GreenSox

No doubt - they just make numerous times the number of good moves that can overcome the bad. Luhnow has made a number of questionable trades (which is one reason I want Hahn to deal with him). But boy can they identify and develop amateur talent....

Only Hunter Pence was of that age and level and Wade traded him. Also Michael Bourn. They got more mileage out of their trades of 2nd and 3rd tier players, largely conducted by Luhnow. Can't argue with Hahn's returns on the big 3, but the returns on the 2nd tier players have been light - at least a nugget hasn't emerged. The Astros had several (as did the Cubs) from their 2nd/3rd tier trades.

My opinion on the FAs is for the most part distinct from KW and RH. From a macro perspective, these are 2nd/3rd tier free agents who are hole-pluggers. We don't know what the holes will be in 2 years when the Sox should be ready to win. Machado/Harper are different - they are cornerstones and holes are plugged around them. I'm not interested in Pollack because he's a)declined and b)the Sox have CF candidates that should be ready in a year or 2. No interesting Moustakas because I don't think he's anything more than average and he's an OBP killer; Grandal is probably the best of the bunch but he's tied to a draft pick, the Sox have 2 catchers, and much of his skill is based on "framing" a stat that I think has at least some correlation with the quality of the pitchers to begin with.

Tearing down and rebuilding are 2 distinct tasks. Ed Wade conducted much of the Astros tear-down; Luhnow rebuilt them. Hahn's tear down was satisfactory. But I saw how he rebuilt from 2014-2016; his moves in this rebuild, minor so far as they may be, are of similar philosophy. Still behind in analytics. We'll see.

I think that's what most people want. Don't see a lot of upvoting of the rumored Enarnacion interest or other short term fantasy-land moves.

He really wants to play with his brother in law and once he meets and gets to know Rick Hahn and Ricky Renteria, he'll be absolutely enamored and would want to sign nowhere else.

A scenario like this is my biggest fear in all of this.

One way to avoid that risk is to stop trading for has-beens. Unfortunately, it's ingrained.

They can afford it. Absorbing contracts in return for talent is a decent way to start a rebuild.

for Bailey and 2 decent prospects. Not really a good deal for the Reds unless they do a great job flipping Wood, Puig et al.

And no chance for the Sox to outbid it? Or is the Cubs offer sufficient such that it doesn't matter to him if others offer more.

Not even close to enough.

Well.... I thought it was silly, but they likely traded for Alonso to help lure Machado here. I don't agree with much of what Hahn has done over the years (other than the main parts of the tear-down) but most seem happy with his work.

They really still don't. None of them have proven to be major league regulars, much less studs. In the minors, only Eloy is close among the top tier (maybe Cease). There are some obvious gaps, like 3B however.

That's so ridiculous...what's he supposed to do? Like you said above, it's the White Sox inflated view of their org and clubhouse culture and/or the importance of that to players, as per Alonso, Samardzija and the putative trade for Machado last year. The ire should be directed to the person who traded for him.

Or 3+ years of Yonder Alonso.

Agree. For a White Sox offer to be competitive, it must beat the next best by at least 20%.

If they could confirm it.

Sonny Gray is a 1 year rent. Why should the Sox be interested in trading prospects for that? Plus, the Yankees want the price as if he's the old Sonny Gray, peddling the "he just didn't like NY". That may be the case, but it may not be. Certainly don't pay a price as if it is.

No, unless they are moving Abreu....and there appear to be openings in that regard if they are so inclined. But still no....the love for aging players on 2 year contracts... And for goodness sakes don't trade pitching.

Salary should be reasonable. I don't see much downside risk and the Sox are in a position to make these kind of moves. I hope they sign him.

His walks were out of sight in 2017; they were improved, but still too high in 2018, but his Ks were really high too.

Because they already started. I bet even your Todd Frazier bobblehead knows the actual moves they made this offseason: 2 trades for 2 2-year players. And another for a 1 year player. The controllables were all outgoing. And because that's what they do. I hope this trio, unlike the others, can actually play to their reputations.

Except they aren't going to be swept out. If they weren't swept out after the 2014-16 (especially 2016) debacle, why would they be this time? I guess there could be a tipping point for everyone, but it's hard to have confidence that this will be the tipping point. Re chasing Machado/harper, my fear is that if they sign one, they will then act in desperation to accumulate veteran players at stiff prices. Also, it could be argued that it is distracting them from building this team....not with veterans by by finding trading other young players. They have an abundance of outfield prospects, but are thin everywhere else, including pitching.

Hardly