South Side Sox: FanShots

White Sox close on Vizquel. One year deal to be backup.

2009-11-20T16:59:02Z

White Sox close on Vizquel. One year deal to be backup.

Per Rosenthal.

Tim Lincecum Hearts WHIP, Tells Greinke To Pound FIP

2009-11-20T16:07:36Z

Tim Lincecum Hearts WHIP, Tells Greinke To Pound FIP

The 2009 honors for Lincecum and Kansas City Royals ace Zack Greinke reflect a recent shift in how pitchers are evaluated. The focus has changed to more developed statistics, including some that even take into account team defense.
Greinke equaled the previous low of 16 wins for a non-shortened season when he won the AL award on Tuesday. Afterward, he talked all about FIP, a mathematician's dream that stands for Fielding Independent Pitching.
Lincecum has his own favorite indicator.
"To say which one I look to the most, I would just say WHIP," he said, referring to walks plus hits allowed per inning, "just because you just limit the amount of baserunners that can hurt you."

I especially like the tone of the column - he/she's very disappointed in these kids and their newfangled stats.

Don Cooper is ready for spring training: "Lack of conditioning, lack of preparation makes cowards...

2009-11-20T05:26:00Z

Don Cooper is ready for spring training: "Lack of conditioning, lack of preparation makes cowards of us all. We're going to make sure that conditioning and preparation is getting done.''

Coop tells pitchers it's time to raise the bar

"We signed our free agent already," Reinsdorf says. "His name is Jake Peavy."

2009-11-19T05:29:56Z

"We signed our free agent already," Reinsdorf says. "His name is Jake Peavy."

Free agency likely to be prudent for most major league clubs

ESPN - OTL: Field of Schemes?

2009-11-19T03:31:09Z

ESPN - OTL: Field of Schemes?

This gets the seal of approval from BBTF. I haven't yet read the piece -- it's a whopping 12,000 words -- but I love long-form journalism. I'll check it out this weekend, and drop another baseball-related long-form link in the comments

Top Ten BR sponsorships

2009-11-19T01:55:35Z

Top Ten BR sponsorships

Top Ten list of b-ref sponsorships. Funny AND obscure. There may be a full house reference, no guarantees though.

Zack Greinke hearts FIP

2009-11-18T03:22:09Z

Zack Greinke hearts FIP

First time I've heard of a pitcher using advanced statistics to influencing pitching strategy.

Beginning Wednesday, street light banners commemorating a series of special events in Chicago are...

2009-11-18T00:17:39Z

Beginning Wednesday, street light banners commemorating a series of special events in Chicago are going on the auction block for charity.

Some of the banners were shown off Tuesday, including those featuring Pres. Barack Obama both before and after his election.

A White Sox World Series Championship banner, signed by pitcher Mark Buehrle, is also being sold, as is a Blackhawks playoff banner signed by Denis Savard and Stan Mikita.

The bidding starts at 12 p.m. Wednesday at Daley Center. Money raised goes to help the Chicago Anti-hunger Federation and the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

BP's Top 15 White Sox Prospects

2009-11-17T17:12:41Z

BP's Top 15 White Sox Prospects

Four-Star Prospects
1. Daniel Hudson, RHP
2. Jared Mitchell, OF
3. Tyler Flowers, C
Three-Star Prospects
4. Jordan Danks, CF
5. Dayan Viciedo, 3B
6. Brent Morel, 3B
7. Clevelan Santeliz, RHP
8. Trayce Thompson, OF
Two-Star Prospects
9. Santos Rodriguez, LHP
10. David Holmberg, LHP
11. C.J. Retherford, 2B

Four More:

12. Jhonny Nunez, RHP: Nunez has a 93-95 mph fastball and a very good slider, both of which should fit in a big-league bullpen, though he falls short of being the late-inning type.
13. Josh Phegley, C: The 2009 draftee is the rare college catcher with power and patience, but there are way too many questions about his defensive prowess.
14. John Ely, RHP: Ely has consistently gotten minor league hitters out, but on a pure scouting level, he has merely average stuff and command.
15. Nathan Jones, RHP: Standing 6-foot-5, he's projectable as all get out and dialed up heat clocked up to 97 mph this year; he'll also be 24 in January while having yet to get out of A-ball.
...
The Sleeper: While the White Sox are rarely big players on the international scene, they might have found something in 18-year-old Venezuelan catcher Miguel Gonzalez, who combines a good bat with power potential and impressive catch-and-throw skills.

John Danks is a MLB scout

2009-11-17T02:25:30Z

John Danks is a MLB scout

"He's a strong kid with leverage," said John Danks of his brother. "He gets on base and is quick and can drive the ball. I'm not really comparing him to anyone, but he's like an Alex Rios -- same build, lots of power and lots of speed."

More Magic from Dave Cameron

2009-11-17T00:21:03Z

More Magic from Dave Cameron

Owens has been the focus of scorn and derision from White Sox fans who had to endure Ozzie Guillen’s attempts to make him an everyday player, which he simply isn’t cut out for. However, as a fourth outfielder, Owens is actually a useful player. His defense is a real positive at all three spots and he’s a very good base stealer. He doesn’t have any power, but he’s an excellent contact hitter who is willing to draw a walk from time to time, so he won’t kill you at the plate.

For a team with a lumbering corner outfielder who could use a pinch runner/defensive caddy, Owens is a good use of a roster spot.

Yankees' key to financial success

2009-11-14T02:52:21Z

Yankees' key to financial success

Hilarity from the Onion. I'm mobile posting. So I hope this shizz works...

Jim Thome still open to returning to Chicago White Sox -- chicagotribune.com

2009-11-13T19:32:20Z

Jim Thome still open to returning to Chicago White Sox -- chicagotribune.com

Because we desperately need a new thread

Mark Buehrle Wins Gold Glove

2009-11-10T20:29:54Z

Mark Buehrle Wins Gold Glove

But on Tuesday, Buehrle officially captured an award he had coveted since becoming a member of the South Siders' rotation in 2001. Buehrle took home an American League Rawlings Gold Glove, joining Jim Kaat as the only pitcher in team history to earn the honor recognizing exceptional defense.

Buehrle's Gold Glove is the first won by a White Sox player since third baseman Robin Ventura in 1998. Always considered one of the best fielding pitchers in the AL, Buehrle was blocked by previous winners Kenny Rogers (five times), Mike Mussina (three times) and Johan Santana during his past nine years.

Buehrle wins Gold Glove

2009-11-10T20:28:11Z

Buehrle wins Gold Glove

Dotel & Dye are Type A Free Agents

2009-11-10T04:18:16Z

Dotel & Dye are Type A Free Agents

Do we take the chance and offer them arbitration? I thought that deadline passed....

Now Official: Teahen and $1 Million to White Sox for Getz and Fields

2009-11-06T17:29:25Z

Now Official: Teahen and $1 Million to White Sox for Getz and Fields

KW explained to Getz that they needed to "shuffle things up.''

KW says Teahen is now the starting 3B and Beckham is starting second baseman.

Post your complaints here.

Also: KW says talks with Pods have broken down and now it's not likely they sign him.

And: KW on his payroll: "We’ll spend whatever we have available, but there’s not much.’’

Here's Your Chance to Resolve Getz vs. Nix Once and For All

2009-11-05T20:42:43Z

Here's Your Chance to Resolve Getz vs. Nix Once and For All

The 2009 Fans Scouting Report - last chance, ballots close on Monday.

Jim's Off-Season Sox Schedule...

2009-11-05T15:27:17Z

Jim's Off-Season Sox Schedule...

Nov. 9 – General managers meetings, Chicago.

Nov. 1o-11 – General managers meetings are moved to Rio de Janeiro.

Nov. 15 – Joe Cowley reports that the White Sox have interest in trading for Chone Figgins.

Nov. 29 – The White Sox front office ponders whether or not to offer arbitration to Octavio Dotel.

Nov. 30 – Scott Linebrink wakes up from yet another undeservedly good night of sleep.

December – Questionable Latin American alleged crime period.

(More at the link)

Sox acquire Mark Teahen?

2009-11-05T15:10:57Z

Sox acquire Mark Teahen?

The Daily News learned the White Sox have agreed to send second baseman Chris Getz and third baseman Josh Fields to the Royals for Mark Teahen, who is expected to replace Jermaine Dye as Chicago's right fielder.

U-God edit: Sox officially re-signed Mark Kotsay. One year, 1.5 mil.