SoxAce

QUOTE (103 mph screwball @ Dec 25, 2015 -> 12:53 AM) Gordon and Cespedes are primarily left fielders. Is the plan to use Melky in right or do you think there will be another move if the Sox sign Gordon/Cespedes? Damn.. the one other good question after B>W and bmags (and toasty's last question) and bucket had to bounce.

Still can't believe how awful that trade turned out.

QUOTE (OmarComing25 @ Dec 22, 2015 -> 11:25 AM) What teams would potentially take LaRoche though? The only possible fit I see would be maybe the Brewers, because they have no one to play 1B right now, and if we give them enough cash it could be worth it for them because if LaRoche does bounce back they can flip him at the deadline. That's it though, and it seems pretty unlikely. Pirates, but if the rumors are true, they already turned down LaRoche with the sox paying most of his remaining salary. I still think he'd do alot better in the NL.

QUOTE (blackmooncreeping @ Dec 22, 2015 -> 11:20 AM) If Laroche bounces back, we have no issues. I agree, if we can slide him down to 6th or 7th in the lineup the Sox will be in business. But I'm more worried about sliding Melky over to start in right field if Gordon comes in. I'd rather have Laroche gone so Melky can become the main DH, and we'll figure out right field as we go (Melky/Avi/Schuck/4th outfielder yet to be acquired in a platoon based on hitting splits). That's the best case scenario, especially considering that's alot of K's in between hitters and that's with the unknown of Saladino currently.

I'll be shocked if he leaves KC.

5 years, 80 million according to Rosenthal.

Noah basically said his shoulder popped (dislocated) and they popped it back in. MRI tomorrow. Oh.. and good to see CSN bring back Kendall Gill to do pre and post game again.

Gasol and Rose have both killed possessions the last 3 mins.

QUOTE (knightni @ Dec 21, 2015 -> 01:35 PM) SB Nation has an early mock draft with the Bears taking OT Ronnie Stanley. I really think that they'll go defensive in round one this year, though. Agreed. Unless a stud OT somehow falls, Bears need to be drafting defense.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Dec 21, 2015 -> 12:47 PM) So what is the bigger need for the Bears oline or impact defensive playmaker? I honestly don't know. I think I still lean for defensive playmaker but oline is a huge huge need. They have been absolutely brutal lately (and that is despite getting protected by an extremely conservative scheme). It isn't the sacks, albeit, Long's poor play specifically lead to a sack and a turnover each of the past two weeks (both when we had great field position and at extremely inopportune times) but the penalties have wiped numerous big plays and crushed momentum. Defense and it's not even close. Move Long back to his pro bowl position and draft a RT and all of a sudden that right side becomes a lot better. Leno Jr. has graded out pretty well this year and Slauson is a stud (albeit he's getting up there). I'm a big fan of Grasu, but he needs to get stronger in the offseason. Great upside there though. In other words, there are guys you can at least work with. The defense on the other hand has a lot of needs. Amos is going to be a very good player, and I still like Fuller (very inconsistent, but tremendous talent). You got young guys like Goldman, Sutton, McPhee to an extent etc. on the d-line who have very good upsides. After that though, it gets bad. They really need linebackers the most cause what they got now is terrible.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Dec 21, 2015 -> 12:18 PM) Gordon brings more OBP than any of the other players being listed. He also brings the best defense to the equation. I personally think we can't go wrong with either of the three guys (as long as the contract is right). If Gordon happens to be the guy getting less money / years thrown his way, I'd consider biting him. I think he'll get a decent chunk less than the other two. Each player has consistently been worth roughly 4 WAR and are all huge upgrades over Avi. No doubt. 32 is not ancient by any means (hell quite a few guys had career years at 35 for example) and the guy can bring it with the glove and bat. (he was hurt last season and still was near a 3 WAR player) Also like he knows the AL pitchers here. I'm sure he won't mind being teammates with Sale.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Dec 20, 2015 -> 01:37 PM) Long is having a baaaaaaad stretch Yea I think he'll get better with reps, but might be best to draft a RT and have him go back to RG and be his usual pro bowl self.

QUOTE (bucket-of-suck @ Dec 17, 2015 -> 04:30 PM) Expect an outfielder. ... I hate you bucket.

QUOTE (BigHurt3515 @ Dec 16, 2015 -> 10:50 PM) As a cheaper alternative I like Denard Span I am really, really liking the idea of Span now, but that's if the sox can still get a RF.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Dec 16, 2015 -> 02:12 PM) Ya but you and Gage are irrelevant. You take that back you putz.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Dec 16, 2015 -> 02:04 PM) I feel like all the people bemoaning Trayce being traded didn't know who Trayce was or barely knew who he was before August. When Future Sox writers aren't trashing this deal, you can try to feel good about it. Don't say all Q. You're better than that. Me and Jason liked Trayce alot and we were in the FS biz/threads before quite a few people currently posting in this thread. With that said though, I like this deal alot when adding a 3B of that caliber with what we've had to trot out since Beckham's rookie season.

QUOTE (3GamesToLove @ Dec 16, 2015 -> 01:00 PM) Age, track record beyond one season. Well that and his OBP is a better fit with what we need as a team. Plus his offensive numbers are some Cespedes prior to last season has never come close to putting up. (Upton averages like a 120+wRC)

QUOTE (chitownsportsfan @ Dec 16, 2015 -> 01:19 PM) Yea I agree. Fangraphs has the Sox at 14.6 project WAR from SP. That figure could end up quite a bit higher given the upside of Johnson and Rodon. Sox need Rodon and Johnson to come out with their hair on fire. They need to help them get defensive players on the field too. Sure some guys you can hide, but this pitching staff deserves some gloves behind them. As of right now, Frazier and maybe Eaton are the only guys who are solid to good defensive players. Lawrie is a question mark and he have no SS set in stone yet. Melky and/or Avi is not going to get it done. That's still not addressing the OBP situation either. I like what they're doing addressing the lack of power from last year though.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Dec 16, 2015 -> 01:10 PM) The amount of negativity surprises even me and I was pretty much against the idea of Frazier. That said, I'm not going to complain about the increased power and defense at 3B or the package it took for those increases. Welcome to the South Side Todd Frazier-. Its unbelievable really. And this is coming from someone who loves Trayce and wasn't the biggest Frazier fan because of our already lack of OBP on this team. But his defense and power help immensely on this team. He can regress in both categories and will STILL be better than the crap we've been trotting out at 3B since Beckham's rookie season. Hell even streamer jas him regressing to a 3 WAR player. I'll take that and run every time.

QUOTE (shysocks @ Dec 16, 2015 -> 01:02 PM) This I don't agree with. The Sox are better than they were yesterday. Nah. Your acting is if they added a 4+ WAR player the past two years with elite D and solid power at our weakest position or something.

QUOTE (Knackattack @ Dec 16, 2015 -> 12:53 PM) Even just signing Parra for RF is an immense offensive, and defensive improvement and would probably make this team an instant contender. Parra is an enigma. Dudes defensive WAR has drastically declined the last two years. If we're talking '11-13 Parra, definitely.

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Dec 16, 2015 -> 12:48 PM) I'd only define 2 as "worthless". Let's not get too carried away.

Upton. Not even close either.

Sox never acquired a guy with this kind of defense before for the "Oh no, another vet slugger with low OBP" crowd. I'm not the biggest Frazier fan, but he's pretty much a rich man's Joe Crede. You take that every time. I'm more concerned with Lawrie's D at 2B (his bat is going to be great there) and Melky and/or Avi still in the OF (not done yet. ) We still need to see what we do at SS, but I like Frazier for his positive defense alone. One of the best in the game.

QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ Dec 16, 2015 -> 11:47 AM) Not sure JB Shuck is much worse than Thompson, if at all Shuck can't touch Thompson defensively. And prior to last season, his bat wasn't that great either.