WHITE SOX SIGN Grandal 4/$73, Palka DFAd

[YouCanPutItOnTheBoardYES! 1,019]

I was doing homework when this happened. Looks like I should keep doing it and maybe we get Wheeler too.

[ChiSox59 1,916]

1 minute ago, chetkincaid said:

Stealth Mode.

 

Who saw this coming?

Raises hand.  

[Eminor3rd 676]

Just now, ChiSox59 said:

Its a great thing, man! Be happy!!  Sox mean business.  

I hope so. 

I hope I’m wrong that this takes them out of the running for high end pitching. 

[wegner 567]

Holy Crap.  My phone buzzed and it said Sox sign Grandal.  I just stared at the phone for a bit and came here

Under the radar...time to take your chair elsewhere Rick and keep the good news coming.

[ChiSox59 1,916]

1 minute ago, Eminor3rd said:

I hope so. 

I hope I’m wrong that this takes them out of the running for high end pitching. 

This does not take them out of Wheeler/Ryu/Madbum category. 

They were never signing the top 2.  

[Look at Ray Ray Run 2,097]

This is huge for A LOT of reasons. Let's see if I can summarize my thoughts on why this is a huge signing.

1. Timing: The White Sox just inked a major free agent before the Winter Meetings. This means they learned to go in with a top dollar bid and not play games. They signed him in COMPLETE silence; the last update on the market was that it was slow moving and yet, here we are 1 hour later signing Grandal.

2. Silence: However stupid this may be, this team is significantly better when they operate behind closed doors without a ton of leaks and bravado. When they shut up and get it done, that's when there are results. 

3. Only the beginning: This is the FIRST signing; this leads me to believe that Grandal was one of the main priorities. This also confirms that his market wasn't as big as many thought. Regardless, I think the Sox may have quite a few larger offers on the table right now trying to wrap up negotiations early.

This has me hyped. Don't stop now boys.

[wegner 567]

Does this make James McCann the best backup catcher in baseball?

[Look at Ray Ray Run 2,097]

3 minutes ago, Eminor3rd said:

I hope so. 

I hope I’m wrong that this takes them out of the running for high end pitching. 

Why would this take them out of the running? You think they're going to be 1 and done? Grandal isn't even that massive of a contract; the length ends perfectly with the core as well.

[Look at Ray Ray Run 2,097]

Just now, wegner said:

Does this make James McCann the best backup catcher in baseball?

I think they'll both catch about 1/2 the games. Grandal will start at 1st base and DH though.

[BFirebird 74]

1 minute ago, ChiSox59 said:

This does not take them out of Wheeler/Ryu/Madbum category. 

They were never signing the top 2.  

Agreed.  The top 2 are out...are never going to sign here, but will Wheeler/Ryu/Madbum wait for the top guys to set the market?

[soxfan49 1,105]

2 minutes ago, wegner said:

Holy Crap.  My phone buzzed and it said Sox sign Grandal.  I just stared at the phone for a bit and came here

Under the radar...time to take your chair elsewhere Rick and keep the good news coming.

Me too except remove "here." I came. That's all

[Sox Fan In Husker Land 148]

[DirtySox 1,055]

Fucking hyped! Now sign me Wheeler, and trade for a RF with control. Let's get it!

[soxfan49 1,105]

2 minutes ago, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

This is huge for A LOT of reasons. Let's see if I can summarize my thoughts on why this is a huge signing.

1. Timing: The White Sox just inked a major free agent before the Winter Meetings. This means they learned to go in with a top dollar bid and not play games. They signed him in COMPLETE silence; the last update on the market was that it was slow moving and yet, here we are 1 hour later signing Grandal.

2. Silence: However stupid this may be, this team is significantly better when they operate behind closed doors without a ton of leaks and bravado. When they shut up and get it done, that's when there are results. 

3. Only the beginning: This is the FIRST signing; this leads me to believe that Grandal was one of the main priorities. This also confirms that his market wasn't as big as many thought. Regardless, I think the Sox may have quite a few larger offers on the table right now trying to wrap up negotiations early.

This has me hyped. Don't stop now boys.

Except @Tony. He was in on the silence.

[HahnsKiddieTable 339]

4 minutes ago, Eminor3rd said:

I hope so. 

I hope I’m wrong that this takes them out of the running for high end pitching. 

This deal doesn’t make much sense if we aren’t going to go get some pitching. You can have the best player in the game behind the plate but if you got scraps throwing the ball you only can do so much 

[ChiSox59 1,916]

2 minutes ago, wegner said:

Does this make James McCann the best backup catcher in baseball?

McCann is still going to take all of Gio's starts and likely 80% of the catcher starts against LHP.  Grandal just shifts to DH/1B those days. Its a wonderful problem to have, boys. 

[mqr 1,938]

I'm now at a point where I'm okay with Kole Calhoun in right

[CaliSoxFanViaSWside 1,391]

Last year Grandal signed a 1 year $18.25M contract with the Brewers, 4/$73M is exactly $18.25M a year.

[YouCanPutItOnTheBoardYES! 1,019]

This makes up for the pain of last season. But hopefully this move is just the first of many. Now get Wheeler and Castellanos.

[TomPickle 308]

So, Eric Thames for DH to play against righties?

Grandal can catch against righties and DH against lefties. McCann can catch against lefties and maybe be Giolito's personal catcher if that's what he wants.

[South Sider 238]

KW flopping his nuts on the table with his quotes to Jeff Passan. Lol, typical KW.

[Look at Ray Ray Run 2,097]

I will predict that Grandal's play style will drive some White Sox fans nuts.

That said, I loved this quote from Kenny:

 

[Flash 134]

8 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

This was quite a timely post!

From your lips to Ricks ears...

 

[Look at Ray Ray Run 2,097]

Hahn told us the world wants to be a part of this!

Grandal: “My family and I are very excited and honored to be a part of the Chicago White Sox organization. I loved their professionalism, preparation and vision towards the future. I want to thank them for allowing me to be a part of this process moving forward.”

 

LOL

[BigHurt3515 284]

That 26th man will be huge this year. Keeping Collins or Mercedes as the 26th man allows for both McCann and Grandal to be in the lineup when Grandal needs a break behind the dish. A lot more flexibility with the line ups now (just have to trust Ricky)