Look at Ray Ray Run

I don't get how Price would fit the concern of accelerating the process though. He shouldn't really cost much in assets. This seems to imply the Sox would be giving something back that was a part of the future. @Jack Parkman, it sounds like they're talking about ROBERT!

Yeah, I believe he had a solid source as others did. The past two years though, he's been like everyone else. I didn't want to look as if it was an attack on the guy - it's not - I just thought he was a bit off putting with his criticism of other reporters who trusted a source and got it wrong. I would love to know why Ozuna's family thought he was signing with the White Sox; that one still baffles me. I just think at this point, trusting what anyone says about this team is pointless. Even if there's a 1% chance the Sox sign Rendon, you will hear nothing about their involvement until the end of it.

This is the best window of Rays contention that they'll have for quite some time. They're not moving Snell.

The White Sox offered him 125 million; if you're going to be over the top negative with this team at least be accurate.

I do find it odd that Bilek was critical - in a sarcastic way - of the Ozuna report because it wasn't accurate but has rabbit been right about a single off-season move the past couple seasons? Not a shot at the guy, as I think no one really knows what a team will do because teams aren't transparent and honest with these things... I just think you shouldn't throw stones from your glass house.

The White Sox didn't trade an asset to fill RF only to go out and pay a guy 80 million, that other teams are asking to play RF, to be their DH. Jack, back away from the keyboard pal. The White Sox aren't trading Robert for anyone or anything.

I don't see how him saying that Mazara is how they addressed RF plays to him implying that they could bring in a bigger RF'er. I think it's very obvious that the way they addressed RF was Mazara and that allows them to do some other things.

I'm like 99% sure Rick was saying don't judge the avenue we went to get a RF until you see what that allowed us to do elsewhere.

Well yes, they didn't trade for Mazara to make him their 4th outfielder.

A manager has to answer to his players every single day. Ricky has never worked with Mazara. I think Ricky should shut up and not give a vote of confidence to a guy without knowing shit... but I also don't expect Ricky to say that he can't hit lefties, never will be able to, and will be platooned for that reason. Your manager should have your back, and he should absolutely go to bat for you with management. At the end of the day, if it's May and he looks abysmal vs lefties, you make a change to help the player.

That's weird, because he was beloved in Tampa. Boston is tough on guys who get paid and have set backs. Carl Crawford was about as good of a person as existed in MLB by all accounts; if you listened to the Boston media he was a lazy hack who didn't care about his performance. I wouldn't judge any player based on media portrayal in a major market.

They aren't going to pigeon hole the guy and tell him he's not good enough at something right when they want to acquire him. You can not tell a player to work on getting better in an area if you aren't going to give them the opportunity to show what they've done.

Duh. Go get something done now Rick and prove everyone wrong for once in your life.

Gabe Kapler said something yesterday that should really resonate with fans regarding a full on analytic based decision making. They asked Kapler what the one major change he would make in his second go around as manager and do you know what he said? He said he's going to remember that these are people whose production relies heavily on confidence. Every time you pinch hit a player for another in a situation that gives you a small edge, you need to remember that there is a player being removed from the game as well; being told he's not good enough. That has an effect on players, even if people want to say "shut up and do your job." These are still human beings, and to hear Kapler (who is one of the most stat-forward managers and people in baseball) say that was very telling. He said if the reward for the swap is small, you're better off not harming the confidence of a player. Also he said players aren't always what they once were, and when you don't give them a chance to change that, they become stuck in their ways and start to tell themselves that they had no chance and there's no point on working on improving. I feel the exact same way as Kapler.

Yessir. I'm not sure I've ever seen a buffoon of a manager/coach quite like Yost in any sport really. Bevington definitely gives him a run for his money though.

Me and you will never ever see eye to eye on this or on the value of a manager. The worst strategic manager in the last 40 years of baseball has a World Series title. Managers matter so little, and I actually think a managers job is more-so to get great effort and clubhouse culture; Ricky does a fine job there.

I have always felt that was about a 1% chance Bumgarner went to the AL, but we'll see. He is worth more in the NL, imo.

Scott Merkin @scottmerkin · 49s Renteria said Mazara would be the primary right fielder. Could explore platoon opportunities at times but wants to get Mazara going against lefties as well This fucking guy. ? I get not wanting to give up on any hope that he'd hit lefties, and he's certainly fared much better vs lefties than Joc but please stop talking Ricky. Thanks.

Add Robert to the above group to make 25 men, and you are looking at 85 million even. If the Sox had plans to spend 120-130 million for payroll this year, they have 45 million to spend. That honestly could be Rendon + a starter.

With 24 players on the roster that would be expected to break with the team (+ Kopech) right now, the White Sox payroll is: $84,535,499 Yasmani Grandal 31 C Vet $18,250,000 - $18,250,000 $18,250,000 23.41 ######## Jose Abreu 33 DH Vet $11,000,000 $1,666,666 $12,666,666 $12,666,666 16.25 ######## Alex Colome 31 RP/CL Arb 3 $10,300,000 - $10,300,000 $10,300,000 13.21 ######## Kelvin Herrera 30 RP Vet $8,500,000 - $8,500,000 $8,500,000 10.9 9,000,000 Nomar Mazara 25 RF Arb 2 3 $5,700,000 - $5,700,000 $5,700,000 7.31 5,700,000 James McCann 30 C Arb 3 $5,400,000 - $5,400,000 $5,400,000 6.93 5,400,000 Carlos Rodon 27 SP Arb 3 3 $4,500,000 - $4,500,000 $4,500,000 5.77 4,500,000 Tim Anderson 27 SS Pre-Arb 3 $4,000,000 - $4,000,000 $4,000,000 5.13 4,166,667 Leury Garcia 29 CF Arb 3 $4,000,000 - $4,000,000 $4,000,000 5.13 4,000,000 Eloy Jimenez 23 OF Pre-Arb 2 $1,500,000 $833,333 $2,333,333 $2,333,333 2.99 7,166,667 Evan Marshall 30 RP Arb 1 1 $1,300,000 - $1,300,000 $1,300,000 1.67 1,300,000 Aaron Bummer 26 RP Pre-Arb 1 - - - 583,500 0 583,500 Dylan Cease 24 SP Pre-Arb 2 - - - 583,500 0 583,500 Zack Collins 25 C Pre-Arb 2 - - - 583,500 0 583,500 Jimmy Cordero 28 RP Pre-Arb 1 - - - 583,500 0 583,500 Dylan Covey 28 SP Pre-Arb 1 - - - 583,500 0 583,500 Adam Engel 28 CF Pre-Arb 1 - - - 583,500 0 583,500 Jace Fry 26 RP Pre-Arb 2 - - - 583,500 0 583,500 Carson Fulmer 26 RP Pre-Arb 1 - - - 583,500 0 583,500 Lucas Giolito 25 SP Pre-Arb 1 - - - 583,500 0 583,500 Michael Kopech 24 SP Pre-Arb 3 - - - 583,500 0 583,500 Reynaldo Lopez 26 SP Pre-Arb 1 - - - 583,500 0 583,500 Danny Mendick 26 SS Pre-Arb 3 - - - 583,500 0 583,500 Yoan Moncada 25 2B Pre-Arb 2 - - - 583,500 0 583,500 $84,535,499

The minimum is like 550k, no? They don't have 20 minimum player salaries on their roster. I'll throw their salaries into a sheet and see where they are with their currently constructed roster.

Last three years, Mazara is .655 vs lefties compared to Engels .679. Not much difference there.

Can we stop pretending that Adam Engel is an 840 OPS player vs lefties? Sure, last year in 80 at bats he was. In his three years of big league time, he has a 679 OPS vs lefties compared to a .567 vs righties. Adam Engel isn't suddenly an 840 OPS player.

It's actually nothing like buying high.

All talent doesn't reach their ceilings, but that prospect list is not only telling but also impressive. The industry in general has gotten so much better at evaluating prospects and projecting them. The fact that every player under 21 on that list has a quality big league career ahead of them is impressive, and also promising.