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There was nothing wrong with the pick, no matter what happens.

Exactly / end debate.

You know, what about Yoan at catcher? ?

The Portland White Sox has a nice ring to it

See above. This argument is OVA!!!!

Gosh. I actually had no idea you were petty and argumentative enough to just be talking about one scenario instead of the philosophy.

Yes you have to figure it’s a lock the Sox will agree to a contract 5 or 6 times the size of the biggest contract they have ever handed out. And agree to that contract with one Scott Boras, because who doesn’t want to play for a team coming off a 100 loss season, with 6 losing seasons in a row, that is virtually ignored in its own city.

Yea @BobDylan lives out there and told me the same thing. Still one of my places to go visit list.

There is supposedly a deal in the works for the Rio Casino to be sold, tore down, and a MLB stadium built on the site. Would make sense for Vegas and Portland to be expansion teams together.

I still don’t get why you think this matters. What is the difference between saying “take $xM or we’ll non-tender you” and non-tendering a player & then offering $xM? How exactly does the outcome change for the player?

With the amount of money they can get for franchise fees, my best guess is if there's new locations they will be expansion, not anyone moving.

Completely agree on all accounts. Balta bounces around so much from day to day and hour to hour, and even within his own debates, that its almost not even worth engaging him. I also don't think a rotation on Rodon/Lopez/Gio/Santana/Pomeranz/Ross sounds TERRIBLE. Obviously if Gio remains a pumpkin and Lopez and Rodon make zero progress, its not going to be a great rotation, but it has upside, it doesn't block future rotation pieces, and it doesn't require us to dip into the farm.

Lol...I don’t even know why I waste my time with you. Everything is so black & white and if it’s not Balta’s way then it’s obviously wrong. In my particular case, I’m banking on young starters getting better which does happen from time to time and a guy with a proven track record bouncing back after an injury fillled season. But I know they weren’t good last year so they can’t possibly be good going forward. And no, I have no interest in trading my assets for a front line guy. We have money to burn and can spend in the interim, but I’m keeping my prospects for another year to see how the first wave shakes out and who from the second wave will be ready to contribute in 2020. If enough goes right, great we have a competitive team in 2019. If not, we’re better prepared for 2020 and have a few one-year guys (Dozier, Pomeranz, & Allen) that we hopefully flipped.

I like that plan, except trading Rodon and Bummer for Gray. I'm not opposed to trading for Gray, in fact I hope they do. But sending Rodon the other way in that scenario is dumb.

Also let me add that if you can use Madrigal as the center piece in a trade to get an "ace" with 3 or more years of control, then you absolutely should consider it.

Notice how that says arbitration. Signiing a lesser contract or being non tendered avoids arbitration. Avi can sign for the minimum today if he wished. But keep your ridiculous argument up.

let me just be the Nth person to say that comparing domestic violence, and nasty brutish domestic violence like addison is accused (and apparently did) of is especially NOT IN THE SAME UNIVERSE as cheating on your spouse/GF/Fiance don't sign woman beaters. who gives a shit about dopers and cheaters.

Until the White Sox actually acknowledge that CF is a possibility for Moncada, I am dismissing that. I don't see it happening, though I definitely wouldn't mind seeing it, even if on a limited basis.

Agreed, and IMO Machado is target 1a, 1b, 1c, etc

As a 24 year old he has the talent to take a flyer. Is the baggage warranted? Billy Beane is without a doubt one of the best GM's in baseball you now see why he may have appeared to have been fleeced in that deal but in reality the cubs took on the baggage. There had to be some take as to why the A's would make that move between Theo and Beane. My guess is the smoke was there for a while and Russell will most likely be with his third organization with money and performance playing no part in why he was moved from the two previous.

Your post specifically talked about White Sox players' actions out at bars and were using that as a comparison to this situation. Posters aren't demanding that the players be angels off the field, everyone knows that will never happen. But this is a case specifically regarding domestic violence, which is a completely different topic.

Women that date/marry major league baseball players are aware of the fidelity risks and are able to decide if that’s something they can live with. Being physically assaulted is an entirely different monster and is unacceptable under any circumstances. The violence Russell has demonstrated speaks of much deeper issues and whether he can address that in counseling isn’t out problem. I’m all for calling out social justice warriors, but this is simply about having basic human morality.

What would be the argument ?

Avi has one of the higher ceilings of players currently on the roster. That potential is why we have all been frustrated by his performance. He has actually performed at the MLB level though not as often as we would like. 2017 did happen. There was improved power last year. We all witnessed the turnaround in Basabe's performance when he played on a healthy knee and returned to prospect status. Could Avi rebound.......sure, likely maybe not. Could we sign Harper....sure, likely maybe not. If a healthy Avi shows up, he will certainly be motivated and aside from a couple times on a bad leg, he does hustle. You would have a bat to flip at the deadline or keep and attach a qualifying offer and get a draft pick. If you sign someone or he looks bad in spring training, you cut him at a cost of around 2 million. Heck if you sign someone and he looks good, he could play till Eloy comes up and then be a DH. Probably a better DH in a platoon than Davidson. If there is a definite improvement arranged I understand allocating the dollars to the improvement but I don't see it happening by the tender deadline. I still like the idea of the threat of release leading to a 5 million deal with 3-5 in incentives. If he is great he could make more and if not we save some. Give him 2.5 at signing so he makes a guaranteed 500k more than if you tender and cut. Win-win.

Smith/Ruiz & Verdugo would be a pretty good starting point for Bauer, who only has two arbitration years left. CLE is likely looking for a major league ready OF so the matchup makes a ton of sense.

I think what all of this proves is that you are never allowed to go to a game ever again

Not true at all. Our biggest problem is our young talent hasn’t taken that next step yet. We need to get more out of Moncada, Anderson, Rodon, Lopez, & Giolito. Those five guys and Jimenez are key for this team to take massive leap next year. Add a whale and another high end piece and we could easily fill the other holes on the roster with league average veterans. But it’s all for naught if you don’t believe in the young talent currently on the roster.

I'm pretty sure it happened like 10 days ago.

Anderson was a good pick

Why would a team absorb all the risk and give us anything resembling his often-stated “potential” value? Dumping Avi and Rodon basically would require the front office being called to the carpet on two more talent misjudgments. If Fathom’s right, between the work ethic, Ptac’s concerns about the repeatability of his delivery and the Boras Factor, it’s yet another blown first round draft pick (especially at 1-3) by the Sox. Someone missed out on two pretty significant red flags. Might as well turn him into Andrew Miller. He’d arguably have more value...except he’s not good at holding runners or limiting walks.

Is this dude Avi's agent? You mention Harper and Donaldson. How are 2 guys with extensive bodies of work compare to the statistical fluke that was one Avi year? Take the $8 million and allocate that money where it'll help next season as well as 2020. I'd like to also mention that Harper's "horrible" 2018 produced a higher ops than Avi ever had in any season.

Dude is a year away from free agency if he is good this year. As of today he has 0 trade value, 0 defense, minimal OBP, and an extensive injury history.

Revised IDGAF let’s make some moves plan: Non-tender Avi Sign McCutchen 2 years $30M Sign Pollock 3 years $50M Sign Familia 2 years $18M Sign Manny Machado (effectively 4 years and 180M assuming he takes opt out; 4 years and 130M left (8/$310M)) Sign Ervin Santana 1 year $7M Sign Drew Pomeranz 1 year $6M Tyson Ross 1 year $4M + option Pollock CF, Moncada 2B, Machado 3B, Abreu 1B, McCutchen RF, Eloy LF, Palka/Davidson DH, Anderson SS, Narvaez/Castillo C Rodon, Lopez, Gio, Santana and Pomeranz Ross rotation insurance and Could stick him (or Pomeranz) in bullpen if need be. Jerry opens the wallet and brings the payroll near $150M in 2019 without any major commitments long term other than Machado. Leaves space in the rotation for Cease and Kopech in 2020. Generally allows the young bullpen guys the opportunity they need next season with some veteran insurance. It looks like a pretty strong offensive team that gets on base and scores a lot of runs. OF defense would be questionable. If the Indians sell off, that team could be interesting. And it just doesn’t (IMHO) set the rebuild back at all. These guys are blocking no one in 2019, and deals are short term. Zero prospects given up via trade. It’s just spending money that otherwise wouldn’t be spent and isn’t magically getting reallocated to future seasons. I know a sizable chunk here will hate it, but man it’d fun.

Fuck him.

Negative. I want to win, but I'm not ousting all-around great guy TA for a chronic wife-beater who is, at best, marginally better.

Doubt they could afford a top free agent and then the day care costs for Russell’s kids

I also don't trust Hahn to trade for players, or the organization to develop them. I frankly hope the Sox avoid "good players" altogether, and maybe think about burning down the stadium.

Hey guys. Appreciate the concern. I have been out working on a key political campaign and decided to stay off of the internet while it was going on. I think I’ve mentioned before that i have ambitions to run for office some day so this was a huge opportunity. Really bummed I missed so much but it looks like nothing has changed.