At least back in the day Dave Van Dyke, Joe Goddard, Joel Bierig, et al would make shit up to make an interesting story. What the hell is Mark Gonzales actually doing in Nashville? Maybe he's following Lovie Smith's advice to report on things the "right way."

BORING!!

_________________
Reality is your friend, not your enemy. -- Seacrest

I remember Joel Bierig when he was interviewed on the early days of the Score or the Coppock shows. He was the most boring listen, just the way he talked put you to sleep.

I've been reading that the Reds are desperate to trade for a LF who can hit leadoff. They've been connected to Dexter Fowler and Coco Crisp. I hope Hahn is finding out just how desparate they are. If they are willing to trade something good for De Aza I would make that deal in a minute.

_________________

No. Its a Dusty team. Is Corey Patterson still around?

_________________

A man can dream. Don't ruin this for me.

_________________

Gonzales has turned into a Sox ass kisser....and this from my Sox guy!!!!!!!

_________________
"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

Bring back Joe Cowley to the Sox beat!

_________________
Reality is your friend, not your enemy. -- Seacrest

WSox sign Jeff Keppinger

3 yr/ $13m

Good move. Surprised the Yankees didn't outbid them given their need.

It likely means the end of Kevin Youkilis in a White Sox uniform. However, I'm not so sure Jeff Keppinger is long for third base. If he gets off to another slow start, I wouldn't be shocked if Keppinger replaces Gordon Beckham at second base. I also wouldn't rule out Brent Morel if his back can hold up at third base, too. Morel's back is said to be fully healthy, and appears ready to challenge for his old job in Spring Training.

A moment of silence for Gordon Beckham's career......Thank you.

_________________

Do you think they're planning on him to be a regular at third? I'd guess it may more likely be a percursor to moving Beckham. And I don't mean to third base, but rather off the team.

_________________
Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up to The Hill
With Elon, Tulsi, and Don

Good signing. Keppinger can play 3B or if they trade Floyd for a young third baseman he can be a super utility man. He adds some much needed flexibility to the roster.

That's the perception I have. Keppinger played second base with in Houston & San Francisco, as well as a little second & third in Tampa Bay. He'll likely be the opening day third baseman, but second base might be where Keppinger ends up if Beckham struggles one more time right out of the chute.

I think they'll give Beckham another year. He does offer Gold Glove caliber defense and finding a decent 3B is nearly impossible.

I wonder whose hat he will wear when entering the HOF now?

_________________

They still have a huge hole in the order though. There just isn't enough power in that infield. I wouldn't have a problem with Keppinger leading off. Beckham is the one who looks more like a utility man. They just haven't admitted it yet.

_________________
Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up to The Hill
With Elon, Tulsi, and Don

Actually, there's a guy named Carlos Sanchez who might become the White Sox equivalent of Eduardo Escobar & Orlando Hudson next year on this roster. The Sox are really high on Sanchez, who I believe is a switch-hitter, just like Escobar, now in Minnesota, and Hudson, also a free agent.

If find it hard to believe that the Sox have the same level of talent as the great Eduardo Escobar & Orlando Hudson just waiting in the wings.

I got really high on Sanchez once but I just ended up ordering a Moons Over My Hammy from Dennys

_________________

I doubt they ever admit it. He will have to find this role on another team.

Look on bright side though, he has worked out a little better than Doc's Kevin Orie predicition. So he has that going for him.

_________________
"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

That infield is short on power but the reality is there are just very few quality 3B anywhere in baseball right now and the Sox budget is such that they could not afford Youkelis who is the closest guy out there with any power who is readily available.

This guy can at least hit. Good move for sure.

...And they got Jeff Keppinger for less money than they likely would've had to pay Kevin Youkilis.

Jayson Stark@jaysonst

Useless Jeff Keppinger info: 3 players have more xbh & BBs than strikeouts since '07: Pujols, Pedroia & Jeff Keppinger.

I don't think anyone knows what the Sox budget is other than Jerry. But I wouldn't be overly thrilled with spending a bunch on Youkilis who appears to have gotten old in a hurry.

_________________
Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up to The Hill
With Elon, Tulsi, and Don

He got off to a fast start with the White Sox, but guys, you're right about Kevin Youkilis scuffling down the stretch.

Here's the next question. Will Anthony John Pierzynski somehow find his way back to the White Sox or does the Tyler Flowers era officially start in earnest? The catcher position isn't all that great in free agency either.

Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports that the White Sox are listening to offers for Dayan Viciedo and Alejando De Aza.

Gonzales says they're looking for either a big left-handed bat or prospects in return. Not surprisingly, the Mariners -- who have been connected to pretty much every hitter on the market -- have expressed interest in Viciedo, while the Reds are considering De Aza.

What a terrible idea.

_________________

The Sun-Times' Daryl Van Schouwen wrote today that new GM Rick Hahn wants to sign Indians' 3B Jack Hannahan (?) as a possible left-handed bat, in large part because with 3B/2B Jeff Keppinger signing, the White Sox are too right-handed at the plate. Thoughts?