LDF

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Feb 24, 2016 -> 03:58 PM) So 3/$33 million was not budging from his demands? Great source Bernstein. so the sox didn't offer market value.

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Feb 24, 2016 -> 05:03 PM) One thing I want to point out--Sox are already committed for 3+ years to Melky and Eaton. If you lock up another OF right now, you are out of the market for any OF available by trade or FA after the 2016 season. Maybe, once they didn't get Gordon/Cespedes, they decided they like what may be available in a year better than Fowler or Jackson. You can't sign Fowler for 3/$35 and then go and sign somebody else in a year. but whether they like them or not, that is fowlers or jackson, are they a better option than what they, the sox have at the present???

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Feb 24, 2016 -> 05:36 AM) That's the problem, there aren't any perfect candidates left right now. We spent weeks debating how imperfect Gordon, Cespedes and Upton were, and whether any of them could even be considered "superstars"/impact bats/difference makers, etc. So it's no surprise we can pick apart all of the remaining candidates: Jackson=Boras client, terrible offensive slumps the last two seasons, no clear or obvious reason for decline Bruce=too expensive, defensive liability, strong downward trend offensively Saunders=injury prone Ethier=too expensive, shouldn't play much against lefties, not a great defender but certainly capable Crawford=only in the case of the Dodgers eating almost all of his remaining contract, injury-prone Markakis=too expensive to pay for high OBP with no power and declining defense Victorino=old, injury-prone, could be a quite productive player for the right price but ONLY if healthy Alex Rios=just put here to annoy Greg with the possibility Guyer=Rays rarely trade their "platoon/supersub studs" for anything less than full value and often see declines outside of TB system i would add kemp in that list ref to sunders, that is if you are talking about Michael Saunders - tor, i think he was the one that held up the 3 way trade with him still being hurt or something. i really don't know the whole thing.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Feb 24, 2016 -> 05:06 AM) We all know how important April is for the White Sox, and, going all the way back to 2007, we've never been more than 1 game over .500 and more commonly are 2-5 games under after one bone-chilling month. It clearly seems the White Sox are going to go with all veterans (with the possible exception of Avi) and push for that quick (or at least relatively quick) start that doesn't get them buried in the very beginning stretch of games. if they, the sox wants to good start, they really better be getting their players a lot of batting and playing time this spring.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Feb 24, 2016 -> 04:11 AM) Sox added Latos and Rollins within the last 2 weeks. Still think they make a trade for an OFer. yeah i made my comment last week. i still say the rollins signing was a surprise and very nice. i don't know on anymore signing, i see a couple of lh hitters still on the market and 2 players i am interested in, Will Venable and Ryan Raburn are there as a last possible option, yeah i am dreaming. hell even murph is still there. these guys may be 1 yr signings. there are several intriguing players whose agent i hate are still available ..... i wonder.... ummm but i still stand at what i said of the sox being finish, but i can always hope.

i don't know why i am doing this, i guess i am i just can't help myself. as it stands, as i said what last week maybe 2 weeks ago, i doubted that the sox will do anything else. if they won't do anything until the salary comes off, esp laroche, then the fluff piece of him being hurt was that, BS. with that, this part of finding the pieces is done. even a trade will not help, esp if big salary is not moving out. 28 million is coming off the freaking books in the offseason. for fvvck sake, this is all the owners doing with faith in someone to run this org. and if it is not his fault then it is the owners as KW have stated that he wanted to rebuild several yrs earlier.....

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Feb 24, 2016 -> 04:49 AM) Shakes. A separate poster. C'mon man, you're better than a conspiracy theory. ahhh shucks, i guess i am just in a pissy mood.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Feb 24, 2016 -> 02:36 AM) Hahn's comments pretty much confirm what was rumored early in the off season about the Sox having the same budget to work with as last year. This is why he publically said that he would have to get creative in order to bring in a FA. Not long after his creative comment, LaRoche was " on the market". This is why I really wasn't expecting a big FA signing. From my POV, the writing was on the wall all off season. I'm sure Hahn did his best to try and move salary to clear some space. It is what it is and complaining won't make any difference. I still think Hahn did very well this off season and especially considering the payroll he had to work with. I'm just happy that Baseball is right around the corner and the team looks much better than last year, IMHO. this is a great post, pretty much sums it up for me as well.

QUOTE (shakes @ Feb 24, 2016 -> 01:32 AM) But it is false. Given what we know about spending relative to market size, attendance, and revenue the Sox spend pretty favorably compared to the majority of MLB teams. Blaming it on 'the owners are cheap', and should sell the team, is just regurgitating a lazy argument to whine that the front office didn't do what you think it should have done. you sure sounds like SS2k5 .... i wonder who this is really???

QUOTE (blackmooncreeping @ Feb 24, 2016 -> 01:42 AM) A day ago the report was 'O's are close with Fowler on 2 yr/$24 million offer'. Suddenly it became a 3 year deal and done. I bet the O's had competition at 2 years, quite possibly from the Sox, and therefore upped it to 3 years to get it done, especially once the Gallardo deal fell through. They obviously didn't want to end up missing on both. nice thinking and just maybe you are right.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Feb 24, 2016 -> 02:20 AM) Hostetler really lit up when someone asked him about Ray at Soxfest. Obviously the connection with him playing in their ACE program, but he couldn't hide the giddiness. with some of the early ideas of some real possible sp making a name, Ray may fall to #10, however if Ray hits..... it is going to be a really exciting ncaa baseball yr. there is really a lot of players who can make a name for themselves and then you need to count the hs'ers.

QUOTE (shakes @ Feb 24, 2016 -> 01:32 AM) But it is false. Given what we know about spending relative to market size, attendance, and revenue the Sox spend pretty favorably compared to the majority of MLB teams. Blaming it on 'the owners are cheap', and should sell the team, is just regurgitating a lazy argument to whine that the front office didn't do what you think it should have done. and you are regurgitating a tire company opinion, go and bother someone else ..... you really do not know what you are spewing.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Feb 24, 2016 -> 01:30 AM) It is hard to understand. I have been the one preaching different prices for different players, but if $11 million a year is too much for Dexter Fowler, I am coming to the realization that they really couldn't have been very serious about any of the others. at least they can still get an upgrade. shiiteee a blind man donning a sox uni can play better defense that what the sox have to answer the OF question. ok, maybe i exaggerated, Eaton will probably play better defense. but we are talking 2 different positions.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Feb 24, 2016 -> 12:58 AM) I don't think there is any question he is a better defender than Fowler, the question would be offense. He has struggled since being traded from Detroit, and wasn't so great his last couple of months there, but he is only 29 and could bounce back. I really like him ,but really wonder about the cost, and think he hits from the wrong side of the plate for the White Sox brass. They seem to wanted a lefty bat. But OBP is really not a strength. It would be great to have a legit gold glover everywhere, but you can get by with mediocre defense in the OF at USCF. There isn't much space. Small parks, you can get away with it. The Cubs won a lot of games with Schwarber, Fowler, and Soler. Their defensive prowess is questionable at best. excellent break down, to be honest, i was at a lost to see the gain, maybe i was too focus on fowler or some else. so the bottom line is is his defense will be the best part of him to over come the offense or lack of.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Feb 24, 2016 -> 12:39 AM) Exactly how I feel. Not only that, but his strength offensively is OBP, something this team could really use. Let Wbreu hit with some runners on base, and someone behind him who can drive home runs, and see what happens. On the bright side, if the Orioles sign Gallardo as well, they forfeit #14 and #28 so the Sox 3rd pick moves up 2 spots. It will probably be the most scrutinized late 20s pick in White Sox history. excellent break down, for s***s and grins, what will you see has jackson in that same scenario but on the sox???

QUOTE (ChiSoxFanMike @ Feb 24, 2016 -> 12:32 AM) I really can't answer your question, as I have no idea of the intricacies of the White Sox finances. I'd guess that they would've been in on him in the $20-$25 million range though. Just a guess. forgive me, i am not trying to beat the horse, but to make another point. the intricacies of the sox finance has nothing to do with what fowler market value is, and if you add a 3rd yr to what you are saying of 20-25 mil, it is right at the same price that was paid to him today. so you are right on in that thinking.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Feb 24, 2016 -> 12:07 AM) They didn't really trade any good prospects though. They can win the division as currently constructed. I'm not a Dexter Fowler fan though. one does not have to be a fan to realize he is still a better option than anything the sox have now.

QUOTE (SoCalSox @ Feb 24, 2016 -> 12:03 AM) I think that's my main issue. The fact that they don't seem to have a set direction. All I want is to see this team be good. As of now, I'm not confident enough to say that will happen. they do have a direction, to appear to be competing both in the fa market and in the field. ref the bold, that is all relative to what most people opinions are on the term of being good.

QUOTE (ChiSoxFanMike @ Feb 23, 2016 -> 11:57 PM) I don't disagree with any of this, but apparently the Sox didn't think too highly of him at that price point. It is what it is. I'm as frustrated as anyone that Avi is still the starter, but hopefully Hahn can pull another 'rabbit out of the hat' as far as RF goes i see your comment and i would like to ask one question, ref the bold, at what price would the sox have like it, not what the sox will, per the owners not wanting to spend, but what value do you see him being worth???

QUOTE (fathom @ Feb 23, 2016 -> 11:51 PM) Maybe Avi will try a more upright stance on defense i am sorry, but that is one hell of a funny line. bravo. notworthy.gif

QUOTE (ChiSoxFanMike @ Feb 23, 2016 -> 11:48 PM) Ok, I'll rephrase it. They appear to be strapped for cash, but they probably aren't. Better? like that will help them get an of'er for the team ???? these win or lost battles based on debating, will not soften the blow of a blown opportunity to win.....

QUOTE (shakes @ Feb 23, 2016 -> 11:47 PM) Frankly, I'm not even sure what you are arguing, but I see you keep repeating the owners should sell the team because they are unable or unwilling to spend. The JR is cheap argument is old, unoriginal, lazy, and simply not based in fact whatsoever. The Sox spend more on their major league roster than many teams that have better revenues and/or attendence. If you want to argue they don't spend wisely or their model is antiquated I won't disagree. Although, I do think they are slowly headed in the right direction. when the team in on the bottom, and the only directions is up..... well obviously you are correct. the owners are cheap, comment, yeah it is not original, but it still does not make it false. and if you can't understand the sarcasm with out the green, then why even answer the post, if the owners do not want to spend the money and all they care about is money, sell the team, take and keep counting the money they will have made in the built in profit. b/c winning a WS is not their top priority. making an appearance of spending money on salary to deceive the fans is their main goal.

QUOTE (fathom @ Feb 23, 2016 -> 11:43 PM) I've said this in a few threads, but if they keep Avi and LaRoche as starters and the team tanks again, I see no reason for Hahn and Ventura to keep their jobs. ref the bold, not unless he is doing and following the directive of the owners.

QUOTE (ChiSoxFanMike @ Feb 23, 2016 -> 11:43 PM) $35 million + the pick is a hefty price to me, especially for a team like the Sox that always seem to be strapped for cash. strap for cash..... yeah right. i know, i should be asking for your apology for this, b/c everyone has a right to post an opinion. sorry.

QUOTE (fathom @ Feb 23, 2016 -> 11:42 PM) Hopefully this makes Jackson pick a team soon now we will all see how jackson agent will work his magic with this signing.