GreatScott82

QUOTE (ChiSoxFan05 @ Nov 6, 2013 -> 09:53 PM) I think that from this point forward that we'll have a similar offseason to last year where we signed Keppinger (this year Salty/AJP/Ruiz) and Lindstrom (this year O'Flaherty/Logan). boring

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 3, 2013 -> 04:26 PM) That makes me come up with this one. Ricky did the #1 thing I wanted him to do already with Abreu. Now I want him to....surprise me. Come up with something I'm not expecting. Yes! I think a nice surprise can really rejuvenate this fan base.

1) Explore trade possibilities. If Hahn can continue to add depth to the farm system by trading veterans then that should be the plan. If Hahn is comfortable with the young pitching depth, then perhaps he can deal some of that in attempt to acquire a true 3b. 2) Fill in the gaps on the MLB roster by signing mid level free agents such as Young for CF, Salty for C and one of the right handed starters available to fill up a rotation spot. The buy low/ sell high approach may be best if their long term plan is to compete for a division crown in 2015. I'm 50-50 on my stance for 2014. A part of me wants them to break the bank on a guy like Choo or Ellsbury and another part of me wants them to play if safe, obtain their #3 draft pick in June and play the 'see what we have approach' until they go for it all in 2015. I mean, if they stumble once again in 2014, would it be the end of the world for this organization to obtain yet another top 5 pick in consecutive seasons? I hate losing more then the next guy, but unless Hahn can be super creative in trades, I'd say let's wait until 2015 before we break the bank...

Well it sounds as if the Sox do plan on exploring trade possibilities first. . Which may be a good plan. I do see them making free agent splashes for 1 starting pitcher and a starting catcher.

I just don't see the point in bringing him back with the depth of right handed starter available via free agency.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Oct 31, 2013 -> 07:24 AM) They actually paid him $19 million last year. $8 million signing bonus and $11 mill salary. Barf!

If the Sox decide to spend cash on a right handed veteran starter, the guy I want is Ervin Santana. I have been a fan of his for a long time and he can be a good #2/3 guy to put between the many lefties that we have.

I'm not quite sure who the next big signing will be... However, I believe it will be either McCann or Grandy... I would prefer McCann over Grandy because outfielder spots are easier to fill than the C position IMO. If they do sign Grandy, than I hope they bring in Salty or bring back AJ. But I'm pretty sure AJ will classify as a "band-ade" solution, something Hahn wants to avoid. Is it possible that they can actually sign both guys?? Granderson CF FA Beckham 2B Abreu 1B FA Dunn DH McCann C FA A. Garcia RF Ramirez SS Viciedo LF Gillespie/Keppinger 3b Other options may involve trades which may take place during the winter meetings....

Im in on McCann... Then find a young CF via trade... or even sign Chris Young to a cheap 1 year deal with incentives. ..

Quit playing games with my heart.... Is he our new 1b or no????

QUOTE (ChiSoxFan05 @ Oct 17, 2013 -> 09:01 PM) IT WORKED! Kind of. Barry Jackson (MIA Beat Writer): Marlins bid but are reportedly out of running for Cuban 1B Jose Dariel Abreu, who Fox says will likely get 6 yrs, $68 M from White Sox. Its 50/50 white sox or rangers right now according to SB Nation

this sucks....

QUOTE (fathom @ Oct 17, 2013 -> 08:35 PM) 20 minutes ago, the Sox had Abreu 10 minutes ago, the Rangers had Abreu 2 minutes ago, the Sox had Abreu i love it when you analyze..

Can someone please tell me... what the hell is going on???

I'm stoked!! Very stoked right now! Great work Hahn and KW! Next on the list... CF and C positions.

The #1 target will be Abreu. Apparently the second target will be Grandy for CF... They need to address the catcher position... But McCann will be too pricey... Salty is nice... but wouldn't he fit into the "band aide" category? I guess anything is better than the Phegley/Flowers nightmare... What about the rotation? We need one more Righty... I want Ervin Santana... Might as well make the strength of this team stronger.... Sale, Santana, Quintana, Johnson, Danks, Santiago.... Not bad

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Oct 14, 2013 -> 10:55 AM) Of course you are right. There is only so much one player can do. Since rebuild is winning the popular vote rather than retool.what you suggest should get more support. I wouldn't do it because I beleive in retooling ,to use the young starters for competing next year and beyond with a few key bats picked up in the next few years. So either the rebuilders haven't spoken up yet or they really don't want to rebuild without Sale. Rebuilding without Sale will be a tough pill to swallow. However, rebuilding will be MUCH easier to do if you deal a player of his caliber. His value is tremendous and the return package will be fantastic. Believe me. im a HUGE Sale fan and would hate to see him go.. but IM a White Sox fan first and I believe the longterm impact from such a deal can be very rewarding. The Mariners traded Randy Johnson to Houston for Freddy Garcia, Carlos Guillen and John Halama... You would think Hahn can pull off a deal even better than that.....

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Oct 14, 2013 -> 10:19 AM) You can call it all you want to, but I am going to be beyond surprised if a starter who is 24 years old, signed to an incredibly team friendly contract, and will finish in the top 10 in Cy Young balloting for the 2nd year in a row is traded, especially by a franchise that feels they are going to compete this year. They would need a package that includes, at minimim, 4 top prospects. No team wants to give that up for a pitcher that they almost certainly deem to be a health risk (regardless of whether those thoughts and fears are subtantiated or not). Many teams were asking Hahn about him during the deadline this summer... Is it a reach to deal him now? Yes... But if the Red Sox offered up Bogaerts, Bradley, Webster and Owens... You would have to consider it, right? sorry but this team has way too many holes to compete next year... If Hahn wants "sustained" long term success he needs to first address the depth chart in the minors... as of right now, they have crud for position players. Trading Sale will hurt... But the long term benefits to such a deal may be worth it...

I'm calling it now... Don't be surprised if Sale is traded this winter. His value is absolutely beyond high right now and who knows just how much longer he will stay healthy with his current mechanics. My question for you guys is, If the White Sox can net three top 50 prospects and two mlb level position players (or something along those lines) would you pull that trigger?

Free Agent Priority List 1. Abreu... Will replace Konerko at 1b and can potentially make the heart of the lineup much better.. He is only 26. 2. Granderson/Choo.... Granderson is much more realistic than Choo financially and will fill that CF hole in the outfield and he can step into that leadership role for the team in the post PK era. 3. McCann- This has been the worst offensive season for white sox catchers in a long time... An upgrade at the catcher position is desperately needed... I would even consider bringing A.J. back to finish his career here. 4. I'm calling it now, Alexie will be traded and we will have a new SS next year... Call me crazy but with all the displeasure the Cubs have for Castro, I can see the Sox attempting to trade some pitching for his services... (My dark horse deal of the winter)

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Oct 1, 2013 -> 10:16 PM) I'd be stunned if Choo costs less than Granderson. My ballpark guess had Choo getting 2x as much as Granderson. Ellsbury, yeah, he ought to get more than Choo, but not extremely more. Just how expensive will he be? $$ per year? Do you think $12 million per season??

The more i think about it, the more i believe that Hahn will bring in Shin Soo Choo. His high OBP is exactly what this team is craving for. He will also come at a cheaper price tag than Elsbury and likely Granderson. His 20 HR/ SB #s won't hurt his value to the team as well. We all know Steve Stone absolutely raves about his abilities as well. I'm sure he will be in Hahn's ear this winter about signing him.

After reading this article, it sounds as if Hahn plans on spending big this winter. Upgrade the catcher position? YES please. How about 3b, CF and a 1B replacement for Pauly as well? How about finding a new home for Dunn? How about putting together a package involving Ramirez in attempt to upgrade the SS position? Do we stick it out with Viciedo out in LF? SOOOOO many questions need to be answered... there are ALOT of holes on this roster. IMO the only safe starting position players are Beckham 2b and Avi Garcia RF. Everything else can change at this point. I wish you well Hahn... time to get creative.

If the plan is to use 2014 as a 'developmental' type of season with the intention on going all in for 2015, perhaps signing McCann is not that bad of an idea after all. If they can lock him and Abreu up this winter and then make some other minor moves, I would be okay with that. I wouldn't be shocked if they threw Alexie's name out there as trade bait this winter....

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Sep 28, 2013 -> 10:03 AM) We ought to be able to tell that by the payroll next year. If it hangs out below $70 million, that's deft pick time. If they push back towards $100 mil, that's a couple huge signings to fill those holes. If they do increase payroll to 100 mill, what FA's do they go after?