[Sale switching Sox?]

I don't see them giving up the chips it would take to get Sale, but I definitely see them trading for a starter.

 

I don't. My gut says they used the prospects to get a reliever because they will use FA to get 2 starters. I thought they would trade Ramirez + big cash for pitching but w Ortiz announcement they can stash him at 1B for a year then move him to DH.

 

[David Robertson]

Yup. Shockingly one can argue quite easily that Robertson was better than Kimbrel last year. For whatever that is worth...

 

 

This. BoSox fans logic silly per usual.

 

Not sure I agree. Kimbrel had a 90% save rate on a slightly worse team. I am not big on War for relievers but Kimbrel was better there as well. If I was Hahn I would have been tempted by that package since it had a couple of pretty highly rated middle infielders that were blocked in Boston.

 

[Should the White Sox and Rockies talk trade?]

Right - just because you aren't as good as the numbers doesn't mean he's bad.

Of course you don't build around Trayce. You build around the pitching and the players Eaton will return. Trayce can cover the position defensively, with his Offense TBD.

 

The Sox need to plug 6 holes with solid major league talent. C, SS, 3B, LF, RF, pen. And the younger the better.

Plug 4 of those and then go get your Cargo or whoever people want to woo over and convince themselves is elite. But don't trade the bullets to plug those holes until the holes are plugged. Build the foundation and then go get the big name.

The Sox farm is just starting to turn the corner. Leave it alone.

 

Or sign FAs.

Sign Upton and Freese; move Avi and Melky out of here. (Colorado should try Avi on a buy low). Shift Eaton to left. Heck of an OF defense that can hit.

Give Atlanta a bag of balls for 1 year of Aybar.

Use Montas in the pen, at least for this year. Pen is improved.

Make a few other small moves.

 

What kind of return do you think Eaton brings??? I would think he would return 1 MLB ready player and a prospect. But you open up a major hole w CF and leadoff. Assuming Thompson can fill those roles is too much a gamble. Now trading Q or Rodon should bring 2 MLB ready players + prospects.

 

[White Sox hire Rick Renteria and Greg Sparks]

Why does a team need two hitting coaches?

 

They don't. But our bench was pretty lousy this year so Hahn next year was looking to get some Sparks off the bench

 

[My/Your Off Season Plan]

The Red Sox seem to be going "all in", so they're probably looking to acquire a frontline starter.

 

What about a deal like Q for Swihart and Devers? Is that too little for Q or too much?

 

Huh???? Why would you propose that? Q is a top 15 MLB pitcher. You need to get back more than 1 MLB ready player and a Class A prospect. Minimum 2 MLB ready players + prospects. Otherwise you fill the C hole and open up 2-3 SP hole. If Q or Rodon you have to fill at least 2 holes + get prospects.

 

[It would be silly for the White Sox to rebuild]

There is zero reason for them to do a complete rebuild. They have Sale, Quintana, Rodon, Abreu and Eaton all locked up through 2019. That is one hell of a strong core and they should be able to fill in enough pieces to make a contender out of it.

 

You had that same core last season and it was a terrible season. So the question remains how to "fill in enough pieces" without trading at least 1 member of the core.

 

[Sale switching Sox?]

I don't think people realize just how good Bogaerts and Betts were last year. Bogaerts should be the best SS in baseball for the next decade.

 

I would want Bradley over Betts. Boston will not trade Bogaerts. Swihart was rushed to the majors due to an injury instead of spending a year in AAA. He is an outstanding talent.

 

[I want everyone's one FA/Trade prediction]

 

 

A reliever, probably Nate Jones or Dave Robertson for Brock Holt.

[My/Your Off Season Plan]

I think the Marlins make a lot of sense for Erik Johnson. Marcell Ozuna, Derek Dietrich and Martin Prado could all be players of interest for varying prices.

 

 

There's a different set of teams looking for a guy like EJ as opposed to the Price/Cueto types. If he's a MLB starter, he's got six years of control at a pittance. That's a nice luxury. I do think there's a decent chance the Sox want to deal Johnson. The way they have talked about him has never been very supportive of him. A little bit of Gavin Floyd to him.

 

The problem w trading EJ is he will not bring back a bundle and he is the only righthander in the rotation. Replacing him will not be a major problem but you need to do it via FA since trading could open another hole. I think he only brings back one MLB ready player and most likely not a SS or C.

 

[MLB free agent predictions: Who should sign Jeff Samardzija?]

He was terrible for the Chicago White Sox in 2015. I don't care what he does next season or the season after that with another team.

 

He was awful on the Sox and that's all I care about.

 

 

Actually we might if he ends up in AL central division or Wrigley

[Sox to go trade route possibly]

Quotes in New England this morning from Dobrowski say several GM's are actively looking to trade this week.

 

 

http://www.providencejournal.com/article/2...PORTS/151109306

[My/Your Off Season Plan]

Quintana should not be traded unless a team with a strong farm system gives the Sox 1 of their top 5 prospects along with a few in the 8-15 range.

 

 

No way do you trade a Top 20 pitcher in MLB for prospects. You have to get 2 MLB ready players for him plus 1-2 prospects in 8-15 range

[Sale switching Sox?]

 

I saw him play quite a bit this season and I have posted that I would love him to be one of the primary components in a trade for Q. Sale should not be traded. If Dombrowski calls for Sale then Bogaerts, Swihart and Bradely( not Betts) and several prospects would have to come our way.

 

 

 

[My/Your Off Season Plan]

Made a trade proposal earlier this season where the Sox would send Q to the Rangers for Mazara, Profar, and Ortiz. I think that trade would benefit both teams pretty well.

 

Profar has not shown he can play the field w his shoulder issues.

 

[My/Your Off Season Plan]

With farm rich teams like the Cubs and RedSox being in buyer mode, it's just another good year to make them overpay and build the organization, so that the Sox can be buyers in a season or 2.

The Sox are just a lot further way than an Upton and Weiters to getting into contention. Guys like Cabrera wouldn't help at all. Freese would help a lot if the team were otherwise set, which it isn't.

 

Unfortunately they have FA as their first choice before you even get a shot at making them overpay.

 

[Two poll questions as we enter the offseason]

he hasnt been suspended or banned, he can return any time he chooses

 

 

He will be back. He is heading down to Boca for the GM meetings this week.

[White Sox decline option on Alexei Ramirez]

Beckham - that's not even contingency plan 1004.

 

Cabrera's a lousy defender. Rather Saladino The FA market for SS sucks. yes someone will sign Alexei for 6-7 mill. The lesson, really, is that we should have traded him last winter.

 

No, the FO thought they were going to contend for a playoff spot back then. Hell, they thought they were still contending at the July trade deadline.

[White Sox decline option on Alexei Ramirez]

For some perspective from a guy in the industry, Keith Law just posted his top 50 free agents list and Alexei came in at #47. He said that it was smart the Sox declined his option, and it could create a buy-low opportunity for another club and said he would give him a one year deal at 3-4 million. FWIW

 

I agree that it was smart to decline. But some team that has their sights set on the playoffs may take a run at him w 6-8 mil if they feel he could fill a hole they have at a key position.

 

[Fangraphs Free Agent Predictions-Dave Cameron.]

I disagree very strongly. Cameron is just an awkward dude who is accustomed to people calling his opinions s***. I used to think he was smug, but I've read/listened to a TON of his s*** over the years, and I think it's more of an unintentional lack of grace.

 

Also -- in Cameron's defense (I know, I know, I sound like a fanboi), his sel-fappointed task was to force himself to choose a destination for every significant free agent. He wasn;t claiming that this is what the Sox SHOULD do, rather matching up prices and players with perceived needs and front office tendencies. Cameron actually is FRIMLY in the camp that the Sox should blow it up and trade everyone. I don't agree with that opinion, but this article clearly doesn't reflect his RECOMMENDATIONS, instead they reflect his GUESSES.

 

It is that time of year where every baseball pundit writes junk articles to justify their pay. Most of the opinions( little or no research/sources are involved) are less accurate than the TV weatherman's forecasts.

 

[White Sox decline option on Alexei Ramirez]

No. None of this is true.

 

 

You didn't read his whole post. Believe it or not . You are in the "not" group w a sh..load of people.

[My/Your Off Season Plan]

anyway here's my suggestion, which is sure to be met with applause! (Or not).

 

Trade Eaton and Melky to the Padres for Norris, Solarte, Ross and a prospect.

Trade Q to Redsox for Bradley JR, Chtistian Vasquez and prospects.

2 holes plugged (albeit no better than plugged) and a killer OF defense with 2 guys who can cover ground and Avi's arm.

Need to add a power bat, although I don't know what to do about Laroche.

Could eve re-sign Alexei at half price now that the other 2 clowns are gone. Saladino the utility guy.

 

When you have multiple holes to fill, why would you trade for 2 catchers???

 

[State of the White Sox Address a Position]

Quintana is the wildcard, but it's a highly safe assumption that Chris Sale, Carlos Rodon and John Danks will be in the rotation. Erik Johnson enters camp (or the off-season) as the favorite to fill out the rotation assuming no trades.

 

Quintana could be seen as the quickest way to filling 2 holes on offense; he has been a #2-#3 type of quality starter now for about 3 seasons, and has a team friendly contract for another 3-4 seasons. This should result, if traded, in 2 high end prospects coming back, and we know the White Sox are looking for MLB ready type of talent.

 

With holes at C, 3B, and potential area's of concern at SS, 2B,and DH (although it's fair to assume that La Roche, Sanchez and probably Ramirez enter next year as significant contributors).

 

They shouldn't limit any trade return to specific positions outside of maybe 1B, so they could add 2 higher end prospects this way.

 

They could also keep Quintana and move Johnson; obviously the return will pale in return, but they could get a usable player in return while ensuring the rotation (top end) stays a strength.

 

In either case, move a starting pitcher is the best bet for young offensive talent, and it's hard to expect that the White Sox will be major players again in free agency to fill these holes.

 

I agree with your thinking only I think Q is better than a 2-3 starter. I think he is closer to a 1-2 and w his contract a top 15 in all of baseball. I think he should bring back 2 MLB ready players and a high rated prospect.

 

[My/Your Off Season Plan]

Quintana/Adams for....the steal deal of the century (love those 4-6 for 1-2 plans they come up with) mlbtraderumors

 

 

Cubs get a solid pitcher in quintana and a potential stud in spencer who has a ways to go before making his MLB debut seeing as he’s only like 19 years old (at LEAST 2 years away…. more likely 3-4). Sox get the young position prospects they DESPERATELY need. They get a better SS in Castro over having to keep worse Alexei Ramirez…. regardless what Sox fans say. Castro’s down year this year is not too far off a typical Ramirez year. They also get a HR masher in Vogelbach who has superb plate discipline to play 1B/DH with Abreu. They get a solid hitting catching prospect in Zagunis. They get a gold glove in waiting in Almora who scouts say could hit about .280 or better and develop into a 20 HR hitter…… especially playing in US Cellular. And I’ll throw in pierce johnson as a toss in. Projects to be a 3-4 starter if he pans out. Cough up 1 ML pitcher and a pitching prospect for 4 players who could address almost all the Sox weaknesses on offense within 2 years. It at least gives you positional prospect hope. Looked at the top position prospects the Sox have listed on their website……. it’s pretty ugly. This hypothetical trade is more than fair imo.

 

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/10/offs...hite-sox-6.html

 

Not good enough. Q is a top 15 pitcher in baseball. If you trade him, which I think they should, you need to get back 2 MLB ready players + prospect(s). At least one of the MLB ready players needs to play a premier position--C-SS-CF or be a top 20 player in baseball.

[My/Your Off Season Plan]

But, but, they would be a .500 club!

 

I absolutely agree. If the Sox were and 85+ win team in '15, Cespedes would make much more sense but the Sox need much more than another outfielder. 3B and C are the biggest needs

 

FWIW---Olney said today that Cespedes prolonged hitting slump since September and his miscues in the outfield is costing him major FA dollars.

 

[My/Your Off Season Plan]

You saw Micah play in Charlotte? Disappointing to hear his defense wasn't better in your eyes.

 

Twice on the road. His speed gives him range but he still makes errors. For 2 years in AAA he has put up .970 FP