Flash

Thought I'd posit a few names I'd like to see us pursue in trade. These are less obvious than some and assume no major FA acquisitions such as Comforto. 1) Daulton Varsho, D-Backs - very unconventional defensive profile fills several holes for us. In 2021 he started 37 games as catcher and 36 games in OF (CF in 19). LH hitter with power and 5 years of control. D-Backs unlikely to move him unless they are overwhelmed but am guessing they'd love to get out from MadBums remaining 3/yr $55M. 2) Joey Gallo, Yankees - disappointed after coming over from Rangers. Can play either corner at GG level and, while strikeout prone, has LH power few, if any, can match. Under contract at @$10.5M in '22 would probably benefit from change of scenery. If he clicks, can extend him and if not, he buys us another year of development for the youngsters. 3) Ian Happ, Cubs - has been erratic at the plate but turned things around nicely after horrible start in '21. Hit 25 bombs (would have been 2nd highest on Sox). Career 800+ OPS as a switch-hitter. Capable of playing multiple positions including 2B/3B and all 3 OF positions. Similar profile to L. Garcia but with more power and a bit better range. Of course 'it takes two to tango' and Sox are thin on trade capital. My sense is short of taking on the salaries trade partners might be seeking to move, names that might be required to turn deals for the above include, Jimenez, Vaughn (Varsho would be the only name above I would consider moving Vaughn for), Crochet, Bummer, etc. And...just to add some controversy, it might be fun to contemplate what a potential return package might look like if we dangled Giolito (plus ?) to the D-Backs for let's say Varsho, K. Marte and Zac Gallen?. Oh well...such is life with no baseball to look forward to and time on my hands.

Dumb question (based upon your list) but is Colas actually signed? I guess I wasn't paying attention.

Where did you find the information about 2018/19 profitability? Is this published somewhere?

Let's do some business with the Reds. Castillo and Winker would solve a lot of issues. Might have to take on Moustakas contract but he might be serviceable at 2B and insurance for Yoan.

Or an Eloy trade ?

Couldn't agree more. We tend to forget just how dominant Rodon and Lynn were in the first half of the season. They were arguably 2 of the top 3-4 pitchers in the AL. The hope is Lynn will report in good playing shape and somehow we recapture a healthy Rodon. I would handicap both of those events as 'iffy'. Any regression by Lynn and/or Gio/Cease and all of a sudden we aren't such a sure thing in the AL Central.

Upon which the Dodgers promptly extended a QO

I hope Chris Taylor is signed. He provides exactly what Ben Zobrist brought to the Cubs...positional versatility and 'grindiness'. It will be interesting to see what Dodgers do now that Seeger has bailed but if I only had one FA from this crop, Taylor would be the guy.

Best I can tell, the teams with special considerations (Mets...new, wealthy owner, Rangers...new stadium, Mariners...general malaise) are making aggressive moves. The 'smart money' (Rays, Yankees, Dodgers, Brewers, Red Sox and even the Padres) have been watching from the sidelines. Frankly, I haven't seen one signing where I felt WS should have exceeded the winning bid/contract. My sense is this team will be improved going into '22. At this time, I'm fine watching things unfold, especially when the signed players aren't key targets.

Has there been a credible source who has linked us to Conforto?

I guess I never considered Semien a realistic target but its true many here did.

Might have missed someone but haven't seen anyone too connected to Sox come off the board yet. Possible exception being Kevin Gausman although Sox weren't prominently mentioned as hot pursuers.

Nailed it. Its conceivable that teams can win and win big with a hodge podge of talented athletes but for that to happen, you need a coach who can provide the right mix of nurture, instruction and discipline. The Sox could have hired AJ Hinch but opted for TLR. Okay...bad move, so now we have to supplement what we are calling the Core with players who can not only perform at a high level but also bring some of the chemistry, winning culture and baseball IQ to help turn our individual contributors into a team. Thats why I am now leaning toward Chris Taylor.

Comforto isn't Mookie Betts either and won't come cheap. Castellanos rakes with the best.

Much prefer Castellanos to Conforto despite handedness.

Let's focus on Chris Taylor, especially if Leury leaves town 2B, OF, SS, 3B. Can resign Tepera while we're at it.

Just hard to imagine so little smoke after the year he had unless there is real reason to be concerned.

Kind of curious why WS didn't give him a QO and, given the demand for quality arms, he has yet to sign. Seems like he would have a bigger market than Thor. My hope is we have an 'understanding' with Boras commensurate with his medical history and injury risk. Maybe 3/$50ish?

Ian Happ - 25 HRs (22 vs. RH pitching). Can and has played all 3 OF positions as well as 2nd base (and 3rd/1B on rare occasions). Under contract for 2 more years at @$8M/per. Guessing Cubs would entertain offers. Maybe a package to possibly include Kyle Hendricks ?

I think it would work nicely and I particularly like CT because as Hi8s has pointed out, he's a grinder and I think attitude and grindiness are as important as some of the more measurables for this teams current composition. We have an ample supply of spirited free swingers and can use the intangibles and chemistry a guy like CT can bring.

Nice. My concern is JR won't sign two $20M/yr FAs (Gausman and Conforto). As much as I like Conforto and have lobbied for him in the past, I think the better move is signing (Chris Taylor) or trading for (Ketel Marte) as versatile 2B/OFs who provide flexibility and room for Vaughn and Sheets to develop. I'd also like to test if Keuchel might have a little gas left in the tank before salary dump.

You don't trade Vaughn. Hard stop.

Chris Taylor?

Can use a grinder or two

This from Dodger blog listing teams likely to poach Chris Taylor (hint...Sox are first on the list). FWIW, Taylor is my #1 FA choice. Versatility and pedigree make him an ideal fit with current roster composition. Guessing somewhere in the 3yr/$54M range? "The White Sox traded Nick Madrigal to the Chicago Cubs last season in the Craig Kimbrel deal and opened up a spot at second base. The team does not really have a true second baseman on the roster, opening the door for Taylor to start full time there. There’s also a bit of a depth issue in the outfield, which is where Taylor can easily fill an important role. If the White Sox find someone to help at second or call someone up, Taylor can still help in the corner outfield spots on a day-to-day basis and take over at short or third if needed".