Sarava

That would be disgusting. If the Sox fail on Wheeler, then they should explore the trade market.

Castellanos and its not even close. His defense is improving. Mancini might be a trainwreck out there. Plus we'd have to give up Dunning or something valuable to get Mancini.

I'm hoping they lock him up this winter as well. It would be a lot pricier than Eloy's was for sure, but they can give him 100 million + reasons to want to do it now.

I think Wheeler is definitely a risky gamble. His Tommy John kept him out quite a bit longer than most Tommy John's seem to keep guys out. But he's had 2 great seasons since then. Honestly though, I think Cole at 250 mil is probably a lesser risk than Wheeler at 110. I just don't think Cole is gettable, since the Angels would likely match an offer around 250, and he'd likely choose going home.

I thought I had heard he has a bad arm, stemming from a nagging shoulder injury. Just stuff I heard second-hand, I don't watch the NL much.

Restaurants are tough to make successful, especially if not chain affiliated. But he probably could of picked a better town for this restaurant than Berwyn.

I never indicated such a notion. I just can't read Zack Wheeler's mind, unlike a few of you guys apparently. For all I know, he might have it in his head that he wants to go to a specific team, town or state. Who the hell knows.

We have no idea what the Sox have offered or if Zack is even willing to sign here.

Although it's hard to argue with his dominance this past post-season. If you're going to blow your wad on a stud #1, I'd rather do it on Gerrit Cole. He's younger and has been more durable over the years.

Or splurge for Cole/Strasburg. It would be neat if Jerry did that just once. Twice if you count Joey Belle.

I wonder if they would consider Cole if Wheeler passes on the Sox? Because it seems to fall off a cliff after Wheeler, especially if one thinks Madbum will go to an NL team or team closer to his home in North Carolina. I do not want them spending money on Keuchel.

That's not how it works. Grandal and Abreu are already 35+ mil per year, which is beyond what Machado makes. It's about dollars per season, not total dollars for the life of the contracts. Your post is spinning numbers.

I'm in the sign Castellanos camp. Make him work his butt off on defense in spring training. The Sox have serious potential to have a ridiculous offense. Castellanos will help us get there.

Yep, and he was overplayed for a good while, which seemed to leave him gassed in the second half. I think McCann and Grandal both being here will prevent them both from getting gassed too early.

Avi only looks better if it's because they blew their wad on Gerrit Cole. But I would prefer Avi or Puig. Yuck. I hope the Sox aren't considering him.

You're putting way too much emphasis on strikeouts. The game has evolved. The 70s are over, but Archie Bunker says hi.

You're tough to impress then. He would of led the Sox in OPS and OBP. As a 20 year old. The guy is probably the best young player in baseball. My post above was only saying the rebuild as a whole is > Tatis Jr, since I don't see any way we had him plus all the goodies the rebuild has acquired at the same time.

We have to remember, many of the rebuild pieces added probably don't happen without the failed Shields for Tatis trade. There is no world where we still have Tatis, but also have Moncada, Giolito, Robert, Eloy, etc.

That's awesome

Feels like a bit of an overpay. But with the intangibles and such that he brings to the Sox, I'm ok with this. Now let's go sign Cole or Wheeler

I remember hearing that the Sox wanted Devers in that trade and Dombowski put his foot down and said no. I thught it was to be a third player after Moncada/Benintendi & Kopech.

Moncada is younger than Zack, yet he is 2-2.5 years ahead of him in his development. Moncada also had a taste of the show before the Sox acquired him, which may or may not of pushed them to move faster with him. Ultimately it only matters if the Sox give Zack a chance or not. A lot of baseball people say he sucks at catching and needs a position change. So does that leave him as a man without a position? Where does he go and how does that fit in the White Sox plans? Or do they think he can stick at catcher? A lot of questions. Lastly - trading a guy does not automatically mean you are giving up on him. The Sox have a great need for a right fielder and a starting pitcher. Some of these might be better filled via trade than free agency. You have to give to get.

I think all of this is tbd. He never tore up the minor leagues like our other big prospects all did at one point or another. If the Sox go out and get crazy and sign Gerrit Cole for example - I would understand if they felt they didn't have enough to trust Zack and traded him. If you make a big splash in free agency, it's go time. His track record during his time with the Sox organization doesn't really lead anyone to think he will be a regular positive contributor to a potential World Series team. That doesn't mean it won't change, but I would understand if the Sox move him in a deal towards improving at RF or SP.

They better not send a core prospect like Madigral out unless Betts comes signed (which wont happen). I have this nightmare thing in my head where we send Madigral to them. He becomes a star. Then Betts signs back with Boston next year.

Moncada seems to get a lot of little injuries. I'd be concerned that would get worse if he's in RF diving for balls and running in to outfield walls. IMO if the Sox want to spend 250 mil, spend it on Cole.