TheCommish

I agree, hypotheticals are never air tight, just saying the potential with Kelenic as opposed to Madrigal. It's fun to think about.

What's crazy is the Tatis trade really affected what the Sox might have done in the 18 draft.. if we have Tatis, we have Anderson/Tatis up the middle and no need to draft Madrigal, and would have likely taken Kelenic, who went 2 spots after Madrigal. An OF of Eloy, Robert, Kelenic, Infield of Moncada, Tatis, Anderson, Abreu... Not saying we aren't set up very nice offensively already, but wow... that would have been some kind of show in 2021, 2022.

That would be very fun to watch, the problem would be that would put 6 pitchers in a starting rotation as far as being able to pitch between starts. So essentially it takes 1 guy out of the bullpen rotation. I think Crochet would be more valuable as a reliever that could pitch 2-3 times a week rather than just 1 3 inning stint. I think the same thing for Kopech. If we have both of them going 2 innings per outing in relief, you could get them at least 4 innings per week. Then use Rodon/Lopez/etc for the 5th starter spot. Skipping that spot when days off warrant it.

Got my tickets to spring training today! going to the following games: Sox @ LA - March 8 SD @ Sox - March 9 Ari @ LA - March 10 Sox @ Cin - March 11 Going to try and grab Cin @ Sea for March 12, they go on sale this week. Interested to see all the great young talent on Sox, LA, SD, Sea. Obviously looking forward to seeing the Sox play 3 games!

I have a framed picture of the team celebrating on the mound in Houston and I spent 2 years going to card shows and autograph signings to get everyone to sign it. I even have Reisdorf and Gene Honda on there. The only autograph I do not have is John Rooney, and he's said he will sign it if I come to St. Louis, just haven't had the foresight to do it yet.

It's harder for him to get on consistenly getting shitty pitches hitting ahead of Eaton than it would be hitting in front of Anderson/Moncada/Abreu. In the lead off spot last year while Anderson was out with an injury was his best few weeks, if I remember correctly. That's all I'm saying.

I actually see a huge advantage to Anderson moving down to 2, TBH. His ability to hit runners in and allow Robert at the top to steal 2nd and 3rd base is better than Robert hitting 7th ahead of a light hitting Eaton/Madrigal. It makes this line-up 3x stronger with Robert ahead of Anderson. I like Moncada at 3 because of switch hitter, but I wouldn't argue with Abrue 3 and Moncada 5. Just don't really want Grandal and Moncada B2B.

I'm actually suprised, here is what I think Tony will do: Robert (R) Anderson (R) (potential .300 hitter) Moncada (S) (potential .300 hitter) Abreu (R) (potential .300 hitter) Jimenez (R) (potential .300 hitter) Grandal (S) Vaughn (R) Eaton (L) Madrigal (R) (potential .300 hitter) You never havve more than 2 of the same side batting together. Gives a good L/R balance to the line up and I think Robert at the top protects him so much better, and his speed would just kill with TA, Moncada/Abreu behind him. The amount of good pitches that TA/Moncada will see with Robert on base will skyrocket their seasons, IMO. Also the amount of good hitters behind Robert, surely will get him a ton more good pitches to hit, rather than him hitting 7th before Eaton. Why pitch to Robert when Eaton is behind him.

OK,

I was simply stating that 2021 payroll CAN be affected by extensions.

Was just stating that the 2021 payroll "can" be affected...

If Vaughn signed an extension it surely would affect his 2021 salary, because his contract would likely pay him over $1M this year instead of league minimum. Giolito and Lynn may want a raise to their 2021 salary for giving up free agent years by signing a contract. So, Yes, it can affect 2021 payroll.

Yeah, those are the safest people to attend, however how many vaccinated people are even baseball fans at this point, or are healthy enough to want to go to a spring game? That was kind of my point. My age group, mid 40's probably won't get vaccinated until April at the earliest, but I'm healthy, so wearing a mask and somewhat socially distancing myself, I'm likely not to have to worry either. So the teams need some revenue, and that is why I think we should be fine to at minimum let 25% of all people that "want" to attend, as long as they mask and distance.

I might suggest for the first year draft, maybe do the minor league draft first, that way those top minor league players aren't taken in the major league portion of the draft. Just an idea...

I might be interested, but the 3 years advanced payment, I don't know how I feel about that. Consider I don't "know" you or the other members, there is no guarantee, therefor I don't think I'd be willing to pay for all 3 years. If it's a good enough league, the key players would stick around for quite a while. I could potentially bring in a few members for our dynasty league that we started on White Sox Interactive. It's a little different format than you have but similar.

Can't do proof of vaccination, because the only people that could go are health care workers and people that have major health conditions. Those are the people that should stay away and let the healthy adults wear masks and socially distance themselves and things will be fine.

I disagree, I think fans are going to flock to live sporting events this year if they are able to attend. Sports fans have missed attending events for a full year and I know I would for sure be going if it's available.

And Alex Kiriloff who will be starting in LF or RF over Cave. Ozuna only fit if Cruz moved on. But with Cruz there and Sano at 1B, Donaldson at 3B, they have 3 guys that potentially can't play the field because of different issues, adding Ozuna would be great IMO. It wouldn't help them as much as it would hinder them from adding pitching... go ahead MN, add another bat that can't play the field.

I think there is potential for 25% available to attend starting right away. They are potentially going to limit crowds to 2,500 at spring training. If Arizona ends up alloweing that with a hotbed of covid, then come April 1, with all of our elderly and people at risk vaccinated, we should be opening up to at least 50% capacity, IMO.

Let's do a quick comparison though, while I think Minnesota is the team to beat since they have won the division the last few years, I think the Sox still stack up better: C - Grandal > Jeffers 1B - Abreu > Sano 2B - Madrigal = Polanco/Arreaz SS - Anderson > Simmons 3B - Moncada > Donaldson (not 28 yr old Donaldson, but this year Donaldson, YES) LF - Eloy > Kepler CF - Buxton > Robert (maybe Robert here) RF - Kiriloff > Eaton DH - Cruz > anyone we put in there SP1 - Giolito > Maeda SP2 - Berrios > Keuchel SP3 - Lynn > Pineda SP4 - Cease > Happ SP5 - Rodon/Lopez/Kopech = Dobnak/etc Cl - Hendricks > Rogers MR - Sox > Twins The Sox still have the better team, but they have to knock them off to be considered the best, IMO.

I agree with your point. I am still an advocate of adding Bauer on a 3 year deal at whatever the cost it takes. We certainly have budget available in these next 3 years with all of our young guys tied up in team friendly deals. And adding Bauer to an already good pitching rotation puts us at the top of the contending list for World Series. It is without question that the Sox SHOULD be signing Bauer. Now, the Sox are going to go the cheap rout because of what I've said above. What we should be doing is pushing our chips all in. I would be opposed to a 7 year deal for Bauer at over $30/M AAV, but a 3 year high AAV wouldn't hurt this franchise one bit. Especially because we are as close to a lock for playoffs over that 3 year stretch and playoff revenue will certainly be more than the salary to bring Bauer in. But that all makes too much sense for this ownership group. They are too frugal, but it's their business and their money. I can't make Wal-Mart pay their workers more because it's their choice.

A few in the last decade.. that shows it's not normal. If it was normal, you would be saying 4 of the last 6 WS teams had deep rotations.

I was speaking more of currently, but honestly if you look at history, there aren't many teams that lined up 4 great starting pitchers. And the ones that did are "historical" teams, so it's not a normal standard. The Orioles that had four 20 game winners, the Braves of the 90's. Generally speaking you try to land 1-2 TOR type of pitchers, a quality #3 and you put yourself in line as a World Series contender. The difference between winning the WS and not, is probably that #3 guy pitching like he's a #2 or #1 in the playoffs. Teams get hot and that's what ends up winning you the WS. That's why not always the most talented team wins every year.

I'm really sick of hearing the "we are a world series contender" like all contenders have lights out pitching from 1-5. THAT'S NOT TRUE! Look at what Tampa was putting on the mound all year? They were using openers for 40% of their rotation some of the year. The Dodgers didn't exactly light it up from pitchers 4-5. Look at the Yankees... Cole... then who? Twins... Maeda, Berrios... then who? Let's be realistic. Yes, it would have been BETTER to sign Bauer and have Cease as our guaranteed #5. However, there aren't many teams that can say they have a staff like that outside of 90's Braves with Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz, Avery. Get a grip on reality.

It's a pay only article, do you have any names from that list they are highlighting other than Pino?