Ben Zobrist or Adam Lind? Per Phil Rogers 12/27/12

[Tragg]

Originally Posted by Brian26

Zobrist is 31 and a switch hitter. Lind is 29 and a LH hitter.

Zobrist can pretty much play anywhere on the field, but you have to wonder if he could replace Beckham at 2B or Rios in RF.

Lind is primarily 1B/DH and maybe LF (hasn't played out there since 2010 though). Seems a little redundant with Dunn and PK signed, unless Viciedo is shipped out.

Both guys are interesting thoughts.

Zobrist is high end utility talent. Not an impact bat we need.
Reminding me more and more of 2007.

[dickallen15]

Originally Posted by Tragg

Zobrist is high end utility talent. Not an impact bat we need.
Reminding me more and more of 2007.

He put up an .848 OPS last year, .822 the year before that and .927 in 2009. High end utility? He would be the best player on the White Sox.

[TheVulture]

Originally Posted by dickallen15

He put up an .848 OPS last year, .822 the year before that and .927 in 2009. High end utility? He would be the best player on the White Sox.

In the sense he can cover a multitude of positions, Zobrist is a utility player. A very good utility player who should be playing 150 games a season.

I'd love to see him in a Sox uniform. Could use him as the fourth OFer, DH him against lefties and plug him for the various infielders. He could get 40 starts at DH, 40-50 in the OF, and plenty of starts in the infield to get him to 150, especially with Konerko presumably needing more time off over the next couple years. He'd move Wise into a more appropriate position of a late game sub and still allow the Sox to carry him as a 5th OFer where I think he would add a lot of value in that role. If guys like Beckham and Viciedo hit at a level where they should be starting 150+ games, you could just plug him in at third full time and move Keppinger into the utility role. This guy would be perfect fit, you could move him all around the lineup as needed as well.

[TheVulture]

Originally Posted by moochpuppy

. They Rays don't need pitching or OFers.

You can never have too much pitching. I would imagine someone like Carlos Sanchez would have trade value, not that I'm advocating trading him, but to suggest the Sox don't have the pieces doesn't seem accurate to me.

A package of Floyd/Sanchez/Hawkins and say a young reliever such as Nate Jones couldn't garner a quality player? Not saying it would be worth it, but it's conceivable.

[Tragg]

Originally Posted by dickallen15

He put up an .848 OPS last year, .822 the year before that and .927 in 2009. High end utility? He would be the best player on the White Sox.

He's a good player. Gets on base and fair power. Kind of like Swisher (whom we had to pay out the wazzu for in terms of talent). At a fair price, sure.

[PalehosePlanet]

As I said earlier, I don't believe this happens because Tampa just seems way too difficult to make deals with; they always want the other team to overpay in trades.

As far as Tampa not needing pitching: nonsense. According to sources they are looking for two relief pitchers. Something like Santiago and Jones might be able to get it done. But again, I don't see us approaching them for Zobrist.

[asindc]

Originally Posted by dickallen15

He put up an .848 OPS last year, .822 the year before that and .927 in 2009. High end utility? He would be the best player on the White Sox.

Sale and Rios are better.

[dickallen15]

Originally Posted by asindc

Sale and Rios are better.

There is no GM in baseball that would take Rios over Zobrist.

[asindc]

Originally Posted by dickallen15

There is no GM in baseball that would take Rios over Zobrist.

I disagree.

[Tragg]

Originally Posted by PalehosePlanet

As I said earlier, I don't believe this happens because Tampa just seems way too difficult to make deals with; they always want the other team to overpay in trades.

As far as Tampa not needing pitching: nonsense. According to sources they are looking for two relief pitchers. Something like Santiago and Jones might be able to get it done. But again, I don't see us approaching them for Zobrist.

The trouble is, we need our young pitchers too. Don't need a bunch of Bruneys in our pen.

[MISoxfan]

Originally Posted by asindc

I disagree.

Zobrist doesn't fall off the face of the planet every other year. His 2010 was down, but not as down as Rios gets.

[dickallen15]

Originally Posted by MISoxfan

Zobrist doesn't fall off the face of the planet every other year. His 2010 was down, but not as down as Rios gets.

Not only is he a better player than Rios and more reliable, he makes less money, and he can play every position.

[Bob Roarman]

Originally Posted by asindc

I disagree.

Me too. There are still dumb GMs out there that would take Rios over Zobrist.

[Foulke You]

Originally Posted by dickallen15

Not only is he a better player than Rios and more reliable, he makes less money, and he can play every position.

Just curious, would you say this statement with the same confidence if you could 100% know for sure that Rios would replicate his 2012 season every year? I realize you are using Alex's up and down career to argue on behalf of Zobrist and it is indeed a legit point. I'd give the edge to Rios as the better player if we are talking about the 2012 version. Rios is a legit 5 tool guy when he is "right". However, Zobrist probably does provide more value to a team considering the amount of positions he plays and his lower salary. Assuming 2012 was the real Alex Rios, I still think he would probably the best position player on the White Sox even if Zobrist were here.

[mahagga73]

Originally Posted by LITTLE NELL

If we get Zobrist I doubt that it would be in a utility role. He has averaged 19 HRs and 83 RBIs the last 4 years while hitting .268.
I watch most of the Rays games and always liked him and always hoped he would wind up on the Southside. He was also born and raised in Eureka Illinois.

yep, right outside Peoria about 15 miiles from me. He's a starter .