Any thoughts on exploring the idea of having theme-based chats?
– Salaries / FA / extensions / CBA chat
– Divisions based chats (AL Central, NL East, etc.)
– Small markets chats / Relocations
– Rookies / Prospects
– Trade talks
– Roster moves
Depending of course on the writer’s ability to cover them but I think once a week, it would bring a significant new outlook, showcase the writer’s best knowledge of a specific topic and bring a structure to the chat questions.
I couldn’t disagree more on Steve’s Tim Anderson take, at least as an offensive force. Certainly his BABIP is unsustainable and his BB rate is still low but he is seeing more pitches per PA as he develops at the MLB level. He chases less and hits the ball hard when making contact. He has been hitting more balls on the ground compared to in the air but that is not a bad thing consider his elite speed.
Few MLB players have the power/speed combo that Anderson exhibits. He will be a perennial 20/20 player and probably a 30/30 guy as well in addition to flirting with a .300 BA. I’m OK with Anderson having an OBP mostly generated from his BA considering his other offensive skills and the fact that the team will have a trio of elite speed/OBP hitters with Luis Robert, Nick Madrigal and Yoan Moncada atop their batting order as soon as next season.
Anderson has also become one of the White Sox team leaders, certainly their most vocal and demonstrative on the field. In my humble opinion, Anderson will be among among the many future star players on a loaded White Sox team in the coming decade. The White Sox front office is looking incredibly smart with the controversial contract extension they awarded Anderson soon after his MLB debut. His deal will rank as yet another “team-friendly” one that the organization has become famous for with their best young players.
It’s best to remember that Anderson was relatively late in his baseball development as a high school basketball star. His quick ascension as a professional baseball player is a tribute to his great athleticism and work ethic. Despite his improvement defensively, the jury is still out as to whether he can become a consistent enough player at the position. Then again, look at how long Derek Jeter remained at SS with the Yankees despite his high error totals. lol
There is little question that Anderson has the range and arm to play SS but his error total remains a bit high. The White Sox will continue to stick with Anderson at SS for the near term and perhaps the promotion of potential Gold Glove 2B prospect Madrigal by next season will have a steadying effect on Anderson’s defense at the position. The White Sox have been back and forth with Anderson’s double play partners since his MLB debut with Yolmer Sanchez and Moncada occupying 2B. Once Madrigal debuts the organization figures to give the pair an extended look together before ultimately deciding Anderson’s fate as their core SS.
I am a die-hard White Sox and Cubs fan since the early 1960’s. The two most exciting players on each club currently are the teams shortstops, Javier Baez and Tim Anderson. Each have similar offensive profiles with Baez possessing the better glove that will hopefully remain at SS once Addison Russell returns from his suspension in the coming weeks.
I’m also old enough to remember Ernie Banks who began his career as a Cub SS. I’m here to tell you that Anderson is a better defensive player than Mr. Cub ever was as the position. Banks eventually shifted over to 1B on his way to the Hall of Fame. I’m not saying that Anderson is HOF material yet or that he may not also switch positions, perhaps to the OF. What I can offer is that Anderson has as quick a bat as I’ve seen from any great past hitter on either side of town. The ball just jumps off of his bat when he makes contact which he is prone to do more often than not. Anderson might lack the necessary plate discipline to become a true offensive force but that element didn’t keep Baez from becoming a serious MVP candidate last season on the North Side of town.
Let me guess White Sox fan. The guy has a ridiculous .435 babip which screams lucky. Look deeper at his soft/medium/ and hard hit percentage are not much different then last year. He is also hitting a ridiculous 25% of all fly balls going out. I’m playing the fade on Tim Anderson from here on out.
Astros 2020 rotation – Verlander, Whitley, McCullers, Peacock and Martin/Armentaroes/James. They probably go out and grab a guy on the cheap as well. Similar to the Morton or Miley acquisitions. Astros have plenty of options in the rotation including a solid top 4 for October next year.
Any thoughts on exploring the idea of having theme-based chats?
– Salaries / FA / extensions / CBA chat
– Divisions based chats (AL Central, NL East, etc.)
– Small markets chats / Relocations
– Rookies / Prospects
– Trade talks
– Roster moves
Depending of course on the writer’s ability to cover them but I think once a week, it would bring a significant new outlook, showcase the writer’s best knowledge of a specific topic and bring a structure to the chat questions.
I second the motion!
Agreed
I would like that
I couldn’t disagree more on Steve’s Tim Anderson take, at least as an offensive force. Certainly his BABIP is unsustainable and his BB rate is still low but he is seeing more pitches per PA as he develops at the MLB level. He chases less and hits the ball hard when making contact. He has been hitting more balls on the ground compared to in the air but that is not a bad thing consider his elite speed.
Few MLB players have the power/speed combo that Anderson exhibits. He will be a perennial 20/20 player and probably a 30/30 guy as well in addition to flirting with a .300 BA. I’m OK with Anderson having an OBP mostly generated from his BA considering his other offensive skills and the fact that the team will have a trio of elite speed/OBP hitters with Luis Robert, Nick Madrigal and Yoan Moncada atop their batting order as soon as next season.
Anderson has also become one of the White Sox team leaders, certainly their most vocal and demonstrative on the field. In my humble opinion, Anderson will be among among the many future star players on a loaded White Sox team in the coming decade. The White Sox front office is looking incredibly smart with the controversial contract extension they awarded Anderson soon after his MLB debut. His deal will rank as yet another “team-friendly” one that the organization has become famous for with their best young players.
It’s best to remember that Anderson was relatively late in his baseball development as a high school basketball star. His quick ascension as a professional baseball player is a tribute to his great athleticism and work ethic. Despite his improvement defensively, the jury is still out as to whether he can become a consistent enough player at the position. Then again, look at how long Derek Jeter remained at SS with the Yankees despite his high error totals. lol
There is little question that Anderson has the range and arm to play SS but his error total remains a bit high. The White Sox will continue to stick with Anderson at SS for the near term and perhaps the promotion of potential Gold Glove 2B prospect Madrigal by next season will have a steadying effect on Anderson’s defense at the position. The White Sox have been back and forth with Anderson’s double play partners since his MLB debut with Yolmer Sanchez and Moncada occupying 2B. Once Madrigal debuts the organization figures to give the pair an extended look together before ultimately deciding Anderson’s fate as their core SS.
Thank you, Tim Anderson’s agent.
I am a die-hard White Sox and Cubs fan since the early 1960’s. The two most exciting players on each club currently are the teams shortstops, Javier Baez and Tim Anderson. Each have similar offensive profiles with Baez possessing the better glove that will hopefully remain at SS once Addison Russell returns from his suspension in the coming weeks.
I’m also old enough to remember Ernie Banks who began his career as a Cub SS. I’m here to tell you that Anderson is a better defensive player than Mr. Cub ever was as the position. Banks eventually shifted over to 1B on his way to the Hall of Fame. I’m not saying that Anderson is HOF material yet or that he may not also switch positions, perhaps to the OF. What I can offer is that Anderson has as quick a bat as I’ve seen from any great past hitter on either side of town. The ball just jumps off of his bat when he makes contact which he is prone to do more often than not. Anderson might lack the necessary plate discipline to become a true offensive force but that element didn’t keep Baez from becoming a serious MVP candidate last season on the North Side of town.
Let me guess White Sox fan. The guy has a ridiculous .435 babip which screams lucky. Look deeper at his soft/medium/ and hard hit percentage are not much different then last year. He is also hitting a ridiculous 25% of all fly balls going out. I’m playing the fade on Tim Anderson from here on out.
Astros 2020 rotation – Verlander, Whitley, McCullers, Peacock and Martin/Armentaroes/James. They probably go out and grab a guy on the cheap as well. Similar to the Morton or Miley acquisitions. Astros have plenty of options in the rotation including a solid top 4 for October next year.