steveno89

I'm inclined to pass on Nova as well. We can and should have higher expectations from our rotation than what he brings.

True and true, but it may become more of a factor than previously https://www.cbsnews.com/news/these-states-may-attract-athletes-after-tax-law-change/

I do wonder how the tax vote next year might impact us in free agency. Any decent agent would advise their clients that Illinois might be substantially increasing the state income tax, making it a less desirable place to sign? While perhaps not a primary concern, I'm sure this will come up if it passes.

Shame we couldn't find a way to flip Nova at the deadline for a useful piece

Key to this rebuild will be riding out inexpensive players like Madrigal/Vaughn/Robert/our young pitching while supplementing with more expensive veterans via free agency/trade. We have to imagine they plan on going after some combination of Cole/Bumgarner/Odorizzi/Wheeler/Keuchel/Strasburg/Ryu/Wood

That was my fear as well. The Tatis trade ends up costing us the rebuild. Only a world series would erase that.

"No stone will be left unturned" He basically said they will look to acquire starting pitching, whether via trade or free agency. He said it could be top tier or more along mid rotation lines.

Not necessarily. He addressed the Cole question by saying look at what other rebuilding organizations have done in the past to bolster contention, going out and getting top end starting pitching. Who knows if we would be serious suitors, but Sox absolutely should kick the tires on Gerrit Cole this offseason.

Cole is absolutely getting at least a 5 year, likely a six year deal in FA for big money. I doubt the Sox will do it, but a TOR starter is the most difficult thing to acquire. A player like him would be cost prohibitive to trade for considering we need our core prospects to fill out our MLB roster. Whether it's a Cole/Wheeler/Bumgarner/Odorizzi/Wood we absolutely have to make a starting pitching splash to move this club towards contention. Qualifying offers might damage several of these guys values though.

A guy like Zack Wheeler could be a really nice free agent addition. He's going to get a multi year deal for solid money, but it will be far less than Cole Dunning cannot be relied upon to hold down a rotation spot in 2020. Best case is he's available second half of the season. Cole is a pipedream that I just do not see happening. Spotrac's market value estimation for Cole is a 6yr/$167 million contract worth nearly $28 million per, a level I do not see the Sox going to.

That would be selling Madrigal short. I think he's easily a 2-3 WAR player annually for the White Sox, with the potential for even more. High floors are undervalued in my opinion relative to sexier 5 tool guys. Good organizations should hold onto guys that are pretty safe bets to be a quality regular.

Our farms untouchables are Robert/Kopech/Cease/Madrigal/Vaughn Beyond that you have Dunning coming off TJ, Stiever who is a rising prospect, and a slew of C+ guys like Rutherford/Gonzalez/Adolfo/Walker/Basabe/Sheets that won't get you much in a trade. Sox should not even consider moving any of our main prospects, they are future long term roster pieces.

A guy like Odorizzi would really go a long way to solidifying our rotation as well. He should be in the Sox price range, and I have no issue paying for pitching. Grandal would be a nice pickup This really would not cost all that much, or tie up too much future money. I would also explore the possibility of extending Moncada now.

Excited to see what Madrigal can do with the juiced AAA/MLB ball

With that news, Nats likely out on relief help. They opted to go down the cheaper trade route. Will be interesting to see if a contender jumps in for Colome here shortly. A deal could come together fast after weeks of build up?