Early But getting close! Spring Training stories/battles

[WhiteSoxNation]

So I've been getting my spreadsheet going...

Here's what I've got so far...

Rotation:
STAPLES: Sale-Quintana-Danks
BATTLES: Paulino, Johnson, Rienzo, Castro, Molina maybe even Beck

Bullpen: 4 spots, need 2 lefties
STAPLES: Jones, Lindstrom, Belisario,
BATTLES: Purcey(L), Petricka, Webb, Veal (L)

Catchers: I think this is the most intriguing battle, Nieto seems to have the lead in the #2 catcher due to the $ spent in the Rule 5 draft, he's a switch hitter and pretty good defensive player. Flowers and Phegley will battle for the #1 with most likely Phegley starting in AAA.

STAPLES: NONE
BATTLES: T. Flowers, A. Nieto(S), J. Phegley

First Base:
STAPLES: Abreu, Konerko, Dunn
BATTLES: Bascially to see if Abreu is big league ready to handle the load for 140+starts, If not PK will be seeing more action than he signed up for

Infield:
Starters: SS A. Ramirez 2B G. Beckham
BATTLES: M. Davidson, C. Gillaspie(1B/3B), J. Keppinger(INF), M. Semien(SS/3B), L. Garcia (INF/OF), J. Elmore(UTIL)

Outfield:
Starters: CF Eaton, RF Garcia
LF BATTLES: L. Garcia, A. DeAza, D. Viciedo

It seems we have a log jam for the bench spots, assuming we have 12 pitchers we have 2 spots locked up for back up C and Konerko.
Leaving 2 spots open.......Hahn has mentioned the possibility for 11 man Staff giving us 3 open bench spots and more options for platoons/matchups.

This will be a lot clearer if/when DeAza, Keppinger, Viceido are moved.





Battles are seemingly for the bench spots,

[SephClone89]

Who do we think will show up in the Best Shape of His Life?

[WhiteSoxNation]

Originally Posted by SephClone89

Who do we think will show up in the Best Shape of His Life?

I think honestly, A. Eaton, he's hard nosed and knows this is a huge shot he has, He is our legit leadoff for till 2019

[WhiteSoxNation]

We Also have 39 on the 40 Man

[DSpivack]

Originally Posted by SephClone89

Who do we think will show up in the Best Shape of His Life?

Usually that seems saved for a veteran who surely will magically improve this coming season. So my bet is on De Aza or Flowers.

That said, the calendar reads December 18. This thread seems rather premature.

[TomBradley72]

Originally Posted by SephClone89

Who do we think will show up in the Best Shape of His Life?

Adam Dunn

[asindc]

Originally Posted by TomBradley72

Adam Dunn

Excellent use of the teal.

[DumpJerry]

Originally Posted by SephClone89

Who do we think will show up in the Best Shape of His Life?

[PaleHoser]

Originally Posted by TomBradley72

Adam Dunn

Why teal? Round is a shape.

[Brian26]

Originally Posted by DSpivack

That said, the calendar reads December 18. This thread seems rather premature.

It's a baseball message board. What do you want us to do, shut things down until February?

I'd rather read stuff like this than the constant pissing matches between Munch and the rest of WSI.

[cards press box]

With regard to pitchers, don't forget Chris Bassitt. He pitched well in the Arizona Fall League (making the Western Division All-Star squad along with Marcus Semien) and while I don't think he breaks camp with the Sox, he will probably get a long look in spring training.

I also think that the Sox might keep Nieto as the backup catcher because of his upside and the Rule 5 requirement of staying on the major league roster. But I am not convinced that Flowers or Phegley will be the starter. Don't be surprised if the Sox make another deal or sign someone like Kurt Suzuki or John Buck.

[DSpivack]

Originally Posted by Brian26

It's a baseball message board. What do you want us to do, shut things down until February?

I'd rather read stuff like this than the constant pissing matches between Munch and the rest of WSI.

Touche.

[cards press box]

Well, Ken Rosenthal thinks that the Twins or Mariners might be good fits for Kurt Suzuki and Susan Slusser reports that the Cubs may have some interest in Suzuki.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/1...-mariners.html

[oldcomiskey]

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/...&vkey=news_mlb


there goes Suzuki

[34rancher]

Originally Posted by oldcomiskey

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/...&vkey=news_mlb


there goes Suzuki

Too bad. I thought he might have been a decent player here. Catcher is a scary place right now. Hope flowers is ready this year.