An appropriate alternative title would have been 'Bob Feller and Omar Vizquel tower over the Key Tower'.

I took a road trip to Cleveland as part of a bucket list item to see as many baseball stadiums as possible and hopefully all of them. This past year I have been to Miller Park, Coors Field, and now Progressive Field for the first time, which combined with the Cell and Busch Stadium brings my total to 5. Miller Park is very nice and its hard to believe its already 10 years old. Coors Field wasn't bad, but something felt lacking from both. At first I thought it was a lack of DH on the field.

It turned out that something was baseball history. Progressive Field is bursting at the seams with it.

Enjoy the picture recap after the jump!

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It's almost time for the playoffs in 2015 and I come back to find myself in first place for the first time! The bad news is I need to at minimum break even, because I can't resign my second base man with negative 2 million. He would wait until this year to have an .800 OPS, so Choke Cubs Choke!

I find it necessary to repeat this: Billy Wagner has 604 saves.

When I traded for him in early 2009, he had 389. Thats 215 in under 6 years. 440 of his saves are with Houston in his career.

Lastly, I would trade all my victories in this game to get those last two games back against the Tigers.  Ugh.

www.baseball-manager-online.com

Can't go an hour without checking it. Who's got free agents this off-season and who's signing them? Im also still looking for a shortstop upgrade so let me know. I have cash and a stud 3B prospect and I don't want long contracts.

Also, it looks like the Cincinnati Reds and New York Mets are drifting without their fearless leaders.

Also we need an expanded RR for all of these rec'd posts.

Francisco Liriano had another typical night, throwing 9 shut-out innings in an epic duel against another pitcher who has thrown a no-hitter in Edwin Jackson. The game put him on his way to 3.62 era, 200 strikeouts, 58 walks, a 14-10 record, a 1.263 whip, and put him in contention for the Cy Young award.

Oops! That was last year!

This year Liriano had a 9.13 era, a 1.0 walk to strikeout ratio, a 1-4 record, and a 1.9 whip. He came to the Cell with a 'new strategy' which of course was 'do everything the same except against the White Sox'. With 2 strikeouts to 6 walks, he followed his own strategy to great effect with a no-hitter and a shut-out.

Our offense is horrible against bad pitching and rookies so green that they were plucked from the farm minutes ago. We make zero adjustments mid game and our advanced scouting is probably non-existent. We lost two years of Carlos Quentin to his own mind-fucking. Gordon Beckham is off to another horrible start. Our infamous hitting coach's only crutch to lean on, Paul Konerko, is famous for his half season slumps as well although hes been doing well of late. The entire offense does horrible every April. If you can't even keep the players focused, then what are you here for?

I really couldn't imagine anything lower than this. We just got shut out and no hit at home by the team with the worst record in the league and by a pitcher with one of the worst numbers in the league this year. Enough effing cap tips.

So for something that should have been done in 2010. and 2009. and 2007.

FIRE GREG WALKER.

The following is a resume for firing Greg Walker. Please submit your own examples of shitty pitchers and nobody rookies finding their command against the White Sox.

Dana Eveland: 6 IP, 2 runs, 3 H, 3 BB, 4 K on April, 15 2010 and 7 IP, 0 runs, 2 H, 4 K, 3 BB on May 6, 2010.

Ivan Nova: 5 2/3 IP, 1 run, 5 H, 7 K, 1 BB and his first career win on August 29, 2010.

Matt Harrison: 5 IP, 0 runs, 6 H, 3 K, 0 BB on May 3, 2009 and 9 IP, 0 runs, 4 H, 5 K, 1 BB on May 8, 2009.

Andy Sonnanstine: 9 IP, 0 runs, 3 H, 4 K, 1 BB on April 19, 2008.

Vin Mazzaro: 6 1/3 IP, 0 runs, 3 H, 1 K, 4 BB and his first career start and win on June 2, 2009.

Anthony Lerew: 6 IO, 1 run, 3 H, 4 K, 1 BB on June 28 2010.

Brad Bergesen: 7IP, 5H, 1BB, 5K, 1 ER. (ERA 6.63 coming in to that game) on Aug 6, 2010.

Mitch Talbot: 9IP, 6H, 0BB, 2K, 2R (1ER) (would finish year with 4.41 ERA, 69BB, 88K in 160IP) on April 16, 2010.

Kyle Davies: 7IP, 3H, 2BB, 8K, 0 ER. (would finish year with 5.27 ERA) on April 9, 2009.

Armando Galarraga: 6 1/3IP, 2BB, 4H, 5K, 0ER (would finish year with 5.64 ERA) on April 15, 2009.

Brian Tallet: 5 2/3IP, 4H, 3BB, 5K, 0ER (would finish year with 5.32 ERA) on April 24, 2009.

Robert Ray: 8IP, 3H, 1BB, 3K, 1R (0ER) (would finish year with 4.44 ERA in 4 GS) on May 16, 2009.

Sergio Mitre: 6 1/3IP, 1H, 1BB, 2K, 0ER (would finish year with.. drumroll please… 6.79 ERA!) on August 29, 2009.

Zach Miner: 6 innings, 5 hits 2 ER, 0BB, 5K on July 27th, 2008.

And my personal favorite, Adam MotherFucking Eaton 7 1/3 IP, 2 runs, 9 K, 0 BB on April 23, 2009.

Scratch that, Francisco Liriano. 9 IP, 0 runs, 0 H, 2 K, 6 BB on May 3, 2011.

*Disclaimer: I in no way advocate the personal manhunt of Greg Walker, so please don't call the police on me.

**That was for Twins fans. Hunt away!

With the Super Bowl win over, the Packers have turned their focus to what players to keep for the repeat run, and which players they should launch. With the incredible depth that showed up in the 2010 season, the discussion gets harder this year, but obviously, its one of those 'good problems' to have.

Packers Payroll numbers and thoughts after the jump.

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We all know Kenny Williams loves to trade prospects for proven major leaguers, going for stability over upside. This is a look at one of those trades and to see if Kenny did the right thing.

It was a dark and hot stormy summer night on July 7th, 2009. The White Sox were floundering in third place at 42-40 behind the 43-40 Twins and the 44-48 Tigers. Looking at the tired and beaten scrappers, General Manager Kenny Williams knew he had to plan something, attack some overlooked two meter weakness in the enemy’s defense.

via blog.al.com

So as I was just settling into my seat on the one hundred level only ten rows behind first base, I look up to the scoreboard and see that White Sox first baseman prospect Brandon Allen, in a yearly ritual of trades to the Arizona Diamondbacks required to appease the baseball gods, was traded for failed closer Tony Pena. At the time, I was a few months wise to SSS, and was hooked to larry’s minor league updates and the fantastic Birmingham Barons season, due to no little part from Brandon Allen himself. Instead of relaxing with a hot dog while cheering the Sox onto first place, I slumped down in my seat in disbelief. Thankfully, Paul Konerko got the news that his competition was eliminated and celebrated the night with a three home run game, including a grand slam that sealed the 10-6 win and made me a happy camper for the night.

More after the jump.

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White Sox Payroll

I found an awesome spread sheet on the White Sox’s payroll for the next 3 years on soxtalk.com.

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/4797/2009contractsheetns8.jpg

And it looks like we are seriously cutting back not just this year but over the next few years as well. However, there were a couple of changes in the spreadsheet that I would make. For example, I would include Dyes’ and Thorntons’ contracts to the 2010 season since there is no way the Sox will buy out Thornton or JD in my opinion (who’s going to play in his place?) 

So I took it to myself to make my own spread sheet based off the one above.

For the estimated arb contracts, I included Gavin's newly inked contract, based Danks arb off of Lester's contract, based Quentin’s arb off of Utely’s contract (they potentially have very similar power numbers), based Carrasco’s arb off of Thorntons contract, based Jenks arb off of K Rod’s contract, based Fields arb off of Crede’s contract, and completely ignored Jerry Owens arb. I doubled Dewayne's arb from the previous season, and doubled Anderson’s arb off of that. I also copied Betemit’s arb from this year.

2010 Contracts (in millions)

1.3 Betemit

14 Buehrle

12 Dye

12 Konerko

5 Linebrink

6.25 Pierzynski

1.1 Ramirez

2.25 Matt Thornton

1.25 Viciedo

2.75 Floyd 

1 Wise

.35 MacDougal buyout

Arb (Educated Guesses)

2 Anderson

2.5 Carrasco

3.75 Danks

4.5 Quentin

7 Jenks

 4.5 at .5 mill for 9 players needed to fill 25 player roster

Total: 83.5 million

2011

14 Buehrle

5.5 Linebrink

1.1 Ramirez

1.25 Viciedo

3 Thornton

4.75 Floyd

Arb (Educated Guesses)

1.3 Betemit

1 Wise

3 Anderson

3 Carrasco

5.75 Danks

2.5 Fields

7.5 Quentin

10 Jenks 

6.5 at 11 players at .5 M needed to fill out 25 man roster

Total: 69.15 million

69.15 Million in 2011 is not a bad drop off from 121 million in 08. The Sox will have about halved their payroll, dropping them from the 6 spot out of 30 teams into the 20th spot (of 2008 payrolls). That would put them below the Padres of 08, and above the Rockies of 08.

This is potentially a good development since the Sox are phasing out the veterans and bringing in the new kids who can play. Cheaper payroll is not a sure sign of improving  from an expensive veteran team, but in this case, with recent excellent drafts and the Sox’s now top heavy farm system, fans can look to the future for a dominant young core team that will hang around for several years. The Chicago White Sox are getting younger, faster, cheaper, and better.

Here comes an Ozzieball World Series in 2011.

The sox had at least five players start in cf last year (Swisher, Owens, Anderson, Griffey Jr., Wise) and with maybe the exception of Jr. and Wise in the playoffs, the production has been pretty bad.

The cf seems to be a blackhole again this year, making it 4 years in a row since the curse of Aaron Rowand started. 

So right now we have again several options for cf, and after seeing the damnination and ressurection of Jerry Owens multiple times, I decided to hold a poll on whom you think truly will be our cf started this year.

Be warned, you may not have heard of some of these names, so I decided to get you a head start.

via cache.daylife.com

Dewayne Wise, our ALDS starter and currently the leader for our cf and leadoff spots. Nuff said. Spring avg: .346

via farm1.static.flickr.com

Jerry Owens, the second coming or the acopolyspe, however you want to see it. Jerry was given the starting job at the end of the 08 season. However, in spring since then, he as struggled to hit or run, (Spring: .225 avg and 0-3 in base steals.)

via o.aolcdn.com

Brian Anderson. The first to fail after Aaron Rowand was traded. He has shown excellent defense in the past but has struggled with the bat, and can't seem to find the combination between hitting for average and hitting for power. Expect him back as a defensive backup again. Spring avg: .235

via woolis.com

Josh Kroeger, (yes I know a cubs uniform, a friggin cubs uniform) the suprise so far this spring. He is touted as a AAAA type player similar to Jayson Nix. However,  Ozzie has said that he has made his decision much harder in whom to keep and whom to let go. Originally brought into spring training with a chance as a 1b, or of backup, he just may be a starter. Spring avg: .353

via assets.sbnation.com

Tim Raines Jr. (yes hes related to that Tim Raines) has not officially played for the sox yet as they just signed them, but he seems a possibility. Since I don't know much about him Ill just put in what I read.

Raines, 29, enjoyed his time with Triple-A Tucson in ’08, batting .311/.346/.530 in 502 at-bats, with 30 doubles, 13 triples, 18 homers and a 28-for-36 showing on the bases. It didn’t stop there, however. The switch-hitter showed near-perfect symmetry in compiling an OPS of .880 from the right side of the plate and a .874 figure from the left. Raines then batted .310/.341/.512 in a 21-game tour of the Venezuelan League. He’s at the point in his career now where he’s annually one of the better middle-of-the-diamond minor league free agents available, and the White Sox may represent one of the better landing places for a player in his situation. (Hey, it worked for Dewayne "ALDS starter" Wise last offseason.) If Raines hits even a bit, he could be attractive to a Chicago team consigned to sorting through Brian Anderson and Jerry Owens in center field.

In honor of Raines, we present his scouting report (with the Orioles) from the 2004 Prospect Handbook, which turned out to be his final appearance:

No. 27 • Tim Raines Jr., of
Born: Aug. 31, 1979. Ht.: 5-10. Wt.: 189. Bats: B. Throws: R.School: Seminole HS, Sanford, Fla. Career Transactions: Selected by Orioles in sixth round of 1998 draft; signed June 15, 1998.
Raines completed a remarkable turnaround in 2003, going off the Orioles’ 40-man roster and getting back on within a year. Raines, who debuted in the big leagues in 2001 and got the opportunity to play with his father Tim Sr., was sent back to Double-A in 2002 and performed poorly. His attitude also didn’t endear him to the organization, and he was designated for assignment in January 2003. He returned to Bowie and got back on track, earning promotions to Triple-A and then to the majors. Baltimore kept him on the 40-man roster after the season. As it was for his father, speed is Raines’ best tool. He’s a basestealing threat and an outstanding defender in center field. He has improved his approach at the plate and made better contact last year, though he has to prove he can do the same in the big leagues. He looked overmatched by major league pitching at times. Raines still doesn’t hustle all the time, failing to run after a ball that went over his head in a game against the Blue Jays, for instance. Still, his speed and defense give him a chance to make the Baltimore roster as a backup outfielder. If his offense contineus to progress, he eventually could be a starter.

If that doesn't sound good then I don't know what does.

And lastly if you think that Gordon Beckham, Brent Lillibridge, or Alice A. Ramirez should be in cf you are out of your mind.

Actually no you wouldnt, since our cf position sucks already, but I only put down people who have cf as their position, since I doubt Ozzie and KW would like to play anyone out of their position too much.

PS:(I know the averages don't mean much but i cannot find any overall spring statistics, ie obp, so, ect for each player so I just went through the recent box scores and took the averages. The averages are pretty close to how well the players have been doing anyways. If you can find the spring stats, let me know and I will add them.)

PPS: GO JORDAN DANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Let them play, let them play..."

or why Beckham should play 3rd base.

Everyone is talking about how Beckham is the White Sox’s second baseman of the future. However, after looking over our infield glut, it seems that 3rd base would be a much better fit and here’s why.

Beckham, a SS in college, cannot play shortstop in the majors because of Alexi Ramirez. There has been talk of Ramirez going to CF, but given his defense, that reminds me of Manny Ramirez trying to field a ball. Besides, we already have enough plus power minus defense outfielders in Quentin and Dye. If SS is his best defense position, he should play shortstop to limit his possibility of errors.

That leaves us with 2b and 3b.

At 2b, the recent rash of injuries has people thinking Beckham’s rising ability would be perfect there, especially given his outstanding spring performance so far. However, the question should not be whether Beckham should play 2b or 3b since he would be spectacular at both, but who you would prefer to keep as the remaining starter, Getz or Fields.

The answer is Chris Getz by a mile.

Here are nine reasons why:

Getz has better defense.

Getz can run, as exhibited by his in the park homer, Fields is a slow middle of the lineup hitter.

Getz has better base discipline. Less frustrating strike outs.

Getz actually earned his call up in 08, while Fields was called up to replace Crede and lost his job again to Uribe.

Getz fills the no 2 spot nicely with his speed and discipline. Fields fills the no 9 spot nicely.

People are considering a Fields/Beatmit platoon for this season. If Fields needs a platoon with Beatmit to be effective, then we need a new third baseman.

Getz cancels out the Punto factor.

People should not even mention Beckham at 2b because Getz may feel blocked and lose confidence or give up. Let the guy play first.

In fact, the only thing Fields has over Getz is power, and the Sox have enough of that already.

Viciedo will not play 3b in the future. He is not the second coming of Alexi Ramirez. Reports have him as a 1b/DH type prospect for his hitting. His defense and fitness however, are atrocious.

"His body could go the same route as Livan Hernandez, and when I saw him in Mexico, he wasn’t very good at third base anymore," one international scouting director said. "But he can really hit; in fact, I think he’s probably a better hitter than Villalona."

Another scout who had seen Viciedo was less enthused about him as a player, pegging him as a first baseman-only hitter with a bad body. "You know everybody liked Kendry Morales," the scout said, referring to the Angels’ Cuban DH/first baseman, "and he had some other tools. But his body’s gone south and he’s pretty much just a DH. So I think it’s premature to get too excited about this guy."

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=1141 

However, Viciedo could fill in the DH nicely next year after Jim Thome leaves. This would allow Paul Konerko and Jermaine Dye to stay where they are for one more year so Brandon Allen and Danks/Shelby can improve in the minors more. Kenny Williams will not get a FA for any of the just mentioned above positions because he has already repeated multiple times this offseason we are cutting down on payroll and relying on the system more.

That leaves us with... Beckham!

Here is my rosy scenario. Getz and Fields play 2b and 3b respectively in 09. Getz plays strong defense, draws a couple of walks and runs a few base paths. Fields starts the whole season, stays healthy, plays decent defense and slugs a few. Beckham tears it up in the minors. After the season, the White Sox tout Fields as a ready to start, cheap, young third base man and trade him for some prospects. Beckham takes his role and is an automatic improvement on defense and offense, and no speed is lost by blocking Getz. 

If you worry about Beckham being less effective at third base, let me remind you that Alex Rodriguez and Chipper Jones were both drafted as top shortstops. Both are super star third basemen now.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/rankings/top-100-prospects/2009/267699.html

Beckham becomes the next great third base man in our long line of third baseman and our infield would be a lock for the next 10 years with Konerko/Allen, Getz, Ramirez, and Beckham.