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QUOTE (kitekrazy @ Oct 8, 2016 -> 10:45 PM) I never understood why anyone thought he was somewhere close to being an ace. It's frightening to think he was close to having a longer contract with the Sox. I doubt anyone will ever offer a trade like that again. That would be something that I could see KW would do. He legitimately had one good half with the Cubs in 2014 and everyone thought he was a true #1 or at least the A's did.

QUOTE (SpankyEaton @ Oct 8, 2016 -> 10:35 PM) Did you all see the new Rizzo meme that said, "Hey Sox fans! It's ok to root for us. We need all of Chicago behind us. Let's make history together!" Are they making fun of us or is this real? I'm guessing most players unless they're long term guys really know about or care about the Sox-Cubs rivalry. They play hard when the teams play against each other but can probably give a rat's ass aside from that.

Samardzija SUCKS!!!! $90 million for THAT!!! How in the hell did that guy land Addison Russell for the Cubs? Unbelieveable.

I agree, I think a rebuild is coming.

Pros of this. 1. Knows the organization and the team (at least the ones who will be staying). 2. Very well respected in MLB, never have heard a bad thing said about him. 3. Actually did a nice job with the Cubs in 2014 and would probably still be there if Joe Maddon doesn't opt out of his Tampa deal. 4. Seems to hint towards a rebuild IMO (also if you are for the rebuild which I am) 5. Works well with young players. Cons of this. 1. Don't like that they didn't attempt an actual interview search. 2. Seems like a "convenient hire". 3. If you ask some Cubs fans, he wasn't the greatest in game manager. Also wasn't Cubs #1 choice in 2014, Girardi was but he turned them down. He was more of a Plan B or C option. 4. Seems to hint towards a rebuild (if you are not for it). Overall I'm ok with this hire but would've liked them to actually interview quite a few candidates and if he was best choice in their opinion then I'd have been cool with that. IMO I think a rebuild is happening especially with the KW rumors and if that's the case then it's something Renteria is familiar with when he managed the Cubs so he at least knows what he's getting himself into. At the same time if the Sox decide to actually try and compete again (doing what they've been doing) then I don't think Renteria has the same leash as Ozzie or Robin has. He'll have to win and win quickly to get a long term stay here.

It's definitely best for both sides (KW and the Sox) to part ways now, probably should've happened a few years ago.

I think this news means one of two things 1. The whole "soft landing" for Robin that's been discussed by many and probably the odds on favorite to happen. Sox say they want him back, he says he wants to do something else and leaves on his own accord. Will probably remain with the club in some type of role. However I don't understand the need to do this, it's not like the Sox would be not retaining a great manager and Robin is a big boy so I don't understand why they'd try not to hurt his feelings. Probably the most likely outcome but completely unnecessary. 2. The Sox have decided to go in to total rebuild mode and want one of their own to manage the rebuild, few reasons for this. First off the Sox job with a total rebuild isn't really an ideal job, many candidates don't want to take over a team that is going to struggle for a few years with no promise of when this team will be good again and IF that person will still be here. Also for as great as the Cubs rebuild went, they struck out with Dale Sveum who apparently didn't mesh with the Cubs young kids. The Sox FO knows Robin and know he'll do what they say without a fight and run the rebuild how they want it.

I'd put in a lineup if I didn't think they would blow it up but I still think that's the game plan. I also don't think it will be a half ass rebuild either, I expect the Sox big pieces to get dealt and for them to try and build a winning team that can sustain success. The current plan of continually throwing big money at UFA's isn't working and hasn't worked for some time. Time to try something new.

talk about trading a d-bag for a d-bag. I agree that Braun can still rake though.

If you want to look at the glass half full if the Sox do a rebuild then consider this. When Epstein took over the Cubs before the 2012 season the only real prospect the Cubs had was Baez and only he and Contreras are the only Cubs on the current roster that were with the Cubs organization pre-Epstein. It took them 3 years to rebuild that club into a playoff team. If you compare that to the Sox now, the Sox have better prospects then the Cubs did in 2011-2012 and MUCH more valuable assets to trade now then the 2012 Cubs did. If the Sox do this right they could very well be competitive by the 2019 season.

QUOTE (ChiliIrishHammock24 @ Sep 1, 2016 -> 11:39 PM) Yet their reputation has always been the exact opposite...so... The Cubs are always going to get the frat bros and the trixies crowd plus the tourists but they also have fans that live and die with the team. I think the Cell and Sox fans kind of get a bad rap, most of the games I've been too Sox fans are always paying attention and are as die hard as any fans in MLB. There's always going to be some people there who are just there for the party/booze and can give a rats ass about the game but that's everywhere. Problem has been there hasn't really been much to cheer or get excited about since the 2005 season. 2006 and 2008 were fun seasons but since then they've been a constant disappointment which has resulted in a more lethargic crowd.

Personally I think Heyman's article is a bit misleading and I'm not buying it. Does JR want to trade those guys? Absolutely not. However if he, KW and RH are truly in lock step then they know that they are going to have to make some difficult decisions going forward that will involve trading these guys to hopefully build this team up for future success. Hell nobody wants to trade Sale or Q but when you take a look at the bigger picture, something has to change. Throwing money at big time UFA's when you're not a contender gets you in more trouble and only delays the rebuild. I also think that this may have been Sox PR using Heyman to put out the message that just because we're likely to trade Q/Sale, it won't come cheap and we're not going to just give them away. I'll be shocked and disappointed if the Sox decide to stay the course and Hahn will have egg all over his face after his "mired in mediocrity" comments. I'm hoping for a total rebuild with a young talent infusion that is ready to compete for the playoffs by 2019/2020. Especially with the 2018 UFA class looking like it's going to be the best ever, the Sox will have the money to spend to land a big time fish or two that can help them compete that season. just my opinion.

When I first heard the name change, I thought some telemarketing company bought the naming rights.

Realistically if the Sox do the rebuild thing and deal Q/Sale in the offseason for an infusion of young talent, Shields could be in the 2017 rotation. At the very least he can eat innings, he can be the Sox version of Edwin Jackson when he was on the Cubs during their rebuild.

This would be more encouraging if the Sox didn't have a thing for rushing guys up before they're ready.

Put me in the camp of get him stretched out and have him start a few games before the year is done. The Sox didn't pick him at #8 overall to have him be a bullpen piece in the long term.

QUOTE (Black_Jack29 @ Aug 3, 2016 -> 05:57 PM) If Hahn is able to get a really nice mix of ML talent and near-ready prospects in return for Sale, where the Sox might take half a step back in 2017 but would be able to move forward in 2018, hopefully JR would let him make that deal. Otherwise, we're going to have 77-83 win teams for the next few years. If the Sox do a total rebuild, they need to trade both Q and Sale. These two guys will bring back the best packages in both quantity and quality of players/prospects. If you look at what is in the Sox organization right now, who are your starters in 2018? Frazier and Melky are UFA's after next year, they have no centerfielder, catcher (I know Zack Collins is a catcher but he might be a better fit at DH) or 2B right now. Abreu is a negative WAR player now and the jury is still out on Tim Anderson. This organization needs to start acquiring/drafting/developing everyday core players which right now they severely lack. Also if the Sox do a total rebuild, the next few years will suck but if they do it right then they can be good for a long time. People often complain on how long it took the Cubs to rebuild, however it only took them 3 seasons. Epstein took over after the 2011 season so 2012 was the first season of their rebuild, 3 years later they were in the NLCS. So rebuilds can be done if a short amount of time if they're done right. Hopefully the Sox follow suit and do this right. If they do, then I'll fully support it. Beats watching a 75 win team year after year.

Has Hahn or anyone said what the actual plan is moving forward? If they want to do an actual rebuild then I would think the big deals (Q/Sale) wait until the offseason when more teams will get involved.

Disappointing loss. Time to earn your money Hahn. Sell, sell, sell.

I'm not sure who will be moved by the deadline but if I had to pick 1 guy to go, I think it's Robertson. I think the Sox may do the majority of their moves in the offseason though. I don't think Robertson, Frazier and one of Sale/Q are not on the 2017 roster.

The best this team could be at the trade deadline is 53-52. Guessing some guys get traded by Monday afternoon.

I agree with the suspension. I'm a huge Sale fan but it's time to stop his "Carlos Zambrano" antics.

QUOTE (Elgin Slim @ Jul 23, 2016 -> 12:20 AM) I think Betts+ the top 3 is what they should ask for, and if they don't get it hold him. You want 3.5 seasons of Sale with his contract? Pay up. It would be painful for both teams. If the team's fanbase (that is acquiring Sale) doesn't think they got ripped off, then it wasn't a fair deal. Also, I think that the Hamels deal is completely different. I would expect the Hamels deal + one extra top 100 prospect for Quintana. Sale's value is off the charts. IMO due to the contract and age plus the fact that he is available, he may very well be the most valuable player in the game. Anyone else with potentially more value is untouchable It depends what the FO really wants to do and right now we don't know. If they want to do a true rebuild, then you trade Sale for the best package you can get. If not then don't trade him. His value is never going to be higher than it is right now so if they want to rebuild then it makes sense to deal him soon, every year that goes by his value goes down. I think many people are under the assumption just because the Sox trade Sale, they still might be able to compete next year or in 2018 when that is not at all the plan if Sale gets traded. If he goes, then it's a real ass rebuild. Personally I would go the rebuild route but the I don't think JR has the balls to do that. I also think the FO will convince themselves again this offseason that the team is not that bad and can compete. They'll get a new manager and maybe sign a guy like Dexter Fowler to a big deal hoping it will yield better results. Until I actually see it happen, the Sox will always be the "let's try to win 80 and hope to win 90 games" type organization.

QUOTE (Elgin Slim @ Jul 22, 2016 -> 11:56 PM) Disagree, because of track record. How long did it take for the AL to figure out Abreu? Bryant still strikes out a bunch, just not as much as his first season. He'll get figured out. Let's see how Bryant adjusts. Despite the ASG HR, Sale has made Bryant his b**** in games that count. 0-6 with 6 k against him. That's basically comparing apples to oranges. While Sale will get the Sox a haul IF he gets traded, I think we have to somewhat temper our expectations on the return. For instance anyone who thinks Boston will trade their top 3 prospects and 2 All Star positional players is insane. It's not that the Sox will get underwhelmed in a Sale trade but I'd expect something very similar to what Cole Hamels netted.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Jul 22, 2016 -> 10:56 PM) You could ask for Russell in my opinion since the Cubs could plug in Baez at short. Maybe a step down but suitable replacement. There's a solid argument to be made that Baez has been the better overall player this year and might just be the better of the two. He always seemed like he had the higher ceiling of the two of them but was also had the lower floor. Unless JR changes his mind, he'll never allow the Sox to make a major trade with the Cubs (I don't agree with it) but Baez looks like he's figured it out from what I've seen this year and he'd definitely be a guy I wouldn't mind having on the Sox.