SoxBlanco

It feels to me like Stone, Merkin, and now Levine have been told to go out of their way to temper expectations with the fans. I’ve counted numerous times where they have either stated it’s unlikely we will sign one of the big boys (Cole) or they have listed some lower tier options.

That career wRC+ factors in 2014 and 2015 when he had a wRC+ in the 90's. I think it's more important to look at his last few years. He's only 27 years old right now (28 when next season starts).

You should hop on board the Castellanos train. The guy can hit and is steadily improving. He even improved his defense from 2018 to 2019, which is important to me when a guy has not been an outfielder for his whole career. He's never going to have great defense, but he can play RF for a year and then move to DH. I know you don't think he hits well enough to be a DH, but I see him as a guy who puts up a wRC+ in the 120's/130's, which is good enough for me.

It’s not a terrible plan, and the lineup looks great, but I just can’t get behind it. If we are willing to spend that much money on Rendon (and lose Madrigal in the process), why not just spend all that money on Cole?

I guess I just don’t see him as an underwhelming DH. But I definitely understand the hesitation.

I completely agree. The only thing I wouldn’t mind is Castellanos. This is what I posted in another thread about him... I like the idea of Castellanos because we can sign him for 3 or 4 years, but he could still fit the one year stopgap idea for RF. Let him play RF next year, and then he can move to DH in 2021. This is assuming Vaughn is ready and Jose just signs a 1 year deal. Then we could still shop for a RF next offseason with guys like Betts (long shot) or Pederson. Or we can hope one of our five OF prospects will be ready in 2021 or 2022. I’m liking the idea of Castellanos more and more now that JDM isn’t in the mix for DH over the next few years.

If I could either take that right now or let the offseason play out and hope for the best, I think I’m taking that. But I’m still hopeful for a bit better than that.

I like the idea of Castellanos because we can sign him for 3 or 4 years, but he could still fit the one year stopgap idea for RF. Let him play RF next year, and then he can move to DH in 2021. This is assuming Vaughn is ready and Jose just signs a 1 year deal. Then we could still shop for a RF next offseason with guys like Betts (long shot) or Pederson. Or we can hope one of our five OF prospects will be ready in 2021 or 2022. I’m liking the idea of Castellanos more and more now that JDM isn’t in the mix for DH over the next few years.

For the White Sox, what would it realistically take to get JDM in a trade if we took on the full salary?

I’d be ok with Wheeler, Grandal, and Calhoun.

Wait, so as long as he opts out by 5 PM ET, he can't have a QO attached to him?

If he does opt out and we offer 3 years and $75 million, do you think he takes it right away?

If he opts out, how quickly are you guys expecting him to reach a deal with a new team?

Strasburg only had 3 days to decide. JDM has 5. That’s why he is taking longer.

How about 8 years for $258,333,333.33?

Bumgarner, Wheeler, Dickerson, and Encarnacion. Then Vaughn takes over for Abreu at 1B in 2021, and Abreu replaces Encarnacion as the DH. Also, sign Betts to replace Dickerson in 2021. (This is not my actual plan...just my plan for the sake of this exercise.)

The idea of one year placeholders is not just because of the belief that one of our OF prospects will emerge. It would certainly be great if one of them emerged, but if not, then you sign or trade for somebody next offseason.

You’ve sold me on Dickerson. Can we get him on a one year deal?

Me too. I officially want JDM and Calhoun. Collins can catch 2 or 3 times a week and play 1B/DH a couple times a week. This gives him 4 or 5 games per week early on to see what he does with it. If he can be a consistent OBP guy with power, he can keep playing more. Then sign Wheeler and someone like Hamels/Hill to fill out the rotation. Throw in a solid bullpen piece, and we have ourselves a very solid offseason. Side note: I’ve wanted Grandal more than JDM for a long time, but I’m starting to lean toward JDM now. I definitely wouldn’t be opposed to Grandal, though. Give me one of those two guys.

This is exactly why I am leaning toward preferring JDM now. I have been pushing hard on this message board that Grandal is a better fit than JDM for many reasons, but I am starting to sway the other way. There is something that certain catchers possess that can't be quantified, and I don't really know how to describe it. It's a combination of game calling, handling pitchers, framing, etc. AJ had it. McCann has it. No other catcher the White Sox have had in between those two have had it, and based on my limited time watching Grandal as well as what I have read about him, I don't think Grandal has it.

Thanks! I always thought it was 5, but I could have sworn they said last night that Strasburg has 3, so that's why I asked. I appreciate it.

What would be considered a price that is "not having to pay way too much" for Joc Pederson? In other words, what would you be willing to part with to acquire Joc that would make that move smarter than just signing a 1 year stopgap (Calhoun, for example)?

It would not be wise for them to make a statement about payroll expectations. If they come out and say, "We are willing to increase payroll to $150 million", and then they strike out on some big free agents, it will only lead to more disappointment. I think they learned their lesson last year and will just let it play out.

Do players have 3 days or 5 days from the end of the World Series to make a decision on opting out?

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