GreenSox

That may even be a superior strategy to signing Machado or Harper. But when in the world has this FO ever done such a thing? In a smaller scale, Alonso was exactly that type of player - a team trying to dump salary and Alonso a player barely over replacement making $8 million...the Sox sent a prospect. Edwin Jackson and Shields were clear salary dumps, and the Sox are shelling out the prospects (and in those cases, good ones). They just aren't that creative...and thus I hope they sign one of these guys, realizing the risk that they'll start shoveling prospects for 2 year vets (likely overrated vets) to build around them.

Good one.

Hope you're right - that's a light offer.

Don't be stupid, Reds.

Pollock's not what he was.

That's precisely the kind of trade the Sox should not make. It's a 78 win farm depletion trade that leaves any sort of future up to Hahn/Hostetler drafting.

Just from the Hahn era: Samardzija Shields Frazier LaRoche Lawrie In one sense, Navarro was probably the worst of the last 20 years; BUT, somehow, the Sox FO convinced the Brewers to send 2 solid major leaguers for him. We then won the division. In that sense, he contributed to a division title.

Cleveland has a better cheap young core than the White Sox or anyone else in the division...by a wide margin. And if they're drowning Rick Hahn just gave them a life preserver. Of course they aren't drowning, just figuring this is a good time to retool because they'll still be better than the rest of the division without Bauer or Kluber or both.

I saw on twitter that Levine said something like "He's right" in response to Olney's article. That makes me think that it's possible that Levine is Olney's "source", which probably means no source at all.

No upside? -between Delmonico and Palka they have less than 2 full major leagues seasons. Not that they need upside to be better than Alonso - Palka was miles better with the bat than Alonso was last season. Alonso has been getting worse the last 2 years. This is the "proven veteran" philosophy that Hahn used to build with Sale, Q and Eaton that maxed out at 78 wins. The Sox also gave a big assist to Cleveland in its effort to dump salary. Nicely done. It's Machado or bust.

Yep. Maybe they can hire Machado's father in law as assistant bench coach or something just for extra insurance.

Palka was a better hitter than Alonso last year. And he cost a bit less than $8 million. As I said, Hahn doesn't do salary dumps. It's a cynical move.

I would be stunned if this was anything other than a gasp and contrivance and that they actually had a plan. There shouldn't be any pieces going for a salary dump. Just so overmatched in the FO.

What prospect did we get from the Indians to absorb that salary?

The Rays and Marlins must have done some heavy drafting. Rays haven't rebuilt at all and the Marlins just started last year.

He's a space-clearer more than a salary-clearer; the Sox would have to send something for him. I think he's only a 2 year guy himself, but could be interesting. On another note, if trading Abreu (who is on a 1 year contract) sends the wrong message, doesn't signing McCann and trading for Nova do the same thing?

It's a good idea, but I don't remember the Sox ever doing that; although I do remember the Sox actually sending prospects for obvious salary dumps.

No real news; but Joel Sherman did say that if the Sox sign Harper it will be because they offered the most $$. He elaborated that the prospects et al don't mean much because the front office has been unproductive for years and that the same guys were in charge. You rarely hear the media state that unfortunate truth.

If he's hell-bent on playing for a winner, that (3 year opt out)) probably is what will happen.

I'm still leery of the accuracy pitch framing stat. Grandal is the best pitch framer; and the Dodgers have the best team ERA by a mile. I suspect that good pitching helps those framing stats more than the other way around. Another reason I wasn't excited about trading Narvaez (that and this obp/analytics starved org. dumping its one high obp hitter is suspect).

This is the kind of move the Sox should make. If someone is going to bail out the Cubs anyway, let it be us. (and hopefully still get Bryant). Almora and Happ would help this team significantly, and I think even Chatwood is redeemable. A little creativity would be nice to see.

6. Do the Sox have the people in place to turn the farm system in 2. into a winner? HIs best friend played for Rick Renteria (who's obviously not a mere placeholder)...I wonder what he thought of the experience.

That makes some sense. They won't get rid of Heyward for Happ, but they could get rid of Chatwood for him. And if the Sox weren't in the Harper race, I'd go for that; Chatwood is a rebound candidate (he can't walk that many again).

I don't know why he bothered saying that stuff - no kidding it's not all about the top financial offer. Everyone knows that.

Yes