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I think if Elias were seriously pursuing a starting pitcher he would have acquired one before Jan 27. Seems he's just waiting for the cheapest option.

I disagree. I used to go to all the Soxfest, and usually every day. I never went in an autograph line, never really interacted with players, except Ron Kittle, who apparently thinks I’m someone he knows. He is a fun and nice guy, but for some reason he thinks I’m someone else. He just comes up and talks to me. But I always loved the seminars. They were interesting, even with the fluff aspect of the event. Now, I would be opposed to fans actually yelling, but asking tough questions, and getting real answers is something we all deserve especially after the last couple of seasons. With Rick Hahn being the mouthpiece of the front office for so long , it’s been a while since there has been a straight answer.

He will now be eligible to play for the White Sox.

Caulfield, I appreciate the thinking outside the box, this ain't it.

C'mon. You're better than this. What is Pedro supposed to say?

Well Pedro is just answering the question. He’s still on the team, he’s the OD starter.

Buddy I’m not contributing to your fever dreams, just laughin and gruntin

Yes, my son has been waiting to go for the last two years. Potentially meeting a player/getting an autograph, getting a souvenir/game ball are some of his favorite parts of going to a game. He couldn’t believe there’s an actual event where you have that opportunity to meet almost every player and get their autograph. After the last two years have been cancelled, he’s probably starting to think I’m making it all up. I’m just pumped to finally take him next year. I doubt I’ll do much yelling at his favorite team in front of him lol.

I have literally said this numerous times on this site and seen other Sox fans on Twitter say the exact same thing. I fucking loved SoxFest as a kid and so did my older son. He still asks to go every year but I have to tell him it doesn’t exist anymore for…reasons. I even had a long-winded exchange via email with Brooks Boyer on this very point and he acknowledged that it sucks for my son. But I do appreciate you telling me otherwise in a very condescending way.

This is a sad sad place some times. Caulfield is a great Sox fan. He wants to help and has ideas and is brave enough to share his ideas with us jerks he knows will scorn him and laugh at his ideas because we can't express ourselves in any other way than short chaotic bursts of sarcastic derision like cavemen grunting. Caulfield I think the mistake you are making is thinking the Sox actually want to compete quickly like Jerry told us. I, too, at first thought trying to get younger established high floor guys with control was more of a sure thing and the Sox could use more tradable assets. So early on in the Cease trade talks I suggested getting a controllable younger player who had already had a good year or 2. After all the Sox are so bad every avenue we turn seems like a dead end. So I figured try to get mix of a tradable controlled player and a prospect for Cease. I forgot the young controllable guy I wanted in return but it wasn't seen by the vocal majority as a good idea. We saw first hand how even the best prospects are extremely inconsistent in this organization or get injured. We think it's JRs fault for not hiring good scouts and development people and we probably are right . It also could be true that the Sox could be experiencing what other teams do with injuries and inconsistencies of many prospects. But what other choice do we have than to cling to the idea that Cease is a rare commodity worthy of the high asking price as recently described in a fangraphs article ? Getting top prospects is still viewed as the only way of actually getting in a strong position to be truly competitive again at least in recent competent organizations like the Astros, Tampa Bay, Orioles, Cubs Diamondbacks. Despite the way the rebuild crashed and burned, a bad organization like the Sox managed to get to the playoffs for 2 consecutive years for the 1st time in the franchise history. Those were exciting times and the glitter of top prospects is so very shiny until the corrosion sets in. The currently deceased rebuild showed us how destructive that corrosion can be when those prospects don't pan out. The corrosion is the nature of prospects, bad development, a bad organization , bad luck. Right now it could be all of those things combined. That makes for a very angry, divided, and confused fan base. Getz isn't calling it a rebuild because his boss says we want to compete as fast as we can . That's the excuse JR made for hiring Getz. Hit the ground running. A new guy from outside the organization will take time to learn everything Getz already knows. The scary thing is we can't yet get a handle on what Getz is doing for the future of the franchise. Everything he's done so far seems to be based on improving the current rosters defense and pitching at the expense of hitting . The only thing is it's all very temporary based on creating tradable pitching pieces out of the cheapest arms he could find. How could that go wrong ? It has very little chance of succeeding but that's how desperately the Sox need more guys who can brings in prospects . Getz knows it's a rebuild and he has to start from a terrible roster while Hahn got to start with a mediocre roster. Getz and the Sox are fucked if Cease or Robert start showing that same Sox corrosion that tarnished Giolito, Moncada , Eloy, Vaughn, Kopech and others. He's also fucked if he can't magically create some tradable pitching assets using defense and his staff to create something out of mostly nothing's. This is one high level SNAFU where nobody has the right answers and all ideas are inherently bad because the Sox haven't shown us that they are capable of running a Tampa Bay like organization that stresses low cost high level development of prospects , or do much of anything else right. This is everything we are getting from the fan base now. 1. We actually are expecting too much for Cease. 2. Cease is worth the high asking price but settle and trade him because something is better than nothing. 3. Start the season with Cease . Hold out for the best trade you can make by counting on a healthy and very good Cease. No further corrosion allowed . Cease will be shiny again. 4. Trade Robert ASAP before he turns into a pumpkin . Sell high before his shiny season gets Sox corrosion. 5. Robert, Jr. is too good to get what he is now truly worth based on his 1 healthy breakout season. Hold him for another year when he'll the model of health and a glorious vision of a shiny nice thing . 6. Getz is doing great. We might be able to win this crappy division if a few things fall our way. I like this new idea of speed, pitching and defense. f*** the HR , give me more Go Go Sox/ Royals championship baseball ! 7. We are going to be really bad in 2024. What the f*** is Getz doing ? He hasn't done one thing yet, as far as player transactions , go to improve the future. 8. Hope the Sox are just good enough in the 1st half of 2024 to actually trade half the pitching staff ,Moncada, Robert and Eloy for more prospects. We are a really traumatized fan base who finally realized that rebuilding with JR in charge is doomed to fail but now have to rebuild with JR still in charge hoping for more shiny happy prospects that can make us shiny, happy fans again... until the corrosion...

15.

Does 17 refer to the number of paragraphs in a typical Caulfield post?

Injuries to pitchers happen… often. I don’t doubt it if a contender gets the axe and we get a haul. I’m commending Getz so far.

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah ::inhale:: hahahahahahqhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

The question is actually answered by the fact that they haven't moved him yet - wait until he forces you to move him. Trea Turner was pretty weak defensively last year, but his bat is strong enough that he still plays as a very strong SS. If Colson's bat plays and he's a slightly below average SS, you keep him there and just deal with it, score more runs to make up for plays that aren't made. If you bring him up in '24-25 and he's just awful at SS, then you ask why no coach said to move him while in the minors, but you move him then. If Ramos is still on a path to the big leagues, maybe you work him in at DH, maybe you shift his position, maybe you're in a good enough position to consider a trade, maybe Colson gets hurt and you're happy you have the depth.

I mean, I’d like to take my sons to SoxFest who want to go to see players and get autographs. Yelling is actually a second for me (although I’d love to partake) and I’m sure there are many others with young children who feel the same.

I purchased my Baseball America handbook and they sent me the PDF of the book. The top 30 list for the Sox is pretty interesting. They have them ranked as the 18th overall system in baseball. 16 of the top 30 were drafted, 6 signed internationally and 8 trades 1. Colson Montgomery SS 2. Noah Schultz LHP 3. Nick Nastrini RHP 4. Bryan Ramos 3B 5. Edgar Quero C 6. Jacob Gonzalez SS 7. Jake Eder LHP 8. Cristian Mena RHP 9. Jonathan Cannon RHP 10. Peyton Pallette RHP 11. Ky Bush LHP 12. George Wolkow OF 13. Sean Burke RHP 14. Jordan Leasure RHP 15. Tanner McDougal RHP 16. Wilfred Veras OF 17. Grant Taylor RHP 18. Seth Keener RHP 19. Ryan Burrowes SS 20. Jacob Burke OF 21. Terrell Tatum OF 22. Javier Mogollon SS 23. Jose Rodriguez SS 24. Mathias LaCombe RHP 25. Shane Drohan LHP 26. Braden Shewmake SS 27. Matthew Thompson RHP 28. Cristian Oppor LHP 29. Juan Carela RHP 30. Tyler Schweitzer LHP

Exactly like Bloom dealing with Henry and Fenway Sports Group…forced to dump Betts for 15-25 cents on the dollar, then vilified for it. Then criticized for signing Devers after losing Bogaerts. It will be fascinating to see how they fill out the 4/5 spots in the rotation and those two temaining OF spots. Just like the “on the cheap” Korean and Japanese bullpen. Will it actually work? Then there’s leveraging Kim’s massive fWAR this year in trade (walk year), after the Korean Series is over. Can they trade him despite being in WC position? Trade Bogaerts and/Machado? Darvish or Jake Cronenworth, their own version of Benintendi after 4+ fWAR the previous year? Not trading Hader, Snell, Wacha and Lugo hurt too. See Angels. Between a rock and a hard place. Have a feeling this year’s team will outperform 2023, with Tatis and Bogaerts way off career highs due to injury and sheer number of months of inactivity. All comes down to pitching.

Where’s your trade proposal? (Feel like Nikki Haley trying to get just one head-to-head debate scheduled, lol.)

For the name alone!

if he's on a tear for the first half, the sox would very much pick up a chunk of his salary to boost the return. they'd only be paying for between 1/3 and 1/2 of a season anyway

Maybe, just maybe, the Sox were waiting for this shoe to drop, now they'll swoop in and sign up all the $1.5 million dollar "16 year olds" as $30k 19 year olds mentioned in the string.

That list after the top 7 is pretty depressing. Still a long way to go for the system. Maybe after a bountiful Cease trade and the upcoming draft it will look a lot closer to respectable/top 1/2 of the league

Getz, please claim this guy and see what he can do in Spring Training. A 26 year old lefty bat that can play RF, 1B, and some 3B. Monster numbers in the minors last year. He hit 30 HR and stole 32 bases. His strikeout rate is awful but he would basically cost nothing so it’s worth a shot. He also has a sweet ass name, haha. I’d cut Sheets for this guy. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/01/angels-designate-trey-cabbage-for-assignment.html

The Sox were innovators in this area with Dave Wilder.

I’m not here to change minds. I think Flus is a terrible head coach and a good DC, it is what it is

ummmm Bruuuuce says 0% chance, Grifol names Cease OD starter. Bruuuuce wrong again?

No, this doesn’t make sense for the simple fact that Varsho has too much service time already and Jerry isn’t going to want the primary return in a Cease trade being someone that he will have to pay money too via salary arbitration or a contract extension. He and Getz will both want cheap young players with minimal or no service time.

I’ve been saying this for awhile. The risk is definitely too high. Also, When the GM is literally saying they are still looking for OF help (probably Whit) and to trade Cease, I think that says it all.

Silly media tripe. Home plate is far away.

I think it’s fair to criticize the pick and even call it bad given the profile, but the claims that Gonzalez is already a bust are obviously way too premature. The ceiling is very disappointing for a first round pick and there are real concerns that must be addressed, but he also some nice defensive skills (despite the lack of speed) and great plate discipline. With some tweaks, there is a very real path to being an average everyday 2B. Again, not overly exciting and no guarantee there, but there is some reason to believe he grow into a useful major leaguer.

Lol

Terrible use of dealing Cease. So bad that I think you only posted it to get replies.

What the f***

This would be a terrible deal

Please for the love of everything make sure there is a view of the skyline

17.

You mean right now? Yes I remember right now.

Fair enough Jimmy....I will now refrain from ragging on him until we see what he can do in his first full minor league season. I'm glad he is working hard on things to get better.

I don't think they're asking for too much. Teams see there are still other options available so at this time they're unwilling to be the one to step up and pay the price. Those options will eventually sign and there will be teams left with a serious need for top end pitching. Patience

That's my hope too. Hold out for more knowing he can pivot to his real asking price.

It's a good point about Turner and I don't know what people were saying about him as a prospect, but I imagine since he was a bit smaller and much speedier than Montgomery, he projected better as a middle infielder. I guess give Montgomery a shot because who else is playing there next season, but he was bad defensively at AA and I don't see his mobility improving as he gets older/stronger. Which is to say, I'd be stunned if he was even 'slightly below average' defensively at SS. Obviously it would be great if he sticks there, but I'd feel more confident about the team with a defense-first SS who can hit the ball a little bit. Maybe that could be Gonzalez, but I like those two guys I mentioned (especially Winn) because they smashed AAA pitching and look like they could be plus defenders at SS or 2B. Rafaela could play the outfield too, I like the versatility in contrast to having 13 first basemen and a center fielder on the team.

I'll take this kind of deal all day compared to what they've given relief pitchers in the past.

Good read, thanks for sharing. Surprised Popeye didn't make the top 27 but he's probably just not as good as I imagine he is. Doubly surprised Adam Hackenberg isn't in the article at all, he seems to me like the most underrated guy in the system. defensively, I bet he could start at the major league level next season and his bat improved drastically in 2023. I think an interesting question to ask is what to do about Ramos/Montgomery. It's inevitable that Montgomery will move to 3B so where does that leave Ramos? Still hoping we can get a legitimate middle infielder for Cease, Masyn Winn or Ceddanne Rafaela would be my preferred choices of the teams that have been rumored to be in on Cease.

I think you greatly underestimate the current incompetence at both City Hall and the Sox Executive Office.

Maybe this is a good sign - they plan on cleaning a lot up but really are positive / hopeful they will be in a better position a year from now to really be turning the trajectory (not saying we will be talking about a playoff team next year - but maybe last year and part of this year is the rock bottom and than they start moving up - new stadium becomes official, some younger prospects start to take off, they make a few more moves to improve young talent in system (at a cost of ML talent of course) and than we see them start to making some better investments into the franchise. I still expect a rough couple of years - but as pessimistic as I have become (which is hard for me to say cause I'm an optimist) - I haven't had much issue with most of what Getz has been doing.

I really don't want to jump on the guy, but it sure would have been nice for him to have been this focused the last 5 years. But hey, I'm here for it.

Calling it now, Oppor and Montgomery are gonna be Downtown Dominators