35thstreetswarm

"Fortunately, Cole or Strasburg IS going to happen." There -- the baseless speculation ledger is back to even and we can concentrate on waiting to see what actually happens.

Were they? Neither even made it to the Series.

The more I think about it, the more I realize that I'll be disappointed with just about any offseason that doesn't net Cole or Strasburg. The name of the game is to build a World Series contender. World Series contenders need a bona fide ace to anchor to their pitching rotation, period. There are TWO aces on the market this offseason that could anchor us through our contention period, and we have nothing but money to spend. We have a clear and obvious need, available solutions, and the means to make it happen. Why wouldn't we be disappointed if we fail to execute? Yes, I know -- I should get ready for disappointment because we've all decided the Sox won't spend the money on these guys. Maybe that's true, maybe not, none of us knows and it's irrelevant anyway. I'm bored with this meta-analysis that tries to craft an offseason that's acceptable within the imaginary set of plans and preferences we've ascribed to the front office. Ace or bust!

I mean I'd be happy the offense got significantly upgraded. But disappointed and puzzled that they spent a bunch of money without addressing their most glaring need: a frontline starter. I'd take Cole and a bunch of stopgaps over the above.

Sure, but less cool than an infield of Rendon/TA/Madrigal paired with the outfield I described above (since the addition of Rendon would be the condition bringing about that outfield grouping.) Whatever, you can play this game all day plugging in your favored players. My only point is that an "all-prospect" outfield comprised of the centerpieces of the rebuild would have a cool symmetry.

Boy, if it worked out the idea of a Jimenez/Robert/Moncada outfield is pretty damn cool.

I'll be the first to admit Rick Hahn has had his share of misses; last offseason in particular was a shambling beclownment of the franchise. But if you did an assessment like this (heavily weighting recent playoff appearances, wins, etc.) of any GM at the tail end of a multi-year rebuild it would look pretty terrible. We are at the doorstep of the supposed contention period the rebuild was designed to usher in. If the Sox take off on a multi-year tear all will be forgotten. If they fall on their face RH will have no supporters left, and will probably be fired. Doing this exercise right now seems sort of pointless: a bit like criticizing a movie for going over-budget, making controversial casting choices, and hiring a director of with a few flops on his resume as you're sitting in the theater watching the opening credits roll. At this point just sit back and watch the movie.

Good ole low-energy Bruce

I agree. Not signing any stars would also mean going into the year with like a sub 75 million in payroll, which seems unlikely.

That's for sure. We have more payroll room than we know what to do with, and with the emergence of our core have no excuse not to go big with free agents. We deserve nice things. If we let teams like the Padres continue to scoop up elite talent while we cobble together scraps my rage will know no bounds.

Well, if it's *true* that they're actually in the mix for another elite free agent then I agree. But I wouldn't put too much stock in the wild speculation in the sports media at the moment. Another report cited in this thread has the Sox getting Gerritt Cole, but I don't take that as a sign of Jerry's seriousness. Who knows?

How does a speculation offered by a reporter with no connection to the White Sox -- which you think is inaccurate -- make Reinsdorf "look like a joke?"

I’ll add to the “would you be happy with...” posts. Would you be happy with an off-season consisting of: Gerrit Cole ...and that’s it? Assume re-signing Abreu too. Wait for in-house options to arrive to fill RF and DH holes or reassess next offseason? I think I would.

Cole even looks like an LAAngel. Can't you just see that 2010s-era pseudomullet flowing from the back of that red cap?

Least-watched World Series ever, apparently. (My Cub fan friends always tell me it's 2005...) Strange, I find it more compelling than just about any World Series in the past 5-10 years.