hogan873

If Cespedes signs elsewhere, how quickly to Fowler and Jackson sign? I would imagine pretty quickly, and one should end up with the Sox.

QUOTE (OmarComing25 @ Jan 21, 2016 -> 10:17 AM) If he signs with the Nats, which fanbase will react worse, Sox or Mets? Mets for sure. If, however, the deal is extremely reasonable, our fan base will explode as well.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 21, 2016 -> 08:45 AM) I really have the feeling the White Sox are the only serious bidders out there. I keep going back to raBBit's post saying that the talks have been creative and options are the sticking point. Leads me to believe that the Sox are sticking to fewer years (I might believe they'll offer four years), and they are haggling over options for an additional year or two. If the tweet saying the Nationals offer is not good is true, then maybe the Sox truly are the only serious bidders. I just hope this nonsense ends soon...like today.

QUOTE (SouthSideSale @ Jan 21, 2016 -> 07:13 AM) I just have a hard time thinking the sox are a finalist only offering 3 years. I could see the mets because they were just in the World Series. Unless the Sox are offering a 3-year deal with options for more, I would agree that it's looking grim. There was a ton of anticipation yesterday, and I really thought a deal was imminent. Now I'm back to how I felt the day before: It's not likely. Time to move on.

QUOTE (Flash Tizzle @ Jan 21, 2016 -> 06:36 AM) If that's their plan, it's terrible and obviously only a result of missing out on the big name FA. How do you explain that? "We actively tried to upgrade our OF via FA, but only now do we realize the team as constructed can compete." There has to be an OF upgrade, no other choice I agree. By actively looking to upgrade the outfield, the Sox have essentially told the fan base what we already know: Garcia isn't very good. If they go into the season with Garcia as the starting right fielder, and saying that the team can compete as is, what will they be telling the fans? What would they be telling Garcia? There will be a lot of disappointment if the Sox don't make a move.

QUOTE (bschmaranz @ Jan 20, 2016 -> 02:21 PM) Watch him sign with Milwaukee or something random like that. I actually saw a tweet that he was going to play in Japan.

QUOTE (The Ginger Kid @ Jan 20, 2016 -> 12:38 PM) Nationals official site broadcasting a major announcement tomorrow That looks like a concert announcement...but who knows.

I've been in a meeting all morning just nodding along and saying "sounds good" as I keep hitting refresh. I hope the fact that I have no idea what's going on at work is rewarded with a Cespedes signing.

I'm not going to say that I don't want to see Cespedes on the Sox, but I will say that for the same money (at least over the next two years or so), the Sox could sign two of Desmond, Fowler, Jackson, and a picher (Latos for example). Fowler or Jackson gets you a solid #2 hitter and would be an improvement over Garcia. Desmond could also be a #2 hitter (I'm not as certain there), and he could be an improvement over Saladino, at least with experience. And adding a veteran pitcher on a decent contract certainly couldn't hurt. I don't think that Jackson or Fowler will sign before Cespedes does, though. The waiting game continues.

QUOTE (SoCalSox @ Jan 19, 2016 -> 10:43 AM) How do we know there are fewer teams? Every time we think this, more teams show up. KC was done with Gordon, Det was too broke to get Cespedes, Miami wasn't supposed to get Chen, Col already had 3 OF'ers & still signed Parra. At this point, narrowing it down to a few teams has proved to be pretty off. Right now, we need to assume the Sox are one of 5-10 teams on him, whether it's logical or not. I suppose we don't know how many teams are in the hunt. My point was that Baltimore and Detroit were two teams that we all were worried about, and they have since signed others. Plus, with the Davis and Upton contracts being long-term, I believe Cespedes is still wanting a longer term deal. If the Mets will truly not go past 3 years, they may be out. If the Sox will go to 4 years AND pay the higher AAV, maybe they are in good shape. Unless Cespedes decides to take a short deal (1 or 2 years), I would think the Sox and Angels may be the true front runners.

QUOTE (LDF @ Jan 19, 2016 -> 10:38 AM) great post. however lets look at this little correction. ref the bold, this is a big assumption for him to come back to a player he once was. the second one is with ceps is something to be in awe of, if all things goes right. I would think that it would be either LaRoche or Melky in the mix of 3-4-5. I threw LaRoche in there assuming that he'll rebound somewhat. Hell, if LaRoche hits like he used to AND the Sox sign Cespedes, the offense would be very potent.

QUOTE (OmarComing25 @ Jan 19, 2016 -> 10:00 AM) Does 4/90 get it done? I would think so, but that all depends on what other teams may offer. There are fewer teams now, and I think it could be down to the Mets and Sox. However, who knows.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Jan 19, 2016 -> 10:32 AM) Without him, I think we finish between 3rd-5th in the division. With him, I think we can win the division. He's a 4-6 win player that brings presence to this lineup that strikes fear into pitchers. This is a good way to look at it: Your 3-4-5 hitters could be Abreu, Frazier, LaRoche or Abreu, Frazier, Cespedes. He would make the middle of the lineup so much better.

QUOTE (ChiSoxFanMike @ Jan 19, 2016 -> 09:38 AM) Hypothetically, if Cespedes' camp told the White Sox FO that they would accept a deal exactly like Upton's, would the Sox do it? Would you guys as fans be ok with it if they did? No, I don't see the Sox offering a deal similar to Upton's. And if on the way off chance they did, I can't imagine many of us (on the board) would be too excited. It'd be great to have Cespedes on the team, but that much money locked up for that long? No.

The Upton deal leads me to believe that Cespedes will now be more likely to be pushing for a longer term deal. Unless he decides to take a 2-year deal in at attempt to cash in again in 2018. So, I'm going to stick with my guess of Fowler, although I wouldn't mind Jackson at this point. I will be very disappointed if the Sox go into the season with Garcia starting in RF.

I voted for Fowler. I'll be surprised if Garcia is the starting right fielder once the season starts...however, I would have said that statement a lot more emphatically three weeks ago. As each day goes by, I fell less optimistic about Cespedes. But, I find it hard to believe that the Sox won't upgrade the outfield and the offense, especially with the trade for Frazier. I'd be plenty content with Fowler batting second, helping Eaton to set the table for Abreu, Frazier, LaRoche, and Melky.

QUOTE (knightni @ Jan 15, 2016 -> 02:50 PM) I've heard that he's a French model too. I also heard that the Orioles will be changing the "O" on their caps to a "YO" once Cespedes signs with them. I believe that will be part of the contract he signs.

QUOTE (bmags @ Jan 15, 2016 -> 09:26 AM) If it's not shot in the "found footage" way I'd be interested. It is not a found footage movie. I did read that in one of the articles.

QUOTE (Brian @ Jan 15, 2016 -> 07:29 AM) If they tested it with audiences and liked it, how was it kept a secret? Mary Elizabeth's Winstead pretty much confirmed its a sequel on Facebook. It was tested as Valencia, but it would seem that someone would have said something if it was a true sequel. That leads me to believe that it's different enough to just be related to the original. And I did see her Facebook post saying it was a sequel. JJ Abrams will only say that it's a "blood relative" of the original that takes place in the same universe.

QUOTE (Brian @ Jan 15, 2016 -> 07:10 AM) I thought Cloverfield was annoying but this teaser is interesting and kudos to them for keeping it secret. The movie was originally called The Cellar and then Valencia before it was titled 10 Cloverfield Lane. I tried to find more information on it, but it is still wrapped in secrecy. From what I was able to gather, though, viewers shouldn't expect to see the monster. Apparently it tested extremely high with audiences, and there are some major twists. I'm intrigued.

QUOTE (Brian @ Jan 14, 2016 -> 10:17 PM) Did they secretly make a Cloverfield sequel? If so, why? http://www.slashfilm.com/10-cloverfield-la...-cloverfield-2/ Just came here to post something about it. Apparently, 10 Cloverfield Lane is a "blood relative" of Cloverfield. The trailer looks pretty awesome:

QUOTE (bmags @ Jan 14, 2016 -> 11:30 AM) Here's what I continue to not like about Fowler. He is not a bad player. He's a good player! But I hate this outfield for the next 3 years: Melky Eaton Fowler At its best, that is maybe 45 HRs from the outfield, but more realistically it is around 30. We would still want to upgrade one of those positions throughout fowlers contract. Good point, but I would hope the HR total from those three would be closer to 45 than 30. Melky has two years left, so unless he is somehow moved (either in a trade or to the DH role after this year), the outfield would be lacking in power for at least through the 2017 season.

QUOTE (Sockin @ Jan 14, 2016 -> 11:21 AM) Brian Bilek ‏@ChiSoxraBBit Seeing lots of talk about him, received multiple reports that the #WhiteSox could sign Dexter Fowler in the near future. Brian Bilek ‏@ChiSoxraBBit #WhiteSox are active in both FA and trade market, but Cespedes interest has been moved to the back burner to less pricey alternatives. Makes sense. If Cespedes is stuck on either the 5-6 year deal or a high dollar 1-year deal, I'm fine with the Sox moving on. Fowler would be a good 2-hole hitter. Between him and Eaton to set the table for Abreu and Frazier...could be good.

I'm sure I'll have to adjust this as time goes on, but here's my list in no particular order: Shawshank Redemption Edge of Tomorrow Terminator 2 Airplane! Pulp Fiction The Wolf of Wall Street Field of Dreams Evil Dead Trilogy Scream Blazing Saddles Saving Private Ryan The Sandlot Monty Python and The Holy Grail Cabin In The Woods Cloverfield Planes Trains and Automobiles I'm sure there are more...

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Jan 14, 2016 -> 06:39 AM) Yup, that article pretty much sums up the situation perfectly and IMO shows why the Sox are in a good spot. Very few teams with OF needs actually have the resources to land Cespedes or Upton at this point in time. While we all go back and forth on how much budget the Sox have left, I strongly believe they have the resources to sign one of these guys as long as the terms aren't ridiculous. Given how the market is playing out, I really think that will be the case. No reason not to be optimistic. I go back and forth about being optimistic, but the article does make me feel better. No matter what, though, if the Sox were to sign Cespedes (or Upton for that matter), the 2016 payroll will be one of the highest ever for the team. I would imagine the Sox would be willing to have a higher payroll this year knowing that $29 million is coming off the books next year. That is, however, all dependent on what kind of deals Cespedes and Upton ultimately get. As each day goes by it looks more and more like they will end up with shorter deals, but you never know.