GreenSox

For now, concentrate on defense. No chance if those 2 positions aren't defensively sound. You can win without offense from them (if your other 7 can it). And they become available....you just have to be ready to pounce.

QUOTE (steveno89 @ Jul 20, 2017 -> 04:31 PM) My only concern is that Cashman is a smart GM, and really never trades the "wrong guy" so to speak. Not saying Rutherford won't pan out, but it does give me some pause. Rizzo had that rep too. I'm hoping this is a case of lot of OF depth + slow start. Clarkin is easy to see - Rule 5 (of course, that's why I think the Sox should have gotten more - he was zilch to the Yanks).

Well, this year, Saladino has a .574 OPS and Yomer has a .716 OPS. Yolmer is now 17th in 1B WAR (was 15th) ahead of LeMahieu and Odor, among others. I was a Saladino guy, and this bears watching, but Yolmer has some value and has had a solid year - his first with real playing time. And no, don't trade him for a relief pitching prospect.

QUOTE (Jake @ Jul 20, 2017 -> 02:43 PM) I'm not a huge fan of trading a guy like this who you have for 5 more seasons at little cost. You'd be extremely lucky to get someone as useful as he is in return. Agree Plus, this loading of prospects wasn't exactly big on defense and he can play defense. I hope they keep him and play him. Heck play him some at SS...can anyone be confident that the Sox set at that position? Don't bury him.

QUOTE (maxjusttyped @ Jul 19, 2017 -> 08:43 PM) Asche is up to .351 while hitting for power & drawing a ton of walks. At some point it seems a little ridiculous to keep a 27 year old with a ~180 wRC+ in the minors. I agree. Bring him up. They saw something in him when they signed him and put him on the 25. have no idea what, but see what he has. Just as soon find out.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jul 19, 2017 -> 06:48 PM) Our payroll will be like $40-50 million. Why do you think we wouldn't at least make a run at one of these guys? If I assume that a $40-$50 million payroll plus Harper makes the Sox a serious WS contender, then a $40-$50 million payroll without Harper would make the Sox at least a wild card team. It won't. They'll need more payroll to be solid everywhere, depth, relief, etc. If JR is willing to go to $130, $140, then maybe so. The spent 2/3 of a Harper on group of has-beens last year, so it would be a good investment.

Yolmer would be an upgrade for the Rays at 2nd.

QUOTE (bmags @ Jul 19, 2017 -> 03:42 PM) It's possible he's different, but the White Sox haven't proved to me yet that they can identify the players that defy the trends of something like common decline from aging or relief variability. They will probably have to for us to actually make most of rebuild. But for now, I'm much happier that they are accepting the broad trends likely to predict performance and risk for groups like relievers and taking the safer route. Especially when they got imo acceptable value. Really compelling post and ideas. The analysis could also be applied in support of the entire decision to rebuild.

QUOTE (Tony @ Jul 19, 2017 -> 02:20 PM) Rick Hahn coming up with Waddle and Silvy at 2:30 I listed to it. Rutherford recommended by Hostetler, Kenny Williams and Buddy Bell.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jul 19, 2017 -> 10:48 AM) Who cares what you are ranked. What matters is what these guys become. The Sox staff is on the clock. +100

Kenny didn't make many trades for prospects, but his trade of F Garcia for Gio and Floyd was brilliant. But subsequently, he moved Swisher for obvious AAAA players and E Jackson for very little at the deadline. I have no idea what either of those were about. Hahn has done an overall good job of trading for prospects (not so much for veterans). Now let's see if he can build a major league team.

QUOTE (South Side Fireworks Man @ Jul 19, 2017 -> 08:56 AM) The Sox never seem to value defense enough. One of the reasons for their lack of success over the years. They didn't get any top up the middle talent in any of these moves. But they can trade for some...they'll have to. That's why I really think the easy part is done, and the hard part lies ahead.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jul 19, 2017 -> 07:56 AM) The thought of moving Avi for a guy that we are hoping can do what Avi is doing right now seems a bit counterproductive to me... Let's face it - that's what most of these trades are about. Trying to build with a different set of players. What are the chances Moncada is a better player than Sale? Not high. Okay throw in Kopech and the two together could be....but then they could both bust, or one could bust. They just have to build a contending team with these prospects, which is why I think it will a lot more movement over the next 2 years.

QUOTE (Sox-35th @ Jul 19, 2017 -> 09:04 AM) Nothing about this says "Kenny Williams move". Come off it. The Kenny ship has sailed. When was that? Seems to be a moving timeline. And Williams is still the org's top talent evaluator.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jul 19, 2017 -> 07:06 AM) But I agree with you and some others here - we likely overpaid to get "our guy," and I truly do think Kahnle has a chance to be a pretty dominant reliever for the Yankees as they make their run over the next several years. And the Sox record on "their guy" and "kenny williams loves him" is less than exemplary. This does look like one of those trades.

QUOTE (Jerksticks @ Jul 19, 2017 -> 03:29 AM) Love future lineup threads. More fun than ever boys & girls! New to reading about Rutherford but he strikes me as a perfect #2 hitter. Now when all is said and done and it's 2019-2020, where do you think the team will be lacking? It's hard to say outfield now. if you assume that the sox make no trades and use just this set of prospects: C CF 2B (defensively) 3B Maybe SS The same weaknesses that have been around for years They'll be overloaded at corner OF and 1B

Sox are light on up the middle acquisitions. Not sure that Swarzak can help remedy that, though.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jul 18, 2017 -> 06:44 PM) IMO, the reason the Pirates weren't ever serious contenders is that they would not unpack Meadows. There was no way the Pirates were going to have the pieces to do it without him. The probably weren't but they should have been. Quintana is a near perfect player for them - excellent pitcher and cost controlled. They run the risk of letting their prospects rot on the vine. Heck Hanson already did, to the Sox benefit.

1)Jimenez 2) Kopech 3)Lopez 4)Rutherford 5)Hansen 6)Giolito 7)Robert 8)Cease 9) Collins 10) Burger

QUOTE (BigHurt3515 @ Jul 18, 2017 -> 11:35 PM) At worst a long reliever but I think he will be valuable to the big league club To a good big league club? Or to next year's club. Beck will be valuable to next year's club.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jul 18, 2017 -> 11:44 PM) Clarkin is very underrated. I would put him in the Guerrero range and say he has a better chance to start than someone like Fulmer Rule 5 eligible. Fulmer isn't much of a bar, sadly.

It will be nice to see Clippard pitch decently so Hahn can flip him. Clippard has enough incentive - get off of this team, join a winning team, set things up for his next contract Polo looks pretty athletic. That's a plus.

QUOTE (BigHurt3515 @ Jul 18, 2017 -> 05:15 PM) I think he will be a nice middle reliever as soon as next year. Can't seem him sticking as a starter. I'll take it.

QUOTE (chw42 @ Jul 18, 2017 -> 11:23 PM) I don't quite understand this trade from the Yankees' perspective. Is their bullpen that bad? They already have Betances and Chapman. How bad can it really get? If they just needed MR help, they didn't need to give up their #3 prospect to do it. Is Frazier that big of an upgrade over what they have? They Yankees dealt from strength. They have numerous OF prospects. They sent us a guy Rule 5 eligible, and they will have 40 man problems this year - he was excess. Polo is fringe. I don't this trade is Hahn's best work, but it's a far cry from his worst.

QUOTE (soxforlife05 @ Jul 18, 2017 -> 10:37 PM) Who else on this team is going to land a prospect of Blake Rutherford's caliber. I'll be waiting. D Rob and Kahnle each should score a bottom 100 - together a 50ish prospect okay but not remarkable. Would prefer no Rule 5 guys either.