SoxBlanco

Yeah, I think the three most likely players are Castellanos, Calhoun, and Peralta.

I wouldn’t either. I really think Vaughn is going to be one of the best hitters in the minors next year. I envision him having a Luis Robert type of year (with fewer strike outs and more walks).

You sure Puig was on the Reds at the end of last season?

Don’t sleep on Luis Gonzalez. He’s my pick for bounce back/breakout next year.

I don’t think it will. Once we sign Wheeler, everybody will forget about this Abreu deal, and we’ll go back to planning playoff viewing parties (for the road games).

Can’t argue with that. I agree. And that’s why I preferred to go year by year with him. But I am excited to see what he can do with some protection in the lineup. And who knows...maybe he can become more patient with Menechino and Grandal on board.

Back when we first entered the rebuild, my dad (an old school guy) was skeptical about having to go through some losing seasons. Him: So if all goes well, when will we finally win another World Series? Me: 2022 I'm sticking to that.

Could a possible benefit of this move be that we look like a very loyal organization, and that might attract other players if they are on the fence about signing with a couple teams? Perhaps a bit of a stretch.

The other thing missing from the comparison is that Grandal has been hitting with protection around him on playoff caliber teams. Abreu has been hitting with dog shit around him and has still managed to put up pretty good numbers. I'd summarize it like this: Grandal: Great signing Abreu: Eh, take it or leave it.

We won't have to spend on a DH in 2022, because Jose will fill that spot. If the argument is that perhaps someone like Collins could have filled that spot for much less money, then that is assuming Collins (or whoever else) takes off and is a productive DH. If that does happen, then that person becomes a great trade piece to help fill another hole, like an extra starting pitcher. I just don't think it makes sense to say, "Well now we have $14M less to spend in 2022." That is looking at things in a vacuum.

This is pretty much how I feel, except that Jose hating the DH should not matter. When Vaughn is ready, he'll be the 1B and Jose will DH. It doesn't matter if he doesn't like it. There's no way that we would let Abreu play 1B when we have a better option in the middle of our championship run just because he hates being the DH.

And one less position to worry about filling. Look, I don't love the move (I preferred to go year by year), but I really don't think it's going to affect our ability to compete for a championship at all.

Yes, but this is only true if Abreu's production falls off a cliff. If that $14M is not there in 2022, then neither is a DH. So we'd have to pay somebody for that position. It's not like the extra $14M is just added in a vacuum. The whole roster configuration changes.

This doesn't answer your question, but his numbers might even get better with Moncada, Eloy, and Grandal hitting around him.

Thanks for clarifying. I asked a question earlier about whether the signing bonus would count toward 2020, but now I'm realizing that was a stupid question. If it didn't count, then teams would just call large chunks of a contract a "signing bonus" to get around the tax penalties.

I was going to ask this, but then I just figured Vaughn will still be the future 1B, with Abreu moving to DH. Or we could end up trading Vaughn.

Assuming we don't sign anybody to be the DH, how do these numbers look for a breakdown at C, DH, and 1B? Games played at that position are in parenthesis. Catcher: Grandal (90), McCann (50), Collins (22) DH: Collins (60), Abreu (38), Grandal (32), McCann (32) 1B: Abreu (120), Grandal (30), Collins (12)

Do people actually think Chisox378 is being serious? It's clearly a troll job. Probably best to just ignore his posts.

Good. I want nothing to do with him.

No, the rotation will be Giolito, Wheeler, Lopez, Hill, Cease.

Upon further review, your prediction of 4 years, $72M was made AFTER this prediction. The ruling on the field is confirmed. Great prediction.

Wheeler will take his place in the next week or two.

In a perfect world, we have five solid starters when Rodon is healthy and he doesn’t need to take anyone’s place. It could be like adding a great lefty reliever at the trade deadline.

Rodon isn’t a free agent after next year.

Possibly, but we could easily rotate Grandal, McCann, Collins, and Abreu among C, DH, and 1B. Should still be plenty of at-bats to go around.