So I think i've discovered the reason for the hangs... I was actually using the 32-bit client in Wine. I recall playing around with the download speed setting as I was getting poor download rates and in the process I must have unset the 64-bit option. Unfortunately, the setup screen in the Launcher under Wine does NOT show the current settings for radio buttons or check boxes so you are left to guess what they are currently set at. Of course, you can click the choices you want but you not get any feedback to your selections.
Anyways, since changing it back to 64-bit client, the hangs have gone back to being rare. So false alarm on the plugins being the culprit it seems.