I was able to attend another conference call on Cheryl’s behalf again today, and this time we were able to speak with Dan Fabian, the director of baseball operations, and Brooks Boyer, senior vice president of marketing and sales.

The call started off with Fabian, and he was first asked what his typical day looks like as the director of baseball operations. During the season, he has a daily chart of things he has to do, and he reads it much like a box score. He also spends a lot of his day working with the pro scouts. The Sox have eight of them, and Fabian will organize their reports with them and schedule where to send them next. Those are the two biggest things that take up his time, but various projects come up that he will have to attend to as well.

Fabian was asked what kind of prep work was done during the offseason with the new staff. He said that he is there to provide the staff with what they need. He will tell them what has been done in the past, the coaches will ask for things that they may have gotten in the past, and they work from there. Fabian said it’s still an evolving process, and once the season gets started, things will fall into place better.

Several questions were asked about the trade deadline. Fabian’s job around the deadline is very busy. Before the buying deadline and selling deadlines come around, he has already run material and has player info at hand. He will usually compile the top ten players from a team so Kenny Williams and Rick Hahn have that information to facilitate conversation. » Continue reading “Conference Call Time Again! Featuring Dan Fabian and Brooks Boyer”

Now that SoxFest is over, I feel like I can finally start to decide what I think of this team as it stands now. There seemed to be an overall feeling of trying to make fans feel good about what could potentially be a not great season. This hit me immediately in seeing some of the molds of Joe Crede and Juan Uribe that are in the monument plaza. I was also vividly reminded of the 1985 Bears team. Mainly because the way the 2005 was being celebrated.

Don’t get me wrong, they should be celebrated. When they won game four in Houston, I was beyond ecstatic and love that they did it. But now I am worried that 20, 30 years down the road at SoxFest, guys from that team will continue to be trotted out in a feel-good moment. » Continue reading “Final Thoughts On SoxFest 2012″

(l-r) Pablo Ozuna, Cliff Politte, Darrin Jackson, Chris Widger, Neal Cotts, Joe Crede

SoxFest concluded yesterday. It turned out to be a pretty full day. Lots more questions that were similar to what was asked previously. There was also some possible annoyance from some of the panelists about some questions that were constantly getting asked in the same session. Oh, and of course, more digs at a couple of players who are deemed as the ultimate bums.

Like Saturday, I did end up in twitter jail for a time. Fortunately, they let me out after an hour. Just like before, if you have any questions, please ask in the comments. I know the typing may have gotten screwy, especially with auto-correct. Also, be sure you checked out some of the various other publications out there. There were some really good news nuggets and stories people got. Definitely worth your time. Later, I will try to get you links to some of those great stories.

Happy Monday and here are the tweets from the last day of SoxFest 2012:  » Continue reading “Final Day At SoxFest 2012. Now What?”

The weekend! Finally it is here. I don’t know about you, but I am so glad it is the weekend. The work week for the most part was just not fun this time. Though, Thursday’s forum about Minnie Minoso was definitely a week highlight. In any event, the weekend will be a chance to recharge and of course, watch some other sports and root for some other teams. Sorry to all you NBA fans. The stuff going on with the lockout truly sucks and I feel for you.

As for White Sox news, well it’s the usual. Lots of rumors floating around and as usual, until something solid happens, it’s just that: a rumor. To get your Saturday started off right, here are some stories you might have missed.

 It’s GRAND OPENING DAY! The Chicago Sports Depot is now open. This morning between 10 am and 1 pm you can get 25% off your purchase. Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks and of course White Sox gear is available. If you need to get someone attire from that other team in town, you can get it here as well.

 The White Sox are honored for their philanthropic work.

 Another person has plead guilty and will be sentenced for his role in the Latin American kickback scandal that helped to devastate the White Sox farm system.  » Continue reading “South Side Hits: November 19, 2011 White Sox Links”

I don’t like the St. Louis Cardinals. Not through fault of the players, but because I dislike Tony LaRussa. If they happen to lose the World Series to the Texas Rangers, that would be nice. Apologies to my friends who are Cardinals fans. I’m pretty sure some of you don’t like my White Sox.

In any event, the World Series begins tomorrow night in St. Louis. Go Rangers! Now, on to White Sox news.

 Paul Konerko has been inducted into the Arizona Fall League HOF.

 New manager Robin Ventura is already big into charity.

 Mark Gonzales says the drafts of the White Sox haven’t been as bad as we generally perceive them.

 Potential catcher “drama” on the south side next season?  » Continue reading “South Side Hits: October 18, 2011″

Today, Doug Laumann, the Director of Amateur Scouting for the White Sox was kind enough to give some of his time to talk to me and a few other writers in the monthly conference call. Unfortunately, I was having some phone issues (go figure?) so I will do my best to paraphrase what was discussed. Lots of interesting topics and it just made me really want to learn more about the minor leagues.

On evaluating players with high upside and “fixing” holes in their game: Laumann said there is a trade-off. They try to make an evaluation of the athleticism and the chances of the player to be able to catch-up. If the tools are there for a player, you hope they can bring it all together. Laumann was asked about  Walker, Trayce Thompson and Jared Mitchell.

Whether there was a focus on drafting from California: There wasn’t and it just happened to be coincidence.

Signability of guys: Overall, the philosophy is to draft the best player, however, they do try to make sure the value a guy has and his draft position match. If a player thinks his value is greater than what he is being or should be offered, then the Sox will most likely pass on drafting that guy. However, if what the player is looking to get paid and the organization are not too far apart, there may be room to pay the player above slot. » Continue reading “Draft Philosophy And International Scouting”

With the White Sox visiting Toronto, I chatted with Amy at The Way of the Jay to exchange scouting reports on our teams to help you out in knowing what to expect in this four game series.

Below are six burning questions about the teams with our responses. » Continue reading “Burning Questions: White Sox at Blue Jays”