Mike Sixel

There is value in a 340 OBP. But it is hollow if you can't slug (or even hit) at all. Just getting on base at a 340 clip is not enough to be even average (overall) as a MLB player. You also have to hit, and field.

From what I've read, Tomas is not getting the kind of offers the last guy got.....which isn't surprising to me. That might make is more likely they get in. My fear is that this market is no longer inefficient.....

I endorse this thought process.

I'm happy for all the people that get a first chance at the playoffs. I hope they are having fun.

The Royals went all in after winning 72 games.....that's the biggest delta, imo. They also promoted their RP fast, and didn't make them move up slowly and "prove" they had "nothing left to learn at that level". Oh, they traded a highly ranked prospect or two for proven MLB players. Not some middling prospect, a highly ranked prospect. They did all that before the core proved much of anything in the majors. Most, actually, were struggling. Out of curiosity, why should the fans, who pay lots of money to see "entertainment" be patient? What does that get the fans? Is anyone on these boards arguing its not about building a core from the minors?

I agree with Linus, as with most public figures, no matter what he says, someone will complain.* *was that enough parentheticals?

I think even those of us that think he can be a starter want that.....for Pinto to catch 62 games or so next year.....I don't think anyone is calling for him to start more than Suzuki right now.

No, I haven't. I've typed those words many times.

Uh, where did I or anyone say the Sox were better right now? The place they are better, imo, is that they have been more aggressive in promoting players, and in signing FAs. No place did I say they were better. someone else might have......I did say there was a path for them to get better, that involved both their farm system and signing FAs (just as I'd say for the Twins).

I've never said that. Here is what I've said (like, almost word for word): 1. It is easier to draft at the top of the draft. I acknowledge that. 2. If your strategy is to largely ignore elite FAs, and to not trade for expensive MLB players, you need to be BETTER than other teams at drafting and developing to remain relevant. If you are just as good as everyone else, you probably shouldn't have your 6 figure or 7 job. 3. In the time Beane has been the GM, they've never lost 90 games. They have never had to tank to remain competitive (though it hasn't worked every year). 4. The Cards and other teams have found ways to consistently draft late, and develop players. I have no idea if it is luck or skill. 5. I think that something went wrong in the draft for this team. I don't know that it is JUST drafting late. They missed on a lot of high picks for several years, including years with more than 2 supplemental picks. It appears that their picks after round 1 are better the last few years. A change was made in scouting director, I think, and it appears to be working. I have never once failed to acknowledge that draft order matters.......I have consistently said that if you won't/don't sign many FAs, you need to be better than other teams, not just the same as them. I have also said that four straight years of 90+ losses indicates something is wrong in player development, as does the need for 80% of your SP staff being from outside your org.......

See, now that was funny. I hope everyone else took it that way.

Or, they rapidly promote Rodon, AND sign a FA. It isn't just about FA for the Sox. I think I read recently (KLAW maybe?) that the White Sox have a very good farm system, top to bottom......like in the top 10.

I think we see less 13 man pitching staffs with a new manager...... I don't have a good answer for LF. If they went truly young, I'd probably put Rosario out there. Or Santana. Santana will not be the CF in 2016 and beyond.....either put him in LF or SS, imo. If they don't utterly embrace the youth movement out of camp, I'd prefer an outside FA of some kind, with Hicks in AAA. If Hicks is the starter, I hope they are ready to replace him if he fails again.

So in every post, EVERYONE, has to include all the positives and all the negatives? Every post will be like 15 paragraphs then.

Were they competitive in September 2 years ago? Because I was talking about 2 years ago. And, yes, PR / marketing / advertising lies a lot. Call it stretch the truth, call it what you want, but PR/marketing/advertising out and out lies a lot. All over the nation, in most every industry. Pointing out the truth of that industry is not disrespectful, it is pointing out the truth. The world is largely broken because people are afraid to point out the truth for fear of offending.

This.......make the team better. If you have money, spend it to make the team better. It should not be a requirement that adding a FA makes them a playoff team, imo. Why is that standard applied to FA signings at all?

I have no problem with what he is saying this year......it is the truth.

How can we know? He barely played in the majors last year.

Funny, there was no mention of any of this the last three years, was there? Were they lying 2 years ago when they said they'd be competitive in September, or wrong? Which is worse?

Who ever, even once, has said "spend money to spend money". When can we retire that straw man?

I'd add: come up with a much better marketing campaign, they'll need it. I'd say groupthink and being way too insular is a problem many companies face, and it seems pretty clear the Twins are in that group. They seem quite tone deaf (see comments from St. Peter) about fans and where there team really is.

I'm just glad Rosario and Buxton are healthy and playing. The stats are likely misleading, as the SP is usually below par in the AFL.

I think this is one reason Gardy is gone.....he refused to play the young players TR handed him in September. Look, I have no idea if Pinto can be good or not, but they'll never find out if he doesn't play. I'd be happy with 100 games for Suzuki, and 62 for Pinto at catcher, with Pinto getting some DH time. That's a nice way to ease him into the league, and should have been done this year imo. BTW, Suzuki is one of the worst pitch framers in the game, IIRC.

Do most guys work out like Dozier, or failish? I guess if they are punting on next year, and they want to use the sink or swim technique.....he could start in CF.

Hicks floor is AAA, with occasional MLB time, imo. YMMV, but I'd say its not even a lock he's a 4th OF for the next 7 years.....