SoxBlanco

I’m not necessarily disagreeing with you, but I’m genuinely curious how often you think it happens. For example, how many times do you think the Sox had to remove a pitcher this season due to an injury?

I don’t think you described that very well. Let’s say the deal is 7 years for $210. After the third year, for example, the player can opt out only if the team doesn’t “swell” the contract, like adding on two more years for $60 more. So all of a sudden, the 7 year deal becomes a 9 year deal, unless the team doesn’t want to, at which point the player can opt out (but doesn’t have to).

I think Manny will be playing for the Sox this year, and I’m actually more worried about what the opt-outs or swell-opt will be than I am about whether or not we will sign him in the first place.

How often does it actually happen where pitchers need to be removed because of injury?

Great call. And if it’s the playoffs, that pitcher is out for the rest of the series. If it happens in a game 7, he is out for the next series. If it happens in game 7 of the World Series, so be it. I’m not worried about making World Series game 7’s less boring.

Great post. I feel very similar about all three guys.

My thoughts exactly. The opt outs will be very creative.

I never know how to rank guys. Should it be based on raw talent? Should it be based on a higher ceiling? Should it be based on who is more likely to contribute to the major league squad at some point? I am going to rank them the following way: If I woke up tomorrow and found out one of them has been traded, who would I be most upset about? Here is my list: 1. Luis Gonzalez 2. Micker Adolfo 3. Blake Rutherford 4. Luis Basabe 5. Steele Walker

If I was a lawyer, I would totally try his arguing skills in court: Your honor, this man should be convicted! I’m sure there is a law somewhere that says so. Anyone who has confidence in him being innocent must be his friend.

Has to be an O

Gotta get more vowels. I’ll guess I

I think the number one reason they are promoting him is their feeling that he will be better as he moves up, based on his patience and knowledge of the zone... “You don't want a guy in the lower level that shows patience and the ability to judge the strike zone well -- you don't want him to compromise that because of umpires or bad calls at the Double-A level. As he goes through the system, I think you are going to see, as he gets to Triple-A and the Major Leagues as the strike zone shrinks, he's going to be better off offensively.“ — Hostetler

This is possible, but pretty unlikely. It would mean the Sox had a cap of $300 and thought that was good enough to be in it from the beginning, while the Padres also had a cap of $300 and they decided to sit out until late January. The much more likely scenario is that Manny wants to play for the Sox and his agent is doing everything in his power to increase the price.

And I completely agree with this, as well. Sox are in great shape right now.

Couldn’t agree more. Sitting back and waiting is our best move right now, but that’s what makes it so frustrating.

I’m not at all scared by San Diego. If they were a true threat, they would have been it in from the beginning. They might drive the price up, but I’m not worried about them outbidding the Sox. And I also believe Manny wants to play with the Sox more than he wants to play with the Padres.

The main difference between the Sox and Padres is that the Sox have been in it since the beginning. The Padres are in it now because the bids seem to be low. While nobody truly knows how much either team is willing to spend, that makes it seem pretty obvious that the Sox are willing to spend more.

Figured it would be good to bump this thread now that February is approaching. Any changes to people’s predictions? It looks like Collins will start in Charlotte, which was heavily debated a couple months ago.

Yeah, sorry that I didn’t specify, but you’re right that I was talking about the “prospects”. I appreciate the info. And thanks for the Paulino link.

Thanks! Other than Eloy, who do you think are the top 1 or 2 guys to watch from that group?

It’s so cold today that Hahn has no other choice but to stay inside all day and get a deal done. Oh, and it’s a Wednesday.

So we have exactly three weeks left! Not so bad.

He’s not going back to Washington.

And if Philly does happen to sign Manny, then where does Bryce go?

Much appreciated that you took the time to write all that. One of the things that sticks out to me is that you said you "haven't been able to really talk about anything as a fan" this offseason. I think everybody should let that sink in and realize that you are in a tough spot a lot of the time. You want to come here and talk White Sox and speculate on things, but you run the risk of people hounding you for information as if you automatically know something. Keep up the good work and know that the majority of people here appreciate any info you are able to provide. We know that any info you give is a bonus and not an expectation.