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We have been around quite a few blocks here at Soxtalk, and none of them are quite like the one we have just made. I know 2020 has been a year of loss and struggle for way to much of this country, and our little corner of the interwebs isn't immune from that. I just want to take the time to wish everyone a happy holiday season and a Merry Christmas. Hopefully even if those struggles are still present for you, this time can give even a temporary respite from the pressures of life.

In the right hands, this guy becomes a legit #2-3

Lol...yup, let’s renege on a previously agreed upon deal to sign a guy who might be slightly better of a prospect if at all. I’m sure LatAm will guys would love to do business with us after that move.

Decades of history maybe

They’re right, closers should not get paid $14 mil a year. The White would be wise to be putting that $14 mil towards another SP (Bauer) or Springer/Ozuna and a lesser reliever but the Sox lack wisdom so will end up overpaying for Hendriks because that’s his market and they feel he’s more valuable than an elite SP or Positional player.

Again...last two games in late September he was VERY good...before that he had an ERA of 6. In 2019 he was 1 WAR better than Reylo and in 2018 he was 2 WAR worse. In his best year ever he was 98th in the majors in pitching WAR...worse than Gio Gonzalez...his best year ever was worse than Gio age 33. Honestly Quintana is lefty, has a better track record, better peak and costs you nothing. Why are we even talking about this guy?

Hi guys, just wanted to take a minute to wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy year, most of all good health! These days people don't spend much time or thought on some personal words to their friends and family, they just copy and paste some random message and send it on. So after all we've been though together this year I want to thank you for your friendship and wish you a happy and fulfilling 2018 - you’re the best gymnastics group anyone could ask for. Best wishes, Helen

Well from what I know, Hendriks doesn’t have 4 year offers. The White Sox are very much in play. People need to be careful believing everything they read. Agents are doing work at this time of year.

Yes, although now one of the foodies just said Colome isn't coming back regardless as the Sox are predicting regression. If they aren't going to shell out what it takes on Hendriks (and its increasingly feeling that way), they might as well pivot to Brantley and then add another closer later. Actually, I wouldn't mind if Bummer took over that role and maybe Heuer/Crochet could pitch the 8th.

Soxtalk game thread when Reynaldo is appearing: ”DFA him!” ”total trash I can’t wait until he’s gone” ”we’ll never compete with Reynaldo being relied on” Soxtalk offseason ”Reynaldo lopez is just as good as Joe Musgrove”

Merry Christmas everybody, hope you and yours stay safe!

Merry Christmas!!!!

Merry Christmas Sox fans!!!! To 2021 and more!

The White Sox have an offer out for Hendriks.

@KrankinSox is this Bernie guy legit? He isn't named after a food or an appendage, so I'm skeptical.

I'm really surprised that it was even 50/50 on the last question. I would've guessed 0 saying yes.

Along with Merry Christmas, I want to say thank you to all of you, whoever you are, for making and keeping this site vital and engaging. As an out of town member who doesn’t post very often but reads here constantly, this site has been so important to me since joining in the off season before the glorious year of 2005. Everyone stay safe, be smart and let’s win the Series next year, because I truly think we can.

I think they’re willing to pony up for Hendriks (within reason obviously), but am concerned that will tap them out financially for the most part.

Merry Christmas to all and your family. 2021 Sox World Champs hopefully.

Pirates failed pitcher is actually an excellent resume recently

Nobody knows how expensive it's become. Nobody expects the Sox to outbid the Dodgers and Mets. if those teams are the main competition, then Sox fans have moved on.

Merry Christmas! 95 days until opening day

Why are people assuming that Sox won’t pony up for Hendriks? Nobody should assume that at this point

I'm guilty of thinking that Joe Musgrove isn't very good and neither is Lopez so why trade assets for the Pirates failed pitcher when we have one of our own.

Merry Christmas to all! Here's hoping the new year brings us the World Series Championship we've been waiting 15+ years for!

I watch It’s a Wonderful Life every Christmas Eve before I go to bed.

Merry Christmas guys, I know it’s been a hard year for a bunch of people. I pray you and your families are healthy and have a great day! God bless!

Merry Christmas everybody!!!! Enjoy the day with your families!!! ??

Lol wut? you don’t even know who you’re responding to. You’d think a mod could follow a thread

If the top piece of the deal is Stiever, I'd do it. Something like Steiver and Bryce Bush. People talked about having to trade from the prospect depth to get something of value when it was done for Lynn. While I still think that deal was stupid and the Sox vastly overpaid, this is the type of deal that needs to be made, dealing from actual prospect depth, not the ML roster, to get undervalued talent that is controllable for a decent period of time, rather than an aging vet with 1 year of control.

Since Colas has officially declared, MLB Pipeline has updated their rankings. Colas is now ranked #2 behind Cespedes. However Colas has 55 hit 60 power 55 Run, while Cespedes has 50 hit and 55 power 60 run. Their defensive grades are the same. Colas looks to be the better prospect on paper and is a full year younger. Another reason to not read the Pipeline rankings too closely.

They'd be foolish to trade Madrigal. I'm sick of trade talk. Open up the friggin wallet and sign FA difference makers. In the post season, it's all about pitching. Bauer and Hendriks. Reinsdorf with his poor owner routine got old with me decades ago. Oh I long for the day to watch affluent sportsmen take the reigns of ownership. With the team they're assembling you're gonna need deep-pockets to not only keep this talented team together but to showcase them in a world class venue. The Chicago White Sox can go from obscurity to a global brand with the right ownership and marketing campaign.

Merry Christmas! #NeverCubs

Look at LeMahieu 3 years with Colorado...from 15-17. He put up 10.3 WAR while hitting just 8 homer runs per year...he started hitting more home runs after that but he certainly had a 6 year stretch averaging 3 WAR. Placido Polanco averaged 3 WAR for 14 years and only once hit more than 15 home runs. Howie Kendrick hit a few more homers but was a worse fielder and had a six year stretch of 4 WAR. Nellie Fox 10 year stretch of 5 WAR a year. Rod Carew is the ceiling for little-power, slick fielding, fast 2B and he had 7 WAR a year for 7 years. Half the board wants to trade away Madrigal for a bucket of balls and replace him with a 30 year old 1 WAR 2b with the idea that Madrigal is just a guy...based on a couple of fielding/baserunning errors as a 23 year old rookie by the same people that ignore his .380 OBP as a rookie and the mounds of scouts saying he will be a + fielder and + baserunner. I wouldn't even trade him straight up for Snell...Snell is 28, had one amazing season but his other 4 he's average 1 WAR. It's ok to not see Madrigal as a superstar. NO one thought Placido Polanco was a superstar...he only made two All Star games...yet 42 WAR in 14 years is exactly the kind of career I expect Madrigal to have. And in a team with a galaxy of stars...a guy that we never talk about but never strikes out, plays GG caliber 2b and gets on base with good speed. Is REALLY valuable.

I have only tried the almond breeze brand. It was pretty good and didn't give me digestive issues. ?

Colas looks like he would fit perfectly in RF. I like that smooth LH swing with that big bat he is using, I would renege on the Cespedes deal if that is what it takes to get Colas. And yes, I am mindful of how the decision to trade up for Trubisky worked out.

All depends on the cost of course. If all it takes is The Little Magician and some lesser pieces, sure. Sign La Stella to replace him and you're good to go.

Merry Christmas ya filthy animals!

In case anyone missed the tag on the post - this was split off from the Reds' Fire Sale thread, because the discussion around Moncada's value had derailed it.

The offseason ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

What's the possible point of getting into the minutia of analyzing numbers on a guy who played a very small number of games immediately after "recovering" from a virus that, while there is still very much we do not know about, one thing that we do know is that a significant percentage of people who get it experience chronic fatigue for several months? Especially when the guy we are talking about flat out told us that he was feeling those effects for the entire short season, and the numbers on his foot/bat speed seem to back up that claim? This all seems like a pretty pointless exercise, no?

True, but that's a long time away for people who need it yesterday.

The Garpax Boylen stench does not wash off so easily lol

I would keep Pace. He's done a lot of good things and deserves a chance to see it thru. I would fire Nagy. I loved the hire and really wanted him to succeed but his stubbornness sabotaged the season and that's a fireable offense. I would bring back Mitch and hire a coach who actually likes him and is willing to run an offense that makes him better. I think it would set them back too far to find a new QB. They need to acquire two new tackles thru the draft and free agency and shore up the D line. This team is close.

Having taught a bunch of students who did that, it is false to say they don’t leave with debt. Id also like to think I have a pretty damn good into level class too.

I poured a glass of egg nog last night, took a sip. It was buttermilk.

Part of me would love to see an Eaton return redemption story but I don't have high hopes that being with a winning organization has taught him to be less of an asshat.

I wonder how much budget that leaves for a pitcher? I wonder how much Kluber would cost? If Hahn got Kluber I'd want him to hedge with someone like Richards/Archer in case Kluber isn't healthy, has diminished stuff, or gets injured again.