Buehrlesque

Didn't Jason Heyward get an opt out after his third year? I don't see why Harper or Machado would settle for anything less. Give either guy $40 mil/year for the first three years with an opt out at that point. The rest is just details, as chances are very high the opt out is exercised. (If it's not exercised, that's a bad sign and you're probably screwed at that point anyway.)

I said this elsewhere but I'll put it here too: Sox get: Nick Senzel Mets get: Yoan Moncada, 2nd prospect from Sox Reds get: Noah Syndergaard

I agree with you here. I personally don't think the Sox will anywhere near the Bryce Harper finish line. But if they were to come close, opt out after the third year is mandatory. Better to have him for three years and then take your chances then not have him at all.

I don't see why not. Dunning supposedly got a clean bill of health today and should be a fast mover through AAA next year. Again, like you said, assuming he's healthy all next year and pitching well.

Or, keeping making the effort to buy out all his arb years and hopefully one year of FA this winter. If he bites, he comes north on Opening Day. I'm sure the Sox have made overtures so far and Eloy has resisted, but it doesn't hurt to keep trying.

Technically, all this really means is that Ricky is guaranteed more money should he be fired at at any point in 2019 or 2020. Which I think is a good thing for him. With the White Sox though, you never know if it's an iron-clad sign of unflinching confidence.

Wacky wildcard three-way trade idea: White Sox get: Nick Senzel Reds get: Noah Syndergaard Mets get: Yoan Moncada Rationale: If the Sox are truly ready to move Moncada off 2B and over to 3B, then the question from their perspective simply becomes who will be the better 3B all things considered for the long term: Moncada or Senzel? Moncada has tons of upside, no one is denying that, but as a 3B, I think Senzel is a better bet and a better fit. The Reds are desperate for SP, and here they get a very good one who is signed for three more years. Senzel is essentially blocked for them anyway. Who knows what to expect out of the Mets with their new out-of-left-field GM. Their whole philosophy/approach is unknown and unpredictable right now. They were known to at least test the waters of a SP trade midseason and could be looking to make a splash. The bloom is slightly off Moncada, but he's still a significant return they can plug in right way (at the position of their choosing). There might be some other minor leaguers changing hands to even things out (maybe an extra prospect to the Mets), but those are the main players. Never going to happen, I know, but what do you guys think? Flame away!

But you could argue it would be better to have Machado for three years/$39 mil per than either a. not at all or b. 10 years with riskier performance and a higher bar to meet for a potential albatross contract.

I'm not necessarily against it. If the Sox somehow sign Machado to a guaranteed 10-year deal that pays him $39 million/year for the first three years before never-ending opt outs happen, it could be a boon. I'm just wary that it will be a bad value overall.

And if by some miracle they did, would it be worth it? The contract he's going to get just via market-rate will be insane. For the Sox to beat that, financially and with who knows whatever other concessions (opt-outs, etc.), it will probably end up being something that isn't smart.

I agree with this. 2018 was not a good year for development or enthusiasm. The FO will have to get aggressive to propel things forward a bit. The shot in the arm to fans is a nice bonus, but the truth is the on-field product has too many holes to just wait and see what the farm produces anyway. That product could be years away and it will be incomplete at best. You have to start adding sensible outside pieces to the puzzle now when they're available.

The Sox got a Manny! Just like they said they would!

Yeah, if the DBacks pay down half the deal, it becomes attractive to teams like the Phillies and the Braves. The Sox' advantage might be they are able to pay something like $20–25 mil/year. But even with a low payroll, that's a LOT of money to spend on a guy in a non competitive season, plus two more.

I don't think Gray would cost that much — he's coming off a bad season, has only one year on his contract and the Yankees are clear on moving him. Any contending team wouldn't really trust him to do much. The Sox are an ideal landing spot. I don't mind the Greinke idea either. He's set to earn more than $30M/year for three more years. The Sox can afford to take on a huge portion of that bonkers contract, but holy crap is that bonkers money.

I still can't believe how obsessed people are with Nick Madrigal's future HR totals. We all decry how the game has devolved into the three true outcomes obsession and then get a gift of a player who hits for average, plays Gold Glove defense, runs well, doesn't strike out and brings positive intangibles as a bonus. Let's enjoy it. It's too simplistic to say "it doesn't matter" if he hits HRs, because obviously if he does it would catapult him into a different stratosphere. But it's not necessary and shouldn't be a focus in any way, shape or form.

It's possible, but he would have to split time at 3B with Vlad Jr., with the rest of his at bats presumably coming from DH or 1B. Maybe that would be a more comfortable situation for him, coming off an injury and all. But if he wants to play 3B everyday, the Jays won't be a great option.

I agree with this: Donaldson is best on a one-year deal, keeping multiple options open for 2020 and beyond. I don't think he'll get a QO — either the Jays will trade him this week or, if they don't, not offer one because they wouldn't want to block Vlad Jr. anyway. Edit: and AJ Pollock is underrated, though injury-prone.

What kids? Yolmer? Jose Rondon? Donaldson doesn't block anyone at 3B and represents serious bounceback upside. If he sucks, you lose nothing but $14 million-ish you otherwise wouldn't have spent anyway. If he's good, you're either in playoff contention or you can trade him for a prospect. I don't see any downside.

Definitely. I'm sure the Sox will throw their hat in the ring, but I don't see any way they actually come away from either of those two though. Donaldson and Pollock aren't superstars, but they'll come at more reasonable prices on much shorter contracts.

Speaking only of Donaldson and Pollock — neither of those two will be blocking anyone at the major league level. The only cost is $$, and the Sox will have a lot to use for 2019, with no real added benefit of just banking it. Donaldson probably (hopefully) won't even cost a draft pick (if he's traded this week or the Jays don't extend a QO). To me, the risk level is low here.

I think Josh Donaldson and AJ Pollock are excellent fits for this team next year and I think/hope the Sox will pursue them. I think a SP like Keuchel/Corbin would be a good fit too, but I don't see the Sox shelling out for that.

Oh definitely. I agree and hope he breaks through.

This is what I see for Basabe as well, and it's not a bad thing. As for Gonzalez, the stats are impressive so far, but as a polished college hitter, Birmingham will really tell the tale. Here's hoping for a big 2019 for him!

Pour one out for the 2025 White Sox 😪😪😫 Seriously though, this was the right move. The Sox have a history of striking pre-arb deals with studs like Sale and Q to buy out year one of FA, and a good will call-up like this will only make the relationship better and that outcome more likely.

In general, I'm not really in favor of a low level prospect for prospect trade. There are too many unknowns that make it unsettling, and that's probably why it pretty much never happens (minus change of scenery types, which I'd be in favor of). To me, the whole point of having prospect depth at a single position is that you don't know which ones will pan out and which ones won't. You undermine that advantage by trading one away. What if the one you trade turns out to be a major leaguer and the ones you kept don't? Sure, there's high reward if the guy you trade busts, but it's super risky and, unless you have a inkling you are selling high on a prospect, I'd rather wait.