Chimpton

So does that make Collins surplus to requirements?

I assume Grandal stays catcher? And who would you have as his back up Collins, Zavala or an other.

You are kidding right? Any manager who was approached by the White Sox would have had that target.

So let's not bother trying because on paper we are not the best team in baseball? Let's not try to improve at the trade deadline as we 'were never going to win it'. It may have escaped your attention but just winning the division is an achievement by White Sox standards, and back to back play off appearances has never been achieved before, but let's not bother because the Astros are better than us.

You should try working as a demotivational speaker with that 'no can do' attitude!

Are those the same 'hard working' players who were happy to win a World Series by cheating?

Yes, but they did cheat, or was the whole sign stealing scandal my imagination?

Cheating helps.

Exactly, and it wasn't as if passed balls wasn't a problem/issue he had when the White Sox acquired him, but as an overall package as a catcher he is better than many recent ones at the Sox. And just as a point of comparison as some still mention him on here, James McCann had 8 passed balls this season whilst producing far less with the bat.

Just a point but of those White Sox passed balls in 2021 Seby Zavala was responsible for 8 in his 33 appearances, Grandal 7 in his 80 appearnaces as catcher. Not saying Grandal doesn't have an issue with passed balls as he has been as bad or worse in many recent seasons, 16 in 2017 (not with Sox). But not all the passed balls this season were his fault.

I'm not suggesting we do trade Abreu, I think keeping him in 2022 is a better option at the moment, but IF he was traded what would you get in return, and would that make the team stronger than with Abreu? For all the talk of Vaughan or others replacing him at 1b, at least with Abreu you know what you get, barring a drop-off due to age, but with all the in house possibles such as Vaughan, Sheets or even as some say Eloy, there is nor guarantee that they would actually match his output. Vaughan and Sheets are 2nd season players who could kick on or have a 2nd year slump and Eloy is returning after a less than stellar year in 2021 due to injury and loss of form. Added to that Abreu's undoubted clubhouse presence and I think his value to the Sox outweighs anything we would get back in a trade. As for beyond 2022 I am sure he would wait for the Sox to make him an offer once they see what his 2022 output is like, and if 2022 is a big dip in form then and only then will the decision to let him go be necessary.

An interesting read thanks for posting it. It confirmed much of what has been said on here about the holes at 2b and RF if only it offered a solution!

Let's face it we all know that won't happen. That would require Jerry to open the purse strings.

I think we all know the answer to that one but just don't want to admit it. ?

I know Grandal has some issues defensively but realistically how much would a replacement of similar overall performance cost either in a trade or as a FA.

I was just looking at the Sox top 30 prospects to see if there was any hope on there of adding to the squad for 2022. Does anyone think that Cespedes (Yoelqui) will be MLB ready at any time next year as the ETA on the list says? Also what happens to Lambert and Stiever, neither is getting any younger will they be trade pieces? Finally Yolbert Sanchez is he a long term (or short term) hope for 2B or just another make weight in a trade?

Ok I made a mistake!

Thank you.

Again sorry for my ignorance but why is a lockout a probability?

Which of those players would bring the greatest return if traded? And which realistically could be traded/ would generate interest?

I think the injury and recovery were such that his swing and power would have been effected. Also bearing in mind that 2020 was only 60 games and this season he only played 60 games, it was almost the equivalent of him having a second season slump, it is easy to forget he is only 24 with only 232 games and 894 abs. That said I think next season will be an important one for Eloy.

Thank you for taking the time for such a thorough reply

Thank you. So until then just loads of gossip and speculation!

Just a quick (maybe silly) question, but when normally does anything happen in the off season regards player transactions? Obviously I know the WS has to be over first but after that when do moves really begin to happen?

Well that's enough to make a man turn to drink! A pity it is the Sox manager.