A.J. Pierzynski, CF- Alex Rios, RF- Marlon Byrd, SS- Alexei Ramirez, 2B- Chris Getz.

That OBP in front of Beckham gives me dirty thoughts.

Bench:

C- Brian Schneider, 1B/OF- Mark Kotsay, UTIL- Jayson Nix, OF- Alejandro De Aza

Nix gives pop off the bench and De Aza gives Ozzie a speedy pinch-runner for late in the game.

Starting Rotation:

Jake Peavy-RHP, Mark Buehrle-LHP, Gavin Floyd-RHP, John Danks-LHP, Freddy Garcia-RHP

I like the idea of having Peavy and Garcia pitch back to back.

Bullpen:

Bobby Jenks-CL, Matt Thornton-LHP, Scott Linebrink-RHP, DJ Carrasco-RHP, Tony Peña-RHP, Jhonny Nuñez-RHP, Randy Williams-LHP

I wanted to trade Jenks, but his value is too low right now and I don't want a repeat of the Nick Swisher trade.

Other Costs:

$1 mil buy-out for Jermaine Dye

$.35 mil for Mike MacDougal, damn him

Team Payroll:

$96.65 mil, only .55 higher than last season's opening salary. All figures (except my FAs and arbitration guesstimates) taken from Cot's Baseball Contracts.

The Challenge Continues

U-God — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 02:59:47 -0000

As promised yesterday, here is the new quiz containing the starting lineups from 1980-1999. This will be the last one of these on the front page, but I'll try to keep thinking of ones for the right rail all off-season. Enjoy.

Opening Day Lineups Quiz

U-God — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:09:04 -0000

More photos » by David Banks - AP

Remember us? Apparently some people taking the quiz don't. (AP Photo/David Banks)

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Inspired by Lookout Landing, and since we needed a new thread for the day anyways, I went on to Sporcle and made a quiz about the Opening Day lineups for the White Sox over the past 10 seasons. Here is the link, try not to cheat. Post how you did in the comments.

The Top 5 White Sox Games of 2009

U-God — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 01:07:22 -0000

More photos » by Duane Burleson - AP

The Savior wonders if his accomplishments will appear in the list of the season's best games. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

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While the White Sox didn't make the playoffs this year (or finish above .500 for that matter), it never really felt like a chore to watch (at least to me) like 2007 did. Once the season ended (and this lull between playoff rounds began), I started thinking about what games were the best ones from this season. Some caveats: I only went with games we won. I personally don't care much for losses and didn't feel like putting any close, but last second losses in my top 5. Also, this is a pretty subjective exercise, so I don't expect everyone to agree with my choices. Feel free to post your choices in the comments. With that being said, the top 5 games from the 2009 season are after the jump.

5. May 25, @LAA SOX: 17, LAA: 3

The main reason this game makes the cut is the 17 runs were the most the Sox had scored in a game since June 20, 2006. Every starter had a hit, with the Thome, Konerko, and Dye all going yard. The team scored 14 runs through the first five innings, and were only blanked in the sixth and the eighth. The only reason it isn't ranked higher is the game was over by the second inning.

4. April 7, vs. KC SOX: 4, KC:2

Ah, Opening Day. The holiest of all national holidays. We had to wait longer than usual due to a snowout, but the payoff was well worth it. Things looked pretty grim going into the eighth inning, when the worst manager in the AL Central brought in the beloved Kyle Farnsworth. Every now and then, you feel like the baseball game is scripted. When Jim Thome stepped up with two runners on and two outs, it felt like everyone watching knew what would happen next. The season had so much promise back then.

3. April 13, @ DET SOX: 10, DET: 6

While the game itself was fairly unspectacular, the second inning alone insured that it would appear on this list. Leading off, Jermaine Dye would take Zach Miner deep to left-center at 12:23 P.M. for his 300th career homerun. Exactly three minutes later, Paul Konerko would blast one past the left field fence for his 300th as well. This marked the first time in MLB history that two teammates had hit century milestone homeruns back to back. The White Sox even had 7,000 little commemerative figures with a base made to honor the accomplishment (number 4,036 sits proudly on my desk). A normal enough game, but the history makes it pretty special in my eyes.

2. June 27, vs. CHC SOX: 8, CHC: 7

The complete opposite of a pitcher's duel, but an incredibly fun back-and-forth battle throughout gets this game the number two spot on the list. The lead changed hands four times before the Pale Hose tied it up in the eighth on an Alexei Ramirez single. I still remember sitting in left field with my current roommate Dan and wanting the game to come down to Gordon Beckham. Whatever deities may be decided to answer my prayers. With Josh Fields on second and Jayson Nix on first, Gordon Beckham stepped in with two outs. Jose Ascanio's first pitch the the rookie would be crushed into the rightfield gap for our young savior's first walk off hit in the bigs. There was something magical about hearing "Your Love" played before any other victory song.

1. July 23, vs. TB SOX: 5, TB: 0

Was there ever any doubt what game was going to get number one? There have been better articles written than I could ever hope to create. Everything from Fields' grand slam to Wise's miracle catch was fantastic. Even typing this just give me chills. So I'll stop writing about it. Pictures do more justice than I ever could.

A Place for Prognostications

U-God — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:09:36 -0000

More photos » by Jae C. Hong - AP

Will big ol' Jim Thome finally get that ring?(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

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Would have been a better thread before the playoffs started yesterday, but we need a new thread until today's games and I think a post where we all voice our playoff series predictions might be a good idea.

My terrible predictions after the jump.

ALDS: BOS vs. LAA

L.A.'s main advantage is on defense and the teams are fairly close to a wash in lineups, but Boston has the edge in pitching and have knocked the Angels out of the playoffs in the ALDS the past two years. Here comes the three-peat. BOS 3-1.

NYY vs. MIN

It didn't matter which team won the tiebreaker. The Yankees are too good this year. NYY 3-0.

NLDS: COL vs. PHI

Fairly even by the numbers, but I think Philly takes it on homefield advantage. PHI 3-1.

STL vs. LAD

Potentially one of the best division series this year. The Dodgers are the better team in my mind because they have more hitting depth. Expect Torre to walk Albert Pujols as much as possible. I've never bought into the whole "youth will do bad in the playoffs" shit and don't plan on starting to now. If the Dodgers keep forcing LaRussa to use his bullpen, the Cardinals are screwed. LAD 3-1 (I want it to go to game 4 as one of my roommates has tickets to it and the hilarity of watching his team get eliminated in person is too much for me not to cheer for. Sorry Bobby.)

ALCS: BOS vs. NYY

The team with the best odds of stopping New York is apparently Boston. The season series was split 9-9, but I'm still going with the Bombers. Should be a good series though. NYY 4-2.

NLCS: PHI vs. LAD

Philly led the NL in homeruns. L.A.'s pitching staff allowed the least HR/9 in the NL. Strength meet strength. Both teams have good lineups, but the Dodgers have better pitching. Crown a new team WS champs. LAD 4-1.

World Series: LAD vs. NYY

After 12 long years, the Gentleman Masher finally returns to the Fall Classic. That makes me happy. Unfortunately, his team has to face New York. While the Dodgers have the advantage being able to play Jim Thome in the Bronx while the Yankees can't use Godzilla in L.A., it won't make that big of a difference. The Yankees get their second championship of the decade, A-Rod finally gets his ring, and we all die a little inside watching Jim look sad and Nick Swisher celebrate. NYY 4-2.

SSS Time Machine Tournament West Division Series Game 4

U-God — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:36:46 -0000

1920 (The Wizard) vs. 1993 (Vince)

Results: 1920-5, 1993-4

WP: Eddie Cicotte (2-1), LP: Bobby Thigpen (0-1)

HR: Frank Thomas (2)

It took twelve innings and came a sac fly away from a thirteenth, but the 1920 squad held on to advance to the West Championship series. 1993 had it in the bag with a 2-1 lead in the ninth with one out when Roberto Hernandez coughed up a groundout that scored Shano Collins from third. Shano Collins wins PotG for driving in the winning two runs in the 12th. 1920 wins series 3-1 and advances to play 2000 in the West Championship Series.

Meta-post:

I hate the fact that every time I restart this series, something happens. While typing this post up, i found out that my wrist surgery has been moved up to next Tuesday. Between now and then, I have 5 tests, a paper, and a project due. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like the series is going to end any time soon. Sorry guys.

SSS Time Machine Tournament Central Division Series Game 4

U-God — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:13:29 -0000

1983 (ryno/hoysstash) vs. 1994 (U-God)

Results: 1994- 12, 1983- 6

WP: Alex Fernandez (2-0), LP: Britt Burns (0-1), SV: Jose Deleon (1)

HR: Tom Paciorek (1), Vance Law (1), Ron Karkovice 2 (2)

The Strike Squad defeated the Winning Ugly team in a beat down to force a game 5. 1983 got off to an early lead with a 2-run shot by Wimpy. Unfortunately for them, 1994 would score twelve runs before 83 would get back on the board. Britt Burns was shelled in his 3.1 innings, giving up eight runs on three walks and nine hits. Alex Fernandez didn't fare much better going 5.2 while giving up six runs, one walk, and six hits. Jose Deleon came on in relief and didn't allow a single baserunner while striking out five over the final 3.1 frames. The PotG goes to Ron Karkovice for his 2-5 performance, which doesn't seem to impressive until you realize the two hits were both grandslams. Series is tied 2-2.

2009 White Sox Name Anagrams

U-God — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 19:40:20 -0000

I think we need some new content on the right rail, as my old stomping ground has gotten kind of (very) crappy recently. This post is nothing but fluff, but it won't have our players' names spelled wrong, so it has that going for it. Thanks to Hazymania (big ol' h/t), I found this nifty anagram generator. I've decided to run through our 2009 White Sox and post the names that I found to be especially fitting or funny. I'll be using the actual name for each player. Plus, you get to learn some middle names, like Brent Stuart Lillibridge. We can call him Stuart Lill now. Here we go.

Anthony John Pierzynski? JERK ZANY, NINNYISH PHOTO. Paul Henry Konerko? NUKE HOARY PLONKER. Christopher Ryan Getz? RIGHT! THE CRAZY PERSON (they must know he agreed to talk to Colin). Alexei Fernando Ramirez? RELAXED, FINER OR IN AMAZE (the lazy bastard would be relaxed!) Brian Nikola Anderson? SKINNIER BANANA DROOL. Jermaine Dye? REALLY! I'M TENDER JEER. James Howard Thome? JAM AS THE WHOREDOM. Scott Eric Podsednik? TO CENSORED DIPSTICK (that one makes me so happy.) Joshua Dean Fields? OH JESUS! FADED NAIL. Alexis Israel Rios? SEXIER LIAR AILS SO. Jose Ariel Contreras? CORRELATION JEERS AS. Gavin Christopher Floyd? SHOT FAVOREDLY CHIRPING. Clayton C. Richard? CROTCH AND RACILY. Aaron Andermon Poreda? ADORE ON OR DARN APEMAN. Octavio Dotel? LOCATE TO VOID. Scott Linebrink? IN STRICKEN BLOT.

Always Look on the South Side of Life

U-God — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 22:11:46 -0000

Always Look on the South Side of Life

New Sox Dugout